July 28

2019 – The Blue Jays make a couple of trades, first sending 2B Eric Sogard across the diamond to their opponents for today’s game, the Rays, then after the game dealing their ace, P Marcus Stroman, to the Mets in return for two prospects, Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson. That last trade raises some questions, as the Mets are also out of the race, but seemingly could not resist acquiring a top-notch starting pitcher for at relatively low cost.

2018 – Career minor league journeyman Francisco Arcia is making the most of his belated opportunity to play in the Show after 12 seasons as a pro. In his second career game, he homers and drives in 6 runs to lead the Angels to an 11 – 5 win over the Mariners. This follows upon a four-RBI game in his debut two days earlier, giving him a record 10 RBIs over his first two games. Joe Cunningham previously held the record with 9 in his first two games for the 1954 St. Louis Cardinals.

2017 – With the trading deadline a couple of days away, there are a few more trades announced today. In a bit of a surprise, the Mets, who had been sellers thus far, acquire P A.J. Ramos from Miami for two minor leaguers. Philadelphia are clearly sellers, however, and they send Howie Kendrick to the Nationals and P Jeremy Hellickson to the Orioles. They receive one major leaguer – Baltimore OF Hyun Soo Kim – and a pair of prospects in return for the two, with financial considerations evening things out.

In his second appearance with the independent San Rafael Pacifics, Lou Evans sings the Star-Spangled Banner, becoming first starting pitcher in professional baseball to perform the National Anthem before taking the mound. The 37 year-old southpaw, the 19th round pick of the Marlins in 2001, retires after the game, ending his attempted comeback from a 12-year hiatus from the game due to injuries.

2016 – The Twins trade their sole All-Star, SS/3B Eduardo Nunez, to the Giants in return for pitching prospect Adalberto Mejia. Nunez, a life-long back-up until this season, is having a career year, but the Giants are about to get three infielders back from the disabled list – 2B Joe Panik, 3B Matt Duffy and back-up Ehire Adrianza – so it is puzzling why they would feel the need to add another one at this point.

For the second time this year, Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia tests positive for a banned steroid, a few weeks after completing an 80-game suspension. This time, he is suspended for an entire season.

The Rangers feel good after scoring 5 runs and chasing Chris Capuano in the 1st inning, but it doesn’t last as the Yankees answer by scoring 11 times in the 2nd, the most by any team in any inning this season. The inning features 10 hits including a bases-clearing triple by Didi Gregorius. Chris Young then piles on with a grand slam in the 3rd. The Yankees end up winning, 21 – 5, as Diego Moreno records his first career win by pitching 5 1/3 hitless innings in relief of Capuano.

In the small hours of the morning, the Blue Jays acquire SS Troy Tulowitzki from the Rockies in return for their own starting SS, Jose Reyes and pitching prospects Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco. Veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins accompanies Tulowitzki to Canada. The deal is considered a surprise, as the hard-hitting Jays were thought to be looking for pitching in their quest to end a 22-season postseason drought.

In other moves today, the Nationals acquire reliever Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies for P Nick Pivetta. Papelbon had stated clearly that he wanted out of Philadelphia, and he will now displace Drew Storen as the Nats’ closer. The Angels stock up on outfielders because of concerns over the health of CF Mike Trout; one day after acquiring Shane Victorino, they get David DeJesus from the Rays and David Murphy from the Indians to shore up the position. Finally, the Athletics trade Ben Zobrist to the Royals in return for two prospects, Aaron Brooks and Sean Manaea.

2014 – The Blue Jays send P Liam Hendriks and C Erik Kratz to the Royals in return for 3B Danny Valencia in a rare trade between contenders ahead of the trading deadline.