On April 5, 1982, Jim Kaat of the St. Louis Cardinals sets a major league record for pitchers by playing in his 24th consecutive season. The 43-year-old left-hander pitches one inning in the Cardinals’ 14-3 defeat of the Houston Astros…
At Yankee Stadium, 52,719 fans see Milwaukee jump on Ron Guidry for four runs in the 6th inning and beat New York, 5 – 1. It’s the most runs the Cy Young Award winner has allowed in a game since 1977. New York gets singles from their first three hitters, but manage to score just one run in the 1st inning off Mike Caldwell.
On April 5, 1977, the New York Yankees acquire shortstop Bucky Dent from the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Oscar Gamble, pitcher Lamarr Hoyt and a minor leaguer. Dent will solidify New York’s middle infield and help the Yankees reach the World Series in 1977 and ’78.
April 5, 1976 The first professional baseball game was played in the Superdome. Unlike with football and basketball, the Superdome didn’t have a baseball tenant when it initially opened. New Orleans had been unable to lure a big-league baseball team for the opening of the facility. Superdome officials settled for a three-game exhibition series between the…
In a deal negotiated in the groundskeeper’s office under the third base stands at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, 31 year-old right-hander Tom Seaver agrees to a three-year contract with the Mets. The pact makes ‘Tom Terrific,’ who posted a 25-9 record last season while leading the league in strikeouts with 243, the first hurler in baseball history to earn $200,000 annually.
On April 5, 1975, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquire outfielder Bill Robinson from the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Wayne Simpson. The journeyman outfielder, a disappointment during his early years with the New York Yankees, will develop into a key player for the Pirates and will help them win the World Championship in 1979, when he hits 24 home runs…
On April 5, 1972, the New York Mets acquire outfielder Rusty Staub from the Montreal Expos for a package of three players: Ken Singleton, Tim Foli, and Mike Jorgensen. Staub will help the Mets to the National League pennant in 1973.
The season opener between the Astros and Reds is canceled due to the player strike which started on April 1. The work stoppage cancels Opening Day for the for the first time in major league history, with a total of 86 games not played until both sides agree on an increase in pension fund payments with the owners also adding salary arbitration to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
In 45 degree weather, the Cincinnati Reds play their first opener at Riverfront Stadium, dropping a 7 – 4 decision to the Braves.
Decked out in their bright new uniforms, predominantly orange, the Astros open at home with a 5 – 2 win over the Dodgers. Larry Dierker is the winning pitcher over Bill Singer. Astros outfielders Cesar Gerónimo and Jimmy Wynn make great throws to cut down Dodgers rallies.
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