On December 6, 1968, Commissioner William “Spike” Eckert, sometimes referred to as the ‘Unknown Solider’, resigns under pressure from the major league owners. National League attorney Bowie Kuhn is appointed commissioner on an interim basis. Eckert, the former U.S. Air Force lieutenant general, who served as the game’s fourth commissioner from 1965-68.
The Yankees officially retire uniform number 2 in honor of Derek Jeter and unveil a plaque in his name in Monument Park at New Yankee Stadium between games of a doubleheader against the Astros. They win the opener, 11 – 6, thanks to a bases-loaded triple by Chase Headley and homers by Starlin Castro, Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner. In the nitecap, Masahiro Tanaka gives up three 1st-inning homers, including a grand slam by Alex Bregman as New York goes down, 10 – 7. George Springer homers twice for Houston which leads 9 – 0 before the Yankees score some late runs to make the game appear closer than it is. Before the games, they place closer Aroldis Chapman on the disabled list with inflammation in his left shoulder.
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May 14, 2017
