Sunday, September 30, 2007
This Date in Baseball
"I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all he had to give." - ROBERTO CLEMENTE, Pirate Hall of Fame outfielder (1955-72)
1904 White Sox pitcher Doc White pitches his fifth shutout in eighteen days. The southpaw pitches six of his season total of seven shutouts in September.
1907 Cardinals' first baseman Ed Konetchy steals home twice in the same game. St. Louis swipes home plate three times during the contest.
1923 It's Zack Wheat Day at Ebbets Field and the retiring Dodger outfielder collects two hits and is given an automobile. Cy Williams of the Phillies spoils the special day as he ties the score in the seventh inning with his 39th homer and his 40th in the 12th frame gives Philadelphia the victory, 6–4.
1927 Babe Ruth breaks his own 1921 home run record by hitting number 60 off of Senator's Tom Zachary.
1928 In his major league debut, White Sox rookie Ed Weiland shuts out the A's at Comiskey Park, 1-0. The 6'4" fireballer from Chicago will finish his four year tenure with his home town team compiling a 5-15 record before being traded to the Red Sox in 1932.
1945 Hank Greenberg hits a pennant winning grand slam on final day of the season. The Tiger left fielder's ninth-inning bases-full homer beats the Browns,6-3, clinching the AL flag for Detroit over the second-place Senators.
1947 Ralph Branca becomes the youngest player to start a World Series opener. At Yankee Stadium, the 21-year (9 month) old right-hander and the Dodgers loses to the Bronx Bombers, 5-1.
1956 At the age of 16, Jim Derrington becomes the youngest pitcher to start a major league game this century. The teenager loses to the A's 7-6, but singles becoming the youngest player to get a hit in the American League.
1962 The Mets end inaugural season with their 120th loss (a 20th century record) as Joe Pignatano hits into an eighth inning triple play in his last career at-bat.
1962 In his last at-bat of his career, Don Gile homers in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Red Sox a 3-1, season-ending victory over Senators at Fenway Park. The Boston first baseman had been 0-for-34 before the dramatic at-bat.
1969 With a 3-2 win over the Reds, the Braves clinch the first ever National League West division.
1972 Roberto Clemente doubles off Mets Jon Matlack to become the eleventh major leaguer to collect 3000 hits. The hit, sadly, will be the Pirate right fielder's last as he will die in a plane crash on New Year's Eve attempting to bring relief aid to earthquake-stricken Managua, Nicaragua.
1973 Dave Augustine of the Pirates appears to hit a game-ending home run in the 13th inning but the ball hits the top of the fence and Met outfielder Cleon Jones catches it and throws out a runner at home. The Mets win the game, National League East title and Augustine will never homer in the majors.
1978 At Three Rivers Stadium, the Phillies clinch their third consecutive NL East title defeating the Pirates, 10-8. The victory, which features winning pitcher Randy Lerch hitting two home runs, snaps Pittsburgh’s 24-game home winning streak.
1984 Yankee first baseman Don Mattingly wins the American League batting title with .343 average.
1984 On the final day of the season, Mike Witt uses only 97 pitches to retire 27 consecutive hitters. The Angels' hurler throws the perfect game against the Rangers and beats Charlie Hough on an unearned run, 1-0.
1988 Ronald Reagan, nearing the end of his presidency, throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field. The former Cub announcer then spends an inning and a half doing play-by-play with Harry Caray in the WGN television booth.
1998 Joining Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Doc Gooden, David Cone improves his record to 20-3 becoming the fourth pitcher in Mets history to win twenty games in a season. After his 4-2 complete-game victory against the Cardinals, the 25-year old right-hander is congratulated by a surprise visitor to the Shea Stadium dugout, former president Richard Nixon.
1990 The final game is played at old Comiskey Park with the White Sox edging the Mariners, 2-1. The final regular-season won-loss record at old ballpark is 3,024-2,926 (.508).
1992 George Brett singles off Tim Fortugno in the seventh inning for his 3000th hit. It is the Royals' third baseman fourth hit in the Kansas City 4-0 victory over the Angels.
1995 Albert Belle becomes the first player in major league history to hit fifty home runs and fifty double in the same season.
1998 After the a removal of a brain tumor nine months ago, former Royal reliever Dan Quisenberry dies of brain cancer at the age of 45.
1999 Mets' shortstop Rey Ordonez plays in his 96th consecutive game without committing an error breaking Cal Ripken's major league record for errorless games in that position. The flashy infielder will finish the season extending the record to 100 games.
1999 The largest regular-season crowd in Candlestick Park history, 61,389 fans, watch the Dodgers beat the home team, 9-4 in the last baseball game to ever be played at the 'Point'. Giant greats help mark the occasion with Juan Marichal tossing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game and Willie Mays throwing out the ballpark's final pitch after the game.
1999 For the twenty-third time this season, Diamondback fireballer Randy Johnson K's at least 10 batters to tie Nolan Ryan's 1973 major league record for the most double-digit strikeout games in a season. The tall left-hander whiffs 11 Padres in seven innings in a 5-3 victory to bring his season ending total to 364 which ranks fourth all-time.
2000 In the highest scoring game in A's franchise history, Oakland defeats the Rangers 23-2 to remain a half-game ahead of the Mariners for the western division lead as Seattle scores the most runs ever against the Angels, 21-9 assuring the team at least a tie for the American League wild card.
2005 The Devil Rays announce the team will buy out the last year of manager Lou Piniella’s $13 million, four-year deal signed in 2002. The agreement, which pays ‘Sweet Lou’ $2.2 million of the $4.4 million he is owed, allows the 62-year skipper to seek employment with another team.
2005 Albert Pujols’s 40th home run, a seventh inning grand slam against the Reds, makes him the first Cardinal in the 114-year history of the team to hit that many home runs in three consecutive seasons. The homer, which was also the 200th of his career, makes the first baseman the third-youngest player to reach the milestone with only Mel Ott and Eddie Matthews accomplishing it sooner.
2006 Five years and two cities after Frank Robinson, then the vice president in the commissioner's office in charge of on-field discipline, accepts Bud Selig's offer to take MLB-owned Expos' manager job for just one season, the franchise, now known as the Washington Nationals, will have a new skipper. Jim Bowden, the team's GM, announces the 71-year-old Hall of Famer will be replaced with the search for a new field boss beginning after tomorrow's season finale against the Mets at RFK.
1904 White Sox pitcher Doc White pitches his fifth shutout in eighteen days. The southpaw pitches six of his season total of seven shutouts in September.
1907 Cardinals' first baseman Ed Konetchy steals home twice in the same game. St. Louis swipes home plate three times during the contest.
1923 It's Zack Wheat Day at Ebbets Field and the retiring Dodger outfielder collects two hits and is given an automobile. Cy Williams of the Phillies spoils the special day as he ties the score in the seventh inning with his 39th homer and his 40th in the 12th frame gives Philadelphia the victory, 6–4.
1927 Babe Ruth breaks his own 1921 home run record by hitting number 60 off of Senator's Tom Zachary.
1928 In his major league debut, White Sox rookie Ed Weiland shuts out the A's at Comiskey Park, 1-0. The 6'4" fireballer from Chicago will finish his four year tenure with his home town team compiling a 5-15 record before being traded to the Red Sox in 1932.
1945 Hank Greenberg hits a pennant winning grand slam on final day of the season. The Tiger left fielder's ninth-inning bases-full homer beats the Browns,6-3, clinching the AL flag for Detroit over the second-place Senators.
1947 Ralph Branca becomes the youngest player to start a World Series opener. At Yankee Stadium, the 21-year (9 month) old right-hander and the Dodgers loses to the Bronx Bombers, 5-1.
1956 At the age of 16, Jim Derrington becomes the youngest pitcher to start a major league game this century. The teenager loses to the A's 7-6, but singles becoming the youngest player to get a hit in the American League.
1962 The Mets end inaugural season with their 120th loss (a 20th century record) as Joe Pignatano hits into an eighth inning triple play in his last career at-bat.
1962 In his last at-bat of his career, Don Gile homers in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Red Sox a 3-1, season-ending victory over Senators at Fenway Park. The Boston first baseman had been 0-for-34 before the dramatic at-bat.
1969 With a 3-2 win over the Reds, the Braves clinch the first ever National League West division.
1972 Roberto Clemente doubles off Mets Jon Matlack to become the eleventh major leaguer to collect 3000 hits. The hit, sadly, will be the Pirate right fielder's last as he will die in a plane crash on New Year's Eve attempting to bring relief aid to earthquake-stricken Managua, Nicaragua.
1973 Dave Augustine of the Pirates appears to hit a game-ending home run in the 13th inning but the ball hits the top of the fence and Met outfielder Cleon Jones catches it and throws out a runner at home. The Mets win the game, National League East title and Augustine will never homer in the majors.
1978 At Three Rivers Stadium, the Phillies clinch their third consecutive NL East title defeating the Pirates, 10-8. The victory, which features winning pitcher Randy Lerch hitting two home runs, snaps Pittsburgh’s 24-game home winning streak.
1984 Yankee first baseman Don Mattingly wins the American League batting title with .343 average.
1984 On the final day of the season, Mike Witt uses only 97 pitches to retire 27 consecutive hitters. The Angels' hurler throws the perfect game against the Rangers and beats Charlie Hough on an unearned run, 1-0.
1988 Ronald Reagan, nearing the end of his presidency, throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field. The former Cub announcer then spends an inning and a half doing play-by-play with Harry Caray in the WGN television booth.
1998 Joining Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Doc Gooden, David Cone improves his record to 20-3 becoming the fourth pitcher in Mets history to win twenty games in a season. After his 4-2 complete-game victory against the Cardinals, the 25-year old right-hander is congratulated by a surprise visitor to the Shea Stadium dugout, former president Richard Nixon.
1990 The final game is played at old Comiskey Park with the White Sox edging the Mariners, 2-1. The final regular-season won-loss record at old ballpark is 3,024-2,926 (.508).
1992 George Brett singles off Tim Fortugno in the seventh inning for his 3000th hit. It is the Royals' third baseman fourth hit in the Kansas City 4-0 victory over the Angels.
1995 Albert Belle becomes the first player in major league history to hit fifty home runs and fifty double in the same season.
1998 After the a removal of a brain tumor nine months ago, former Royal reliever Dan Quisenberry dies of brain cancer at the age of 45.
1999 Mets' shortstop Rey Ordonez plays in his 96th consecutive game without committing an error breaking Cal Ripken's major league record for errorless games in that position. The flashy infielder will finish the season extending the record to 100 games.
1999 The largest regular-season crowd in Candlestick Park history, 61,389 fans, watch the Dodgers beat the home team, 9-4 in the last baseball game to ever be played at the 'Point'. Giant greats help mark the occasion with Juan Marichal tossing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game and Willie Mays throwing out the ballpark's final pitch after the game.
