The Cards lose to the Brewers despite Mark McGwire’s 508th career homer. He has hit 493 of these while playing 1B, equaling Lou Gehrig’s mark for the position.

The Cards lose to the Brewers despite Mark McGwire’s 508th career homer. He has hit 493 of these while playing 1B, equaling Lou Gehrig’s mark for the position.

Joining Babe Ruth and Mark McGwire, Mariner outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. becomes the third player in major league history to hit 200 homers in a four-season span. Junior’s 39th helps Seattle beat the Indians, 4-1.

Joining Babe Ruth and Mark McGwire, Mariner outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. becomes the third player in major league history to hit 200 homers in a four-season span. Junior’s 39th helps Seattle beat the Indians, 4-1.

At Shea Stadium, the Mets and Cardinals split a doubleheader, with New York winning the opener, 8 – 7, and St. Louis taking the nightcap, 7 – 5. Mark McGwire hits two home runs in the first game, his 49th and 50th of the season. Number 49 breaks a light bulb in the scoreboard, 502 feet away. This gives him a major league record 50 or more home runs for four straight seasons.

At Shea Stadium, the Mets and Cardinals split a doubleheader, with New York winning the opener, 8 – 7, and St. Louis taking the nightcap, 7 – 5. Mark McGwire hits two home runs in the first game, his 49th and 50th of the season. Number 49 breaks a light bulb in the scoreboard, 502 feet away. This gives him a major league record 50 or more home runs for four straight seasons.

Joining Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., and Babe Ruth, Sammy Sosa becomes the fourth player to hit 50 home runs in consecutive seasons. The Cubs right fielder, who hit 66 dingers last season, blasts his major league leading 50th and 51st home runs in an 8-6 victory over the Rockies at Wrigley Field.

Joining Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., and Babe Ruth, Sammy Sosa becomes the fourth player to hit 50 home runs in consecutive seasons. The Cubs right fielder, who hit 66 dingers last season, blasts his major league leading 50th and 51st home runs in an 8-6 victory over the Rockies at Wrigley Field.

Harold “Pee Wee” Reese dies from lung cancer at the age of 81

Harold “Pee Wee” Reese dies from lung cancer at the age of 81

On August 14, 1999, popular Hall of Fame shortstop Harold “Pee Wee” Reese dies from lung cancer at the age of 81. An eight-time All-Star, Reese captained the Brooklyn Dodger teams of the 1950s. He helped lead Brooklyn to seven National League pennants, in addition to the Dodgers’ only World Championship in 1955. Reese also…

Ivan Rodriguez becomes the first catcher in major league history to compile 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season

Ivan Rodriguez becomes the first catcher in major league history to compile 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season

Ivan Rodriguez becomes the first catcher in major league history to compile 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season. The Texas backstop reaches the milestone when he swipes second base off Brook Fordyce in the team’s 8-7 loss to the White Sox at Comiskey Park.

The Rockies and Expos combine to hit 10 home runs in Colorado’s 11 – 8 victory. Four players – Montreal’s Geoff Blum and Colorado’s Edgard Clemente, Todd Helton and Dante Bichette – each hit a pair, while Jose Vidroand Rondell White also connect. It is only the third time in major league history that four players have each hit two home runs in the same game.

The Rockies and Expos combine to hit 10 home runs in Colorado’s 11 – 8 victory. Four players – Montreal’s Geoff Blum and Colorado’s Edgard Clemente, Todd Helton and Dante Bichette – each hit a pair, while Jose Vidroand Rondell White also connect. It is only the third time in major league history that four players have each hit two home runs in the same game.

For the first time in major league history, five grand slams are hit in a single day. Cardinal Fernando Tatis, Expo Jose Vidro, Marlin Mike Lowell, Yankee Bernie Williams, and Mariner Jay Buhner all connect to set the record. (Lowell, Williams, and Buhner all played for the Columbus Clippers – thanks to Steve Basford for this interesting aside.)

For the first time in major league history, five grand slams are hit in a single day. Cardinal Fernando Tatis, Expo Jose Vidro, Marlin Mike Lowell, Yankee Bernie Williams, and Mariner Jay Buhner all connect to set the record. (Lowell, Williams, and Buhner all played for the Columbus Clippers – thanks to Steve Basford for this interesting aside.)

The Blue Jays defeat the Rangers, 19 – 4, setting a team record by recording 25 hits. OF Jacob Brumfield and 2B Homer Bush get four hits apiece for Toronto while four other players record three safeties each. P Doug Davis enters the game in the 6th inning for Texas, making his major league debut. In 2 1/3 innings of work, he allows 11 hits, including three home runs, while surrendering 10 earned runs. He’ll return to the minors tomorrow.

The Blue Jays defeat the Rangers, 19 – 4, setting a team record by recording 25 hits. OF Jacob Brumfield and 2B Homer Bush get four hits apiece for Toronto while four other players record three safeties each. P Doug Davis enters the game in the 6th inning for Texas, making his major league debut. In 2 1/3 innings of work, he allows 11 hits, including three home runs, while surrendering 10 earned runs. He’ll return to the minors tomorrow.