The Phillies defeat the Nationals, 9 – 3, as Hunter Pence hits a pair of two-run homers in support of Cole Hamels’ pitching. Washington’s sole highlight comes in the the 1st, when rookie Bryce Harper pulls off a steal of home on a pick-off throw to first; Harper had reached base on a hit-by-pitch which Hamels later admits was a deliberate gesture aimed at the phenom’s cocky attitude after barely a week in the bigs; he will be suspended for five games as a result. In the 6th inning, RF Jayson Werth breaks his wrist in attempting a sliding catch in the outfield and will be out until August, a tough break for the Nats who have managed to stay in first place in spite of the absence of two other key players, Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse, who are both injured.

The Phillies defeat the Nationals, 9 – 3, as Hunter Pence hits a pair of two-run homers in support of Cole Hamels’ pitching. Washington’s sole highlight comes in the the 1st, when rookie Bryce Harper pulls off a steal of home on a pick-off throw to first; Harper had reached base on a hit-by-pitch which Hamels later admits was a deliberate gesture aimed at the phenom’s cocky attitude after barely a week in the bigs; he will be suspended for five games as a result. In the 6th inning, RF Jayson Werth breaks his wrist in attempting a sliding catch in the outfield and will be out until August, a tough break for the Nats who have managed to stay in first place in spite of the absence of two other key players, Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse, who are both injured.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Phillies defeat the Nationals, 9 – 3, as Hunter Pence hits a pair of two-run homers in support of Cole Hamels’ pitching. Washington’s sole highlight comes in the the 1st, when rookie Bryce Harper pulls off a steal of home on a pick-off throw to first; Harper had reached base on a hit-by-pitch which Hamels later admits was a deliberate gesture aimed at the phenom’s cocky attitude after barely a week in the bigs; he will be suspended for five games as a result. In the 6th inning, RF Jayson Werth breaks his wrist in attempting a sliding catch in the outfield and will be out until August, a tough break for the Nats who have managed to stay in first place in spite of the absence of two other key players, Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse, who are both injured.

Derek Jeter, giving a performance worthy of an Oscar, is awarded first base when the umpires determine the New York shortstop was hit by a pitch thrown by Chad Qualls. Video replay of the at-bat, that clearly shows the fastball hit the knob of the bat, prompts a national debate about the ethics demonstrated by the usually squeaky-clean Yankees captain, who admitted after the 4-3 loss to Tampa that he pretended to get hit by the pitch to get on base.

Derek Jeter, giving a performance worthy of an Oscar, is awarded first base when the umpires determine the New York shortstop was hit by a pitch thrown by Chad Qualls. Video replay of the at-bat, that clearly shows the fastball hit the knob of the bat, prompts a national debate about the ethics demonstrated by the usually squeaky-clean Yankees captain, who admitted after the 4-3 loss to Tampa that he pretended to get hit by the pitch to get on base.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Derek Jeter, giving a performance worthy of an Oscar, is awarded first base when the umpires determine the New York shortstop was hit by a pitch thrown by Chad Qualls. Video replay of the at-bat, that clearly shows the fastball hit the knob of the bat, prompts a national debate about the ethics demonstrated by the usually squeaky-clean Yankees captain, who admitted after the 4-3 loss to Tampa that he pretended to get hit by the pitch to get on base.

2005 – Houston drills Colorado, 7-1, as Roy Oswalt wins his 10th of the year. Morgan Ensberg blasts his 20th homer and Jason Lane belts his 13th. But the day’s headline belongs to Craig Biggio who is hit in the elbow by Byung-Hyun Kim to claim the modern day career record for being hit by a pitch. It’s his 268th plunking, passing Don Baylor. He’s third on the all-time list. Biggio thanks the Rockies with a solo homer his next time up. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

2005 – Houston drills Colorado, 7-1, as Roy Oswalt wins his 10th of the year. Morgan Ensberg blasts his 20th homer and Jason Lane belts his 13th. But the day’s headline belongs to Craig Biggio who is hit in the elbow by Byung-Hyun Kim to claim the modern day career record for being hit by a pitch. It’s his 268th plunking, passing Don Baylor. He’s third on the all-time list. Biggio thanks the Rockies with a solo homer his next time up. 

