The Cardinals drop a 2 – 1 decision to the Cubs but Albert Pujols socks his 300th career home run. At 28 years, 170 days old, he becomes the fifth youngest player to hit 300, one day ahead of Mel Ott. The younger players were Alex Rodriguez, Jimmie Foxx, Ken Griffey Jr. and Andruw Jones.

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The Cardinals drop a 2 – 1 decision to the Cubs but Albert Pujols socks his 300th career home run. At 28 years, 170 days old, he becomes the fifth youngest player to hit 300, one day ahead of Mel Ott. The younger players were Alex Rodriguez, Jimmie Foxx, Ken Griffey Jr. and Andruw Jones.

The Oakland Athletics sign Dominican amateur Michael Ynoa for a $4.25 million bonus, nearly $2 million than Wily Mo Pena’s 9-year-old record for an international amateur free agent. Ynoa will only win one game over the next four minor league seasons due to injuries and wildness.

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On July 2, 2008 The Oakland Athletics sign Dominican amateur Michael Ynoa for a $4.25 million bonus, nearly $2 million than Wily Mo Pena’s 9-year-old record for an international amateur free agent. Ynoa will only win one game over the next four minor league seasons due to injuries and wildness.   Source: Baseball Reference July 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers win a game without the benefit of a hit when they are thwarted by Angels pitchers Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo over 8 innings. In the 6th inning, Matt Kemp reaches first base on an error by Weaver, steals second and advances to third on a throwing error by catcher Jeff Mathis, then scores the game’s only run on a sacrifice fly by Blake DeWitt. The last team to win a game without registering a base hit were the Cleveland Indians who beat Boston’s Matt Young under similar circumstances on April 12, 1992. It is the fifth time since 1900 that a major league team has won a game without a hit.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers win a game without the benefit of a hit when they are thwarted by Angels pitchers Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo over 8 innings. In the 6th inning, Matt Kemp reaches first base on an error by Weaver, steals second and advances to third on a throwing error by catcher Jeff Mathis, then scores the game’s only run on a sacrifice fly by Blake DeWitt. The last team to win a game without registering a base hit were the Cleveland Indians who beat Boston’s Matt Young under similar circumstances on April 12, 1992. It is the fifth time since 1900 that a major league team has won a game without a hit.

Danny Rios of the Yakult Swallows is served with a one-year suspension for positive steroid tests in May and June. He is the third player to be suspended under Nippon Pro Baseball’s steroid policy (following Rick Guttormson and Luis A. Gonzalez) and the second to be suspended for a year. Rios was only 2-7 a year after having won the Korea Baseball Organization MVP award. The KBO never tested Rios for steroids when he pitched in that league. Rios, like Gonzalez, played in the majors before going to Japan.

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Danny Rios of the Yakult Swallows is served with a one-year suspension for positive steroid tests in May and June. He is the third player to be suspended under Nippon Pro Baseball’s steroid policy (following Rick Guttormson and Luis A. Gonzalez) and the second to be suspended for a year. Rios was only 2-7 a year after having won the Korea Baseball Organization MVP award. The KBO never tested Rios for steroids when he pitched in that league. Rios, like Gonzalez, played in the majors before going to Japan.

In a 15 – 6 Mets win in the first game of a doubleheader with the Yankees, Carlos Delgado drives in nine runs, setting a franchise record. Delgado hits a grand slam (the 12th of his career), a 3-run homer and a 2-run double.

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On June 27, 2008 In a 15 – 6 Mets win in the first game of a doubleheader with the Yankees, Carlos Delgado drives in nine runs, setting a franchise record. Delgado hits a grand slam (the 12th of his career), a 3-run homer and a 2-run double.

Dallas McPherson goes deep off Justin Berg; it is the 7th straight game in which the Albuquerque Isotopes star has homered. This ties the all-time minor league record.

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On June 27, 2008 Dallas McPherson goes deep off Justin Berg; it is the 7th straight game in which the Albuquerque Isotopes star has homered. This ties the all-time minor league record.

41-year-old Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox top 44-year-old Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks, 5 – 0, with Wakefield allowing two hits and no runs in 7 innings. It had been 43 years since two pitchers with a higher cumulative age faced off in the majors; in the earlier contest, the hurlers were 59-year-old Satchel Paige and 29-year-old Bill Monbouquette.

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On June 25, 2008 41-year-old Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox top 44-year-old Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks, 5 – 0, with Wakefield allowing two hits and no runs in 7 innings. It had been 43 years since two pitchers with a higher cumulative age faced off in the majors; in the earlier contest, the hurlers were 59-year-old Satchel Paige and 29-year-old Bill Monbouquette.  …

The Astros suspend pitcher Shawn Chacon after he grabs GM Ed Wade by the neck and throws him to the ground in a dispute prior to today’s game. The Astros will void Chacon’s contract.

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On June 25, 2008 The Astros suspend pitcher Shawn Chacon after he grabs GM Ed Wade by the neck and throws him to the ground in a dispute prior to today’s game. The Astros will void Chacon’s contract.   Source Baseball Reference June 25

For the first time since Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, the New York Yankees visit Pittsburgh, PA. After Bill Mazeroski, the hero of that Game 7, throws out the ceremonial first pitch, the home team pulls off a reenactment of their last meeting, upsetting New York. The Pirates top the Yanks, 12 – 5, with six Bucs getting multiple hits. Ryan Doumit goes 3 for 5 with a homer, two runs and two RBI and Freddy Sanchez scores three times while Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi go a combined 1 for 12.

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For the first time since Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, the New York Yankees visit Pittsburgh, PA. After Bill Mazeroski, the hero of that Game 7, throws out the ceremonial first pitch, the home team pulls off a reenactment of their last meeting, upsetting New York. The Pirates top the Yanks, 12 – 5, with six Bucs getting multiple hits. Ryan Doumit goes 3 for 5 with a homer, two runs and two RBI and Freddy Sanchez scores three times while Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi go a combined 1 for 12.

In a 7 – 2 Cleveland win over the Dodgers, C.C. Sabathia homers off Chan-ho Park. It is Sabathia’s second home run, the first time an American League pitcher has hit that many since the DH had been instituted. After the game, Sabathia’s career batting line in 42 plate appearances is an impressive .300/.317/.475 for a 107 OPS+.

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On June 21, 2008 In a 7 – 2 Cleveland win over the Dodgers, C.C. Sabathia homers off Chan-ho Park. It is Sabathia’s second home run, the first time an American League pitcher has hit that many since the DH had been instituted. After the game, Sabathia’s career batting line in 42 plate appearances is an impressive .300/.317/.475 for a 107 OPS+.