Dan Brouthers Brooklyn Dodgers

The National League meets and officially recognizes the Brotherhood 

1892 – National League magnates conclude a four-day meeting in Chicago where they agree to shorten the 1893 schedule to 132 games and drop the double championship concept. They also pledge to continue to reduce player salaries and other team expenses.

Chicago Cubs shortstop Joe Tinker rounds third base at the Polo Grounds, New York, 1906.

Joe Tinker tells an interviewer that it is “impossible to fix” a game

Wilbert Robinson is named the Dodgers' new manager

Wilbert Robinson is named the Dodgers’ new manager

A group led by Alva Bradley and John Sherwin buys the Cleveland Indians.

A group led by Alva Bradley and John Sherwin buys the Cleveland Indians.

1933 – The Pittsburgh Pirates send Adam Comorosky and Tony Piet to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Red Lucas and Wally Roettger. As a pitcher, Lucas will feast on the Reds over the rest of his career, going 14-0 against them. Piet hit .323 for the season, but will be in the doghouse over a contract dispute and will never start a game after July.

jimmy wilson

Jimmie Wilson is named as the new Chicago Cubs manager

tom seaver

Hall of Famer George Thomas Seaver is born in Fresno, California

vern-stephens

All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens traded to the Red Sox in 8 player deal

1953 – The St. Louis Browns officially become the Baltimore Baseball Club Inc. The Baltimore franchise board officially changes its name to the Orioles, the traditional name for baseball teams from the city.

Willie MCovey

San Francisco Giants slugger Willie McCovey is selected as the National League Rookie of the Year, after hitting .354 with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in just 52 games. McCovey gets all 24 votes to make him the second Giants player in a row to win the award unanimously. Teammate Orlando Cepeda ran away with the award in 1958.

Hank Greenberg

Hank Greenberg drops out of the bidding to run the new American League franchise in Los Angeles.

Dick Groat of the Pittsburgh Pirates is named the 1960 National League’s Most Valuable Player

Dick Groat of the Pittsburgh Pirates is named the 1960 National League’s Most Valuable Player

The new Washington Senators franchise is awarded to Elwood Quesada

The new Washington Senators franchise is awarded to Elwood Quesada

Yogi Berra New York mets

Yogi Berra signs a two-year contract with the Mets as a player-coach

By a unanimous vote of the owners, retired Air Force Lieutenant General William Eckert becomes the fourth Commissioner of Major League Baseball

By a unanimous vote of the owners, retired Air Force Lieutenant General William Eckert becomes the fourth Commissioner of Major League Baseball

Vida Blue becomes the youngest player ever to win the MVP award.

Vida Blue becomes the youngest player ever to win the MVP award.

The Texas Rangers trade future Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins to the Boston Red Sox

The Texas Rangers trade future Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins to the Boston Red Sox

The Dodgers trade outfielders Jim Wynn and Tom Paciorek and infielders Lee Lacy and Jerry Royster to Atlanta for OF Dusty Baker and 1B Ed Goodson.

the Dodgers trade for Dusty Baker

the Dodgers trade for Dusty Baker

Thurman Munson 1976 AL MVP

Yankee catcher Thurman Munson wins 1976 AL Most Valuable Player

White Sox owner Bill Veeck gives Yankee free-agent Ron Blomberg, who has played in only one game during the last two seasons, a generous four-year contract worth $500,000 that includes an additional $80,000 signing bonus. The questionable deal will turn out to be a complete bust when ‘Boomer’ hits only .231 in 169 plate appearances in his one year with Chicago.

1979 – On a flight to Austin, Texas, Daniel Okrent sketches out the first draft of rules for what will become Rotisserie League Baseball. Had the friends he was seeing not ignored these rules, the Rotisserie League would have been called Pit League, after the Austin barbecue joint where Okrent first unveiled them. Two weeks later in New York, he pitches the idea to a more receptive group with whom Okrent lunches monthly at La Rôtisserie Française.

1982 – Center fielder Dale Murphy wins the National League MVP Award, becoming the first Braves player to be so honored since Hank Aaron in 1957, when the team played in Milwaukee. Murphy hit .281 with 36 home runs, 109 RBI, 113 runs, and 23 stolen bases.