1999 For the twenty-third time this season, Diamondback fireballer Randy Johnson K's at least 10 batters to tie Nolan Ryan's 1973 major league record for the most double-digit strikeout games in a season. The tall left-hander whiffs 11 Padres in seven innings in a 5-3 victory to bring his season ending total to 364 which ranks fourth all-time.
2000 In the highest scoring game in A's franchise history, Oakland defeats the Rangers 23-2 to remain a half-game ahead of the Mariners for the western division lead as Seattle scores the most runs ever against the Angels, 21-9 assuring the team at least a tie for the American League wild card.
2005 The Devil Rays announce the team will buy out the last year of manager Lou Piniella’s $13 million, four-year deal signed in 2002. The agreement, which pays ‘Sweet Lou’ $2.2 million of the $4.4 million he is owed, allows the 62-year skipper to seek employment with another team.
2005 Albert Pujols’s 40th home run, a seventh inning grand slam against the Reds, makes him the first Cardinal in the 114-year history of the team to hit that many home runs in three consecutive seasons. The homer, which was also the 200th of his career, makes the first baseman the third-youngest player to reach the milestone with only Mel Ott and Eddie Matthews accomplishing it sooner.
2006 Five years and two cities after Frank Robinson, then the vice president in the commissioner's office in charge of on-field discipline, accepts Bud Selig's offer to take MLB-owned Expos' manager job for just one season, the franchise, now known as the Washington Nationals, will have a new skipper. Jim Bowden, the team's GM, announces the 71-year-old Hall of Famer will be replaced with the search for a new field boss beginning after tomorrow's season finale against the Mets at RFK.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
This Date in Baseball
"I don't compare 'em. I just catch 'em" -WILLIE MAYS, commenting on his memorable catch.
1907 Phillies' freshman hurler George McQuillan begins his major league career with 32 shutout innings establishing a rookie record.
1908 Allowing only one walk, Ed Walsh wins both ends of a doubleheader to establish an American League record. The Meriden, Connecticut resident beats the Red Sox at Chicago’s South Side Park 5-1 and 2-0.
1913 Senators' legend Walter Johnson beats the Philadelphia A's, 1-0, to finish the season with 36 victories.
1935 On the last day of the season, Pirates catcher Aubrey Epps goes 3-for-4, including a triple and three RBI’s, in his major league debut at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field. It be the only game ‘Yo Yo’ will ever play in the big leauges.
1946 On the last day of the campaign, by striking out opposing pitcher Hal Newhouser and four others, Bob Feller establishes a major league record by striking out his 348 batters in one season. Future research, however, will show Rube Waddell had struck out 349 in 1904.
1951 At Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, Don Newcombe becomes the first black to win 20 games in a season. The Dodger right-hander bests Robin Roberts and blanks the Phillies, 5-0.
1954 Centerfielder Willie Mays makes 'The Catch', a spectacular over-the-shoulder grab, robbing Vic Wertz of an extra hit. The Giants, thanks to pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes home run, beat the Indians 5-2 in Game 1 of the World Series.
1958 At Forbes Field on the last day of the season, Dave Philley of the Phillies establishes a big-league record by getting his 8th consecutive pinch hit in a 10-inning 6–4 victory over the Pirates.
1963 In his last game, Stan Musial helps the Cardinals beat the Reds, 3-2 at Busch Stadium getting two hits in his final three at-bats. The 'Man' will retire with 3,630 hits (1815 hits at home and 1815 on the road).
1963 On the final day of the season, John Paciorek, brother of Tom and Jim, goes 3-for-3, driving in three runs and scoring four times in his big league debut as Houston routs the Mets at Colt Stadium, 13-4. Due severe back problems, the 18-year-old Colt .45's right fielder, who also makes two outstanding defensive catches, will never again play in a big league game.
1971 Expos second baseman Ron Hunt is plunked by a pitch for the 50th time of the season establishing a big league record. By comparison, the runner-up in the league, teammate Rusty Staub, will only be hit by a pitch nine times.
1976 Tommy Lasorda is named to succeed Walter Alston as Dodger manager. 'Smokey', compiled a 2040-1613 record (.558), during his 23-year tenure with the club winning seven pennants and four world championships.
1986 Mike and Greg Maddux become the first siblings to start a game against one another. In the rookie match-up, Cubs' righty Greg beats his older brother and the Phillies, 6-3.
1987 Yankees' first baseman Don Mattingly sets a major league record by hitting his sixth grand slam of the season. Remarkably, it will be the only six bases-full homers he’ll hit during his entire 14-year career.
2000 Gary Sheffield ties Duke Snider's 1956 mark for the Dodgers' franchise single-season home run record with his career best 43rd round tripper helping Los Angeles to defeat the Padres, 3-0.
2001 On three consecutive pitches, Astros' starter Dave Mlicki gives up homers to Fred McGriff, Rondell White and Todd Hundley. The back-to-back-to-back homers enables the Cubs to beat Houston, 6-2.
2001 Mariners' outfielder Ichiro Suzuki gets his 234th hit of the season breaking 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson 1911 record for the hits in a season by a rookie. The historic hit also ties the major league record for singles in a season established in 1985 by Red Sox infielder Wade Boggs with 187.
2001 Miguel Tejada's seventh inning grand slam makes him the 15th player in A's history to hit for the cycle. The slugging shortstop had tripled in the first inning, singled in the third and doubled in the sixth.
2002 On the last day of the season, the Braves use 24 players and the Mets use 21 to tie the major league record for the most players used in a nine-inning game The Expos and the Cubs also combined to use 45 players on September 5, 1978.
2002 Barry Bonds sets a new season mark for on-base percentage with a .582 OBP. The 38-year old Giant left fielder, who became the oldest first-time winner of a batting title hitting .370, easily surpassed the 1941 mark established by Ted Williams with a .553 OBP.
2004 Major League Baseball announces Washington D.C. will become the new home of the Montreal Expos in time for the 2005 season. The nation's capital, which was chosen over finalists including Las Vegas and Northern Virginia, will have baseball first time in 33 years since the expansion Senators left in 1971 to become the Texas Rangers.
2004 With the Braves beating the Mets 6-3, Bobby Cox becomes the ninth manager in baseball history to win 2,000 games as a manager. All of the other skippers who have reached this milestone are enshrined in the Hall of Fame with the exception of Tony La Russa, who is still active managing the Cardinals.
2005 Jhonny Peralta sets a new club record for home runs hit by an Indian shortstop. The 24-year old's third inning blast against the Devil Rays gives the Dominican his 24th round tripper of the season, one more than Woodie Held hit in 1961.
2005 Staving off what would have been one of the worst collapses in baseball history, the White Sox clinch their first American League Central title since 2000 beating the Tigers at Detroit’s Comerica Park, 4-2. The Pale Hose had watched their 15-game lead on August 1 shrink to 1.5 to the rampaging Indians.
1907 Phillies' freshman hurler George McQuillan begins his major league career with 32 shutout innings establishing a rookie record.
1908 Allowing only one walk, Ed Walsh wins both ends of a doubleheader to establish an American League record. The Meriden, Connecticut resident beats the Red Sox at Chicago’s South Side Park 5-1 and 2-0.
1913 Senators' legend Walter Johnson beats the Philadelphia A's, 1-0, to finish the season with 36 victories.
1935 On the last day of the season, Pirates catcher Aubrey Epps goes 3-for-4, including a triple and three RBI’s, in his major league debut at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field. It be the only game ‘Yo Yo’ will ever play in the big leauges.
1946 On the last day of the campaign, by striking out opposing pitcher Hal Newhouser and four others, Bob Feller establishes a major league record by striking out his 348 batters in one season. Future research, however, will show Rube Waddell had struck out 349 in 1904.
1951 At Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, Don Newcombe becomes the first black to win 20 games in a season. The Dodger right-hander bests Robin Roberts and blanks the Phillies, 5-0.
1954 Centerfielder Willie Mays makes 'The Catch', a spectacular over-the-shoulder grab, robbing Vic Wertz of an extra hit. The Giants, thanks to pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes home run, beat the Indians 5-2 in Game 1 of the World Series.
1958 At Forbes Field on the last day of the season, Dave Philley of the Phillies establishes a big-league record by getting his 8th consecutive pinch hit in a 10-inning 6–4 victory over the Pirates.
1963 In his last game, Stan Musial helps the Cardinals beat the Reds, 3-2 at Busch Stadium getting two hits in his final three at-bats. The 'Man' will retire with 3,630 hits (1815 hits at home and 1815 on the road).
1963 On the final day of the season, John Paciorek, brother of Tom and Jim, goes 3-for-3, driving in three runs and scoring four times in his big league debut as Houston routs the Mets at Colt Stadium, 13-4. Due severe back problems, the 18-year-old Colt .45's right fielder, who also makes two outstanding defensive catches, will never again play in a big league game.
1971 Expos second baseman Ron Hunt is plunked by a pitch for the 50th time of the season establishing a big league record. By comparison, the runner-up in the league, teammate Rusty Staub, will only be hit by a pitch nine times.
1976 Tommy Lasorda is named to succeed Walter Alston as Dodger manager. 'Smokey', compiled a 2040-1613 record (.558), during his 23-year tenure with the club winning seven pennants and four world championships.
1986 Mike and Greg Maddux become the first siblings to start a game against one another. In the rookie match-up, Cubs' righty Greg beats his older brother and the Phillies, 6-3.
1987 Yankees' first baseman Don Mattingly sets a major league record by hitting his sixth grand slam of the season. Remarkably, it will be the only six bases-full homers he’ll hit during his entire 14-year career.
2000 Gary Sheffield ties Duke Snider's 1956 mark for the Dodgers' franchise single-season home run record with his career best 43rd round tripper helping Los Angeles to defeat the Padres, 3-0.
2001 On three consecutive pitches, Astros' starter Dave Mlicki gives up homers to Fred McGriff, Rondell White and Todd Hundley. The back-to-back-to-back homers enables the Cubs to beat Houston, 6-2.
2001 Mariners' outfielder Ichiro Suzuki gets his 234th hit of the season breaking 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson 1911 record for the hits in a season by a rookie. The historic hit also ties the major league record for singles in a season established in 1985 by Red Sox infielder Wade Boggs with 187.
2001 Miguel Tejada's seventh inning grand slam makes him the 15th player in A's history to hit for the cycle. The slugging shortstop had tripled in the first inning, singled in the third and doubled in the sixth.
2002 On the last day of the season, the Braves use 24 players and the Mets use 21 to tie the major league record for the most players used in a nine-inning game The Expos and the Cubs also combined to use 45 players on September 5, 1978.
