On April 4, 1977, the Pittsburgh Pirates make a seemingly minor trade that will pay major dividends. The Bucs acquire outfielder Mike Easler from the California Angels for minor league pitcher Randy Sealy. Easler will contribute mightily to the Pirates’ World Championship in 1979.
On April 1, 1977 The syndicated tv show, This Week in Baseball, premieres. TWIB becomes a mainstay for millions of baseball fans for the next 32 years (1977-1998, 2000-2011).
The Cincinnati Reds send outfielder Joel Youngblood and pitcher Pat Darcy to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitchers Bill Caudill and Mike Caldwell.
On March 28, 1977 – Texas Rangers second baseman Lenny Randle, upset at losing his second base job to Bump Wills during spring training,(Wills batted 324 with Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League last year.) physically confronts manager Frank Lucchesi, sending him to the hospital with a shattered cheekbone. Lucchesi helps precipitate the incident, which…
Infielder Rico Petrocelli is released by the Boston Red Sox after a 13-season career for his only major league club. Petrocelli retires with 210 home runs and two All-Star appearances.
On March 21, 1977, Detroit Tigers pitching sensation Mark Fidrych tears cartilage in his left knee. The injury will require surgery, which will short-circuit the career of the 1976 American League Rookie of the Year. In 1976, Fidrych gained national attention for his strange gyrations and mannerisms on the mound, which earned him the nickname…
In a nine-player spring training swap with Pittsburgh, the A’s send Phil Garner, Chris Batton, and Tommy Helms to the Pirates for Tony Armas, Mitchell Page, and four pitchers, including Doc Medich and Dave Giusti. Pittsburgh’s acquisition of infielder Phil Garner, the key player in the deal, will move a very disappointed Bill Robinson back into a utility role after he worked all winter to get ready to be the team’s everyday third baseman.
1977 – The Oakland A’s trade Ron Fairly to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor leaguer Mike Weathers and cash. The Macon, Georgia native, who played with the Montreal Expos from 1969 to 1974, will become the first major leaguer to appear with both Canadian teams.
Special Committee on the Negro Leagues elects Martin Dihigo and John Lloyd to the Hall of Fame
On January 19, 1977, former Chicago Cub standout Ernie Banks is elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Known as “Mr. Cub,” Banks played his entire 19-year major league career in Chicago, Banks hit 512 home runs, had 11 All-Star selections, and won back-to-back National League MVP Awards,
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