Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt, who hit .286 with career highs of 48 home runs and 121 RBI, is a unanimous choice as National League Most Valuable Player.

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt, who hit .286 with career highs of 48 home runs and 121 RBI, is a unanimous choice as National League Most Valuable Player.

ByTom

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt, who hit .286 with career highs of 48 home runs and 121 RBI, is a unanimous choice as National League Most Valuable Player.

Outfielder Ron LeFlore, who hit .257 with 97 stolen bases for the Montreal Expos last season, signs as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox.
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Outfielder Ron LeFlore, who hit .257 with 97 stolen bases for the Montreal Expos last season, signs as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Outfielder Ron LeFlore, who hit .257 with 97 stolen bases for the Montreal Expos last season, signs as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox.

1980 – Gene Michael becomes the 25th manager in New York Yankees history, replacing a resigning Dick Howser. Under Michael, the Yankees will finish first in the first half of the strike-shortened 1981, season, but Michael will already be gone by the time the postseason rolls around.

ByTom

1980 – Gene Michael becomes the 25th manager in New York Yankees history, replacing a resigning Dick Howser. Under Michael, the Yankees will finish first in the first half of the strike-shortened 1981, season, but Michael will already be gone by the time the postseason rolls around.

New York Yankees fire manager Dick Howser, who led the club to a regular season record of 103 wins and 59 losses

New York Yankees fire manager Dick Howser, who led the club to a regular season record of 103 wins and 59 losses

ByThis Day in Baseball

On November 21, 1980, the New York Yankees fire manager Dick Howser, and is replaced by Gene Michael. Howser led the club to a regular season record of 103 wins and 59 losses. Howser takes the fall for the Yankees’ disappointing performance in the playoffs-a three-game sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals….

Despite having missed 45 games with injuries, George Brett is named American League Most Valuable Player

Despite having missed 45 games with injuries, George Brett is named American League Most Valuable Player

ByBaseball

1980 – Despite having missed 45 games with injuries, George Brett is named American League Most Valuable Player. The 27-year-old third baseman’s .390 batting average was the highest in the major leagues since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Brett added 24 home runs and 118 RBI to lead the Kansas City Royals to their first AL pennant.

In the re-entry draft, Dave Winfield is selected by ten of the 26 teams

In the re-entry draft, Dave Winfield is selected by ten of the 26 teams

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the re-entry draft, Dave Winfield is selected by ten of the 26 teams, including the Mets, Yankees, and Braves, the front-running clubs hoping to land the San Diego superstar. The 29 year-old slugging outfielder, who will ink a record ten-year free-agent deal with the Bronx Bombers worth $16 million, is limited to signing a contract with one of the teams that had chosen him, a provision which usually weakens a free agent’s bargaining position.

1980 – Seattle Mariners general manager Lou Gorman, who had been with the club since its inception, resigns to become vice president of the New York Mets.

ByBaseball

1980 – Seattle Mariners general manager Lou Gorman, who had been with the club since its inception, resigns to become vice president of the New York Mets.