Bob Montgomery becomes the last player to step into the batter’s box without wearing a helmet

On September 9, 1979 — The first-place Baltimore Orioles romp to their 7th win in a row, larruping the Boston Red Sox, 16 – 4. Rick Dempsey hits a grand slam for the Birds in their 6-run 6th, and Al Bumbry adds a home run in the same frame. Jim Rice homers for the Red Sox. Sox C Bob Montgomery is 1 for 2 in his last major league game. in his final at-bat, he becomes the last player to step into the batter’s box without wearing a helmet. The Red Sox’s backup catcher, who is required to wear a protective plastic liner within his cap, is allowed to be helmetless due to a grandfather clause in Major League Baseball’s edict enacted eight years ago, making the use of helmets mandatory for all batters.

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