St. Louis Cardinals acquiring closer Dennis Eckersley from the Oakland Athletics

St. Louis Cardinals acquiring closer Dennis Eckersley from the Oakland Athletics

ByTom

1996 – The St. Louis Cardinals complete a long-rumored swap, acquiring closer Dennis Eckersley from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league reliever Steve Montgomery. Eckersley replaces Tom Henke, who announced last month he was retiring. The Cardinals also announce that they are laying nearly three acres of grass over the field at Busch Stadium, replacing the artificial turf that has been used for 26 years. The grass turf will be ready for the April 8th opener against Montreal.

1996 – The Boston Red Sox trade outfielders Lee Tinsley and Glenn Murray and pitcher Ken Ryan to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Heathcliff Slocumb and two prospects.

ByTom

1996 – The Boston Red Sox trade outfielders Lee Tinsley and Glenn Murray and pitcher Ken Ryan to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Heathcliff Slocumb and two prospects.

The Oakland Athletics send outfielder Danny Tartabull to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitcher Andrew Lorraine and Charles Poe.

ByTom

The Oakland Athletics send outfielder Danny Tartabull to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitcher Andrew Lorraine and Charles Poe.

The St. Louis Cardinals send outfielder Bernard Gilkey to the New York Mets in exchange for pitchers Eric Ludwick, Erik Hiljus and Yudith Orozio.

ByTom

The St. Louis Cardinals send outfielder Bernard Gilkey to the New York Mets in exchange for pitchers Eric Ludwick, Erik Hiljus and Yudith Orozio.

The San Francisco Giants sign much-acclaimed amateur free agent Osvaldo Fernandez

ByThis Day in Baseball

The San Francisco Giants sign much-acclaimed amateur free agent Osvaldo Fernandez. The Cuban national squad’s All-Star pitcher, who defected as his club played Team USA in Tennessee, will post a disappointing 10-17 record during two seasons with the Giants.