Major League Season RecapMajor League Baseball Season Recap 1995

Seasons

Major League Season Recap 1995

World Series – Atlanta Braves NL over Cleveland Indians AL 4 games to 2

World Series MVP – Tom Glavine
Babe Ruth Award – Tom Glavine

Championship Series
ALCS Cleveland Indians over Seattle Mariners 4 games to 2 ALCS MVP – Orel Hershiser
NLCS Atlanta Braves over Cincinnati Reds 4 games to 0 NLCS MVP – devermi01

Divisional Series
ALDS1
Cleveland Indians over Boston Red Sox 3 games to 0

ALDS2
Seattle Mariners over New York Yankees 3 games to 2

NLDS1
Atlanta Braves over Colorado Rockies 3 games to 1

NLDS2
Cincinnati Reds over Los Angeles Dodgers 3 games to 0

WILD CARD GAMES
AWC over to
NWC over to

Awards –

Cy Young Award National League Greg Maddux
Cy Young Award American League Randy Johnson

MVP Awards –
NL Barry Larkin
AL Mo Vaughn

NL Rookie of The Year – nomohi01
AL Rookie of The Year – cordoma01

Roberto Clemente Award – Ozzie Smith

All-Star Game – July 11th – N.L. over A.L. , played at The Ballpark in Arlington (AL)
AL Starter R. Johnson+ NL Starter H. Nomo MVP J. Conine

strike 1994

Congress introduces five bills directed at settling the lingering 1994 baseball strike

1995 – Five bills aimed at ending the Major League Baseball strike are introduced in the United States Congress.

According to players’ union chief Donald Fehr, all 835 unsigned major league players are free agents since the owners unilaterally changed the uniform contract.

Mike Schmidt

Philadelphia Phillies standout Mike Schmidt is elected to the Hall of Fame. Schmidt

Arbitrator Thomas Roberts awards 11 players a total of almost $10 million as a result of collusion charges brought against the owners.

replacement players 1995

Baseball’s executive council approves the use of replacement players

1995 – Former major league umpire Ron Luciano dies at the age of 57, victim of an apparent suicide. An American League umpire for 11 seasons, Luciano gained fame as one of the most colorful and flamboyant arbiters in the game’s history, and as the author of four best-selling books of anecdotes about the game.

former major league umpire Ron Luciano dies at the age of 57

1995 – Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos announces that his team will not use replacement players if the strike is not settled before Opening Day.

1995 – Major League Baseball players and owners are told by President Clinton to resume bargaining and reach an agreement to resolve the strike by February 6th.

talks resume between the major league owners and the striking Players’ Association

talks resume between the major league owners and the striking Players’ Association

clinton on strike 1994

President Bill Clinton’s deadline for a resolution to the baseball strike passes without a resolution

 Cecil Upshaw dies of a heart attack in Lawrenceville, GA at age 53

 Cecil Upshaw dies of a heart attack in Lawrenceville, GA at age 53

Darryl Strawberry pleads guilty to income tax evasion

Los Angeles Dodgers sign Japanese pitching star Hideo Nomo

Los Angeles Dodgers sign Japanese pitching star Hideo Nomo

1995 – With the strike still unresolved and spring training set to begin, Tigers manager Sparky Anderson is put on an involuntary leave of absence as he refuses to manage replacement players. The Orioles announce they will not play exhibition games against teams using replacement players.

1995 – The Toronto Blue Jays assign manager Cito Gaston and his coaching staff to work with minor league players until the strike is settled so that they will not have to deal with replacement players.

1995 – Former National League MVP Kevin Mitchell signs with the Daiei Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League.

Anaheim Angels replacement players play against Arizona State University in an exhibition game in Tempe, Arizona. It is the first time since 1912 that replacement players have appeared in a game in major league uniforms.

1995 – Astros replacement players lose their spring opener to the Florida Marlins, 3-2. Many players under minor league contracts, including top picks Billy Wagner and Scott Elarton, leave camp rather than take part in the game due to threats made by the players union to blacklist them. 

1995 – The Special Veterans Committee elects former major leaguers Richie Ashburn and Vic Willis, former National League president William Hulbert, and former Negro League player Leon Day to the Hall of Fame. Day will die of a heart attack six days from now.

1995 – Major League Baseball owners unanimously approve two expansion teams: the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Each of the new clubs will pay a $130 million franchise fee and will begin play in 1998.

Michael Jordan announces that he is leaving the Chicago White Sox organization

1995 – Newly-elected Hall of Famer Leon Day dies in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 78. A former Negro Leagues outstanding pitcher and superb contact hitter, Day had been elected to Cooperstown by the Veterans Committee just six days earlier.

1995 – The Players Association announces that it will not settle the strike if replacement players are used in regular season games, and if results are not voided.

1995 – The Baltimore Orioles cancel the remainder of their spring training games because of the team’s refusal to use replacement players.

1995 – The Maryland House of Delegates approves legislation to bar teams playing at Camden Yards from using replacement players.

1995 – Braves replacement player Dave Shotkoski is held up while out for his daily walk in West Palm Beach, FL during spring training. Shotkoski is murdered by his assailant. Fellow replacement player Terry Blocker will help the police track down Neal Douglas Evans, who was out on parole. Evans will wind up with a 27-year jail sentence after a guilty plea.

1995 – The National Labor Relations Board files for an injunction to restore previous work rules to the game, as part of the settlement of the 1994 strike.

Major league star Terry Moore dies at the age of 82

Major league star Terry Moore dies at the age of 82

New York Southern District judge Sonia Sotomayor rules that the owners’ use of replacement players is in good faith

1995 – In their only Astrodome appearance, Houston replacement players mop up the ersatz New York Yankees, 10-1, before a crowd of approximately 7,000. Former Astros Juan Guerrero and Dave Rhode star for the strike-breaking locals. 

Andres Galarraga

A crowd of 47,536 fans flocks to the first baseball game ever played at Coors Field

1995 – The longest strike action in sports history ends – in a courtroom. A U.S. District court order forbids owners from implementing new financial working conditions in the wake of the impasse in negotiations. The court decides that conditions will revert to the old rules from the previous season. Because of the timing of the court order, 18 games will have to be trimmed from the major league schedule.

The longest strike in major league history comes to an end.

John Wetteland

New York Yankees acquire relief ace John Wetteland from the Montreal Expos

The Blue Jays acquire David Cone (16-5) from the Royals in exchange for infielders Chris Stynes and Anthony Medrano‚ and P David Sinnes.

The Braves obtain OF Marquis Grissom from the Expos in exchange for outfielders Roberto Kelly and Tony Tarasco and P Esteban Yan.

Free agents signed include outfielder Larry Walker and pitcher Bill Swift by the Rockies, and pitcher Orel Hershiser by the Indians. In other transactions, the Red Sox trade third baseman Scott Cooper, pitcher Cory Bailey, and a player to be named to the Cardinals, in exchange for outfielder Mark Whiten and pitcher Rheal Cormier.

1959 American League Rookie of the Year Bob Allison dies at the age of 60

1959 American League Rookie of the Year Bob Allison dies at the age of 60

Jeff Reardon announces his retirement

Jeff Reardon announces his retirement

Pittsburgh Pirates release Tim Wakefield, who posted an 8-1 record in 1993 and was named the National League rookie pitcher of the year

Pittsburgh Pirates release Tim Wakefield, who posted an 8-1 record in 1993 and was named the National League rookie pitcher of the year

The 1955 Flag Belongs in Brooklyn

The 1955 Flag Belongs in Brooklyn

Strike Over - Dodgers and Marlins play ball

Strike Over – Dodgers and Marlins play ball

1995 – A number of Major League Baseball teams open their season, reduced to 144 games because of the strike. Coors Field, the National League’s first new baseball-only park in 23 years, opens in dramatic fashion in Denver, Colorado, as Dante Bichette of the Rockies hits a three-run home run to defeat the visiting Mets in 14 innings, 11 – 9, tying the National League record for most innings played in a season opener.

In the debut of Coors Field, the Rockies defeat the Mets in 14 innings, tying the National League record for the number of innings played in a season opener. New York’s first baseman Rico Brogna collects the park’s first home run; a fourth-inning line drive off Bill Swift.

Royals’ rookie John Nunnally hits a home run in his major league first at bat, going deep off Melido Perez in the team’s 10-3 loss to New York. The 23 year-old outfielder becomes the 73rd major leaguer to accomplish the feat.

Unlike yesterday’s Opening Day crowd which was supportive, some of the 28,244 fans at today’s Wrigley Field game show their displeasure with the recent baseball strike by littering the field with souvenir magnetic schedules. The incident, which took place in the eighth inning of the Cubs’ 5-4 victory over Montreal, delayed the contest five minutes.

Major League Baseball owners and the Major League Umpires Association reach an agreement on a five-year contract, ending the walk-out. Regular umpires will return to work on May 3rd.

Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers becomes the first Japanese native to play in the majors in three decades. Nomo pitches five scoreless innings of one-hit ball, but the Dodgers blow a 3 – 0 lead and lose to San Francisco, 4 – 3. Nomo will have an excellent season and win the Rookie of the Year Award, opening the gates for a large number of Japanese players to follow him to the major leagues.

The Red Sox defeat the Yankees, 8 – 0, scoring their runs on grand slams in back-to-back innings by former college teammates John Valentin and Mo Vaughn. It is the first time ever that two grand slams account for all the runs scored in a major league game.

5/2/1995 The Mets game in Montreal produced a comedy of errors. This was the first home game of the season for Montreal and their sixth overall. There were substitute umpires working major league games to start this season since the regular arbiters were locked out by the owners. When Luis Aquino and Cliff Floyd entered the game in the top of the sixth, the home plate umpire, Don January, incorrectly decided that Aquino was batting fifth and Floyd ninth. When Floyd came to bat in the #5 slot, Mets’ manager Dallas Green told January that the Expos were batting out of order. Expos manager Felipe Alou claimed he had Floyd fifth and Aquino ninth and that January made the mistake. Alou was ejected. January then allowed Floyd to bat and ground out, despite knowing that he was not the proper batter. Then January called Aquino out for not batting in order and sent the runner back (that, at least, was the right call.) After calling Aquino out, the next batter should be the one in the sixth spot, Sean Berry. However, January decided that Aquino should bat now. He singled to left and then Berry ended the inning with a ground out. Thus, Aquino had two at bats in one time through the batting order. Despite this confusion the Expos won, 9-6.

During a pregame ceremony at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals retire Frank White’s uniform number 20. The five-time All-Star second baseman, a Royals’ Hall of Fame inductee, will also be honored in 2004 with a bronze statue dedicated outside the Kansas City ballpark, joining club owners Ewing & Muriel Kauffman and Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett.

David Bell makes his debut for the Cleveland Indians, representing the third generation of his family to play in the major leagues

David Bell makes his debut for the Cleveland Indians, representing the third generation of his family to play in the major leagues

5/5/1995: Larry Walker of the Rockies hit a ball into the first row of seats at Coors Field. However, it rebounded so quickly off the seat back and back onto the field that second base umpire Randy Marsh thought it hit high off the wall. Walker got a double out of what should have been the 100th homer of his career. The hit came off Ismael Valdez of the Dodgers.

Thirty-three years after Don Zimmer played third base in the franchise’s first game, Edgardo Alfonzo becomes the 100th player in Mets history to cover the ‘hot corner’. Howard Johnson played the most games at the position, appearing in 835 games over a span of eight seasons.

Gus Bell dies at the age of 66. As the patriarch of a three-generation baseball family

Gus Bell dies at the age of 66. As the patriarch of a three-generation baseball family

The Cleveland Indians tie a major league record by scoring eight runs in the 1st inning before making an out. Seven of the runs score as the results of home runs, including Kenny Lofton’s leadoff round-tripper, Paul Sorrento’s grand slam and Carlos Baerga’s two-run blast. Cleveland goes on to a 10 – 0 victory behind Orel Hershiser and Paul Assenmacher.

California DH Chili Davis leads the Angels to an 11 – 2 win over Texas by notching five hits and driving home five runs. Davis’s safeties include a double and home run.

Chipper Jones hits his first homerun

Chipper Jones hits his first homerun

Tony gwynn padres

Tony Gwynn has hit .402 in his last 162 games stretching

Ramon Martinez, Rudy Seanez and Todd Worrell combine on a one-hitter as the Dodgers shut out the Pirates, 4 – 0, to move within two games of Colorado for the lead in the NL West.

Just 10 days after the record for the highest-scoring day in National League history is tied, four shutouts are tossed, by the Cubs, Mets, Padres and Pirates. It is the first time this has happened since 1991.

The first printed reference to ‘Manny Being Manny’ is attributed to Mike Hargrove by Newsday’s Jon Heyman. In a feature titled Baseball Homecoming, the Indians skipper is quoted using the phrase to describe the behavior of his young outfielder, Manny Ramirez.

1995 – Luis Gonzalez goes four-for-four with three RBIs to pace a 7-2 triumph over the Mets. Greg Swindell works seven innings for the victory. James Mouton adds a homer off Jason Jacome. 

1995 – A grand slam by Tony Eusebio keys a seven-run uprising as Houston pummels Montreal, 10-2. Jeff Bagwell had earlier provided a two-run blast off Pedro Martinez. 

1995 – Jeff Shaw walks home Craig Biggio with the winning run in the tenth as Houston nips the Expos, 2-1. Pinch-hitter Dave Magadan takes ball four to end the game. John Hudek picks up the win. 

The Durham Bulls and Winston-Salem Warthogs engage in a brawl that takes more than 30 minutes to sort out. 10 players are ejected from the Carolina League game. Winston-Salem pitcher Glen Cullop is knocked unconscious in the melee which occurs on “Strike Out Domestic Violence Night.” A total of $6,000 in fines is levied, and 124 games in suspensions.

After a brawl between the Durham Bulls and Winston-Salem Warthogs, which takes more than 30 minutes to sort out, ten players are ejected during ‘Strike Out Domestic Violence Night’ at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The president of the Carolina League will hand down 124 days of suspensions, which will include every player in uniform for some period of time.

Houston OF Derek Bell strokes 5 hits‚ including a pair of doubles‚ but the Astros still lose to the Reds by a score of 10 – 5.

Pitchers Kevin Foster of the Chicago Cubs and Marvin Freeman of the Colorado Rockies each hit home runs off each other in a 7 – 6 Chicago victory at Coors Field. Foster and Freeman became just the tenth duo in the 20th century to hit and throw homers against each other.

Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers play the longest doubleheader by time in major league history

Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers play the longest doubleheader by time in major league history

Dennis Eckersley of the Oakland Athletics becomes the sixth pitcher in major league history with 300 saves in a 5 – 2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Seattle 3B Mike Blowers drives in 8 runs in the Mariners’ 15 – 6 victory over the Red Sox. He strokes 4 extra-base hits in the contest – 2 doubles‚ a triple‚ and a homer. The hits raise Blowers’ average 61 points – from .118 to .179.

The Expos trade OF Roberto Kelly and P Joey Eischen to the Dodgers in exchange for OF Henry Rodriguez and IF Jeff Treadway.

Tossing a scoreless ninth inning in the A’s 5-2 win over Baltimore, Dennis Eckersley records his 300th career save. The Oakland right-hander becomes the sixth reliever in major league history to reach the milestone.

Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners breaks his wrist while making a spectacular catch

Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners breaks his wrist while making a spectacular catch

University of Southern California and Fresno State combine for an NCAA postseason baseball record of 39 runs in the Trojans’ 22 – 17 victory in the West Regional. USC scores three runs in the top of the 9th inning to break the record of 37 set by the Trojans and Houston in 1990.

In a complete-game effort, Steve Ontiveros limits the Yankees to one hit in the A’s 3-0 victory at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The 34 year-old right-hander’s bid for a no-hitter is spoiled by a two-out sixth inning single by Luis Polonia.

1995 – James Mouton sends the Astrodome fans home happy with a tenth-inning homer off Mike Stanton to stun the Braves, 3-2. John Hudek picks up the victory. 

The White Sox and Tigers combine to establish a major league record, blasting 12 home runs in Chicago’s 14-12 victory in Detroit. The two teams also set an American League record by banging out 21 extra-base hits during the Motor City slugfest.

Marlins P Chris Hammond hits a grand slam in Florida’s 9 – 7 win over the Astros. He is the first pitcher to connect for a home run with the bases full since 1986. Marlins 3B Terry Pendleton gets 5 hits in the game‚ including a double and triple.

Mark McGwire ties a major league record by hitting five home runs in back-to-back games. His three homers today in consecutive at-bats help the Oakland Athletics defeat the Boston Red Sox, 8 – 1.

Glenn Burke dies from AIDS at the age of 42

Glenn Burke dies from AIDS at the age of 42

1995 – In the amateur draft, the California Angels select Darin Erstad with the first overall pick. He will sign for a $1.6 million bonus, the highest to date. Picking next, the San Diego Padres select Ben Davis, the Seattle Mariners pick Jose Cruz, Jr., and the Chicago Cubs follow with Kerry Wood.

The Diamondbacks named Joe Garagiola Jr. as the team’s first general manager. The son of the former major league catcher and TV personality will stay in the post until 2005, when he leaves Arizona to become MLB’s senior vice president of baseball operations.

Japanese rookie pitcher Hideo Nomo records his first major league win with the Dodgers, limiting the Mets to one run on two hits in 8+ innings of work.

The Boston Red Sox defeat the Seattle Mariners, 6 – 5, as John Valentin has one of the best hitting days ever by a shortstop. Valentin goes 5 for 5, including three home runs and four runs scored. In doing so, he becomes the first SS ever to have 15 total bases in a single game.

