In separate deals, the New York Yankees acquire OF Ruppert Jones from the Seattle Mariners and C Rick Cerone and P Tom Underwood

ByThis Day in Baseball

In separate deals, the New York Yankees acquire OF Ruppert Jones from the Seattle Mariners and C Rick Cerone and P Tom Underwood from the Toronto Blue Jays, giving up seven players, including popular 1B Chris Chambliss, SS Damaso Garcia, OF Juan Beniquez, and Ps Jim Beattie and Paul Mirabella. Chambliss will be with the Blue Jays a month before they swap him to the Atlanta Braves.

Willie Mays severs all ties with major league baseball

ByTom

Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays, one of the game’s most popular players, severs all ties with major league baseball when he accepts a public relations job with an Atlantic City casino. Due to the gambling aspect of the position, he had been given an ultimatum by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to disassociate himself from the national pastime.

The New York Yankees replace fired manager Billy Martin with Dick Howser

The New York Yankees replace fired manager Billy Martin with Dick Howser

ByBaseball

1979 – The New York Yankees replace fired manager Billy Martin with Dick Howser, the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles and a former coach with the Bronx Bombers. In 1980, Howser will lead the Yankees to 103 victories but will be fired in turn after failing to advance in the ALCS.

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notifies Hall of Famer Willie Mays that if he accepts a position with the Bally Manufacturing Corporation he must disassociate himself from major league baseball

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notifies Hall of Famer Willie Mays that if he accepts a position with the Bally Manufacturing Corporation he must disassociate himself from major league baseball

ByThis Day in Baseball

1979 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notifies Hall of Famer Willie Mays that if he accepts a position with the Bally Manufacturing Corporation, owner of several gambling casinos, he must disassociate himself from major league baseball. Mays, a part-time coach and goodwill ambassador for the Mets, will relinquish his duties upon accepting Bally’s job offer.

Ed Kranepool declares his free-agency, ending his 18-year major league career, played entirely with the Mets. The first baseman and pinch-hitter, who signed with the expansion team in 1962 at the age of 17 as an amateur free agent, set franchise records in eight categories, including the most hits (1,418), most games played (1,853), at-bats (5,436), and pinch-hits (90).

ByBaseball

Ed Kranepool declares his free-agency, ending his 18-year major league career, played entirely with the Mets. The first baseman and pinch-hitter, who signed with the expansion team in 1962 at the age of 17 as an amateur free agent, set franchise records in eight categories, including the most hits (1,418), most games played (1,853), at-bats (5,436), and pinch-hits (90).

1979 – Pittsburgh Pirates starter John Candelaria and closer Kent Tekulve combine on a 4 – 0 shutout over the Baltimore Orioles as the Pirates send the World Series to its seventh game. Jim Palmer is the losing pitcher.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1979 – Pittsburgh Pirates starter John Candelaria and closer Kent Tekulve combine on a 4 – 0 shutout over the Baltimore Orioles as the Pirates send the World Series to its seventh game. Jim Palmer is the losing pitcher.

1979 – The Pittsburgh Pirates complete a sweep of their National League Championship Series, beating the Cincinnati Reds, 7 – 1. Willie Stargell, who hit a home run, is named the Series MVP.

ByBaseball

1979 – The Pittsburgh Pirates complete a sweep of their National League Championship Series, beating the Cincinnati Reds, 7 – 1. Willie Stargell, who hit a home run, is named the Series MVP.

1979 – Baltimore takes a 9 – 1 lead in the ALCS Game 1, but the Angels score seven runs in the last four innings only to fall short, 9 – 8. Eddie Murray drives in four runs for Baltimore.

ByBaseball

1979 – Baltimore takes a 9 – 1 lead in the ALCS Game 1, but the Angels score seven runs in the last four innings only to fall short, 9 – 8. Eddie Murray drives in four runs for Baltimore.

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Joe Niekro becomes the first 21-game winner in club history with a 3-2 triumph over the Dodgers. An eighth-inning sacrifice fly by Danny Heep plates the game-winner. The Astros finish with a best-to-date 89 wins but fall 1-1/2 games short of Cincinnati for the N.L. West title. 

ByTom

1979 – Joe Niekro becomes the first 21-game winner in club history with a 3-2 triumph over the Dodgers. An eighth-inning sacrifice fly by Danny Heep plates the game-winner. The Astros finish with a best-to-date 89 wins but fall 1-1/2 games short of Cincinnati for the N.L. West title.