Major League Season Recap 1973

World Series – Oakland A’s AL over New York Mets NL 4 games to 3

World Series MVP – Reggie Jackson
Babe Ruth Award – Bert Campaneris

ALCS Oakland A’s over Baltimore Orioles 3 games to 2 ALCS MVP –
NLCS New York Mets over Cincinnati Reds 3 games to 2 NLCS MVP –

Awards –

Cy Young Award National League Tom Seaver
Cy Young Award American League Jim Palmer

MVP Awards –
NL Pete rose
AL Reggie Jackson

NL Rookie of The Year – Gary Matthews
AL Rookie of The Year – Al Bumbry

Roberto Clemente Award – Al Kaline

All-Star Game – July 24th 1973 – N.L. 7 over A.L. 1 , played at Royals Stadium (AL)
AL Starter C. Hunter+ NL Starter R. Wise MVP B. Bonds

The Oakland A’s won Games 6 and 7 at home to beat the Mets for their second consecutive World Series title. League MVP Reggie Jackson (.293, 32 HR, 117 RBI) and 3B Sal Bando (.287, 29 HR, 98 RBI) led the hitting attack while starters Ken Holtzman, Vida Blue, and Catfish Hunter all won 20 games. New York’s Tom Seaver won 19 games with a 2.08 ERA to edge Montreal’s Mike Marshall for the NL Cy Young award. Meanwhile, Orioles right hander Jim Palmer (22-9, 2.40 ERA) narrowly beat California pitcher Nolan Ryan (21-16, 2.87 ERA, 383 K) for the award in the AL. Pete Rose collected 230 hits to beat out Pittsburgh’s Willie Stargell for league MVP despite Stargell’s 44 homers and 119 runs batted in.\n\nMilestones and Moments from 1973:\nThe American League instituted the designated hitter rule in 1973 in an attempt to increase offense. Yankee Ron Blomberg was the first player to bat as a designated hitter, earning a walk off Boston’s Luis Tiant…Warren Spahn and Roberto Clemente are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame…San Diego used the fourth overall pick in the draft to select University of Minnesota star Dave Winfield. Winfield would immediately join the Major League club, hitting .277 in 56 games in his rookie season.

Sort bySearch Days, Events, Players Title (A - Z)Date (Newest)

January 3, 1973

New York Yankees are sold by the Columbia Broadcasting System to a group of 17 investors, headed up by shipbuilding magnate George Steinbrenner

January 10, 1973

Dick Ruthven, Jim Sundberg, Donnie Moore and punter Ray Guy are choosen in draft

January 11, 1973

The owners vote in the DH for a 3 year experiment

January 11, 1973

Attorney Louis Nippert assumes control of the Cincinnati Reds when he purchases 51% of the stock from the Gamble and Williams families. Nippert was part of the group that bought the Reds in 1966.

January 16, 1973

Steve Carlton becomes the highest paid pitcher when he signs a contract with the Phillies for a reported $165,000

January 18, 1973

Boston Red Sox sign veteran slugger Orlando Cepeda

January 23, 1973

Nineteenth century players Mickey Welch,King Kelly and Billy Evans are selected by the Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee for enshrinement in Cooperstown

January 24, 1973

Warren Spahn is elected to the Hall of Fame

February 1, 1973

Monte Irvin is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues

February 8, 1973

MLB owners announce that “early bird” spring training camps are canceled

February 15, 1973

In a national poll, Phillies’ southpaw Steve Carlton beats out golf legend Jack Nicklaus to win the $15,000 diamond-studded gold buckled Hickok Belt, an award given to the top “Professional Athlete of the Year.” Last season’s National League Cy Young Award winner joins an elite list of previous recipients that includes Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Jim Brown, Rocky Marciano, and Arnold Palmer.

February 25, 1973

Players and owners come to terms on a three-year collective bargaining agreement

February 27, 1973

Chicago White Sox first baseman Dick Allen signs the richest contract in baseball history-a three-year deal worth $250,000 per season.

March 2, 1973

Arizona State left-hander Eddie Bane pitches a perfect game against Cal State Northridge.

March 6, 1973

Larry Hisle of the Minnesota Twins becomes the first designated hitter in major league history during an exhibition game

March 12, 1973

Hall of Fame member Frankie Frisch dies in Wilmington, Delaware, at the age of 74

March 20, 1973

In an exhibition game played in Puerto Rico, Willie Mays substitutes for New York Mets manager Yogi Berra and leads his team to a 8 – 3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

March 20, 1973

Roberto Clemente becomes the first Hispanic American to gain election to the Hall of Fame

March 24, 1973

Cleveland Indians trade former All-Star catcher Ray Fosse to the Oakland A’s

March 26, 1973

Hall of Famer George Sisler dies at the age of 80

March 27, 1973

Jim Perry of the Minnesota Twins becomes the first player to approve of being traded under the new “ten and five” rule

March 27, 1973

The Atlanta Braves release former 30-game winner Denny McLain, ending his career at the age of 28

March 29, 1973

Orange baseballs are used for the first time in major league history

April 6, 1973

Ron Blomberg becomes first DH

April 6, 1973

Dave McNally fires a three-hitter as the Orioles roll over the Brewers 10-0

April 6, 1973

The Pittsburgh Pirates retire Roberto Clemente’s uniform number 21 in a moving pre-game ceremony

April 6, 1973

Richard Nixon becomes the first president to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in a contest held outside of Washington, D.C.

April 6, 1973

Tony Oliva becomes the first designated hitter ever to homer

April 6, 1973

Cesar Cedeno doubles home Tommy Helms with the winning run in the 13th for a 2-1 Opening Day triumph in Atlanta. It was Cedeno’s third extra-base hit of the game. Jim Wynn’s homer tied it in the sixth.

