1968 – Lena Blackburne dies in Riverside, New Jersey, at age 81. A former major league infielder and manager, Blackburne has been the source for his eponymous rubbing mud, used by umpires in both leagues to rub down new balls. He leaves the mud business to his boyhood friend, John Haas.

ByTom

1968 – Lena Blackburne dies in Riverside, New Jersey, at age 81. A former major league infielder and manager, Blackburne has been the source for his eponymous rubbing mud, used by umpires in both leagues to rub down new balls. He leaves the mud business to his boyhood friend, John Haas.

roberto-alomar

Second baseman Roberto Alomar is born in Ponce, Puerto Rico

ByTom

1968 – Second baseman Roberto Alomar is born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the son of major league IF Sandy Alomar. One of the best fielders ever at the position, he will also be a top hitter, with 9 seasons with a .300 average, and 6 with 100 or more runs scored. He will be a key part of the Toronto Blue Jays’ back-to-back World Series-winning teams in 1992 and 1993 and will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 2011.