Major League Season Recap 1975

World Series – Cincinnati Reds NL over Boston Red Sox AL 4 games to 3

World Series MVP – Pete Rose
Babe Ruth Award – Luis Tiant

ALCS Boston Red Sox over Oakland A’s 3 games to 0 ALCS MVP –
NLCS Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates 3 games to 0 NLCS MVP –

Awards –

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

MVP Awards –
NL Joe Morgan
AL Fred Lynn

NL Rookie of The Year – John Montefusco
AL Rookie of The Year – Fred Lynn

Roberto Clemente Award – Lou Brock

All-Star Game – July 15th 1975 – N.L. 6 over A.L. 3 , played at County Stadium (AL)
AL Starter V. Blue NL Starter J. Reuss MVP B. Madlock and J. Matlack

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

January 5, 1975

Pitcher Don Wilson , at age 29, dies at home from carbon monoxide poisoning.

January 16, 1975

Harmon Killebrew released by twins

January 18, 1975

Tom Seaver agrees to take a pay cut

January 23, 1975

Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Ralph Kiner gains election to the Hall of Fame

February 3, 1975

Billy Herman, Earl Averill and Bucky Harris are selected for the Hall of Fame 

February 10, 1975

Former Negro Leagues player Judy Johnson wins election to the Hall of Fame

February 25, 1975

Baltimore Orioles trade first baseman Boog Powell

February 28, 1975

The Mets purchase slugger Dave Kingman from the Giants.

March 5, 1975

Former Boston Red Sox star Tony Conigliaro begins a comeback attempt by signing a contract with Triple-A Pawtucket

March 13, 1975

Roberto Clemente, Roy Campanella and Pop Lloyd join this year’s inductees in the Black Athletes’ Hall of Fame

March 15, 1975

Los Angeles Dodgers sign future Hall of Famer Juan Marichal

March 20, 1975

A rare spring training brawl

March 21, 1975

Georgia Tech shuts out Earlham, 41 – 0, setting the NCAA mark for the largest margin of victory.

March 21, 1975

Hall of Fame outfielder Joe “Ducky” Medwick dies at the age of 63

March 29, 1975

Mel Stottlemyre, suffering from a torn rotator cuff, is given his unconditional release by the Yankees

April 2, 1975

Pirates signed pitched Sam McDowell as a free agent

April 5, 1975

Pittsburgh Pirates get Bill Robinson from Phillies

April 6, 1975

The Astros purchase P Joe Niekro from the Braves.

April 7, 1975

Setting the baseball fashion world on its ear, the Astros introduce the rainbow uniform to major league baseball, humbling the Braves in a 6-2 season opener. Jose Cruz homers in his first game as an Astro. 

April 8, 1975

Frank Robinson – first black manager debuts

April 8, 1975

Tony Conigliaro returns after a four year absence

April 9, 1975

1975 – On the Dome’s 10th Anniversary, Houston drills the Braves with six runs in the fourth and eight more in the seventh for a 14-2 massacre. Doug Rader, Roger Metzger and Enos Cabell lead the assault with three hits apiece. 

April 11, 1975

Aaron returns to Milwaukee

April 13, 1975

The Astros retire Don Wilson’s number 40

April 17, 1975

Ted Simmons homers from both sides of the plate‚ while teammate Ted Sizemore ties a record with 3 errors in an inning

April 23, 1975

Roy White of the New York Yankees again hits home runs from both sides of the plate, this time in an 11 – 7 loss to the Boston Red Sox. White last switch-hit home runs on August 13, 1973.

April 25, 1975

Andy Messersmith strokes three doubles in Dodgers win

April 27, 1975

New York Yankees acquire Chris Chambliss

April 29, 1975

The Astros explode for eight runs in the seventh to topple the Padres, 8-2.

May 1, 1975

1975 – Hank Aaron collects four hits and two RBI in the Brewers’ 17 – 3 win over Detroit. This brings his career RBI total to 2,211, breaking Babe Ruth’s published record of 2,209. On February 3, 1976, the Records Committee will revise Ruth’s total to 2,204. In actuality, Aaron set the record with 2,205 on April 18th.

May 3, 1975

Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson decides to switch Pete Rose from left field to third base

May 3, 1975

The Reds beat the Braves at Riverfront Stadium, 6-1, making Gary Nolan a winner for the first time in nearly two and half seasons. The right-hander’s last win came on October 3, 1972 when he beat the Astros by an identical score in Cincinnati.

May 4, 1975

Bob Watson of the Houston Astros scores the one millionth run in major league history. Watson scores the run on Milt May’s three-run homer

May 5, 1975

Oakland A’s release designated runner Herb “Hurricane” Washington

May 7, 1975

Atlanta Braves trade holdout first baseman Dick Allen

May 10, 1975

Will McEnaney provides 3 1/3 innings of hitless relief to seal the Reds’ 7 – 1 win over the Mets. Clay Kirby gets the win.

May 14, 1975

1975 – Doug Rader belts two homers and drives in five to pace an 11-7 triumph at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Roger Metzger adds four hits while Bob Watson supplies three, including a home run. 