The Expos pick Serra High School (San Mateo, CA) standout Tom Brady in the 18th round, the 507th player selected overall, in baseball’s amateur draft. The tall, athletic 17 year-old catcher with a powerful left-handed swing and a rocket arm elects to play football at the University of Michigan, before making his record-setting eight Super Bowl appearances as the quarterback for the NFL Patriots.

Pedro Martinez of the Montreal Expos pitches nine perfect innings against the San Diego Padres

Pedro Martinez of the Montreal Expos pitches nine perfect innings against the San Diego Padres

1995 – Craig Biggio blasts a three-run shot off Robb Nen with two away in the bottom of the ninth to shock Florida, 6-5. Greg Swindell helps his own cause with a run-scoring double but Dave Veres gets the win. 

1995 – J.D. Drew of Florida State University hits a record-setting three home runs in his final three at-bats in a 16 – 11 loss to Southern California in the College World Series. Drew finishes 3 for 5 with five RBI and 12 total bases, also a series record.

Former AL MVP Zoilo Versalles passes away at 55

Former AL MVP Zoilo Versalles passes away at 55

The Red Sox obtain IF Chris Donnels from the Astros in exchange for a player to be named later.

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jeff Manto, who collected four home runs in his first three years in the major leagues, homers in his fourth consecutive at-bat. In all, he homers five times in six at-bats in three games during his power outburst. The Orioles defeat the Angels‚ 6 – 2. Manto equaled Johnny Blanchard’s mark established in 1961. The Orioles’ third baseman, who hit two homers against the Angels last night and one the previous night off the Mariners’ Rafael Carmona, goes deep in the bottom of the second inning at Camden Yards.

Ford Frick Award winner Lindsey Nelson passes away

Ford Frick Award winner Lindsey Nelson passes away

Lee Smith sets a major league record with a save in his 16th consecutive appearance, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the Angels’ 5 – 4 victory over the Orioles. Smith breaks the mark of 15 straight set by Doug Jones in 1988.

Cincinnati defeats Houston‚ 3 – 2‚ in 10 innings on Ron Gant’s homer. It is Gant’s 4th extra-inning homer of the season‚ tying him with Willie Mays for the National League record. Charlie Maxwell hit 5 for the Tigers in 1960.

The Giants score 4 times in the bottom of the 9th inning in their game with Montreal to tie the score at 8 – 8‚ but the Expos score twice in the 13th to win‚ 10 – 8. Montreal OF Rondell White strokes 6 hits while becoming the 4th Expo to ever hit for the cycle. White’s hits include a single‚ 2 doubles‚ a triple‚ and a home run. He scores 5 runs‚ while picking up 3 ribbies.

Mark McGwire ties a major league record by hitting five homers in back-to-back games. Big Mac’s three homers today in consecutive at-bats help the A’s defeat the Red Sox, 8-1.

Yankee starting pitcher Mariano Rivera, allowing five runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings in the team’s eventual 10-7 victory over Seattle, is sent back to the minor leagues. The Bombers’ starting shortstop, a 20 year-old infielder named Derek Jeter, will also be demoted after the Bronx ballpark contest.

Mike Benjamin goes on record streak for hits over 3 games collecting 14

Mike Benjamin goes on record streak for hits over 3 games collecting 14

1995 – Mike Benjamin goes 6 for 7, setting a major league record with 14 hits in three games, and drives in the winning run in the 13th inning as the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs, 4 – 3. A career .186 hitter in his first six seasons, Benjamin is 14 for 18 in that stretch.

1995 – Florida Marlins outfielder Andre Dawson hits his 400th National League home run, and 429th of his career, in Florida’s 2 – 1 victory over the Phillies.

1995 – In a wild 16-inning affair at Shea Stadium, the Astros outduel the Mets, 7-5. Brian Hunter’s double drives in Craig Shipley in the 12th to snap a 2-2 tie but Jose Vizcaino’s RBI grounder keeps New York alive. Back-to-back homers by Hunter and Craig Biggio put Houston up in the 15th but a two-run single by Brett Butler ties it again. Jeff Bagwell’s bases-loaded hit is the game-winner. Doug Brocail slams the door to finally silence the Mets. 

1995 – Relief pitcher Mitch Williams is released by the California Angels. Williams, who considered retirement last year after being released by Houston, ends his career with a unique statistic on his resume: 526 hits and 537 walks allowed in 684 2/3 innings pitched. He is the only pitcher in major league history with more than 250 innings to allow more walks than hits.

Darryl Strawberry signs a one-year contract with the Yankees despite the fact he is under a sixty-day suspension for drug abuse. During his five seasons in the Bronx, the southpaw-swinging slugger will contribute to the team’s tremendous success in the late 90’s.

P Lee Smith saves the Angels’ 3 – 2 win over the Royals to set a major league record with his 18th save in 18 opportunities. His streak will end on June 28th.

In Florida’s 7 – 2 victory over Colorado, Marlins’ relief pitcher Terry Mathews gets the win, and goes 3 for 3 at the plate, with two doubles, two ribbies, and a run scored.

The Reds defeat the Braves, 9 – 8, as Cincinnati’s Eric Anthony and Eddie Taubensee both hit pinch-hit home runs in the 8th inning. It is only the second time that a club has hit two pinch homers in the same frame in the National League since 1975.

Two acoustic panels fall from the roof of the Toronto SkyDome, injuring seven fans during the 7th inning of the Brewers’ 7 – 0 win over the Blue Jays.

‘Marvelous’ Marv Throneberry, known best by his antics as a Met, dies from cancer at the age of 60. The first baseman’s gaffes on the field became emblematic of the hapless new franchise in the Big Apple.

1995 – Derek Bell caps a four-hit night with the game-winning RBI as he drives home Brian Hunter for a 3-2, twelve-inning triumph over the Cubs. Craig Shipley had tied it in the bottom of the ninth with a sacrifice fly off Randy Myers. Todd Jones fans five of the seven Chicagoans he faces to get the victory. 

Phillies 2B Mickey Morandini strokes five hits to lead Philadelphia to a 10 – 9 win over the Cardinals. He gets three singles and two doubles, drives home three runs, and scores a pair to help the Phillies maintain their five game lead over Atlanta in the National League East.

Florida P David Weathers loses a chance at a no-hitter when he is hit on his pitching hand by a Tim Pugh fastball and has to leave the game against the Reds. He had held Cincinnati hitless over the first five innings. Terry Mathews replaces him and allows three hits in preserving the Marlins’ 5 – 1 win.

At jack Murphy Stadium Colorado Rockies Firstbaseman  Andres Galarraga hits home runs in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings against the Padres to tie the major league record: he’s the 4th major leaguer to clout 4-baggers in three consecutive innings. Galarraga’s 7 RBIs lead the Rockies to an 11 – 3 win.

The Astros pound out 19 hits in scoring a 19 - 6 win over the Cubs

The Astros pound out 19 hits in scoring a 19 – 6 win over the Cubs

Andres Galarraga becomes the fourth player in big league history to hit a home run in three consecutive innings. The Rockies’ first baseman’s accomplishment helps Colorado to beat the Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium, 11-3.

Before rejoining the Yankees to make a start in Chicago, Columbus Clipper starter Mariano Rivera pitches a five-inning no-hitter against the IL’s Rochester Red Wings in Ohio’s Cooper Stadium. During his tenure in the minor leagues, Mo, the future major league leader in career saves, is used primarily as a starter, starting 68 games, including seven complete contests, en route to compiling a 27-18 record along with a 2.35 ERA.

1995 – Orlando Miller smacks a three-run shot and drives in five as Houston buries the Cardinals, 11-0. Greg Swindell hurls the complete game shutout, coasting to victory after his teammates tally ten runs in the first two frames. Luis Gonzalez adds three hits and drives in three. 

The Cubs trade C Rick Wilkins to the Astros for OF Luis Gonzalez and C Scott Servais.

Colorado pulls off the hidden ball trick in a 2 – 1, 11-inning loss to the host San Francisco Giants. In the first inning, Darren Lewis is tagged out at third base by Vinny Castilla, with Barry Bonds at bat.

The White Sox pound out 22 hits in a 17 – 13 win over the Brewers. 3B Robin Ventura gets five of those hits, including a home run, and scores four runs while driving home 3.

The Angels stroke 21 hits in their 20 – 4 victory over the Rangers. OF Jim Edmonds and SS Gary DiSarcina lead the way with four hits apiece.

Eddie Murray the second switch hitter to collect 3,000 hits

Eddie Murray the second switch hitter to collect 3,000 hits

Barry Bonds has four hits, including a pair of homers, and drives in five runs to pace the Giants to a 7 – 6 win over the Padres. His second homer is a 2-run shot with two outs in the 9th inning off Trevor Hoffman, his first walk-off home run at home. Chris Hook (3-0) is the winner.

