Major League Baseball Season Recap 1968

World Series – Detriot Tigers AL over St. Louis Cardinals NL 4 games to 3

World Series MVP – Mickey Lolich
Babe Ruth Award – Mickey Lolich

Awards –
Major League Cy Young Award Cy Young Award National League Bob Gibson Cy Young Award American League Denny Mclain
MVP Awards – NL Bob Gibson AL Denny Mclain
Major League Rookie of The Year –
NL Rookie of The Year – Johnny Bench AL Rookie of The Year – Stan Bahnsen

All-Star Game – July 9th – N.L. 1 over A.L. 0, played at Astrodome (NL)
AL Starter L. Tiant NL Starter D. Drysdale+ MVP Willie Mays

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January 11, 1968

In a trade of outfielders, the St. Louis Cardinals send Alex Johnson to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Dick Simpson.

January 11, 1968

Ewing Kauffman becomes the owner of the new American League franchise in Kansas City to be eventually known as the Royals. The pharmaceutical magnate, encouraged by his wife Muriel, becomes an instrumental force in bringing a quality major league baseball experience to the Heart of America, after Charlie Finley’s stormy departure to Oakland with the unpopular A’s team.

January 23, 1968

Outfielder Joe Medwick is voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

January 28, 1968

Goose Goslin and Kiki Cuyler are elected into the Hall of Fame by a unanimous vote of the Veterans Committee

February 5, 1968

Second baseman Roberto Alomar is born in Ponce, Puerto Rico

February 6, 1968

Voters in King County, Washington approve a $40 million bond issue to build a domed, multipurpose stadium.

February 8, 1968

Cincinnati Reds trade catcher Johnny Edwards future major league skippers

February 13, 1968

The Chicago White Sox send shortstop Ron Hansen  to the Washington Senators in 5 player deal

February 21, 1968

Major league owners and the Players Association sign the first “Basic Agreement” in the game’s history

February 28, 1968

1968 – Lena Blackburne dies in Riverside, New Jersey, at age 81. A former major league infielder and manager, Blackburne has been the source for his eponymous rubbing mud, used by umpires in both leagues to rub down new balls. He leaves the mud business to his boyhood friend, John Haas.

March 7, 1968

1968 – Jeff Kent is born in Bellflower, CA. The former National League MVP bats .292 and averages 24 homers and 100 RBIs during his two seasons in Houston (2003,2004). He also provides one of the most memorable homers in Astros playoff history to win Game 5 of the 2004 N.L.C.S. 

March 21, 1968

One of the two American League expansion teams announces its nickname, The Kansas City “Royals”

March 23, 1968

1968 – In a spring training game, Chicago Cubs pitcher Jim Ellis creates the “Lip Pass” by going to his mouth on a 3 and 1 count to issue an intentional walk. Cubs manager Leo Durocher, who was opposed to the new strict enforcement of the rule preventing pitchers from going to their mouth while on the rubber, is warned not to repeat the Lip pass or he’ll be fined. He doesn’t, but the rule is relaxed.

March 31, 1968

Seattle expansion franchise announces that it will be called the Pilots

April 1, 1968

The Braves purchase Stu Miller from the Orioles

April 1, 1968

Pitcher Bo Belinsky is sold to the Chicago White Sox

April 2, 1968

1968 – Tony Conigliaro returns to the Boston Red Sox with vision trouble. He will miss the entire season, a consequence of his beaning last year.

April 3, 1968

The Tigers trade left-hander Hank Aguirre to the Dodgers for a player to be named later, minor leaguer Fred Moulder

April 4, 1968

Due to today’s assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, most of the major league teams will decide to postpone their Opening Day games until the reverend’s funeral takes place in five days. Surprisingly, the Dodgers, at first, are the notable exception, even though the Phillies, their opponents on April 9th, say they will forfeit rather than play on the national day of mourning.

April 4, 1968

Jackie Robinson on Dr. Martin Luther King

April 8, 1968

Opening Day postponed after Martin Luther King, Jr assasinated

April 9, 1968

In Atlanta, Georgia, Bill Veeck is among the crowd of marchers taking part in Martin Luther King’s funeral procession that is held five days after the civil rights leader is slain in Memphis. The former owner of the Browns, Indians, and White Sox, who spent 15 hours standing in line to pay his respect to JFK at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in 1963, walks the entire three-and-a-half mile route from Ebenezer Baptist Church to Morehouse College on his wooden leg without the aid of crutches.

April 10, 1968

Roberto Clemente shines on opening day despite Pirates loss and guns down rookie Hal King  

April 10, 1968

1968 – Houston wins the season opener over Pittsburgh, 5-4. The season was delayed due to the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Astros score three in the bottom of the ninth as a rare error by Bill Mazeroski on a foul pop proves critical. 

April 13, 1968

Looking back on his career some 30 years later, Willie Mays will recall being gunned down going from first to third exactly once by Roberto Clemente 

April 14, 1968

Jim Bunning first pitcher since cy young to record 1000 strikeouts in both leagues

April 14, 1968

New York Mets pitcher Nolan Ryan earns the first of his 324 major league victories

April 15, 1968

The longest shutout in major league history is played at the Astrodome

April 17, 1968

In their first game at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, the newly arrived A’s lose to the Orioles, 4-1. The team, which played in Kansas City last season, is shut down by Baltimore southpaw Dave McNally on two-hits.

April 19, 1968

Frank Coggins hits the first triple at the Oakland Coliseum

April 20, 1968

Jon Warden picks up his 3rd win

April 21, 1968

1968 – Roberto Clemente comes within a hair’s breadth of hitting inside-the-park home runs in consecutive innings. Ironically, his 4th-inning home run is basically a single plus the kind of bounce that typically plagues “in-” rather than “out-” fielders in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The Sporting News’ Les Biederman elaborates: “He hit a ‘single’ to right-center off Lindy McDaniel but as Ty Cline set himself, the ball took a big bounce over his head and rolled to the wall. Clemente circled the bases standing up.” This fluke four-bagger provides a stark contrast to the previous inning’s bomb: “His 3rd-inning triple landed on top of the batting cage at the 457-foot sign on the center field wall, a tremendous blast… Clemente said he didn’t turn on the gas because he was the leadoff batter and figured if he could get as far as third base, it would be fine. ‘With nobody out, I didn’t want to take a chance,’ he added. ‘When I turned second base and saw Alex Grammas give me the green light, I kept going. It had to be a perfect relay to get me.'”

April 23, 1968

The Chicago Cubs acquire outfielder Jim Hickman and relief pitcher Phil Regan from the Los Angeles Dodgers

April 27, 1968

Tom Phoebus of the Baltimore Orioles pitches a 6 – 0 no hitter against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Third baseman Brooks Robinson drives in three runs and makes a great catch to rob Rico Petrocelli of a hit in the 8th inning.

May 1, 1968

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher John Boozer is ejected by umpire Ed Vargo at Shea Stadium for throwing spitballs during his warmup pitches. Boozer is only the second major league pitcher to be ejected from a game for this.

May 4, 1968

The Simon and Garfunkel tune “Mrs. Robinson” debuts on the Billboard’s Top 40. The song’s lyrics include the memorable question for the Yankees’ former center fielder, “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.”