May 16, 1975

5/16/1975 – Royals manager Jack McKeon made out several lineup cards before the game. The official one he gave to the home plate umpire had George Brett hitting second and Amos Otis batting third. The one shown on the scoreboard and the one the Royals followed had Otis second, Hal McRae third, and Brett down in the sixth spot. The Royals followed that order the entire game because the Red Sox never checked the one they had been given when the lineup cards were exchanged. In the top of the third, they could have had at least two runs erased had they been paying attention. With runners on first and third and one out, Otis came up in the number two spot and hit a single to left that resulted in two runs after an error. At that point, the Red Sox could have protested and Brett would have been called out with Otis batting again, this time with two outs. The Royals scored three in the inning and won the game 5-2.

May 21, 1975

The Reds, entering the game with a 20-20 record, five games behind the first-place Dodgers, come from behind to beat Tom Seaver and the Mets, 11 – 4. Cincinnati will go on to win 41 of 50 games and run away with the National League West title.

May 22, 1975

Hall of Fame pitcher Robert Moses “Lefty” Grove dies at the age of 75

May 25, 1975

Dennis Eckersley shuts out world champion A’s in first major-league start

May 25, 1975

1975 – Coming back from an early 6-0 deficit, the Astros tie the Expos in the ninth on Cesar Cedeno’s leadoff blast into the center field tunnel. Montreal’s Mike Jorgensen doubles off Joe Niekro in the 12th to snap the tie. Doug Rader cracks his third double and fifth hit of the game before Enos Cabell doubles to tie it again. Milt May’s bloop eludes three Expos for the game-winner to give Houston an 8-7 triumph. 

May 30, 1975

5/30/1975: Deron Johnson of the White Sox homered in the second inning at Tiger Stadium only to see rain cancel the game before it was official.

May 31, 1975

Cesar Tovar gets his team’s lone hit in a game when he breaks up Catfish Hunter’s bid for a no-hitter

May 31, 1975

 1975 – Houston erupts for twelve runs in the eighth inning, setting a club mark, during a 15-3 bombing of Philadelphia. Wayne Twitchell, a former high Astros draft pick, had allowed two hits in seven innings before the collapse. Pinch-hitter Cliff Johnson belts a double and a home run for three RBIs during the frame but the league later rules that the homer cannot officially be a pinch hit since he batted earlier in the inning 

May 31, 1975

Three players, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew and Lindy McDaniel all debut before Robin Yount the starting shortstop was born

June 1, 1975

California Angels fireballer Nolan Ryan notches the fourth no-hitter of his major league career

June 3, 1975

Hank Aaron moves past Stan Musial

June 4, 1975

Danny Goodwin‚ picked first in the 1971 amateur draft‚ is picked first again‚ this time by the Angels. The next four picks of this year’s draft‚ including the Padres number 2 pick of pitcher Mike Lentz‚ fail to make the major leagues. Picking 10th‚ Montreal takes SS Art Miles‚ who will break his neck diving into shallow water while celebrating West Palm Beach’s Florida State League win in 1977. The Expos finally pick right‚ taking Andre Dawson on the 10th round‚ the Dodgers picking pitcher Dave Stewart in the 16th‚ and the Braves take Glenn Hubbard in the 20th.

June 4, 1975

Lee Mazzilli of the Visalia Oaks (California League) ties the minor league record when he steals 7 bases. He will end the year with 49.

June 6, 1975

Nolan Ryan loses bid for second straight no-hitter

June 9, 1975

6/9/1975 – The Twins were playing the Indians in Cleveland and Minnesota manager Frank Quilici gave the wrong lineup to the Press Box and evidently to the players. Dan Ford, Danny Thompson and Glenn Borgmann were listed officially as batting seventh, eighth and ninth. However, Ford and Thompson batted in reverse order until the ninth inning. In the first, Thompson made the last out of the inning. Ford and Borgmann, who was also out of order now, both grounded out to start the second. In the fourth, Thompson singled but no runs scored in the inning. Thompson popped out to end the fifth. Ford tripled to start the sixth and eventually scored but Cleveland manager Frank Robinson did not object. In the seventh and eighth innings, all three batters made outs. In the ninth inning, the Twins finally batted in the proper order. Ford and Thompson both hit run-producing groundouts. The Twins won in the eleventh inning, 11-10, when Thompson drove in the game-winner with a single to center field. The Twins batted out of order four times and in the correct order twice in the game.

June 10, 1975

The Yankees sponsor Army Day at their temporary home‚ Shea Stadium (Yankee Stadium is being refurbished). During a ceremonial 21-gun salute‚ glass is splintered‚ the park is filled with smoke‚ part of the fence is blown away‚ and another part is set afire.

June 12, 1975

Oakland Athletics outfielder Billy Williams hits his 400th career home run.

June 13, 1975

Cleveland Indians trade future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry to the Texas Rangers

June 14, 1975

The Angels trade Denny Doyle to the Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later (Chuck Minor) and cash. Boston’s new slick-fielding second baseman will play a pivotal role in the team’s championship season, compiling a 22-game hitting streak and batting .310 after arriving from California.

June 15, 1975

1975 – Cliff Johnson swats a grand slam off Mike Garman in the top of the ninth for an 8-7 stunner over St. Louis. The Redbirds had just tallied three to snap a 4-4 tie. 