Dale Murphy (.281, 36, 113) becomes the first Braves player to win the National League MVP since Hank Aaron won the award in 1957. The Atlanta outfielder will win the prestigious prize again next season, becoming only the fourth player to be honored in consecutive seasons.

1983 – Kansas City Royals teammates Willie Wilson, Willie Aikens, and Jerry Martin, who, along with former teammate Vida Blue, had pleaded guilty to attempting to purchase cocaine, are each sentenced to three months in prison.

Willie Wilson, Willie Aikens, and Jerry Martin become the first active players sent to prison for drug violations. The judge hands down three-month sentences to the three members of the Royals for attempting to purchase cocaine.

1987 – George Bell becomes the first Toronto Blue Jays player ever to win the American League MVP Award, edging Alan Trammell of the Detroit Tigers, 332-311. Bell hit .308 with 47 home runs and a league-leading 134 RBI.

George Bell becomes the first Blue Jay player to capture the American League’s MVP Award. The 27 year-old Dominican outfielder hit .287, blasted 49 home runs, and drove in a league-leading 137 runs for the second-place Toronto club.

George Bell becomes the first Blue Jay player to capture the American League’s MVP Award. The 27 year-old Dominican outfielder hit .287, blasted 49 home runs, and drove in a league-leading 137 runs for the second-place Toronto club.

1989 – Nick Esasky, who became one of the most coveted free agents after hitting .277 with 30 home runs and 108 RBI for the Boston Red Sox, signs a three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. Esasky lives in Marietta, Georgia. However, he will be forced into early retirement because of an inner-ear infection that gives him chronic vertigo.

Twenty-five year-old right-hander Bret Saberhagen (23-6, 2.16) signs a three-year extension with the Royals for $8.9 million. The Cy Young Award recipient barely misses being baseball’s first $3 million-a-year player; a mark Kirby Puckett will reach five days later when he comes to terms with the Twins for $9 million over three years.

Twenty-five year-old right-hander Bret Saberhagen (23-6, 2.16) signs a three-year extension with the Royals for $8.9 million. The Cy Young Award recipient barely misses being baseball’s first $3 million-a-year player; a mark Kirby Puckett will reach five days later when he comes to terms with the Twins for $9 million over three years.

1992 – Major League Baseball holds the expansion draft to stock the rosters of the National League’s two new teams, the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies. A total of 72 players are chosen. Pitcher David Nied is the first pick of the Rockies, while outfielder Nigel Wilson is selected first by the Marlins. Florida take prospect Jose Martinez second, while Colorado picks veteran 3B Charlie Hayes next. The best picks for Florida are Trevor Hoffman (4th), eventually packaged for Gary Sheffield; Jeff Conine (11th), who will hit 81 home runs in four years; and Cris Carpenter (18th), later dealt to Texas for Robb Nen. For Colorado, they will find gold with Eric Young (6th), Joe Girardi (10th), Vinny Castilla (16) and Armando Reynoso (18th).

The Colorado Rockies make their first trade a good one, sending OF Kevin Reimer to the Milwaukee Brewers for OF Dante Bichette. Bichette hit .287 for Milwaukee, but just .246 in the second half of the year, and will blossom into a hitting star in Colorado.

In other deals, the Cincinnati Reds trade relief pitcher Norm Charlton to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfielder Kevin Mitchell; the Chicago Cubs trade shortstop Alex Arias and third baseman Gary Scott to the Florida Marlins for pitcher Greg Hibbard; Oakland Athletics shortstop Walt Weiss is traded to the Marlins for two prospects; the Los Angeles Dodgers trade pitcher Rudy Seanez to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for second baseman Jody Reed; and the Atlanta Braves trade first baseman Brian R. Hunter to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a minor league player.

Colorado selects right-hander David Nied from the Braves as their first player in the expansion draft. The 23 year-old right-hander, who was 3-0 for Atlanta last season, will pitch the first regular-season game in Rockies history, losing to the Mets and Dwight Gooden at Shea Stadium, 3-0.