Houston explodes for eight runs in the fifth inning while blanking the Pirates, 11-0

Dodger right-hander Hideo Nomo, who is leading the National League in strikeouts, becomes the first player from Japan to be selected for the major league All-Star game. As the starter for the Senior Circuit, the 26 year-old rookie tosses two scoreless innings in National League’s 3-2 victory over their American League rivals at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Colorado downs Houston by a score of 15 – 10 at Coors Field. The Rockies’ attack is led by 1B Andres Galarraga, who strokes three singles, a double, and two home runs, while driving home five runs and scoring four. The victory moves Colorado one game ahead of the idle Dodgers for first place in the National League West.

The Cardinals shut out the Expos, 6 – 0, behind the combined one-hit pitching of Mike Morgan and Jeff Parrett. Wil Cordero’s single is Montreal’s only hit.

In a slugfest at Coors Field, Andres Galarraga enjoys a 6-for-6 performance at the plate when the Rockies bang out 21 hits. The first baseman’s offensive output, which includes two homers and five RBIs, contributes to Colorado’s 15-10 victory over Houston.

1995 – Andres Galarraga of Colorado goes 6-for-6 with two homers and five RBIs as the Rockies take a 15-10 slugfest over Houston at Coors Field. Derek Bell and James Mouton go deep for the Astros but it’s not enough to offset the 21-hit assault of Colorado. 

1995 – Craig Biggio slams two home runs and Jeff Bagwell drives in five during a 16-8 donnybrook at Colorado. Biggio scores five times, setting a club record that still stands. He also steals a base and drives in three. Derrick May and Phil Nevin contribute three hits apiece. 

Mariners 1B Tino Martinez strokes five hits, but Seattle still loses to Detroit by a score of 8 – 6. Martinez’s hits include a double and a pair of home runs, as he notches five ribbies.

The Red Sox obtain P Rick Aguilera from the Twins in exchange for P Frank Rodriguez and a player to be named.

The Astros defeat the Padres, 5 – 4 in 12 innings, as Houston pitchers strike out 17 San Diego batters. Padres SS Andujar Cedeno fans five times, while teammates Melvin Nieves and Roberto Petagine whiff four times each. No team over the past 15 years has had three players strike out four or more times in the same game. SD pitchers fan 15 Houston players themselves.

Atlanta P Greg Maddux shuts out the Dodgers, 1 – 0. In the process, he extends his streak of innings without issuing a walk to 49.

The Twins trade P Scott Erickson to the Orioles in exchange for P Scott Klingenbeck and a player to be named later.

For the second consecutive game, Houston defeats San Diego by a score of 5 – 4. Padres SS Andujar Cedeno strikes out three times in three at-bats, giving him 10 Ks in three games to tie a major league record.

After each team scores a run in the 1st inning, the Astros and Padres play scoreless ball for the next 14 frames. Each team scores its second run in the 16th stanza, and the Astros pull it out with a run in the last half of the 17th inning for a 3 – 2 win.

A worker installing lights for a computer trade show falls 25 feet to his death in the Toronto SkyDome.

Mickey Mantle’s final public appearance increases awareness of organ donation programs.

The National League defeats the American League in the All-Star Game, 3 – 2, on an 8th inning pinch-hit home run by Jeff Conine. Conine becomes the 10th player to homer in his first All-Star at bat, and is named the game’s MVP. Frank Thomas, Craig Biggio and Mike Piazza also connect for home runs. Thomas becomes the first White Sox player ever to homer in the Mid-summer Classic as the NL out-homers the American League, 3 to 2.

In a scene reminiscent to yesteryear, the first basemen leave their mitt in the field between innings throughout Montreal’s 3-2 victory over the Cubs. The Expos’ first baseman David Segui is really sharing his glove with Chicago’s Mark Grace, whose equipment did not arrive at Olympic Stadium, due to a shipping error.

Greg Maddux of the Braves defeats the Padres, 4 – 1. His streak of 51 innings without issuing a walk is ended when he gives up a free pass to opposing pitcher Joey Hamilton, a career .041 hitter.

San Diego Padres players complain when the team attempts to recall former replacement player Ira Smith from the minors. Management decides instead to recall Archi Cianfroccoinstead.

Ramon Martinez no-hits the Florida Marlins, 7 – 0. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ hurler was perfect before walking Tommy Gregg after getting the first out in the 7th inning.

1995 – Jeff Bagwell and Tony Eusebio deliver four hits apiece as the Astros outslug the Giants, 13-8. Bagwell’s three-run shot gives him four RBIs while Eusebio and Dave Magadan bring home three runs apiece. 

Cleveland defeats Oakland, 5 – 4, in 12 innings, as Indians 2B Carlos Baerga lashes out five hits, including a double. The win opens up Cleveland’s lead in the American League Central to 14 1/2 games.

The White Sox blast Yankee P Jack McDowell for 13 hits and nine runs in 4 2/3 innings in their 11 - 4 win in the second game of a doubleheader. McDowell makes an obscene gesture to the fans as he is booed walking off the field.

The White Sox blast Yankee P Jack McDowell for 13 hits and nine runs in 4 2/3 innings in their 11 – 4 win in the second game of a doubleheader. McDowell makes an obscene gesture to the fans as he is booed walking off the field.

Dave Andrews, public address announcer for the Abilene Prairie Dogs of the Texas-Louisiana League, is ejected from a game after Abilene manager Charlie Kerfeld is given the boot. Andrews proceeds to read a commercial for an eyeglass chain, infuriating the umpire. Andrews claims it was coincidence, but is still fined $50.

The Marlins score a 12 – 10, 14-inning victory over the Giants. Florida is led by 1B Greg Colbrunn, who drives in seven runs on two home runs.

Lee Smith becomes the third hurler in major league history to give up two game-ending grand slams in the same season when Albert Belle goes yard, giving the Indians a dramatic 7-5 victory over the Angels at Jacobs Field. At the end of last month, the 37 year-old closer yielded a walk-off four-run round-tripper to A’s slugger Mark McGwire.

The Devil Rays name Chuck LaMar as the franchise’s first general manager. Under the leadership of the former Braves assistant GM, the expansion team will compile a 518-777 (.400) record during the first eight years of its existence.

1995 – Mets OF Brett Butler strokes four hits, but it is not enough to prevent an 8 – 6 New York loss to the Cardinals. The hits give Butler 15 for his last four games, one shy of the record of 16 set by Brooklyn’s Milt Stock in 1925.

The Reds trade OF Deion Sanders, pitching prospects John Roper, Ricky Pickett and Scott Service, and IF David McCarty to the Giants for pitchers Mark Portugal and Dave Burba, and OF Darren Lewis.

Archi Cianfrocco became the first player since at least 1914 (and still the only through the 2015 season) with 6 RBI in a 9-inning or shortened game in which the player entered the game in the 7th inning or later. He actually entered in the 8th inning, hitting a pinch-hit grand slam off Steve Bedrosian to give the Padres a 4-2 lead. He added a 2-run single in the 9th off Mike Stanton to beat the Braves 9-6.

1995 – White Sox SS Ozzie Guillen shoves the Brewers’ Jeff Cirillo at 3B, touching off a bench-clearing brawl. The “highlight” is the two managers, Phil Garner and Terry Bevington, swinging at each other. Chicago goes on to a 4 – 2 victory.

On the day the Yankees celebrate Babe Ruth’s hundredth birthday, a frail Mickey Mantle bids the fans a farewell in a recorded message on the Bronx ballpark’s Jumbotron. The diminished former superstar, who will succumb to liver cancer in 22 days, tells the crowd, “I feel like Phil Rizzuto in Babe Ruth’s uniform.”

On the day the Yankees celebrate Babe Ruth’s hundredth birthday, a frail Mickey Mantle bids the fans a farewell in a recorded message on the Bronx ballpark’s Jumbotron. The diminished former superstar, who will succumb to liver cancer in 22 days, tells the crowd, “I feel like Phil Rizzuto in Babe Ruth’s uniform”.

1995 – John Cangelosi goes 4-for-4 while Jeff Bagwell drives in five, including a three-run homer, to pace a 7-6 victory over San Francisco. Mike Hampton gets an early cushion but needs help from Dave Veres and Todd Jones for the win. 

1995 – Oakland P Dave Stewart announces his retirement from baseball.

Colorado defeats Philadelphia by a score of 11 – 3. Two of the Phillies’ runs score on a pinch-hit home run by P Omar Olivares in the 5th inning. Olivares is the first pitcher to hit a pinch homer since 1990.

The Red Sox trade outfielder Mark Whiten to Philadelphia for first baseman Dave Hollins, who will play only five games for Boston. ‘Hard Hittin’ Mike Whiten will hit .254 appearing in 120 contests over two seasons for the ‘Fightin’ Phils.’

1995 – Yankees 2B Randy Velarde strokes five hits in New York’s 8 – 1 win over the Royals. Velarde’s hits include four singles and a home run.

