In a game which lasts only one hour and thirty-three minutes, the St. Louis Cardinals tie a franchise record for the quickest nine-inning game played in their history, beating the Dodgers at Busch Stadium, 1 – 0. The game also marks a victory for Ken Boyer in his managerial debut, after replacing Vern Rapp who was fired four days ago.

ByBaseball

In a game which lasts only one hour and thirty-three minutes, the St. Louis Cardinals tie a franchise record for the quickest nine-inning game played in their history, beating the Dodgers at Busch Stadium, 1 – 0. The game also marks a victory for Ken Boyer in his managerial debut, after replacing Vern Rapp who was fired four days ago.

ozzie smith barehanded play

ozzie smith barehanded play

ByThis Day in Baseball

Padres’ rookie Ozzie Smith, a future Hall of Famer due to his defensive prowess at short, makes what he will rate as his best play ever when he dives to his left to field a grounder hit by Jeff Burroughs of Atlanta. Although the ball takes a bad hop and scoots behind the ‘Wizard’s’ head, he promptly sticks out his bare right hand, snagging the ball before popping to his feet to get the out at first base.

1978 – Nolan Ryan of the California Angels strikes out 15 batters for the 20th time in his career, but leaves in the 9th inning without a decision. The Seattle Mariners prevails over the Angels, 6 – 5, in the 12th.

ByTom

1978 – Nolan Ryan of the California Angels strikes out 15 batters for the 20th time in his career, but leaves in the 9th inning without a decision. The Seattle Mariners prevails over the Angels, 6 – 5, in the 12th.

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1978 – A Hollywood ending helps Houston subdue the Dodgers, 8-6. With two on against Ken Forsch in the bottom of the ninth, Ron Cey lines to Bob Watson who steps on first to double off Reggie Smith. Watson spins and throws to Roger Metzger at second who beats Bill Russell to the bag to complete the game-ending triple play. Joe Ferguson’s three-run homer in the eighth had given the Astros their lead.

ByTom

1978 – A Hollywood ending helps Houston subdue the Dodgers, 8-6. With two on against Ken Forsch in the bottom of the ninth, Ron Cey lines to Bob Watson who steps on first to double off Reggie Smith. Watson spins and throws to Roger Metzger at second who beats Bill Russell to the bag to complete the game-ending triple play. Joe Ferguson’s three-run homer in the eighth had given the Astros their lead.

After getting ahead in the count 3-0, Reggie Jackson, knowing he has a green light to hit away, feigns to be upset by getting a bogus take sign from third base coach Dick Howser. Oriole right-hander Tippy Martinez, deceived by the batter’s behavior, grooves a fastball down the middle of the plate that the Yankee slugger promptly puts over the fence, giving the Yankees a 4-3 walk-off victory.

ByTom

After getting ahead in the count 3-0, Reggie Jackson, knowing he has a green light to hit away, feigns to be upset by getting a bogus take sign from third base coach Dick Howser. Oriole right-hander Tippy Martinez, deceived by the batter’s behavior, grooves a fastball down the middle of the plate that the Yankee slugger promptly puts over the fence, giving the Yankees a 4-3 walk-off victory.

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4/15/1978: Oscar Gamble of San Diego hit a two-run homer in the first inning off the Giants’ Ed Halicki with one out. The game, at San Diego, was called in the fourth inning because of rain.

ByThis Day in Baseball

4/15/1978: Oscar Gamble of San Diego hit a two-run homer in the first inning off the Giants’ Ed Halicki with one out. The game, at San Diego, was called in the fourth inning because of rain.

In New York’s Opening Day 4-2 victory over Chicago, Reggie Jackson hits a three-run homer in the first inning, his fourth consecutive round-tripper at Yankee Stadium, after going deep three times in last year’s Fall Classic finale. The game is delayed as the crowd celebrates by showering the field with Reggie! Bars, a chocolate and peanut candy bar with a picture of the slugger swinging a bat, that was given to every fan entering the game.

ByTom

In New York’s Opening Day 4-2 victory over Chicago, Reggie Jackson hits a three-run homer in the first inning, his fourth consecutive round-tripper at Yankee Stadium, after going deep three times in last year’s Fall Classic finale. The game is delayed as the crowd celebrates by showering the field with Reggie! Bars, a chocolate and peanut candy bar with a picture of the slugger swinging a bat, that was given to every fan entering the game.

The Milwaukee Brewers complete a stunning season-opening, three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles by scores of 11 – 3, 16 – 3, and 13 – 5. Sixto Lezcano, Gorman Thomas, and Cecil Cooper provided the Brewers with a grand slam in each game to set a major league record.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Milwaukee Brewers complete a stunning season-opening, three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles by scores of 11 – 3, 16 – 3, and 13 – 5. Sixto Lezcano, Gorman Thomas, and Cecil Cooper provided the Brewers with a grand slam in each game to set a major league record.

The Expos reveal their new mascot named Souki, an odd looking character wearing an Expos uniform below a giant baseball head that has antennae. The Mr. Met-like figure, whose rights sells for fifty dollars, will be released after one season, after proving to be unpopular with the fans due to his strange looks and quirky behavior.

ByBaseball

The Expos reveal their new mascot named Souki, an odd looking character wearing an Expos uniform below a giant baseball head that has antennae. The Mr. Met-like figure, whose rights sells for fifty dollars, will be released after one season, after proving to be unpopular with the fans due to his strange looks and quirky behavior.