The Arizona Diamondbacks sign free agent shortstop Jay Bell to a five-year contract.

The Atlanta Braves sign free agent shortstop Walt Weiss to a three-year contract.

The Pittsburgh Pirates sign free agent infielder Mike Benjamin to a two-year contract.

Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves edges San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman for the National League Cy Young Award. It is the sixth time in the past eight seasons that a Braves pitcher has won the award.

1999 – Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who hit .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI, wins the National League MVP Award. Jones becomes the fifth Braves player to be so honored, joining Johnny Evers (1914), Bob Elliott (1947), Hank Aaron (1957) Dale Murphy (1982 and 1983) and Terry Pendleton (1991).

The Anaheim Angels hire Mike Scioscia as their new manager.

In a trade of relievers, Colorado sends Curt Leskanic to Milwaukee for Mike Myers.

The Baltimore Orioles sign free agent pitcher Mike Trombley to a three-year contract.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Kendall signs the richest contract in team history. The $60 million, six-year contract extension, which includes a $4 million signing bonus, starts with a base salary of $6 million in 2002 and peaks at $13 million in 2007.

The Rangers swap pitchers Ryan Cullen and Aaron Harang to Oakland for second baseman Randy Velarde.

The Phillies sign free agent closer Jose Mesa to a two-year contract worth $3.4 million.

Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall signs the richest deal in Pirates’ history. The $60 million, six-year contract extension, which includes a $4 million signing bonus, starts with a base salary of $6 million in 2002 and peaks at $13 million in 2007.

2002 – After dropping the first three contests, the MLB team beats the NPB All-Stars, 4 – 2, to take its fourth straight victory. It is the visitors from the United States’ fifth straight series win, and they haven’t dropped one since 1990.

After dropping the first three contests in Japan, the American Major League team wins their fourth consecutive game, beating the Japanese stars, 4-2. The victory gives the United States, which hasn’t lost a series to its Asian hosts since 1990, its fifth straight winning tour in the Land of the Rising Sun.

2004 – After being wined and dined by Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline and team owner Mike Ilitch, free agent Troy Percival signs a two-year, $12 million deal, surprising everyone, including his agent, by announcing he wants to play in Detroit next season. Before the preliminary meeting in the Motor City, the former Angels closer had been scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs later in the week. Bothered by arm problems in 2005, Percival will finish 1-3 with eight saves and a 5.76 ERA in just 26 games pitched.

After being wined and dined by Tiger legend Al Kaline and owner Peter Ilitch, free agent Troy Percival signs a two-year, $12 million deal, surprising everyone, including his agent, by announcing he will pitch for Detroit next season. Before the preliminary meeting in the Motor City, the former Angels’ closer had been scheduled to meet with the Indians and Cubs later in the week.

Jason Bay, coming off two of the best career-starting seasons in Pittsburgh Pirates history, agrees to an $18.25 million, four-year contract that covers his arbitration-eligible seasons. In 2004, Bay hit .282 with 26 home runs and 82 RBI in 120 games played while becoming the first Rookie of the Year in club history. He won the award despite missing the first five weeks of the season after shoulder surgery. Bay followed by hitting .306 with 32 homers, 101 RBI, 110 runs scored, 21 stolen bases and a .402 on-base percentage in 2005 despite playing on a team that lost 95 games. He finished 12th in the National League MVP voting after playing in all 162 games.

Major League Baseball owners vote unanimously to approve the toughened steroids policy agreed to with the players’ association earlier this week. Owners also approve transferring control of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to Stuart Sternberg from founding owner Vince Naimoli.

Dodgers’ third baseman Bill Mueller retires after 11 seasons

Oakland A's announce Bob Geren as their manager

Oakland A’s announce Bob Geren as their manager

Bob Geren, filling the final managerial opening in the big leagues, is hired by the A’s to pilot the defending AL West champions. The rookie skipper, a veteran minor league manager, replaces Ken Macha, dismissed after Oakland goes down to defeat in the ALCS.

Frank Thomas agrees to an $18.12 million, two-year deal to join the Blue Jays. After spending 16 years with the White Sox, the 38 year-old designated hitter had a comeback season with the A’s last season, leading the club into the playoffs, batting .270 with 39 homers and driving in 114 runs.