June 18, 1975

Boston Red Sox rookie Fred Lynn drives in 10 runs

June 21, 1975

Tanana whiffs 17 Rangers

June 23, 1975

1975 – Bob Watson’s three-run homer off Burt Hooton caps a six-run outburst against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wayne Granger pitches the final 2-2/3rds innings to save the 6-5 victory. Granger picks off Ron Cey at third base in order to preserve the win. 

June 24, 1975

In Atlanta, Joe Morgan lofts a three-run homer off Phil Niekro to account for all the scoring as the Reds beat the Braves, 3 – 0.

June 25, 1975

Rick Reuschel is the hard-luck loser to Dennis Blair in the Cubs’ 12 – 2 loss to the Expos. Montreal scores 10 unearned runs.

June 25, 1975

George Scott booms two solo home runs to lead the Brewers to a 7 – 6 win over the Tigers. Pete Broberg wins his 8th of the year.

June 25, 1975

Boston C Carlton Fisk, injured last June 23rd, returns to action for the first time in a year in an 8 – 5 loss to Cleveland.

June 28, 1975

At Riverfront Stadium, George Foster hits a 2-out 2-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Reds a 6 – 4 win over the Padres.

June 30, 1975

Baltimore C Dave Duncan ties the major-league record with four consecutive doubles during an 8 – 2 win over first-place Boston. Compounding the loss, Boston P Dick Pole suffers a broken cheek when he is hit by a line drive off the bat of 1B Tony Muser.

June 30, 1975

The Brewers whip the Yanks, 5 – 4, by scoring two runs in the bottom of the 9th. Bobby Darwin’s 8th homer of the year is the big blow. Bill Travers (4-0) takes the win. Milwaukee, winner of 15 out of its last 21, is in 3rd place in the AL East.

June 30, 1975

For the third time in four days, the Reds win on an extra-inning home run. This time, Johnny Bench belts a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 12th and the Reds whip the Astros, 9 – 6. Clay Kirby gets the decision.

July 1, 1975

The Reds win their 4th extra-inning game in five days, beating the Astros, 8 – 7 in 15 innings. Pat Darcy is the winner.

July 2, 1975

Jim Rice belts 2 homeruns and nearly hits one out of County Stadium

July 2, 1975

Don Baylor goes deep in his first three plate appearances in the Orioles’ 13-5 victory over Detroit at Tiger Stadium. The trio of home runs today gives the Baltimore left fielder four consecutive round-trippers, having hit one off Reggie Cleveland in his last at-bat yesterday in the team’s 10-6 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

July 3, 1975

Fred Lynn’s second error of the game allows the Brewers to score in the 10th. The 3 – 2 win lifts the Brewers into a tie with Boston in the American League East. But Milwaukee will fall flat in August and slide to a 5th-place finish.

July 6, 1975

For the second time this season against the Braves, a team uses three sacs (no flies) in an inning. Houston does it in the 9th in a 6 – 2 win behind J.R. Richard.

July 7, 1975

In an 8 – 6 loss to the Cardinals, Giants catcher Marc Hill – as well as the Cards – ties a mark last accomplished in 1905 when he tags out three Cards runners at home on throws from the outfield. The three Cards dealt out are: Ken Reitz, in the 1st inning on a throw from LF Gary Thomasson – Reitz tries scoring from second base on a Mike Tyson single; Ron Fairly in the 6th inning, thrown out by RF Bobby Murcer on a Tyson fly ball; and Bake McBride in the 7th, thrown out by LF Chris Arnold when he tries to score on a Willie Davis fly.

July 8, 1975

The Royals jump on Milwaukee starter Bill Travers for five runs in a third of an inning and flatten the Brewers, 9 – 1. The Brewers’ lone run is George Scott’s 16th homer of the year. Mike Hegan pinch hits for Hank Aaron, the 6th time in his career that’s occurred. All the pinch hitters have been lefties.

July 12, 1975

In a 10 – 4 loss to Texas, Luis Tiant hits and flies out. He is the first Boston pitcher to hit since the designated hitter was put into effect in 1973.

July 13, 1975

The Reds score four runs in the 8th inning to defeat Tom Seaver and the Mets, 5 – 3. The Reds have won 41 of their last 50 games.

July 15, 1975

The National League rallies for three runs in the 9th inning to win the All-Star Game at Milwaukee, 6 – 3. The Chicago Cubs’ Bill Madlock and the New York Mets’ Jon Matlack share the game’s MVP award.

July 16, 1975

Bowie Kuhn is re-elected to his second term as the commissioner of baseball

July 17, 1975

For the second consecutive White Sox game, Wilbur Wood is the starter, and he tosses his second straight shutout, beating Detroit, 5 – 0. The two starts were broken up by the All-Star Game.

July 18, 1975

Jim Rice clouts a tremendous homer over the CF wall at Fenway Park just the 6th player to accomplish this feat

July 19, 1975

At Candlestick Park, Doug Rader, batting eighth, plays the entire game without getting an official at-bat. The Cardinals walk the Giants catcher four times, three intentionally, to get to John Montefusco, the Giants starter, who goes 0-for-4 at the plate but tosses a complete game to get the win in San Francisco’s 5-2 victory.