2002 Barry Bonds sets a new season mark for on-base percentage with a .582 OBP. The 38-year old Giant left fielder, who became the oldest first-time winner of a batting title hitting .370, easily surpassed the 1941 mark established by Ted Williams with a .553 OBP.
2004 Major League Baseball announces Washington D.C. will become the new home of the Montreal Expos in time for the 2005 season. The nation's capital, which was chosen over finalists including Las Vegas and Northern Virginia, will have baseball first time in 33 years since the expansion Senators left in 1971 to become the Texas Rangers.
2004 With the Braves beating the Mets 6-3, Bobby Cox becomes the ninth manager in baseball history to win 2,000 games as a manager. All of the other skippers who have reached this milestone are enshrined in the Hall of Fame with the exception of Tony La Russa, who is still active managing the Cardinals.
2005 Jhonny Peralta sets a new club record for home runs hit by an Indian shortstop. The 24-year old's third inning blast against the Devil Rays gives the Dominican his 24th round tripper of the season, one more than Woodie Held hit in 1961.
2005 Staving off what would have been one of the worst collapses in baseball history, the White Sox clinch their first American League Central title since 2000 beating the Tigers at Detroit’s Comerica Park, 4-2. The Pale Hose had watched their 15-game lead on August 1 shrink to 1.5 to the rampaging Indians.
Friday, September 28, 2007
This Date in Baseball
"There's nothing more important to me in my life than this happening to me, I'm a Cubbie. I'll always be a Cubbie.'' -RON SANTO, upon hearing the Cubs plan to retire his uniform #10.
1919 In a game that lasts only 51 minutes, the Giants beat the Phillies, 6-1 making it the shortest nine-inning game in major league history.
1920 In the 'Black Sox Scandal', eight players of the White Sox are indicted by the grand jury on charges of fixing the last season's World Series.
1923 Setting an American League record, the Yankees bang out thirty hits in one game as they maul the Red Sox, 24-4.
1930 As a Yankee, Babe Ruth returns to the mound at Fenway park and pitches a complete game defeating the Red Sox, 9-3.
1938 In the ninth inning at Wrigley Field, Gabby Hartnett's 'Homer in the Gloamin' gives the Cubs a 6-5 victory. Their ninth consecutive win proves to be significant in their quest of the National League pennant.
1941 Batting really .399955, Ted Williams elects to play in a doubleheader against the Athletics on the final day of the season rather than to back into the coveted .400 average because the number is rounded off. The 'Splendor Splinter' comes through going 6-for-8 in the twin bill to finish the season with .4057 mark (.406).
1948 A crowd of 60,405 attend Joe Early Night at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. Early is a 26-year old night watchman who wrote Bill Veeck asking why an average fan never gets a 'Day', and the Indians' owner responded by giving the World War II veteran a day of his own.
1951 Allie Reynolds no-hits the Red Sox helping the Yankees clinch the pennant for the third consecutive season. It was the 'Chief's' second no-hitter of the season.
1958 With 7 hits in his last 11 at-bats, Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams wins his sixth and final batting becoming the first 40-year old to lead the league in hitting. The 'Splendid Splinter's' .328 batting average beats out his teammate Pete Runnels, who goes 0-for-4 today and ends up with .322.
1960 In his last major league at bat, Ted Williams homers off Oriole hurler Jack Fischer. Despite the Fenway's Faithful thunderous ovation, the 'Splendid Splinter' refused to tip his hat the hometown fans.
1965 Red Sox hurler Dave Morehead faces and loses to the Angels for the tenth consecutive time since the start of his career (1963) establishing an American League record.
1966 At Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Larry Jaster throws a four-hitter blanking Don Sutton and the Dodgers, 2-0 . It’s the southpaw’s fifth shutout against Los Angeles this season equaling a post-1900 major league mark held by Senators Tom Hughes (against the Indians in 1905,) and Grover Cleveland Alexander of the Phillies (against the Reds in 1916.)
1974 At Anaheim Stadium, Angel Nolan Ryan strikes out 15 batters as he no-hits the Twins, 4-0. It is the third of seven the Alvin, Texas native will toss during his career.
1975 In a tune-up for the ALCS against the Angels, A's pitchers Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad and Rollie Fingers share a no-hitter. It is the first time four pitchers have accomplished such a feat.
1987 Royals' Kevin Seitzer becomes the first rookie in 23 years to collect 200 hits in a season. Dick Allen and Tony Oliva both accomplished the feat in 1964.
1995 A fan takes exception when a Cub reliever gives up two-run, pinch-hit home run to James Mouton giving the Astros a eighth inning 9-7 lead. As the Houston pinch hitter rounds the bases, the 27-year old spectator runs out of the stands and heads toward the mound where he is immediately pinned by Randy Myers, who in addition to his pitching prowess, is well trained in the martial arts.
1988 In his last start of the regular season, Dodger Orel Hershiser tosses 10 shutout frames to extend his streak to 59 breaking Don Drysdale record of 58 consecutive scoreless innings.
1996 Rockies' Ellis Burks becomes the fourth player to hit 40+ home runs and swipe 30 bases in a single season.
1997 With his 40th home runs, catcher Mike Piazza sets a single season Los Angeles Dodger record. Duke Snider holds the franchise record slugging 43 round-trippers for Brooklyn in 1956.
1998 In the first National League playoff since 1980, the Cubs beat the Giants, 5-3, in a one-game showdown to take the National League's wild card berth.
2000 The Brewers play the last game at Milwaukee County Stadium bowing to the Reds, 8-1 as Warren Spahn throws the ceremonial first pitch to Del Crandall, his battery on Opening Day 48 years ago in 1953 when the Spahn and the Braves beat the Cardinals in 10 innings, 3-2.
2000 Troy Glaus, who leading the American League with 45 home runs, hits his 44th playing the hot corner breaking the league record for homers by a third baseman set in 1953 by Al Rosen.
2001 In the first home game at Wrigley since the terrorist attacks on America, Sammy Sosa, after hitting his 59th home run of the season, pulls out a small American flag and waves it as he circles the bases. After scoring and making a curtain call from the dugout, the Cub slugger continues to wave Old Glory.
2001 Ranger infielder Alex Rodriguez becomes the 20th player and first shortstop in major league history to hit 50 home runs season. The milestone blast is given up by Angel hurler Ismael Valdes in the first inning in at Edison Field in an 11-2 Texas win.
2001 Angels infielder David Eckstein breaks Frank Robinson's rookie record for getting hit by a pitch. The Halos' shortstop is struck by Rangers hurler Aaron Mayette's fifth inning pitch making it the 21st time he been plunked this season.
2001 On a night he hits his 68th round tripper of the season in quest of Mark McGwire's single season home run record, Barry Bonds is walked for the 163rd time breaking 'Big Mac's' 1998 National League record for bases on balls. The major league record is 170 walks held by Babe Ruth.
2003 At Turner Field in Atlanta, Jose Reyes becomes the second Mets player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in one game. Lee Mazzilli was the first when he went yard twice against the Dodgers in Los Angles on September 3, 1978.
2003 Following an emotional closing ceremony, the Braves beat the Phillies 5-2 in the final game at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. The two hour festivities at the intersection Broad Street and Pattison Avenue includes the introduction of the All-Vet team and an eulogy given Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, who receives an standing ovation from the 58.554 enthusiastic fans in attendance.
2003 Ron Santo, the team's radio color commentator joins Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Billy Williams becoming third player to have his number retired by the Cubs. The former third baseman, who spent 14 of his 15-year career with the Chicago (1960-73), will have his uniform #10 below Ernie Banks' on the left-field foul pole.
2005 Alex Rodriguez breaks Joe DiMaggio's 1937 single-season club record for home runs by a right-handed batter. The third baseman’s 47th homer proves to be the difference as the Yankees edge the Orioles, 2-1.
2005 With the lowest winning percentage ever compiled by a division champion during a non-strike year, the Padres (79-79) win their fourth division flag in the 37-year history of the franchise . San Diego, which needs to win three of their last four games just to finish above .500, accomplish the feat the surpassing the Mets, who previously possess the dubious record by going 82-79 (.509) to win the NL East in 1973.
2006 For the third consecutive season, the Kansas City will lose 100 or more games. The team's 2-1 defeat to the Twins in the Metrodome makes the Royals the 11th franchise in big league history to accomplish this dubious feat.
1919 In a game that lasts only 51 minutes, the Giants beat the Phillies, 6-1 making it the shortest nine-inning game in major league history.
1920 In the 'Black Sox Scandal', eight players of the White Sox are indicted by the grand jury on charges of fixing the last season's World Series.
1923 Setting an American League record, the Yankees bang out thirty hits in one game as they maul the Red Sox, 24-4.
1930 As a Yankee, Babe Ruth returns to the mound at Fenway park and pitches a complete game defeating the Red Sox, 9-3.
1938 In the ninth inning at Wrigley Field, Gabby Hartnett's 'Homer in the Gloamin' gives the Cubs a 6-5 victory. Their ninth consecutive win proves to be significant in their quest of the National League pennant.
1941 Batting really .399955, Ted Williams elects to play in a doubleheader against the Athletics on the final day of the season rather than to back into the coveted .400 average because the number is rounded off. The 'Splendor Splinter' comes through going 6-for-8 in the twin bill to finish the season with .4057 mark (.406).
1948 A crowd of 60,405 attend Joe Early Night at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. Early is a 26-year old night watchman who wrote Bill Veeck asking why an average fan never gets a 'Day', and the Indians' owner responded by giving the World War II veteran a day of his own.
1951 Allie Reynolds no-hits the Red Sox helping the Yankees clinch the pennant for the third consecutive season. It was the 'Chief's' second no-hitter of the season.
1958 With 7 hits in his last 11 at-bats, Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams wins his sixth and final batting becoming the first 40-year old to lead the league in hitting. The 'Splendid Splinter's' .328 batting average beats out his teammate Pete Runnels, who goes 0-for-4 today and ends up with .322.
1960 In his last major league at bat, Ted Williams homers off Oriole hurler Jack Fischer. Despite the Fenway's Faithful thunderous ovation, the 'Splendid Splinter' refused to tip his hat the hometown fans.
1965 Red Sox hurler Dave Morehead faces and loses to the Angels for the tenth consecutive time since the start of his career (1963) establishing an American League record.
1966 At Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Larry Jaster throws a four-hitter blanking Don Sutton and the Dodgers, 2-0 . It’s the southpaw’s fifth shutout against Los Angeles this season equaling a post-1900 major league mark held by Senators Tom Hughes (against the Indians in 1905,) and Grover Cleveland Alexander of the Phillies (against the Reds in 1916.)
1974 At Anaheim Stadium, Angel Nolan Ryan strikes out 15 batters as he no-hits the Twins, 4-0. It is the third of seven the Alvin, Texas native will toss during his career.
1975 In a tune-up for the ALCS against the Angels, A's pitchers Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad and Rollie Fingers share a no-hitter. It is the first time four pitchers have accomplished such a feat.