May 6, 1968

1968 – Judge Roy Hofheinz gives San Francisco’s Willie Mays a 569-lb. cake for his 37th birthday. Rusty Staub serves the dessert with six RBIs in a 10-2 Houston win.

May 6, 1968

Willie Mays gets a 569 Pound birthday cake

May 8, 1968

Catfish Hunter fires first perfect game in AL in 46 years

May 9, 1968

Full Radio Broadcast 1968 05 09 Boston Red Sox vs Washington Senators

May 10, 1968

Denny McLain wins 12 – 1 at Washington, as the Tigers pass the first-place Orioles. Detroit will remain in the lead for the rest of the season.

May 15, 1968

The first American League game played in Milwaukee since 1901 is a 4 – 2 California win against Chicago before 23,403 fans. Rain shortens the game to five innings. This is the first of the nine games the White Sox will play in Milwaukee this year.

May 15, 1968

Steve Carlton outduels Steve Blass as St. Louis edges Pittsburgh, 1 – 0, giving the defending World Champs their 4th win in 5 tries and leaving them atop the National League at 20-10, 3 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco. In the next two weeks, the Cards will go into their only significant slump of the season; by May 29th, they’ll have lost 11 of 13 and fallen to 4th place, 3 behind the league-leading Giants.

May 16, 1968

In Los Angeles, the Cubs’ Rich Nye tops Don Sutton, 1 – 0, in a “Year of the Pitcher” special.

May 16, 1968

Frank Howard ties the American League record for most home runs (7) in a four-game stretch

May 17, 1968

1968 – First baseman Rusty Staub visits Larry Dierker at the mound during a 6-0 loss in Los Angeles. Absent-mindedly, he spits on the ball while standing on the hill. Zoilo Versalles has a three-ball count and Staub’s miscue becomes an automatic ball four. Versalles eventually scores. 

May 18, 1968

Bill Mazeroski of the Pittsburgh Pirates plays his 392nd straight game, setting a record for National League second basemen, in an 8 – 3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

May 18, 1968

Washington Senators slugger Frank Howard ties an American League record by homering in his sixth consecutive game

May 19, 1968

1968 – Astros take no prisoners in a doubleheader sweep at Los Angeles, 2-1 and 3-1. In the nightcap, while walking down to first, Jim Wynn points out a snake in the basepath. Coach Mel McGaha gets a bat and beats the viper to death. Denny Lemaster and Mike Cuellar hypnotize the Dodgers with complete-game victories.

May 19, 1968

Frank Howard’s home run streak comes to an end

May 20, 1968

California Angels shortstop Jim Fregosi hits for the cycle during a 5 – 4 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The cycle is the second of Fregosi’s career, tying him with several other players for the major league record.

May 20, 1968

Jim Fregosi ties record hits for the cycle

May 21, 1968

The Cubs climb above the .500 mark the first time all season with a 6 – 5 win over the Phillies. Chicago’s Billy Williams sets a new record for outfielders by playing his 695th straight game.

May 22, 1968

The Cards fall 2 – 0, to the Dodgers as Don Drysdale’s streak reaches three consecutive scoreless games.

May 22, 1968

At Wrigley Field, Pirates slugger Willie Stargell hits three home runs and just misses a fourth in a 13 – 6 rout over the Cubs. “Pops” also hits a single and a double which bounces off the railing in left field fence back onto the playing field.

May 22, 1968

Willie Stargell has 3 homers and just misses a 4th when his drive bounces off the bleacher railing for a double

May 22, 1968

1968 – Dave Giusti tosses a two-hitter in a nail-biting 1-0 shutout in Cincinnati. The first hit, with two out in the eighth, is questionable after Pete Rose’s bloop escapes Jim Wynn’s glove. Vada Pinson later gets a clean double. Rusty Staub singles home Ron Davisfor the only run. 

May 22, 1968

Willie Stargell narrowly misses 4 homerun game

May 27, 1968

Major League Baseball expands outside the confines of the United States as the National League announces expansion for the first time in seven years, awarding franchises to Montreal as well as San Diego, to begin play next season.

May 27, 1968

Future Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Frank Thomas are both born on this day

May 27, 1968

San Diego and Montreal are awarded NL expansion teams for 1969

May 28, 1968

American League owners agree to divide the circuit into two divisions and reduce its schedule to 156 games. The following divisional alignment is set for the 1969 season: Eastern Division: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Washington Senators. Western Division: California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Pilots.

May 29, 1968

The defending World Champion St. Louis Cardinals continue to struggle, losing their 11th out of 13, 2 – 1, to Juan Marichal and the Giants. In the past two weeks, they have virtually traded places with today’s opponent, falling from 1st place on May 15th, 3 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco, to 3 games behind today (actually in 4th place behind Philly and Atlanta as well). From this point forward, however, the Cards will catch fire; by August 1st, a 2 – 1 win will give them 49 victories out of their last 64 games and leave them 15 games ahead of their nearest National League competitor.

May 31, 1968

Don Drysdale appears to end when he hits Dick Dietz with a bases-loaded pitch in the ninth inning

June 1, 1968

Joe Hoerner ties NL strikeout record for relief pitcher

June 1, 1968

1968 – Bill Hands of the Cubs outduels Don Wilson for a 3-1 decision at the Dome but it’s definitely not the most newsworthy event that day. Judge Hofheinz opens Astroworld right across the Loop 610 freeway, featuring rides and  In the Texas can-do spirit of the times, outdoor seating areas are air conditioned. exhibits. 

June 4, 1968

Don Drysdale pitches his sixth straight shutout-a major league record

June 4, 1968

At Wrigley Field‚ the Mets’ Jerry Koosman strikes out the leadoff Cub for his 7th straight strikeout‚ then wins, 2 – 0.

June 4, 1968

Ewing Kauffman signs a 4-year lease for the Royals to play in Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium.

June 4, 1968

Fresco Thompson succeeds Buzzie Bavasi as general manager of the Dodgers. Bavasi will run the new National League club in San Diego.

June 4, 1968

In LA’s Ambassador Hotel, Robert Kennedy, giving his victory speech for his win in the California primary before being fatally shot, tells his followers in the packed ballroom, “I like to express my high regard to Don Drysdale, who pitched his sixth straight shutout tonight. And I hope we can have as good fortune in our campaign.” At nearby Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers right-hander had blanked the Bucs, 6-0, extending his scoreless streak to 54 innings.

June 6, 1968

The day after Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles, Maury Wills refuses to play in a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers, his former team. The 35 year-old Pirate shortstop stays in the Chavez Ravine training room, reading RFK’s book, To Seek a New World.

June 6, 1968

Houston pass on Thurman Munson and select catcher Martin Cott of Buffalo, NY in the first round of the June draft

June 7, 1968

1968 – A bid for a no-hitter by the Oakland Athletics’ Blue Moon Odom is spoiled by Davey Johnson, who singles with two outs in the 9th inning. Odom tops Baltimore, 6 – 1.

