The city council, by a vote of 6-2, approves changing the name of San Diego Stadium to San Diego – Jack Murphy Stadium. The Padres ballpark’s new moniker is in honor of the late sports editor of the San Diego Union, who is credited getting the facility built in the late 1960s and with bringing major league baseball and football to the Southern California city.

ByTom

The city council, by a vote of 6-2, approves changing the name of San Diego Stadium to San Diego – Jack Murphy Stadium. The Padres ballpark’s new moniker is in honor of the late sports editor of the San Diego Union, who is credited getting the facility built in the late 1960s and with bringing major league baseball and football to the Southern California city.

University of Arizona standout Terry Francona wins the Golden Spikes Award, an honor given to the nation’s most outstanding amateur player by the U.S. Baseball Federation. The 21 year-old southpaw-swinging collegiate outfielder/first baseman, who was signed by the Expos, was selected by the NCAA as the College World Series MVP last season after helping the Wildcats capture the National Championship.

ByTom

University of Arizona standout Terry Francona wins the Golden Spikes Award, an honor given to the nation’s most outstanding amateur player by the U.S. Baseball Federation. The 21 year-old southpaw-swinging collegiate outfielder/first baseman, who was signed by the Expos, was selected by the NCAA as the College World Series MVP last season after helping the Wildcats capture the National Championship.

The St. Louis Cardinals release outfielder Bobby Bonds. Despite his 326 home runs and 456 stolen bases in 13 seasons, Bonds hit just .203 with St. Louis in 1980. He will make one more stop, his sixth in the last four years, with the Chicago Cubs in 1981.

ByTom

The St. Louis Cardinals release outfielder Bobby Bonds. Despite his 326 home runs and 456 stolen bases in 13 seasons, Bonds hit just .203 with St. Louis in 1980. He will make one more stop, his sixth in the last four years, with the Chicago Cubs in 1981.

1980 – Unless contracts are tendered to certain veterans by today’s deadline, the Basic Agreement requires they be allowed to become free agents. In a major blunder, the Red Sox will miss the deadline, permitting All-Stars Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk to be eligible for free agency.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1980 – Unless contracts are tendered to certain veterans by today’s deadline, the Basic Agreement requires they be allowed to become free agents. In a major blunder, the Red Sox will miss the deadline, permitting All-Stars Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk to be eligible for free agency.

Elston Howard, the first black player to play for the New York Yankees, dies of heart failure at the age of 51

ByThis Day in Baseball

On December 14, 1980, Elston Howard, the first black player to play for the New York Yankees, dies of heart failure at the age of 51. Howard won the 1963 Most Valuable Player Award for the Yankees.