In his first major league at bat, Mariners’ center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. doubles off of Oakland’s Dave Stewart. The 19 year-old ‘Junior’, the son of an active major leaguer outfielder playing with the Reds, will establish himself as one of the game’s superstars before retiring in 2010.
At Shea Stadium, the New York Mets win their 11th consecutive home opener, an 8 – 4 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Mets have now won on Opening Day in 18 of the last 20 seasons.
Former Yale University and National League president Bart Giamatti becomes the seventh commissioner of major league baseball. Baseball’s new leader, a lifelong Red Sox fan, is the author of The Green Fields of the Mind, an essay which laments the end of a season in Boston.
March 30, 1989 The Cincinnati Reds sign Cincinnati native Kent Tekulve. Tekulve appears in 37 games and notches the last of his 184 career saves. His first appearance was against the Montreal Expos in 1974 and his final appearance was against the Expos in 1989. [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you cool stories about…
1989 – American League umpire Nick Bremigan dies of a heart attack at the age of 43.
1989 – Sports Illustrated publishes a story about Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose’s gambling activities. Rose will eventually agree to a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball as part of an agreement with Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti.
1989 – The Pittsburgh Pirates make one of their better trades in recent memory, acquiring shortstop Jay Bell from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for fellow shortstop Felix Fermin. Bell will serve as the Pirates’ starting shortstop for the next eight seasons, twice leading the National League in fielding percentage.
On March 22, 1989, Benches clear twice and six players are ejected as the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates get into a spring training brawl. “It was sort of fun,” said manager Nick Leyva. “I didn’t see any good punches, but we had a few real good pileups. The only problem was we…
1989 – Commissioner Peter Ueberroth announces that he has begun an investigation into the behavior of Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose. Ueberroth doesn’t identify the allegations against Rose, but the Reds’ skipper will eventually be banished for his alleged involvement with gambling.
On March 19, 1989, the New York Yankees, realizing that slugger Dave Winfield will miss the season after undergoing back surgery next week for central disc herniation, acquire outfielder Mel Hall from the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees surrender catcher Joel Skinner and a minor leaguer. [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you cool stories…
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