Bob Kennedy is named head of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs. His first move is to inform Jim Marshall he is fired as manager and Salty Saltwell, after a year as general manager, is named secretary and director of park operations. Herman Franks, briefly a Cubs coach under Leo Durocher, will be named the new manager. Ironically, Durocher turned down an offer to manage the Cubs for the 1977 season.

ByTom

Bob Kennedy is named head of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs. His first move is to inform Jim Marshall he is fired as manager and Salty Saltwell, after a year as general manager, is named secretary and director of park operations. Herman Franks, briefly a Cubs coach under Leo Durocher, will be named the new manager. Ironically, Durocher turned down an offer to manage the Cubs for the 1977 season.

Joe Morgan outpoints Cincinnati Reds teammate George Foster to win his second straight National League MVP Award. Morgan hit .320 with 27 home runs, 111 RBI, 113 runs, 60 stolen bases, and led the NL in slugging percentage (.576) and OPS (1.020). Foster finished with 29 home runs and led the league in RBI (121).

Joe Morgan outpoints Cincinnati Reds teammate George Foster to win his second straight National League MVP Award. Morgan hit .320 with 27 home runs, 111 RBI, 113 runs, 60 stolen bases, and led the NL in slugging percentage (.576) and OPS (1.020). Foster finished with 29 home runs and led the league in RBI (121).

ByTom

Joe Morgan outpoints Cincinnati Reds teammate George Foster to win his second straight National League MVP Award. Morgan hit .320 with 27 home runs, 111 RBI, 113 runs, 60 stolen bases, and led the NL in slugging percentage (.576) and OPS (1.020). Foster finished with 29 home runs and led the league in RBI (121).

California Angels sign free agent second baseman Bobby Grich

California Angels sign free agent second baseman Bobby Grich

ByThis Day in Baseball

    On November 24, 1976, the California Angels sign free agent second baseman Bobby Grich. The slick-fielding Grich is the first of three free agents that owner Gene Autry will sign during the off-season. Don Baylor and Joe Rudi will eventually join Grich in California. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports…

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Pitcher Larry Dierker and infielder Jerry DaVanon are traded to St.Louis for catcher Joe Ferguson

ByTom

1976 – Pitcher Larry Dierker and infielder Jerry DaVanon are traded to St.Louis for catcher Joe Ferguson. For Dierker, it’s the beginning of the end of a stellar career. For Ferguson, it means another chance to be a starting catcher instead of an oufielder. He argues with manager Bill Virdon about blocking the plate but hits .243 with 23 homers and 83 RBIs in 1-1/2 seasons before being traded again. 

Milwaukee Brewers sign free agent third baseman Sal Bando to a multi-year contract

Milwaukee Brewers sign free agent third baseman Sal Bando to a multi-year contract

ByThis Day in Baseball

On November 19, 1976, the Milwaukee Brewers sign free agent third baseman Sal Bando to a multi-year contract. Bando, the captain of three consecutive World Championship teams in Oakland, will play the final five seasons of his career in Milwaukee. Bando will bat .250 with 17 home runs and 82 RBIs in his first season…

1976 – The New York Yankees sign free agent pitcher Don Gullett for $2 million. Gullett will have a 14-4 record next season, but spend most of the next three seasons on the disabled list.

ByBaseball

1976 – The New York Yankees sign free agent pitcher Don Gullett for $2 million. Gullett will have a 14-4 record next season, but spend most of the next three seasons on the disabled list.

Yankee catcher Thurman Munson wins 1976 AL Most Valuable Player

Yankee catcher Thurman Munson wins 1976 AL Most Valuable Player

ByTom

Yankee catcher Thurman Munson (.302, 17, 105), receiving 18 of the 24 first-place votes, easily outdistances Royals’ third baseman George Brett to become the American League’s MVP. The team’s captain is the first Bronx Bomber to be selected as the league’s Most Valuable Player who had also previously won the Rookie of the Year award (1970).

California signs free agent Don Baylor to a six-year, $1.6 million deal

ByThis Day in Baseball

California signs free agent Don Baylor to a six-year, $1.6 million deal. The Austin, Texas native, who played with the A’s last season after being dealt by the Orioles in the Reggie Jackson trade, will become the first Angel to win the MVP Award (1979) until Vladimir Guerrero cops the honor in 2004.

Oakland A’s give future Hall of Famer Billy Williams his unconditional release

Oakland A’s give future Hall of Famer Billy Williams his unconditional release

ByThis Day in Baseball

On November 9, 1976, the Oakland A’s give future Hall of Famer Billy Williams his unconditional release, ending his major league career. Williams, who spent all but two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, retires with 426 home runs, 2,711 hits, and a lifetime batting average of .290…