After rain washed out yesterday’s opener at Royals Stadium, Yul Brynner tosses out the first ball and Kansas City opens with a 4 – 2 win over the Yankees. The threat of snow holds the crowd to just 10,006. Starter Bud Black, with relief help from Dan Quisenberry, tops Ron Guidry, still winless in Openers. Onix Concepción hits Guidry’s first pitch of the game for a home run, while Dave Winfield has a two-run homer for the Yankees.

ByThis Day in Baseball

After rain washed out yesterday’s opener at Royals Stadium, Yul Brynner tosses out the first ball and Kansas City opens with a 4 – 2 win over the Yankees. The threat of snow holds the crowd to just 10,006. Starter Bud Black, with relief help from Dan Quisenberry, tops Ron Guidry, still winless in Openers. Onix Concepción hits Guidry’s first pitch of the game for a home run, while Dave Winfield has a two-run homer for the Yankees.

The New York Yankees trade one of the key members of their last World Championship teams when they dispatch Graig Nettles to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Dennis Rasmussen and a player to be named. Nettles, who had angered Yankees owner George Steinbrenner by criticizing him in a book, will hit 20 home runs and help the Padres reach the 1984 World Series.

The New York Yankees trade one of the key members of their last World Championship teams when they dispatch Graig Nettles to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Dennis Rasmussen and a player to be named. Nettles, who had angered Yankees owner George Steinbrenner by criticizing him in a book, will hit 20 home runs and help the Padres reach the 1984 World Series.

ByTom

1984 – The New York Yankees trade one of the key members of their last World Championship teams when they dispatch Graig Nettles to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Dennis Rasmussen and a player to be named. Nettles, who had angered Yankees owner George Steinbrenner by criticizing him in a book, will hit 20 home runs and help the Padres reach the 1984 World Series.

Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball’s color line playing for the Dodgers in 1947, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President Reagan. Rachel Robinson, on behalf of her late husband, accepts the award, the highest civilian honor given in the United States.

ByTom

Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball’s color line playing for the Dodgers in 1947, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President Reagan. Rachel Robinson, on behalf of her late husband, accepts the award, the highest civilian honor given in the United States.

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1984 – Astros purchase infielder Alan Bannister from Cleveland. In nine games that season with Houston, Bannister would bat .200 before a trade to the Rangers.

ByTom

1984 – Astros purchase infielder Alan Bannister from Cleveland. In nine games that season with Houston, Bannister would bat .200 before a trade to the Rangers.

After vetoing a trade to Oakland Dusty Baker is waived by the Dodgers

After vetoing a trade to Oakland Dusty Baker is waived by the Dodgers

ByTom

After vetoing a trade to Oakland, two-time All-Star Dusty Baker is waived by the Dodgers. The 35 year-old outfielder will sign as a free agent, hitting .294 in 100 games, with the Giants, before ending his career with the A’s, the team he had refused to play for when dealt last season.

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends convicted Kansas City Royals Willie Wilson, Willie Aikens, and Jerry Martin, and Dodgers pitcher Steve Howe for one season without pay for their use of illegal drugs

ByTom

1983 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends convicted Kansas City Royals Willie Wilson, Willie Aikens, and Jerry Martin, and Dodgers pitcher Steve Howe for one season without pay for their use of illegal drugs. The suspensions will be shortened by an arbitrator and lifted on May 15th. Former Royal Vida Blue, who was released during the season and is currently out of a job, is also suspended.

Ill-advisedly, the Dodgers send pitching prospect Sid Fernandez and SS Ross Jones to the Mets in exchange for relief pitcher Carlos Diaz and utility player Bob Bailor.

Ill-advisedly, the Dodgers send pitching prospect Sid Fernandez and SS Ross Jones to the Mets in exchange for relief pitcher Carlos Diaz and utility player Bob Bailor.

ByTom

Ill-advisedly, the Dodgers send pitching prospect Sid Fernandez and SS Ross Jones to the Mets in exchange for relief pitcher Carlos Diaz and utility player Bob Bailor.