Willie Mays

The Giants move to an 8 – 1 lead after five inning over the Pirates behind two homers by Willie Mays. But George Spencer wilts in the heat and gives up homers to Frank Thomas – his first in the majors – and pinch hitter Gus Bell. After Pete Castiglione and Bill Rigney match homers, Ralph Kiner powers one in the 9th inning to give Pittsburgh a 10 – 9 victory. For Kiner, it is his 37th.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Giants move to an 8 – 1 lead after five inning over the Pirates behind two homers by Willie Mays. But George Spencer wilts in the heat and gives up homers to Frank Thomas – his first in the majors – and pinch hitter Gus Bell. After Pete Castiglione and Bill Rigney match homers, Ralph Kiner powers one in the 9th inning to give Pittsburgh a 10 – 9 victory. For Kiner, it is his 37th.

GIL HODGES

Hodges sets franchise single season homerun mark

ByThis Day in Baseball

With his second home run of the game, the sixth time he has accomplished the feat this year, Gil Hodges hits his 36th round-tripper to establish a new franchise record for homers in a season. The Dodger first baseman’s seventh-inning three-run blast in the team’s 13-1 rout of Cincinnati at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field surpasses the mark of 35 set by Babe Herman in 1930.

Johnnysain

The Braves sell P Johnny Sain to the Yankees for $50,000 and a young pitcher named Lew Burdette. It is another late-season insurance measure for the New Yorkers.

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The Braves sell P Johnny Sain to the Yankees for $50,000 and a young pitcher named Lew Burdette. It is another late-season insurance measure for the New Yorkers.

Del Wilber’s Three Solo Homers Secure Phillies’ 3-0 Victory Over Cincinnati
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Del Wilber’s Three Solo Homers Secure Phillies’ 3-0 Victory Over Cincinnati

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Del Wilber hits three solo round-trippers in the Phillies’ victory over Cincinnati in the nightcap at Shibe Park, making it the first time that a player has accounted for all the runs in a 3-0 game with home runs. The 32 year-old catcher will hit a total of only 19 round-trippers during his major league career.

At the Polo Grounds, Chuck Connors clubs his 2nd and last major league homer, a three-run shot off Sal Maglie in the 9th to give the visiting Cubs a temporary 4 – 4 tie. Wes Westrum then answers with his 2nd homer of the game, off reliever Walt Dubiel, and New York wins, 5 – 4. New York takes the nitecap, 5 – 1, to run their victory streak to 14 games. Jim Hearn tops Cal McLish. Willie Mays electrifies the crowd in the 6th by singling, advancing on a balk and a short fly, and stealing home. The Giants trail by six games.

At the Polo Grounds, Chuck Connors clubs his 2nd and last major league homer, a three-run shot off Sal Maglie in the 9th to give the visiting Cubs a temporary 4 – 4 tie. Wes Westrum then answers with his 2nd homer of the game, off reliever Walt Dubiel, and New York wins, 5 – 4. New York takes the nitecap, 5 – 1, to run their victory streak to 14 games. Jim Hearn tops Cal McLish. Willie Mays electrifies the crowd in the 6th by singling, advancing on a balk and a short fly, and stealing home. The Giants trail by six games.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At the Polo Grounds, Chuck Connors clubs his 2nd and last major league homer, a three-run shot off Sal Maglie in the 9th to give the visiting Cubs a temporary 4 – 4 tie. Wes Westrum then answers with his 2nd homer of the game, off reliever Walt Dubiel, and New York wins, 5 – 4. New York takes the nitecap, 5 – 1, to run their victory streak to 14 games. Jim Hearn tops Cal McLish. Willie Mays electrifies the crowd in the 6th by singling, advancing on a balk and a short fly, and stealing home. The Giants trail by six games.

Jackie Robinson
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Pirates roar back with 8 runs in 7th to split a twin bill

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The Pirates club the Dodgers, 12 – 11, to win the opener of two with the league leaders. Brooklyn chases Howie Pollet and takes a 9 – 2 lead but the Bucs roar back with eight runs in the 7th inning. Clyde King, unscored on in his last eight games, is the loser. The Dodgers load the bases in the 9th, and Murry Dickson walks pinch-hitter Cal Abrams to force in a run and make the score 12 – 11. But Carl Furillo and Pee Wee Reese fail to deliver. Pete Castiglione has two homers for the Pirates. Brooklyn wins the second game, 4 – 3, when Jackie Robinson homers in the 10th, off Ted Wilks. Andy Pafko homers in the 8th, off Bob Friend, and Preacher Roe (17-2) goes all the way.

Before 66,110 at Cleveland, Mickey Mantle belts an opposite field 2-run homer off Mike Garcia to help the Yankees win, 7 – 3. New York (77-46) moves to a game back of the Tribe.

Before 66,110 at Cleveland, Mickey Mantle belts an opposite field 2-run homer off Mike Garcia to help the Yankees win, 7 – 3. New York (77-46) moves to a game back of the Tribe.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1951 – Before 66,110 at Cleveland, Mickey Mantle belts an opposite field 2-run homer off Mike Garcia to help the Yankees win, 7 – 3. New York (77-46) moves to a game back of the Tribe.

In another of Bill Veeck’s legendary public relations stunts “Fans Managers’ Night,”

In another of Bill Veeck’s legendary public relations stunts “Fans Managers’ Night,”

ByThis Day in Baseball

In another of Bill Veeck’s legendary public relations stunts, “Fans Managers’ Night,” the Browns defeat the Athletics, 5 – 3. The Browns’ coaches hold up placards for 1115 fans, who vote “yes” or “no” on the options given them. Manager Zack Taylor sits in a box behind the dugout with two fans who monitor the voting. Adding to the festivities is Max Patkin, the clown prince of baseball, who coaches at first base for several innings. Sherm Lollar voted in to start behind the plate instead of Matt Batts, has three hits including a homer, and Hank Arft, also voted in, knocks home two. Gus Zernial’s 28th home run accounts for all the A’s runs. When the stunt was announced on August 15, A’s GM Art Ehlers bitterly denounced it as “farcical.”

Mickey Mantle sets the record by hitting HR's from both sides of the plate for 3rd time in his short career

Mickey Mantle returns to the Yankee lineup after demotion to minors

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After being demoted to the minor leagues six weeks ago, Mickey Mantle returns to the Yankee lineup, going 1-for-4 with a first-inning single off Early Wynn, in the team’s 2-0 victory in Cleveland. The game will mark the first time the future Hall of Fame outfielder will wear the iconic #7 on the back of his uniform jersey; his original #6 was given away during his absence to infielder Bobby Brown, who had worn the numeral in previous seasons.