More 1983 Baseball Season Headlines

Below are more headlines from the 1983 baseball season, including a no-hitter from Dave Righetti and an infamous pine-tar incident.

Fernando Valenzuela Wins National League West

Fernando Valenzuela clinched the National League Division title for the Dodgers in an October 1 game with the Braves. It was the ballclub's second division championship in three years. Despite losing the services of such veterans as Ron Cey and Steve Garvey, the Dodgers still won 91 games in 1983.

Dave Righetti Sparkles on July 4

The highlight of Dave Righetti's 14-8 1983 season was July 4, 1983, when Rags thrilled fans by pitching a no-hitter against the Red Sox. It was the first no-no for the Yankees since Don Larsen's 1956 World Series perfect game. Righetti administered the final stroke to his masterpiece by striking out batting champion Wade Boggs.

Rusty Staub, PH Deluxe

Rusty Staub utilized his hitting skills in the role of pinch hitter deluxe for the Mets. Batting .296 in 1983, he matched major league records for consecutive pinch hits (eight) and RBI (25) while setting the mark for pinch at-bats (81).

LaMarr Hoyt Wins 1983 American League Cy Young Award

LaMarr Hoyt gave the performance of his career in 1983, placing first in the American League with 24 triumphs and 1.07 walks per game. On his way to leading the White Sox to their first American League West Division crown, Dewey copped the 1983 Cy Young Award. The ace pitcher hurled the Sox to their sole victory in the League Championship Series.

Carlton Fisk Adds Sock to Sox

Power hitters have always been a rare commodity at Comiskey Park. In 1983, however, Chicago was shaken up as Carlton Fisk lead the Sox to the American League West Division title. Posting a .518 slugging average, Pudge socked 26 homers and tallied 86 RBI. Fisk went on to set the all-time White Sox record for homers (161). Fisk disappeared in the playoffs, though, batting .176 with no runs or RBI.

Pine Tar Erases George Brett Home Run

No occurrence sparked more controversy in 1983 than the infamous pine tar incident. The dispute centered on the ninth-inning, two-run home run George Brett hit off Yankee reliever Goose Gossage to give the Royals a 5-4 lead in a July 24 game. Because Brett's bat had pine tar beyond the legal limit of 18 inches, the round-tripper was disallowed.

Jim Dwyer Scores in Game Four

Jim "Pigpen" Dwyer scored the winning run in the seventh inning of game four of the 1983 World Series, as Baltimore beat Philadelphia 5-4. Rich Dauer was credited with the RBI on a base hit. Dwyer hit .375 in the fall classic, breaking open game one of the tournament with a first-inning homer.

Rick Dempsey Homers in Game Five

Gary Matthews, Phillies left fielder, couldn't reach Rick Dempsey's third-inning home run in game five of the 1983 World Series. The dinger, which was socked off Philly starter Charles Hudson, put the Orioles up 2-0 in the finale. Dempsey had hit just four home runs that year.

Lou Whitaker Bats .320

Sweet Lou Whitaker had a watershed year in 1983. The great second baseman captured his premier Gold Glove. He was named 1983 Tiger of the Year. Whitaker batted .320 with 12 homers and 72 RBI, and became the first lefthanded Tiger batter since 1943 to get 200 hits.

Find more highlights from the 1983 baseball season on the next page.

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