1980 – At Exhibition Stadium, Rangers P Ferguson Jenkins is arrested for possession of illegal drugs after customs officials discover an estimated $500 worth of cocaine, marijuana, and hashish in his suitcase. The arrest stuns the entire country, where Jenkins, a Canadian citizen, is considered a national hero.
Nolan Ryan holds the Cubs to two hits in nine innings to give the Astros their 10th straight victory, 2 – 1, winning over Bill Caudill. Jose Cruz homers. During the streak, the Houston bullpen has thrown 37 2/3 shutout innings.
1980 – Joe Niekro comes on in relief to start the 16th inning of a scoreless tie with the Cubs at the Dome. He wins it himself an inning later when he drives home Enos Cabell for a 1-0 triumph in 17 frames. Houston pitchers allow just seven hits to increase their lead in the NL West to three games over Los Angeles.
Charlie Finley sells the Oakland A’s to the Levi Strauss company for nearly $13 million
1980 – Admitting that he can no longer compete financially in today’s inflated economy, colorful owner Bill Veeck agrees to sell the Chicago White Sox to Youngstown, OH shopping-mall magnate Eddie DeBartolo, Sr. for a reported $20 million. The sale will fall through, however, when American League owners twice fail to give Veeck the 10 votes needed for approval.
Pittsburgh’s Omar Moreno steals his 70th base of the season, becoming the first player this century with three consecutive 70-steal seasons. The fleet outfielder swiped 71 in 1978, 77 in 1979, and will finish 1980 with a career-high 96. Pittsburgh loses to Houston, 5 – 1.
Jon Matlack holds George Brett hitless, snapping his hitting streak at 30 consecutive games, but Kansas City rallies for three runs in the 9th to beat Texas, 4 – 3. Brett batted .467 during the streak and knocked in 42 runs.
test On August 17, 1980, future Hall of Famer George Brett goes 4-for-4 with five RBI to lift his batting average to .401, and extend his hitting streak to 29 games in the Royals’ 8-3 victory over Toronto. The Kansas City third baseman receives a standing ovation from the Royals Stadium crowd of 30,693 fans,…
At Tiger Stadium, Al Kaline becomes the first player in franchise history to have his uniform number retired. The Hall of Famer, who wore the number 6, roamed the outfield for Detroit from 1953 to 1974.
August 14, 1980 At Metropolitan Stadium Mike Norris goes 11 in a 2-1 CG win over the Minnesota Twins. Norris allowed the tying run to score in the bottom of the 9th. Dave revering will hit his 13th homerun of the season of Doug Corbett to give Norris the win. Norris made 33 starts in…
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