Bob-Aspromonte-and-Rusty-Staub-of-the-Houston-Astros

Rusty Staub and Bob Aspromonte protest by benching themselves after Robert F. Kennedy is killed two months later by an assassin’s bullet..

Unlike its decision in April to delay the start of the season after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Major League Baseball lets individual teams decide if they will postpone games when Robert F. Kennedy is killed two months later by an assassin’s bullet. When Houston decides to continue playing their scheduled home contests, Rusty Staub and Bob Aspromonte, both who will be traded at the end of the season, protest by benching themselves in today’s 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh at the Astrodome.

Bat Day at Candlestick Park is postponed when the Mets refuse to play their scheduled game in San Francisco, out of respect for recently assassinated New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy, whose funeral is being held today. Prompted by baseball commissioner William Eckert’s edict to cancel games only taking place in New York and Washington, the team, led by first baseman Ed Kranepool, had voted to take this action, even under the threat of forfeiting the contest, a decision that is fully supported by manager Gil Hodges and the organization.

Bat Day at Candlestick Park is postponed when the Mets refuse to play their scheduled game in San Francisco, out of respect for recently assassinated New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy, whose funeral is being held today. Prompted by baseball commissioner William Eckert’s edict to cancel games only taking place in New York and Washington, the team, led by first baseman Ed Kranepool, had voted to take this action, even under the threat of forfeiting the contest, a decision that is fully supported by manager Gil Hodges and the organization.

Major League baseball suspends play after New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated

Major League baseball suspends play after New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated

On June 8, 1968, three major league games in New York, San Francisco, and Washington are postponed after the assassination of New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy. New York Mets players had asked for postponement of their game in San Francisco. Commissioner Spike Eckert orders the other two postponements and instructs all other teams to…

Don Drysdale’s major league record streak of consecutive scoreless innings comes to an end
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Don Drysdale’s major league record streak of consecutive scoreless innings comes to an end

On June 8, 1968, Don Drysdale’s major league record streak of consecutive scoreless innings comes to an end. Howie Bedell of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a sacrifice fly against Drysdale, ending his streak at 58 2/3 innings. Drysdale’s Los Angeles Dodgers will go on to win the game, 5-3. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

1968 – A bid for a no-hitter by the Oakland Athletics’ Blue Moon Odom is spoiled by Davey Johnson, who singles with two outs in the 9th inning. Odom tops Baltimore, 6 – 1.

1968 – A bid for a no-hitter by the Oakland Athletics’ Blue Moon Odom is spoiled by Davey Johnson, who singles with two outs in the 9th inning. Odom tops Baltimore, 6 – 1.

Thurman Munson 1976 MVP

Houston pass on Thurman Munson and select catcher Martin Cott of Buffalo, NY in the first round of the June draft

1968 – Houston selects catcher Martin Cott of Buffalo, NY in the first round of the June draft, passing on a catcher from Canton, OH named Thurman Munson whom the Yankees grab with the next pick. Cott never reaches the big leagues. It’s not a good day on the field either as Cardinal ace Bob Gibson blanks Houston, 4-0. 

The day after Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles, Maury Wills refuses to play in a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers, his former team. The 35 year-old Pirate shortstop stays in the Chavez Ravine training room, reading RFK’s book, To Seek a New World.

The day after Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles, Maury Wills refuses to play in a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers, his former team. The 35 year-old Pirate shortstop stays in the Chavez Ravine training room, reading RFK’s book, To Seek a New World.

In LA’s Ambassador Hotel, Robert Kennedy, giving his victory speech for his win in the California primary before being fatally shot, tells his followers in the packed ballroom, “I like to express my high regard to Don Drysdale, who pitched his sixth straight shutout tonight. And I hope we can have as good fortune in our campaign.” At nearby Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers right-hander had blanked the Bucs, 6-0, extending his scoreless streak to 54 innings.

In LA’s Ambassador Hotel, Robert Kennedy, giving his victory speech for his win in the California primary before being fatally shot, tells his followers in the packed ballroom, “I like to express my high regard to Don Drysdale, who pitched his sixth straight shutout tonight. And I hope we can have as good fortune in our campaign.” At nearby Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers right-hander had blanked the Bucs, 6-0, extending his scoreless streak to 54 innings.