On March 31, 1982, the Montreal Expos acquire first baseman-outfielder Al Oliver from the Texas Rangers for third baseman Larry Parrish and minor league first baseman Dave Hostetler. Oliver will enjoy a banner season in Montreal, capturing both the National League in hits, doubles, RBI, batting average, total bases, and RBI.
1980 – The Montreal Expos trade 1B/OF Rusty Staub to the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielders Chris Smith and LaRue Washington.
1971 – In a four-player trade, the New York Mets send 1969 World Series hero Ron Swoboda to the Montreal Expos. Swoboda will go to the Yankees in June.
1969 – Veteran utility player Chico Salmon is traded from the expansion Seattle Pilots to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Gene Brabender and infielder Gordy Lund. Salmon will play for three consecutive pennant winners in Baltimore from 1969 to 1971, while Brabender will be the Pilots’ top winner in their only season in Seattle.
On March 31, 1968, the Seattle expansion franchise announced that it would be called the “Pilots.” The name originated from the coastal seaport city’s association with the airplane industry and co-owner Dewey Soriano’s part-time job as a harbor pilot. The Pilots will last only one season in Seattle before becoming the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Pacific Coast League proposal to use a designated hitter is voted down 8-1 by the Professional Baseball Rules Committee. Prompted by the Cubs’ college of coaches, the committee also rules each team must name a manager 30 minutes prior to the game. The DH will not come into major league use until 1973, when it is adopted by the American League.
The Milwaukee Braves send infielders Andre Rodgers and Daryl Robertson to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitchers Moe Drabowsky and Seth Morehead.
On March 31, 1961, the Pacific Coast League is turned down in its bid to use the designated hitter rule. The Professional Baseball Rules Committee votes 8-1 against the proposal. The DH will not come into major league use until 1973, when it is adopted by the American League.
The Professional Baseball Rules Committee rejects the Pacific Coast League’s proposal to use a designated hitter for the pitcher by a vote of 8-1. The first use of the DH will occur in the American League in 1973.
1959 – The Milwaukee Braves send pitcher Gene Conley and infielders Joe Koppe and Harry Hanebrink to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Stan Lopata, shortstop Ted Kazanski and infielder Johnny O’Brien. Conley will go 12-7 before going on the disabled list from August to the close of the season.
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