Adam Everett is hit in the face by a fastball from Toronto’s Miguel Batista

ByThis Day in Baseball

2004 – In a scene that gave Astro veterans flashbacks, shortstop Adam Everett is hit in the face by a fastball from Toronto’s Miguel Batista. Fortunately, the throw glances off Everett’s shoulder before striking him in the mouth, unlike the blow that another Houston shortstop, Dickie Thon, took in 1984 that significantly altered his career. Bloodied and sore, Everett leaves the game, a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays, but returns before the regular season began. 

Hal Morris chooses the Reds song for the year U Can’t Touch This
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Hal Morris chooses the Reds song for the year U Can’t Touch This

ByThis Day in Baseball

Keeping with the team’s tradition of having a rookie select the music, Reds freshman first baseman Hal Morris picks U Can’t Touch This, following the Opening Day 8-4 extra-inning victory at the Astrodome. The iconic MC Hammer tune will become the team’s mantra and the unofficial theme song for the eventual world champs.

Bud Black

Bud Black of the Cleveland Indians epitomizes the phrase “wild left-hander” when he hits three California Angels batters with pitches in one inning

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 8, 1988, Bud Black of the Cleveland Indians epitomizes the phrase “wild left-hander” when he hits three California Angels batters with pitches in one inning, tying a major league record. Black hits Jack Howell, Devon White, and Johnny Ray in the fourth inning of a 10-6 loss to the Angels. Bert Blyleven will match


The Andre Dawson gets hit in face by Eric Show and benchs clear
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The Andre Dawson gets hit in face by Eric Show and benchs clear

ByThis Day in Baseball

July 7, 1987 – After Andre Dawson had homered in the first off San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher Eric Show, Show comes up and in on Dawson hitting him in the face, in his next at-bat in the 3rd inning, touching off a bench-clearing brawl at Wrigley. Show had already given up five runs and


Don Baylor is plunked by Rick Rhoden and becomes the all-time leader in being hit by pitches

Don Baylor is plunked by Rick Rhoden and becomes the all-time leader in being hit by pitches

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 28, 1987, At Yankee Stadium the talk of the day was all about Yankee starter Rich Rhoden and scuffing baseballs. Baseballs were constantly checked throughout the contest, a 6-2 Red Sox victory. In the 6th inning, Don Baylor of the Boston Red Sox moves past Ron Hunt when he is plunked by a


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1986 – Boston’s Don Baylor sets an American League record when he is hit by a pitch for the 25th time‚ breaking the season record he held with Bill Freehan (1968) and Kid Elberfeld (1911). The Royals’ Bud Black does the plunking in a 5 – 1 win. Baylor will end the season being hit 35 times: the modern major league record is 50 by Ron Hunt.

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1986 – Boston’s Don Baylor sets an American League record when he is hit by a pitch for the 25th time‚ breaking the season record he held with Bill Freehan (1968) and Kid Elberfeld (1911). The Royals’ Bud Black does the plunking in a 5 – 1 win. Baylor will end the season being hit 35 times: the modern major league record is 50 by Ron Hunt.

Houston Astros shortstop Dickie Thon is hit in the face by a Mike Torrez pitch

Houston Astros shortstop Dickie Thon is hit in the face by a Mike Torrez pitch

ByThis Day in Baseball

In a 3 – 1 loss to the Mets, Houston Astros shortstop Dickie Thon is hit in the face by a Mike Torrez pitch that breaks the orbital bone around his eye. Thon will be operated on April 11th, but will miss the rest of the season. When he returns, the All-Star SS will be plagued with blurred vision and be relegated to a back-up role for some time.