Former major league catcher Crash Davis, whose name was the inspiration for the main character of the 1988 hit movie Bull Durham, dies at the age of 82 after a yearlong bout with cancer. In the movie, which was ranked #1 as the greatest sports film of all time by Sports Illustrated, Kevin Costner portrays “Crash” as the veteran backstop of the Durham Bulls brought in to help a rookie pitcher reach the big leagues by sharing his experiences on and off the field.

The Braves acquire vet Julio Franco from the Mexico City Tigers. Franco, 40, who led the Mexican League with a .437 average, has been out of the majors since 1997. In a separate deal, the Braves pick up P Rudy Seanezfrom the Padres for a player to be named later.

The Reds rout the Pirates, 11 – 3, behind the slugging of rookie Robin Jennings. Jennings hits his first major league homer, a grand slam, in the 7-run 4th and adds a bases-loaded triple for seven RBIs.

Upon learning Danny Almonte, star pitcher of the LLWS, is 14 years old, not 12 as required by the organization’s rules, the Little League strips the Rolando Paulino All-Stars of all its wins. The team, which had captured the heart of the community, finished third in Williamsport and was given a parade in New York and honored in a pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium.

3B Bill Mueller’s walk-off home run gives the Cubs a 5 – 4 victory over the Marlins. 1B Fred McGriff hits a 3-run home run as he reaches 80 RBIs for the 14th straight season, becoming only the 2nd player in major league history to do so. Hank Aaron holds the record with 17 straight years.

Led by Eric Chavez, who drives home eight runs, the A’s defeat the Orioles, 15 – 0.

The Mariners defeat the Devil Rays, 4 – 0, giving them a major-league record 27 consecutive regular-season road series without losing a series. The old record of 26 road series without a loss was set by the 1906 Chicago Cubs.

The Diamondbacks whitewash the Giants, 2 – 0, as OF Luis Gonzalez becomes the 19th player in history to hit 50 home runs in a season.

The Cardinals down the Padres, 16 – 14, in the highest-scoring game of the season. St. Louis scores nine runs off Bobby Jones in the 2nd inning, while Ryan Klesko goes 5 for 6 for San Diego, with two home runs, two doubles, and five RBIs. One of the homers travels an estimated 472 feet, the longest by an opposing player at Busch Stadium since figures were recorded in 1988. The Cardinals score two runs on a strikeout when runners, who are breaking from first and second, score after pinch-hitter Bobby Bonilla strikes out throwing his bat down the third-base line, causing Cardinal third baseman Phil Nevin to duck to avoid being hit by the flying lumber. At the same time, catcher Ben Davis’s throw, attempting to cut down the runner at an unmanned third base, goes into left field which allows Edgar Renteria to score from second while Eli Marrero also tallies from first as left fielder Rickey Henderson misplays the ball.