June 8, 1968

Major League baseball suspends play after New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated

June 8, 1968

Don Drysdale’s major league record streak of consecutive scoreless innings comes to an end

June 8, 1968

Bat Day at Candlestick Park is postponed when the Mets refuse to play their scheduled game in San Francisco, out of respect for recently assassinated New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy, whose funeral is being held today. Prompted by baseball commissioner William Eckert’s edict to cancel games only taking place in New York and Washington, the team, led by first baseman Ed Kranepool, had voted to take this action, even under the threat of forfeiting the contest, a decision that is fully supported by manager Gil Hodges and the organization.

June 9, 1968

Rusty Staub and Bob Aspromonte protest by benching themselves after Robert F. Kennedy is killed two months later by an assassin’s bullet..

June 10, 1968

Bob Aspromonte and Rusty Staub of the Houston Astros are fined when they refuse to play in the aftermath of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy

June 10, 1968

American League games at Baltimore and Chicago are postponed‚ as mourning for Robert Kennedy continues. Astros Rusty Staub and Bob Aspromonte are fined for not playing. Pittsburgh’s Maury Wills also refuses to play and is reportedly punished.

June 11, 1968

Roberto Clemente hits one of longest ever hit in Candlestick

June 11, 1968

The Reds trade Milt Pappas in 7 player deal

June 13, 1968

With the score tied 5 – 5 and two on in the 6th inning, the Giants’ Willie Mays smashes a line drive into right field; Pittsburgh RF Roberto Clemente makes an amazing leap, glove above the railing, crashes into the wire fence and comes down with the ball. Pittsburgh wins the wild game, 8 – 7, as the Giants rally for two runs in the bottom of the 9th, but pitcher Ray Sadecki, pinch-hitting for Bill Henry, strikes out against Roy Face with the bases loaded to end the game.

June 15, 1968

The Phillies fire manager Gene Mauch and replace him with Bob Skinner, skipper of the team’s farm club in San Diego. ‘The Little General’, who is best remembered for being at the helm during the club’s infamous collapse in 1964, compiled a 646-684 (.486) record during his 8+year tenure with Philadelphia.

June 20, 1968

The Cubs lose to the Cardinals, 1 – 0, for their 5th shutout in a row. During the streak, Fergie Jenkins allows one run in 18 innings, and comes away with a loss and a no-decision, possibly making him rue the low offensive levels of the Year of the Pitcher.

June 20, 1968

Dodger rookie Jim Fairey makes his first major league homer a good one, a blast off Pittsburgh’s Elroy Face to give Los Angeles a 3 – 2 win. The loss snaps Pittsburgh’s 9-game win streak.

June 21, 1968

It’s been a bad week for the Cubs, but they end their scoreless streak at 48 innings, tying a major league mark set in 1906, beating the Reds, 3 – 2, behind Joe Niekro. George Culveris the losing pitcher, allowing the Cubs’ first score in the 3rd inning when he gives up a walk with the sacks full. The five straight shutout losses also tie a league mark. The streak started on June 15th, the final eight innings of a loss to Atlanta and continued with the following games: a 1 – 0 loss to Phil Niekro in 11 innings; a 1 – 0 loss to the Cards’ Nellie Briles; a 4 – 0 one-hittertossed by Steve Carlton and a 1 – 0 loss to Bob Gibson. During the drought, Fergie Jenkins allows one run in 18 innings but is charged with a loss and a no-decision.

June 23, 1968

At Crosley Field, the Reds tip the Cubs, 9 – 8, when Don Pavletich hits a two-out, two-run double in the 9th inning.

June 23, 1968

Cleveland’s Luis Tiant tosses his fifth shutout in six games, topping the Tigers, 3 – 0, on nine strikeouts.

June 24, 1968

At Cleveland Stadium Detroit RF Jim Northrup becomes the 6th American League player to hit two grand slams in one game, connecting in the 5th inning off Eddie Fisher and in the 6th off Billy Rohr, as the Tigers bomb Cleveland, 14 – 3. Denny McLain is the victor. First baseman Willie Smith pitches the last three innings, walking just one and allowing one hit and no runs. Detroit’s Don Wert is taken to the hospital following a 6th inning beaning which shatters his batting helmet. He will miss just a few games.

June 24, 1968

Jim Northrup, who had struck out with the bases loaded in the first inning, becomes the sixth big leaguer to hit two grand slams in the same game. The ‘Slammer’s’ power surge in the fifth (off Eddie Fisher) and sixth (off Billy Rohr) frames enables the Tigers to rout the Indians at Cleveland Stadium, 14-3.

June 25, 1968

San Francisco Giant rookie Bobby Bonds becomes the second player to hit a grand slam in his first major league game

June 26, 1968

Bob Gibson threw his fifth consecutive shutout

June 26, 1968

1968 – Dave Giusti gives up first-inning singles to Chicago’s Don Kessinger and Glenn Beckert then goes the rest of the game without allowing a hit for a 2-1 triumph. He also provides the game-winner, singling in Bob Watson. Jim Wynn’s solo homer off Bill Hands is the other Houston run.

June 29, 1968

In San Francisco, Reds pitcher Gary Nolan hurls a 4-hit shutout and hits a 3-run homer as the Reds win, 4 – 0. Nolan’s homer, off Ray Sadecki, is the only one of his big league career.

June 29, 1968

The Red Sox finally score on Luis Tiant, but Cleveland tops Boston, 8 – 1. Tiant strikes out 13 in the win.

June 29, 1968

In the first game of a doubleheader, Mickey Mantle ties the score with a 2-run homer in the 6th, but rookie Reggie Jackson breaks the tie in the 8th with his 9th homer of the year. The A’s win, 5 – 2.

June 29, 1968

Jim Northrup of the Detroit Tigers sets a major league record by hitting his second grand slam of the week and ties a record by hitting his third slam of the month

July 1, 1968

A 1st-inning wild pitch that eludes backup catcher Johnny Edwards allows a run to break Bob Gibson’s streak of 47 2/3 innings of scoreless pitching (in which he allows just 21 hits). The Cards beat Don Drysdale and the Dodgers in Los Angeles, 8 – 1. Gibson will pitch 23 innings before giving up another run.

July 1, 1968

Bob Gibson’s scoreless inning streak ends abruptly at 47 with a questionable call when the official scorer rules a wild pitch, and not a passed ball, allowed Len Gabrielson to score in the first inning of the Cardinals’ 5-1 victory over the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. Without the hometown decision, the Redbird right-hander, who will blank San Francisco in his next start, would have been within three innings of breaking the mark of 58 scoreless frames established in June by Don Drysdale, tonight’s losing pitcher.

July 3, 1968

Luis Tiant strikes out nineteen Twins and scatters six hits in a ten-inning 1-0 complete-game victory against Minnesota at Cleveland Stadium. ‘El Tiante’, who equals Sandy Koufax’s record for 41 strikeouts for three consecutive games, becomes the second hurler to whiff more than 18 batters in an American League contest, behind only Tom Cheney of the Senators, who recorded more when he punched out 21 Baltimore batters in a 16-inning game in 1962.

July 5, 1968

1968 – Ex-Brave Denis Menke tags ex-Astro Claude Raymond with a three-run bomb in the ninth to topple Atlanta, 13-9. Doug Rader follows with a solo shot. John Bateman and Rusty Staub had earlier home runs. Another former Brave, Wade Blasingame, shuts the door in the ninth.

