A Tokyo schoolboy star named Sadaharu Oh is signed by the Yomiuri Giants for a bonus of Y13,000,000 (about $55,000). Oh will become one of the most famous players of all time, setting many world hitting records.
1958 – In the Phillies’ 6 – 4, 10-inning win at Pittsburgh, Richie Ashburn clinches the batting title, going 3 for 4 to finish at .3495. Willie Mays, leading off in San Francisco’s win over St. Louis, is 3 for 5 to finish at .3466. Dave Philley sets a major-league record for consecutive pinch hits when he doubles in the 7th for his 8th straight pinch hit. Peanuts Lowrey had seven straight pinch hits in 1952.
Solly Hemus is traded to St. Louis by the Phillies in exchange for utility infielder Gene Freese. The 36 year-old former Redbird will become the Cardinals’ player-manager for the next three seasons, compiling a 190-192 record.
On the last day of the season, Gus Triandos steals his first and only base of his 13-year major league career, swiping the bag off off rookie pitcher Zach Monroe and third-string catcher Darrell Johnson, who are playing to give the Yankees regular battery a day off before the upcoming Fall Classic. The 28 year-old Orioles backstop will play a record 1,206 games consecutive games without ever being caught stealing a base.
Red Sox outfielder, going 7-for-11 to end the season, Ted Williams becomes the first 40 year-old to lead the league in hitting and wins his sixth and final batting title. The ‘Splendid Splinter’s’ .328 batting average beats out his teammate Pete Runnels, who goes 0-for-4 today and ends up the campaign with a .322 mark.
On the last day of the season, Dave Philley establishes a big-league record by getting his eighth consecutive pinch hit. The seventh inning run-producing double helps the Phillies beat the Pirates at Forbes Field, 6-4.
1958 – The Red Sox drill a 9 – 5 win over Washington as Pete Runnels and Ted Williams each have three hits, but Ted has two less at bats to move ahead in the batting race. The two sluggers hit back-to-back home runs in the 4th, off John Romonosky.
After today’s doubleheader sweep of the Senators, Red Sox teammates Ted Williams and Pete Runnels are exactly tied for the American League batting leadership at .32258. Williams is 130 for 403, while Runnels is 180 for 558. Williams is 2 for 3 in the opener, with a home run, then sits in the second game. Runnels is 2 for 9 on the afternoon. The Nats lose, 6 – 4 and 3 – 1, to run their loss streak to 11.
Corpus Christi (Texas League) agrees not to use black players in the Dixie Series with the Southern Association.
Al Kaline lies unconscious after being hit with a pitch from Bob Shaw of the White Sox at Comiskey Park on September 25th, 1958. After taken off the field on a stretcher, X-rays came back negative and the 23 year old missed just 1 game.