After being released by the Padres, Bobby Tolan (.255, 5, 48), signs as a free agent with the Phillies. The outfielder-first baseman, who plays only 15 games for Philadelphia, will ink a deal with the Pirates in June.
7/21/1975: Cardinal catcher Ted Simmons hit a homer to lead off the fourth inning in San Diego. However, Padres manager John McNamara claimed that his bat was illegal. Home plate umpire Art Williams agreed with McNamara because there were grooves cut into the fat part of the bat, clearly above the 18� area from the handle. Williams ruled Simmons out and the bat was confiscated by crew chief Ed Vargo. The game was protested by the Cardinals, but they won 4-0.
On July 11, 1974, the San Diego Padres release Matty Alou, ending the career of the lifetime .307 hitter. Earlier in the season, Matty’s older brother, Felipe Alou, was released by the Brewers on April 29th, also ending his career.
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 – Ray Kroc, fast-food entrepreneur (McDonald’s), buys the San Diego Padres for $12 million, ending talk of a possible move to Washington, DC.
The Cubs trade second baseman Glenn Beckert and minor league prospect Bobby Fenwick to the Padres for outfielder Jerry Morales. The deal will prove to be beneficial to Chicago when their new fly chaser spends four productive years in his first tenure with the club, including an All-Star selection in 1977, and their former infielder playing in only 73 games before being released by San Diego during the first month of the 1975 season.
1973 – The Chicago Cubs trade six-time 20-game winner Ferguson Jenkins to the Texas Rangers for third baseman Bill Madlock and utility man Vic Harris. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants trade three-time home run champion Willie McCovey, a Giant since 1959, together with minor leaguer Bernie Williams,to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Mike Caldwell.
The Braves edge the Padres, 5 – 4, despite a pinch home run by Dave Winfield. Big Dave’s next pinch homer will come on September 29, 1990.
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…
On May 8, 1973, Chicago Cubs coach Ernie Banks becomes the first African American to manage during a major league game. When Cubs manager Whitey Lockman is ejected in the third inning, Banks takes over the reigns for the rest of the game. With Banks at the helm, the Cubs edge the San Diego Padres,…
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