Major League Season Recap 1990

Seasons

Major League Season Recap 1990

World Series – Cincinnati Reds NL over Oakland A’s AL 4 games to 0

World Series MVP – rijojo01
Babe Ruth Award – Billy Hatcher

ALCS Oakland A’s over Boston Red Sox 4 games to 0 ALCS MVP – Dave Stewart
NLCS Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates 4 games to 2 NLCS MVP – Rob Dibble, Randy Myers

Awards –

Cy Young Award National League drabedo01
Cy Young Award American League Bob Welch

MVP Awards –
NL Barry Bonds
AL Rickey Henderson

NL Rookie of The Year – justida01
AL Rookie of The Year – alomasa02

Roberto Clemente Award – Dave Stewart

All-Star Game – July 10th 1990 – A.L. 2 over N.L. 0 , played at Wrigley Field (NL)
AL Starter B. Welch NL Starter J. Armstrong MVP J. Franco

Baltimore Orioles sell three of their stars including third baseman John McGraw

Baltimore Orioles sell three of their stars including third baseman John McGraw

Dave Dravecky San Diego

Dave Dravecky undergoes another operation to remove a cancerous tumor

Johnny Sylvester, the terminally ill young boy whom Babe Ruth promised to hit a home run for in the 1926 World Series, dies at the age of 74. Although the Yankee slugger homers against the Cardinals at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis and the 11 year-old youngster recovers from his undetermined illness, the accounts of the incident, especially as shown in the movie, The Babe Ruth Story, have proven to be more romantic than accurate.

Joe Morgan and Jim Palmer elected into Hall of Fame

Joe Morgan and Jim Palmer elected into Hall of Fame

A spring training lockout of major league players will begin February 15th unless there is a new agreement, according to an announcement made by the owners. The work stoppage will last 32 days.

Japanese League star Cecil Fielder signs a contract with the Detroit Tigers

1990 – Astros ink pitcher Terry Clark who had played two seasons with the Angels. The righthander appears in just one game for Houston that season and reemerges six years later to pitch in five games for the Astros in 1996. His career in Houston is forgettable: 0-2 with an ERA over 11.00.

Elaine Weddington

The Red Sox hire Elaine Weddington as the assistant general manager of the team, making her the highest-ranking black female executive in major league baseball. The St. John’s graduate received a scholarship to attend the university from the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Autographed Anderson Picture - Larry Houston Astros 8x10 W coa

Larry Andersen agrees on a two-year deal with Astros

1990 – The St. Petersburg Pelicans get home runs from Lamar Johnson and Steve Kemp and rout the West Palm Beach Tropics, 12 – 4, to win the first – and only – championship of the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

Mike Scott

The Astros Silver Anniversary Team (1965-1989) is announced at a Houston banquet

With the issue of the implementation of salary cap unresolved, a thirty-two-day lockout begins when major league owners refuse to open spring training camp without reaching a new Basic Agreement with the players. The season will be delayed one week due to baseball’s seventh work stoppage and will need to be extended for three days to accommodate the 162-game schedule.

Herb Raybourn, the Yankee director of Latin American operations, signs amateur free-agent Mariano Rivera

Herb Raybourn, the Yankee director of Latin American operations, signs amateur free-agent Mariano Rivera

1990 – Shortstop Andujar Cedeno is signed to a minor-league deal and placed on the Astros’ 40-man roster, causing various national sportswires to misidentify him both as Cesar Cedeno and Joaquin Andujar. The 20-year-old fellow Dominican is not related to either former Astro. 

Baseball remains locked out

Boston Red Sox slugger Tony Conigliaro dies at the age of 45

Boston Red Sox slugger Tony Conigliaro dies at the age of 45

1990 – The Special Veterans Committee fails to elect a single player to the Hall of Fame for the second time in three years.

Major league players and owners reach a new collective bargaining agreement that will end the 32-day lockout of spring training camps

Major league players and owners reach a new collective bargaining agreement that will end the 32-day lockout of spring training camps

1990 – Major league umpires announce that they will boycott exhibition games to protest not having been consulted in the revision of the regular season schedule after the lockout. They will return to work on April 1st.

howie spira

Gambler Howard Spira is arrested for extorting money from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner

1990 – A plan to allow starting pitchers to earn victories with only three innings pitched (because of the abbreviated spring training period) is scrapped, but teams will be allowed to open the regular season with 27-man rosters instead of the allowed maximum of 25.

Astros Special Assistant Donald Davidson dies in Houston at age 64

Billy Hatcher, who is in the delivery room with his pregnant wife when the phone rings, is informed by Pirates manager Jim Leyland that he has been traded but doesn’t ask to which team. After his daughter Chelsea is born, the former Buc outfielder gets a call at home from Cincinnati general manager Bob Quinn to welcome him to the Reds.

Delino DeShields goes 4-for-6 to become only the second rookie to collect four hits in an Opening Day debut

Delino DeShields goes 4-for-6 to become only the second rookie to collect four hits in an Opening Day debut

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the New York Mets, 12 – 3, at Shea Stadium. It is the Mets’ first loss in a season opener at home in 21 years.

Lenny Dykstra of the Phillies had a home run washed out by rain

Hal Morris chooses the Reds song for the year U Can’t Touch This

Hal Morris chooses the Reds song for the year U Can’t Touch This

At the SkyDome in Toronto, George Bush becomes the first U.S. president to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in Canada

At the SkyDome in Toronto, George Bush becomes the first U.S. president to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in Canada. After the international toss, the Blue Jays beat the visiting Rangers, 2-1.

Wade Boggs is intentionally walked three times, tying a major league mark for a nine inning game. Tiger manager Sparky Anderson’s strategy pays off in preventing additional runs from scoring, but Detroit drops a 4-2 decision to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Langston and Witt combine on no hitter

Langston and Witt combine on no hitter

4/11/1990: The Indians were playing their first game of the season against the Yankees at home. The weather conditions were terrible, with a 36-degree temperature and a 12-mile-per-hour wind that made the wind chill 19 degrees. Snow stopped the game in the middle of the second inning for 59 minutes. In the bottom of the third, Cory Snyder hit a home run, having already doubled in the second frame. Snow started again in the fourth inning and the game was stopped with one out in the bottom of the inning. The Tribe was ahead 2-1 at the time.

