Rockies become only the second team in history to boast three players with at least 40 home runs

On September 29, 1996, Vinny Castilla of the Colorado Rockies joins teammates Andres Galarraga and Ellis Burks in the 40-home run circle. The Rockies become only the second team in history to boast three players with at least 40 home runs. In 1973, Hank Aaron, Darrell Evans and Dave Johnson did the same for the…

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1996 – Tony Eusebio doubles home James Mouton with the season’s final run in a 5-4 ten-inning victory over the Marlins. Fans come to honor pitcher Nolan Ryan who sees the Astros retire his #34 jersey. 

1996 – Tony Eusebio doubles home James Mouton with the season’s final run in a 5-4 ten-inning victory over the Marlins. Fans come to honor pitcher Nolan Ryan who sees the Astros retire his #34 jersey. 

Although he is four shy of the necessary 502 plate appearances requirement, Tony Gwynn, hitting .353, is given the National League’s batting crown using the Oh-fer Clause, which has been in the rule book for 30 years but never invoked. The addition of four mythical hitless at-bats would leave the Padres outfielder with a .349 average, still five points better than the runner-up Ellis Burks of the Rockies.

Although he is four shy of the necessary 502 plate appearances requirement, Tony Gwynn, hitting .353, is given the National League’s batting crown using the Oh-fer Clause, which has been in the rule book for 30 years but never invoked. The addition of four mythical hitless at-bats would leave the Padres outfielder with a .349 average, still five points better than the runner-up Ellis Burks of the Rockies.

During a 4-1 loss at the SkyDome, Orioles’ center fielder Brady Anderson becomes the 14th player to hit 50 home runs in a season. The power surge comes as a surprise, given the Baltimore leadoff hitter’s previous season high was only 21 round-trippers.

During a 4-1 loss at the SkyDome, Orioles’ center fielder Brady Anderson becomes the 14th player to hit 50 home runs in a season. The power surge comes as a surprise, given the Baltimore leadoff hitter’s previous season high was only 21 round-trippers.

Hitting his 40th homer, Rockies third baseman Vinny Castilla joins Andres Galarraga (47) and Ellis Burks (40) to become the first trio of teammates in 23 years to hit 40 homers for one team. Davey Johnson (43), Darrell Evans (41), and Hank Aaron (40) accomplished the feat for the Braves in 1973.

Hitting his 40th homer, Rockies third baseman Vinny Castilla joins Andres Galarraga (47) and Ellis Burks (40) to become the first trio of teammates in 23 years to hit 40 homers for one team. Davey Johnson (43), Darrell Evans (41), and Hank Aaron (40) accomplished the feat for the Braves in 1973.

Two weeks after the Rangers retire Nolan Ryan’s number, the Astros follow suit and honor the ‘Ryan Express’ by also retiring his #34. The right-handed fireballer played nine seasons for Houston, striking out a total of 1,866 batters en route to winning 106 games that included his 5th no-hitter against L.A. in 1981.

Two weeks after the Rangers retire Nolan Ryan’s number, the Astros follow suit and honor the ‘Ryan Express’ by also retiring his #34. The right-handed fireballer played nine seasons for Houston, striking out a total of 1,866 batters en route to winning 106 games that included his 5th no-hitter against L.A. in 1981.

The Devil Rays become the second team to sign a working agreement with a Japanese professional team. Tampa Bay signs a two-year contract with the Seibu Lions, which includes a four-year option extending the deal through 2002.

The Devil Rays become the second team to sign a working agreement with a Japanese professional team. Tampa Bay signs a two-year contract with the Seibu Lions, which includes a four-year option extending the deal through 2002.

The Rockies’ Ellis Burks becomes the fourth player to hit 40 home runs and swipe 30 bases in a single season when he goes deep off Dan Carlson with an eighth-inning solo shot in the team’s 8-5 loss to the Giants at Coors Field. The 32 year-old Colorado outfielder joins Hank Aaron (1963 Braves), Jose Canseco (1988 A’s), and Barry Bonds (1996 Giants) in accomplishing the feat.

The Rockies’ Ellis Burks becomes the fourth player to hit 40 home runs and swipe 30 bases in a single season when he goes deep off Dan Carlson with an eighth-inning solo shot in the team’s 8-5 loss to the Giants at Coors Field. The 32 year-old Colorado outfielder joins Hank Aaron (1963 Braves), Jose Canseco (1988 A’s), and Barry Bonds (1996 Giants) in accomplishing the feat.

Mark Wohlers sets a Braves record with his 39th save of the season. The right-handed reliever is less than perfect, throwing two wild pitches to give up a ninth-inning run, but hangs on to preserve Atlanta’s 6-4 victory over the Expos at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.

Mark Wohlers sets a Braves record with his 39th save of the season. The right-handed reliever is less than perfect, throwing two wild pitches to give up a ninth-inning run, but hangs on to preserve Atlanta’s 6-4 victory over the Expos at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.