April 6, 1973

Tony LaRussa walks off

April 7, 1973

The Indians break their Opening Day American League attendance with a record crowd of 74,420

April 10, 1973

John Mayberry homers in Royal Stadium Debut

April 18, 1973

Dave Rader completes an unusual unassisted double play for a catcher and Bobby Bonds walks it off for the Giants

April 20, 1973

Pittsburgh Pirates great Roberto Clemente is inducted into the Hall of Fame in a special election

April 22, 1973

Designated hitter Ron Lolich, Mickey’s cousin, hits a two-out walk-off grand slam off Sonny Siebert

April 26, 1973

After six tries, the defending world champion A’s finally win their first series of the season on a walk off single

April 27, 1973

Steve Busby fires Royals first no hitter in team history

April 29, 1973

1973 – Montreal’s Mike Marshall walks home the tying run in the bottom of the ninth before Tom Walker balks home Cesar Cedeno for a 4-3 Astros win. Bob Watson’s two solo homers plated the other two Houston runs. 

May 1, 1973

Bobby Bonds delivers a walk-off three-run double to left field to complete San Francisco’s amazing come-from-behind victory

May 4, 1973

1973 – Houston scores four in the 14th to topple the Mets, 9-5. Doug Rader’s two-run double is the big blow in the inning. Cesar Cedeno has four hits, including a home run. Jim Ray is the winning pitcher. 

May 8, 1973

Chicago Cubs coach Ernie Banks becomes the first African American to manage during a major league game

May 8, 1973

Ralph Miller, the last living 19th century ballplayer, dies in Cincinnati at 100 years of age. He is the first former major leaguer to become a centenarian.

May 8, 1973

For the second time in his career, Pirate Willie Stargell hits one out of Dodger Stadium.

May 8, 1973

Cardinals ace Bob Gibson makes his 242nd consecutive start a new 20th century record, passing that of Red Ruffing

May 8, 1973

Jon Matlack’s is hit in forehead with a line drive off Marty Perez Bat

May 9, 1973

Baltimore’s Al Bumbry and Rich Coggins hit their first major league homers, slugging them back-to-back off the Athletics’ Catfish Hunter. The A’s still win, 4 – 3.

May 9, 1973

Johnny Bench hits 3 homeruns off Steve Carlton for the second time

May 11, 1973

Manager Leo Durocher returns from a three-week hospital stay to watch Don Wilson toss a three-hitter over Cincinnati, 5-1

May 15, 1973

California’s Nolan Ryan strikes out 12 and hurls his first career no-hitter 

May 15, 1973

Milwaukee beats the Indians, 2 – 1, on Dave May’s walkoff home run in the bottom of the 17th inning

May 17, 1973

Bobby Valentine breaks his leg climbing a wall – the injury will curtail his career

May 18, 1973

Bill North’s attacks Royals rookie reliever Doug Bird

May 20, 1973

Johnny Edwards belts a three-run homer as Houston builds a 7-0 lead against the Giants. San Francisco rallies to tie it but Jim Wynn smashes a solo shot off Sam McDowell in the ninth for an 8-7 victory. Astros take over first place in the NL West.

May 23, 1973

The Cardinals play three Cruz brothers, Cirilo, Hector, and Jose, all nine innings in the outfield during the team’s 9-2 spring training victory over New York at Al Lang Field. The trio Puerto Rican siblings, who personally outscore the Mets, bat first, second, and third in the Redbird’s lineup, making all three outs in the first and eighth frames.

May 24, 1973

The New York Mets defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7 – 3, in 19 innings at Dodger Stadium

May 24, 1973

The Twins’ Bert Blyleven one-hits the Royals to win‚ 2 – 0. Ed Kirkpatrick’s bunt single in the 5th is the only hit.

May 25, 1973

1973 – Lee May swats two homers to pace a 7-2 victory in Pittsburgh. Jerry Reuss goes the distance, scattering five hits for the win, pushing Houston back into a tie for the division lead. 

May 28, 1973

Chicago White Sox hurler Wilbur Wood picks up his 12th and 13th wins of the season

June 7, 1973

Texas Rangers select heralded high school pitcher David Clyde with the first pick of the amateur draft

June 13, 1973

The Los Angeles Dodgers infield of Steve Garvey (1B), Davey Lopes (2B), Ron Cey (3B) and Bill Russell (SS) plays together for the first time in a 16 – 3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. The infield quartet will set a major league record for longevity by playing 8 1/2 years together.

June 13, 1973

Dock Ellis walks a batter without ever throwing a pitch to him.

June 13, 1973

Dave Winfield Dominates the College World Series

June 15, 1973

Tommie Aaron becomes the first black manager of a team located in the deep South

June 19, 1973

Willie Davis collects his 2,000th career hit off Phil Niekro

June 19, 1973

Pete Rose collects his 2000 hit

June 20, 1973

Bobby Bonds leads off with a home run his 22nd leadoff home run, breaking Lou Brock’s National League record.

June 20, 1973

Red Sox leadoff and #2 batters, Rick Miller and Reggie Smith, belt homers off Milwaukee’s Bill Parsons. In 1971, Smith also followed a leadoff homer with one of his own. Bill Lee makes the lead stand up in beating the Brewers, 3 – 2.

June 20, 1973

Cy Acosta of the Chicago White Sox becomes the first American League pitcher to bat in a game since the designated hitter

June 21, 1973

White Sox pitcher Stan Bahnsen shuts out the Indians, 2 – 0, but gives up 12 hits while doing it, two shy of the record in a shutout.

