What happened today in team history?
1984 – Astros release Richard
After pitching with them for 10 years, the Astros released a 30-year-old J.R. Richard. While he had the chance to sign with other teams, this marked the end of his career, finishing with a 3.15 ERA and just under 1500 strikeouts.
1985 – Dickie Thon comes back
After injuring his eye socket at the end of the 1984 season, Astros infielder Dickie Thon comes back and impresses the team, showing that the injury is no longer a problem, smacking a double off the outfield wall in a 3-1 win over the Dodgers.
2003 – Shane Reynolds gets released
After being with the club since being drafted, the Astros part ways with starting pitcher Shane Reynolds. After a back surgery at the end of the 2002 season and an unimpressive Spring, the team decided it was time to let go of Reynolds and his $5-million deal. He eventually went on to pitch the 2003 season with the Atlanta Braves, going 11-9 with a 5.43 ERA.
What else happened on this day?
1902
Although the name wouldn’t be adopted by the team for another few years, the Chicago Daily News is cited as the first outlet to refer to the Chicago baseball team as the “Cubs”
1917
An idea brought on by Brooklyn Robins’ owner Charles Ebbets, players on both teams wear numbers on their arms for the first time, helping to indicate which player is which to the fans.
1986
MLB Rule Committee voted to allow a DH during the World Series, so long as it is in an American League park.
2012
Led by former NBA star Magic Johnson and executive Stan Kasten, a new group comes in and agrees to buy the LA Dodgers for an estimated $2 billion, the highest amount ever paid for a North American professional sports franchise.
2017
It was officially announced that at some point in the near future, the Oakland A’s would be leaving Oakland and moving their team to Las Vegas.