1980 – Unless contracts are tendered to certain veterans by today’s deadline, the Basic Agreement requires they be allowed to become free agents. In a major blunder, the Red Sox will miss the deadline, permitting All-Stars Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk to be eligible for free agency.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1980 – Unless contracts are tendered to certain veterans by today’s deadline, the Basic Agreement requires they be allowed to become free agents. In a major blunder, the Red Sox will miss the deadline, permitting All-Stars Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk to be eligible for free agency.

Elston Howard, the first black player to play for the New York Yankees, dies of heart failure at the age of 51

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On December 14, 1980, Elston Howard, the first black player to play for the New York Yankees, dies of heart failure at the age of 51. Howard won the 1963 Most Valuable Player Award for the Yankees.

In a ten player deal the Mariners receive Richie Zish and the Rangers receive Rick Honeycutt

In a ten player deal the Mariners receive Richie Zish and the Rangers receive Rick Honeycutt

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December 12, 1980 – The Mariners trade Larry Cox, Rick Honeycutt, Willie Horton, Mario Mendoza and Leon Roberts to the Texas Rangers for Steve Finch, Brian Allard, Rick Auerbach, Ken Clay, Jerry Don Gleaton and Richie Zisk. Honeycutt will lead the league in era in 1983 for the Rangers. Zisk will have 2 productive years…

The Red Sox trade SS Rick Burleson and 3B Butch Hobson to the Angels for 3B Carney Lansford, CF Rick Miller, and P Mark Clear.

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1980 – The Red Sox trade SS Rick Burleson and 3B Butch Hobson to the Angels for 3B Carney Lansford, CF Rick Miller, and P Mark Clear.

The Cubs trade reliever Bruce Sutter, the 1979 National League Cy Young Award winner to the Cardinals for 3B Ken Reitz, OF-1B Leon Durham

The Cubs trade reliever Bruce Sutter, the 1979 National League Cy Young Award winner to the Cardinals for 3B Ken Reitz, OF-1B Leon Durham

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1980 – The Cubs trade reliever Bruce Sutter, the 1979 National League Cy Young Award winner, to the Cardinals for 3B Ken Reitz, OF-1B Leon Durham, and a player to be named.

The Cardinals and Padres complete the first major trade at the annual winter meetings in Dallas, TX. Reliever Rollie Fingers, who won 11 games and saved 23 for San Diego in 1980, and 24-year-old catcher Terry Kennedy, who hit .254 for St. Louis, are the keys in the 11-player swap.

The Cardinals and Padres complete the first major trade at the annual winter meetings in Dallas, TX. Reliever Rollie Fingers, who won 11 games and saved 23 for San Diego in 1980, and 24-year-old catcher Terry Kennedy, who hit .254 for St. Louis, are the keys in the 11-player swap.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1980 – The Cardinals and Padres complete the first major trade at the annual winter meetings in Dallas, TX. Reliever Rollie Fingers, who won 11 games and saved 23 for San Diego in 1980, and 24-year-old catcher Terry Kennedy, who hit .254 for St. Louis, are the keys in the 11-player swap.

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.

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….