June 21, 1973

Dave Winfield’s hits his first major league homer off Ken Forsch in a 12-2 loss

June 23, 1973

In his major league debut, Orioles P Jesse Jefferson loses his shutout when Red Sox SS Rico Petrocelli lofts a Fenway Park homer with two out in the 9th. Baltimore pushes over a run in the 10th to give Jefferson a 10-inning, 2 – 1 victory.

June 23, 1973

Newly-acquired Fred Norman almost picks up his third shutout in three starts for the Reds, but gives up a two-out 9th inning homer to Ron Cey. The Reds still beat the Dodgers, 4 – 1.

June 23, 1973

1973 – Tommy Helms goes 4-for-5 to spark a 6-3 victory over the Giants. Jerry Reuss takes the win and singles home Helms with the eventual game-winner. Rafael Batista gets his first big league hit.

June 23, 1973

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ken Brett hits a home run in the fourth consecutive game he pitches

June 25, 1973

Don McMahon comes out of retirement to go 4-0 with 1.48 ERA

June 25, 1973

Mario GuerreroIs hit by a Mike strangler pitch

June 27, 1973

Joe Torre, who hits for the cycle in a 15-4 win over the Pirates

June 27, 1973

Buzz Capra pitches four innings of no-hit relief against the Phillies after attended his dad’s funeral in Illinois.

June 27, 1973

David Clyde, who had been drafted first overall earlier in the month, makes his debut with the Texas Rangers

June 28, 1973

MVP Dick Allen breaks his leg after he collides with Mike Epstein

June 29, 1973

Rico Petrocelli loses a home run to the rain.

June 29, 1973

Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew both lost homers in a rained out game in Cleveland.

June 30, 1973

Dodgers win in extra innings 8-7 over the Reds

July 1, 1973

At Wrigley Field, the Mets edge the Cubs, 6 – 5, in the first game of a doubleheader. Then it is the Cubs’ turn, as Randy Hundley bangs a 9th inning 3-run homer to give Chicago the 6 – 5 edge. Ron Santo has seven hits for the afternoon, five in the nitecap.

July 1, 1973

At California, the Twins’ Jim Kaat fires a one-hitter to beat the Angels, 2 – 1. Frank Robinson’s home run in the 2nd is the only hit. This is the second time in his career that Robby hits a home run to break up a no-hitter: he did it July 30, 1971 against Kansas City’s Dick Drago.

July 1, 1973

The Reds, 11 games behind the Dodgers at the beginning of the day, stage two dramatic comebacks to snatch a doubleheader win from Los Angeles. Hal King’s clutch 3-run pinch home run with two outs wins the first game, 4 – 3, against Don Sutton, while Tony Perez’s 10th-inning hit wins the second, 3 – 2. This day will be looked upon as the turning point of the National League’s Western Division race.

July 1, 1973

Luis Aparicio of the Red Sox steals the 500th base of his career in a 9 – 5 loss to Milwaukee. It is the highest total in the American League since Eddie Collins retired in 1930.

July 2, 1973

The Reds continue to roll as Tony Perez hits a 2-run homer in the 9th to beat the Dodgers, 4 – 2.

July 2, 1973

Hall of Fame outfielder Charles “Chick” Hafey dies at the age of 70

July 3, 1973

Minnesota’s Tony Oliva hits three solo home runs during a 7 – 6 loss at Kansas City.

July 3, 1973

After waiting three hours to begin the game due to rain, the Reds beat San Francisco at Riverfront Stadium, 6-3

July 3, 1973

Brothers Gaylord and Jim Perry face each other for the only time in their careers

July 4, 1973

Before 45,000 Twins fans, Eddie Bane, the top collegiate pitcher this year and Minnesota’s top draft pick, makes his major league debut against the Royals. Bane pitches well for seven innings, but the Royals emerge with a 5 – 4 win, beating reliever Ray Corbin. Bane will finish the season 0-5.

July 4, 1973

The Orioles win their third come-from-behind win over the Brewers, this time scoring 10 runs in the last three innings to win, 10 – 7.

July 5, 1973

Dave Concepcion collects a triple, double and three singles to lead the Reds to a 4 – 3 win over the Giants. His 3rd single drives in the winning run in the 9th.

July 6, 1973

Chicago Cub P Fergie Jenkins beats the Padres, 8 – 5, for his 13th straight win over San Diego. The streak began on May 12, 1969.

July 6, 1973

John Boccabella becomes 18th player to hit 2 homeruns in one inning

July 6, 1973

1973 – Leo Durocher pulls Jerry Reuss with a cozy 7-1 lead in the doubleheader opener in Montreal. The Expos storm back for a 12-8 decision then thump the Astros again, 14-6, in the nightcap. Reserve catcher John Boccabella blasts two home runs in one inning for five RBIs. Ron Fairly also goes deep twice in the nightcap. Giddy Canadians taunt Durocher. Reuss fumes afterwards.

July 7, 1973

The Brewers unload on 18-year-old P David Clyde to whip the Rangers, 19 – 5, and hand Eddie Rodriguez his first major league win, a complete game effort. Milwaukee has a five-run 6th and seven-run 7th and is paced by Bob Coluccio’s grand slam and Don Money’s three-run homer.

July 8, 1973

Bob Watson breaks Tim Foli’s jaw and gets peppered with debris 

July 9, 1973

In a record-setting walkathon between the Reds and Expos, 25 bases on balls are handed out as Montreal strolls to an 11 – 6 win. Well off the American League’s two-team mark of 30, this tops the National Leaguerecord of 23, last reached on July 7, 1911. Six Montreal pitchers walk 16, one short of the record for an NL team, while Reds pitchers Clay Carroll and Tom Hall walk 9. Hal King pinch hits a grand slam for the Reds in the 6th inning, his second pinch dinger in nine days.