Bob Geren, filling the final managerial opening in the big leagues, is hired by the A’s to pilot the defending AL West champions. The rookie skipper, a veteran minor league manager, replaces Ken Macha, dismissed after Oakland goes down to defeat in the ALCS.

Frank Thomas agrees to an $18.12 million, two-year deal to join the Blue Jays. After spending 16 years with the White Sox, the 38 year-old designated hitter had a comeback season with the A’s last season, leading the club into the playoffs, batting .270 with 39 homers and driving in 114 runs.

Team USA beats the Dutch national team, 5 – 0, in the semifinals of the 2007 Baseball World Cup. Colby Rasmus homers against David Bergman in the bottom of the 1st; Bergman and Matt Wright then trade goose eggs in a fine pitching duel. In the bottom of the 8th, the US tacks on four insurance runs to win it.

Adam Blackley pitches the Australian national team to its best Baseball World Cup finish ever, clinching 5th or 6th place, with a win over the Mexican national team. The game is marked by conflict between Australian CF Trent Oeltjen and the Mexican team.

2008 – Albert Pujols is named 2008 National League MVP, his second time as MVP. Despite missing some time to injury, Pujols led the National League in total bases. He also led in slugging and OPS. The win is a bit ironic as Pujols had criticized the selection of Ryan Howard in 2006 when Howard’s team failed to make the playoffs; this time, Howard (the runner-up) and the Phillies did make the playoffs while Pujols’ Cardinals did not.

Despite nursing a sore elbow during the season, Albert Pujols (.357, 37, 116) wins his second Most Valuable Player award of his eight-year major league career. The 28 year-old All-Star first baseman of the fourth-place Cardinals, the only player listed on every ballot, receives 18 of the 32 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA to outpoint runner-up Ryan Howard of the World Champions Phillies, 369-308.

A new Hall of Fame Classic contest, replacing the discontinued annual exhibition game between major league teams, will be played in Cooperstown featuring the game’s legends and old-timers. The event will be played on Father’s Day and will be part of a weekend of planned activities and programs, which will include a skills clinic, a hitting contest, and autograph sessions.

A new Hall of Fame Classic contest, replacing the discontinued annual exhibition game between major league teams, will be played in Cooperstown featuring the game’s legends and old-timers. The event will be played on Father’s Day and will be part of a weekend of planned activities and programs, which will include a skills clinic, a hitting contest, and autograph sessions.

2009 – Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke wins the American League Cy Young Award in a landslide. Greinke went 16-8 in spite of pitching for a last-place team and posted a league-leading 2.16 ERA, with 242 strikeouts.

Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.16), with 25 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the writers, easily outdistances Seattle’s Felix Hernandez to win the American League Cy Young Award to join Steve Carlton (1972 Phillies) as the only hurlers to win the prestigious pitching prize while toiling for a last-place club. The Royals’ right-hander will have another big day this Saturday when he marries his high school sweetheart Emily Kuchar, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.16), with 25 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the writers, easily outdistances Seattle’s Felix Hernandez to win the American League Cy Young Award to join Steve Carlton (1972 Phillies) as the only hurlers to win the prestigious pitching prize while toiling for a last-place club. The Royals’ right-hander will have another big day this Saturday when he marries his high school sweetheart Emily Kuchar, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

Bud Black of the Padres wins the Manager of the Year Award in the National League, while Ron Gardenhire of the Twins is the winner in the American League.

The Blue Jays acquire OF Rajai Davis from Oakland in return for P Trystan Magnuson and Danny Farquhar.

The Tigers sign free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit, coming off a sensational year with Tampa Bay, to a three-year deal worth $16.5 million.

In the second trade of the general managers’ meetings, the A’s trade Rajai Davis to the Blue Jays for a pair of right-handed minor leaguers, Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar. Last week, Oakland acquired outfielder David DeJesus from the Royals, making their former fleet outfielder expendable.

After being the runner-up five times, Ron Gardenhire is finally named the American League’s Manager of the Year. The Twins skipper, the only AL field boss listed on all 28 ballots, led his team to its sixth Central Division title in nine seasons.