4/14/1990: Lonnie Smith of the Braves hit a three-run home run off Reds pitcher Danny Jackson in the bottom of the third inning. The game was rained out after three innings with Cincinnati leading 9-4.

Starter Bret Saberhagen gets the win and reliever Mark Davis earns the save as Kansas City beats Toronto, 3 – 1. It is the first time ever that two reigning Cy Young Award winners have figured in the same victory.

Cal Ripken begins a streak which leads to the major league record for the most errorless games [95] and total chances [431] by a shortstop. At the end of June, the O’s infielder appeared to have made an error before the record was set, but official scorer Bill Steka changed his mind the next day, deciding to give Birds’ center fielder Mike Devereaux the error instead.

ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball makes its debut, with Jon Miller and Joe Morgan behind the microphones, a broadcasting team that will remain in the booth for the next 21 seasons. The early stages of the sports network’s coverage on Sundays evenings call for every ballpark to host a game, assuring each team at least one appearance on national television throughout the season.

Brian Holman of the Seattle Mariners loses his bid for the major league's 13th perfect game with two outs in the 9th inning

Brian Holman of the Seattle Mariners loses his bid for the major league’s 13th perfect game with two outs in the 9th inning

The Reds beat the Braves at Riverfront Stadium, 8-1, for their ninth consecutive victory since Opening Day. The eventual World Champions’ winning streak is the best start in club history.

Steve Lyons

White Sox utility player Steve Lyons plays all nine positions during an exhibition game against the Cubs

Bill Buckner hits last homerun of career – inside the park hr

Nolan Ryan 12th one hitter ties Feller

Nolan Ryan 12th one hitter ties Feller

1990 – Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Orel Hershiser will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his pitching shoulder. He had not missed a start since joining the club’s rotation in 1984.

Former Kansas City Royals closer Dan Quisenberry, now a member of the San Francisco Giants, decides not to go on the disabled list and opts to retire as the all-time American League saves leader with 238.

At New York, the A’s edge the Yankees, 2 – 1 in 11 innings. Rickey Henderson plates the first run, scoring from second base on a 6 – 3 ground out. Rick Honeycutt is the winning pitcher.

Louisville OF Bernard Gilkey sets an American Association record by collecting three hits – two singles and a home run – in the Redbirds’ 16-run 3rd inning against the Nashville Sounds. 21 players collect 14 hits in the frame. The Redbirds win, 18 – 4, after losing to the Sounds the previous day, 17 – 5.

Dave Winfield rejects a trade that would have sent him from the New York Yankees to California

Dave Winfield rejects a trade that would have sent him from the New York Yankees to California

5/16/1990: Andy Van Slyke of the Pirates hit a home run off Reds pitcher Scott Scudder in the top of the third inning. The game was rained out in the bottom of the third inning with Pittsburgh leading 2-0.

1990 – Eric Anthony becomes the first Astro to reach the Dome’s upper reserved seats in right field with a mammoth blast off Mike Bielecki in a 5-4, eleven-inning victory against Chicago. Cincinnati’s Bernie Carbo was the only previous player to do it. Ken Oberkfell’s sacrifice fly scores Ken Caminiti with the game-winner. 

Chicago Cubs Ryne Sandberg’s errorless game streak at second base comes to an end after 123 games and 584 chances

The Baltimore Orioles tie an American League record with eight consecutive singles in a seven-run 1st inning against Bobby Witt to beat the Texas Rangers, 13 – 1. The eight straight singles equal a record set by the Washington Senators against the Cleveland Indians in 1951 and matched by the Oakland Athletics against the Chicago White Sox in 1981.

Andre Dawson sets a major-league record when he is intentionally walked five times during a 16-inning, 2 – 1 Cubs win over the Reds. Cincinnati issues seven intentional passes altogether to tie a major-league record set by Houston in 1984.

carlton fisk - sanders

Prime time and Carlton Fisk Square off

Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson breaks Roger Maris’ intentional walk record when he receives five intentional free passes from the Cincinnati Reds

Don Baylor, the only Angels player to win the American League MVP Award up to that point, in 1979, is inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. The OF/DH averaged 23 home runs and 87 runs batted in, while batting .262 in six seasons for California.

1990 – Glenn Davis mauls the Cubs at Wrigley Field during a doubleheader sweep. Davis swats two homers and a single for five RBIs in the 8-1 opener. In the nightcap, he adds another homer and two doubles with four RBIs to lead a 12-3 victory. Davis had been homerless for nearly three weeks before the twinbill. 

5/28/1990: In the bottom of the third inning at Wrigley Field, Ryne Sandberg hit a two-run home run just inside the left field pole that third base umpire Bill Hohn ruled a fair ball. However, Giants manager Roger Craig came out and argued the call. After a discussion by the umpires, crew chief (and first base arbiter) Harry Wendelstedt overruled Hohn and called it a foul ball. Television replays clearly showed it to be a fair ball and a homer. Cubs manager Don Zimmer was ejected because of the changed call. Sandberg singled but the Cubs did not score in the frame but eventually won the game, 5-1.

Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics becomes the American League's all-time stolen base king.

Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics becomes the American League’s all-time stolen base king.

With the team struggling (20-22)‚ the Mets fire manager Davey Johnson‚ whose six-year winning percentage was .593. Coach Bud Harrelson replaces him and the Mets will win 20 of their next 23 games before cooling down.

Glenn Davis belts three home runs and drives in five but that’s only good enough to tie San Francisco after nine innings

randy johnson first no hitter

Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners pitches the first no-hitter in the history of the franchise

Appearing as a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth inning, Dave Liddell, playing in his only major league game, singles in his lone plate appearance. The Mets’ 23 year-old catcher will stay in the contest, catching the remainder of the team’s 6-3 loss at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium.

Ramón Martinez of the Los Angeles Dodgers strikes out 18 Atlanta Braves in a three-hit 2 – 0 win. He ties Sandy Koufax’s club record and is one short of the National League mark.