July 9, 1973

Interrupting Board Chairman M. Donald Grant’s pep talk during a team meeting, Mets reliever Tug McGraw shouts out the words, “Ya Gotta Believe,” which will become the rallying cry for the club, climbing out of the cellar en route to the NL pennant. Although New York beats Houston, 2-1, in 12 innings, their closer’s words of encouragement will not immediately light a fire under the team, as they will continue to struggle until the middle of August.

July 11, 1973

Jim Northrup knocks in eight runs and scores three times as the Tigers rout the Rangers, 14 – 2

July 11, 1973

In San Diego, the Pirates drub the Pads, 10 – 2. Willie Stargell contributes the 302nd home run of his career to pass Ralph Kiner as the all-time Pirate home run leader.

July 12, 1973

Dave Parker make sure his debut

July 13, 1973

At Atlanta Stadium, Hal Breeden of the Expos becomes only the second major leaguer to pinch-hit home runs in both ends of a doubleheader. On June 17, 1943, Red Sox player-manager Joe Cronin accomplished the feat against the Philadelphia A’s. Expo pinch-hitter Jim Lyttle also adds a homer. Montreal outslugs Atlanta, 11 – 7 in the first game, and the Braves return the favor, 15 – 6, in the second.

July 13, 1973

Bobby Murcer hits three home runs in Royal beating

July 15, 1973

Nolan Ryan pitches his second no-hitter of the season

July 15, 1973

The Minnesota Twins connect for three consecutive home runs in the 8th against the Cleveland Indians, and all are needed in the 7 – 6 win. George Mitterwald, Joe Lis and Jim Holthomer, all off Gaylord Perry.

July 15, 1973

Before 41,411 in Detroit, California Angels ace Nolan Ryan hurls his second no-hitter of the season in taming the Detroit Tigers, 6 – 0. Ryan fans 17 batters, the most ever in a 9-inning no-hitter, including eight straight, but only one over the last two innings. Nolan’s arm stiffens while watching his team rally for five runs in the top of the 8th. With two outs in the 9th, Norm Cash, who struck out his three other times at bat, comes to bat wielding a piano leg. Umpire Ron Luciano points out the illegality and Cash then pops out using a regulation bat. Ryan’s eight strikeouts in a row ties the American League record he set last year.

July 19, 1973

To quell a controversy over deserving players not being selected for the All-Star Game, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn grants permission to both leagues to increase their roster size to 29 players for next week’s contest in Kansas City’s Royals Stadium. The National League selects fading superstar Willie Mays, with the Junior Circuit adding Nolan Ryan, who was not originally picked by American League manager Dick Williams although the Angel right-hander was the first pitcher since Johnny Vander Meer, the starter in the 1938 Midsummer Classic, to have two no-hitters before the break.

July 20, 1973

Wilbur Wood of the Chicago White Sox starts – and loses – both ends of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees

July 21, 1973

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 700th career home run

July 22, 1973

Reds shortstop Dave Concepcion will miss the rest of the season after fracturing the fibula of his left leg sliding into third base

July 24, 1973

Willie Mays appears in his final All-Star Game 

July 26, 1973

In the first of two at Riverfront Stadium, the Reds beat the Braves, 5 – 3. Despite a homer and four singles by Pete Rose in the nitecap, the Reds lose, 6 – 4.

July 27, 1973

The Reds wallop the Braves, 12 – 2, as Johnny Bench drives home six runs with a pair of homers.

July 27, 1973

In the first game of a twinbill, Cleveland’s George Hendrick singles in the 8th to stop Jim Palmer’s no-hit bid. Palmer and the O’s coast to a 9 – 0 win. The Tribe takes the nitecap, 5 – 2, with Bob Reynolds getting the win.

July 27, 1973

Thurman Munson singles home the winner in the bottom of the 12th to give the Yankees a 1 – 0 win over the Brewers starter Jim Colborn.

July 28, 1973

Tony Perez makes his 4th hit of the game a good one, homering in the 10th to beat the Padres, 2 – 1. Don Gullett, in relief of Tom Hall, is the winner over Randy Jones.

July 28, 1973

The Kansas City Royals blow out the Oakland A’s, 19 – 8, with Aurelio Monteagudo picking up the win. A defensive moment is provided by A’s CF Billy North, who makes an unassisted double play.

July 29, 1973

Wilbur Wood earns his 20th victory in Chuck Tanners 3 man rotation.

July 31, 1973

The Reds sweep a pair from the Braves, winning, 9 – 5, in the opener, then scoring five runs in the 9th to take the nitecap, 13 – 11. Joe Morgan totals three homers and seven RBIs for the afternoon. The Reds set a club record with 24 wins in the month of July.

July 31, 1973

The Tigers win a pair from the Brewers, 6 – 5 and 9 – 4, and end Dave May’s American League season-best hitting streak at 24 games.

August 1, 1973

Thurman Munson and Carlton Fisk brawl at Fenway Park

August 1, 1973

1973 – In a foreshadowing of coming years, J.R. Richard’s first major league shutout is against the Dodgers . It’s a five-hit performance with nine strikeouts and five walks. Jim Wynn breaks out of a long slump with an RBI double that sparks the 5-0 victory.

August 2, 1973

Mets outfielder Cleon Jones becomes the first player in franchise history to collect a 1,000 hits

August 2, 1973

The Reds score 9 in the 4th and roll by the Braves, 17 – 2, in Atlanta.

August 2, 1973

Gaylord Perry strikesout 2,000 batter

August 3, 1973

The Braves edge the Padres, 5 – 4, despite a pinch home run by Dave Winfield. Big Dave’s next pinch homer will come on September 29, 1990.

August 4, 1973

Lindy McDaniel of the New York Yankees turns in one of the best relief stints in history

August 4, 1973

John Briggs of the Brewers goes 6 for 6 in a 9 – 4 win over the Indians. Jim Colborn (14-7) is the winner.

