The Oakland Athletics trade All-Star outfielder Claudell Washington to the Texas Rangers for two prospects and cash considerations.
On March 21, 1977, Detroit Tigers pitching sensation Mark Fidrych tears cartilage in his left knee. The injury will require surgery, which will short-circuit the career of the 1976 American League Rookie of the Year. In 1976, Fidrych gained national attention for his strange gyrations and mannerisms on the mound, which earned him the nickname…
1977 – The Oakland Athletics sell pitcher Paul Lindblad to the Texas Rangers for $400,000. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, unlike his previous Oakland A’s decision (regarding Joe Rudi, Rollie Fingers and Vida Blue), does not void the deal as not being in the best interest of baseball.
1977 – U.S. Federal Judge Frank McGarr rules in favor of Bowie Kuhn, saying that the baseball commissioner acted within his authority in voiding the 1976 player sales engineered by Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley.
In a nine-player spring training swap with Pittsburgh, the A’s send Phil Garner, Chris Batton, and Tommy Helms to the Pirates for Tony Armas, Mitchell Page, and four pitchers, including Doc Medich and Dave Giusti. Pittsburgh’s acquisition of infielder Phil Garner, the key player in the deal, will move a very disappointed Bill Robinson back into a utility role after he worked all winter to get ready to be the team’s everyday third baseman.
1977 – The Atlanta Braves file suit against Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, challenging the severity of the penalty for tampering charges stemming from their signing of free agent OF Gary Matthews.
1977 – The Oakland A’s trade Ron Fairly to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor leaguer Mike Weathers and cash. The Macon, Georgia native, who played with the Montreal Expos from 1969 to 1974, will become the first major leaguer to appear with both Canadian teams.
1977 – The Oakland A’s sell P Paul Lindblad to the Texas Rangers for $400,000, calling into question Bowie Kuhn’s policy on player sales. Kuhn had previously voided an Oakland sale of players (on June 18, 1976) as “not being in the best interest of baseball,” but had not specified the maximum amount allowable in a player sale.
1977 – The Chicago Cubs trade two-time National League batting champion Bill Madlock and infielder Rob Sperring to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Bobby Murcer, third baseman Steve Ontiveros, and a minor league pitcher. In 1976, Madlock led the NL with a .339 mark, while Murcer hit 23 home runs and 90 RBI. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top career average in team history.
Special Committee on the Negro Leagues elects Martin Dihigo and John Lloyd to the Hall of Fame
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