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’.

ByTom

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’.

1988 – Free-agent Willie Randolph signs with the Dodgers. He will replace Steve Sax in the lineup, who earlier this month signed with Randolph’s former club, the Yankees.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1988 – Free-agent Willie Randolph signs with the Dodgers. He will replace Steve Sax in the lineup, who earlier this month signed with Randolph’s former club, the Yankees.

1987 – The White Sox trade ace lefthander Floyd Bannister (16-11 last season) and Dave Cochrane to the Royals for John Davis, Melido Perez, Greg Hibbard, and Chuck Mount.

ByTom

1987 – The White Sox trade ace lefthander Floyd Bannister (16-11 last season) and Dave Cochrane to the Royals for John Davis, Melido Perez, Greg Hibbard, and Chuck Mount.

1986 – In the first two major trades of the winter meetings, the Dodgers send 1B Greg Brock to the Brewers for pitchers Tim Leary and Tim Crews. The Mariners trade OF Danny Tartabull and P Rick Luecken to Kansas City for pitchers Scott Bankhead, Steve Shields, and OF Mike Kingery.

ByTom

1986 – In the first two major trades of the winter meetings, the Dodgers send 1B Greg Brock to the Brewers for pitchers Tim Leary and Tim Crews. The Mariners trade OF Danny Tartabull and P Rick Luecken to Kansas City for pitchers Scott Bankhead, Steve Shields, and OF Mike Kingery.

Braves trade future CY Young Award Winner Steve Bedrosian

Braves trade future CY Young Award Winner Steve Bedrosian

ByThis Day in Baseball

12/10/85 On December 12, 1985 The Atlanta Braves trade Steve Bedrosian and Milt Thompson to the Phillies for Pete Smith and Ozzie Virgil. Bedrosian will save 103 games in 3+ seasons in Philly and wins a Cy Young in 1987. Virgil hits 51 homeruns over 3 seasons in Atlanta and makes the 1987 All Star…

1985 – In the first major swap of the winter meetings, the A’s trade C Mike Heath and P Tim Conroy to the Cardinals for Joaquin Andujar, 21-game winner with a volatile temperament.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1985 – In the first major swap of the winter meetings, the A’s trade C Mike Heath and P Tim Conroy to the Cardinals for Joaquin Andujar, 21-game winner with a volatile temperament.

Expos catcher Gary Carter becomes the third All-Star caliber player in five days to be traded, going to the Mets in exchange for IF Hubie Brooks, C Mike Fitzgerald, OF Herm Winningham and minor league P Floyd Youmans.

Expos catcher Gary Carter becomes the third All-Star caliber player in five days to be traded, going to the Mets in exchange for IF Hubie Brooks, C Mike Fitzgerald, OF Herm Winningham and minor league P Floyd Youmans.

ByTom

1984 – Expos catcher Gary Carter becomes the third All-Star caliber player in five days to be traded, going to the Mets in exchange for IF Hubie Brooks, C Mike Fitzgerald, OF Herm Winningham and minor league P Floyd Youmans.