July 19, 1975

Thurman Munson is ruled out for using an illegal bat that has too much pine tar

July 21, 1975

Mets’ infielder Joe Torre becomes the first player in National League history to hit into four straight double plays in one game

July 21, 1975

Ted Simmons losses a homerun because of illegal bat

July 22, 1975

Jerry Koosman steals second base and pitches a complete game in a 3 – 1 New York Mets victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

July 23, 1975

1975 – Willie Crawford and Lee Lacy connect for 9th-inning back-to-back pinch home runs off Bob Forsch, but the Dodgers lose anyway, 5 – 4, to the Cardinals. They are the second pair of Dodgers to pinch hit back-to-back homers.

July 23, 1975

At Three Rivers Stadium, Frank Taveras is picked off first base in an unusual play. After getting a big lead, to get a good jump on a sac bunt, the Pirates shortstop is picked off when the catcher throws the ball to first base with the Phillies right fielder Jay Johnstone covering the base to complete the 2-9 play.

July 24, 1975

Kansas City Royals fire Jack McKeon as manager and replace him with Whitey Herzog

July 24, 1975

7/24/1975: In the top of the first in a game against the Rangers, the Indians John Lowenstein hit a homer of off Steve Hergan. Cleveland scored another run for a 2-0 lead before a severe thunderstorm hit resulting in the game being called before the half inning was completed.

July 25, 1975

1975 – The Cards trade OF Jim Dwyer to Montreal for INF Larry Lintz.

July 26, 1975

Bill Madlock goes 6 for 6 during the Cubs’ 10-inning, 9 – 8, loss to the Mets.

July 27, 1975

New York Mets release veteran outfielder Cleon Jones, who had previously been suspended for insubordinate actions.

July 27, 1975

In the first of a doubleheader at Shea Stadium, Red Sox CF Fred Lynn makes a great running catch to save the game for pitcher Bill Lee. Lee wins, 1 – 0, and then Roger Moret completes the whitewash with a 6 – 0 nitecap win. The losses seem to finish the Yanks’ pennant hopes and Bill Virdon’s managing job.

July 29, 1975

Milwaukee’s first two hitters – Don Money and Darrell Porter – crack homers off Red Sox pitcher Diego Segui. That’s enough for Jim Colborn, who wins, 4 – 0.

July 30, 1975

Pat Darcy goes the distance, beating San Francisco at Riverfront Stadium, 6-1. The contest is the first complete-game thrown by a Reds’ pitcher in 45 consecutive starts by the Cincinnati staff, snapping their record streak without one.

July 30, 1975

Jose Sosa becomes the first Astros player in the 14-year history of the franchise to hit a home run in his first major league at bat. The relief pitcher belts a three-run homer off Danny Frisella during an 8-4 victory over the Padres at San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium.

July 30, 1975

1975 – The first Houston player to homer in his first major league at bat is…reliever Jose Sosa. The blast comes at the Astrodome, a three-run shot off Danny Frisella during an 8-4 victory over San Diego. And to top it off, Sosa also earns his first big league save. The other five runs come on a three-run homer by Jose Cruz and a two-run shot by Doug Rader, who is celebrating his 31st birthday. 

July 31, 1975

Giants pitcher John Montefusco predicts he’ll shut out the Reds and strike out Johnny Bench four times. The Count’s a little off as the Reds score seven runs in 1 1/3 innings off Montefusco, three of the runs coming on a Bench homer. The Reds win, 11 – 6.

August 1, 1975

Replacing Bill Virdon, who never won a game at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers named Billy Martin as their skipper, the first of his five hirings to run the team. During the two-year tenure of their former manager, a span that covered the 1974 and 1975 seasons, the club played its home games at Shea Stadium during the remodeling of the Bronx ballpark.

August 2, 1975

New York Yankees name Billy Martin as manager

August 2, 1975

At game time at Fenway Park, the temperature is 103 degrees. The Red Sox then cook the Tigers, 7 – 2, behind Rick Wise.

August 2, 1975

In Los Angeles, George Foster’s home run off Andy Messersmith is the only score as the Reds win, 1 – 0. The unrelated Carrolls – Tom Carroll and Clay Carroll – combine for the Reds.

August 3, 1975

Denny Doyle, acquired from California in June for a player to be named (Chuck Ross) later and cash, extends his hitting streak to 22 games with a first inning home run in the Red Sox’s 6-4 victory over Detroit at Fenway Park. The usually light-hitting infielder will bat .310 for Boston and will play a pivotal role in Boston’s successful pennant drive.

August 4, 1975

At Fenway Park, 35,866 are on hand to watch the Orioles topple the Red Sox, 12 – 8. Despite the offense, Boston’s Denny Doyle has his 22-game hitting streak stopped.

August 5, 1975

The first seven Phillies hit safely, good for 15 bases, against Bill Bonham (10-8) and the Cubs, in setting a major league record. No pitcher had ever started a game by allowing seven straight hits. Dave Cash leads off with a single, and Larry Bowa matches it. Garry Maddox homers over the LF fence. Greg Luzinski singles, and Jay Johnstone and Tommy Hutton follow with doubles to make it 5 – 0. Mike Schmidt then hits his 22nd homer to finally drive Bonham out of the game. His replacement, Ken Crosby, making his major league debut, gives up a single to Johnny Oates for the 8th straight hit. Dick Ruthven lays down a sacrifice bunt for the first out, but three walks, two hits and a balk make it 10 – 0. The Phils last scored 10 runs in a frame on August 13, 1948. Schmidt adds a second homer to help push the final score to 13 – 5.

