Royals’ Freddie Patek completes the cycle with a two-run ninth-inning homer off Minnesota starter Jim Perry. The 5’5″ Kansas City shortstop’s round-tripper breaks a 3-3 deadlock in Kansas City’s eventual 6-3 victory over the Twins at Metropolitan Stadium.

ByTom

Royals’ Freddie Patek completes the cycle with a two-run ninth-inning homer off Minnesota starter Jim Perry. The 5’5″ Kansas City shortstop’s round-tripper breaks a 3-3 deadlock in Kansas City’s eventual 6-3 victory over the Twins at Metropolitan Stadium.

Braves SS Leo Foster makes a memorable debut. Against the Pirates, he errs on his first chance, hits into a double play in the 5th, and a triple play in the 7th. Pittsburgh rolls by Atlanta, 11 – 2.

ByBaseball

Braves SS Leo Foster makes a memorable debut. Against the Pirates, he errs on his first chance, hits into a double play in the 5th, and a triple play in the 7th. Pittsburgh rolls by Atlanta, 11 – 2.

vida blue

Vida Blue of the Oakland A’s strikes out 17 California Angels in 11 innings

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 9, 1971, At Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, 21 year old Vida Blue of the Oakland A’s strikes out 17 California Angels in 11 innings. Rollie Fingers follows with seven scoreless innings of relief. The A’s will eventually win the game, 1-0, in 20 innings, which is the longest shutout in American League History. Angels’…