In the top of the fourth inning, Dante Bichette puts the Rockies ahead, 6-4, with a three-run home run off Jim Deshaies at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium. The round-tripper is the 18th of the season for the 31 year-old outfielder, but only his first on the road.

1995 – Doug Drabek hurls a three-hitter and strikes out nine as he blanks the Dodgers, 4-0. Jeff Bagwell goes deep off Hideo Nomo while Craig Biggio spanks a solo shot off Jose Parra to account for half of Houston’s runs. 

The White Sox trade pitchers Jim Abbott and Tim Fortugno to the Angels in exchange for minor league outfielder McKay Christensen and pitchers Andrew Lorraine, Bill Simas and John Snyder.

The Indians obtain pitcher Ken Hill from the Cardinals in exchange for minor leaguers David Bell, Rick Heiserman and Pepe McNeal.

Rick Ferrell

Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell dies at the age of 89

David Cone

New York Yankees acquire ace pitcher David Cone

The Orioles acquire 3B-OF Bobby Bonilla and a player to be named later from the Mets in exchange for OF Alex Ochoa and Damon Buford.

With baseball’s new speed-up rules in place, the Cubs dispose of the Phillies, 4 – 0, in a brisk 2:29. Cubs’ P Frank Castillo says, “It wasn’t the rule about throwing a pitch in 12 seconds since I usually throw in five seconds.”

The Yankees trade Danny Tartabull to the A’s for Jason Beverlin and Ruben Sierra. Tartabull signed a lucrative free agent deal worth more than $5 million a year with New York after the 1991 season, but the outfielder never produced on the level he had playing with Kansas City.

Toronto defeats Oakland in an 18 – 11 slugfest at the SkyDome. A’s P John Briscoe allows two runs in the 6th inning without letting a ball leave the infield. He allows an IF hit, a walk, a hit batsman, another walk and another hit batsman.

Star P Osvaldo Fernandez of the Cuban national team defects as his team plays Team USA in Millington, Tennessee.

The Royals top the Tigers, 5 – 4, on Jon Nunnally’s home run in the 16th inning, Kansas City’s first extra-base hit in the game following 21 singles, including five by OF Vince Coleman. The American League record is 26 set by the Brewers in 1992. Nine players hit in the 9th slot, including winning pitcher Hipolito Pichardo, who bats twice. He is the first Royals’ pitcher to go to the plate since Mark Littell in 1977, though infielder David Howard, who tossed two innings in 1994, batted while pitching.

Mike Schmidt, Richie Ashburn, Negro League star Leon Day, former National League president William Hulbert and Vic Willis are inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Chili Davis of the Angels is charged with disorderly conduct following California’s 8 – 3 win over the Brewers in Milwaukee. Davis allegedly slapped a fan who was taunting him. Chili also had a hit in the game.

The Astros’ Jeff Bagwell suffers a broken hand when his is hit by a pitch in the 4th from Brian Williams in the Astros’ 7 – 1 win over the Padres. It is the same bone that he broke last year when he was hit by a pitch from Andy Benes on August 10th, two days before the strike.

The Mets trade former two-time Cy Young Award winner right-handed pitcher Bret Saberhagen and left-handed pitcher farmhand Dave Swanson (the player to be named later) to the Rockies for righties Juan Acevedo and Arnold Gooch.

Despite tossing a one-hitter, Toronto rookie P Paul Menhart loses to Baltimore, 1 – 0. The Orioles’ only hit is a 2nd-inning homer by DH Harold Baines.

The Padres score all 11 of their runs in the 8th inning of their 11 – 3 win over San Francisco. It is the most runs scored in an inning in the National League this year. San Diego also had the highest-scoring inning in the league in 1994 and 1993.

Long time coach Jimmie Reese, whose 23 years in an Angels uniform equal the longest in club history, is inducted into the Angels’ Hall of Fame. The former roommate of Babe Ruth began his career as a batboy for the Pacific Coast League’s Los Angeles Angels in 1917.

The Senate Judiciary Committee sends a bill calling for the partial repeal of baseball’s antitrust exemption to the full Senate. The vote is just 9-8.

Making his first start for the Rockies since being acquired from the Mets, Brett Saberhagen gives up 13 hits and walks three batters, but gets the win in the team’s 9-4 win over the Dodgers. The sellout crowd gives their new hurler an enthusiastic standing ovation when he departs the game with one out in the seventh inning.

1995 – Houston sweeps a twinbill at Pittsburgh, 6-5 and 5-4. James Mouton singles home Orlando Miller in the ninth to win the opener while Derek Bell caps a 5-for-9 day with a home run and a double to pace the Astros in the nightcap. 

The Dodgers beat the Giants, 3 – 0, behind the one-hit pitching of Hideo Nomo. Royce Clayton’s single is the only San Francisco hit, as Los Angeles keeps pace with division-leading Colorado, 3 1/2 games behind the Rockies in the National League West.

Atlanta’s Marquis Grissom gets five singles to lead the Braves to a 9 – 6 triumph over the Expos, increasing the team’s lead over 2nd-place Philadelphia to 1 1/2 games in the NL East.

In a South Atlantic League game at Fayetteville, NC, four Fayetteville pitchers combine to strike out 19 batters but still lose to Savannah, 6 – 1. Scott Gardner strikes out five batters in the 7th inning.

Yankees DH Ruben Sierra drives home 7 runs to lead New York to an 11 – 4 win over Baltimore. Sierra’s three hits include a single‚ double and home run.

Pittsburgh’s Jeff King connects for two homers in the nine-run 2nd inning‚ and Pittsburgh rides it to a 9 – 5 win over the Giants. King is the first Pittsburgh player to homer twice in an inning since Jake Stenzel in 1894

The Rangers acquire P Bobby Witt from the Marlins in exchange for two players to be named.

George Nicolau, baseball’s impartial arbitrator since 1986, is fired by major league owners.

The Giants defeat the Pirates, 4 – 3. The winning pitcher is William Van Landingham and the loser, Jason Christiansen. The 25 letters in the surnames of the two pitchers of record is the most ever in a major league game.

The Tigers trade P Mike Henneman to the Astros in exchange for a player to be named.

Yankees’ C Mike Stanley hits three home runs and drives home seven runs, but it’s not enough to prevent New York from losing to Cleveland by a score of 10 – 9.

Cardinals are awarded a 2-1 victory by forfeit over the Dodgers at "Ball Day" at Dodger Stadium

Cardinals are awarded a 2-1 victory by forfeit over the Dodgers at “Ball Day” at Dodger Stadium

Kirk Gibson announces his retirement

Kirk Gibson announces his retirement

1995 – Thanks to an odd play‚ the Dodgers defeat the Pirates‚ 11 – 10‚ in 11 innings. With the potential winning run at third base‚ Mitch Webster of the Dodgers swings at a pitch in the dirt. When Pittsburgh rookie C Angelo Encarnacion casually picks up the ball with his mask‚ Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda appeals‚ citing the rule which awards a runner two bases if a fielder uses his mask to touch a thrown ball. The umpires agree and allow the winning run to score. Encarnacion is given an error.

The Dodgers take sole possession of first place in the National League West with a 4 – 1 win over the Pirates. Eric Karros hits a two-run homer and Todd Worrell ices the win by striking out the side on nine pitches in the 9th.

Mickey Mantle sets the record by hitting HR's from both sides of the plate for 3rd time in his short career

Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle dies from liver cancer at the age of 63

1995 – The Red Sox trade OF Wes Chamberlain to the Royals in exchange for OF Chris James.

The Minnesota Twins retired Kent Hrbek's number 14.

The Minnesota Twins retired Kent Hrbek’s number 14.

1995 – Cincinnati OF Reggie Sanders hits three home runs to lead the Reds to an 11 – 3 victory over the Rockies. He drives home four runs with his blasts which help the Reds increase their lead in the National League Centraldivision to seven games over Houston.

Although he is hitting .287 and has 26 stolen bases in 75 games for KC, Vince Coleman is designated for assignment by the Royals. The Mariners acquire the 33 year-old fleet outfielder and will compile a 26-14 record with their new leadoff hitter, a key factor for Seattle in capturing the American League Wild Card.

Mickey Mantle sets the record by hitting HR's from both sides of the plate for 3rd time in his short career

Bob Costas, delivers the eulogy at Mickey Mantle’s funeral

Yankees announcer, and former SS, Phil Rizzuto retires as team broadcaster after 39 years at the mike, reportedly because WPIX-TV refused to allow him to miss a game to attend teammate Mickey Mantle’s funeral. Rizzuto eventually will return for the 1996 season.