August 5, 1975

Red Sox pitcher Roger Moret, scheduled to pitch today, crashes his car in Connecticut at 4:30 a.m. He’s okay and starts, but his Red Sox lose to the Orioles and Jim Palmer, 3 – 0.

August 6, 1975

The Reds amass 20 hits to beat the Giants, 12 – 5, at Candlestick Park.

August 6, 1975

The Mets fire manager Yogi Berra, promoting coach Roy McMillan as interim skipper.

August 6, 1975

Vic Davalillo of the Cafeteros de Cordoba hits the first postseason grand slam in Mexican League history, doing so against Jalisco.

August 7, 1975

1975 – Tal Smith is named General Manager, replacing “Spec” Richardson. The Astros are in last place, 35 games behind Cincinnati at the time. Dave Roberts takes the first small steps to recovery with a 6-1 victory over Pittsburgh. 

August 9, 1975

Davey Lopes breaks the record for most consecutive stolen bases

August 10, 1975

The woeful “Lastros” sweep a four-game series from division-leading Pittsburgh, 5-3

August 11, 1975

George Foster has 5 hits to lead the Reds to a 9 – 3 win over the visiting Cubs.

August 11, 1975

1975 – Cliff Johnson pounds four hits while Cesar Cedeno and Jerry DaVanon collect three each in a 7-2 victory over St. Louis. Larry Dierker tosses a complete game for his tenth win of the year. 

August 12, 1975

1975 – Red Sox pitcher Rick Wise beats California‚ 8 – 2‚ for his 9th straight win.

August 13, 1975

1975 – The A’s release P Jim Perry and purchase OF Tommy Harper from the Angels.

August 14, 1975

1975 – The Reds’ George Foster continues his hot hitting, collecting five RBIs in a 6 – 1 win over the visiting Pirates.

August 15, 1975

Earl Weaver is ejected twice by umpire Ron Luciano during a doubleheader

August 15, 1975

Frank Tanana pitches an 8 – 0 shutout as the Angels hand the Tigers their 19th straight loss.

August 16, 1975

After a frustrating 9-1 loss in Minnesota, Indians manager Frank Robinson chews out his 52-65 team. The fiery skipper appears to have gotten the players’ attention when the Tribe wins 27 of the remaining 42 contests, finishing season just one game under .500.

August 17, 1975

1975 – During the Reds’ 3 – 1 win over the Pirates, Pete Rose singles off Bruce Kison for career hit number 2,500.

August 18, 1975

Hall of Fame welcomes five new members. Earl Averill, Bucky Harris, Billy Herman, Judy Johnson, and Ralph Kiner

August 19, 1975

The Astros hire Bill Virdon, recently dismissed by the Yankees, to replace Preston Gomez as manager.

August 19, 1975

The Cardinals’ Lynn McGlothen strikes out three Reds on nine pitches in the 2nd inning of a 2 – 1 victory. The loss snaps the Reds’ nine-game win streak.

August 19, 1975

Bill Virdon replaces Preston Gomez as Houston manager. 

August 21, 1975

Tony Conigliaro of the Boston Red Sox announces his retirement

August 21, 1975

Rick and Paul Reuschel of the Chicago Cubs combine on a 7-0 shutout victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers

August 22, 1975

1975 – The Twins’ Dave McKay homers in his first major league at bat during an 8 – 4 win over the Tigers.

August 23, 1975

The Reds score eight times in the 5th inning to wipe out a 4 – 0 deficit and whip the Padres, 12 – 7.

August 23, 1975

Champ Summers and Rick Monday hit pinch home runs for the Cubs, but the Astros win the game, 14 – 12.

August 23, 1975

Making his first major league start, Indian rookie Rick Waits tosses a complete game, beating Kansas City, 7-1. The 23 year-old southpaw from Atlanta allows only five hits in the Royals Stadium contest.

August 24, 1975

Lou Brock steals the 800th base of his career as the Cardinals beat the visiting Braves 6 – 2. Carl Morton is on the mound and Biff Pocoroba behind the plate when Lou swipes second base.

August 24, 1975

In the second game of a doubleheader sweep, Giant hurler Ed Halicki no-hits the Mets, 6 – 0. The 6’7″ righthander strikes out 10 Mets to improve his record to 8-10. Craig Swan takes the loss. Controversy arises when Rusty Staub hits a ball off Halicki’s leg, which caroms to the 2B Derrel Thomas, who picks it up then drops it. Official scorer Joe Sargis rules it an E-4. New York columnist Dick Young, watching the game on TV, writes that it should be a hit and accuses Sargis of subscribing to the theory that the first hit off a starter should be a “good one.” The no-hitter stands but UPI’s Sargis loses his job as a sometime scorer.