1987 Royals' Kevin Seitzer becomes the first rookie in 23 years to collect 200 hits in a season. Dick Allen and Tony Oliva both accomplished the feat in 1964.
1995 A fan takes exception when a Cub reliever gives up two-run, pinch-hit home run to James Mouton giving the Astros a eighth inning 9-7 lead. As the Houston pinch hitter rounds the bases, the 27-year old spectator runs out of the stands and heads toward the mound where he is immediately pinned by Randy Myers, who in addition to his pitching prowess, is well trained in the martial arts.
1988 In his last start of the regular season, Dodger Orel Hershiser tosses 10 shutout frames to extend his streak to 59 breaking Don Drysdale record of 58 consecutive scoreless innings.
1996 Rockies' Ellis Burks becomes the fourth player to hit 40+ home runs and swipe 30 bases in a single season.
1997 With his 40th home runs, catcher Mike Piazza sets a single season Los Angeles Dodger record. Duke Snider holds the franchise record slugging 43 round-trippers for Brooklyn in 1956.
1998 In the first National League playoff since 1980, the Cubs beat the Giants, 5-3, in a one-game showdown to take the National League's wild card berth.
2000 The Brewers play the last game at Milwaukee County Stadium bowing to the Reds, 8-1 as Warren Spahn throws the ceremonial first pitch to Del Crandall, his battery on Opening Day 48 years ago in 1953 when the Spahn and the Braves beat the Cardinals in 10 innings, 3-2.
2000 Troy Glaus, who leading the American League with 45 home runs, hits his 44th playing the hot corner breaking the league record for homers by a third baseman set in 1953 by Al Rosen.
2001 In the first home game at Wrigley since the terrorist attacks on America, Sammy Sosa, after hitting his 59th home run of the season, pulls out a small American flag and waves it as he circles the bases. After scoring and making a curtain call from the dugout, the Cub slugger continues to wave Old Glory.
2001 Ranger infielder Alex Rodriguez becomes the 20th player and first shortstop in major league history to hit 50 home runs season. The milestone blast is given up by Angel hurler Ismael Valdes in the first inning in at Edison Field in an 11-2 Texas win.
2001 Angels infielder David Eckstein breaks Frank Robinson's rookie record for getting hit by a pitch. The Halos' shortstop is struck by Rangers hurler Aaron Mayette's fifth inning pitch making it the 21st time he been plunked this season.
2001 On a night he hits his 68th round tripper of the season in quest of Mark McGwire's single season home run record, Barry Bonds is walked for the 163rd time breaking 'Big Mac's' 1998 National League record for bases on balls. The major league record is 170 walks held by Babe Ruth.
2003 At Turner Field in Atlanta, Jose Reyes becomes the second Mets player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in one game. Lee Mazzilli was the first when he went yard twice against the Dodgers in Los Angles on September 3, 1978.
2003 Following an emotional closing ceremony, the Braves beat the Phillies 5-2 in the final game at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. The two hour festivities at the intersection Broad Street and Pattison Avenue includes the introduction of the All-Vet team and an eulogy given Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, who receives an standing ovation from the 58.554 enthusiastic fans in attendance.
2003 Ron Santo, the team's radio color commentator joins Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Billy Williams becoming third player to have his number retired by the Cubs. The former third baseman, who spent 14 of his 15-year career with the Chicago (1960-73), will have his uniform #10 below Ernie Banks' on the left-field foul pole.
2005 Alex Rodriguez breaks Joe DiMaggio's 1937 single-season club record for home runs by a right-handed batter. The third baseman’s 47th homer proves to be the difference as the Yankees edge the Orioles, 2-1.
2005 With the lowest winning percentage ever compiled by a division champion during a non-strike year, the Padres (79-79) win their fourth division flag in the 37-year history of the franchise . San Diego, which needs to win three of their last four games just to finish above .500, accomplish the feat the surpassing the Mets, who previously possess the dubious record by going 82-79 (.509) to win the NL East in 1973.
2006 For the third consecutive season, the Kansas City will lose 100 or more games. The team's 2-1 defeat to the Twins in the Metrodome makes the Royals the 11th franchise in big league history to accomplish this dubious feat.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Saturday Gathering
Remember we are meeting for a parent gathering at the force field house on Saturday evening at 5:00 pm.
Please bring one two liter drink and a snack. We will be preparing bread and probably some type of other dish which I have not decided on just yet.
Chips, dips, desserts or casseroles are all welcome so bring whatever you have time to make or just whatever is easiest for you to bring.
Yes, Nicole, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils are all allowed this time.
See everyone on Saturday.
Please bring one two liter drink and a snack. We will be preparing bread and probably some type of other dish which I have not decided on just yet.
Chips, dips, desserts or casseroles are all welcome so bring whatever you have time to make or just whatever is easiest for you to bring.
Yes, Nicole, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils are all allowed this time.
See everyone on Saturday.
This Date in Baseball
"Tigers lead it 8-2. Two down in the ninth inning. Jones is ready. He delivers. Here's a swing and a miss. The game is over, and Tiger Stadium is no more." -ERNIE HARWELL'S call of the final pitch thrown at Tiger Stadium.
1877 With their 19th victory in the last 20 games, Boston clinches the National League pennant beating the Hartford Dark Blues,13-2. James 'Deacon' White, the league's leading hitter, paces the Reds' attack with a 4-for-4 performance.
1898 Reds' first baseman Jake Beckley handles a record 22 chances (21 put outs, one assist and no errors) during a victory over the Cleveland Spiders.
1904 Cleveland Naps' right-handed pitcher Bob Rhoads holds Boston hitless until Chick Stahl singles with two outs in the ninth.
1905 Boston Pilgrim hurler Bill Dinneen pitches the season's fourth no-hitter beating the White Sox, 2-0.
1914 Cleveland's Napoleon Lajoie doubles against the Yankees for his 3000th career hit to become the second modern major leaguer to reach the milestone.
1920 At Chicago’s Comiskey Park, 33-year old Joe Jackson’s sixth inning double of Tiger hurler George Haus breaks a scoreless tie putting the White Sox ahead, 2-0. ‘Shoeless’ Joe’s game-winning hit will be his last of his 13-year career as players put on the grand jury list are indefinitely suspended for the rest of the season as the probe of the 1919 World Series fix is investigated.
1920 An article appearing in the Philadelphia North American quotes local gambler Bill Maharg saying he and former major league pitcher Billy Burns offered eight White Sox players $100,000 to throw the 1919 World Series. The team will become infamously known as the Black Sox.
1936 Replacing Johnny Mize, who is tossed by an ump for arguing, Cardinal rookie first baseman Walter Alston makes an error in handling two chances and strikes out in his only major league at-bat. 'Smokey' will, however, win seven pennants and four World Series in his 23-year Hall of Fame career as Dodger manager from 1954 to 1976.
1938 Tigers' first baseman Hank Greenberg hits two home runs to extend his league-leading total to 58. Although five games remain, the original Hammerin' Hank does not break Babe Ruth's mark of 60.
1946 In Detroit's Briggs Stadium, Indian fireballer Bob Feller ties Rube Wadell's strikeout mark with his 343rd K of the season. Future research, however, will show Rube Waddell had struck out 349 in 1904.
1952 During the Braves' final win in Boston, Eddie Mathews becomes the first rookie in major league history to hit three home runs in a game.
1953 In a fitting finale, the St. Louis plays their last game as the Browns and lose their 100th game, 2-1, to the White Sox in 11 innings. Next season the team will move to Baltimore and will become the Orioles.
1963 At Colt Stadium, Colt .45s skipper Harry Craft starts an all rookie team which includes future stars such as Joe Morgan, Rusty Staub, Jimmy Wynn, and Jerry Grote. The freshmam team, who has average age is 19 years and 4 months, lose to the Mets, 10-3, with 17-year old starting pitcher Jay Dahl making his only major league appearance.
1964 The Houston Colt 45's play their final game in Colt Stadium. The future 'Astros' beat the Dodgers in the 12th inning, 1-0.
1973 Angels' fireballer Nolan Ryan establishes a major league record striking out 383 batters in a season. The Texan reaches the mark by whiffing 16 Twins in a 5-4, 11-inning victory.
1992 Mariner Randy Johnson ties Ron Guidry's American League mark for strikes out (18) in a game for a left-handers.
1993 In a 7-3 victory over the Dodgers, Cubs' reliever Randy Myers becomes the first National League pitcher to record 50 saves in a season.
1993 Bo Jackson hits a three-run home run beating the Mariners, 4-2, helping the White Sox to clinch their first American League West title in 10 years.
1996 Roberto Alomar spits in the face of the umpire John Hirschbeck and will be suspended for five games. The Oriole second baseman appeals the decision and is allowed to play the next day helping Baltimore clinch the wild card.
1998 In the season finale, Mark McGwire ends the historic season hitting his 69th and 70th home runs in the Cardinals' 6-3 win over the Expos. Big Mac hits #70 in his last at-bat off of Expos' rookie Carl Pavano of Southington, Connecticut.
1998 In Blue Jay's 2-1 victory over the Tigers, Detroit pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson homers with two outs off of Blue Jay Roy Halladay to spoil the rookies' bid for a no-hitter. The Denver, Colorado native comes within one out of allowing no hits in only his second major league start.
1998 The 1998 Yankees win their seventh straight game to end the season with a .704 winning percentage. The Bronx Bombers (114-48) become the first team since the 1954 Indians (111-43) to play over .700 ball for the entire season.
1998 In the Reds' 4-1 victory over Pirates, two sets of brothers appear in the same lineup for the first time in major league history. Stephen Larkin plays first, Bret Boone is at second, Barry Larkin is at short and Aaron Boone plays third making up the all-brother infield.
1998 Padres' reliever Trevor Hoffman ties the National League saves record as he gets three straight outs in a 3-2 victory over Arizona. His 53rd save (out of 54 chances) matches the standard set by current teammate Randy Myers, who did it for the Cubs in 1993.
1999 In the final game to be played in the 87-year old park, Detroit catcher Robert Fick hits the last home run, a grand slam, in Tiger Stadium as the home team defeats the Royals, 8-2 at the corner Trumbull and Michigan.
2000 The United States Olympic team, managed by former Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda, stuns the world beating the much-favored Cuban team to win the country's first gold medal in its national pastime. Ben Sheets ends Cuba's 21-game Olympic winning streak with 4-0 shutout.
2002 Braves' first-year closer John Smoltz establishes a new National League mark by recording his 54th save of the season. The previous record of 53 was shared by Randy Myers (Cubs) and Trevor Hoffman (Padres) had shared the previous record.
2002 At Cleveland's Jacob Field, first baseman Jim Thome establishes a new single-season Indian home run record by hitting his 51st homer. Albert Belle hit 50 for the Tribe in 1995.