En route to a 6-0 complete-game victory, 22 year-old Dodger right-hander Ramon Martinez limits Atlanta to three hits. Pedro’s older brother, who will finish the season with a 20-6 record, strikes out 18 batters during the contest.

Cecil Fielder hits three home runs in a game, as Detroit beats the Indians, 6 – 4. Fielder becomes the fourth American League player to have two three-homer games in a season.

Stump Merrill replaces Bucky Dent as the Yankees manager.

1990 – At Fenway Park, Boston Red Sox pitchers Greg Harris and Jeff Reardon combine on a one-hitter, beating the New York Yankees 3 – 0.

1990 – Glenn Wilson’s three-run pinch-hit homer in the tenth inning off Randy Myers stuns the Reds, 3-1, at the Astrodome. Mike Scott and Tom Browning trade nine shutout innings before the Reds break the tie with a single by Todd Benzinger, only their third hit of the night off Scott, who fans fifteen. Myers comes in to close only to see Wilson launch the game-winner. 

Eddie Murray ties Mickey Mantle’s major league mark, hitting a homer from both sides of the plate for the tenth time in his career. The switch-hitting first baseman’s second home run of the game, batting left-handed against Eric Show, proves to be the eventual winning run in the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory over San Diego in the 11th inning at Jack Murphy Stadium.

nolan ryan

Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers notches his sixth career no-hitter

The Phils’ Lenny Dykstra’s hitting streak stops at 23 games‚ as he goes 0 for 8 in a doubleheader with Montreal. Dykstra’s average drops from .407 to .392.

At the age of 43, Ranger Nolan Ryan no-hits the A’s, 5-0, becoming the oldest player to throw a no-hitter, extending his major league record to six. The ‘Ryan Express’ becomes the first player to throw one in three different decades and to accomplish the feat for three different teams.

Cal Ripken Streak

Cal Ripken, Jr. plays in his 1,308th consecutive game to surpass Everett Scott for second place on the all-time list

Willie Wilson of the Kansas City Royals collects his 600th career stolen base in an 11 – 4 win over the California Angels.

Trevor Wilson of the San Francisco Giants keeps the San Diego Padres hitless for eight innings before Mike Pagliarulo hits a single. Wilson will settle for a 6 – 0 one-hitter, as the Giants post their 14th victory in their last 15 games.

Colorado Rockies hire Don Baylor as the first manager in the history of the franchise

National League announces expansion to begin in 1993

Gary Carter breaks a National League mark when he catches his 1,862nd career game in the Giants’ 4-3 loss to San Diego. The ‘Kid’ surpasses Al Lopez, who had established the record for backstops in 1946, after playing 18 seasons in the Senior Circuit with the Dodgers, Braves, and Pirates.

Don Robinson becomes the first hurler to pinch-hit a home run since 1971 when he goes deep off Padres’ southpaw Bruce Hurst, batting for Ed Vosberg in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Giants’ right-hander does not stay in the Candlestick Park contest to pitch, an eventual 4-3 loss to the Friars.

The last-place Braves fire manager Russ Nixon and replace him with GM Bobby Cox, who last managed Toronto in 1985. Cox will turn the franchise’s fortunes completely around, starting with a surprise pennant in 1991.

With the Double-A Orioles affiliate Suns batting in the bottom of the third inning facing the Eastern League’s first-place Senators, George H.W. Bush’s motorcade enters the ballpark, marking what is believed to be the first time a U.S. president has attended a minor league game. The 41st Commander-in-Chief and his guests, which include his son Neil, NFL Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton, and author Dan Jenkins, had initially planned to watch the Single-A Keys of the Carolina League play but a sudden storm washed out the contest in Frederick, making Hagerstown the alternative site for the previously unannounced visitor.

Brewers DH Dave Parker gets his 2,500th career hit in a 5 – 4 win over the Yankees.

Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela become first pitchers to throw no-hitters on same day

Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela become first pitchers to throw no-hitters on same day

Andy hawkins no hitter

Andy Hawkins of the New York Yankees throws no-hit ball over eight innings against the Chicago White Sox, but still loses the game

Nolan Ryan strikes out seven batters in a 3 – 2 loss to the Red Sox. This gives him a record 22 seasons with at least 100 strikeouts. He had shared the record of 21 with Don Sutton.

Whitey Herzog resigns as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals after 10 years

Whitey Herzog resigns as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals after 10 years

In his first start since losing a no-hitter, Andy Hawkins pitches 11 2/3 innings of shutout ball only to lose in the 12th, 2 – 0 to the Twins. Hawkins is now 1-6.

Losing 7 – 0 to California in the 3rd, the Brewers score 20 unanswered runs, including 13 in the 5th, to win. This is the biggest swing of runs since 1980 and will not be topped in the 1990s. Looking for his 279th win, Bert Blyleven starts for the Angels but never makes it out of the 4th. He’ll win only once more the rest of the year.

At the half-way mark in the season, the Reds are leading the NL West by eight games, while Pittsburgh is 1/2 game ahead in the East. In the American League, Boston leads by half a game and Oakland by one game.

Six American League pitchers combine for a two-hitter and a 2 – 0 victory over the National League in a rain-delayed All-Star Game at Wrigley Field. Rangers 2B Julio Franco drives in both runs in the 7th inning and is named MVP.

Jack McKeon resigns as manager of the Padres but keeps his position as San Diego’s vice president of baseball operations. He is replaced in the dugout by Greg Riddoch. Later in the season, McKeon will lose his front-office job as well.

Ozzie Guillen checks out the arriving crowd before “Turn Back the Clock Day” on July 11, 1990

Chicago White Sox first to wear throwback uniform

Melido Perez of the Chicago White Sox pitches a rain-shortened, six-inning no-hitter against the New York Yankees

Melido Perez of the Chicago White Sox pitches a rain-shortened, six-inning no-hitter against the New York Yankees

Dave Johnson retires 27 of the last 29 batters he faces, but loses his complete game effort to Minnesota, 3-1. The Oriole starter’s undoing is a two-run home run hit by John Moses in the first, an inning that takes the right-hander 33 pitches to complete, compared to the 83 tosses he will make during the rest of the Memorial Stadium contest.

