Elephant Rumblings: A’s Acquire RHP Reliever Burch Smith From Giants

A’s Coverage:

• Gallegos: Burch Smith acquired by A’s from Giants
• Geracie: History of trades between the A’s and Giants is short — and sad (for one team)
• Slusser: A’s pitcher says Randy Johnson’s insights a big help to them ($)
• Boerner: Oakland A’s Ballpark Environmental Report Delayed
• Berman: Dave Kaval on where the A’s are with the approval process for Howard Terminal, the gondola idea and A’s Access ($$$)
• Gallegos: Jefferies headlines A’s next wave of young arms
• Brazil: Why Astros’ sign-stealing scandal still frustrates A’s players, fans
• Slusser: A’s Lou Trivino loses ‘love handles,’ fixes mechanics, plans on improved season (S)

MLB News:

• Ravech: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred defends punishment of Astros
• Perry: MLB to raise minor league salaries in 2021 season
• Birch: Jeremy Hellickson retires from Major League Baseball
• Polishuk: Tony Fernandez Passes Away

Baseball Interest Stories:

• Sneed: This is what it’s like to chase your pro baseball dreams...for 12 bucks an hour
• Clemens: The Hypothetical Value of an Ideal, Frictionless Banging Scheme
• Klugh: The Spitball Has Been Contraband for a Century
• Zimmerman: Aging Curves Revisited: Damn Strikeouts
• Chesterson: Shohei Ohtani finally got a driver’s license

Today in Baseball History:

• 1883 - At a meeting between the American Association and the National League, the Tripartite Agreement (or “National Agreement”) is drafted. In it the two leagues, along with the Northwestern League, agree to respect each other’s contracts, ending a brief period of player raids. The National Agreement will usher in a period of peaceful coexistence, lasting until the Players League war of 1890.
• 1909 - The National League deprives umpires of the power to fine players and decrees that relief pitchers must retire at least one batter before being relieved.
• 1943 - Joe DiMaggio, drawing $43,500 from the Yankees, trades in his salary for the $50 a month as an army enlisted man. DiMaggio, in his customary quiet style, gives no notice to the club.
• 1980 - While taping separate interviews at KNBC-TV studios in Burbank, CA, Giants coach Jim Lefebvre and Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda trade punches after a brief argument, leaving Lasorda with a bloody lip. Lefebvre had been a Dodger coach in 1979 until he was fired by Lasorda.

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