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…
The American League votes to expand to Toronto, awarding a franchise to a group consisting of Labatt’s Breweries (45%), the Imperial Trust, Ltd (45%), and CIBC (10%), who will eventually purchase the rights for the team for $7 million. At first, the decision will appear in peril when President Gerald Ford attempts to put pressure on MLB to give the expansion franchise to Washington, D.C., which has been without a major league team since the Senators moved to Arlington, Texas to become the Rangers following the 1972 season.
On March 26, 1976, the American League approves the sale of the Toronto Blue Jays to the Labatts Brewing Company. Labatts agreed to buy the team for $7 million.
1976 – The California Angels’ groundskeeper finds hundreds of marijuana plants growing in the outfield at Anaheim Stadium. The culprits? Most likely rock fans who attended a recent performance at the stadium by The Who.
1976 – Leo Durocher, hired to manage the Taiyo Whales of the Japanese Central League, is sick with hepatitis and asks for a five-week delay in reporting. Durocher receives a telegram from the Taiyo Whales stating: “Since the championship starts in twenty days, it’s better if you stay home and take care of yourself for the remainder of the season.”
All clubs will comply within forty-eight hours to Commissioner Kuhn’s orders to open spring training camps as soon as possible, abruptly ending the 17-day work stoppage. The lockout, initiated by the owners over their concerns about free agency and the free-entry draft, will not impact the start of the regular season.
1976 – The San Francisco Giants are sold to businessmen Bob Lurie and Bud Herseth for an estimated $8 million. Lurie promises to keep the Giants in the Bay Area despite dwindling attendance.
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…
1976 – Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck opens training camp in Sarasota, Florida, but participation is limited to non-roster players because of the ongoing lockout.
1976 – Major League owners announce that spring training will not open until a new labor contract is agreed upon.
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