Derek Jeter becomes Mr November
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Derek Jeter becomes Mr November

2001 – For the first time since the Philadelphia Athletics’s Mule Haas hit a game-tying two-run home run in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series, a team comes from behind to tie a Fall Classic game in the 9th inning and goes on to win in extra innings. A two-out, two-run home run by Tino Martinez in the bottom of the 9th ties the game, and Derek Jeter hits a home run in the bottom of the 10th, giving the Yankees a 3 – 2 victory over Arizona to knot the World Series at two games apiece. Both homers come off Byung-Hyun Kim, who relieves Curt Schilling in the 8th inning. Mariano Rivera gets the win in relief for the Yankees. Following the 2010 season, a panel of experts at the MLB Network will vote this game the 12th greatest game of the past fifty years.

George W. Bush becomes the eighth president to attend a World Series game and the first since Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11 attacks, the Commander-in-Chief walks to the mound by himself, gives a thumbs up, and throws a perfect strike to the Yankees’ backup catcher, much to the delight of the stadium faithful.

George W. Bush becomes the eighth president to attend a World Series game and the first since Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11 attacks, the Commander-in-Chief walks to the mound by himself, gives a thumbs up, and throws a perfect strike to the Yankees’ backup catcher, much to the delight of the stadium faithful.

George W. Bush becomes the eighth president to attend a World Series game and the first since Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11 attacks, the Commander-in-Chief walks to the mound by himself, gives a thumbs up, and throws a perfect strike to the Yankees’ backup catcher, much to the delight of the stadium faithful.

Randy Johnson fires 3 hitter and Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams

Randy Johnson fires 3 hitter and Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams

In the World Series, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches a three-hit shutout to defeat the Yankees, 4 – 0, taking a 2-0 advantage in the Series. Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams. He homered in the Fall Classic for the Indians in 1997 and the Giants in 1989, prior to doing so for Arizona today.

2001 – The Arizona Diamondbacks take a 3-1 lead in their National League Championship Series with an 11 – 4 victory over Greg Maddux and the Atlanta Braves. Six of Arizona’s runs are unearned as a result of three Atlanta errors. Luis Gonzalez hits a three-run home run for Arizona while Andruw Jones connects for the Braves. Brian Anderson gets the win in relief of starter Albie Lopez.

2001 – The Arizona Diamondbacks take a 3-1 lead in their National League Championship Series with an 11 – 4 victory over Greg Maddux and the Atlanta Braves. Six of Arizona’s runs are unearned as a result of three Atlanta errors. Luis Gonzalez hits a three-run home run for Arizona while Andruw Jones connects for the Braves. Brian Anderson gets the win in relief of starter Albie Lopez.

Larry Dierker resigns as manager, ending a five-year run that can be argued as the most successful in team history
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Larry Dierker resigns as manager, ending a five-year run that can be argued as the most successful in team history

2001 – Larry Dierker resigns as manager, ending a five-year run that can be argued as the most successful in team history. His winning percentage (.553) is tops for the franchise. His 448 wins rank second to Bill Virdon. The good news was four division crowns in five years. The bad news was a 2-12 post-season record, failing to escape out of the first round of the playoffs each year. But the numbers don’t begin to capture Dierker’s story, one as unique as the Hawaiian-shirted lanky Californian that has spent practically his entire adulthood with the franchise. 

On the last day of the season, Rickey Henderson become the 25th major leaguer to collect 3000 hits

On the last day of the season, Rickey Henderson become the 25th major leaguer to collect 3000 hits

On the last day of the season, Rickey Henderson bloops a double down the right-field line off Rockies’ hurler John Thomson to become the 25th major leaguer to collect 3000 hits. Tony Gwynn, who is playing in his last major league game and is also a member of the 3000 hit club, meets the Padre outfielder at home plate in front of a sellout crowd Qualcomm Park.

With his 151st pinch hit, Lenny Harris breaks the major league mark for career pinch hits established by Manny Mota.

With his 151st pinch hit, Lenny Harris breaks the major league mark for career pinch hits established by Manny Mota. Coming off the Met bench to bat for Rey Ordonez, he lines a 1-2 pitch off Expo starter Carl Pavano for a single to become the career leader in pinch hits.

In the longest nine-inning game in major league history, Barry Bonds breaks and then extends the mark for home runs in a season during the 4 hours and 27 minutes, 11-10 loss to the Dodgers at Pac Bell Park. The Giant outfielder connects off Dodger starter Chan Ho Park to break Mark McGwire’s 1998 record of 70 and then homers again in his next at-bat to extend his record to 72.

In the longest nine-inning game in major league history, Barry Bonds breaks and then extends the mark for home runs in a season during the 4 hours and 27 minutes, 11-10 loss to the Dodgers at Pac Bell Park. The Giant outfielder connects off Dodger starter Chan Ho Park to break Mark McGwire’s 1998 record of 70 and then homers again in his next at-bat to extend his record to 72.

Tim Raines and his son Tim Jr. become the second father-son duo to play in the same game

Tim Raines plays left field and his son Tim Jr. plays center in the Orioles’ 5 – 4 loss to Boston. They become the second father-son duo to play in the same game, matching the feat turned by Ken Griffey, Sr. and his son Ken Jr. for the Seattle Mariners. The Orioles acquired the senior Raines yesterday from the Montreal Expos.

Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record as he hits his 70th homerun
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Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record as he hits his 70th homerun

Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record established three years ago as he hits his 70th round-tripper. The historic homer, a shot to right-center at Enron Field, is given up in the ninth inning by Astro rookie hurler Wilfredo Rodriguez in a Giant 10-2 victory.