In a slugfest at new Coors Field, the Cubs defeat the Rockies by a score of 26 – 7. A 2 1/2 hour rain delay interrupts the contest which takes more than six hours to play. OF Luis Gonzalez drives home six runs for Chicago while Sammy Sosa goes 4 for 4, with four RBIs and four runs scored. Several major league records are tied by the Cubs: nine teammates each score two or more runs (Scott Servais and Sosa score 4, while Mark Graceplates 3); 14 Cubs hit safely, and 26 RBIs (ties the National League mark) are collected. The Cubs now have scored 20 or more runs 39 times in their history, extending their record. Kevin Foster pitches the first three innings for Chicago, allowing only a Andres Galarraga homer before departing to rest with the Cubs up 9 – 1. Anthony Young picks up an easy win with 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Cards reliever Tom Henke earns a save in a 4 – 3 win over the Braves. It is his 300th save, making him just the 6th pitcher to reach that mark.

Mariners 3B Mike Blowers hits a grand slam and a 3-run homer in his first two at bats to plate seven runs, in Seattle’s 9 – 3 win over Boston. Blowers earlier drove in eight runs in a game.

In spite of a Braves’ rally in the ninth, Tom Henke records his 300th career save when the Cardinals edge Atlanta, 4-3. The Kansas City native becomes the seventh pitcher in major league history to reach this milestone.

1995 – The Devil Rays name Braves assistant general manager Chuck LaMar as the franchise’s first general manager.

Indians closer Jose Mesa picks up his 37th save in as many opportunities to set a major league record. The right-handed reliever pitches a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the Tribe’s 8-5 win over Milwaukee at Jacobs Field.

8/23/1995: At Shea Stadium, the Giants led 3-2 with two out in the bottom of the ninth and Chris Jones at bat for the Mets. Jones hit a drive to right field which appeared to be a game tying homer off Terry Mulholland. However, first base umpire Gary Darling ruled the ball foul, even though replays of the hit showed it hitting the fair pole. Mulholland struck out Jones on the next pitch to end the game.

St. Louis defeats Colorado, 8 – 3. Both leadoff hitters – Bernard Gilkey for the Cardinals and Trenidad Hubbard for the Rockies – homer in the 1st inning, marking the first time this has happened in the National League since 1986. One near tragedy occurs when 6-year-old Cameron Wilson suffers a skull fracture when hit by a foul ball off the bat of Eric Young. He will be okay.

Darren Daulton tears the ACL in his right knee and will be out for the remainder of the season

Jose Canseco hits a homer in his 5th straight game to account for Boston’s only score in a 6 – 1 loss to Oakland. Canseco is the 5th Red Sox player to homer in five straight games. Scott Brosius clouts a pair of homers and Doug Jones hands Boston just its 3rd loss in 23 games.

greg maddux

Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves ties a major league record by posting his 16th consecutive win on the road

The Athletics defeat the Red Sox by a score of 11 – 4. All Boston’s runs score on C Mike Macfarlane’s grand slam. It is the 101st grand slam hit in the majors this season, breaking the record set in 1987.

Montreal P Kirk Rueter hurls a one-hit, 1 – 0 shutout over the Giants. San Francisco’s only hit is a single by C Kirt Manwaring.

Catcher Mike Piazza collects four long hits – 2 doubles and two home runs, including a grand slam – good for seven ribbies, to lead the Dodgers to a 9 – 1 victory over Philadelphia. Piazza is now hitting .367, tied for the lead in the major leagues.

With two out in the ninth inning at Three Rivers Stadium, Paul Wagner loses a no-hitter against the Rockies on an infield single by Andres Galarraga. The 27 year-old Pirates right-hander will win the game, 4-0, but will lead the National League in losses this season, posting a 5-16 record for Pittsburgh.

Angels power prospect Todd Greene hits his 40th home run as Vancouver (Pacific Coast League) beats Salt Lake City, 14 – 5. Greene is the first minor leaguer to reach 40 dingers since Danny Tartabull for Calgary in 1985.

The Blue Jays trade OF Candy Maldonado to the Rangers in exchange for a player to be named.

Yankees OF Paul O’Neill homers in his first three at bats and drives home eight runs in leading the New Yorkers to an 11 – 6 win over California.

1995 – Battery charges are dropped against Atlanta manager Bobby Cox‚ who was arrested back on May 7th. Cox tells a judge that counseling has helped his marriage.

The Mets outslug the Giants, 11 – 6, despite Barry Bonds hitting the Giants’ 11,000th franchise homer. Barry’s father, Bobby Bonds, hit the 8,000th franchise homer exactly 24 years ago, on this day in 1971.

Tony Fernandez becomes the tenth Yankee to hit for the cycle

Ron Maurer of the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes plays all nine positions in his team’s 4 – 2 loss to Las Vegas.

Toronto DH Paul Molitor strokes five hits and brings home three runs to lead the Blue Jays to a 6 – 1 win over the Royals. His hits include three singles, a double and a home run.

Robin Ventura becomes the eighth player to hit two grand slams in the same game. The third baseman’s blasts in the fourth and fifth innings power the White Sox past Texas at The Ballpark in Arlington, 14-3.

Cal Ripken Streak

Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles ties one of the game’s longest standing records. Ripken plays in his 2,130th consecutive game

The Astros defeat the Reds, 10 – 1, in a game marked by a bench-clearing brawl that will lead to suspensions for Xavier Hernandez (8 games), Doug Drabek (5), Pat Borders (5), Ron Gant (4), Davey Johnson (2), and Terry Collins (2). Intentional walks backfire twice for Cincy. Ahead 1 – 0, they walk Jeff Bagwell in the 3rd (with Craig Biggio on second base and one out) and Mike Simms homers. Undeterred, the Reds give a free pass to pinch-hitter Dave Magadan in the 7th (with men on second and third base and one out) and the score just 4 – 1. Derrick May then hits a grand slam.

Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles breaks one of baseball’s most famous records. Ripken plays in his 2,131st consecutive game

Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles breaks one of baseball’s most famous records. Ripken plays in his 2,131st consecutive game

Jacobs Field

Cleveland Indians clinch a post-season berth faster than any team in history

The Tigers trade IF Juan Samuel to the Royals in exchange for a player to be named.

1995 – In the Japanese Central League, the visiting Yakult Swallows beat the Yomiuri Giants behind Terry Bross’s no-hitter. Bross becomes only the second foreign-born pitcher to pitch a no-hitter.

1995 – At Jacobs Field, the Yankees record a rarity in their 4 – 0 win over the Indians – no assists. Jack McDowell allows four hits, walks four and strikes out eight in the nine innings as the Yanks register the 3rd no-assist game in the American League this century. Black Jack retires the side in the 9th on three pitches. The outfield makes eight of the 27 putouts. It last happened in the major leagues in a Mets-Phils game on June 25, 1989, the only time in the National League.

Harry_Caray_1988

Cubs announcer Harry Caray remarks to the team’s skipper Jim Riggleman, “Well, my eyes are slanty enough, how ’bout yours?”, referring to Hideo Nomo

Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell, appearing in the same game for the 1,915th time, set an American League record for joint appearances

Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell, appearing in the same game for the 1,915th time, set an American League record for joint appearances

1995 – The sale of the Oakland Athletics for $85 million to Steven Schott and Ken Hoffman is approved by major league owners. A provision of the sale is that the team remain in Oakland, CA.

Ozzie Smith takes part in the 1,554th twin killing of his career to set a new big league record for double plays. The Cardinals' shortstop's wizardry isn't enough to prevent the Redbirds' 7-6 loss to the Dodgers at Busch Stadium.

Ozzie Smith takes part in the 1,554th twin killing of his career to set a new big league record for double plays. The Cardinals’ shortstop’s wizardry isn’t enough to prevent the Redbirds’ 7-6 loss to the Dodgers at Busch Stadium.

1995 – San Diego beats the Cubs, 12 – 4, as Sammy Sosa and Ken Caminiti each pound a pair of homers. Caminiti collects one from each side of the plate. Tony Gwynn (.367) has three ribbies in going 3 for 5.

Florida’s Pat Rapp one-hits Colorado as the Marlins trounce the Rockies, 17 – 0. It’s Rapp’s 7th win in a row as a bloop single by Dante Bichette is Colorado’s only safety. The Marlins pound six Rockies pitchers for 21 safeties, including five for OF Gary Sheffield, who drives in four runs before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 8th. Rapp will shut out the Mets in five days in a rain-shortened game, the first Marlin to toss two shutouts in a row.

Switch-hitting third baseman Ken Caminiti ties Eddie Murray’s 1987 major league mark and becomes the first National Leaguer to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in consecutive games when he goes deep off right-hander Turk Wendell and southpaw Roberto Rivera in the Padres’ 12-4 victory over Chicago at Jack Murphy Stadium. Yesterday, the San Diego slugger homered right-handed off Larry Casian and cleared the fence in deep right center field batting lefty on a pitch thrown by Steve Trachsel.

Gary Sheffield follows up his 5-for-5 performance of yesterday with three hits in three at bats – 8 straight hits – for seven RBIs, in Florida’s 13 – 10 loss to Philadelphia. Sheffield, who was on the disabled list, will hit 10 homers and a club record 27 RBI in September.

