IN THE NEWS: Minor league C Angel Rodriguez, who played for the Pirates' Alexandria club (Carolina League) last season, is suspended from organized baseball for one year for telling opposing Latin American batters what pitches were coming. Rodriguez had been suspended by the Pirates last season after being caught in the act during an August 19th game against Lynchburg.
IN THE NEWS: The Dodgers break up the longest-playing infield unit in ML history by trading veteran 2B Davey Lopes to the A's for minor-leaguer Lance Hudson. Lopes, 1B Steve Garvey, 3B Ron Cey, and SS Bill Russell had been the Dodgers' starting infield since 1974.
IN THE NEWS: The Mets agree to a new 5-year contract with slugging OF George Foster, completing a trade that sends pitchers Jim Kern and Greg Harris and C Alex Trevino to the Reds. Foster will fizzle in New York, as will the Reds new players.
IN THE NEWS: The Ozzie Smith for Garry Templeton deal finally goes through, more than two months after it was first announced. Smith's new salary with the Cardinals will be determined by an outside arbitrator.
IN THE NEWS: Bake McBride becomes the 3rd starter from the Phillies' 1980 World Championship squad to be traded or sold since Bill Giles bought the club last October. The Indians get him in exchange for pitcher Sid Monge.