1979 – Fireworks in Cincinnati. The upstart Astros nip the Reds, 3-2, to take their first-ever ten-game divisional lead. Jose Cruz and Jeff Leonard drive home runs in the seventh to lead the come-from-behind victory. Joaquin Andujar and Ray Knight, ex-teammates in the Cincy farm system, start a bench-clearing brawl after hurling insults across the diamond. Joe Sambito cools the Reds with two shutout innings for the save
The Phillies’ Steve Carlton shuts out the Mets, 1 – 0, on a one-hitter, but the Phils manage to lose three other hurlers on the same day: Larry Christenson pulls a groin muscle, Dick Ruthven goes on the disabled list, and Randy Lerch fractures his thumb in a brawl.
Don Kessinger (46-60) is fired mid-season as the player-manager of the White Sox and will be replaced by rookie skipper Tony La Russa, who had been managing the club’s Triple-A Iowa Oaks in the American Association. During his eight-year tenure with Chicago, La Russa will compile a 522-510 record, with his team winning the AL West title in 1983.
New York hits five homers off Red Sox starter Dennis Eckersley to win, 6 – 5. Boston also loses speedster Jerry Remy, batting .304 on the season, when he injures a knee sliding home. Remy will appear in only seven more games all year. Remy will never swipe more than 16 bases after coming back, after averaging 35 steals his first four seasons.
On June 30, 1979, the fledgling Inter-American League folds after a stormy half-season of existence. The league, which featured teams in Miami and five Latin American cities, had been plagued by poor weather, high transportation costs, and financial instability.
George Brett hits for the cycle in the Royals’ 5-4 victory over Baltimore. The third baseman’s second home run of the game gives Kansas City a 5-4 walk-off victory in the bottom of the 16th inning.
On June 28, 1979, the Pittsburgh Pirates make a trade that will help them win the World Series. Pittsburgh acquires third baseman Bill Madlock, infielder Lenny Randle, and pitcher Dave Roberts from the San Francisco Giants for pitchers Fred Breining, Al Holland, and Ed Whitson. Madlock will hit .328 in 85 games for the Pirates…
On June 26, 1979, the New York Yankees re-acquire outfielder Bobby Murcer from the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitcher Paul Semall. The 33-year-old outfielder batted .258 in a part-time role for Chicago. The Yankees had traded the former All-Star and fan favorite to the San Francisco Giants after the 1974 season. Murcer will once…
On June 24, 1979, 20-year-old future Hall of Famer, Rickey Henderson makes his major league debut for the Oakland A’s in the first game of a doubleheader, a 5-1 loss to Texas. Henderson picks up a single, a double, and his first stolen base in four at-bats against the Texas Rangers. Later in the season,…
On June 19, 1979 At Yankee Stadium, 36,211 fans show up to witness the return of Billy Martin as Yankees manager in a 5 – 4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Martin was named to replace Bob Lemon the previous day, and begins his second stint as Yankee skipper a season earlier than previously announced.
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