Mike Flanagan (23-9, 3.08) wins the Cy Young Award, easily outdistancing New York’s Tommy John (21-9, 2.97). The Orioles’ southpaw receives 26 of the 27 first-place votes cast by the writers.
Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays, one of the game’s most popular players, severs all ties with major league baseball when he accepts a public relations job with an Atlantic City casino. Due to the gambling aspect of the position, he had been given an ultimatum by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to disassociate himself from the national pastime.
1979 – The New York Yankees replace fired manager Billy Martin with Dick Howser, the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles and a former coach with the Bronx Bombers. In 1980, Howser will lead the Yankees to 103 victories but will be fired in turn after failing to advance in the ALCS.
1979 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notifies Hall of Famer Willie Mays that if he accepts a position with the Bally Manufacturing Corporation, owner of several gambling casinos, he must disassociate himself from major league baseball. Mays, a part-time coach and goodwill ambassador for the Mets, will relinquish his duties upon accepting Bally’s job offer.
1979 – Billy Martin is involved in a barroom altercation with Joseph Cooper, a Minnesota marshmallow salesman. Cooper requires 15 stitches to close a gash in his lip. The fight will result in Martin being fired as Yankees manager for the second time.
Ed Kranepool declares his free-agency, ending his 18-year major league career, played entirely with the Mets. The first baseman and pinch-hitter, who signed with the expansion team in 1962 at the age of 17 as an amateur free agent, set franchise records in eight categories, including the most hits (1,418), most games played (1,853), at-bats (5,436), and pinch-hits (90).
Pirates Win The 1979 World Series October 17, 1979 At Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, Jimmy Carter throws the ceremonial first pitch before the Pirates and Orioles play Game 7 of the Fall Classic. The toss marks the only time the Commander-in-Chief will perform the pregame ritual during his presidency. With the World Series tied at three…
1979 – Pittsburgh Pirates starter John Candelaria and closer Kent Tekulve combine on a 4 – 0 shutout over the Baltimore Orioles as the Pirates send the World Series to its seventh game. Jim Palmer is the losing pitcher.
1979 – In the World Series, the Baltimore Orioles score six runs in the 8th inning en route to a 9 – 6 win, taking a 3-1 Series advantage over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pinch-hit doubles by John Lowenstein and Terry Crowley drive in four runs.
1979 – Kiko Garcia drives in four runs to lead the Orioles to an 8 – 4 triumph over Pittsburgh in Game 3 of the World Series.
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