1985 – It’s no boo-boo. The Astros sign 59-year-old Yogi Berra to serve as a bench coach for new skipper Hal Lanier. The quotable Berra is persuaded to come to Texas at the request of owner John McMullen. The two are neighbors in New Jersey.
Dwight Gooden becomes the second consecutive Met player to be named the National League’s Rookie of Year. The 19 year-old right-hander, who compiled a 17-9 record along with a 1.53 ERA and a league-leading 268 strikeouts, joins his teammate and close friend Darryl Strawberry to be honored the coveted freshman award.
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt wins his second consecutive National League MVP Award, joining Ernie Banks and Joe Morgan as the only NL players to take the award back-to-back. In the strike-shortened season, Schmidt hit .316 and led the league in home runs (31), RBI (91), runs (78), walks (73), on-base percentage (.435) and slugging percentage (.644).
Dick Williams replaces Frank Howard as manager of the last-place Padres. The future Hall of Fame skipper, who has won three pennants and two World Series in the last 14 years as a major league pilot, will lead San Diego to a National League pennant in 1984.
1980 – Despite having missed 45 games with injuries, George Brett is named American League Most Valuable Player. The 27-year-old third baseman’s .390 batting average was the highest in the major leagues since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Brett added 24 home runs and 118 RBI to lead the Kansas City Royals to their first AL pennant.
1976 – The New York Yankees sign free agent pitcher Don Gullett for $2 million. Gullett will have a 14-4 record next season, but spend most of the next three seasons on the disabled list.
On November 18, 1970, Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench wins the National League MVP Award with 326 points, 108 more than Billy Williams of the Chicago Cubs. Bench hit for a .293 average with 45 home runs and 148 RBI, while Williams finished with .322, 42, 109.
On November 18, 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers pitching ace Sandy Koufax announces his retirement, due to increasing pain caused by arthritis in his left elbow. Koufax cites the fear of permanent damage as the reason for placing himself on the voluntarily retired list. Just three weeks earlier, Koufax had won a record third Cy Young…
The Mets name Wes Westrum as the team’s second manager in the franchise’s brief history, replacing the legendary Casey Stengel who compiled a 175-404 (.302) record during his 3+ years with the expansion team. The new skipper had taken over the club’s reins after the ‘Old Perfessor’ had fractured his hip in July.
1965 – Zoilo Versalles is named American League MVP. The Minnesota Twins shortstop gets 275 votes to 174 for teammate Tony Oliva.
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