More 1987 Baseball Season Highlights

Below are more highlights of the 1987 baseball season, including the year's big trades, new records, and Hall of Fame inductees.

  • Yankees' payroll tops $18.5 million.

  • Four teams in the American League East win more games than the American League West champ Twins.

  • The Hall of Fame inducts Billy Williams, Catfish Hunter, and Ray Dandridge.

  • KC rookie Kevin Seitzer hits .323 and ties for the American League lead in hits with 207.

  • National League outfielders Eric Davis, Andre Dawson, and Tony Gwynn, all offensive superstars, also win Gold Gloves in 1987.

  • In 154 innings, Cleveland's Ken Schrom has a 6.49 ERA, the worst in the majors in the past 50 years.

  • Tim Raines leads majors with 123 runs.

  • Gene Mauch parts with the Angels, leaving with the record for the most years as a manager without winning a pennant (26).

  • Detroit's Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker become first keystone combo in major league history to play on the same team as regulars for ten seasons.

  • LaMarr Hoyt, 1983 American League Cy Young winner, is suspended for a full season after three separate drug infractions.

  • On August 3, Texas catcher Geno Petralli sets an American League record by committing six passed balls, as he can't handle Charlie Hough's knuckler.

  • On April 9, Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton pitch for Indians -- it is the first time since 1891 two 300-game winners have appeared in a game for the same team.

  • The Salt Lake Trappers of the Pioneer League break the OB record by winning 29 consecutive games.

  • ChiSox send Floyd Bannister and Dave Cochrane to KC for four minor leaguers.

  • Phils trade Glenn Wilson and two other players to Seattle for Phil Bradley and a minor leaguer.

  • Detroit trades John Smoltz to Atlanta for Doyle Alexander.

  • Pittsburgh deals Rick Reuschel to Giants for Jeff Robinson and Scott Medvin.

  • Royals manager Dick Howser dies of a brain tumor.

  • Dodgers coach Don McMahon dies of a heart attack after pitching batting practice.

  • Travis Jackson dies at age 83.

  • Dodgers executive Al Campanis is fired after saying that blacks don't have the necessary skills to perform in baseball management positions.

  • Orioles pitchers surrender a major league record 226 home runs.

  • In a game vs. Baltimore, Toronto hits a major league record ten homers.

  • Nelson Doubleday Jr. and his partners buy Mets for $100 million dollars.

  • Nolan Ryan tops National League with 2.76 ERA and 270 Ks but has only an 8-16 record.

  • Oakland's Dave Stewart and Roger Clemens tie for American League lead in wins with 20.

  • Clemens tops the majors in win pct. (.690), shutouts (seven), and CGs (18).

  • Hough leads the majors in innings with 285.

  • Mark Langston wins his third American League K crown in four years (262).

  • Toronto's Tom Henke leads American League in saves with 34.

  • Chicago's Rick Sutcliffe paces National League in wins with 18.

  • Reuschel ties with Fernando Valenzuela for most CGs in the National League with 12 -- a new loop low for a leader.

  • Three Dodgers pitchers -- Orel Hershiser, Bob Welch, and Valenzuela -- rank one-two-three in innings, Hershiser leading at 265.

  • Andre Dawson paces National League in RBI (137), total bases (353), and homers (49).

  • George Bell paces American League in RBI (134) and major league in total bases (369).

  • Mark McGwire is the first rookie since Al Rosen to top the American League in homers; he also paces major league in SA (.618).

  • Cardinal Jack Clark tops National League in SA (.597), OBP (.461), and walks (136).

  • Montreal's Tim Wallach leads the majors with 42 doubles.

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