Tom McCraw of the Washington Senators hits one of the shortest home runs in history

Tom McCraw of the Washington Senators hits one of the shortest home runs in history

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 17, 1971, Tom McCraw of the Washington Senators hits one of the shortest home runs in history. McCraw’s 140-foot pop fly falls in between three Cleveland Indians, shortstop Jack Heidemann, and outfielders Vada Pinson and John Lowenstein. When the three players collide, McCraw circles the bases for an inside-the-park home run.

Roberto Clemente’s two-out, two-run, walk-off triple transforms a frustrating 5 – 4 loss to fifth-place Montreal into a sudden-death 6 – 5 decision, pulling Pittsburgh to within one game of the New York Mets. After failing twice in crucial spots earlier in the game, Clemente clubs Mike Marshall’s 1-1 pitch high off the wall near the 410-foot mark.

ByBaseball

Roberto Clemente’s two-out, two-run, walk-off triple transforms a frustrating 5 – 4 loss to fifth-place Montreal into a sudden-death 6 – 5 decision, pulling Pittsburgh to within one game of the New York Mets. After failing twice in crucial spots earlier in the game, Clemente clubs Mike Marshall’s 1-1 pitch high off the wall near the 410-foot mark.

Hall of Fame outfielder Leon “Goose” Goslin dies at the age of 70

Hall of Fame outfielder Leon “Goose” Goslin dies at the age of 70

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 15, 1971, Hall of Fame outfielder Leon “Goose” Goslin dies at the age of 70. The former Washington Senators’ and Detroit Tigers’ star batted .316 over an 18-year major league career and hit seven home runs in World Series play. Goslin won election to the Hall of Fame in 1968.

Fergie Jenkins (7-2) pitches and bats the Cubs to a 6 – 4 win over San Diego. Jenkins hits a two-run home run and finishes his 7th game in eight starts. Billy Williams connects for his 300th home run.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Fergie Jenkins (7-2) pitches and bats the Cubs to a 6 – 4 win over San Diego. Jenkins hits a two-run home run and finishes his 7th game in eight starts. Billy Williams connects for his 300th home run.

Hall of Fame outfielder Heinie Manush dies at the age of 69

Hall of Fame outfielder Heinie Manush dies at the age of 69

ByThis Day in Baseball

Sponsor this Page   On May 12, 1971, Hall of Fame outfielder Heinie Manush dies at the age of 69 in Sarasota, Florida. Manush won the American League batting championship in 1926, and twice led the league in hits. Manush, a lifetime .330 hitter, gained induction to the Hall of Fame in 1964. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@

Cleveland Indians pitcher Steve Dunning becomes first AL pitcher to hit a grandslam after the DH (it will be 37 years until the next one)
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Cleveland Indians pitcher Steve Dunning becomes first AL pitcher to hit a grandslam after the DH (it will be 37 years until the next one)

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 11, 1971, A Space crown of 2,992 at Cleveland Stadium, see’s what will become a rare feat as Cleveland Indians pitcher Steve Dunning becomes the last American League hurler to hit a grand slam. Dunning connects against Diego Segui of the Oakland A’s, helping the Indians to a 7-5 win. In 1973, the…

At New York, Bud Harrelson’s 2-run single in the 7th beats Houston and Wade Blasingame, 2 – 1. It is Blasingame’s first loss to the Mets after nine wins.

ByBaseball

At New York, Bud Harrelson’s 2-run single in the 7th beats Houston and Wade Blasingame, 2 – 1. It is Blasingame’s first loss to the Mets after nine wins.

A gathering of 43,307 fans watches the Orioles drop a twin bill to the A’s at Memorial Stadium, 6-2 and 2-1. The unscheduled doubleheader draws a record walk-in crowd of 31,626 (73%), the largest in Baltimore’s history.

ByTom

A gathering of 43,307 fans watches the Orioles drop a twin bill to the A’s at Memorial Stadium, 6-2 and 2-1. The unscheduled doubleheader draws a record walk-in crowd of 31,626 (73%), the largest in Baltimore’s history.

At San Francisco, the Braves and Giants split a pair. After the Giants win the opener, 5 – 2, the Braves take the nitecap, 6 – 5, in 11 innings. Orlando Cepeda connects for a grand slam and solo homer for Atlanta, while Willie McCovey has a three-run home run for San Francisco. The Braves win it in the 10th when Ralph Garr scores after collecting his fourth hit.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At San Francisco, the Braves and Giants split a pair. After the Giants win the opener, 5 – 2, the Braves take the nitecap, 6 – 5, in 11 innings. Orlando Cepeda connects for a grand slam and solo homer for Atlanta, while Willie McCovey has a three-run home run for San Francisco. The Braves win it in the 10th when Ralph Garr scores after collecting his fourth hit.