The Dodgers trade P Mike Kekich (2-10) to the Yankees for OF Andy Kosco.

The Astros trade 3B Bob Aspromonte, who lost his job to Doug Rader, to the Braves for infielder Marty Martinez. Aspro was the last original Colt .45 on Houston’s roster, and when he retires, he will be the last Brooklyn Dodger to play in the majors. Houston also swaps P Mike Cuellar and infielders Elijah Johnson and Enzo Hernandez to the Orioles for outfielders Curt Blefary and John Mason. Cuellar, 8-11 this past season, will average 20 wins a year for five years in Baltimore. This ranks as one of the best trades in Oriole history, along with the one which brought in Frank Robinson.

1965 – Masanori Murakami, 4-1 this year, does not renew his contract with the Giants, signing instead with the Nankai Hawks of Osaka for $40,000.

Minnesota acquires versatile Cesar Tovar from the Reds for P Gerry Arrigo. Tovar will play eight seasons in Minnesota.

The major leagues restore to the commissioner’s office all powers rescinded after Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis’s death in 1944. Principally, they waive their right to take legal action in the event of disagreements with the commissioner and grant him authority to judge whether actions taken by the owners in concert are, automatically “in the best interests of baseball.” Voting for the annual All-Star teams is turned back to the fans.

The owners vote to use a free-agent draft with clubs selecting in the inverse order of the previous year’s standings to choose players every four months. The new system, scheduled to begin next month, is designed to level the playing field by preventing rich clubs, like the Yankees, from using their wealth to lock up all of the talented players.

Cleveland trades OF Willie Kirkland to the Orioles for OF Al Smith and an estimated $25,000.