1988 – Mark Portugal is acquired from Minnesota for minor leaguer Todd McClure. As a reliever for the Twins, Portugal has an 11-19 record over parts of four seasons and is considered expendable. As a starter in Houston, Portugal would turn around his career.
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire first baseman Eddie Murray from the Baltimore Orioles
1981 – Oakland signs free-agent OF-1B Joe Rudi, who hit just .180 in 49 games for the Red Sox last season, to a two-year contract.
1976 – Aurelio Rodriguez becomes the first American League 3B since 1959 to beat out Brooks Robinson for the Gold Glove Award. Other newcomers on The Sporting News fielding team include 3B Mike Schmidt, OF Dwight Evans, and C Jim Sundberg, who will combine to win 24 awards.
1975 – Ted Turner enters a tentative purchase agreement to buy the Atlanta Braves.
1974 – In a dismal trade for Montreal, the Expos sed OF Ken Singleton and P Mike Torrez to the Orioles for P Dave McNally, OF Rich Coggins, and minor league pitcher Bill Kirkpatrick. McNally and Coggins will be gone before the end of June, while Kirkpatrick will never reach the majors; meanwhile, Torrez and Singleton will both be top-notch players for another decade.
1973 – The Reds trade P Ross Grimsley to the Orioles for OF Merv Rettenmund and IF Junior Kennedy. Grimsley will win 18 next year for the Orioles.
1969 – First Baseman Curt Blefary is traded to the Yankees for first baseman Joe Pepitone. A year to the day since being acquired, Blefary is dealt and his career is never able to recapture the magic of his first three years in Baltimore. Pepitone turns out not to be the answer at first base either and spends less than a year in Houston.
The Cubs send OF Boots Day to the Cardinals for P Rich Nye.
The Yankees send veteran P Al Downing and C Frank Fernandez to Oakland for 1B Danny Cater and C Ossie Chavarria. They also trade 1B Joe Pepitone to the Astros for 1B Curt Blefary.
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