On the trading deadline, the first-place Giants make the most significant move, acquiring Sidney Ponson (14-6, 3.77) from the Orioles in exchange for their former first-round draft pick Kurt Ainsworth, Damian Moss, and southpaw prospect Ryan Hannaman. The 26 year-old right-hander, who will go 3-6 down the stretch for San Francisco, will join the rotation that includes Jason Schmidt, Kirk Rueter, Jesse Foppert, Jerome Williams, and Jim Brower.

ByBaseball

On the trading deadline, the first-place Giants make the most significant move, acquiring Sidney Ponson (14-6, 3.77) from the Orioles in exchange for their former first-round draft pick Kurt Ainsworth, Damian Moss, and southpaw prospect Ryan Hannaman. The 26 year-old right-hander, who will go 3-6 down the stretch for San Francisco, will join the rotation that includes Jason Schmidt, Kirk Rueter, Jesse Foppert, Jerome Williams, and Jim Brower.

Battling a 5-for-36 slump, Jose Valentin hits three home runs in a 15-4 victory over the Royals. The White Sox shortstop becomes the first switch-hitter in baseball history to have three-homer games in both the American and National Leagues, having accomplished the feat with the Brewers in 1998.

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Battling a 5-for-36 slump, Jose Valentin hits three home runs in a 15-4 victory over the Royals. The White Sox shortstop becomes the first switch-hitter in baseball history to have three-homer games in both the American and National Leagues, having accomplished the feat with the Brewers in 1998.

The Cubs obtain center fielder Doug Glanville from the Rangers in exchange for cash and outfielder/first baseman prospect Jason Fransz, who will not appear in a major league game. The Chicago flychaser will play in only 28 games, hitting just .235 for his new ball club.

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The Cubs obtain center fielder Doug Glanville from the Rangers in exchange for cash and outfielder/first baseman prospect Jason Fransz, who will not appear in a major league game. The Chicago flychaser will play in only 28 games, hitting just .235 for his new ball club.

Bill Mueller becomes the first switch-hitter, batting both left and right-handed, to blast two grand slams in the same game. Not known for his power, the Red Sox third baseman, batting eighth in the Boston lineup, also goes deep in the third inning, collecting 9 RBIs in the team’s 14-7 victory the Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington.

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Bill Mueller becomes the first switch-hitter, batting both left and right-handed, to blast two grand slams in the same game. Not known for his power, the Red Sox third baseman, batting eighth in the Boston lineup, also goes deep in the third inning, collecting 9 RBIs in the team’s 14-7 victory the Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington.

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2003 – Catcher Gary Carter is inducted in the Hall of Fame in a ceremony held in Cooperstown, NY, wearing a Montreal Expos cap on his plaque. There was some controversy over whether he would go in as an Expo or as a member of the New York Mets, but the Hall of Fame made the final decision shortly after his election was announced in January.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2003 – Catcher Gary Carter is inducted in the Hall of Fame in a ceremony held in Cooperstown, NY, wearing a Montreal Expos cap on his plaque. There was some controversy over whether he would go in as an Expo or as a member of the New York Mets, but the Hall of Fame made the final decision shortly after his election was announced in January.

At Dodger Stadium, Vladimir Guerrero hit his 226th career home run, breaking Andre Dawson’s club record. The Expos’ right fielder hits his milestone round-tripper off Odalis Perez, a 454-foot blast over the left-field wall.

ByBaseball

At Dodger Stadium, Vladimir Guerrero hit his 226th career home run, breaking Andre Dawson’s club record. The Expos’ right fielder hits his milestone round-tripper off Odalis Perez, a 454-foot blast over the left-field wall.

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Jeff Bagwell smashes two home runs, including the 400th of his career, as the Astros sweep the Reds, 6-3 . . Bagwell also provides a sacrifice fly to give him four RBIs. He becomes the 35th player in Major League history to reach the 400-HR mark, while extending his own franchise record. 

ByTom

Jeff Bagwell smashes two home runs, including the 400th of his career, as the Astros sweep the Reds, 6-3 . . Bagwell also provides a sacrifice fly to give him four RBIs. He becomes the 35th player in Major League history to reach the 400-HR mark, while extending his own franchise record. 

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2003 – Lance Berkman, Richard Hidalgo and Morgan Ensberg spank back-to-back-to-back home runs off Jimmy Haynes in Cincinnati then hold on for a 9-8 triumph. Berkman has two homers and five RBIs. Ron Villone watches a 9-1 lead evaporate in the final two innings before Octavio Dotel fans the final two batters for the save. 

ByTom

2003 – Lance Berkman, Richard Hidalgo and Morgan Ensberg spank back-to-back-to-back home runs off Jimmy Haynes in Cincinnati then hold on for a 9-8 triumph. Berkman has two homers and five RBIs. Ron Villone watches a 9-1 lead evaporate in the final two innings before Octavio Dotel fans the final two batters for the save. 

The Yankees send pitching prospects Jason Anderson, Anderson Garcia and Ryan Bicondoa to the Mets for hard-throwing embattled closer, Armando Benitez. The 30-year-old All-Star reliever, who is slated to be the set-up man for closer Mariano Rivera, has blown 7 of 28 save opportunities this year and has been object of much booing at Shea Stadium.

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The Yankees send pitching prospects Jason Anderson, Anderson Garcia and Ryan Bicondoa to the Mets for hard-throwing embattled closer, Armando Benitez. The 30-year-old All-Star reliever, who is slated to be the set-up man for closer Mariano Rivera, has blown 7 of 28 save opportunities this year and has been object of much booing at Shea Stadium.

At the age of 77, Minnie Minoso becomes the first player to play professional baseball in seven decades. The Cuban native, who had a 16-year big league career which ended in 1964(with brief resumptions in 1976 and 1980), walks as the designated hitter for the St. Paul Saints against the Gary SouthShore RailCats in independent Northern League action.

ByBaseball

At the age of 77, Minnie Minoso becomes the first player to play professional baseball in seven decades. The Cuban native, who had a 16-year big league career which ended in 1964(with brief resumptions in 1976 and 1980), walks as the designated hitter for the St. Paul Saints against the Gary SouthShore RailCats in independent Northern League action.