2003 At Veterans Stadium, Javy Lopez hit his 42nd home to break the major league record for home runs hit by a catcher. In 1996, Mets' backstop Todd Hundley hit 41 surpass Roy Campanella's 1953 mark.
2003 Cubs' slugger Sammy Sosa blasts his 40th home run to establish a National League record by reaching the plateau for the sixth consecutive season. The Chicago right fielder, who had previously been tied with Ralph Kiner and Duke Snider, needs another season of at least 40 homers to equal Babe Ruth's major league mark of seven seasons set from 1926 to 1932.
2003 With a startling rally, the Tigers avoid equaling the modern major league record of 120 losses set by the expansion 1962 Amazin' Mets. It takes one of the biggest comeback in franchise history as Detroit beats the wins on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth after trailing by eight runs, 9-8.
2005 With a seventh inning single off Mets reliever Juan Padilla, Jimmy Rollins extends his hitting streak to 32 games. The Philadelphia shortstop breaks the 106-year Phillies record surpassing Ed Delahanty, who hit in 31 games in a row in 1899.
2006 Annibal Sanchez is credited with his 10th victory as the Marlins beat the Reds making the team the only club in baseball history to have four rookies have wins in double digit. Three other teams, including the 1952 Dodgers, had three freshman hurlers compile 10+ win seasons.
2006 Accomplishing the milestone in only 77 gates, the Yankees surpass the four million mark in attendance for the second consecutive year. The Bronx Bombers join the 1991-93 Blue Jays as the only teams in baseball history reach that mark in more than one season.
1877 With their 19th victory in the last 20 games, Boston clinches the National League pennant beating the Hartford Dark Blues,13-2. James 'Deacon' White, the league's leading hitter, paces the Reds' attack with a 4-for-4 performance.
1898 Reds' first baseman Jake Beckley handles a record 22 chances (21 put outs, one assist and no errors) during a victory over the Cleveland Spiders.
1904 Cleveland Naps' right-handed pitcher Bob Rhoads holds Boston hitless until Chick Stahl singles with two outs in the ninth.
1905 Boston Pilgrim hurler Bill Dinneen pitches the season's fourth no-hitter beating the White Sox, 2-0.
1914 Cleveland's Napoleon Lajoie doubles against the Yankees for his 3000th career hit to become the second modern major leaguer to reach the milestone.
1920 At Chicago’s Comiskey Park, 33-year old Joe Jackson’s sixth inning double of Tiger hurler George Haus breaks a scoreless tie putting the White Sox ahead, 2-0. ‘Shoeless’ Joe’s game-winning hit will be his last of his 13-year career as players put on the grand jury list are indefinitely suspended for the rest of the season as the probe of the 1919 World Series fix is investigated.
1920 An article appearing in the Philadelphia North American quotes local gambler Bill Maharg saying he and former major league pitcher Billy Burns offered eight White Sox players $100,000 to throw the 1919 World Series. The team will become infamously known as the Black Sox.
1936 Replacing Johnny Mize, who is tossed by an ump for arguing, Cardinal rookie first baseman Walter Alston makes an error in handling two chances and strikes out in his only major league at-bat. 'Smokey' will, however, win seven pennants and four World Series in his 23-year Hall of Fame career as Dodger manager from 1954 to 1976.
1938 Tigers' first baseman Hank Greenberg hits two home runs to extend his league-leading total to 58. Although five games remain, the original Hammerin' Hank does not break Babe Ruth's mark of 60.
1946 In Detroit's Briggs Stadium, Indian fireballer Bob Feller ties Rube Wadell's strikeout mark with his 343rd K of the season. Future research, however, will show Rube Waddell had struck out 349 in 1904.
1952 During the Braves' final win in Boston, Eddie Mathews becomes the first rookie in major league history to hit three home runs in a game.
1953 In a fitting finale, the St. Louis plays their last game as the Browns and lose their 100th game, 2-1, to the White Sox in 11 innings. Next season the team will move to Baltimore and will become the Orioles.
1963 At Colt Stadium, Colt .45s skipper Harry Craft starts an all rookie team which includes future stars such as Joe Morgan, Rusty Staub, Jimmy Wynn, and Jerry Grote. The freshmam team, who has average age is 19 years and 4 months, lose to the Mets, 10-3, with 17-year old starting pitcher Jay Dahl making his only major league appearance.
1964 The Houston Colt 45's play their final game in Colt Stadium. The future 'Astros' beat the Dodgers in the 12th inning, 1-0.
1973 Angels' fireballer Nolan Ryan establishes a major league record striking out 383 batters in a season. The Texan reaches the mark by whiffing 16 Twins in a 5-4, 11-inning victory.
1992 Mariner Randy Johnson ties Ron Guidry's American League mark for strikes out (18) in a game for a left-handers.
1993 In a 7-3 victory over the Dodgers, Cubs' reliever Randy Myers becomes the first National League pitcher to record 50 saves in a season.
1993 Bo Jackson hits a three-run home run beating the Mariners, 4-2, helping the White Sox to clinch their first American League West title in 10 years.
1996 Roberto Alomar spits in the face of the umpire John Hirschbeck and will be suspended for five games. The Oriole second baseman appeals the decision and is allowed to play the next day helping Baltimore clinch the wild card.
1998 In the season finale, Mark McGwire ends the historic season hitting his 69th and 70th home runs in the Cardinals' 6-3 win over the Expos. Big Mac hits #70 in his last at-bat off of Expos' rookie Carl Pavano of Southington, Connecticut.
1998 In Blue Jay's 2-1 victory over the Tigers, Detroit pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson homers with two outs off of Blue Jay Roy Halladay to spoil the rookies' bid for a no-hitter. The Denver, Colorado native comes within one out of allowing no hits in only his second major league start.
1998 The 1998 Yankees win their seventh straight game to end the season with a .704 winning percentage. The Bronx Bombers (114-48) become the first team since the 1954 Indians (111-43) to play over .700 ball for the entire season.
1998 In the Reds' 4-1 victory over Pirates, two sets of brothers appear in the same lineup for the first time in major league history. Stephen Larkin plays first, Bret Boone is at second, Barry Larkin is at short and Aaron Boone plays third making up the all-brother infield.
1998 Padres' reliever Trevor Hoffman ties the National League saves record as he gets three straight outs in a 3-2 victory over Arizona. His 53rd save (out of 54 chances) matches the standard set by current teammate Randy Myers, who did it for the Cubs in 1993.
1999 In the final game to be played in the 87-year old park, Detroit catcher Robert Fick hits the last home run, a grand slam, in Tiger Stadium as the home team defeats the Royals, 8-2 at the corner Trumbull and Michigan.
2000 The United States Olympic team, managed by former Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda, stuns the world beating the much-favored Cuban team to win the country's first gold medal in its national pastime. Ben Sheets ends Cuba's 21-game Olympic winning streak with 4-0 shutout.
2002 Braves' first-year closer John Smoltz establishes a new National League mark by recording his 54th save of the season. The previous record of 53 was shared by Randy Myers (Cubs) and Trevor Hoffman (Padres) had shared the previous record.
2002 At Cleveland's Jacob Field, first baseman Jim Thome establishes a new single-season Indian home run record by hitting his 51st homer. Albert Belle hit 50 for the Tribe in 1995.
2003 At Veterans Stadium, Javy Lopez hit his 42nd home to break the major league record for home runs hit by a catcher. In 1996, Mets' backstop Todd Hundley hit 41 surpass Roy Campanella's 1953 mark.
2003 Cubs' slugger Sammy Sosa blasts his 40th home run to establish a National League record by reaching the plateau for the sixth consecutive season. The Chicago right fielder, who had previously been tied with Ralph Kiner and Duke Snider, needs another season of at least 40 homers to equal Babe Ruth's major league mark of seven seasons set from 1926 to 1932.
2003 With a startling rally, the Tigers avoid equaling the modern major league record of 120 losses set by the expansion 1962 Amazin' Mets. It takes one of the biggest comeback in franchise history as Detroit beats the wins on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth after trailing by eight runs, 9-8.
2005 With a seventh inning single off Mets reliever Juan Padilla, Jimmy Rollins extends his hitting streak to 32 games. The Philadelphia shortstop breaks the 106-year Phillies record surpassing Ed Delahanty, who hit in 31 games in a row in 1899.
2006 Annibal Sanchez is credited with his 10th victory as the Marlins beat the Reds making the team the only club in baseball history to have four rookies have wins in double digit. Three other teams, including the 1952 Dodgers, had three freshman hurlers compile 10+ win seasons.
2006 Accomplishing the milestone in only 77 gates, the Yankees surpass the four million mark in attendance for the second consecutive year. The Bronx Bombers join the 1991-93 Blue Jays as the only teams in baseball history reach that mark in more than one season.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Practice Tomorrow!
Force Field 5pm
We're gonna hit, hit, hit...
also, don't forget our open house this Saturday @ 5pm too!
We're gonna hit, hit, hit...
also, don't forget our open house this Saturday @ 5pm too!
This Date in Baseball
"I'll play first, third, left. I'll play anywhere - except Philadelphia." -DICK ALLEN, Former Phillie Infielder
1896 Cleveland's Jesse Burkett gets three hits to finish the season at .410. The 'Crab' becomes the first player to hit .400 in consecutive seasons.
1906 After setting a major league record of being shutout for 48 consecutive innings, the A's finally score a run thanks to Harry Davis' two-run double. The Mackmen, however, still lose to the Cleveland Naps, 5-3.
1908 Ed Reulbach pitches two shutouts in the same day whitewashing Brooklyn 5-0 on a five-hitter and 3-0 on a three-hitter. The entire doubleheader is played in less than three hours.
1926 In his final day in a Tiger uniform, Ty Cobb watches his replacement in centerfield gets six hits in a twin bill with the Red Sox to become the new batting champs as Heinie Manush edges Babe Ruth 378 to .372 for the title.
1954 With three hits in the season finale, Willie Mays wins the batting title finishing with a .345 average. The ‘Say Hey’ goes third to first in batting average with his performance passing teammate Don Mueller (.342) and Dodger centerfielder Duke Snider (341).
1961 Yankee outfielder Roger Maris Yankees ties Babe Ruth's 34-year-old single season home run record with his 60th when he homers off Oriole Jack Fisher.
1964 At RFK Stadium, Mel Stottlemyre limits the Senators to just two hits throwing a complete game 7-0 shutout. In addition to his outstanding pitching performance, the 22-year old rookie helps the Yankees win their 11th consecutive game with four singles and double in five plate appearances.
1965 Twin hurler Jim Kaat stops the Senators in a 2-1 decision and Minnesota (formerly the original Senators) clinch their first pennant since 1933.
