1983 – Trailing 5 – 3, the Indians erupt for 10 runs in the top of the 9th inning and go on to defeat Oakland, 13 – 6. The A’s set a major-league record by using six pitchers in the inning. Pinch hitter Chris Bando has two hits in the frame and Gorman Thomas connects for a double and homer in the inning for the second time in three years. He is the only man to do it twice.
On May 1, 1978, former major league pitcher and controversial book author Jim Bouton begins a comeback with the Savannah Braves of the Southern League. The 39-year-old Bouton will eventually earn a promotion to the Atlanta Braves, where he will struggle in a late-season stint.
On June 6, 1977 “The Bird” Mark Fidrych, of the Detroit Tigers, and Big Bird, of Sesame Street, were both featured on the cover. In 1976, Fidrych led the major leagues with a 2.34 ERA, won the AL Rookie of the Year award, and finished with a 19–9 record. Fidrych tore the cartilage in his…
April 3, 1969, first baseman Donn Clendenon ends his retirement and reports to the Montreal Expos. Clendenon will eventually be traded twice during the season, first Clendenon refuses to report to his new team after being traded, along with Jesus Alou to the Astros; the Expos resign their reluctant first baseman. Montreal will send Jack…
Joe Pepitone of the New York Yankees hits two home runs in the nine-run 8th-inning of the Yankees’ 13 – 7 triumph over the Kansas City Athletics.
Willie Mays, who missed nearly two seasons due to military service, homers in his first game back, a sixth-inning blast off Carl Erskine that will prove to be the difference in the Giants’ 4-3 Opening Day victory over Brooklyn. The 22 year-old center fielder’s prodigious poke may have traveled over 600 feet if it had not been impeded by the upper left-field stands at the Polo Grounds.
On June 15, 1952, the St. Louis Cardinals set a National League comeback record by rallying from an 11-0 deficit to post a 14-12 win. The Cardinals scored seven runs in the fifth inning, three in the seventh, two in the eighth and two in the ninth to cap off the incredible comeback. The key…
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.
Monte Irvin clubs two homers off Ralph Branca as the Giants edge the Dodgers, 5 – 4. The second homer, a three-run shot in the 8th, gives the win to reliever Sheldon Jones. The Dodgers now lead the Giants by five games.
Monty Stratton, who lost a leg in a hunting accident in 1938, wins his 14th game for the Sherman Twins of the East Texas League. He will finish with 18 victories for the second-division team.
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