Dante Bichette, Dave Winfield and Brian Downing each homer twice in the California Angels’ 8 – 7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. This is the 8th time three teammates have done this in the major leagues.

Felix Jose robs Robin Yount of a HR in the top of the 1st‚ then hits a grand slam in the bottom of the frame

Steve Lyons

Steve Lyons drops his draws

Minnesota becomes the first team in history to turn two triple plays in the same game.

Minnesota becomes the first team in history to turn two triple plays in the same game.

Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals hits a monstrous 461-foot home run against Nolan Ryan

Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals hits home runs in three consecutive at-bats before separating his shoulder

A day after setting a major-league record for triple plays, the Twins and Red Sox set one for double plays. The Red Sox hit into six double plays, while the Twins ground into four to set the major league record, as the Red Sox win again, 5 – 4. The previous mark of nine twin killings was last accomplished on April 15, 1961.

Arbitrator George Nicolau rules in favor of the Players Association saying that the 26 major league owners colluded and were aware of a databank that detailed 1987 salary offers. The owners will be forced to pay significant damages to the affected players.

1990 – Kevin Appier fires a shutout for the last-place Royals, beating Roger Clemens and the Red Sox, 5 – 0. The Sox take the nitecap, 3 – 1, scoring a pair on Mike Greenwell’s two-run homer off starter Luis Aquino.

In his first major league start, Ben McDonald, the Orioles’ top pick in last year’s June draft, blanks Chicago on four hits, 2-0. The 22 year-old right-hander from Louisiana State, the first American League pitcher to make his debut with a shutout in 15 years, retires the final 16 White Sox batters he faces, after allowing Ron Kittle’s fourth-inning single.

1990 – Who needs a pickoff move ? Atlanta pitcher Charlie Leibrandt picks off Craig Biggio by beating him back to first base. Atlanta wins the game, 9 – 3. Atlanta takes the nitecap from Houston scoring in the 8th and 9th to win, 9 – 8.

Twenty-five-year veteran umpire Bob Engel resigns after pleading no contest to charges of shoplifting baseball cards in California.

After having a commanding 9 – 0 lead and still ahead, 10 – 3, entering the bottom of the 9th, the Mets barely hold on to beat the Phillies at Veterans Stadium, 10 – 9. The nail biter causes the usually even-mannered Bob Murphy to use a mild obscenity in his call of the final out, “they win the damn thing by a score of 10 to 9!”.

Roseanne Barr sings an irreverent rendition of the The Star-Spangled Banner that will be widely criticized

Following his first-inning single, a triple in the third, and a fifth frame two-bagger, George Brett hits a leadoff homer in the seventh to complete the cycle in the Royals’ 6-1 victory over Toronto at the SkyDome. The Kansas City third baseman, who will retire with a lifetime .305 batting average, also accomplished the rare feat against Baltimore in 1979.

1990 – Danny Darwin goes the distance on five hits in a 5-1 victory in Atlanta. Eric Yelding goes 4-for-4, swipes two bases and drives home two as the offensive star. But it’s Franklin Stubbs who enters the record books, becoming only the 15th major leaguer to play an entire game at first base without making a putout. 

Cubs SS Shawon Dunston ties a major-league record with three triples in a 10 – 7 win over the Expos

Cal Ripken’s errorless streak ends at 95 consecutive games, as Baltimore loses to Kansas City, 10 – 9. The streak is a new major-league record for a shortstop, eclipsing Kevin Elster’s 89-game mark.

At Candlestick Park, Giants’ hurler Scott Garrelts is perfect, putting away the first 26 Reds batter he faces. Paul O’Neill’s two-out single to shallow centerfield in the ninth inning breaks up the no-hitter, and the right-hander ends up with a one-hit 4-0 blanking of Cincinnati.

At Detroit, the Red Sox bang out 12 doubles, setting an American League record, in a 13 – 3 win over the Tigers. Wade Boggs has 3, while Tim Naehring, Jody Reed and Ellis Burks each have 2. Greg Harris wins easily. The previous AL record was 11, set on July 14, 1934 by Detroit against New York. The 12 two-baggers will be tied in 1996 by Cleveland.

Jack Clark hits his 300th career home run in San Diego’s 4 – 3 11-inning loss to the Braves. His homer in the 10th ties the game and is his 17th homer in extra innings. He’s now in second place in overtime homers to Willie Mays’ 22.

Commissioner Fay Vincent orders Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to resign as the club's general partner by August 20th and bans him from day-to-day operation of the team for life

Commissioner Fay Vincent orders Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to resign as the club’s general partner by August 20th and bans him from day-to-day operation of the team for life

Autographed Tom Seaver Photo - No Hit Pitchers Multi 16x20 27 Signatures Nolan Ryan Jim Palmer Juan Marichal & - PSA/DNA Certified

Nolan Ryan wins his 300th Game

Yankees rookie Kevin Maas hits his 10th home run in just 77 at bats, the fastest any player has ever reached that mark. But the Yanks lose to Detroit, 6 – 5, in 11 innings.

The Braves trade 2-time MVP OF Dale Murphy to the Phillies for reliever Jeff Parrett and a pair of players to be named later.

Cleveland’s Tom Candiotti has his no-hitter spoiled in the 8th inning when New York’s Oscar Azocar singles. Candy leaves the game and takes the loss as the Tribe drops a 6 – 4 decision. In just his second week in the majors, Cleveland’s Alex Cole ties a major-league record by stealing seven bases in two games. He set the club record by swiping five bases against the Royals on August 1st.

Pittsburgh’s Doug Drabek is one out away from a no-hitter when he gives up a single to the Phillies’ Sil Campusano, who is hitting .188. Drabek finishes with an 11 – 0 one-hitter.

The Braves trade Dale Murphy to the Phillies for Jeff Parrett, Jim Vatcher, and Victor Rosario. The move enables the youngster David Justice to return to right field and win the Rookie-of-the-Year Award.

 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Jim Palmer and Joe Morgan are rained out in Cooperstown, NY. The ceremony will be conducted the following day at a local high school.

8/5/1990: George Brett lost a homer to rain in Baltimore. The hit was off Ben McDonald in the first inning with no one on base. The game that lasted only 1/2 inning.

Giants outfielder Rick Leach is suspended for 60 days following a positive drug test.