The owners hire New York City labor commissioner Randy Levine as their chief labor negotiator.

Cleveland OF Albert Belle strokes three home runs the team’s 8 – 2 win over the White Sox, giving him five home runs over two consecutive games to tie a major league mark.

San Diego pummels Colorado, 15 – 4, as 3B Ken Caminiti drives home eight runs with four hits, including a pair of homers, again from each side of the plate. Caminiti has now hit a pair of homers, right and left-handed, in three of his last four games. He’s the only major leaguer to ever to do it three times in a month. Jody Reed has four hits and four runs for the Pads. Andres Galarraga connects for his 30th homer, giving the Rockies four players with 30+ homers. This matches the 1977 Dodgers.

The Padres play their one-thousandth home game without having a rainout

The Padres play their one-thousandth home game without having a rainout

John Vander Wal sets a major league record with his 26th pinch-hit of the season. The Rockies pinch-hitter’s historic hit is a seventh-inning solo home run off Sergio Valdez in Colorado’s 5-3 loss to San Francisco at Candlestick Park.

1995 – White Sox OF Lance Johnson strokes six hits – including three triples -, scores four runs and drives in four others as Chicago defeats Minnesota, 14 – 4. 3B Robin Ventura gets five hits for the Chisox, including three doubles.

1995 – Montreal P Carlos Perez is arrested in Atlanta and charged with the rape of a 20-year-old woman.

1995 – Cubs P Frank Castillo one-hits the Cardinals, winning by a score of 7 – 0. Castillo strikes out 13, walks 2, and allows only a triple to OF Bernard Gilkey.

Adam Sisk becomes the first player signed by the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The 19 year-old Edison Community College student, who was 24-2 as a high schooler at Riverdale Baptist, was drafted by San Diego last year, but the right-hander chose to go to college, where he developed tendinitis in his right elbow after making just two appearances.

A fan takes exception when a Cub reliever gives up two-run, pinch-hit home run to James Mouton, giving the Astros an eighth inning 9-7 lead. As the Houston pinch hitter rounds the bases, the 27 year-old spectator runs out of the stands and heads toward the mound, where he is immediately pinned by Randy Myers, who in addition to his pitching prowess, is well trained in the martial arts.

1995 – Greg Harris of the Montreal Expos becomes the first pitcher to pitch with both hands in the 20th century. Harris faces four batters, two from his usual right side and two from the left, in pitching a scoreless 9th inning in a 9 – 7 loss to Cincinnati.

1995 – Cleveland OF Albert Belle socks his 50th home run of the season in the Indians’ 3 – 2 win over the Royals. The home run is Belle’s 17th of September, tying Babe Ruth’s record for the month. Beginning September 13, Belle has hit 13 homers in 16 games (he did not play on September 24), tying Frank Howard’s mark set in May, 1968. With today’s homer, Belle becomes the first player ever to have 50 homers and 50 doubles in a season.

Yankees and Rockies become the first wild-card teams in the new major league baseball playoff system

The Rockies post best record for 3rd year team in MLB History

In a one-game playoff for the American League West title, Mariners’ southpaw Randy Johnson throws a three-hitter and beats the Angels, 9-1. The ‘Big Unit’ finishes the shortened season of 145 games with an 18-2 record to establish a new AL mark for a winning percentage of .900, surpassing the record set of .893 by Ron Guidry in 1978.

Yankees and Rockies are first non first place teams to play in MLB playoffs

Tony Peña hits a home run to left field in the 13th inning to give the Indians a 5 – 4 victory over the Boston Red Sox in first ALDS

Behind the pitching of Orel Hershiser, Cleveland shuts out the Boston Red Sox, 4 – 0, for their second victory in their ALDS.

Cincinnati take a 2 games to 0 lead in their National League Division Series, defeating the Dodgers, 5 – 4. Eric Karros hits two home runs and Chad Fonville gets four hits in a losing cause.

In their NLDS, the Atlanta Braves defeat Colorado for the second straight day, 7 – 4, in a game featuring home runs by former Expo teammates Larry Walker of Colorado and Marquis Grissom of Atlanta.

Jim Leyritz hits a two-run home run in the 15th inning to give the Yankees a dramatic victory and a two games to none American League Division Series lead over Seattle.

After taking an early four-run lead in the Jacobs Field contest, the Indians hold on to beat the defending World Champion Yankees, 4-3, in Game 5 of the ALDS. The Tribe will go on to beat Baltimore for the AL flag but will lose their second Fall Classic in three years when the team drops Game 7 in extra innings to Florida.

In Game 3 off the ALDS, Bernie Williams becomes the first major leaguer to hit a home run from each side of the plate in a postseason game. The Yankee outfielder’s second round-tripper, an eighth-inning shot batting left-handed off Bill Risley, is tossed back onto the field by a Mariner fan who is apparently unaware of the historic value of the souvenir.

1995 – Edgar Martinez of the Seattle Mariners hits a tie-breaking grand slam in the 8th inning and drives in 7 runs – the most ever in a postseason game to date – leading the Mariners past the New York Yankees, 11 – 8, and sending the ALDS to a decisive Game 5.

In Game 4 of the ALDS, Edgar Martinez’s eighth-inning grand slam breaks a 6-6 tie with the Yankees at the Kingdome. The Mariner DH’s round-tripper, considered by many the biggest in franchise history, is the difference in Seattle’s eventual 11-10 victory, forcing a decisive Game 5.

With a 10-4 victory over Colorado, the Braves win their Division Series behind the solid pitching of Greg Maddux and the power provided by Fred McGriff’s two home runs

In the bottom of the 11th inning, Edgar Martinez drives home the tying and winning runs with a double to left field to rally the Seattle Mariners to a 6 - 5 win and the Division Series over the Yankees. Martinez bats .571 with 10 RBI in the best-of-five series. Ken Griffey, Jr., who beats the relay throw home to score the winning run, belts five home runs in the series. Following the 2010 season, a panel of experts at the MLB Network will vote this game the 15th greatest game of the past fifty years.

In the bottom of the 11th inning, Edgar Martinez drives home the tying and winning runs with a double to left field to rally the Seattle Mariners to a 6 – 5 win and the Division Series over the Yankees. Martinez bats .571 with 10 RBI in the best-of-five series. Ken Griffey, Jr., who beats the relay throw home to score the winning run, belts five home runs in the series. Following the 2010 season, a panel of experts at the MLB Network will vote this game the 15th greatest game of the past fifty years.

1995 – Jay Buhner, whose error in right field allowed the Indians to tie the game, hits his second home run of the game in the top of the 11th inning to lead the Mariners to a 5 – 2 victory in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Norm Charlton hurls three hitless innings in relief to give the Mariners a 2-1 series lead.

1995 – The Cleveland Indians beat the Seattle Mariners, 4 – 0, in Game 6 of the ALCS, winning their first pennant since 1954.

1995 – Atlanta beats Cleveland, 3 – 2, in Game 1 of the World Series behind star pitcher Greg Maddux. Fred McGriff homers for Atlanta, while Kenny Lofton of Cleveland becomes the first player since 1921 to steal two bases in one inning of a Series game. The two teams combine for only five hits, tying a World Series record for fewest hits by both clubs.

Vada Pinson dies at the age of 57 after suffering a stroke

Vada Pinson dies at the age of 57 after suffering a stroke

1995 – The Atlanta Braves take a 2 – 0 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the World Series behind the pitching of Tom Glavine. His batterymate, Javy López, decides the game with a two-run home run in the 6th inning off Dennis Martinez. Atlanta leads the Series, 2-0.

Former Astros GM Bob Watson is named as the Yankees’ new general manager, replacing Gene Michael. Watson, upset with the chain of command within the organization, will stay in the position for just two seasons, but under his watch the team will win its first World Series since 1978, establishing the groundwork for the very successful Bronx Bomber clubs of the late 1990’s.

Amid rumors that the Astros will be sold and moved to Virginia, General Manager Bob Watson resigns and takes the same position with the New York Yankees

1995 – Eddie Murray singles home pinch-runner Alvaro Espinoza in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Cleveland Indians their first win in a World Series game in 47 years. The Tribe’s 7 – 6 victory over the Atlanta Braves fittingly occurs in the first-ever Series game at Jacobs Field.

1995 – Atlanta Braves pitcher Steve Avery throws six innings of three-hit baseball and reliever Pedro Borbón, Jr. comes out of the bullpen for his first appearance in 19 days to save a 5 – 2 victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 4 of the World Series.

The ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 5 of the World Series is thrown by Commander Ken Bowersox, who is onboard the space shuttle Columbia. The ceremony, transmitted from space via satellite and shown to the Indians and Braves fans at Jacobs Field, continues with an animation sequence on the scoreboard that ends with a ball that appears to fly in and land in center field.

