In the 163rd game of the season Joe Niekro defeats the Dodgers, 7-1, in the winner-take-all contest for the NL West

In the 163rd game of the season Joe Niekro defeats the Dodgers, 7-1, in the winner-take-all contest for the NL West

ByBaseball

In the 163rd game of the season, 35 year-old knuckleballer Joe Niekro earns his 20th victory, going the distance to defeat the Dodgers, 7-1, in the winner-take-all contest for the NL West. With the win, the Astros hold on to capture their first title in the 19-year history of the franchise after losing a season-ending three game series to LA, (3-2, 2-1, and 4-3) that forced the one-game playoff.

Catcher Joe Ferguson is traded to the Dodgers for two players to be named later (outfielder Jeff Leonard and infielder Rafael Landestoy)

Catcher Joe Ferguson is traded to the Dodgers for two players to be named later (outfielder Jeff Leonard and infielder Rafael Landestoy)

ByThis Day in Baseball

1978 – Catcher Joe Ferguson is traded to the Dodgers for two players to be named later (outfielder Jeff Leonard and infielder Rafael Landestoy). On the field, the Astros split a twinbill against the Padres, winning 9-4 and losing 9-3. Wilbur Howard stars in the opener with three hits and three RBIs. 

On opening day the Astros pull off the first triple play begun with a strikeout
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On opening day the Astros pull off the first triple play begun with a strikeout

ByThis Day in Baseball

1978 – The traditional Opening Day in Cincinnati is an 11-9 loss to the Reds. Terry Puhl begins the season with a leadoff homer against Tom Seaver and is later joined by Cesar Cedeno and Joe Ferguson in the longball department. Ferguson also starts a triple play when he catches strike three from Joe Sambito, throws out George Foster stealing second then watches Joe Morgan get caught in a rundown between third and home. 

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Pitcher Larry Dierker and infielder Jerry DaVanon are traded to St.Louis for catcher Joe Ferguson

ByTom

1976 – Pitcher Larry Dierker and infielder Jerry DaVanon are traded to St.Louis for catcher Joe Ferguson. For Dierker, it’s the beginning of the end of a stellar career. For Ferguson, it means another chance to be a starting catcher instead of an oufielder. He argues with manager Bill Virdon about blocking the plate but hits .243 with 23 homers and 83 RBIs in 1-1/2 seasons before being traded again. 

A trio of National League righthanded starters (Andy Messersmith, Tom Seaver, and Don Sutton) pose together prior to the 1975 All-Star Game in Milwaukee.

The Dodgers take game 2 of 1974 Series behind Don Sutton

ByBaseball

Herb Washington, representing the tying run in the top of the ninth is picked off first base by Dodger closer Mike Marshall for the second out of Game 2, the only contest the A’s will lose in the Fall Classic. The world-class sprinter, who will never have a plate appearance in his brief 105-game career, was selected by Oakland owner Charlie Finley to become the team’s “designated runner,” a position that doesn’t exist with any other major league club.