Pitcher Wayne Garland, the major leagues’ first millionaire free agent, is waived by the Cleveland Indians with five seasons remaining on his 10-year contract. Garland posted a 3-7 record with a 5.79 ERA in 1981.
On January 29, 1982, the New York Yankees name Graig Nettles the 6th team captain. Nettles becomes the first Yankee captain since Thurman Munson, who was killed in a 1979 plane crash. The honor was held by only two other players in the last 40 years. The slick-fielding veteran third baseman is the American League…
On January 28, 1982, the Baltimore Orioles trade third baseman Doug DeCinces – the successor to Brooks Robinson – and pitcher Jeff Schneider to the California Angels for outfielder Dan Ford. DeCinces will have a career year hitting 30 home runs and batting 300. DeCinces was traded to make room for a Rookie Cal Ripken…
On January 27, 1982, the Chicago Cubs make one of their best trades in franchise history, acquiring infielders Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa from the Philadelphia Phillies for shortstop Ivan DeJesus. Bowa and DeJesús will have a few more productive seasons in the major leagues, but Sandberg, after starting out his career at third…
On January 22, 1982, free agent slugger Reggie Jackson signs a four-year, $4 million contract with the California Angels. Jackson leaves the New York Yankees after leading them to two world titles in five years.
On Jan. 13, 1982, Kirby Puckett was selected by the Minnesota Twins with the third overall pick of the regular phase of the January Draft. Instituted in 1966 for players who graduated from school in the winter, the January Draft was discontinued after 1986. Puckett an unknown at the time, The Twins offered him $6,000,…
On January 13, 1982, Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson win election to the Hall of Fame in their first years of eligibility. Aaron established a major league record with 755 home runs, Aaron falls nine votes shy of becoming the first-ever unanimous selection, and his 97.8 election percentage is second only to Ty Cobb’s 98.2…
1982 – In the January draft, the Blue Jays use the #1 pick on OF Kash Beauchamp and the Cubs follow by taking C Troy Afenir. But the Twins, picking third, take OF Kirby Puckett. Meanwhile, the Reds choose P Randy Myers in the first round while the Mets select OF Kal Daniels in the third round. The 433rd pick overall is OF John Cangelosi, taken by the White Sox.
On January 9, 1982, former Boston Red Sox star Tony Conigliaro suffers a massive heart attack while riding in a car with his brother, Billy. The 37-year-old Conigliaro, nicknamed “Tony C,” falls into a coma and will remain hospitalized until early March.
1982 – Free agent pitcher Frank Tanana signs a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers.
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