Finally, a free agent for Cincinnati

More than five years after the free agent frenzy truly begins in baseball, the Cincinnati Reds finally decide to cut a check for a free agent.

In this case, the Reds dust off their checkbook 44 years ago today to splurge on Larry Biittner, a 34-year-old journeyman outfielder-first baseman and pinch hitter extraordinaire.

The Reds’ signing of Biittner comes well after inaugural 1976 free agent class that features future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey and Rollie Fingers, as well as a future MVP in Don Baylor and the Reds’ best pitcher, Don Gullett.

As for Biittner, he hits .286 in 139 games for the Reds over the 1981 and ’82 seasons with two home runs and 32 runs batted in.

Larry Biittner

The Reds, though, have no interest in bringing back the contact-hitting Biittner in 1983.

Biittner then signs with the Texas Rangers for one final season in 1983 before retiring.

Biittner finishes his career with 96 career pinch hits, which at the time is the 12th highest total in the game’s history.

For Biittner, his second and final free agent contract – the one with the Rangers – caps a 14-year career in the majors that begins with two pinch-hit appearances in 1970 for the old Washington Senators, who after the 1971 season move to Texas and take Biittner with them.

The Rangers trade Biittner to the Montreal Expos after the 1973 season only to bring him back in 1983 just in time to end his career.