On July 30, 1974, at the Oakland Coliseum Rookie right-hander Jim Bibby of the Texas Rangers pitches a no-hitter against the World Champion Oakland A’s. Bibby strikes out 13 A’s in forging a 6-0 victory. Jeff Burroughs, who will win the American League’s MVP Award, hits a grand slam the second of three grand slams…
Detroit hits four home runs in the 1st inning in an 8 – 2 win over the Indians. Al Kaline, Bill Freehan and Mickey Stanley hit consecutive home runs off Fritz Peterson, and Ed Brinkman adds another later in the inning, off Steve Kline.
1974 – Larry Milbourne scores in the 11th on a fielder’s choice to give Houston an 8-7 triumph over Los Angeles. Roger Metzger has three hits and raps into the game-winner when the throw home by Davey Lopes is late. Cesar Cedeno socks two home runs and drives in four. His 79 RBIs lead the league while his 21 home runs are just one shy of ex-teammate Jim Wynn for the top spot in that category.
At Three Rivers Stadium, Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey, a write-in All-Star starter, singles and doubles to help the National League beat the Junior circuit, 7-2. Mike Schmidt, also a write-in, plays in his first Midsummer Classic thanks to radio intern Howard Eskin’s on-air campaign which urged Phillies fans to stuff the ballot box for their young third baseman.
On July 19, 1974, Dick Bosman of the Cleveland Indians hurls a no-hitter against the Oakland A’s and comes within one batter of pitching a perfect game. In winning the game, 4-0, Bosman commits a fielding error in the fourth inning, allowing the A’s their only baserunner of the game. Bosman struck out four and…
Cardinals pitching great Bob Gibson fans the Reds’ Cesar Geronimo to become the second hurler after Walter Johnson to strike out 3,000 batters. Geronimo will become Nolan Ryan’s 3,000th strikeout victim six years later. The Reds shrug it off, scoring six runs in the 1st inning and three in the 2nd on their way to a 12 – 7 win.
1974 – Bob Gallagher drives in Milt May in the bottom of the 12th for a 7-6 win over the Cubs. It rains indoors! Workers forget to replace some tiles in the Astrodome roof and an evening downpour creates puddles in right and center fields while showering a few lucky outfield ticket-holders who are handed plastic trash bags for shelter.
The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates split a doubleheader marked by a free-for-all which is later credited with inspiring Pittsburgh and turning its season around. The fight starts after a 4th inning beanball when Jack Billingham plunks pitcher Bruce Kison, bringing both teams onto the field. When Sparky Anderson accidentally steps on Ed Kirkpatrick’s foot, the Buc catcher shoves the Reds manager, earning him a punch from the Reds’ Andy Kosco. Pedro Borbon pins Daryl Patterson, pulling his hair out and a piece of flesh.
On July 11, 1974, the San Diego Padres release Matty Alou, ending the career of the lifetime .307 hitter. Earlier in the season, Matty’s older brother, Felipe Alou, was released by the Brewers on April 29th, also ending his career.
On July 8, 1974, journeyman shortstop Jim Mason of the New York Yankees ties a major league record by swatting four doubles in a game against the Texas Rangers. Usually a light hitter, Mason will finish the season with only 18 doubles and a mediocre .250 batting average.
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