1978 – Rodrigo Rosario is born in La Romana, DR. The slender Dominican righthander wins his 2003 big league debut in memorable fashion but lands on the DL after injuring himself in his second start.
Major League Season Recap 1978 World Series – New York Yankees AL over Los Angeles Dodgers NL 4 games to 2 World Series MVP – Bucky Dent Babe Ruth Award – Bucky Dent ALCS New York Yankees over Kansas City Royals 3 games to 1 ALCS MVP – NLCS Los Angeles Dodgers over Philadelphia Phillies 3 games to 1 NLCS…
Sports cartoonist Willard Mullin, the creator of the lovable caricature known as the ‘Brooklyn Bum,’ dies in Corpus Christi at the age of 76. The cartoon featured a low-brow, working-class character who would proudly represent the borough of Brooklyn, quickly becoming a favorite of the Dodger fans.
famed baseball cartoonist Willard Mullin dies at the age of 76
Don Blasingame becomes the first American to manage a team in the Japanese leagues
1978 – Lefthander Floyd Bannister is traded to Seattle for shortstop Craig Reynolds. An All-Star in Seattle, Reynolds would become an All-Star again the next year before settling into a long career in his hometown.
1978 – The Rangers trade 3B Toby Harrah to the Indians for 3B Buddy Bell.
1978 – The Red Sox trade P Bill Lee to the Expos for IF Stan Papi.
1978 – After sixteen years with the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose signs a four-year, $3.2 million deal with the Phillies. Other teams which pursued “Charlie Hustle” include the Mets, Braves, Pirates and the Royals. The deal temporarily makes Rose the highest-paid athlete in team sports.
The Indians deal Alfredo Griffin along with prospect Phil Lansford to the Blue Jays for Victor Cruz. The Tribe’s transaction will prove to be short-sighted when the 21 year-old shortstop wins the American League Rookie of Year Award next season, and their newly acquired right-hander posts a 3-9 record with a 4.23 ERA.