July 7, 1968

Phil Regan picks up two wins in relief for the second time this season as the Cubs sweep the Pirates, 5 – 4 and 4 – 3, edging Bob Veale and Elroy Face. Regan won a pair on April 21st for the Dodgers, and no other reliever has ever won a pair twice in a season. The Vulture will the top the National League with 12 relief wins and 25 saves.

July 7, 1968

Denny McLain wins his 16, helps Detroit take a 9 1/2 game lead in the American League at the All-Star break

July 9, 1968

The National League wins the 1968 All Star Game 1-0 at the Astrodome

July 10, 1968

Hank Bauer is fired as manager of the Orioles. He is replaced by Earl Weaver.

July 10, 1968

The American League and National League reach an agreement on next year’s expansion format. The twelve teams in each league will be divided into two divisions playing a best-of-five games League Championship Series to determine the pennant winner.

July 10, 1968

The American League and National League agree on next year’s expansion and playoff format. Each league will divide their twelve teams into two six-team divisions

July 11, 1968

Baltimore Orioles name future Hall of Famer Earl Weaver their manager

July 11, 1968

Chicago Cubs P Bill Hands strikes out for the 14th straight at bat in the Cubs’ 2 – 0 win in the nightcap of a doubleheader at New York. The 14 strikeouts in consecutive at-bats (as opposed to plate appearances) are a major league record.

July 11, 1968

Minnesota rookie Rick Renick is the 16th American League player to hit a home run in his first major league at bat. The Twins beat the Tigers, 5 – 4.

July 11, 1968

In Kansas City, ground is broken for the Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, which will include separate side-by-side stadiums built specifically for baseball and football. Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Chiefs, will open in 1972, followed by the debut a year later of Royals Stadium, the new home ballpark of the American League’s franchise in the City of Fountains.

July 11, 1968

Rick Renick becomes the first Twin player to homer in his first major league at-bat when he goes deep off Mickey Lolich in Minnesota’s 5-4 victory over Detroit at Metropolitan Stadium. The 24 year-old shortstop’s second-inning solo shot will be the first of 20 round-trippers he’ll hit during his five-year career, spent entirely with the Twin Cities team.

July 12, 1968

Eddie Stanky is fired as manager of the White Sox and replaced by Al Lopez.

July 12, 1968

The Giants trade P Lindy McDaniel to the Yankees for P Bill Monbouquette.

July 12, 1968

The Cardinals beat the Astros, 8 – 1, but Houston scores a run on Bob Gibson. Denis Menke’s bloop double, fair by inches, drives home the lone run. Houston reliever Tom Dukes ties the major-league record with his 9th straight relief appearance for the Astros.

July 13, 1968

At Pittsburgh, the Phils take their fourth straight from the Bucs, winning, 3 – 2, in 16 innings.

July 14, 1968

Hank Aaron hits the 500th home run of his Hall of Fame career

July 14, 1968

Don Wilson strikes out 18 Cincinnati Reds to tie record

July 14, 1968

In front of 57,011 on bat day at Shea Stadium, the Philadelphia Phillies take two to stretch their win streak to 6. Rick Wise wins, 5 – 3, and Grant Jackson fans 13 to win, 9 – 2, in his first complete game ever. Richie Allen knocks in three runs in each game with a pair of homers. John Briggs belts a pair in the nitecap.

July 16, 1968

Cleveland CF Jose Cardenal becomes the 4th outfielder in major league history with two unassisted double plays in one season as he helps the Tribe to a 2 – 1 win over the Angels. He also pulled one off on June 8th versus the Tigers.

July 16, 1968

Jose Cardenal becomes the first outfielder in 37 years and only the fourth flychaser overall to record two unassisted double plays in one season. The Cleveland outfielder joins Socks Seybold (1907 A’s), Tris Speaker (1918 Indians), and Adam Comorosky (1931 Pirates) in accomplishing the rare feat.

July 20, 1968

aging speedster Willie Mays scores from first base on a Jim Ray Hart single

July 22, 1968

Atlanta Braves set a major league record by using five relief pitchers in the ninth inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals

July 22, 1968

After grounding out to first base unassisted in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 7-6 loss to the Red Sox, Mickey Mantle’s lifetime batting average falls and stays below .300 (.29946). The future Hall of Fame slugger, who finishes his 18-year tenure in the major leagues with a .298 BA, often laments in later years that his greatest regret in baseball was not ending his career with a .300 average.

July 23, 1968

1968 – Al Lopez undergoes an emergency appendectomy. Les Moss will serve as White Sox manager during his 36-game absence.

July 24, 1968

Hoyt Wilhelm breaks Cy Youngs record for appearances with 907

July 24, 1968

Don Drysdale walks two batters in the 5th, hits Ron Brand with a pitch and then plunks opposing pitcher Don Wilson with an off-speed pitch to force in a run. Houston wins, 1 – 0.

July 25, 1968

1968 – Reds pitchers George Culver and Clay Carroll allow 13 hits between them but still shut out the Pirates, 2 – 0. Culver allows eight hits in six innings and Carroll gives up five hits in three innings.

July 25, 1968

At Busch Stadium, St. Louis starter Bob Gibson blanks the Phillies, 5-0, recording his 11th straight victory to break the franchise record established in 1944 by Ted Wilks. The Cardinal right-hander, who has tossed twelve consecutive complete games, also surpasses William Doak’s mark when he shut outs his opponents for 33rd time in his career with the Redbirds.

July 26, 1968

Leaving with a strained knee after five innings of pitching, Earl Wilson of the Tigers earns a 4 – 1 win in the opener of three games with the Orioles. Rookie Daryl Patterson provides spectacular relief coming in with the bases loaded in the 6th and striking out the side. Boog Powell’s homer in the 8th is the only tally for the O’s. The win increases the Tigers’ lead over the O’s to 6 1/2 games.

July 26, 1968

Jim Wynn becomes the first player in franchise history to reach 100 homers

July 27, 1968

Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers earns his 20th victory of the season

July 28, 1968

Dave McNally outduels Mickey Lolich to give Baltimore a much-needed win over the Tigers, 5 – 1.

July 28, 1968

Ken Holtzman and the Cubs beat the Dodgers’ Don Sutton, 1 – 0. It is Sutton’s second straight 1 – 0 loss to Chicago; he is now 0-10 against the Cubs, and Holtzman will top him the next three times they face each other.

July 28, 1968

At Shea Stadium, Reds Ps Jim Maloney and Clay Carroll combine on a one-hit, 5 – 3, victory. Maloney gives up a run-scoring double to Cleon Jones in the 1st inning and then is lifted in the 6th after walking three batters. Carroll gives up two run-scoring grounders, but pitches four hitless frames.

July 29, 1968

Ron Hansen turns the 8th unassisted triple play in history

July 29, 1968

Pittsburgh edges Atlanta, 3 – 2, and Roberto Clemente burns Hank Aaron, sort of. Bill Mazeroski puts Pittsburgh on the board first with a 2nd-inning solo home run while Joe Torre singles and scores Atlanta’s first run, then doubles to drive in the other. Clemente, for his part, singles and scores the Bucs’ second run, then singles home the third and deciding run. Aaron has a fine day at bat (3 for 4), but not on the bases. Leading off the 7th, with the Braves down, 3 – 0, he singles but is quickly picked off by Bob Veale. Three innings before, he is burned in even more embarrassing fashion on a play which involves all three of the future Hall of Famers and Torre. Charley Feeney of the Post Gazette writes: “Hank led off the 4th with a single, but on a hit-and-run, he was decoyed by both Gene Alley and Maz, who faked fielding a phantom grounder. Aaron was standing on second when Clemente caught Torre’s fly ball and was easily doubled up.” The one time he does manage to stay on base, representing the tying run in the 8th inning, he fails to score on Torre’s double.