1975 By beating J.R. Richards and the Astros, 3-2, Burt Horton sets a Dodger record for starting pitchers by winning his twelfth consecutive game.
1976 The Phillies beat Expos in the first game of a doubleheader to clinch National League East title. After the second game, Dick Allen bolts from the team to protest Tony Taylor not being placed on the post-season roster.
1981 At the Astrodome, Astro Nolan Ryan becomes the first pitcher to throw five no-hitters defeating the Dodgers, 5-0.
1983 Cardinal Bob Forsch pitches his second career no-hitter beating the Expos, 3-0.
1993 By striking out 13 A's in 10 innings of a 3-2, extra inning loss, Mariner Randy Johnson becomes the 12th pitcher this century to strike out 300 batters in a season.
1998 David Cone sets a new major league record for the most years between 20-win seasons as the Yankees beat Devil Rays, 3-1. Cone, who was 20-3 in 1988 as a Met, passed the mark set by Jim Katt who won twenty in 1966 and 1974.
1998 In a 5-2 loss to the Orioles at Fenway, Red Sox reliever Dennis Eckersley pitches in his 1,071st game breaking Hoyt Wilhelm's major league mark for the most career pitching appearance.
1896 Cleveland's Jesse Burkett gets three hits to finish the season at .410. The 'Crab' becomes the first player to hit .400 in consecutive seasons.
1906 After setting a major league record of being shutout for 48 consecutive innings, the A's finally score a run thanks to Harry Davis' two-run double. The Mackmen, however, still lose to the Cleveland Naps, 5-3.
1908 Ed Reulbach pitches two shutouts in the same day whitewashing Brooklyn 5-0 on a five-hitter and 3-0 on a three-hitter. The entire doubleheader is played in less than three hours.
1926 In his final day in a Tiger uniform, Ty Cobb watches his replacement in centerfield gets six hits in a twin bill with the Red Sox to become the new batting champs as Heinie Manush edges Babe Ruth 378 to .372 for the title.
1954 With three hits in the season finale, Willie Mays wins the batting title finishing with a .345 average. The ‘Say Hey’ goes third to first in batting average with his performance passing teammate Don Mueller (.342) and Dodger centerfielder Duke Snider (341).
1961 Yankee outfielder Roger Maris Yankees ties Babe Ruth's 34-year-old single season home run record with his 60th when he homers off Oriole Jack Fisher.
1964 At RFK Stadium, Mel Stottlemyre limits the Senators to just two hits throwing a complete game 7-0 shutout. In addition to his outstanding pitching performance, the 22-year old rookie helps the Yankees win their 11th consecutive game with four singles and double in five plate appearances.
1965 Twin hurler Jim Kaat stops the Senators in a 2-1 decision and Minnesota (formerly the original Senators) clinch their first pennant since 1933.
1975 By beating J.R. Richards and the Astros, 3-2, Burt Horton sets a Dodger record for starting pitchers by winning his twelfth consecutive game.
1976 The Phillies beat Expos in the first game of a doubleheader to clinch National League East title. After the second game, Dick Allen bolts from the team to protest Tony Taylor not being placed on the post-season roster.
1981 At the Astrodome, Astro Nolan Ryan becomes the first pitcher to throw five no-hitters defeating the Dodgers, 5-0.
1983 Cardinal Bob Forsch pitches his second career no-hitter beating the Expos, 3-0.
1993 By striking out 13 A's in 10 innings of a 3-2, extra inning loss, Mariner Randy Johnson becomes the 12th pitcher this century to strike out 300 batters in a season.
1998 David Cone sets a new major league record for the most years between 20-win seasons as the Yankees beat Devil Rays, 3-1. Cone, who was 20-3 in 1988 as a Met, passed the mark set by Jim Katt who won twenty in 1966 and 1974.
1998 In a 5-2 loss to the Orioles at Fenway, Red Sox reliever Dennis Eckersley pitches in his 1,071st game breaking Hoyt Wilhelm's major league mark for the most career pitching appearance.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Practice Today!
PARA 5pm
Be there!
Also:
Thursday @ Force Field 5pm
Saturday Open House @ Force Field House 5pm
Be there!
Also:
Thursday @ Force Field 5pm
Saturday Open House @ Force Field House 5pm
Mission Statement
Our Purpose:
Force Baseball exists to use baseball as a vehicle to drive the growth & development of all it's members from the players on the field, to the coaches in the dugout to the parents & fans in the stands. Our concerns are primal, communal & holistic. We strive to keep our purpose at the forefront of all that we do & are. It governs our thoughts & actions keeping us of like mind & constantly motivated. We strive for excellence in all that we do & realize that who we are is a constant representation of what we are.
We long to see the physical, mental, emotional & spiritual development of our players & each other as leaders. Our end goal isn't to produce winning ballplayers, but fully matured men that will one day stand upon our shoulders, being able to reach greater heights than even we imagined. This is only accomplished together, realizing each other's unique gifts & qualities & celebrating them rather than searching out other's like us.
Force baseball. Primal in purpose. Communal in effort. Holistic in approach.
Our principles:
Excellence
If the game teaches us nothing else, it should be that our very being should strive for excellence in all that we do. To be satisfied w/anything less, is to negate the very basis of our being. The game itself begins & ends w/this continuous pursuit, w/each outing providing another opportunity to capture this very elusive virtue.
Strength
Our greatest strength should be seen as something that runs much deeper than any physical attribute or characteristic finely honed in any gym. When steeled; it drives to overcome in spite of the odds, maximizes & makes potential limitless & is always elusively intangible. It also becomes communal property when different parts of the whole bind themselves tightly to one another to reach for common goals.
So, let us all be mindful of our greatest resource & provider of true strength. It isn't present in the muscle-bound or any other visible source, but runs eternal w/in us all. Bound tightly together w/like mind no obstacle will be able to stop us.
Dedication
True integrity begins w/a very conscious decision to lessen the thoughts of self to adhere to the greater good & purpose of something much larger & more important than we could ever be alone. Dedication embodies this very decision & makes doing what's right often times the most difficult thing to do, but grows us in ways that are often times immeasurable. More important than any other skill, dedication forms a very sound base from which a healthy purpose driven self can thrive.
Truth
While the decision to be dedicated is of primal importance, what to be dedicated to is of even greater importance. Baseball is a game governed by absolutes & we believe that truth is as well. It's what leads, guides & directs our every step & is at the very heart of us all. Individuality yields itself to this universal principal that we know to be, true.
Our People:
Just like a big family, Force Baseball revels in the differences inherent in all of us as strengths rather than weaknesses. We realize that we're not perfect, have it all figured out or know what's best for another, but collectively we are able to achieve much more than we ever could individually. We all want the same things & have come to find value in each other & realize the very cherished commodity that community provides.
Force Baseball exists to use baseball as a vehicle to drive the growth & development of all it's members from the players on the field, to the coaches in the dugout to the parents & fans in the stands. Our concerns are primal, communal & holistic. We strive to keep our purpose at the forefront of all that we do & are. It governs our thoughts & actions keeping us of like mind & constantly motivated. We strive for excellence in all that we do & realize that who we are is a constant representation of what we are.
We long to see the physical, mental, emotional & spiritual development of our players & each other as leaders. Our end goal isn't to produce winning ballplayers, but fully matured men that will one day stand upon our shoulders, being able to reach greater heights than even we imagined. This is only accomplished together, realizing each other's unique gifts & qualities & celebrating them rather than searching out other's like us.
Force baseball. Primal in purpose. Communal in effort. Holistic in approach.
Our principles:
Excellence
If the game teaches us nothing else, it should be that our very being should strive for excellence in all that we do. To be satisfied w/anything less, is to negate the very basis of our being. The game itself begins & ends w/this continuous pursuit, w/each outing providing another opportunity to capture this very elusive virtue.
Strength
Our greatest strength should be seen as something that runs much deeper than any physical attribute or characteristic finely honed in any gym. When steeled; it drives to overcome in spite of the odds, maximizes & makes potential limitless & is always elusively intangible. It also becomes communal property when different parts of the whole bind themselves tightly to one another to reach for common goals.
So, let us all be mindful of our greatest resource & provider of true strength. It isn't present in the muscle-bound or any other visible source, but runs eternal w/in us all. Bound tightly together w/like mind no obstacle will be able to stop us.
Dedication
True integrity begins w/a very conscious decision to lessen the thoughts of self to adhere to the greater good & purpose of something much larger & more important than we could ever be alone. Dedication embodies this very decision & makes doing what's right often times the most difficult thing to do, but grows us in ways that are often times immeasurable. More important than any other skill, dedication forms a very sound base from which a healthy purpose driven self can thrive.
Truth
While the decision to be dedicated is of primal importance, what to be dedicated to is of even greater importance. Baseball is a game governed by absolutes & we believe that truth is as well. It's what leads, guides & directs our every step & is at the very heart of us all. Individuality yields itself to this universal principal that we know to be, true.
Our People:
Just like a big family, Force Baseball revels in the differences inherent in all of us as strengths rather than weaknesses. We realize that we're not perfect, have it all figured out or know what's best for another, but collectively we are able to achieve much more than we ever could individually. We all want the same things & have come to find value in each other & realize the very cherished commodity that community provides.
Faces of the Force
Coach Lee
Favorite food: rib-eye steak
Favorite Tv Show: Scrubs
Favorite Song: Boys of Summer by Don Henley
Favorite thing to do, not including baseball: Hang w/the fam, riding bikes, reading books & just enjoying each other's company
What did you want to be before you grew up? Ballplayer
Favorite MLB team: St. Louis Cardinals
Favorite MLB player: Albert Pujols
Best part about being apart of Force Baseball? Sharing ideals & principles w/like-minded men whose sole purpose is to teach the game the right way while remaining focused on raising up responsible young men
What inspires you to coach? I'm continually inspired by a shared desire & passion for a game that so closely resembles life & all the lessons it provides, not only to our little 1's, but to us as coaches & as parents. Principles that we learn here apply to the entirety of our existence if we would just slow ourselves long enough to learn. I cherish the opportunity to mold men from these impressionable boys & would hope that they take more w/them away from this season than how to hit or throw a baseball.
What's the most important thing for Force players to learn from you? It's my prayer that these boys learn how to carry & handle themselves in the face of adversity that not only the game presents, but life does & will in all of our futures. We all long for success, but I would hope that proper perspective would give the true definition of what that is. We all need constant reminder's of what's true, important & ever-lasting in life, just as we pass thru it much akin to the passing innings of a ballgame.
This Week in Force Fitness
With a weekend full of ball ahead it is important to get your child ready.
Start out with making sure that your child gets plenty of rest.
Even though it is the weekend keep his nightly schedule on target just like you do with school. Instead of allowing him to stay up two hours later make it just 30 minutes later.
Rest is key in a weekend full of physical activity.