August 4, 1973

In an outstanding relief performance, Yankee Lindy McDaniel comes to the rescue of Fritz Peterson, who exits with a muscle pull in the 2nd inning, and allows just one run in 13 innings to earn a 3 – 2 victory over the Tigers. Horace Clarke’s home run is the game winner.

August 4, 1973

At Cleveland Stadium, Brewer left fielder John Briggs enjoys a 6-for-6 day at the plate in the team’s 9-4 triumph over the Tribe. The Milwaukee leadoff batter strokes two doubles and four singles, scoring two runs, but doesn’t record any RBIs.

August 5, 1973

Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro no-hits the Padres, 9 – 0, It’s the first no-hitter thrown by a Braves hurler since the team shifted to Atlanta in 1966.

August 6, 1973

Roberto Clemente and Warren Spahn are inducted into the Hall of Fame

August 6, 1973

In Milwaukee, an exhibition game between the Brewers and the Atlanta Braves draws 33,337. The Brewers win, 7 – 5 in the 4th and last exhibition between the two teams. But the big thrill is provided by Hank Aaron, who homers.

August 6, 1973

At Royals Stadium, Red Sox DH Orlando Cepeda collects four doubles in the team’s 9-4 win over the Royals. ‘Cha Cha’, who signed with Boston in January, was the first player since the inception of the new position to be added to a roster specifically as its designated hitter.

August 7, 1973

In Cincinnati, Don Gullett pitches a two-hitter to beat the Cubs, 1 – 0. The only run is a home run by Joe Morgan.

August 7, 1973

Two days after Phil Niekro’s no-hitter, the Braves purchase Joe Niekro, Phil’s pitching brother, from the Tigers.

August 7, 1973

A’s owner Charlie Finley is rushed to Chicago’s Northwestern University Hospital after collapsing as the result of a heart attack. During the meddlesome owner’s convalescence, Oakland flourishes on the field, winning 13 of 14 games, including a span of nine consecutive victories, to go into first place in the AL West, a position they will not relinquish for the remainder of the season.

August 8, 1973

Against Texas‚ Yankee starter Fritz Peterson injures himself fielding a bunt single by leadoff hitter Dave Nelson and he is replaced by Fred Beene. Beene pitches 9 innings‚ allowing 4 hits and winning‚ 3 – 2, on Gene Michael’s two-out single in the 9th off starter Jim Merritt.

August 8, 1973

Orlando Cepeda at the end of his career ties record for 4 doubles in a game

August 11, 1973

 White Sox rookie Brian Downing cracks his first major league hit‚ a home run off Detroit’s Mickey Lolich. Downing’s debut dinger is a first in the majors since at least 1945 – an inside-the-park homer. It will be matched in two years by the Giants’ Johnnie LeMaster‚ who will do it in his first at bat.

August 11, 1973

During the Old Timers’ Game played at Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle homers off his old teammate and best buddy, Whitey Ford. After launching a shot that lands foul in the upper deck, the slugger sends the southpaw’s next pitch over the fence, much to the delight of the large crowd gathered for the festivities.

August 12, 1973

The A’s even the score with the Yankees, reaching closer Sparky Lyle and Tom Buskey for six runs in the top of the seventh inning. Oakland scores the eventual winning runs in the team’s 13-12 victory in the next frame, when New York commits its fifth error of the game.

August 13, 1973

1973 – Roy White homers from both sides of the plate as the Yankees top the Angels, 6 – 0.

August 14, 1973

1973 – Don Baylor is 5 for 5 to lead the Orioles to a 12 – 10 win over Texas. Baylor has nine hits in his last two games.

August 15, 1973

1973 – In Pittsburgh, Reds ace Jack Billingham wins, 1 – 0, notching his 7th shutout of the year. This ties the club record set by Hod Eller back in 1919.

August 16, 1973

At the major league’s annual summer meetings in Milwaukee, all of the American League owners vote “yes”, and all of the National League owners vote “no” on a proposal introducing interleague play for next season. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who favors a limited number of interleague contests, does not cast a vote of his own that could have potentially broken the impasse, citing the possibility of doing so at later date when the legality of his ballot, which is being challenged by the Senior Circuit, is resolved.

August 17, 1973

Willie Mays of the New York Mets hits the final home run of his Hall of Fame career

August 19, 1973

1973 – Behind P Jim Rooker, the Pirates top San Francisco, 5 – 0, to move two games out of 1st in the National League East. Rooker also leads the way hitting 3 for 3 .

August 20, 1973

1973 – In New York, the Reds score five runs in the 16th to beat the Mets, 8 – 3. Each team scores in the 13th.

August 20, 1973

J.R. Richard tosses a two-hitter as Houston bombs the Pirates, 10-2

August 21, 1973

Cleveland’s Walt Williams singles with two outs in the 9th, breaking up Stan Bahnsen’s no-hitter. Bahnsen completes the one-hit shutout and the White Sox win, 4 – 0.

August 21, 1973

Rick Wise hits the second grand slam of his career, off Roric Harrison, as the Cards score seven runs in the 3rd inning. But the Braves score six runs in the 6th to win, 11 – 7.

August 22, 1973

Trailing by a run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and a man on second, Felix Millan, Rusty Staub, and John Milner hit consecutive singles to give the Mets an improbable 3-2 decision at Shea Stadium. The victory, the first win for the 0-6 Tug McGraw, appears to ignite the “Ya Gotta Believe” reliever, who once again will become one of the best closers in the league.