August 24, 1975

Davey Lopes steals his 38th consecutive base a major league-record

August 24, 1975

Cliff Johnson hits a homer in his fifth straight game as Houston topples the Cubs, 8-4 

August 25, 1975

Astro Cliff Johnson hits a home run in the top of the 11th for his 6th in 6 consecutive games

August 26, 1975

1975 – The first eight Pirates hit safely against the Braves, tying the major-league record set just three weeks earlier by the Phillies. Pittsburgh wins, 8 – 2.

August 26, 1975

Luis Tiant Sr., recently allowed by Fidel Castro to leave Cuba to travel to Boston, throws out the first pitch at Fenway Park

August 27, 1975

The Twins’ Craig Kusick ties the major-league record by being hit by pitches three times in a game

August 27, 1975

At Candlestick Park, nearly half the outs in the Giants’ 9-1 victory over the Expos come via the strikeout. John Montefusco, who goes the distance to get the win, strikes out 14 Montreal batters, and the ‘Count’ and his teammates reciprocate by whiffing 11 times, including the three times he goes back to the dugout with a bat in his hands.

August 29, 1975

Chicago’s Ken Henderson homers from both sides of the plate during a 4 – 2 win over Baltimore.

August 30, 1975

The Braves replace Clyde King as their manager with scout Connie Ryan, disappointing some of the fan base who had hoped Billy Martin, recently released by the Rangers, would get the nod for the job before being hired by the Yankees. The 55 year-old former Atlanta skipper will be retained as a special assistant to Eddie Robinson, the team’s executive vice president.

September 1, 1975

Tom Seaver becomes the first major league pitcher to reach the 200-strikeout plateau in eight consecutive seasons

September 1, 1975

Mets ace Tom Seaver shuts out the Pirates, 3 – 0, and reaches 200 strikeouts for a major league-record 8th straight season.

September 1, 1975

It is “Bob Gibson Day” in St. Louis‚ as dignitaries‚ including August Busch and Bowie Kuhn‚ honor the 39-year-old pitcher. The Cards‚ led by Lou Brock‚ then drill the Cubs‚ 6 – 3. Brock has 3 singles‚ 3 stolen bases‚ and scores 3 times.

September 1, 1975

Tom Seaver, when he whiffs Pirate Manny Sanguillen in the top of the seventh inning, becomes the first pitcher to strike out at least 200 batters in eight consecutive seasons. The 3-0 victory is also ‘Tom Terrific’s’ 20th of the season, making it the fourth time the right-hander has reached that plateau in his career.

September 1, 1975

Tom Seaver, when he whiffs Pirate Manny Sanguillen in the top of the seventh inning, becomes the first pitcher to strike out at least 200 batters in eight consecutive seasons. The 3-0 victory is also ‘Tom Terrific’s’ 20th of the season, making it the fourth time the right-hander has reached that plateau in his career.

September 2, 1975

Johnny LeMaster becomes the second player to hit an inside-the-park home run in his first major league at-bat

September 3, 1975

In the final game of his Hall of Fame career, Cardinals great Bob Gibson gives up a grand slam to Pete LaCock

September 3, 1975

After missing two games because of the flu, Dodger Steve Garvey returns to the lineup in a 13 – 2 loss to the Reds, launching a National League record streak of 1,207 consecutive games played. The Reds score 10 runs in the 4th inning to ice the game.

September 5, 1975

Mets C Jerry Grote ties the modern major-league record by reaching base on errors three times during a 5 – 2 win over the Cardinals.

September 5, 1975

Montreal and Pittsburgh use a major-league record 15 pinch hitters in their doubleheader split. The Expos take the opener, 4 – 3 in 10 innings, and Pittsburgh wins the nitecap, 5 – 2, behind Jim Rooker.

September 6, 1975

The Red Sox pound out 24 hits to beat Milwaukee‚ 20 – 6, to make Roger Moret the winner. The hits and runs are American League highs this season.

September 6, 1975

At Baltimore‚ the Orioles top the Yankees, 7 – 6 in 13 innings, though neither manager or Yankee catcher Thurman Munson are around at the end. All are tossed in the 9th inning.

September 7, 1975

1975 – The Reds, leading by 20 1/2 games, clinch the National League West flag with an 8 – 4 win over the Giants. It is the earliest clinching date in league history.

September 7, 1975

With an 8-4 victory over the Giants at Riverfront Stadium, the Reds clinch the National League West in their 142nd game of the season. The ‘Big Red Machine’ captures a title earlier than any other club since the inception of divisional play in 1969.

September 8, 1975

Johnny Bench belts a 2-run homer in the 8th as the Reds beat the Padres, 3 – 2.

September 8, 1975

The Astros outslug the Braves, 9 – 6, with Jose Sosa picking up his only career win. The loss goes to Frank LaCorte, making his major league debut.

September 8, 1975

Cesar Cedeno drills two home runs and a two-run single to drive in six during a 9-6 win in Atlanta.

September 9, 1975

1975 – The Cubs’ Bill Madlock suffers an “incomplete fracture” of his right thumb when hit by a Bruce Kison pitch in a 6 – 5 win over the Pirates.