Bud Black edges Cincinnati skipper Dusty Baker by one point for the National League Manager of the Year honors. The Padres manager kept his underdog team in the playoff race until the last day of the season when they were knocked out of contention by San Francisco, the eventual World Champions.

In the second trade of the general managers’ meetings, the A’s trade Rajai Davis to the Blue Jays for a pair of right-handed minor leaguers, Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar. Last week, Oakland acquired outfielder David DeJesus from the Royals, making their former fleet outfielder expendable.

After being the runner-up five times, Ron Gardenhire is finally named the American League’s Manager of the Year. The Twins skipper, the only AL field boss listed on all 28 ballots, led his team to its sixth Central Division title in nine seasons.

The Softbank Hawks top the Chunichi Dragons, 5 – 0, in Game 5 of the 2011 Japan Series. Coming to the Nagoya Dome down two games to none, they pull off a sweep on the road to move within one of the title. Today, Hiroki Yamada, Tadashi Settsu, Masahiko Morifuku and Takahiro Mahara team up on a five-hit whitewash.

The Chicago Cubs announce they have hired Dale Sveum as their new manager, replacing Mike Quade. Sveum managed the Milwaukee Brewers at the tail end of the 2008 season, ending a swoon and leading them through their first playoff appearance since the 1982 World Series, but has not managed since.

Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers is the winner of the National League Cy Young Award, gathering 27 of 32 first-place votes and finishing ahead of the two aces of the Phillies, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. The 23-year-old lefthander went 21-5, tied with Ian Kennedy for the most wins in the NL, and finished first with a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts.

Major League Baseball announces major structural changes for 2013 as a result of its approval of the sale of the Houston Astros to a group headed by Jim Crane. The Astros will move from the NL Central to the AL West, giving both leagues 15 teams split into three five-team divisions. As a result, teams will play a more balanced schedule and there will be interleague play during the entire season to accommodate the odd number of teams in each circuit. There will also be two additional playoff teams, but the new postseason format will be announced at a later date as it is tied to current negotiations with the Players Association regarding the new collective bargaining agreement.

Clayton Kershaw is named by the BBWAA as the National League’s Cy Young Award recipient, easily outpointing Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay, who had won the prestigious pitching prize last year. The 23 year-old southpaw earned the NL’s triple crown by posting a 2.28 ERA, striking out 248 opponents, and notching the most victories in the circuit, along with Arizona’s Ian Kennedy, with a record of 21-5.

The baseball owners unanimously approve the long-delayed sale of the Astros from Drayton McLane to Jim Crane. The deal was dependent on the new owner’s acceptance of the franchise being switched from the NL Central to the AL West in 2013, a move that reportedly lowered the sale price from $680 million to $615 million.

Clayton Kershaw is named by the BBWAA as the National League’s Cy Young Award recipient, easily outpointing Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay, who had won the prestigious pitching prize last year. The 23 year-old southpaw earned the NL’s triple crown by posting a 2.28 ERA, striking out 248 opponents, and notching the most victories in the circuit, along with Arizona’s Ian Kennedy, with a record of 21-5.

The baseball owners unanimously approve the long-delayed sale of the Astros from Drayton McLane to Jim Crane. The deal was dependent on the new owner’s acceptance of the franchise being switched from the NL Central to the AL West in 2013, a move that reportedly lowered the sale price from $680 million to $615 million.

After cleaning house earlier this week, the Marlins add a rare veteran by signing free agent OF Juan Pierre to a one-year contract.

New Zealand defeats the Philippines, 10 – 6, to reach the finals of Pool C of the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, where they will face Taiwan. Brothers John and Lincoln Holdzkom make key appearances in relief, with John earning the win and Lincoln the save. SS Scott Campbell goes 2 for 3 with a double and 3 RBI to lead the attack, but the Philippines help dig their own grave by committing 7 errors.