July 29, 1968

Reds right-hander George Culver, facing 34 batters, throws a no-hitter, beating the Phillies, 6-1

July 30, 1968

In the 1st inning, Washington SS Ron Hansen turns the 8th unassisted triple play in major league history and the first in 41 years. Cleveland’s Joe Azcue hits a liner to Hansen, who steps on second base to double Dave Nelson, and tags Russ Snyder sliding into second base for the third out. Hansen’s effort is not enough, as Washington loses, 10 – 1.

July 30, 1968

Roberto Clemente makes “an impossible catch” in Pittsburgh’s doubleheader sweep of the Braves. So says manager Larry Shepard. The grab is described by Les Biederman in the Pittsburgh Press: “The one play that brought the fans up screaming was a Roberto Clemente fielding special. Mike Lum, the Chinese rookie outfielder, was the victim. Lum hit a shot off Steve Blass that was headed for the right field wall, near the 375-foot-mark. Clemente took off in pursuit and ran as hard and as fast as he could. Just as he approached the wall, Clemente reached up and caught the ball, still with his back to the diamond. He crashed into the wall, bruised his chin and fell down. He was stunned for a second but held the ball.”

July 31, 1968

Chicago’s Billy Williams, Ernie Banks and Jim Hickman hit 4th-inning home runs as Fergie Jenkins (12-10) beats the Astros, 6 – 1, at Wrigley Field.

August 1, 1968

Tonight’s 2 – 1 win over Philly gives the Cardinals their 24th victory in 30 decisions (49-15 since May 29th), putting them 35 games over .500 and 15 games up on 2nd-place Atlanta. Though they’ll pretty much tread water from this point on (3 games under .500 the rest of the way), no one else catches fire either; their lead will not fall below double digits until well after they clinch on September 15th. The Phillies’ only run against Steve Carltonis the result of Johnny Callison’s home run.

August 1, 1968

Stan Bahnsen, who will be named the AL Rookie of the Year, sets the Yankee freshman record for strikeouts in a game, whiffing 12 batters en route to hurling a 1-0 masterpiece over Boston at Fenway Park. The 23 year-old right-hander’s mark will last for 30 years until Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez strikes out one more in a 1998 game against Texas.

August 2, 1968

Ron Hansen and Tim Cullen become the first players to be traded for each other twice in the same season

August 2, 1968

A day after he hit a grand slam against the Tigers, the Senators trade SS Ron Hansen to the White Sox for IF Tim Cullen.

August 4, 1968

In pre-game ceremonies at Busch Stadium honoring him, Stan Musial is joined by his 1941 Cardinals teammates. A 10-foot bronze statue of Musial is unveiled at one of the Stadium entrances. The crowd of 47,445 then watch as Bob Gibson battles the Cubs for 12 innings before Chicago’s Lee Elia singles home the winning run in the 13th. The Cubs win, 6 – 5.

August 4, 1968

The Red Sox top the Angels, 5 – 1, on the strength of Ken Harrelson’s grand slam.

August 4, 1968

The Yankees, once again, honor their aging superstar when the team hosts the second of three Mickey Mantle Days at the ballpark in the Bronx. Prior to the game, over 2000 young fans paid tribute to the future Hall of Fame outfielder by parading across the field with homemade banners expressing their admiration for the living legend.

August 7, 1968

In his major league debut, A’s Joe Keough hits a home run in his first at-bat. The rookie goes deep off Lindy McDaniel as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, tying the score at 3-to-3 in Oakland’s eventual 4-3 extra inning victory at Yankee Stadium.

August 7, 1968

A hard slide by Doug Rader into third base on a triple knocks out New York third baseman Kevin Collins and ignites a brawl. Houston police enter the fray. The donnybrook climaxes hostility that began when Mets outfielder Tommy Agee spiked Joe Morgan while sliding into second base. Amazingly, Rader stays in the contest and scores the eventual game-winner on a sacrifice fly by Dick Simpson. Larry Dierker bests Tom Seaver in the 4-3 victory.

August 8, 1968

Jarry Park is grudgingly approved by Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau for interim use by the Montreal Expos. Montreal officials tell National League President Warren Giles that a new stadium will be ready by 1972. In fact, the Expos will play their home games at tiny Jarry Park until the end of the 1976 season.

August 8, 1968

The Cubs trip the Braves‚ 4 – 0‚ behind Bill Hands‚ with relief help from Phil Regan. Umpire Chris Pelekoudas goes to the mound to inspect the cap and glove of the Cubs’ Regan. When the game continues, Pelekoudas accuses Regan of three illegal pitches, nullifying a fly out‚ a strikeout‚ and changing a strike to a ball. Wrigley fans toss garbage on the field. Leo Durocher‚ Randy Hundley‚ and Al Spangler get tossed as well. National League president Warren Giles, after a special hearing‚ says umps should have better evidence before calling pitches illegal.

August 8, 1968

Rick Wise one hits the Dodgers

August 9, 1968

1968 – California pitchers plunk Baltimore batters three times in the 7th inning at Memorial Stadium, tying the American League record for hit batsmen in one inning. Baltimore wins, 3 – 0.

August 10, 1968

Mantle hits 2 homeruns On Old Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium in Yankees 3-2 loss

August 10, 1968

1968 – Doug Rader goes 5-for-5 and Norm Miller drives in five as Houston crushes Pittsburgh, 16-3, in the opener of a twinbill at Forbes Field. Rader smashes a two-run homer in the nightcap for his seventh straight hit and sixth RBI of the day but the Bucs rally to take the nightcap, 7-4.

August 11, 1968

Satchel Page signed by Braves so he can qualify for penaion

August 11, 1968

As a pinch hitter, Gates Brown has two walk-off hits in Detroit’s twin bill sweep of the Red Sox at Tiger Stadium

August 13, 1968

1968 – Pitching 7 2/3 innings, Tom Hall gains his first major league win as the Twins beat the Senators, 8 – 4. Washington’s Jim Hannan (7-3) takes the loss and doesn’t help himself at bat, striking out for the 13th straight time since July 24th.

August 14, 1968

1968 – Montreal officially becomes a member of the National League when new owner Charles Bronfman meets all of the expansion club’s outstanding financial obligations.

August 15, 1968

1968 – At Oakland, the Yanks edge the A’s, 4 – 3. Blue Moon Odom gives up a triple to Tom Tresh, a walk, then serves up a three-run homer to Mickey Mantle for the difference.

August 16, 1968

Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers wins his 25th game

August 16, 1968

Philadelphia’s Richie Allen ties a National League record by drawing five bases on balls in one game, but the Dodgers win, 7 – 5.