September 14, 1975

Mel Ott’s forty-seven year-old record is broken when Brewers shortstop Robin Yount plays his 242nd major league game as a teenager

September 15, 1975

Red Sox lefty Roger Moret holds on for a 9 – 7 win over the visiting Brewers. Jim Colborn takes the loss. For Moret, this is his last win as a Red Sox as he’ll go to Atlanta over the winter after a 14-3 season. For the years 1970-1975 he finishes with an 18-7 record at Fenway Park, the second best Red Sox lefty at home.

September 15, 1975

Braves rookie Al Autry goes five innings and gets the win in a 4 – 3 decision over the Astros. Willie Montanez’s 3-run homer is the big blow for Atlanta as a crowd of just 970 watches. For Autry, this is his only big league decision: Earl Huckleberry, of the 1935 Athletics, is the last pitcher to bow out with a 1-0 record.

September 15, 1975

Mike Vail extends his hitting streak to a rookie-record 23 straight games

September 16, 1975

At Fenway Park, Luis Tiant shuts out the Orioles, 2 – 0, for the Red Sox. It’s the Señor’s first shutout of the year after leading the American League in 1974.

September 16, 1975

Mike Vail fails to break the major league rookie record for consecutive games with a hit shared by Richie Ashburn (1948, Phillies) and Alvin Dark (1948, Braves). The 23 year-old freshman left fielder has plenty of opportunities to hit safely in his 24th straight game, coming to the plate eight times in the Mets’ 18-inning marathon with Montreal, a 4-3 victory over the Expos at Shea Stadium.

September 16, 1975

Rennie Stennett establishes a new modern day record for most hits in a nine-inning game

September 17, 1975

Mets right-fielder Rusty Staub, in a 5-2 loss to Chicago at Shea Stadium, homers off Ray Burris in the fourth frame for his 98th RBI of the season, establishing a new team record. ‘Le Grand Orange’ surpasses the franchise mark set by Donn Clendenon in 1970.

September 18, 1975

Harmon Killebrew hits his 573rd and final career home run

September 18, 1975

two new franchise records will be established for the Mets by Dave Kingman and Rusty Staub

September 21, 1975

Gaylord Perry, goes the distance, limiting Chicago to six hits in the team’s 8-2 win at White Sox Park. The victory gives the Ranger right-hander the identical career win-loss record (215-174) of his brother Jim, who was released by the A’s in August after getting his final major league decision earlier in the month.

September 21, 1975

Jim Rice suffers a broken bone in his hand after being hit by a Vern Ruhle, he will miss the rest of the season

September 24, 1975

Tom Seaver’s bid for a no-hitter is again spoiled in the 9th by a little-known Cub batter. This time it is Joe Wallis who lines a two-out single in the 9th for Chicago’s first hit.

September 24, 1975

In Oakland, the A’s clinch their fifth consecutive AL West title with a 13-2 rout of Chicago. Reggie Jackson leads the 13-hit attack at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum with home runs in his first two at bats, and Vida Blue tosses six innings to earn his 21st victory.

September 25, 1975

Randy Jones, with San Diego’s 6-5 victory over Los Angeles, becomes the first 20-game winner in the seven-year history of the franchise. Two seasons ago, the southpaw led the National League in losses with 22 defeats for the Friars.

September 26, 1975

At Veterans Stadium, the Phils top the Mets, 4 – 3, in 12 innings in a game delayed twice by rain. In the second game the Mets are ahead in the 3rd when the third rain delay finally washes the game away. Only 200 fans are on hand when the game is called at 3:15 a.m.

September 26, 1975

At Wrigley Field, the Expos edge the Cubs, 3 – 2, with Dale Murray picking up his 15th win, all in relief. His 15 victories is tops on the staff.

September 26, 1975

Burt Hooton sets a Dodger record for starting pitchers by winning his twelfth consecutive game. The 25 year-old right-hander, who was traded to LA in May for Eddie Solomon and Geoff Zahn, accomplishes the feat by beating J.R. Richard and the Astros at Dodger Stadium, 3-2.

September 26, 1975

Luis Tiant and Reggie Cleveland toss 4 – 0 shutouts at the Indians in both ends of a doubleheader. This is the first back-to-back Red Sox shutouts since 1956 and the second in 42 years. Don Aase and Cleveland will repeat the twinbill shutout on September 5, 1977 beating the Blue Jays at Toronto, 8 – 0 and 6 – 0.

September 28, 1975

Four A’s combine on No Hitter

October 1, 1975

Expos fire Gene Mauch

October 4, 1975

Don Gullett of the Cincinnati Reds pitches a complete game and helps himself with a home run, a single and three RBI to lead his team to an 8 – 3 win over Pittsburgh in the opening game of the National League Championship Series.

October 4, 1975

The Boston Red Sox, behind Luis Tiant’s three-hitter, beat Oakland, 7 – 1, in the ALCS opener.

October 7, 1975

The Boston Red Sox gain a 5 – 3 win and a three-game sweep over the Oakland Athletics to catch the American League pennant

October 7, 1975

John Candelaria strikes out 14 Reds‚ but is knocked out of the box by Pete Rose’s 8th-inning HR

October 11, 1975

As the first host of Saturday Night Live, George Carlin compares baseball to football in the opening monologue of the ground-breaking show. The comedian jokes the national pastime a gentler game, portraying the sport as one which is pastoral and played in a park as opposed to football, in which the objective is to march downfield and penetrate enemy territory in a stadium.

