At the age of 77, Minnie Minoso becomes the first player to play professional baseball in seven decades. The Cuban native, who had a 16-year big league career which ended in 1964(with brief resumptions in 1976 and 1980), walks as the designated hitter for the St. Paul Saints against the Gary SouthShore RailCats in independent Northern League action.

ByBaseball

At the age of 77, Minnie Minoso becomes the first player to play professional baseball in seven decades. The Cuban native, who had a 16-year big league career which ended in 1964(with brief resumptions in 1976 and 1980), walks as the designated hitter for the St. Paul Saints against the Gary SouthShore RailCats in independent Northern League action.

The Yankees send pitching prospects Jason Anderson, Anderson Garcia and Ryan Bicondoa to the Mets for hard-throwing embattled closer, Armando Benitez. The 30-year-old All-Star reliever, who is slated to be the set-up man for closer Mariano Rivera, has blown 7 of 28 save opportunities this year and has been object of much booing at Shea Stadium.

ByBaseball

The Yankees send pitching prospects Jason Anderson, Anderson Garcia and Ryan Bicondoa to the Mets for hard-throwing embattled closer, Armando Benitez. The 30-year-old All-Star reliever, who is slated to be the set-up man for closer Mariano Rivera, has blown 7 of 28 save opportunities this year and has been object of much booing at Shea Stadium.

At the All-Star Game played in Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field, Angels outfielder Garret Anderson goes 3-for-4, including a two-run homer and a double, helping the American League to beat the NL, 7-6. Pinch-hitting in the eighth inning, Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock hits a go-ahead two-run homer off the usually untouchable reliever of the Dodgers, Eric Gagne.

ByTom

At the All-Star Game played in Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field, Angels outfielder Garret Anderson goes 3-for-4, including a two-run homer and a double, helping the American League to beat the NL, 7-6. Pinch-hitting in the eighth inning, Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock hits a go-ahead two-run homer off the usually untouchable reliever of the Dodgers, Eric Gagne.

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2003 – Houston explodes for nine runs in the first inning (a franchise record) and coasts to an 11-2 blast over Cincinnati, completing a four-game sweep. Geoff Blum gets two hits and two RBIs in the opening frame. Craig Biggio becomes the 40th player in major league history to reach 500 doubles in his career . Richard Hidalgo drives in four as the Astros extend their lead in the weak Central Division to two games, even though they are just five games above the .500 mark. 

ByTom

2003 – Houston explodes for nine runs in the first inning (a franchise record) and coasts to an 11-2 blast over Cincinnati, completing a four-game sweep. Geoff Blum gets two hits and two RBIs in the opening frame. Craig Biggio becomes the 40th player in major league history to reach 500 doubles in his career . Richard Hidalgo drives in four as the Astros extend their lead in the weak Central Division to two games, even though they are just five games above the .500 mark. 

Indians’ southpaw Billy Traber one-hits the Yankees, retiring 27 of 28 batters, including 21 in a row after allowing John Flaherty to reach first base with a single in the third inning. The 4-0 blanking of the Bronx Bombers is the 23 year-old rookie’s first complete game.

ByTom

Indians’ southpaw Billy Traber one-hits the Yankees, retiring 27 of 28 batters, including 21 in a row after allowing John Flaherty to reach first base with a single in the third inning. The 4-0 blanking of the Bronx Bombers is the 23 year-old rookie’s first complete game.

Shea Hillenbrand becomes the sixth player to homer in three consecutive innings, tying a big league record. The third baseman’s fourth, fifth, and sixth inning round-trippers account for half of the runs the Diamondbacks score in their 14-6 victory over Colorado at Bank One Ballpark.

ByTom

Shea Hillenbrand becomes the sixth player to homer in three consecutive innings, tying a big league record. The third baseman’s fourth, fifth, and sixth inning round-trippers account for half of the runs the Diamondbacks score in their 14-6 victory over Colorado at Bank One Ballpark.

Keeping his promise to dye his hair if his last-place Devil Rays won three in a row at any point this season, Devil Rays’ skipper Lou Piniella becomes a blonde. Last night’s 3-2 victory over the White Sox gave Tampa Bay their first three-game winning streak since last September.

ByTom

Keeping his promise to dye his hair if his last-place Devil Rays won three in a row at any point this season, Devil Rays’ skipper Lou Piniella becomes a blonde. Last night’s 3-2 victory over the White Sox gave Tampa Bay their first three-game winning streak since last September.

In a 10-3 victory over New York, the Red Sox score all their runs with the long ball, hitting a record seven home runs off the Yankees. Prior to today’s Independence Day fireworks, the Bronx Bombers had given up six homers in a game four times, including twice to Boston (1997 and 1977) and the Indians (1970).

ByTom

In a 10-3 victory over New York, the Red Sox score all their runs with the long ball, hitting a record seven home runs off the Yankees. Prior to today’s Independence Day fireworks, the Bronx Bombers had given up six homers in a game four times, including twice to Boston (1997 and 1977) and the Indians (1970).

Just a few hours after obtaining Roberto Alomar from the Mets, the White Sox acquire outfielder Carl Everett (.274, 18, 51) from the Rangers. Texas will pick two or three players from a Chicago minor league pool, and the team will also give money to help pay part of the former outfielder’s $9.15 million deal.

ByTom

Just a few hours after obtaining Roberto Alomar from the Mets, the White Sox acquire outfielder Carl Everett (.274, 18, 51) from the Rangers. Texas will pick two or three players from a Chicago minor league pool, and the team will also give money to help pay part of the former outfielder’s $9.15 million deal.

After spending a disappointing season and a half in New York, Roberto Alomar is traded by the Mets with cash to the White Sox for prospect Andrew Salvo, right-hander Edwin Almonte, and southpaw Royce Ring. The 12-time Gold Glove second baseman’s funk continues in the American League when the former All-Star infielder hits just .253 with Chicago.

ByTom

After spending a disappointing season and a half in New York, Roberto Alomar is traded by the Mets with cash to the White Sox for prospect Andrew Salvo, right-hander Edwin Almonte, and southpaw Royce Ring. The 12-time Gold Glove second baseman’s funk continues in the American League when the former All-Star infielder hits just .253 with Chicago.