IN THE NEWS: Johnny Murphy, the Mets general manager who had seen his team rise from the NL cellar to the World Championship, dies of a heart attack at age 61. Murphy was a star relief pitcher for the Yankees in the 1930s and early 1940s.
IN THE NEWS: Curt Flood, Cardinals Gold Glove outfielder, files a civil lawsuit challenging ML baseball's reserve clause, a suit that will have historic implications. Flood refused to report to the Phillies after he was traded by the Cardinals three months ago, contending the baseball rule violates federal antitrust laws.
IN THE NEWS: ML teams select a record 357 players in the January phase of the annual free-agent draft, including top pick Chris Chambliss, by Cleveland, and Chris Speier. Fred Lynn, drafted by the Yankees in the first round, will not sign.
IN THE NEWS: Lou Boudreau achieves the Hall of Fame, receiving 232 of a possible 300 votes in the BBWAA election. Ralph Kiner finishes 2nd with 167, 58 votes short.
IN THE NEWS: Braves ace Phil Niekro undergoes an emergency appendectomy. Niekro won't miss any playing time, but his record will dip from 23-13 to 12-18.
IN THE NEWS: Pitcher Miguel Fuentes, 20, is shot and killed during a bar fight in Loiza Aldea, Puerto Rico. Against the A's on October 2, 1969, Fuentes (1–3) pitched the last inning in the history of the Seattle Pilots.