Brazil pulls off another upset in Pool D of the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, playing an outstanding fundamental game in defeating Colombia, 7 – 1, to reach the pool finals. Oscar Nakaoshi starts the game with four scoreless frames, and college reliever Gabriel Asakura adds two and two-thirds scoreless innings, shutting down the Colombians’ bats. Colombia is placed into an early hole when starter Marwin Vega has to leave with an injury after facing only one batter.

In the other game in Pool D of the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, Panama eliminates Nicaragua from the tournament with a 6 – 2 win at home. SS Ruben Tejada leads the offense with three doubles; his first two two-baggers both drive in Isaias Velasquez, and on the third, he comes in to score on Luis Castillo’s single.

2013 – Cubs prospect Kris Bryant is named MVP of the Arizona Fall League after batting .364 and leading the circuit in most hitting categories.

The Cardinals and Braves pull off a big trade, with Ps Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins headed to Atlanta in return for OF Jason Heyward and P Jordan Walden. Both Miller and Heyward are former top prospects who have been successful major leaguers as well.

Only two years after a universally decried fire sale, the Marlins change course again, signing All-Star RF Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year contract worth $325 million. It is the largest contract in major league history, topping Miguel Cabrera’s $292-million deal signed in March. At 25, Stanton is just entering his prime and has a chance of still being a productive player at the end of the deal, in contrast with other recent mega-deals.

While not in the same ballpark, free agent C Russell Martin also signs a lucrative contract, returning to his birth city as he inks a five-year deal worth $85 million with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Braves trade Gold Glove outfielder Jayson Heyward and setup man Jordan Walden to the Cardinals for right-handers Shelby Miller and 22 year-old minor leaguer Tyrell Jenkins. The move appears to be the start of a rebuilding period for Atlanta under the team’s new general manager John Hart.

The Braves trade Gold Glove outfielder Jayson Heyward and setup man Jordan Walden to the Cardinals for right-handers Shelby Miller and 22 year-old minor leaguer Tyrell Jenkins. The move appears to be the start of a rebuilding period for Atlanta under the team’s new general manager John Hart.

2015 – Jeff Banister, rookie skipper of the Rangers, is named the American League Manager of the Year, while Joe Maddon of the Cubs is honored in the National League after having won the honor twice in the junior circuit.

OF Mike Trout of the Angels wins his second AL MVP Award, finishing ahead of Boston’s Mookie Betts. In the National League, second-year 3B Kris Bryant of the Cubs is a runaway winner one year after being named the league’s Rookie of the Year.

Oakland Athletics managing partner Lew Wolff steps down after 11 years on the job, giving the position to his closest ally, John Fisher, who has also been one of the team’s co-owner since its purchase in 2005.

Nippon Ham Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama wins the Matsutaro Shoriki Award after guiding his team from 11 1/2 games back at one point in the regular season to take the 2016 Japan Series.

2017 – The Best Nine awards are given out in Nippon Pro Baseball for 2017. In the closest race, at shortstop in the Pacific League, Kenta Imamiya of the Softbank Hawks gets 90 votes to 87 from Rakuten’s Eigoro Mogi and 81 from Seibu’s Sosuke Genda.

2011 – MLB awards the Astros franchise to a group led by businessman Jim Crane for $610 million and his agreement that the club would be reassigned to the American League West for play when the new MLBPA collective bargaining agreement begins in 2013. 

1999 – Jeff Bagwell finishes second in the voting for N.L. Most Valuable Player but Atlanta’s Chipper Jones is the runaway winner. Bagwell receives one first-place vote. 

1993 – Terry Collins is hired as Astros manager. Coming from the Pirates organization, Collins projects an aggressive no-nonsense attitude that eventually wears thin on the veteran players. 

1992 – Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies choose in the first N.L. expansion draft since 1969. Houston loses pitcher Ryan Bowen to the Marlins and pitchers Willie Blair and Butch Henry to the Rockies who also tab future Astros Vinny Castilla and Brad Ausmus. The Astros deal two prospects to the Marlins for reliever Tom Edens. 

1964 – Mitch Williams is born in Santa Ana, CA. The lefthander, nicknamed “Wild Thing”, has a colorful career but not much of it good while with Houston. He lasts just 20 innings before retiring to his Texas ranch. He would pitch again elsewhere for two more seasons.