On October 22, 2006, Detroit starter Kenny Rogers is embroiled in controversy when he pitches the first inning of Game Two of the World Series with a black smudge on his pitching hand. Television cameras zoom in on the spot, which Rogers claims is dirt, but which many felt was pine tar. The left-hander wipes…
For a new generation of fans, the term “the Catch” may conjure up memories of Endy Chavez’s NLCS Game 7 leaping catch at Shea’s left field fence with his outstretched glove, grabbing a ball destined to be a Scott Rolen two-run home run, and starting an unbelievable double play. The heroics are overshadowed in the ninth inning as Yadier Molina hits a two-run homer and Carlos Beltran, who has the best HR ratio (11/81) in postseason history, looks at a third strike with the bases loaded with Mets, giving the Cardinals a 3-1 victory and the pennant.
After finishing 93-69 to win the AL West and sweeping the Twins in the ALDS, Ken Macha is fired when the A’s are eliminated from the postseason by the Tigers. Oakland GM Billy Beane cites a lack of communication between the players and the manager, who compiled a 368-280 record and brought the team to the playoffs twice in his four-year tenure in the dugout.
On October 14, 2006, at Comerica Park in Detroit, Tiger right fielder Magglio Ordonez slugs a three-run, walk-off homer off A’s closer Huston Street to win the American League pennant. The homer, Ordronez’s second of the game, gives Detroit a 6-3 victory and a four-game sweep of Oakland. It is Detroit’s first pennant since…
On October 3, 2006.00 Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria hires his fourth manager since buying the team four years ago. Florida hires Braves third-base coach Fred Gonzalez to replace first-year skipper Joe Girardi, who had a well-publicized feud with the owner during the season.
On October 1, 2006, Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins becomes the first catcher to win the American League batting title and to lead the majers. Mauer bats .347, finishing just ahead of a pair of Yankees: Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter in the AL and outpaces Freddie Sanchez (.344) of the Pirates for the…
On October 1, 2006, Frank Robinson manages his final game for the Washington Nationals, as they lose to the New York Mets, 6-2. The Nationals had announced that Robinson’s contract, which expires on October 31, would not be renewed. Robinson managed the Expos/National for five seasons, beginning in 2002. The Hall of Fame outfielder was…
On October 1, 2006, on the final day of the regular season, the last-place Kansas City Royals erase a six-run deficit and defeat the Detroit Tigers, 10-8, in 12 innings. The loss drops the Tigers out of first place for the first time in more than four months, and allows the Minnesota Twins to win…
On October 1, 2006, in front of a record crowd at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, Tim Salmon played his final game. A few days after announcing he would retire at the conclusion of the season, Salmon, who spent all of his 15 years in the majors with the Angels, went 0-for-4 with a walk in…
Carlos Guillen, in the Tigers’ 10-4 win over the Devil Rays, becomes the tenth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. The Detroit shortstop stretches a single into a double in his last at-bat in the eighth inning to complete the rare event.
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