October 12, 1975

Down 2 – 1 in the 9th inning, Cincinnati rallies to beat the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the World Series, 3 – 2.

October 12, 1975

Luis Tiant pitching to Pete Rose in the 1975 World Series. Tiant wins the opening game 6-0.

October 14, 1975

Boston’s Carlton Fisk and Cincinnati’s Ed Armbrister become involved in a controversial interference non call

October 15, 1975

Boston Red Sox Luis Tiant throws 163 pitches in winning his second game of the World Series against Cincinnati, 5 – 4, to even the Series after four games.

October 16, 1975

Tony Perez breaks an 0 for 15 slump with two home runs to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 6 – 2 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the World Series.

October 21, 1975

Carlton Fisk of the Boston Red Sox powers a dramatic 12th- inning home run to complete one of the most memorable games in World Series history.

October 21, 1975

Bernie Carbo delivers pinch hit homerun in game 6 of 1975 World Series

October 22, 1975

Joe Morgan drives in winning run to finish the 1975 World Series

October 23, 1975

Johnny Bench and Sparky celebrate 1975 World Series Championships

October 24, 1975

Houston acquires pitcher Joaquin Andujar from Cincinnati for two players to be named later

October 29, 1975

Fred Lynn of the Boston Red Sox is the overwhelming choice as American League Rookie of the Year

October 30, 1975

Giant pitcher John Montefusco (15-9, 2.88, 215), also known as ‘The Count,’ wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The Expos’ freshman catcher Gary Carter (.270, 18, 68), a 2003 inductee into the Hall of Fame, receives nine of the first-place votes of the 24 cast by the writers to finish second in the balloting.

November 4, 1975

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer wins his second Cy Young Award

November 10, 1975

Kansas City Royals release veteran slugger Harmon Killebrew

November 12, 1975

Tom Seaver wins the 1975 Cy Young Award

November 17, 1975

The Texas Rangers trade future Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins to the Boston Red Sox

November 17, 1975

The Dodgers trade for Dusty Baker

November 19, 1975

Joe Morgan wins the National League’s MVP Award

November 20, 1975

1975 – The San Francisco Giants fire manager Wes Westrum, coaxing Bill Rigney out of retirement to replace him.

November 24, 1975

1975 – Gene Mauch signs a three-year contract to manage the Minnesota Twins, replacing Frank Quilici.

November 26, 1975

Boston Red Sox center fielder Fred Lynn becomes the first rookie ever to be named American League Most Valuable Player

November 29, 1975

Brooks Robinson and Paul Blair are the two making swan songs on The Sporting News Gold Glove Team

December 4, 1975

Ted Turner enters a tentative purchase agreement to buy the Atlanta Braves.

December 5, 1975

Yogi Berra, fired unexpectedly after piloting the club as a first-year manager to a 99-63 record and an American League pennant in 1964, returns to the Yankees as a coach after an 11-year absence. The hiring of the team’s former All-Star catcher and skipper to be Billy Martin’s bench coach marks the first time in the history of the game the designation becomes a description for a member of the coaching staff.

December 6, 1975

1975 – Houston deals catcher Milt May and pitchers Jim Crawford and Dave Roberts to Detroit for outfielder Leon Roberts and pitchers Mark Lemongello and Gene Pentz

December 9, 1975

The colorful Bill Veeck returns. A group headed by him buys 80 percent of the White Sox from John Allyn.

December 10, 1975

Bill Veeck and assistant Roland Hemond set up shop in hotel lobby with a sign open for business

December 11, 1975

Yankees trade for Willie Randolph

December 11, 1975

The White Sox send Bill Melton and Steve Dunning to California for 1B Jim Spencer and OF Morris Nettles.

December 11, 1975

1975 – Houston trades third baseman Doug Rader to San Diego for pitchers Larry Hardy and Joe McIntosh. The Gold Glover completes nine seasons in Houston with a .250 average, 160 homers and 600 RBIs. 

December 12, 1975

After being a member of the White Sox for two days, Dick Ruthven goes to Atlanta, along with Ken Henderson and Ozzie Osborn. Chicago receives Ralph Garr and Larvell Blanks. Blanks is then dealt to Cleveland for 2B Jack Brohamer. The Sox then trade P Rich Hinton and C Jeff Sovern to the Reds for P Clay Carroll, and finish the day by shipping IF Lee Richard to the Cards for OF Buddy Bradford and P Greg Terlecky.

December 12, 1975

The Tigers trade pitcher Mickey Lolich and outfielder Billy Baldwin to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Rusty Staub and pitcher Bill Laxton

December 16, 1975

Bill Veeck buys 80% of Chicago White Sox

December 17, 1975

Bill Veeck, the new owner of the White Sox, fires manager Chuck Tanner and selects old friend Paul Richards to pilot the team. The team’s former skipper, who tomorrow will sign a three-year deal to manage the A’s, compiled a 401-414 (.492) during his six seasons with the South Side team.

December 18, 1975

Chuck Tanner signs a three-year deal to manage the A’s

December 23, 1975

Arbitrator Peter Seitz declares Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally free agents

December 23, 1975

Brett changes his number