Cardinals rookie Jim Cosman, making his major league debut on the last day of the season, hurls a two-hit complete-game shutout, blanking Chicago at Busch Stadium, 2-0. The 23 year-old right-hander, who didn’t know of his assignment until twenty minutes before game time, makes his only start of the season, having pitched only in relief in 54 minor league appearances before today’s contest.

On the last day of the season, Sonny Jackson establishes a major league rookie record with his 49th steal of the season, a mark that will last until Gene Richard (Padres) and Omar Moreno (Pirates) both surpass the record in 1977. The Astros shortstop will finish second in the Rookie of the Year balloting behind Tommy Helms of Cincinnati.

The Yankees end the season with a 2-0 victory over Chicago, but the team will still finish in last place, a half-game behind the Red Sox. The tenth-place Bronx Bombers, who compiled a 70-89 record, 26.5 games behind Baltimore, become the first club in franchise history to finish in the American League cellar since 1912.