1990 – Joe Morgan becomes the first player inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame who has had a significant part of his career with the Houston Astros (1963-1971). His MVPs and World Series triumphs came while with Cincinnati and he chooses to be inducted as a Red. No player yet has worn an Astros cap upon induction. 

Dave Winfield collects his 2,500th career hit, a single off Tom Bolton, as California loses to Boston, 6 – 3.

The Expos send pitcher Zane Smith to the Pirates for rookie OF Moises Alou and two others. Alou will have just 20 at bats this year and miss all of next year because of shoulder surgery.

1990 – Pete Rose reports to the federal work camp in Marion, IL to serve his three-month sentence for tax evasion.

San Diego SS Garry Templeton collects his 2,000th major league hit, exactly 14 years after getting his first. The Padres beat the Braves, 7 - 0, with Bruce Hurst winning over Charlie Leibrandt.

San Diego SS Garry Templeton collects his 2,000th major league hit, exactly 14 years after getting his first. The Padres beat the Braves, 7 – 0, with Bruce Hurst winning over Charlie Leibrandt.

The White Sox-Rangers game is finally postponed after a seven and one-half hour rain delay, which is believed to be the longest in baseball history. Although White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said he did not regret the decision to make the fans wait so long for a game that never started and would do it again, the team announced five hours before the postponement that rain checks would be honored if the game was played, and free coffee, soft drinks, and sandwiches were served later in the evening to the few hundred fans remaining in the stands.

1990 – Franklin Stubbs belts two homers and drives in four to pace a 7-2 triumph in Chicago. Mark Portugal goes the distance and drives in two runs himself. 

1990 – California posts a 9 – 5 win over the Yankees with the winning margin coming on an inside-the-park grand slam by Luis Polonia. Yankee RF Jesse Barfield misses a shoestring catch and his leisurely pursuit of the ball allows Polonia to score. Jim Abbott is the winner. Barfield will misplay another drive into an four-run inside-the-park home run in two weeks.

The Phillies’ Terry Mulholland spins the major leagues’ 8th no-hitter of the season

Mark McGwire of the Oakland Athletics becomes the first major league player to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first four seasons.

Mark McGwire of the Oakland Athletics becomes the first major league player to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first four seasons.

1990 – In a 7 – 5 loss to the Indians, the Twins’ Kirby Puckett starts off in RF and then moves to SS, 3B, and 2B in the 8th inning. Al Newman switches from 3B to SS back to 3B in the frame. Cleveland fails to score.

Oakland’s Bob Welch (20-4) wins his 20th game of the season, 8 – 3 over the Orioles. Mark McGwire hits his 31st homer and drives in 3.

Carlton Fisk breaks Johnny Bench's record for home runs by a catcher when he hits his 328th homerun

Carlton Fisk breaks Johnny Bench’s record for home runs by a catcher when he hits his 328th homerun

Franklin Stubbs is the offense as Houston trips the Cardinals in 11 innings, 3-2.

Bobby Thigpen records his 40th save as the Chicago White Sox beat the Rangers, 4 – 2. He becomes the only eighth reliever to reach this milestone in major league history.

Dodger SS Jose Offerman leads off the bottom of the 1st with a home run off Dennis Martinez in his first major league at bat, but that is all the L.A. scoring as Montreal wins, 2 – 1. Offerman had not homered all season in the minors.

Bobby Thigpen records his 40th save when he pitches a perfect ninth inning in the White Sox’s 4-2 victory over Texas at Arlington Stadium. The right-handed reliever becomes only the eighth closer in major league history to reach the milestone.

Bobby Thigpen records his 40th save when he pitches a perfect ninth inning in the White Sox’s 4-2 victory over Texas at Arlington Stadium. The right-handed reliever becomes only the eighth closer in major league history to reach the milestone.

For the last time this century, two rookie pitchers debut against each other as Paul Abbott of the Twins squares off against Jim Campbell of the Royals. Abbott is the loser as the Royals win, 8 – 7. He’ll do better in his next outing, allowing three Texas hits in eight innings.

Trailing 11 – 1 after seven innings, the Phillies score two in the 8th and nine more in the 9th inning to beat the Dodgers, 12 – 11.

Billy Hatcher ties a major-league record with four doubles to pace the Reds to an 8 - 1 win over the Cubs

Billy Hatcher ties a major-league record with four doubles to pace the Reds to an 8 – 1 win over the Cubs

The Phillies overcome an eight-run deficit, scoring nine runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Dodgers, 12-11. John Kruk’s pinch-hit three-run homer ties the game, and two batters later, Carmelo Martinez’s double plates Rod Booker with the eventual winning run in the Chavez Ravine contest.

1990 – Red Sox farmhand Kevin Morton pitches a 7-inning perfect game as New Britain (AA) beats Reading, 1 – 0.

The Red Sox shut out the Blue Jays for the third consecutive day to extend their lead in the AL East to four games. Toronto, leading the major leagues in runs scored, loses 2 – 0, 1 – 0, and 1 – 0. Greg Harris (7 2/3 IP) is the winner today, Roger Clemens, who threw a complete game, did so yesterday, and Dana Kiecker (8 IP) on the 24th.

In his first game after six weeks on the disabled list, Bo Jackson homers in his first at bat, off Randy Johnson, to tie a major-league record with four consecutive homers. Bo adds a single and double as Kansas City rolls by Seattle, 8 – 2.

For Texas, Charlie Hough allows 10 walks in five innings before being lifted in the 6th. California can score just three runs off him but scores four off two relievers to win, 7 – 3.

The Brewers-Blue Jays game is delayed 35 minutes when a huge swarm of gnats descends onto the field through the open SkyDome roof. Milwaukee scratches out a 4 – 2 win.

Boston’s Ellis Burks homers twice in an 8-run 4th inning of a 12 – 4 pasting of Cleveland. It is only the second time a Sox hitter has homered twice in an inning (Bill Regan, on June 16, 1928, was the first). Burks has five RBIs to back Mike Boddicker’s win. Boddicker holds the Tribe scoreless through six frames.

