Ruppert Jones of the Seattle Mariners hits a home run off Dennis Eckersley in the fifth inning to snap Eckersley's no-hit string of 22 1/3 innings, just two outs short of the major league record set by Cy Young. The Indians beat Seattle, 7 - 1.

Mariners’ Ruppert Jones hits a foul ball that sticks in the speaker above the first base dugout

ByThis Day in Baseball

At the Kingdome, the Mariners’ Ruppert Jones hits a foul ball that sticks in the speaker above the first base dugout. But the Athletics amass 11 fair hits to beat the Mariners, 5 – 3. Dwayne Murphy is 3 for 3 with a triple and a homer.

Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees is killed in the crash of his private plane in Canton, Ohio

Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees is killed in the crash of his private plane in Canton, Ohio

ByThis Day in Baseball

On August 2, 1979, 32-year-old Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees is killed when the Cessna Citation I/SP jet he is learning to fly clips a tree and crashes 1,000 feet short of the runway at Akron-Canton Regional Airport. The Yankee catcher had been taking lessons for over two years so he could get…

In an 8-player deal, the Rangers send OF Oscar Gamble, minor leaguer Amos Lewis (a 1st round pick in the 1978 draft) and two players to be named to the Yankees and finally acquire OF Mickey Rivers and three players to be named. Rivers had been traded to the Rangers in June but the deal fell through. Both of the players to be named with Gamble will make the majors: Gene Nelson and Ray Fontenot, something that can’t be said for the three unnamed to Texas.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In an 8-player deal, the Rangers send OF Oscar Gamble, minor leaguer Amos Lewis (a 1st round pick in the 1978 draft) and two players to be named to the Yankees and finally acquire OF Mickey Rivers and three players to be named. Rivers had been traded to the Rangers in June but the deal fell through. Both of the players to be named with Gamble will make the majors: Gene Nelson and Ray Fontenot, something that can’t be said for the three unnamed to Texas.

Final photo of Thurman from 8/1/1979, congratulating Reggie after a HR against the White Sox at Comsikey Park

Following the Yankees’ 9 – 1 win over the White Sox, members of the New York club create a minor scandal by autographing the bare behind of a young woman who boards the team bus outside Comiskey Park.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Following the Yankees’ 9 – 1 win over the White Sox, members of the New York club create a minor scandal by autographing the bare behind of a young woman who boards the team bus outside Comiskey Park.

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1979 – Ken Forsch twirls a three-hitter as the Astros top the Dodgers, 5-2, but the talk is about a brawl that clears the benches. Cesar Cedeno spikes Steve Yeager during a play at the plate. Yeager later tosses a ball out to Cedeno at first who fires it back into the L.A. bench. Ken Brett then hits Enos Cabell with a pitch and away they go. Tommy Lasorda beat the rush, getting tossed three innings earlier.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1979 – Ken Forsch twirls a three-hitter as the Astros top the Dodgers, 5-2, but the talk is about a brawl that clears the benches. Cesar Cedeno spikes Steve Yeager during a play at the plate. Yeager later tosses a ball out to Cedeno at first who fires it back into the L.A. bench. Ken Brett then hits Enos Cabell with a pitch and away they go. Tommy Lasorda beat the rush, getting tossed three innings earlier.

At Texas, the Boston Red Sox pull off a 1st-inning triple play – 9-4-3 – against the Rangers. It’s Boston’s third triple play of the year (July 23rd and May 10th) tying a major-league record, and it’s needed as the Sox win, 1 – 0. Dennis Eckersley beats Fergie Jenkins.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Texas, the Boston Red Sox pull off a 1st-inning triple play – 9-4-3 – against the Rangers. It’s Boston’s third triple play of the year (July 23rd and May 10th) tying a major-league record, and it’s needed as the Sox win, 1 – 0. Dennis Eckersley beats Fergie Jenkins.

The Brewers edge the Yankees, 6 – 5, and Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th American League player this month to hit three home runs in a game.

The Brewers edge the Yankees, 6 – 5, and Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th American League player this month to hit three home runs in a game.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Brewers edge the Yankees, 6 – 5, and Cecil Cooper becomes the 4th American League player this month to hit three home runs in a game.

In Pittsburgh, a 4th-inning call results in a 34-minute rhubarb during the Pirates-Reds game. With Buc runners on first and third base, a 3-1 pitch to Omar Moreno is called a ball, but Johnny Bench throws to second base ahead of the runner from first, Lee Lacy, who is attempting to steal. Lacy is called out by Dick Stello even though Moreno has just received a walk (therefore entitling Lacy to the base), and walks off the bag. He is then tagged out by Dave Concepcion, precipitating the argument. The subsequent protest is rejected by National League president Chub Feeney, and the Pirates’ 6 – 5 loss is upheld.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In Pittsburgh, a 4th-inning call results in a 34-minute rhubarb during the Pirates-Reds game. With Buc runners on first and third base, a 3-1 pitch to Omar Moreno is called a ball, but Johnny Bench throws to second base ahead of the runner from first, Lee Lacy, who is attempting to steal. Lacy is called out by Dick Stello even though Moreno has just received a walk (therefore entitling Lacy to the base), and walks off the bag. He is then tagged out by Dave Concepcion, precipitating the argument. The subsequent protest is rejected by National League president Chub Feeney, and the Pirates’ 6 – 5 loss is upheld.