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1981 – Bob Knepper tosses his second consecutive shutout, a 1-0 whitewash over Cincinnati. Denny Walling ‘s homer off Mario Soto accounts for the game’s only run. Walling also supplies a defensive gem, an over-the shoulder grab with two men aboard to thwart a Red threat. 

1981 – Bob Knepper tosses his second consecutive shutout, a 1-0 whitewash over Cincinnati. Denny Walling ‘s homer off Mario Soto accounts for the game’s only run. Walling also supplies a defensive gem, an over-the shoulder grab with two men aboard to thwart a Red threat. 

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Bob Knepper hurls a three-hitter as Houston blanks the Mets, 8-0, to take over first place

1981 – Bob Knepper hurls a three-hitter as Houston blanks the Mets, 8-0, to take over first place in the second-half standings. Knepper adds a two-run double to his cause. Alan Ashby and Tony Scott deliver four hits each in the 16-hit assault. Their victim? A lad named Mike Scott. 

Philadelphia Phillies sign future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt to a six-year contract worth $1.2 million per season

Philadelphia Phillies sign future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt to a six-year contract worth $1.2 million per season

    On December 21, 1981, the Philadelphia Phillies sign future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt to a six-year contract worth $1.2 million per season.  During the strike-shortened 1981 season, Schmidt led the National League in home runs (31), RBI (91) and runs (78). During the course of the contract, Schmidt will lead the league in home runs 3 times, finish in the top ten in…

Twenty-two-year-old Royals pitcher Mike Jones, who was 6-3 with a 3.20 ERA in the second half of the season and was projected to be the club’s third starter next year, is listed in guarded condition after crashing his car while driving under the influence near Rochester, NY. Jones will not pitch in the majors again until 1984.

Twenty-two-year-old Royals pitcher Mike Jones, who was 6-3 with a 3.20 ERA in the second half of the season and was projected to be the club’s third starter next year, is listed in guarded condition after crashing his car while driving under the influence near Rochester, NY. Jones will not pitch in the majors again until 1984.

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After 12 seasons as an Astro Outfielder Cesar Cedeno is traded to Cincinnati for infielder Ray Knight

1981 – Outfielder Cesar Cedeno is traded to Cincinnati for infielder Ray Knight. It ends a 12-year run in Houston for Cedeno who bats .289 as an Astro with 163 HRs, 778 RBIs, 487 steals and four All-Star appearances.