Closing in on the professional home run record of 69, established by Joe Hauser (Minneapolis-1938) and equaled by Bob Crues (Amarillo-1948), Joe Bauman blasts four home runs in the Roswell Rockets’ 15-9 victory over the Wichita Falls/Sweetwater Spudders to bring his total to 68. The 32 year-old slugging first baseman will finish the season with 72 homers, a record which will last until Barry Bonds surpasses the mark with by one round-tripper in 2001. -This entry was inspired by Ron Skrabacz, who was born on this date. His dad was a teammate of Joe’s in 1949 on the Elk City Elks.

This Day In Baseball

On August 31, 1954 — Closing in on the professional home run record of 69, established by Joe Hauser (Minneapolis-1938) and equaled by Bob Crues (Amarillo-1948), Joe Bauman blasts four home runs in the Roswell Rockets’ 15-9 victory over the Wichita Falls/Sweetwater Spudders to bring his total to 68. The 32 year-old slugging first baseman will finish the season with 72 homers, a record which will last until Barry Bonds surpasses the mark with by one round-tripper in 2001. -This entry was inspired by Ron Skrabacz, who was born on this date. His dad was a teammate of Joe’s in 1949 on the Elk City Elks.

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Sources:
Baseball Reference August 31
National Pastime August 31
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
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