The Cardinals and Padres trade shortstops as Garry Templeton goes to San Diego along with outfielder Sixto Lezcano and Ozzie Smith and right-hander Steve Mura head for St. Louis. The trade, however, will not be finalized until Smith’s salary with his new club is determined by an outside arbitrator two months later.

The Cardinals and Padres trade shortstops as Garry Templeton goes to San Diego along with outfielder Sixto Lezcano and Ozzie Smith and right-hander Steve Mura head for St. Louis. The trade, however, will not be finalized until Smith’s salary with his new club is determined by an outside arbitrator two months later.

The Cardinals and Padres trade shortstops as Garry Templeton goes to San Diego along with outfielder Sixto Lezcano and Ozzie Smith and right-hander Steve Mura head for St. Louis. The trade, however, will not be finalized until Smith’s salary with his new club is determined by an outside arbitrator two months later.

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Astros trade outfielder Gary Woods to the Cubs for outfielder Jim Tracy

1981 – Astros trade outfielder Gary Woods to the Cubs for outfielder Jim Tracy. Woods had hit .377 as a September call-up in 1980 but reverted to .209 the next season. Tracy never makes it into a regular season game for Houston but he will one day become the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies. 

St. Louis Cardinals  acquire outfielder Willie McGee from the New York Yankees for pitcher Bob Sykes

St. Louis Cardinals acquire outfielder Willie McGee from the New York Yankees for pitcher Bob Sykes

On October 21, 1981, the St. Louis Cardinals make one of their best trades ever when they acquire outfielder 22 year old Willie McGee from the New York Yankees for pitcher Bob Sykes. McGee will play 18 years in the major leagues, mostly with St. Louis. McGee was their 1977 first-round (15th overall).  Mcgee we…

Chicago White Sox purchase Greg Luzinski from the Philadelphia Phillies

Chicago White Sox purchase Greg Luzinski from the Philadelphia Phillies

    March 30, 1981 The Chicago White Sox purchase Greg Luzinski from the Philadelphia Phillies for just $150,000. Greg Luzinski will hit .265 with 21 homers on the South Side and help the White Sox win the AL West in 1983. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Other Resources & Links   [et_pb_signup provider=”getresponse” getresponse_list=”Thomas Hannon|zs45L” success_action=”redirect” success_redirect_url=”https://thisdayinbaseball.com/join-the-community/” success_redirect_query=”on|off|off|off|off”…

Philadelphia Phillies acquire veteran outfielder Gary Matthews from the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Bob Walk

Philadelphia Phillies acquire veteran outfielder Gary Matthews from the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Bob Walk

On March 25, 1981, the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies acquire veteran outfielder Gary Matthews from the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Bob Walk. Matthews will hit .301 and compile a .404 on-base percentage but will play in only 101 games in his first season with the Phillies. Atlanta’s new right-hander will compile a 12-13 record…

Carlton Fisk leaves the Boston Red Sox to sign a free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox

Carlton Fisk leaves the Boston Red Sox to sign a free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox

    On March 18, 1981 — After being declared a free agent because the Red Sox mailed his contract one day past the contractual deadline, Carlton Fisk signs a 5 year – $2.9 million deal with the White Sox. On Opening Day, the 33 year-old catcher will hit an eighth-inning three-run home run to tie the score, 3-3, that…

California Angels sign free agent Rick Burleson to a six-year contract worth $4.2 million
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California Angels sign free agent Rick Burleson to a six-year contract worth $4.2 million

    On March 13, 1981, the California Angels sign Rick Burleson to a six-year contract worth $4.2 million, making him the highest-paid shortstop in the major leagues.  Burleson was traded to the Angels from the Boston Red Sox last December. He will be paid an estimated $700,000 a year If he had not agreement…

Chicago White Sox sign prized free agent catcher Carlton Fisk
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Chicago White Sox sign prized free agent catcher Carlton Fisk

    On March 9, 1981, the Chicago White Sox sign prized free agent catcher Carlton Fisk. The future Hall of Fame receiver was declared a free agent in February after the Boston Red Sox had failed to mail him a contract by the deadline imposed under the Basic Agreement. Fisk batted .289 with 18…