1972 – Chicago’s Billy Williams goes 8-for-8 in a doubleheader split against the Astros. He sets a league mark with ten consecutive hits. Jim Wynn and Lee May go deep as Houston wins the opener, 6-5. The Cubs roar back in the nightcap, 9-5, as Williams goes 5-for-5 and Rick Monday socks two homers.
At Oakland, Boston’s Marty Pattin has his no-hit bid foiled when Reggie Jackson hits a one-out single in the 9th. Boston wins, 4 – 0.
On July 8, 1972, Detroit Tigers pitcher John Hiller makes his first appearance in 18 months after suffering a heart attack in 1971. Hiller’s heart condition had sidelined him for the entire 1971 season. The Tigers lose to the White Sox, 5 – 2, Hiller will post a 2.03 ERA in ‘72 and will win…
At Montreal’s Jarry Park, the Expos walk away with a 4-3 victory when Mets right-hander Bob Rauch issues his fourth free pass of the inning, forcing in Carl Morton the winning run from third base. The frustrating loss will be the 23 year-old rookie’s only decision during a brief 19-game major league career.
On July 2, 1972 Minnesota’s Jim Kaat, sporting a 10-2 record and a 2.07 ERA, breaks his pitching hand while sliding. He will miss the remainder of the season. Kaat is relieved in the 8th by Wayne Granger, but gets credit for the 6 – 4 win over the White Sox. Tom Bradley wins his 10th in the nitecap, 2…
Roberto Clemente’s 4th and 5th (out of 6) career home runs off his friend and fellow future Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins provide the Pirates with a sudden and devastating 4 – 3 walk-off win, against the Cubs at Three Rivers Stadium. Clemente hits Fergie’s first pitch in the 7th inning over the left field fence to tie the game. After the Bucs fall behind, 3 – 2, his second homer is a game-ending blast with none out in the 9th.
On June 30, 1972, journalist Clifford Evans interviewed President Richard Nixon in the White House for RKO General Broadcasting. This meeting was captured by recording devices in the Oval Office. Prior to this meeting, Evans had asked President Nixon to name his favorite baseball players during a June 22, 1972 press conference. President Nixon subsequently…
June 29, 1972, the Oakland A’s and Atlanta Braves become the first teams to trade former MVPs for one another. Oakland sends Denny McLain to Atlanta for Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda. McLain will win just three of eight decisions with the Braves, while Cepeda will come to bat only three times with the A’s…
Jim Palmer’s 8-game win streak ends as the Yanks chase the ace in the 2nd inning of a 4 – 3 win. Mel Stottlemyre, with relief from Sparky Lyle, gains his 7th win.
Making his last career start, Wade Blasingame’s American League debut for the Yankees is an inauspicious one, as the Tigers go deep three consecutive times in the first frame. The opening inning home runs by Aurelio Rodriguez, Al Kaline, and Willie Horton power Detroit over New York, 5-2.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!