Make sure your child gets well balanced meals and snacks.
Remember that foods high in fat cause us to feel a bit sluggish and tired so steer away from fast food if at all possible. If you find yourself in a bind and need to get something on the run choose a place like subway that offers good sandwiches, fruit, and salads. Places like Subway offer good nutritional options for both you and your child.
Keep in mind that with the heat it is important to be hydrated. Drink plenty of clear fluids like water. Stay away from soda which promotes dehydration. Make sure your child drinks before the games, during the games and after the games. Make sure you drink those fluids too. No parents passing out in the stands please!
Making sure your child is balanced in all these areas provides your child an opportunity to do his best both on and off the field.
Start out with making sure that your child gets plenty of rest.
Even though it is the weekend keep his nightly schedule on target just like you do with school. Instead of allowing him to stay up two hours later make it just 30 minutes later.
Rest is key in a weekend full of physical activity.
Make sure your child gets well balanced meals and snacks.
Remember that foods high in fat cause us to feel a bit sluggish and tired so steer away from fast food if at all possible. If you find yourself in a bind and need to get something on the run choose a place like subway that offers good sandwiches, fruit, and salads. Places like Subway offer good nutritional options for both you and your child.
Keep in mind that with the heat it is important to be hydrated. Drink plenty of clear fluids like water. Stay away from soda which promotes dehydration. Make sure your child drinks before the games, during the games and after the games. Make sure you drink those fluids too. No parents passing out in the stands please!
Making sure your child is balanced in all these areas provides your child an opportunity to do his best both on and off the field.
This Date in Baseball
"Frankly, the fans who come out are dedicated fans. I can almost remember them by name." -DAVE PARKER, Pirate outfielder commenting on lack of attendance in Pittsburgh.
1907 In a game against the Giants. Pirates' third baseman Honus Wagner swipes four bases, including second, third, and home in the second inning. Fred Clarke also has four stolen bases for the Pittsburgh.
1929 At Fenway Park, the game is halted during in the fifth inning as the umpires called time-out and have players from the Yankees and Red Sox to gather at home plate. Bill McGowan, an respected ump, informs the teams Bronx Bomber manager Miller Huggins has just died in New York and asks the crowd stands for one minute of silence as the flag in center field is lowered to half-staff.
1929 After turning over the team over to Art Fletcher and checking into the hospital, Yankee manager Miller Huggins dies suddenly at the age of 50 as a result of erysipelas. "Hug', who won six pennants and three World Series in his 12 years as skipper of the Bronx Bombers, will be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964.
1941 Combined with a Cardinal defeat, the Dodgers win their first pennant in 21 years when they beat the Braves, 6-0.Whitlow Wyatt's throws a five-hitter and Pete Reiser hits a homer in the winning cause.
1954 A crowd 14,175 Fenway faithful fans pay tribute to retiring Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams who is playing his last game at home. The 'Splendid Splinter's retirement will only last until May when his divorce is finalized with his contract being excluded from the settlement.
1955 At the age of 20, Al Kaline becomes the youngest player to win a batting title. The Tigers' outfielder finishes the season with .340 average.
1956 Dodger Sal Maglie, 39, no-hits the Phillies, 5-0, at Ebbets Field. The 'Barber's' gem helps Brooklyn to keep pace in the pennant race with the Braves and Reds.
1960 Defeating the Red Sox, 4-3, the Yankees clinched the American League. It will be 70-year old Casey Stengel's tenth and last pennant as he will let go by the Yankees and be replaced by Ralph Houk next season.
1965 At the alleged age of 60, Satchel Paige becomes the oldest player ever to appear in a major league game. Pitching for the Kansas City A's, he blanks the Red Sox for three innings striking out one and giving up just one hit to Carl Yastrzemski.
1965 At age 34, Willie Mays becomes the oldest player to slug 50 home runs in a seasons. Giant center fielder was also the youngest to accomplish the feat hitting 51 homers in 1955.
1973 It's Willie Mays Day in Flushing as the Mets honor the 'Say-Hey Kid' in an emotional ceremony at Shea Stadium.
1974 In a revolutionary surgical operation, Dr. Frank Jobe repairs Tommy John's damaged ulnar collateral ligament by replacing the elbow tendon of the pitching arm with a tendon from the right wrist. The procedure, now known as Tommy John surgery, give the southpaw, who was unlikely ever be able to pitch again, an opportunity to win an additional 164 victories.
1979 Behind the solid pitching of Frank Tanana, the Angels defeat the Royals, 4-1, to win their first American League West title.
1984 Mets' Rusty Staub becomes only the second player to hit home run as a teenager and one after his 40th birthday. Ty Cobb was the first major leaguer to accomplish the feat.
1987 In a 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, Padres' catcher Benito Santiago sets a major league record for rookies by hitting safely in his 27th consecutive game.
1989 Red Sox announce the team will not exercise its option on Jim Rice next season. Bob Stanley, the club's all-time save leader with 173, reports he will call it quits after this season.
1989 Wade Boggs extends his own modern major league record when he collects his 200th hit for the seventh consecutive season. The Red Sox third baseman goes 4-for-5 as Boston beats the Yankees, 7-4.
1997 The Astros clinch their first division 11 years by beating the Cubs, 9-1. Houston wins the National League Central despite only being five games over .500.
1997 Donning uniform number 43 to honor recently fired manager Cito Gaston, Joe Carter becomes the Blue Jay's career home run leader hitting his 203rd in a 4-3 victory over the Orioles. George Bell had been Toronto's home run leader.
1998 With a 6-1 win over the Devil Rays, the Bronx Bombers set an American League record with their 112th win. The 1906 Cubs, who went 116-36, are the only team with more victories than the 1998 Yankees.
1998 By hitting a 462-foot blast at the Astrodome, Sammy Sosa hits #66 (and his final homer of the season) to take the lead in the HR race. Less than an hour later, however, Mark McGwire also hits his 66th in the Cardinals' 6-5 victory over the Expos to tie the Cub outfielder in the historic home run race.
1998 Ken Griffey, Jr. hits his league-leading 56th homer of the season and 350th of his career becoming the youngest player ever to reach the 350 mark.
2000 At Jacobs Field, the Indians play both the White Sox and the Twins in the first three-team doubleheader since 1951. The Tribe wins the opener 9-2, but losses the second game, to Minnesota, 4-3.
2001 In the Brewers 9-4 victory over the Diamondbacks, Richie Sexson and Jeromy Burnitz both hit three home runs. It is the first time in major league history two teammates have hit three homers in the same game.
2002 For only the second time since 1900 three teams have play in a twin bill, as the Indians beat the White Sox in the opener, 9-2, and lose the nightcap to the Twins, 4-3 at the Jake. In 1951 at Sportsman's Park, the Cardinals played host to the Giants (win 6-4) and Braves (lose, 2-0).
2003 Sammy Sosa becomes the first National Leaguer to have at least 100-RBIs nine seasons in a row. The Cubs' right fielder surpasses Mel Ott and Willie Mays who had accomplished the feat eight straight seasons, and joins Rafael Palmeiro and Jimmie Foxx as the only players in major league history to hit 35 home runs and 100 RBI for nine consecutive seasons.
2003 Carlos Delgado becomes the 15th player in big-league history and only the fifth American Leaguer player to hit four home runs in one game. The Blue Jays' first baseman's first homer was the 300th of his career and his barrage gives him 41 for the season.
1907 In a game against the Giants. Pirates' third baseman Honus Wagner swipes four bases, including second, third, and home in the second inning. Fred Clarke also has four stolen bases for the Pittsburgh.
1929 At Fenway Park, the game is halted during in the fifth inning as the umpires called time-out and have players from the Yankees and Red Sox to gather at home plate. Bill McGowan, an respected ump, informs the teams Bronx Bomber manager Miller Huggins has just died in New York and asks the crowd stands for one minute of silence as the flag in center field is lowered to half-staff.
1929 After turning over the team over to Art Fletcher and checking into the hospital, Yankee manager Miller Huggins dies suddenly at the age of 50 as a result of erysipelas. "Hug', who won six pennants and three World Series in his 12 years as skipper of the Bronx Bombers, will be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964.
1941 Combined with a Cardinal defeat, the Dodgers win their first pennant in 21 years when they beat the Braves, 6-0.Whitlow Wyatt's throws a five-hitter and Pete Reiser hits a homer in the winning cause.
1954 A crowd 14,175 Fenway faithful fans pay tribute to retiring Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams who is playing his last game at home. The 'Splendid Splinter's retirement will only last until May when his divorce is finalized with his contract being excluded from the settlement.
1955 At the age of 20, Al Kaline becomes the youngest player to win a batting title. The Tigers' outfielder finishes the season with .340 average.
1956 Dodger Sal Maglie, 39, no-hits the Phillies, 5-0, at Ebbets Field. The 'Barber's' gem helps Brooklyn to keep pace in the pennant race with the Braves and Reds.
1960 Defeating the Red Sox, 4-3, the Yankees clinched the American League. It will be 70-year old Casey Stengel's tenth and last pennant as he will let go by the Yankees and be replaced by Ralph Houk next season.
1965 At the alleged age of 60, Satchel Paige becomes the oldest player ever to appear in a major league game. Pitching for the Kansas City A's, he blanks the Red Sox for three innings striking out one and giving up just one hit to Carl Yastrzemski.
1965 At age 34, Willie Mays becomes the oldest player to slug 50 home runs in a seasons. Giant center fielder was also the youngest to accomplish the feat hitting 51 homers in 1955.
1973 It's Willie Mays Day in Flushing as the Mets honor the 'Say-Hey Kid' in an emotional ceremony at Shea Stadium.
1974 In a revolutionary surgical operation, Dr. Frank Jobe repairs Tommy John's damaged ulnar collateral ligament by replacing the elbow tendon of the pitching arm with a tendon from the right wrist. The procedure, now known as Tommy John surgery, give the southpaw, who was unlikely ever be able to pitch again, an opportunity to win an additional 164 victories.
1979 Behind the solid pitching of Frank Tanana, the Angels defeat the Royals, 4-1, to win their first American League West title.
1984 Mets' Rusty Staub becomes only the second player to hit home run as a teenager and one after his 40th birthday. Ty Cobb was the first major leaguer to accomplish the feat.
1987 In a 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, Padres' catcher Benito Santiago sets a major league record for rookies by hitting safely in his 27th consecutive game.
1989 Red Sox announce the team will not exercise its option on Jim Rice next season. Bob Stanley, the club's all-time save leader with 173, reports he will call it quits after this season.
1989 Wade Boggs extends his own modern major league record when he collects his 200th hit for the seventh consecutive season. The Red Sox third baseman goes 4-for-5 as Boston beats the Yankees, 7-4.