Ellis Burks becomes only the second Red Sox player to hit two home runs in the same inning

Ellis Burks becomes only the second Red Sox player to hit two home runs in the same inning

Ryne Sandberg

Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs becomes the first second baseman in history to notch consecutive 30-home run seasons

At Minnesota, Twins SS Greg Gagne has a homer and three steals, including home, in a 6 – 1 win over the White Sox. Mark Guthrie goes the distance for the win.

The defending World Champion A’s seemingly lock up another pennant by acquiring slugger Harold Baines from the Rangers for a pair of minor leaguers (Ps Scott Chiamparino and Joe Bitker) and OF Willie McGee from the Cardinals for Felix Jose and two more minor leaguers (3B Stan Royer and P Daryle Green). McGee, who will be a free agent at the end of the year, is hitting .335, which will lead the National League in hitting.

Minnesota CF John Moses misplays a long drive by Ron Karkovice, and the White Sox catcher ends up with an inside-the-park grand slam. That’s all the scoring Jack McDowell needs as the Sox win, 4 – 3.

Boston’s Roger Clemens reaches 20 wins for the third time in five years by beating Cleveland, 9 – 2. Rocket strikes out nine and walks none.

jeff bagwell trade

Jeff Bagwell Trade

Mariano Rivera, usually used in relief, is allowed to start a game of a doubleheader on the final day of the season for the Gulf Coast Yankees, giving him the opportunity to throw enough innings to qualify for GCL’s ERA title, an accomplishment that carries a contractual bonus. The Sandman responds by hurling a seven-inning no-hitter against Bradenton to finish the season with a 0.17 ERA, 0.46 WHIP, 58 strikeouts in 52 innings, and $500 richer.

Dennis Eckersley saves his 40th game of the season in Oakland’s 4 – 2 win over Texas to join Dan Quisenberry and Jeff Reardon as the only pitchers to save 40 games twice.

1990 – With nobody on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Astros come alive for three runs to stun the Pirates, 3-2. They must be living right. On the same day, they acquire a minor-league third baseman, Jeff Bagwell, from Boston for reliever Larry Andersen. 

ken griffey jr & ken griffey

Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. become the first father and son combination to play together in a major league game

Bobby Witt allows 10 walks against Oakland in 7 innings‚ the second Ranger in four days to hand out 10 walks. Before this season‚ the last pitcher to hand out 10 walks was Andy Hassler‚ in 1974. Witt also has 10 strikeouts and wins‚ 3 – 2‚ for his 10th victory in a row.

The 3rd inside-the-park grand slam of the season is hit by Boston’s Mike Greenwell off Greg Cadaret‚ as the Red Sox beat visiting New York, 15 – 1. Greenwell’s grounder eludes Jesse Barfield in the RF corner; Barfield’s shoe-top miss on August 14th gave Luis Polonia his slam. The last season with three inside-the-park slams was 1947. Greenwell’s only other inside-the-park slam was also off Cadaret‚ in 1989 at Fenway Park. Boston jumps on Yankee starter Andy Hawkins who lasts a third of an inning. Hawkins has now pitched a total of one inning in 3 starts at Fenway Park and given up 18 runs (ERA 162.00).

Dave Stieb pitches the major league record ninth no-hitter of the season, beating the Indians 3-0. Previously, the Blue Jay right-hander had lost three no-hit bids after getting the first two outs in the ninth inning.

Dave Stieb pitches the major league record ninth no-hitter of the season, beating the Indians 3-0. Previously, the Blue Jay right-hander had lost three no-hit bids after getting the first two outs in the ninth inning.

Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox sets a major league record by notching his 47th save of the year

Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox sets a major league record by notching his 47th save of the year

1990 – Down 7-0, the Astros respond for a 10-8 triumph at Dodger Stadium. A three-run pinch-hit bomb by Eric Anthony starts the comeback. An error by Hubie Brooks allows the game-winner. Luis Gonzalez strikes out in his big league debut. 

1990 – The Pirates beat the Mets, 1 – 0 and 3 – 1, to open a 2 1/2 game lead over New York in the National League East. Zane Smith pitches a one-hitter in the opener for the Bucs, who have swept all five of their doubleheaders this season.

Tiger RF Scott Lusader loses the battle to bright sun and soggy turf and makes three errors (two fielding and one throwing) in the 1st inning against the White Sox. It’s a first in the American League since 1925. The Sox score seven runs in the inning and coast home, 13 – 3, snapping the Tigers’ 7-game winning streak.

Oakland beats New York, 7 – 3, to complete a 12-game sweep of the Yankees this year. The season sweep is a first for the Yankees.

Seattle’s Matt Young strikes out four batters in the 1st inning of a 3 – 1 win over the Red Sox. He’s the 2nd pitcher this year to K four batters in an inning.

1990 – In the first head-to-head match-up of pitchers named Abbott, Jim Abbott’s Angels beat Paul Abbott’s Twins, 3 – 1. Minnesota’s Carmen Castillo pinch hits late in the game to complete the successful “Abbott and Castillo” revival.

Coming off his first major league start where he threw seven shutout innings, Mel Stottlemyre, Jr. is roughed up by visiting Toronto, allowing five runs in three frames. The Jays win, 8 – 4, handing Mel his only decision in this, his last appearance. Tomorrow, he can console his brother Todd Stottlemyre, who allows six runs in five innings in losing to the Royals, 7 – 5.

New York beats Texas, 5 – 4, to snap pitcher Bobby Witt’s personal 12-game winning streak. The Yanks score two in both the 7th and 8th innings to come from behind. Dave Righetti saves his 31st.

1990 – Yankees starter Steve Adkins doesn’t allow a hit in his major league debut, but he walks eight batters in just 1 1/3 innings, as Texas wins, 5 – 4. Adkins walks the first three batters, then retires the side. After a fly out in the 2nd, he walks the next five before being lifted, two shy of Dolly Gray’s consecutive walk record.

Oakland’s Dave Stewart wins his 20th game of the season, 9 – 1 over the Twins to become the first pitcher since Jim Palmer (1975-1978) to post four straight 20-game seasons.

ken griffey jr & ken griffey

Ken Griffey, Jr. and Ken Griffey, Sr. become the first father-and-son combination to hit back-to-back home runs

Despite solo homers in the 5th by brothers Billy Ripken and Cal Ripken, both off David Wells, the Orioles lose 4 – 3 to Toronto. The Jays score three in the bottom of the 9th on Kelly Gruber’s home run to make a winner of reliever Willie Blair. The brothers Ripken will homer together one more time, in 1996, again in the same inning.