August 24, 1973

Sitting in the top row of the bleachers at Cleveland Stadium, John Adams begins a tradition, that continues to this day, when he bangs on his drum to cheer on the Tribe. In 2011, the team paid tribute to the fan-favorite, in a pregame ceremony commemorating his 3000th game that included Adams taking a ceremonial swing with his drum at a pitch thrown by Joe Charboneau.

August 25, 1973

1973 – Dan Driessen drives in five runs to pace the Reds to a 6 – 4 win over the visiting Cardinals. Ken Griffey debuts in the major leagues with a pair of hits.

August 26, 1973

1973 – In a 10 – 1 win over the Royals, Oriole Paul Blair hits an inside-the-park grand slam off Paul Splittorff. Amos Otis and Steve Hovley collide in midair while chasing Blair’s ball to help the O’s win their 13th straight.

August 27, 1973

1973 – The 1st-place Orioles beat the Rangers, 6 – 1, for their 14th consecutive victory. It is the longest winning streak in the American League since 1960, and in the major leagues since 1965. The streak began on August 12th.

August 29, 1973

The Reds trade Jim McGlothlin to the White Sox for Steve Kealey. Kealey will do no pitching for the Reds, while McGlothlin will have just one decision in his last major league season.

August 29, 1973

Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees collects the only hit of the game against Nolan Ryan

August 30, 1973

After a 10-inning, 1 – 0, loss to Cardinals, the last-place Mets drop to 61-71. They’ll finish at 82-79 and make it to first place in the National League East.

August 30, 1973

Billy Martin orders his pitchers to throw spitballs, in an effort to show the umpiring crew that they don’t consistently enforce the rules when Indians right-hander Gaylord Perry is on the mound. The Tiger manager, suspended for three days by American League president Joe Cronin, doesn’t understand being punished for telling the truth about asking his pitchers to throw illegal pitches.

August 30, 1973

The Mets lose to the Cardinals, 1-0, thanks to a Jose Cruz tenth inning walk-off single off Tom Seaver at Busch Stadium. The defeat drops the eventual National League champs into last place, 6.5 games behind the first-place Redbirds.

September 1, 1973

1973 – In San Diego‚ Johnny Bench belts a 2-run homer in the 9th as the Reds edge the Padres‚ 3 – 2.

September 2, 1973

Montreal’s Hal Breeden gets two triples and two home runs in a 12 – 0 win over Philadelphia.

September 2, 1973

On the last day of his three-day suspension for ordering pitchers to throw spitballs, Billy Martin is fired as the Tigers’ skipper, after serving three stormy seasons in the Detroit dugout. Jim Campbell, the team’s general manager, announces the dismissal was made “for the good of the organization” with the recent incident being a contributing factor, but not the sole reason for releasing his manager.

September 3, 1973

1973 – After 11 years at the helm (944-806 .539), Ralph Houk resigns as Yankee skipper. The “Major” will manage the Tigers next season

September 6, 1973

Yankees sell Alou brothers

September 6, 1973

The formerly first-place Pirates make a rash decision to replace their skipper Bill Virdon with Danny Murtaugh

September 7, 1973

To prevent an injury, the second game of the Mets-Expos doubleheader at Jarry Park is delayed for 11 minutes. The setting sun over the rim of the Montreal ballpark makes it impossible for the first baseman to see the ball being thrown from certain positions on the field.

September 7, 1973

The Rangers fire future Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog. The White Rat, who compiled a 47-91 record during his six-month tenure in the Texas dugout, will be replaced by Billy Martin.

September 7, 1973

New York southpaw Jerry Koosman establishes a franchise mark with a streak of 31.2 consecutive scoreless innings before it is snapped when a run crosses the plate in the bottom of the third inning in the team’s 4-2 victory in Montreal. Although Dwight Gooden will pass the left-hander’s effort with 36.2 consecutive innings without giving up an earned run, Koosman’s record without allowing any runs will last for 39 years before it is surpassed by knuckleballer R. A. Dickey in 2012.

September 8, 1973

Billy Martin, dismissed six days ago by the Tigers, signs a multi-year contract to manage the last-place Rangers. The fiery 45 year-old skipper, who was at the helm when Detroit won the American League East title last season, replaces Whitey Herzog, who was fired yesterday after compiling a 47-91 (.341) record in the first season of his Hall of Fame managerial career.

September 10, 1973

Against the Giants, Hank Aaron connects for his 37th homer (career #710) in the 3rd inning, and then is lifted in the 4th when he doesn’t feel well. Infielder Marty Perez pinch hits for Aaron. Davey Johnson adds his 40th homer of the year.

September 10, 1973

The Brewers reach 70 wins for the first time in franchise history, besting the Tigers. Jim Colborn goes all the way for his 19th win and Dave May hits his 25th home run of the year.

September 11, 1973

Sam Ewing sets an unenviable record by striking out four times in his first major league game, as the White Sox are throttled by Nolan Ryan and the Angels, 3 – 1.

September 11, 1973

The Reds whip the visiting Dodgers, 6 – 3, as Ed Armbrister hits a bases-loaded double in the 8th inning to drive in three runs. Ken Griffey’s 3-run homer in the 4th off Don Sutton starts the Reds’ scoring. The Reds push their lead to four games over Los Angeles in the National League West.

September 12, 1973

1973 – Pitcher Jack Billingham hits a bases-loaded double to help his cause as the Reds beat the Dodgers, 7 – 3.

September 13, 1973

1973 – During an 8 – 6 win over the Padres, the Giants’ Tito Fuentes ties a major-league record by being hit by pitches three times.

September 14, 1973

1973 – In Cincinnati, the Reds score three runs in the 9th to trip the Braves, 7 – 6. Bobby Tolan drives in the winner after Phil Gagliano drives in two runs with a 2-out single.