August 16, 1968

Jim Wynn homers off Tom Seaver with two outs in the ninth to tie New York, 1-1. Bob Aspromonte’s two-run opposite-field double in the 12th wins it for Houston. Tom Dukes, who fanned two with the bases full of Mets in the 11th, picks up the 3-1 victory.

August 17, 1968

After four tries, the Mets still haven’t scored a run when Jim McAndrew starts a game with their 1-0 loss to Houston at Shea Stadium. In his first four major league appearances, the 24 year-old rookie right-hander has a puny 1.82 ERA, but is 0-4 due to the team dropping two 2-0 and two 1-0 decisions.

August 18, 1968

umpire Chris Pelekoudas calls three illegal pitches on Cubs P Phil Regan, twice allowing a retired batter to hit again

August 18, 1968

Pitching for Hawaii (Pacific Coast League) Bo Belinsky twirls a no-hitter, defeating Tacoma, 1 – 0. Bo will fail the following year in a comeback attempt with the Cardinals.

August 19, 1968

Bob Gibson pitches the Cardinals to a 2 – 0 win over the Phillies Gibson strikes out Dick Allen four times

August 19, 1968

In the top of the seventeenth inning at Shea Stadium, Ron Hunt’s two out single scores Hal Lanier for the game’s only run as the Giants beat New York, 1-0. Bobby Bolin throws the first 11 shutout innings, with reliever Frank Linzy getting the victory and Mike McCormick picking up a save.

August 21, 1968

Minnesota’s Jim Merritt loses his shutout in the 9th when Mickey Mantle hits a pinch homer, but he wins 3 – 1. It is Mantle’s 534th home run, tying him with Jimmie Foxx for 3rd on the all-time list.

August 21, 1968

Monte Irvin is named special assistant to Commissioner William Eckert.

August 22, 1968

Mickey Mantle homer ties him with Jimmie Foxx for 3rd place on the all-time list.

August 22, 1968

After walking on a 3-2 count, which included pitches sailing over his head to the backstop and a ball being thrown behind him, Dick McAuliffe charges the mound and drives his knee into White Sox hurler Tommy John, causing the pitcher’s shoulder to separate. Tommy John (10-5, 1.98) will be lost for the rest of the season, and the Tigers’ shortstop is suspended for five games and fined $250 by AL president Joe Cronin as a result of the bench-clearing incident.

August 23, 1968

1968 – Stan Bahnsen outpitches Earl Wilson to give the host Yankees a 2 – 1 win over Detroit. The two teams then battle for 19 innings, before the second game is suspended by curfew with the score 3 – 3. The game will be finished tomorrow. In the long tie, Lindy McDaniel retires 21 straight Tiger batters, six on strikeouts. In his last three relief appearances, he has retired 30 batters in a row.

August 24, 1968

1968 – New York’s Mel Stottlemyre tops Tigers ace Denny McLain, 2 – 1.

August 25, 1968

Rocky Colavito pitches in relief and picks up a win and homers in the game

August 25, 1968

After 5 hours and 27 minutes, the Orioles defeat the Red Sox, 3 – 2, in 18 innings when Brooks Robinson drives in Boog Powell.

August 26, 1968

The Phils take a 5 – 0 lead over the Reds, only to lose 6 – 5. Jim Beauchamp hits a run-scoring single in the 7th for the winner.

August 26, 1968

Playing the last of nine games in Milwaukee, the White Sox draw a crowd (42,808) but lose to Earl Wilson and the first-place Tigers, 3 – 0. Wilson is hit by a pitch in the 2nd with the bases loaded to bring home the first run.

August 26, 1968

There is a record-tying mark of seven shutouts thrown today in the 16 games played. It’s the 5th times it’s happened, the mark will be topped in 1972.

August 26, 1968

In their first of two straight doubleheaders, Dave McNally makes it easy in the opener by belting a first-inning grand slam, off the A’s Chuck Dobson. The O’s score seven runs in the inning and beat the A’s, 8 – 2. The A’s come back in the nitecap, winning 2 – 0 behind Catfish Hunter and Diego Segui.

August 26, 1968

After starting his career 0-5, Jim McAndrew gets his first major league victory when he goes the distance at Busch Stadium, blanking St. Louis on five hits, 1-0. In his first four major league starts, the Mets failed to score a run, resulting in two 2-0 and two 1-0 defeats for the 24 year-old rookie right-hander.

August 27, 1968

1968 – Sweeping a doubleheader from Oakland, 5 – 3 and 7 – 2, at Memorial Stadium, the Orioles stay four games in back of first-place Detroit.

August 30, 1968

1968 – In the showdown in Detroit, 53,575 fans cheer as P Earl Wilson pitches a 4-hit 9 – 1 victory over 2nd-place Baltimore. Wilson adds four RBIs on two hits, including his 5th home run of the year.

August 31, 1968

Elroy Face ties Senators’ legend Walter Johnson’s major league mark for appearances with one team when he enters a game for the 802nd time for the Pirates, replacing Steve Blass, who remains in the contest in left field. After the reliever retires one batter to equal the record, Blass returns to the mound, and an announcement will be made before the final out is recorded in Pittsburgh’s 8-0 victory over Atlanta that the Bucs’ right-handed veteran has been sold to the Tigers.

August 31, 1968

Steve Blass gets the first out against the Braves, and then moves to LF as Roy Face relieves. Face retires Felix Millan and ties Walter Johnson’s major-league record of 802 pitching appearances with one club. Blass comes back to pitch and the Pirates go on to win, 8 – 0. Blass will not get credit for the shutout but will still lead the National League in shutouts with 7. Late in the game, the Pirates announce the sale of Face to the Detroit Tigers.

August 31, 1968

It is a tough month for Mets P Jim McAndrew, as he takes his National League-tying 5th shutout loss. Steve Carlton wins for the Cards, 2 – 0. McAndrew gave up just six runs in the four losses, losing 2 – 0 to Bob Gibson on July 21, and to the Dodgers and Mike Kekich, 2 – 0, on August 4. On August 10 and 17th, he narrowed the margin to 1 – 0 losses, to the Giants and Houston respectively. The four losses are McAndrew’s first major league decisions.

August 31, 1968

Baltimore’s Dave McNally wins his 10th straight, topping the first-place Tigers, 5 – 1. Paul Blair homers and triples in the win.

September 1, 1968

1968 – Denny McLain notches his 27th win of the season beating the Orioles, 7 – 3. McLain helps the Tiger cause by starting a 3rd-inning triple play.

September 2, 1968

In the last Pacific Coast League game played in Seattle, Jim Bouton of the Seattle Angels tops Spokane, 4 – 1.

September 2, 1968

With Julian Javier hitting a homer in the 10th, the Cardinals defeat the Reds, 1 – 0. Bob Gibson picks up his 12th shutout and 20th win. Gary Nolan pitches the first nine innings for the Reds, with Ted Abernathy taking the loss in relief.

September 4, 1968

The Dodgers’ Don Sutton allows just three hits and strikes out 12 to beat the Phils, 3 – 0.

September 4, 1968

Future Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza is born in Norristown, PA. A 62nd round draft choice in 1988, he will be the lowest-drafted player to be enshrined in Cooperstown after being elected in 2016.

September 5, 1968

1968 – Gene Mauch is named manager of the new Montreal National League club, which is officially named the Expos.