Striking out pinch-hitter Danny Heep, Bobby Thigpen saves his 50th game as the White Sox beat the Red Sox, 7 – 4. The Chicago closer played the outfield in college.

Bobby Thigpen, who played in the outfield in college, saves his 50th game of the season when the White Sox beat Boston, 7-4. The Chicago closer strikes out pinch-hitter Danny Heep looking for the final out in the Comiskey Park contest.

Brothers Billy and�Cal Ripken, in the first of the two times they will accomplish the feat, both homer in the same game. The siblings’ home runs are overshadowed by�Kelly Gruber’s three run round-tripper in the ninth inning that gives the Blue Jays a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Orioles at the Skydome.

Brothers Billy and�Cal Ripken, in the first of the two times they will accomplish the feat, both homer in the same game. The siblings’ home runs are overshadowed by�Kelly Gruber’s three run round-tripper in the ninth inning that gives the Blue Jays a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Orioles at the Skydome.

1990 – Cleveland trades pending free agent Bud Black (11-10) to Toronto for Mauro Gozzo, Steve Cummings, and Alex Sanchez. Black will sign with the Giants on November 9th.

SimLeague Baseball

The Blue Jays set a major league single-season attendance record

1990 – In Toronto, the Red Sox beat the Jays, 6 – 3, to cut Toronto’s lead to two games over Baltimore. Boston has now won four out of five in the SkyDome, but has a 15-game losing streak to the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

1990 – Doug Drabek wins his 20th game and Barry Bonds hits his 30th and 31st home runs, as Pittsburgh beats Chicago, 8 – 7. Two days later Bonds will steal his 50th base of the season.

1990 – The Padres fire Jack McKeon, who has been the San Diego general manager for 10 years.

Mike Simms’ first big league homer in the tenth inning scalps the Braves, 4-3. 

andre dawson pearson cup game

Andre Dawson of the Chicago Cubs steals his 300th base in an 11 – 5 loss to the New York Mets

Gary Gaetti hits a grand slam off the Rangers’ Charlie Hough for his 200th career home run, as the Twins win, 6 – 4. It comes nine years and four days after his first major league homer, also off Hough.

The Oakland A’s clinch their third consecutive American League West title by beating Kansas City, 5 – 0. Dave Stewart (22-10) goes the distance for the win.

The Yankees tie a major-league record when their first eight batters all hit safely in a 15 – 3 rout of the Orioles. Anthony Telford allows the first six hits to take the loss. The Yanks hit six homers in the game.

Tough day at the office for Terry Mulholland. The Phillies P allows just two Card baserunners – Bernard Gilkey’s leadoff triple and double later – and loses, 1 – 0.

Franklin Stubbs drives in six as the Astros blast the Dodgers, 10-1

The scoreboard at Old Comiskey Park ‘explodes’ for the last time when Frank Thomas goes deep off Randy Johnson in the seventh inning of a 13-4 loss to Seattle. The Monster, which has shot off fireworks whenever a White Sox player hit a home run since 1960, was an innovation of team owner Bill Veeck, who was inspired by the design of a pinball machine.

Danny Darwin hurls seven shutout innings to reduce his ERA to 2.21, earning him the league title. 

Kansas City infielders Frank White, playing in his last major league game after spending his entire 18-year career with the Royals, and George Brett establish a new mark when they appear in their 1,914th game together, the most by any American League teammates.

Pittsburgh beats St. Louis, 2 – 0, behind Doug Drabek’s 3-hitter to clinch its first National League East title since 1979. The loss assures the Cards of finishing last for the first time since 1918.

The White Sox beat Seattle, 2 – 1, in the last game played at historic Comiskey Park, which is to be torn down after 80 seasons of major-league ball. Chicago will play next season at the New Comiskey Park located across the street. The final regular-season won-loss record at old ballpark is 3,024-2,926 (.508).

George Brett

George Brett becomes the only player to win three batting crowns in three different decades (1976-.333; 1980-.390)

Willie McGee becomes the first major league player to win a batting title in a league in which he didn’t finish the season

1990 – Trailing 3 – 0 after one inning, the Pirates come from behind to beat Cincinnati, 4 – 3, in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.

roger clemens 1990 alcs

The Oakland Athletics sweep the Boston Red Sox for the American League pennant

1990 – Danny Jackson, Norm Charlton and Randy Myers combine on a one-hitter as Cincinnati beats the Pirates, 2 – 1, to win the NLCS in six games.

Eric Davis becomes the 22nd player in Series history to hit a home run in his first World Series at-bat

Eric Davis becomes the 22nd player in Series history to hit a home run in his first World Series at-bat

In the first extra-inning World Series game since 1986, the underdog Cincinnati Reds beat the powerful Oakland Athletics, 5 – 4, in ten innings

The Braves wisely select Florida high school SS Chipper Jones with the first pick in the annual free-agent draft. The Tigers follow with Tony Clark and the Phils use the 3rd pick on Mike Lieberthal. The A’s use their 14th choice to take the much sought after Todd Van Poppel‚ passed over because of his stated intention to pitch at the University of Texas. The A’s change his mind and he signs on July 16th for $1.2 million. Late in the 6th round‚ the independent Class A Miami Miracle draft Mike Lansing under a never-before-used rule. The rule will be abolished‚ but Lansing will play two years with the Miracle and make the majors with the Montreal Expos.

1990 – The Cincinnati Reds move within one game of a shocking World Series sweep by beating the Oakland Athletics, 8 – 3, in Game 3. Chris Sabo has a pair of home runs for the Reds.

Jose Rijo

Cincinnati Reds complete a stunning four-game sweep of the heavily-favored Oakland A’s

1990 – Atlanta Braves outfielder David Justice wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Justice hit .282 with 28 home runs, 20 coming after he replaced Dale Murphy in right field in early August.

