On June 11, 1968 Roberto Clemente makes his 4th and final conquest of the Candlestick crosswind, a line drive homer over the left-field fence into the teeth of a strong wind. Chronicler Bob Stevens calls it one of the longest ever hit in that spot. The Pittsburgh Pirates proceed to pound Ray Sadecki and reliever…
Jim Lefebvre commits 4 errors in one game
On September 8, 1965, Bert Campaneris of the Kansas City A’s becomes the first major leaguer to play all nine positions in a game. Campy accomplishes the unusual feat, which was prompted by A’s’ owner Charlie Finley, during a 5-3 loss to the California Angels. Usually a shortstop, Campy catches the ninth inning and is…
When one hears of a runner being “cut down going from first to third”, what immediately springs to mind is probably not the following scenario, enacted in Houston’s Astrodome by Pirate right fielder Roberto Clemente and recounted by The Sporting News’ Les Biederman: “Clemente made an almost unheard-of assist in this game. With runners on first and second and Pirates charging for the plate, Bob Lillis pushed a bunt into the vacated shortstop position for one run. Walter Bond tried to go from first to third but Clemente, sizing up the situation quickly, came in from right field…” Second baseman Bill Mazeroski recalls: “Roberto raced in from right field, dove for the ball, and with his face in the dirt threw out the runner going to third base!” The dumbfounded Bond becomes the 8th frame’s first out while Rusty Staub scores from second, building Houston’s lead to two. Two more will score before the inning ends and yet another two in the top of the 9th. The Bucs then mount a furious 9th-inning comeback. After scoring six runs to tie the game, they win it with another run in the 11th, 7 – 6.
“The Greatest Throw Ever Made At Forbes Field!” And Roberto Clemente didn’t make it! After throwing out his onetime pupil Roberto at the plate last night, tonight Willie burns Willie… Mays vs. Stargell, that is. Giants’ beat writer Bob Stevens reports: “The Bucs scored two in their first at-bats on an error by Tito Fuentes, the rookie shortstop’s first as a major leaguer, a single by Bill Virdon, a double play ball second baseman Hal Lanier fumbled and a double to the centerfield wall by Donn Clendenon. It was here that Mays amazed again. He scooped up the ball at the base of the 406-foot sign, whirled and fired. It came in on one bounce, directly in front of catcher Tom Haller, who put it on the astonished Willie Stargell. It was described by old-timers as the greatest throw ever made in ancient Forbes Field, but it was a costly one. Mays hurt himself on the heroic effort.” Willie leaves the game in the sixth with a pulled groin and his immediate future in doubt. However, Mays will pinch-hit tomorrow and, in two days, will start both ends of the twin bill which concludes the five-game series with Pittsburgh.
Ken McMullen ties a major league record by starting four double plays in one game
On August 19, 1961 New York Yankee Roger Maris steals a home run away from Cleveland Indian Willie Kirkland, Cleveland Stadium. Kirkland’s blast came in bottom of 7th Off Whitey Ford with the Indians down 2-1, the Indians will eventually tie the game but lose 3-2 in 10. Elston Howard delivers the big hit for…
On May 10, 1960, Baltimore Orioles catcher Joe Ginsberg ties a major league record set only six days earlier by allowing three passed balls in one inning. With knuckleballing Hoyt Wilhelm on the mound, Ginsberg struggles through a fitful inning, matching the recent record set by teammate Gus Triandos. Dick Williams of the A’s belts a grand slam, as…
Phillies flychaser Wally Post becomes the first major leaguer to throw out two runners from the outfield in one inning as his team loses to the Giants, 6 – 0.
At Yankee Stadium, Yogi Berra commits an error as his errorless streak of 148 games for a catcher comes to an end in a New York 7 – 6 loss to Cleveland.
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