Sunday, January 19, 2014

1/18-19: Hank Greenberg, Wandy Rodriguez, Adam LaRoche, Stan the Man...

Hank Greenberg, Wandy Rodriguez, Adam LaRoche, Stan the Man...

  • January 18, 1947 - The Pirates purchased Hank Greenberg from the Tigers for $75,000 after a contract dispute. The Bucs signed him to a reported $90,000 deal, the biggest in history at that time. In his one season with Pittsburgh, he hit .249 with 25 homers and 74 RBI. He became the first player with a 25 homer season in both leagues, walked a league high 104 times and served as a mentor to a young Ralph Kiner. He inspired “Greenberg Gardens” when the Bucs shortened Forbes Field’s left field for him. When he retired after the season, his garden was renamed Kiner’s Korner. 
  • January 18, 1979 - LHP Wandy Rodriguez was born in Santiago Rodriguez, Dominican Republic. Wandy joined the Bucs in 2012, when he was acquired in a deadline deal from the Astros. He didn’t become a major contributor as hoped, as his 2013 season derailed after just a dozen starts with arthritis in his pitching arm, and so far he's contributed just 11 wins in 25 outings with a 3.66 ERA as a Pirate. 
  • January 19, 2007 - The Bucs traded LHP Mike Gonzalez and SS Brent Lillibridge to the Atlanta Braves for 1B Adam LaRoche and minor league 1B/OF Jamie Romak. Gonzo ended up injury-bitten, Lillibridge became a utility player, Romak a career minor leaguer while LaRoche has held a starting job at first for several clubs since the deal. 

2007 Topps Allen & Ginter SP series

  • January 19, 2013 - Hall of Famer Stan the Man Musial of the Cards, who was born in Donora, died at the age of 92.

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