1977

Jimmy Carter became president, U.S. gymnast Kerri Strug was born and Tom Lasorda took over as manager of the Dodgers.

* Highest Salary: Mike Schmidt, $560,000 a year (1996: Cecil Fielder $9,237,500)

* Highest Team Payroll: Cincinnati, $3,497,900 (1996: New York Yankees $52.9 million)

* Other managers hired in 1977: Herman Franks, Cubs; Dick Williams, Expos; Joe Torre, Mets; Chuck Tanner, Pirates; Vern Rapp, Cardinals; Alvin Dark, Padres; Joe Altobelli, Giants; Dave Garcia, Angels; Bob Lemon, White Sox; Jeff Torborg, Indians; Jack McKeon and bobby Winkles, A’s; Darrell Johnson, Mariners; Eddie Stanky, Connie Ryan and Billy Hunter, Rangers; Roy Hartsfield, Blue Jays.

* Rookies: Andre Dawson, Eddie Murray, Mitchell Page, Bob Owchinko, Dave Rozema, Gene Richards.

* MVPs: George Foster, Rod Carew.

* Cy Young Awards: Steve Carlton, Sparky Lyle.

* Minor league player of year: Ken Landreaux.

* No-hitters: Jim Colborn, Kansas City; Bert Blyleven, Texas; Dennis Eckersley, Cleveland.

* Highlights: The Angels’ Nolan Ryan tied the record by striking out 19 Blue Jays in one game; Eddie Mathews elected to Hall of Fame.