1997 The Astros clinch their first division 11 years by beating the Cubs, 9-1. Houston wins the National League Central despite only being five games over .500.
1997 Donning uniform number 43 to honor recently fired manager Cito Gaston, Joe Carter becomes the Blue Jay's career home run leader hitting his 203rd in a 4-3 victory over the Orioles. George Bell had been Toronto's home run leader.
1998 With a 6-1 win over the Devil Rays, the Bronx Bombers set an American League record with their 112th win. The 1906 Cubs, who went 116-36, are the only team with more victories than the 1998 Yankees.
1998 By hitting a 462-foot blast at the Astrodome, Sammy Sosa hits #66 (and his final homer of the season) to take the lead in the HR race. Less than an hour later, however, Mark McGwire also hits his 66th in the Cardinals' 6-5 victory over the Expos to tie the Cub outfielder in the historic home run race.
1998 Ken Griffey, Jr. hits his league-leading 56th homer of the season and 350th of his career becoming the youngest player ever to reach the 350 mark.
2000 At Jacobs Field, the Indians play both the White Sox and the Twins in the first three-team doubleheader since 1951. The Tribe wins the opener 9-2, but losses the second game, to Minnesota, 4-3.
2001 In the Brewers 9-4 victory over the Diamondbacks, Richie Sexson and Jeromy Burnitz both hit three home runs. It is the first time in major league history two teammates have hit three homers in the same game.
2002 For only the second time since 1900 three teams have play in a twin bill, as the Indians beat the White Sox in the opener, 9-2, and lose the nightcap to the Twins, 4-3 at the Jake. In 1951 at Sportsman's Park, the Cardinals played host to the Giants (win 6-4) and Braves (lose, 2-0).
2003 Sammy Sosa becomes the first National Leaguer to have at least 100-RBIs nine seasons in a row. The Cubs' right fielder surpasses Mel Ott and Willie Mays who had accomplished the feat eight straight seasons, and joins Rafael Palmeiro and Jimmie Foxx as the only players in major league history to hit 35 home runs and 100 RBI for nine consecutive seasons.
2003 Carlos Delgado becomes the 15th player in big-league history and only the fifth American Leaguer player to hit four home runs in one game. The Blue Jays' first baseman's first homer was the 300th of his career and his barrage gives him 41 for the season.
Monday, September 24, 2007
This Week in Force Baseball
Don't forget that we're back to our regularly scheduled practices this week on Tuesdays & Thursdays as we prepare for our next tourney 10/6 & 7. We've only got 4 sessions to get ourselves ready, so make sure that you're there on time & ready to roll. We've also got our 1st annual open house this weekend, so please make the necessary plans to attend if you are interested in improving our current product & knowing our plans for '08.
This Date in Baseball
"The first thing any pitcher has got to develop- the biggest single item in his whole stock and trade - is control." -BABE RUTH, Hall of Fame Legend (1914-35).
1916 At Cleveland's League Park, Marty Kavanaugh hits the first-ever pinch hit grand slam in baseball history. The infielder's historic homer proves to be the difference as the Indians beat the Red Sox, 5-3.
1922 Cardinals outfielder Rogers Hornsby hits home runs off Giant hurlers Jesse and Virgil Barnes. The homers served up by the brothers enables the ‘Rajah’ to set the National League record for round trippers in a season with 42.
1928 A crowd of only 404 fans, the smallest American League crowd ever in Detroit, watch the Tigers blank the last-place Red Sox, 8-0.
1940 At Shibe Park, Red Sox first baseman Jimmie Foxx blasts his 500th career home run off A's pitcher George Caster. The historic homer is one of four round trippers hit in the inning setting an American League mark.
1957 Grounding out, Pirates left-handed first baseman Dee Fondy becomes last player ever to bat in Ebbets Field as the Dodgers blank the Bucs, 2-0 in the last major league game ever played in Brooklyn.
1969 Gary Gentry four-hits the Cardinals, 6-0, helping the Mets become the first team to clinch a National League East title.
1974 At Memorial Stadium, Tiger outfielder Al Kaline gets his 3000th hit. The milestone hit is a double off Oriole hurler Dave McNally in a 5-4 loss to the Birds.
1984 The Cubs clinch the National League East flag as Rick Suttcliffe two-hits the Pirates, 4-2. It is the Northsiders first title since 1945,
1985 Andre Dawson hits two homers in the same inning for the second time in his career becoming the second major leaguer to accomplish the feat. The Expo outfielder also went yard twice in the same frame on July 30, 1978.
1986 Astros rookie starter Jim Deshaies sets a major league record by striking out the first eight batters he faces. The young left-hander will finish with a two-hitter and 10 strikeouts beating the Dodgers, 4-0.
1988 Jose Canseco of the A's becomes baseball's first 40-40 player as he swipes his 39th and 40th base in a 14 inning victory over the Brewers, 9-8.
1992 At the age of 40, Dave Winfield drives in four runs with a homer and a two-run double becoming the oldest player to drive in 100 runs. The future Hall of Famer's offensive outburst helps the Blue Jays beat the Orioles, 8-2.
1992 Rookie center fielder Kenny Loftin establishes an Indian record stealing his 62nd base of the season.
1993 Defeating the Reds the Cincinnati Reds 9-2, the Rockies set a National League record for wins by an expansion team. Colorado's 65th win of the season surpasses the mark established by the Houston Colt .45s in 1962.
1998 Red Sox reliever Tom Gordon records his 42nd consecutive save establishing a major league record.
2001 Hitting his 55th home run off fireballer Daisuke Matsuzaka, former American major leaguer Tuffy Rhodes ties the Japanese record set by Sadaharu Oh in 1964. The Kintetsu Buffaloes outfielder has five games left to break the immortal Oh's record.
2002 Thanks to Jason's two home runs in the Yankees 6-0 whitewash of the Devil Rays, the Giambi brothers (Jason 40, Jeremy 20) pass the DiMaggio siblings for the highest single-season total for homers with 60. The DiMaggios (Joe 46, Vince, 13) went yard 59 times in 1937.
2002 The Astros have their first rain delay at home since July 15, 1976. To save time, officials decide to cover the Minute Maid field with a tarp during the 19-minute rather than use the retractable roof .
2005 Averaging more than 50,000 fans per game, the Yankees become the third franchise in major league history, and the first since the 1994 strike, to pass the four-million attendance mark. The 1993 Colorado Rockies and the 1991-1993 Toronto Blue Jays are the other teams which have reached the milestone.
2006 With best record in the majors at 94-62, the Tigers clinched their first playoff spot since 1987. Detroit's 11-4 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium ends the 19 season post-season drought.
2006 As the Petco Park sellout crowd roars, Trevor Hoffman retires the three Pirates batter he faces in ninth inning ensuring a 2-1 victory. The Padres closer's 479th career save surpasses Lee Smith total (1980-1997) making the 38-year-old reliever the all-time leader.
1916 At Cleveland's League Park, Marty Kavanaugh hits the first-ever pinch hit grand slam in baseball history. The infielder's historic homer proves to be the difference as the Indians beat the Red Sox, 5-3.
1922 Cardinals outfielder Rogers Hornsby hits home runs off Giant hurlers Jesse and Virgil Barnes. The homers served up by the brothers enables the ‘Rajah’ to set the National League record for round trippers in a season with 42.
1928 A crowd of only 404 fans, the smallest American League crowd ever in Detroit, watch the Tigers blank the last-place Red Sox, 8-0.
1940 At Shibe Park, Red Sox first baseman Jimmie Foxx blasts his 500th career home run off A's pitcher George Caster. The historic homer is one of four round trippers hit in the inning setting an American League mark.
1957 Grounding out, Pirates left-handed first baseman Dee Fondy becomes last player ever to bat in Ebbets Field as the Dodgers blank the Bucs, 2-0 in the last major league game ever played in Brooklyn.
1969 Gary Gentry four-hits the Cardinals, 6-0, helping the Mets become the first team to clinch a National League East title.
1974 At Memorial Stadium, Tiger outfielder Al Kaline gets his 3000th hit. The milestone hit is a double off Oriole hurler Dave McNally in a 5-4 loss to the Birds.
1984 The Cubs clinch the National League East flag as Rick Suttcliffe two-hits the Pirates, 4-2. It is the Northsiders first title since 1945,
1985 Andre Dawson hits two homers in the same inning for the second time in his career becoming the second major leaguer to accomplish the feat. The Expo outfielder also went yard twice in the same frame on July 30, 1978.
1986 Astros rookie starter Jim Deshaies sets a major league record by striking out the first eight batters he faces. The young left-hander will finish with a two-hitter and 10 strikeouts beating the Dodgers, 4-0.
1988 Jose Canseco of the A's becomes baseball's first 40-40 player as he swipes his 39th and 40th base in a 14 inning victory over the Brewers, 9-8.
1992 At the age of 40, Dave Winfield drives in four runs with a homer and a two-run double becoming the oldest player to drive in 100 runs. The future Hall of Famer's offensive outburst helps the Blue Jays beat the Orioles, 8-2.
1992 Rookie center fielder Kenny Loftin establishes an Indian record stealing his 62nd base of the season.
1993 Defeating the Reds the Cincinnati Reds 9-2, the Rockies set a National League record for wins by an expansion team. Colorado's 65th win of the season surpasses the mark established by the Houston Colt .45s in 1962.
1998 Red Sox reliever Tom Gordon records his 42nd consecutive save establishing a major league record.
2001 Hitting his 55th home run off fireballer Daisuke Matsuzaka, former American major leaguer Tuffy Rhodes ties the Japanese record set by Sadaharu Oh in 1964. The Kintetsu Buffaloes outfielder has five games left to break the immortal Oh's record.
2002 Thanks to Jason's two home runs in the Yankees 6-0 whitewash of the Devil Rays, the Giambi brothers (Jason 40, Jeremy 20) pass the DiMaggio siblings for the highest single-season total for homers with 60. The DiMaggios (Joe 46, Vince, 13) went yard 59 times in 1937.
2002 The Astros have their first rain delay at home since July 15, 1976. To save time, officials decide to cover the Minute Maid field with a tarp during the 19-minute rather than use the retractable roof .
2005 Averaging more than 50,000 fans per game, the Yankees become the third franchise in major league history, and the first since the 1994 strike, to pass the four-million attendance mark. The 1993 Colorado Rockies and the 1991-1993 Toronto Blue Jays are the other teams which have reached the milestone.
2006 With best record in the majors at 94-62, the Tigers clinched their first playoff spot since 1987. Detroit's 11-4 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium ends the 19 season post-season drought.
2006 As the Petco Park sellout crowd roars, Trevor Hoffman retires the three Pirates batter he faces in ninth inning ensuring a 2-1 victory. The Padres closer's 479th career save surpasses Lee Smith total (1980-1997) making the 38-year-old reliever the all-time leader.
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