1974 – Cesar Cedeno drills two homers and drives in five to pace Houston past Atlanta, 7-0 . Claude Osteen, who was dealt by the Dodgers over the winter, scatters seven hits.
On April 9, 1974, San Diego Padres owner Ray Kroc criticizes his team over the public address system-during a game! “Ladies and gentlemen, I suffer with you,” Kroc says. “I’ve never seen such stupid baseball playing in my life.” The announcement occurs during San Diego’s 9-5 loss to the Houston Astros. Coincidentally, the “San Diego Chicken” makes its debut that day.
1974 – Houston trades pitcher Pat Darcy and cash to Cincinnati for infielder Denis Menke. For former All-Star Menke, he closes his career hitting .103 in a bench role. For the Ohio-born Darcy, it’s great timing as two of his three big-league seasons are on World Championship teams.
1973 – Slugger Jim Wynn is traded to the Dodgers for pitchers Claude Osteen and Dave Culpepper. A holder of many team records, Wynn rebounds to help the Dodgers to the National League title in 1974 while Osteen would own a 9-9 mark before being traded in mid-season.
1973 – Lefthander Jerry Reuss is traded to the Pirates for catcher Milt May. Reuss has an inconsistent two seasons in Houston, posting a 25-26 record with one save, but he improves on his way through a major league career that lasts 22 years. May, stuck behind Manny Sanguillen in Pittsburgh, bats .265 in two seasons before leaving for Detroit during a rebuilding purge. Also on this date, reliever Tim Byrdak is born in Oak Lawn, IL. The lefthander works out of the bullpen from 2008 to 2010 with a 3.53 ERA.
1973 – Tommy Helms’ two-run single caps a ninth-inning comeback for a 9-7 victory in Montreal. Cesar Cedeno clubs two home runs and Doug Rader adds a solo shot. Bob Watson breaks SS Tim Foli’s jaw while sliding into second, causing a shower of debris to fall from Parc Jarry when Watson returns to left field.
The Expos take two in a doubleheader with the Astros, 12 – 8 and 14 – 6. In the first game, John Boccabella hits two home runs in the 6th inning for Montreal.
On June 21 , 1973 — Lee May belts three home runs as Houston puts a 12-2 hurt on the Padres . May’s three bombs net five runs. Tommy Helms socks a grand slam for four more while Cesar Cedeno contributes a solo shot. Ken Forsch picks up the complete-game victory although he allows Dave Winfield’s first…
1973 – Manager Leo Durocher returns from a three-week hospital stay to watch Don Wilson toss a three-hitter over Cincinnati, 5-1. Lee May’s two-run shot gets the scoring started. Interim manager Preston Gomez was 14-3 in Durocher’s absence, perhaps leading Leo to a quicker recovery.
1973 – Cesar Cedeno doubles home Tommy Helms with the winning run in the 13th for a 2-1 Opening Day triumph in Atlanta. It was Cedeno’s third extra-base hit of the game. Jim Wynn’s homer tied it in the sixth.
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