American League Cy Young Award winner and free agent Bob Welch re-signs with Oakland, while “free look” free agents Jack Clark and Brett Butler sign with the Red Sox and Dodgers, respectively.
Maniford Harper, known to his friends as Hack, is true to his word when he is buried in a Cub uniform, keeping to the arrangements that made him a central Illinois celebrity in 1980. The 75 year-old Washburn (IL) native’s devotion to the team began in 1926 when as a polio-stricken 11-year-old, Chicago legend Hack Wilson, who was among several players visiting the local Shriners hospital, put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and correctly predicted, ‘Kid, stick it out. Someday you’re gonna walk’.
Free agent George Bell signs with the Cubs.
Fifteen more players become “free look” free agents as part of the settlement of the most recent collusion case against the owners. It will also cost the clubs a whopping $280 million in damages.
At Leland’s auction house in New York City‚ Shoeless Joe Jackson’s signature is sold for $23‚100‚ the most money ever paid for a 19th or 20th century signature. Jackson‚ who could not read or write‚ copied the signature from one written out by his wife. The signature‚ which was resold within hours‚ was cut from an unknown document.
Free agent OF Vince Coleman signs a four-year contract with the Mets. He has led the National League in stolen bases each of the last six seasons, and this year (June 3rd) copped his 500th theft in his 804th game, the quickest player to reach that plateau.
Hoping to fill the void created by Darryl Strawberry’s departure to LA as a free agent, the Mets make their first move into the free-agent market in 10 years when they sign Vince Coleman to a 4-year contract just shy of $12 million. The former St. Louis outfielder, who will spend time on the disabled list on five occasions during the next two seasons, will be hampered by injuries to his ribs and hamstrings during his stay with New York.
San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays collaborate on an old-fashioned blockbuster trade
The Giants sign Yankee free agent Dave Righetti (1-1, 3.57, 36 saves) to a four-year deal worth nearly $10 million. After the South Bay native’s playing days are over, the left-handed reliever will become the club’s long-time pitching coach.
1990 – National League batting champion Willie McGee signs as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants, ending his three-month stint across the bay with Oakland. McGee finished the season with Oakland following a trade with the Cardinals, but he still qualified as the NL batting champion.