Don Blasingame becomes the first American to manage a team in the Japanese leagues
Don Blasingame becomes the first American to manage a team in the Japanese leagues
Lefthander Floyd Bannister is traded to Seattle for shortstop Craig Reynolds. An All-Star in Seattle, Reynolds would become an All-Star again the next year before settling into a long career in his hometown.
1978 – Lefthander Floyd Bannister is traded to Seattle for shortstop Craig Reynolds. An All-Star in Seattle, Reynolds would become an All-Star again the next year before settling into a long career in his hometown.
After sixteen years with the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose signs a four-year, $3.2 million deal with the Phillies
1978 – After sixteen years with the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose signs a four-year, $3.2 million deal with the Phillies. Other teams which pursued “Charlie Hustle” include the Mets, Braves, Pirates and the Royals. The deal temporarily makes Rose the highest-paid athlete in team sports.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Keith Hernandez wins the first of his 11 straight Gold Glove Awards (a MLB record at first base)
1978 – The Sporting News announces the Gold Glove winners. Shortstop Mark Belanger wins for the eighth and final time, while first baseman Keith Hernandez and catcher Bob Boone are each honored for the first time.
Cincinnati Reds fire long-time manager Sparky Anderson, who had led the team to five division titles, four pennants, and two World Championships.
On November 28, 1978, The Cincinnati Reds fire their nine-year manager, Sparky Anderson, who had led the team to five Division titles, four National League pennants and two World Championships (in 1975 and 1976), and averaged 96 wins per season. The surprise move comes six days after the Reds return from a trip to Japan. Anderson has one year left on a contract and had…
Detroit Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award
Detroit Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award with 21 of 28 first-place votes over Paul Molitor of the Milwaukee Brewers. Whitaker will be the youngest AL Rookie of the Year until Mike Trout passes him in 2012.
Bob Horner edges Ozzie Smith to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award
1978 – Bob Horner of the Braves edges Ozzie Smith of San Diego to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Horner batted .266 with 23 home runs in just 323 at-bats after starting the season at Arizona State University before being the first overall pick of the June draft.
Pirates outfielder Dave Parker wins the National League Most Valuable Player Award
1978 – Pirates outfielder Dave Parker wins the National League Most Valuable Player Award, 320-194, over Dodgers first baseman Steve Garvey. Parker had 30 home runs with 117 RBI and league-leading figures in batting average (.334), slugging percentage (.585), and total bases (340).
Boston Red Sox ace Luis Tiant signs a free agent contract with the rival New York Yankees
On November 13, 1978, Boston Red Sox ace Luis Tiant signs a free agent contract with the rival New York Yankees. Tiant the first free agent to sign, signs a two-year $875,000 contract. The 38 year-old El Tiante will post 21-17 (.553) record during his tenure in New York, but will not appear in the…
The Yankees trade southpaws Sparky Lyle, the 1977 Cy Young Award recipient in a 10 player deal
The Yankees trade southpaws Sparky Lyle, the 1977 Cy Young Award recipient, and Dave Rajsich along with righty Larry McCall, infielder Domingo Ramos, catcher Mike Heath, and $400,000 to the Rangers for lefties Dave Righetti and Paul Mirabella, right-hander Mike Griffin, and outfielder Juan Beniquez. The deal makes Yankee teammate Graig Nettles’s in-season quip that the closer had gone “from Cy Young to sayonara” a reality.
