relief pitcher Bill Campbell becomes the first free agent to sign a contract with a new team

On November 6, 1976, relief pitcher Bill Campbell becomes the first free agent to sign a contract with a new team. Campbell leaves the Minnesota Twins to sign a four-year deal worth an estimated $1.05 million with the Boston Red Sox. Campbell, who won 17 games and saved 20 in 1976, will win 13 games…

The A’s send manager Chuck Tanner To Pittsburgh for.Manny Sanguillen

The Oakland Athletics make an unusual trade by sending manager Chuck Tanner to the Pittsburgh Pirates for catcher Manny Sanguillen and $100,000. Sanguillen will play only one season in Oakland before returning to Pittsburgh. Tanner will lead the Pirates to the World Championship in 1979.

Los Angeles Dodgers trade onetime Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall to the Atlanta Braves

Los Angeles Dodgers trade onetime Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall to the Atlanta Braves

On June 23, 1976, the Los Angeles Dodgers trade onetime Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall to the Atlanta Braves for infielder-outfielder Lee Lacy and pitcher Elias Sosa. Marshall, who set a major league record by appearing in 106 games in 1974, had struggled in his first 30 appearances of 1976… @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

Rollie Fingers as a Red Sox
|

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn voids the sales of Oakland A’s stars Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers, and Joe Rudi

On June 18, 1976, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn voids the sales of Oakland A’s stars Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers, and Joe Rudi. Kuhn orders the players to return to Oakland, but owner Charlie Finley will not allow manager Chuck Tanner to use any of them in a game until June 27…  

rollie fingers
|

Oakland sells 3 Players – Bowie Kuhn voids the trades

On June 15, 1976, Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley sells three of his star players. Finley sends Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers to the Boston Red Sox for $1 million apiece and Vida Blue to the New York Yankees for $1.5 million. Three days later, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn will void the moves, saying they are…

After being released by the Padres, Bobby Tolan (.255, 5, 48), signs as a free agent with the Phillies.

After being released by the Padres, Bobby Tolan (.255, 5, 48), signs as a free agent with the Phillies.

After being released by the Padres, Bobby Tolan (.255, 5, 48), signs as a free agent with the Phillies. The outfielder-first baseman, who plays only 15 games for Philadelphia, will ink a deal with the Pirates in June.

Jerry Koosman signed New York Mets B&W 16x20 Photo (1969 World Series champagne celebration with Tom Seaver)

Tom Seaver trade to Dodgers called off

On March 28, 1976, media sources report a potential blockbuster trade between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. According to the rumor, the deal will send Tom Seaver to the Dodgers in exchange for another future Hall of Famer, Don Sutton. Mets fans respond negatively to the proposed deal, perhaps influencing management to…

Los Angeles Dodgers re-acquire second baseman Ted Sizemore from the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Willie Crawford

Los Angeles Dodgers re-acquire second baseman Ted Sizemore from the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Willie Crawford

On March 2, 1976, the Los Angeles Dodgers re-acquire second baseman Ted Sizemore from the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Willie Crawford. Sizemore had started his major league career with the Dodgers in 1969, when he won the National League’s Rookie of the Year Award, and was later traded to the Cardinals as part of…