1995 – In the World Series, pitcher Orel Hershiser allows just two runs over eight innings and reliever Jose Mesa survives a two-run home run by Ryan Klesko in the 9th inning to give the Indians a 5 – 4 win over the Braves in Game 5.

Tom Glavine Pitches the Braves to their first title in Atlanta with a 1-0 win

Tom Glavine Pitches the Braves to their first title in Atlanta with a 1-0 win

Retired second baseman Ryne Sandberg announces that he will return to the major leagues in 1996

Retired second baseman Ryne Sandberg announces that he will return to the major leagues in 1996

The New York Yankees name Joe Torre their manager, replacing the recently departed Buck Showalter. Torre, a former St. Louis Cardinals’ star and National League batting champion, will guide the Yankees to four World Championships in his first five years with the team.

The expansion Devil Rays unveil their official game uniforms during a special fashion show staged at the Florida Aquarium. The black, green, and blue jersey, which the team will start wearing in 1998, features a manta ray as its logo.

The Seattle Mariners trade second baseman Bret Boone and pitcher Erik Hanson to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for P Bobby Ayala and catcher Dan Wilson.

The New York Yankees name Joe Torre their manager, replacing the recently departed Buck Showalter

The expansion Devil Rays unveil their official game uniforms during a special fashion show staged at the Florida Aquarium

 MLB signs a $1.7 billion, five-year deal with FOX, NBC, ESPN and Liberty Media. 

nomo

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo is named National League Rookie of the Year

1995 – Gerry Hunsicker is named as General Manager. Drayton McLane also announces that the team will continue to play in the Astrodome in 1996 but will be sold to out-of-town interests if attendance does not increase. 

Marty Cordova of the Minnesota Twins is named American League Rookie of the Year, winning by six points over Garret Anderson of the California Angels, who outhit him by 44 points (.321 to .277).

Gaffney Street, near the former site of Braves Field in Boston, MA, is renamed Harry Agganis Way, after the former Boston University and Boston Red Sox star, who died during the 1955 season.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux wins the National League Cy Young Award for an unprecedented fourth straight time. Maddux had a remarkable 19-2 record with a 1.63 ERA, the second year his ERA is below 1.80.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux wins the National League Cy Young Award for an unprecedented fourth straight time. Maddux had a remarkable 19-2 record with a 1.63 ERA, the second year his ERA is below 1.80.

Reds' shortstop Barry Larkin wins the National League's Most Valuable Player award, with Colorado outfielder Dante Bichette and Atlanta right-hander Greg Maddux as the runners-up in a close election. The Cincinnati infielder, the first shortstop since Maury Wills in 1962 to cop the prestigious prize, provided excellent defense and batted .319 to help his team to capture the NL West Division.

Reds’ shortstop Barry Larkin wins the National League’s Most Valuable Player award, with Colorado outfielder Dante Bichette and Atlanta right-hander Greg Maddux as the runners-up in a close election. The Cincinnati infielder, the first shortstop since Maury Wills in 1962 to cop the prestigious prize, provided excellent defense and batted .319 to help his team to capture the NL West Division.

1995 – Mark Kotsay, of Cal State Fullerton, is named as winner of the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur baseball player.

The Arizona Diamondbacks sign Buck Showalter to a seven-year contract as manager

1995 – The Oakland Athletics name Art Howe as their new manager.

Boston slugger Mo Vaughn, wins the American League Most Valuable Player

1995 – The New York Yankees trade minor league pitcher Mike DeJean and a player to be named to the Colorado Rockies for catcher Joe Girardi. Girardi will solidify the catching for New York, while DeJean will set a major league mark for most appearances without a loss. DeJean will post a 7-0 record through 1998, while making 88 appearances, breaking a little-known mark set by Phil Paine from 1951 to 1958.

1995 – The Marlins sign free agent OF Devon White to a three-year contract worth $9.9 million.

1995 – The California Angels sign free agent infielder Randy Velarde to a three-year contract.

1995 – The Dodgers trade 2B Miguel Cairo and 3B Willis Otanez to the Mariners in exchange for 3B Mike Blowers.

charley smith nyy

Charley Smith, the player traded to the Yankees from the Cardinals for Roger Maris in 1967, dies at age 57.

1995 – The Dodgers sign free agent SS Greg Gagne.

Michael Stirn sells Cal Ripkens ball to a Maryland businessman for $41,736.

Michael Stirn sells Cal Ripkens ball to a Maryland businessman for $41,736.

Michael Stirn, a 32 year-old carpenter, who caught the home run ball Cal Ripken hit on the night Baltimore infielder tied Lou Gehrig’s consecutive-game record, sells the historic horsehide to a Maryland businessman at an auction for $41,736. The lucky Orioles fan had offered the ball back to the Baltimore third baseman through the club but never received a reply.

The Twins bring back free agent DH Paul Molitor.

The Angels sign free agent 3B Tim Wallach.

New York Yankees acquire first baseman Tino Martinez and pitcher Jeff Nelson from the Seattle Mariners

The Red Sox sign free agent OF-DH Jose Canseco to a two-year contract.

1995 – The Giants sign free agent OF Stan Javier to a two-year contract.

1995 – The White Sox sign free agent DH Harold Baines and the Yankees ink IF Mariano Duncan to a two-year contract.

The St. Louis Cardinals trade pitchers Allen Watson, Rich DeLucia and Doug Creek to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for SS Royce Clayton.

The Florida Marlins sign free agent P Al Leiter to a three-year contract.

Free agent Lance Johnson signs a two-year pact with the New York Mets reportedly worth more than five million dollars. Johnson led the American League in hits last season with 186.

On his 30th birthday, free agent Craig Biggio re-signs with the Astros in a four-year deal worth $22 million dollars. Biggio had mulled offers from other clubs but decides to stay with the team he began with. Manager Terry Collins calls the deal the best Christmas present he’s ever had.

The Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston is opened as the "Splendid Splinter" leads the way.

The Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston is opened as the “Splendid Splinter” leads the way.

The Royals obtain SS Jose Offerman from the Dodgers in exchange for P Billy Brewer.

The Orioles acquire P Kent Mercker from the Braves in exchange for pitchers Joe Borowski and Rachaad Stewart.

1995 – The Padres sign free agent P Bob Tewksbury.

The Orioles sign free agent IF-OF B.J. Surhoff to a three-year contract.

The Astros trade P Dave Veres and minor league C Raul Chavez to the Expos in exchange for 3B Sean Berry.

1995 – Third baseman Sean Berry is acquired from Montreal for pitcher Dave Veres and catcher Raul Chavez. Berry helps Houston to two division titles. Chavez returns to the Astros organization in 2000, working his way into a backup role during 2004 and 2005 where he launched a home run in postseason play. 

New York Yankees re-sign free agent right-hander David Cone

New York Yankees re-sign free agent right-hander David Cone

The Royals send first baseman Wally Joyner and a minor league pitcher to the Padres in exchange for infielder Bip Roberts and a minor league pitcher.

The Red Sox sign free agent pitcher Tom Gordon to a two-year contract.

The Orioles sign free agent second baseman Roberto Alomar to a three-year $18 million contract.

1Anheuser-Busch agrees to sell the St. Louis Cardinals for $150 million to an investment group that agrees to keep the team in St. Louis.

After a Southwest Bank investment group promises to keep the franchise in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch agrees to sell the Cardinals to the financial establishment. The price tag of approximately $150 million is considered a bargain, with Forbes Magazine estimating the club’s value to be worth twice that amount.

Ron Gant Reds

St. Louis Cardinals Ron Gant and Andy Benes

The Chicago Cubs sign free agent utility player Dave Magadan.

The Baltimore Orioles acquire P David Wells from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfielder Curtis Goodwin and a minor leaguer.

The Associated Press selects Cal Ripken, Jr.’s consecutive game streak as the top sports story of the year, followed by the death of Mickey Mantle.

1995 – Infielder Dave Magadan signs a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs. Magadan had hit .313 in his one season in Houston, part of a run in the majors that lasted 16 years.

Hall of Fame umpire Al Barlick dies at the age of 80 in Springfield, Illinois.

The Chicago White Sox trade OF Tim Raines to the New York Yankees in exchange for future considerations

The Chicago White Sox trade OF Tim Raines to the New York Yankees in exchange for future considerations

1995 – Free agent pitcher Kenny Rogers is signed by the Yankees to a four-year contract.

Curt Flood-the reserve clause

Curt Flood Goes to Washington – Podcast Season 3, Episode 3

Daily Rewind Season 3, Episode 5 Jackie Robinson meets Branch Rickey

Daily Rewind Season 3, Episode 5 Jackie Robinson meets Branch Rickey

1995 – “Play Ball” never sounded so good. The Astros open the strike-delayed season with a 10-2 victory in San Diego. Jeff Bagwell, Derek Bell and Phil Plantier start the campaign with home runs. Doug Drabek works five innings for the win. Although over 41,000 attend, baseball’s attendance plummets as resentment over the strike lingers.