On This Day: December 28

1983 

Free agent outfielder Warren Cromartie signs a reported three-year, $2.5 million contract with Japan’s Yomiuri Giants. The 30-year-old Cromartie, who hit .278 as a mainstay in the Montreal outfield in 1983, is the best American player to jump to Japan while still in his prime. He will play in Japan for seven seasons (MVP in 1989) before returning for one more season in North America with the Royals in 1991.