September 15, 1973

Dusty Baker makes what The Sporting News will call “the greatest catch in Atlanta Stadium history,”

September 17, 1973

1973 – The Pirates wallop the Mets, 10 – 3, to lead the National League East by 1 1/2 games. Willie Stargell collects four extra-base hits including his 40th home run of the season.

September 17, 1973

Rick Waits makes his major league debut when he pitches the ninth inning of the Rangers’ 10-3 victory over Chicago at Arlington Stadium. Although the 21 year-old right-hander starts the frame with an eight-run lead, he inexplicably gets credit for a save.

September 19, 1973

Dave Johnson of the Atlanta Braves sets a single-season record for most home runs by a second baseman

September 19, 1973

Astros’ infielder Dave Campbell hits a first-inning two-run double against San Diego right-hander Clay Kirby to snap a 0-for-45 drought, tying a major league record set in 1909 by Bill Bergen, a catcher who played with Brooklyn. ‘Soup’, who will become a respected national baseball broadcaster, endured the futility while playing for three teams, combining a 17 at-bat hitless streak with the Padres and another 21 at-bats hitless streak for the Cardinals before hitting the two-bagger in his eighth at-bat with Houston.

September 19, 1973

Chicago’s Ron Santo and Billy Williams celebrate their long association together by each hitting their 20th homer of the season in an 8 – 6 win over Montreal. It is number 325 for Santo and 376 for Williams in more than 2,000 games together.

September 19, 1973

In San Francisco, Fred Norman pitches a two-hitter as the Reds beat the Giants, 5 – 1.

September 19, 1973

Frank Robinson becomes the first major leaguer to hit a home run in 32 different ballparks

September 20, 1973

The Pirates miss scoring in the top of the 13th inning when Dave Augustine’s ‘home run’ bounces off the top of the fence into the glove of left fielder Cleon Jones, who relays the ball to Wayne Garrett in time for the third baseman to nail Richie Zisk at the plate. In the bottom of the frame, Mets rookie catcher Ron Hodges ends the Shea Stadium contest, which will become known as the ‘Ball on the Wall Game’, with a one-out single off Bucs’ reliever Dave Giusti, plating John Milner for the 4-3 victory.

September 20, 1973

Willie Mays officially announces his retirement

September 21, 1973

In Detroit, John Hiller goes 3.2 innings in the Tigers’ 5-1 victory over the Red Sox, notching his 38th save, a club record. Two years ago, the southpaw reliever suffered a heart attack at the age of 27.

September 21, 1973

On the day they get to .500, the Mets move into first place for the first time since May 27, a half a game ahead of Pittsburgh in the ‘NL Least’. Thanks to Tom Seaver’s complete-game five-hitter, New York evens its record at 77-77 with a 10-2 victory, the team’s 21st in the last 29 games.

September 21, 1973

At Los Angeles, Tony Perez has five hits to lead the Reds to a 4 – 1 win over the Dodgers. Tony’s last hit is a 3-run homer in the 10th.

September 21, 1973

Jim Rice’s 3-run home run is the key blow as Pawtucket (International League) defeats Tulsa (American Association), 5 – 2, to win the Junior World Series.

September 22, 1973

Al Bumbry ties the Major League record with 3 triples as Orioles clinch the division

September 23, 1973

The A’s clinched their third straight AL West division title, beating Chicago at Comiskey Park, 10-5. Vida Blue notches his 20th victory, joining teammates Ken Holtzman (21) and Catfish Hunter (21) as a 20-game winner, with White Sox right-hander Wilbur Wood suffering his 20th defeat, bringing the knuckleballer’s record to 24-20.

September 24, 1973

The Reds clinch another NL West crown, beating the Padres, 2 – 1, in Cincinnati. Dick Baney, making his second major league start, is the winner.

September 24, 1973

Montreal sweeps a doubleheader from the 1st-place Pirates, winning 5 – 4 and 3 – 0. Pittsburgh is now a half game ahead of the Mets in the National League East.

September 25, 1973

It’s Willie Mays Night in Flushing as the Mets honor the fan favorite in an emotional ceremony at Shea Stadium after their 2-1 victory over Montreal. The ‘Say Hey Kid’ tells the crowd, “Just to hear you cheer like this for me and not be able to do anything about it makes me a very sad man. This is my farewell.”

September 26, 1973

In front of a home crowd of 4,804, Jim Colborn wins his 20th for the Brewers, defeating the Yankees, 5 – 2. George Scott chips in with two RBIs, giving him 100 for the year. Colborn is the Brewers’ first 20-game winner and the first in Milwaukee since Tony Cloninger did it for the Braves in 1965.

September 26, 1973

The Twins’ Bert Blyleven posts his second one-hitter of the season, beating the A’s, 4 – 1. Angel Mangual’s single in the 5th is the only hit.

September 26, 1973

Paul Splittorff becomes the first twenty-game winner in franchise history when the Royals beat Chicago, 6-2. The 26 year-old southpaw will retire in 1984 as the team’s all-time leader in victories with 166.

September 27, 1973

Nolan Ryan sets a major league record by striking out his 383rd batter of the season

September 27, 1973

After a series of incidents, the Reds suspend OF Bobby Tolan for insubordination. Tolan was in several scuffles with club personnel, went AWOL for two days in August, and began growing a beard, a no-no with the Reds. Tolan, hitting .206, will be traded in November.

September 29, 1973

Steve Carlton, who won 27 games for the cellar-dwelling Phillies last year, suffers his 20th loss of the season when Philadelphia is beaten in St. Louis, 7-1. ‘Lefty’ will post a 13-20 record, along with a 3.90 ERA for the last place team.

