The Mets obtain Frank Viola, last season’s American League Cy Young Award winner, from the Twins for Rick Aguilera, Tim Drummond, Kevin Tapani, Jack Savage, and David West. ‘Sweet Music’ hits a sour note in New York, posting a 38-32 record in 82 starts with a team which fails to make the playoffs during his 2 1/2 year tenure in the Big Apple.

The Mets obtain Frank Viola, last season’s American League Cy Young Award winner, from the Twins for Rick Aguilera, Tim Drummond, Kevin Tapani, Jack Savage, and David West. ‘Sweet Music’ hits a sour note in New York, posting a 38-32 record in 82 starts with a team which fails to make the playoffs during his 2 1/2 year tenure in the Big Apple.

On the same day the Blue Jays pick Lee Mazzilli off waivers from the Mets, they trade reliever Jeff Musselman and minor-league pitching prospect Mike Brady in exchange for Mookie Wilson, made expendable when New York obtained Juan Samuel from Philadelphia. After a slow start, Toronto’s new outfielder will play a vital role in the team’s return to the postseason for the first time since 1985, batting .298 in 54 games.

On the same day the Blue Jays pick Lee Mazzilli off waivers from the Mets, they trade reliever Jeff Musselman and minor-league pitching prospect Mike Brady in exchange for Mookie Wilson, made expendable when New York obtained Juan Samuel from Philadelphia. After a slow start, Toronto’s new outfielder will play a vital role in the team’s return to the postseason for the first time since 1985, batting .298 in 54 games.

1989 – The Twins trade last year’s Cy Young Award winner, Frank Viola, to the Mets for five players, including pitchers Rick Aguilera, David West and minor leaguer Kevin Tapani. Viola is the first Cy Young Award winner to be traded during the following season. Tapani will blossom into a Cy Young Award contender in 1991.

1989 – The Twins trade last year’s Cy Young Award winner, Frank Viola, to the Mets for five players, including pitchers Rick Aguilera, David West and minor leaguer Kevin Tapani. Viola is the first Cy Young Award winner to be traded during the following season. Tapani will blossom into a Cy Young Award contender in 1991.

1989 – Mark Grace belts a two-out three-run homer off Rick Aguilera to give the Cubs a 6 – 4 win over the Mets. Les Lancaster is the winner as the Cubs sweep three from the Mets.

1989 – Mark Grace belts a two-out three-run homer off Rick Aguilera to give the Cubs a 6 – 4 win over the Mets. Les Lancaster is the winner as the Cubs sweep three from the Mets.

Steve Carlton Night
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Steve Carlton Night

On July 29, 1989, On Steve Carlton Night at Veterans Stadium, the Phillies retire Lefty‘s uniform #32 during a pregame ceremony. Among the gifts he receives from the Phils are a gold watch, a ring with the number 32 in diamonds, and a trip around the world for his family. In 15 years with the Phillies (1972-1986), Carlton…

Craig Biggio becomes the first Houston catcher to bat leadoff in over twenty years
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Craig Biggio becomes the first Houston catcher to bat leadoff in over twenty years

1989 – Craig Biggio becomes the first Houston catcher to bat leadoff in over twenty years and it seems to work out. He homers and singles in an 8-1 victory at San Francisco. Another blast is the first big league bomb for Eric Anthony. Glenn Davis and Ken Caminiti also go yard. Mark Portugal hurls a three-hit complete game, just his second win as an Astro. 

Rickey Henderson steals five bases and scores four runs without the benefit of getting an official time at-bat. The offensive output is made possible when the A’s leadoff hitter is issued four bases-on-balls by Randy Johnson, who still manages to get the win in the M’s 14-6 victory at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Rickey Henderson steals five bases and scores four runs without the benefit of getting an official time at-bat. The offensive output is made possible when the A’s leadoff hitter is issued four bases-on-balls by Randy Johnson, who still manages to get the win in the M’s 14-6 victory at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The White Sox trade Harold Baines, their all-time home run leader, and left-fielder Fred Manrique to the Rangers for outfielders Scott Fletcher and Sammy Sosa, along with southpaw Wilson Alvarez. Three seasons later, the Pale Hose will send Slammin’ Sammy to the Cubs, where the Dominican slugger will hit 545 home runs during his 13-year stay with their crosstown rivals.

The White Sox trade Harold Baines, their all-time home run leader, and left-fielder Fred Manrique to the Rangers for outfielders Scott Fletcher and Sammy Sosa, along with southpaw Wilson Alvarez. Three seasons later, the Pale Hose will send Slammin’ Sammy to the Cubs, where the Dominican slugger will hit 545 home runs during his 13-year stay with their crosstown rivals.

1989 – Vince Coleman’s major league record-setting consecutive stolen base streak ends at 50 as Expos backstop Nelson Santovenia nails him trying to swipe second base. The Cardinal speedster surpassed the previous record of 38 established by Davey Lopes of the Dodgers in 1975.

1989 – Vince Coleman’s major league record-setting consecutive stolen base streak ends at 50 as Expos backstop Nelson Santovenia nails him trying to swipe second base. The Cardinal speedster surpassed the previous record of 38 established by Davey Lopes of the Dodgers in 1975.

In the team’s 10-1 rout of San Francisco, Dale Murphy becomes the 10th major leaguer to collect six RBIs in the same inning when he connects for two three-run round-trippers in the Braves’ ten-run sixth at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The 33 year-old right fielder also becomes the second player in franchise history to go deep twice in the same frame, joining Robert Lowe, who accomplished the unusual feat in 1884.

In the team’s 10-1 rout of San Francisco, Dale Murphy becomes the 10th major leaguer to collect six RBIs in the same inning when he connects for two three-run round-trippers in the Braves’ ten-run sixth at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The 33 year-old right fielder also becomes the second player in franchise history to go deep twice in the same frame, joining Robert Lowe, who accomplished the unusual feat in 1884.