September 6, 1968

Denny McLain notches win number 28‚ beating the Twins‚ 8 – 3

September 6, 1968

Jerry Koosman sets a new franchise mark for victories, getting his 17th win of the season when the Mets beat Pittsburgh, 4-1. The rookie southpaw breaks the team record established last year by Tom Seaver.

September 7, 1968

Heading toward home plate with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, Hank Aaron falls down and is tagged out by Houston’s third baseman Doug Rader. The last-place Astros come back for an improbable 6-3 victory over the Braves when they score three runs in the top of the tenth frame.

September 7, 1968

Hank Aaron stumbles and falls rounding third base in the bottom of the ninth leading to a Braves loss

September 8, 1968

Ralph Garr steals the first of his 172 stolen bases, swiping home as a pinch runner for Joe Torre in the Braves’ 4-1 victory over Houston. In 1973, the ‘Road Runner’ will break Atlanta’s record for stolen bases with 35, surpassing his mark of 30 he established in 1970 during his rookie season.

September 9, 1968

Joe Gordon will have the distinction of managing his second team in Kansas City when he is hired to be the skipper for the new American League expansion team. The former A’s manager, in his only year with the club, will pilot the Royals in their inaugural year to a fourth-place finish in the six-team AL West Division, finishing the season with a 69-93 record.

September 10, 1968

Billy Williams hits three home runs in a game for the first time in his career. It’s all the Cubs’ scoring, as they beat the Mets, 3 – 1, behind Bill Hands. Added to two home runs on September 8, Williams has a major league-record-tying five over two straight games.

September 10, 1968

Don Wilson, who struck out 18 Reds on July 14, fans 16 Reds today while pitching the Astros to a 3 – 2 win in game 1. The Reds win the nitecap, 4 – 3.

September 11, 1968

Fergie Jenkins loses his 5th 1 – 0 loss of the season

September 13, 1968

Jerry Koosman ties the National League rookie record when he hurls his seventh shutout of the season

September 14, 1968

Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers wins his 30th game of the season

September 14, 1968

Veteran southpaw Bob Veale outduels Tom Seaver, as the Pirates trounce the Mets, 6 – 0, with half their runs supplied by Roberto Clemente. Clemente’s hits both of career home runs off Seaver today, in the fourth and sixth innings; the latter follows Matty Alou’s leadoff double and lands a good 40 to 50 feet beyond the 410-foot marker in dead center field.

September 15, 1968

1968 – The Cardinals clinch the National League pennant with a 7 – 4 win at Houston. Roger Maris hits his 275th, and last, regular-season home run, off Don Wilson in the 3rd, and Curt Flood racks up five hits.

September 15, 1968

The Cardinals clinch their twelfth National League pennant when the team beats Houston at the Astrodome, 7-4. The contest, which features Curt Flood collecting five hits, marks the final home run by Roger Maris, who will finish his 12-year major league career with 275 round-trippers.

September 16, 1968

Umpires Al Salerno and Bill Valentine are fired by American League President Joe Cronin. The men in blue claim the dismissals are due to their efforts organizing a union.

September 16, 1968

One day after seeing their team mathematically eliminated, Candlestick Park’s patrons show up in “record” numbers, the smallest crowd to see a game since the team moved to San Francisco in 1958. The story of today’s 8 – 4 Giants win over Cincinnati, the latest installment in the two teams’ ongoing battle for second-best, will itself be second best (at least as judged by tomorrow’s sports page editors) as compared to the following unfortunate incident. UPI reports: “A gathering of only 2,361, the smallest in San Francisco’s major league history, was on hand and witnessed the rare sight of Willie Mays engaged in a shouting match with two spectators. Mays, in fact, had to be restrained from charging into the stands to confront the two hecklers, both Air Force sergeants dressed in civilian clothes. ‘Nice catch, Willie,’ they jeered from the front row after Mays made a spectacular catch in the 4th. ‘For a $100,000 bum you’re finally earning your money'”. “Mays was approaching the dugout in the middle of the 4th when he went after the two men,” adds AP. “He was intercepted by Bobby Bonds and manager Herman Franks and the sergeants were ejected from the park.”

September 17, 1968

Gaylord Perry of the Giants hurled a 1-0 no-hitter against the Cardinals

September 17, 1968

Detroit clinches the American League pennant with a 2 – 1 win over the Yankees. Detroit is ahead, 1 – 0, when Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey phones Tiger general manager Jim Campbell with the news that the Sox have beaten the Orioles, clinching the pennant for the Tigers. Campbell keeps the score off the radio and the scoreboard, fearing the news will send fans rampaging onto the field. Don Wert singles home the winner in the 9th and the fans tear down the left field screen.

September 18, 1968

Ray Washburn pitches a no-hitter the day after his team was no hit

September 19, 1968

Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees hits his 535th home run to move into third place on the all-time list

September 20, 1968

Mickey Mantle hits final home run

September 20, 1968

Full Radio Broadcast – Dodgers beat the Cardinals as they are looking to clinch the pennat

September 21, 1968

At Yankee Stadium, Red Sox pitcher Ray Culp fires his 3rd successive shutout, stopping the Yankees on one hit, 2 – 0. Roy White’s single in the 7th is the only hit. It’s Culp’s 15th win of the year.

September 21, 1968

Pittsburgh’s Dock Ellis pitches a complete game win over the Cubs, winning 5 – 1. Joe Niekro allows four runs to take the loss. Cubs reliever Jophery Brown goes two innings, allowing the other run, in his only major league appearance. His next appearance will be in the opening scene of the movie Jurassic Park when he is eaten by a raptor. Brown tossed two no-hitters in the minors, losing them both.

September 22, 1968

Cesar Tovar plays one inning at each position for the Minnesota Twins, becoming only the second major leaguer in history to do it. 

September 24, 1968

The Giants beat the Astros, 5 – 4, with Willie Mays driving in three runs. Mays hits a solo homer in the 1st and drives in the tying and winning runs in the 8th with a perfect bunt. With runners on second and third base, Mays bunts and Doug Rader attempts a barehanded pickup but misses the ball.

September 24, 1968

Steve Blass records his third shutout in a row, defeating the Reds, 2 – 0, and beating Gary Nolan. For Nolan, it is his first defeat after seven straight wins, while Blass wins his 9th straight for the Pirates.

September 24, 1968

Mets manager Gil Hodges, during a game against the Braves in Atlanta, suffers a mild heart attack. The New York skipper, who will die of a massive coronary in 1972, is hospitalized until October 20, when doctors give him a clean bill of health, but warned him about the continued risks of stress and smoking.

September 25, 1968

Mickey Mantle’s last appearance at Yankee Stadium

September 27, 1968

Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals shuts out the Houston Astros, 1-0, to finish the season with an ERA of 1.12

September 27, 1968

At Detroit, Frank Howard snaps a 1 – 1 tie with his 44th homer, and the Senators beat the Tigers, 3 – 1. Howard’s run is his 89th, and he’ll finish the year with that, compiling the most homers in history without scoring 90 runs.

September 27, 1968

Facing Lee Stange at Fenway Park, Mickey Mantle flies out in his final plate appearance, before being replaced by Andy Kosco. Kosko’s homer ties the score in the 8th and Joe Pepitone’s home run in the 9th gives New York a 4 – 3 win.