September 29, 1973

Atlanta Braves the first team in history to have three players with 40 or more home runs in one season

September 30, 1973

Playing in their final game at the ‘old’ Yankee Stadium, the fourth-place Bronx Bombers lose unceremoniously to the Tigers, 8-5. The team, which will play its home games for the next two seasons at Shea Stadium as the 50 year-old ‘House that Ruth Built’ undergoes extensive renovations, also loses their skipper with Ralph Houk announcing his resignation.

September 30, 1973

1973 – Angel Ron Perranoski announces his retirement after 13 years as one of the premier relief pitchers in the major leagues.

September 30, 1973

After posting an 88-73 record, Eddie Kasko is fired as manager of the second place Red Sox on the last day of the season. Triple-A Pawtucket pilot Darrell Johnson is named as next season’s skipper.

September 30, 1973

At the close of the season, the American League’s new DH rule appears to have worked when the Junior Circuit’s league’s batting average increases by 20 points to .259, its highest point since 1956, outhitting the NL for the first time in a decade. There were 112 more complete games than last season, and the total of 614 is the most since 1928 in either league.

October 1, 1973

New Yankee Stadium to be built

October 1, 1973

Mets clinch NL East with only 82 wins

October 8, 1973

New York Mets defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 9-2, in the third game of the playoffs

October 10, 1973

New York Mets win their second National League pennant in five years

October 10, 1973

During oral arguments in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Potter Stewart is handed a note with the startling news that Vice President Agnew had just resigned. The message also informs the glum Republican Justice, a big Reds fan, that the Mets are ahead of Cincinnati in the NLCS, 2-0.

October 11, 1973

Ralph Houk, less than two weeks after leaving the Yankees for the second time in his career, signs a three-year deal to be the manager of the Tigers, a team in a rebuilding mode. The Major, replacing a fiery Bill Martin, fired by the team at the end of August, will compile a 363-443 (.450) record during his five seasons in the Motor City.

October 13, 1973

The Mets hold Oakland to four hits in the World Series opener, but three of those hits come in the two-run 3rd inning as Oakland wins, 2 – 1.

October 14, 1973

Willie Mays gets his last hit, an RBI-single that plates the decisive run in the 12th inning of the Mets’ 10-7 victory over the A’s

October 16, 1973

1973 – The Oakland Athletics win Game 3 of the World Series in 11 innings as Bert Campaneris gets the winning RBI in a 3 – 2 victory over the Mets. In a private clubhouse meeting, Dick Williams tells A’s players he will resign after the Series.

October 18, 1973

New York Mets fire 2 – 0 shutout to take a 3-2 lead in the World Series 

October 20, 1973

Catfish Hunter Out duels Tom Seaver to win Game 6 of the 1973 World Series

October 21, 1973

Oakland A’s win their second consecutive World Championship

October 23, 1973

Boston trades first baseman Ben Ogilvie to the Tigers in exchange for Dick McAuliffe

October 25, 1973

San Francisco Giants trade three-time home run champion Willie McCovey

October 25, 1973

Gene Mauch has won another National League Manager of the Year award

October 31, 1973

Tom Seaver wins his second Cy young award

October 31, 1973

Jerry Reuss is traded to the Pirates for catcher Milt May

November 7, 1973

Maria Pepe – The girl who stood up to Little League and Won

November 7, 1973

The Cubs trade Glenn Beckert and minor league prospect Bobby Fenwick to the Padres for Jerry Morales

November 9, 1973

Cincinnati trades OF Bobby Tolan and P Dave Tomlin to San Diego for P Clay Kirby

November 13, 1973

Reggie Jackson wins the AL MVP

November 14, 1973

Oakland Athletics outfielder Reggie Jackson wins the American League MVP Award in unanimous fashion

November 14, 1973

Jim Palmer wins the 1973 American League Cy Young Award

November 21, 1973

Pete Rose wins the National League MVP Award 

November 24, 1973

Pitcher Bob Gibson wins the last of his nine Gold Gloves, and Joe Morgan wins the first of his five at second base.

November 27, 1973

Gary Matthews wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award

November 28, 1973

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Al Bumbry wins American League Rookie of the Year honors

December 4, 1973

1973 – The Reds trade P Ross Grimsley to the Orioles for OF Merv Rettenmund and IF Junior Kennedy. Grimsley will win 18 next year for the Orioles.

December 5, 1973

The Dodgers trade OF Willie Davis to the Expos for relief pitcher Mike Marshall. Marshall will win the Cy Young Award for the Dodgers next season.

December 5, 1973

Ron Santo becomes the first player to invoke the new 10 and 5 rule. The Cubs want to trade Santo to the Angels for two pitchers, but he vetoes the deal.

December 6, 1973

Slugger Jim Wynn is traded to the Dodgers for pitchers Claude Osteen and Dave Culpepper

December 7, 1973

San Francisco Giants sell future Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal to the Boston Red Sox

December 7, 1973

The Boston Red Sox make a 5 player deal acquiring Reggie Cleveland

December 7, 1973

The Royals deal outfielder Lou Piniella and pitcher Ken Wright to the Yankees for veteran pitcher Lindy McDaniel.

December 9, 1973

Chris Truby is born in Palm Springs, CA

December 11, 1973

Chicago Cubs trade third baseman Ron Santo to the Chicago White Sox

December 11, 1973

Cesar Cedeno is involved in the shooting death of Altagracia de la Cruz

December 13, 1973

Despite an impending legal showdown with Charlie Finley, the Yankees announce the signing of manager Dick Williams. American League president Joe Cronin will void the deal a week later.

December 18, 1973

New York Yankees announce the signing of Dick Williams as manager

December 20, 1973

Joe Cronin sides with A’s – Dick Williams can not manage Yankees

December 29, 1973

Theo Epstein is born

July 8, 1979

Indians Fine George Hendrick $300 for poor play