Indian backstop Sandy Alomar, Jr. wins the AL Rookie of the Year

Darryl Strawberry signs a five-year free-agent deal with his hometown Dodgers

1990 – Pitchers Chuck Finley of the California Angels and Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners combine to pitch a no-hitter in the finale of an eight-game exhibition series between American and Japanese All-Star teams. But Japan still wins the series 4-3 with one tie, the first time since 1970 that a touring U.S. team has left Japan with a losing record.

In an exhibition game between American and Japanese All-Star teams, Angels’ ace Chuck Finley and Randy Johnson of the Mariners combine to hurl a no-hitter in the finale of an eight-game series. Japan takes the series 4-3 with one tie, making it the first time since 1970 that a team of major leaguers has left the Land of the Rising Sun with a losing record.

A’s hurler Bob Welch (27-6, 2.95, 127) wins the AL Cy Young Award. The 34 year-old right-hander’s 27 wins are the most victories in the majors since 1972 when Steve Carlton won that many for the last-place Phillies.

bob welch

A’s hurler Bob Welch wins the AL Cy Young Award.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Doug Drabek, who posted a 22-6 record with 131 strikeouts and a 2.76 ERA, is named the 1990 National League Cy Young Award winner, collecting 23 of a possible 24 first-place votes.

barry bonds

Pirates outfielder Barry Bonds easily wins the 1990 N L Most Valuable Player Award

rickey henderson

Oakland Athletics outfielder Rickey Henderson edges Cecil Fielder of the Tigers for the American League MVP Award

Roger Clemens is suspended for the first five games of the 1991 season and is fined $10,000.

Roger Clemens is suspended for the first five games of the 1991 season and is fined $10,000.

Mike Boddicker, 17-8 with Boston this season, signs a three-year deal with the Royals as a free agent worth approximately $9 million. The 33 year-old right-hander is slated to be the #2 starter in John Wathan’s rotation, behind two-time Cy Young winner Bret Saberhagen.

Former Phillies and Reds catcher Bo Diaz, 37, is crushed to death when a rooftop satellite dish topples over at his home in Venezuela.

Former Phillies and Reds catcher Bo Diaz, 37, is crushed to death when a rooftop satellite dish topples over at his home in Venezuela.

1990 – A consortium of Canadian investors led by Montreal Expos president Claude Brochu agrees to buy the club from Charles Bronfman for a reported $85 million, assuring that the team will remain in Montréal, QC.

1990 – National League batting champion Willie McGee signs as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants, ending his three-month stint across the bay with Oakland. McGee finished the season with Oakland following a trade with the Cardinals, but he still qualified as the NL batting champion.

The Giants sign Yankee free agent Dave Righetti (1-1, 3.57, 36 saves) to a four-year deal worth nearly $10 million. After the South Bay native’s playing days are over, the left-handed reliever will become the club’s long-time pitching coach.

San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays collaborate on an old-fashioned blockbuster trade

San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays collaborate on an old-fashioned blockbuster trade

Free agent OF Vince Coleman signs a four-year contract with the Mets. He has led the National League in stolen bases each of the last six seasons, and this year (June 3rd) copped his 500th theft in his 804th game, the quickest player to reach that plateau.

Hoping to fill the void created by Darryl Strawberry’s departure to LA as a free agent, the Mets make their first move into the free-agent market in 10 years when they sign Vince Coleman to a 4-year contract just shy of $12 million. The former St. Louis outfielder, who will spend time on the disabled list on five occasions during the next two seasons, will be hampered by injuries to his ribs and hamstrings during his stay with New York.

Free agent George Bell signs with the Cubs.

Fifteen more players become “free look” free agents as part of the settlement of the most recent collusion case against the owners. It will also cost the clubs a whopping $280 million in damages.

At Leland’s auction house in New York City‚ Shoeless Joe Jackson’s signature is sold for $23‚100‚ the most money ever paid for a 19th or 20th century signature. Jackson‚ who could not read or write‚ copied the signature from one written out by his wife. The signature‚ which was resold within hours‚ was cut from an unknown document.

Maniford Harper, known to his friends as Hack, is true to his word when he is buried in a Cub uniform, keeping to the arrangements that made him a central Illinois celebrity in 1980. The 75 year-old Washburn (IL) native’s devotion to the team began in 1926 when as a polio-stricken 11-year-old, Chicago legend Hack Wilson, who was among several players visiting the local Shriners hospital, put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and correctly predicted, ‘Kid, stick it out. Someday you’re gonna walk’.

The Mets send veteran lefty Bob Ojeda and minor leaguer Greg Hansell to the Dodgers for OF Hubie Brooks.

American League Cy Young Award winner and free agent Bob Welch re-signs with Oakland, while “free look” free agents Jack Clark and Brett Butler sign with the Red Sox and Dodgers, respectively.

1990 – Reliever Dave Smith signs a free agent deal with the Chicago Cubs. Sadly, he would pass away 18 years later to the day of a heart attack. The bullpen closer in Houston since 1985, Smith would end an eleven-year run with the Astros, holding a 53-47 record and a 2.53 ERA to go with 199 saves. The veteran would not serve the Cubs well, posting an 0-6 record with 17 saves over two injury-plagued seasons. 

1990 – The National League announces the six finalist cities for the two expansion clubs that will join the league in 1993: Buffalo, Denver, Miami, Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, DC.

ernie harwell fired

Tigers release Ernie Harwell after 32 years

Danny Darwin leaves the Astros, signing a free agent deal with the Boston Red Sox. It is one month after he was named the club’s MVP for the 1990 campaign. Darwin would return via trade for the last two months of the 1996 season. 

1990 – The Chicago White Sox sign veteran knuckler Charlie Hough, a free agent. Hough spent every year of the 1970s with the Dodgers and every year of the 1980s with Texas.

Tim Raines Chicago White Sox

Montreal Expos trade longtime leadoff man Tim Raines to the Chicago White Sox

Dave Kingman A's

The Senior Professional Baseball Association folds in the middle of its second season when the Fort Myers Sun Sox franchise collapses due to a financial dispute among club owners

Carney Lansford Oakland As

Oakland Athletics third baseman Carney Lansford is severely hurt in a snowmobile accident