September 27, 1968

For the 2nd time in two years, the Cards sign free-agent P Barney Schultz to enable him to qualify for pension time. Schultz was released last October 8th.

September 28, 1968

Blanked by the combined efforts of Angel hurlers Marty Pattin and Jim McGlothlin, the White Sox lose their ninth 1-0 decision of the season. The defeat ties an American League record, matching the mark established by the 1914 Yankees.

September 28, 1968

Although the future Hall of Famer gives up 16 hits, Giants’ right-hander Gaylord Perry goes the distance, earning a 10-4 victory over the Reds at Crosley Field. Cincinnati’s 14 singles and two doubles cannot overcome their two errors and a three-run poke by Willie McCovey.

September 29, 1968

Maris Bows Out To Loud Cheers

September 29, 1968

Ahead of Pittsburgh’s Matty Alou by a slim percentage point on the last day of the season, Reds right fielder Pete Rose wins the first of his three batting titles, going 1-for-3, to keep his average at .335 while the Pirates outfielder is hitless in four trips to the plate, finishing the year with a BA of .332. Yesterday, the batting crown rivals collectively went 9-for-9 in their respective games.

September 29, 1968

After the A’s drop a 4-3 decision to Minnesota, Charlie Finley fires Oakland manager Bob Kennedy on the last day of the season. The A’s owner, who has dismissed eight skippers in eight years, rehires Hank Bauer, who guided the team to ninth-places finishes in 1961 and 1962, when the club played in Kansas City.

September 29, 1968

Carl Yastrzemski captures his second consecutive batting crown. The 29 year-old Red Sox outfielder’s .301 mark is the lowest average ever posted in the American league to win the title.

September 30, 1968

American League and National League umpires form a new Association of Major League Umpires. They threaten to strike in the spring of 1969 unless Al Salerno and Bill Valentine are reinstated by the AL.

September 30, 1968

Cal Ermer is dismissed as manager of the Twins.

October 2, 1968

Bob Gibson strikes out 17 Detroit Tigers to set world series record

October 3, 1968

Mickey Lolich hits only homerun of career in 1968 World Series victory

October 5, 1968

1968 – Tim McCarver and Orlando Cepeda each hit three-run home runs to lead the Cardinals to a 7 – 3 win over Detroit. The Cardinals take a 2-1 World Series lead.

October 7, 1968

Mickey Lolich leads, 5 – 3, over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5

October 9, 1968

The Tigers score ten runs in the third inning en route to a 13-1 victory over the Cardinals in Game 6 of the Fall Classic. Detroit’s big frame, which equals the World Series mark set by the 1929 A’s, sees 15 batters come to the plate, who collect seven hits, one hit-by-pitch, and four walks against four Redbird hurlers in the Busch Stadium contest.

October 10, 1968

Mickey Lolich wins his 3rd game of series clinching the title for Detroit

October 11, 1968

The Giants name Clyde King as the team’s new manager, replacing Herman Franks

October 11, 1968

The Cardinals trade outfielder/first baseman Bobby Tolan and right-hander Wayne Granger to the Reds for Vada Pinson. The World Champion Redbirds obtain the former All-Star Gold Glove outfielder to replace Roger Maris, who retired after the season ended.

October 13, 1968

1968 World Series Bob Gibson and Al Kaline

October 14, 1968

1968 – The National League holds an expansion draft for two new teams: the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres. The list of players taken in the draft includes future Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm and notables like Nate Colbert, Donn Clendenon, Cito Gaston, Dave Giusti, Mudcat Grant, Al McBean, Manny Mota and Maury Wills. The American League will hold its draft tomorrow.

October 14, 1968

1968 – Astros lose five players in the second National League expansion draft. The event is in Montreal which, along with San Diego, are the two new franchises. Back in 1961, Houston could only choose players off the 40-man rosters with other clubs protecting their best 25. Now, Houston can only protect 15 players and their farm system is fully exposed. The Astros surrender catchers John Bateman and Ron Brand to Montreal while San Diego tabs infielder Nate Colbert, outfielder Ivan Murrell and pitcher Tom Dukes.

October 15, 1968

1968 – In the American League expansion draft, pitcher Roger Nelson is selected first by the Kansas City Royals and first baseman Don Mincher is the first choice of the Seattle Pilots. The National League held its draft yesterday.

October 21, 1968

After two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, All-Star catcher Elston Howard announces his retirement.

October 21, 1968

The newly-created Montreal Expos purchase third baseman Bob Bailey from the Dodgers.

October 27, 1968

Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals wins his first Cy Young Award

October 28, 1968

Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals wins his first Cy Young Award

November 1, 1968

Denny McLain is the BBWAA’s unanimous choice for the American League Cy Young Award

November 3, 1968

St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Harry Caray is struck by a car while crossing a street in St. Louis, and he suffers two broken legs, a broken shoulder, and a broken nose.

November 5, 1968

Pitcher Denny McLain is the unanimous choice as American League Most Valuable Player

November 13, 1968

Bob Gibson wins the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award, edging out Reds infielder Pete Rose.

November 14, 1968

1968 – Kent Bottenfield is born in Portland, OR. Expected to solidify the starting rotation in 2001, the righthander lands on the disabled list after just 13 games, posting a 2-5 record with one save. 

November 15, 1968

Jim Bouton agrees to a one-year deal worth $22,000 to play for the expansion Seattle Pilots

November 19, 1968

New York Yankees pitcher Stan Bahnsen wins 1968 AL Rookie of the Year

November 21, 1968

1968 – Cincinnati trades SS Leo Cardenas to the Twins for P Jim Merritt.

November 22, 1968

Johnny Bench is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins

December 3, 1968

Major League Baseball’s Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed to increase offense

December 3, 1968

Robert E. Short, Democratic National Committee treasurer, buys majority ownership of the Washington Senators 

December 4, 1968

Baltimore Orioles make a quietly brilliant trade

December 4, 1968

The Dodgers trade P Mike Kekich (2-10) to the Yankees for OF Andy Kosco.

December 4, 1968

The Astros trade 3B Bob Aspromonte

December 6, 1968

Commissioner William “Spike” Eckert resigns under pressure from the major league owners

December 11, 1968

The Angels trade two catchers, Ed Kirkpatrick and Dennis Paepke, to the Kansas City A’s for Hoyt Wilhelm. Before being traded to Atlanta in September, the right-handed knuckleballer, who will post a 5-7 record along with ten saves while compiling a respectable ERA of 2.47 during his five months with the Halos.

December 12, 1968

Kansas City Royals trade pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm to the California Angels

December 17, 1968

1968 – The owners announce they will increase contributions to the players’ pension fund by $1 million to $5.1 million per year. Players vote down the proposal, 491-7.

December 18, 1968

Bill Russell and Carl Yastrzemski share a laugh

August 7, 2019

Episode 2 – Daily Rewind Willie Mays goes to the Hall of Fame

October 19, 2019

1968 – Future Astro teammates Shane Reynolds and Jose Vizcaino are born. Reynolds is born in Bastrop, LA. Vizcaino is delivered in San Cristobal, DR. They would play together in Houston for the 2001 and 2002 seasons.