1968 – A bid for a no-hitter by the Oakland Athletics’ Blue Moon Odom is spoiled by Davey Johnson, who singles with two outs in the 9th inning. Odom tops Baltimore, 6 – 1.
1968 – Houston selects catcher Martin Cott of Buffalo, NY in the first round of the June draft, passing on a catcher from Canton, OH named Thurman Munson whom the Yankees grab with the next pick. Cott never reaches the big leagues. It’s not a good day on the field either as Cardinal ace Bob Gibson blanks Houston, 4-0.
The day after Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles, Maury Wills refuses to play in a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers, his former team. The 35 year-old Pirate shortstop stays in the Chavez Ravine training room, reading RFK’s book, To Seek a New World.
At Wrigley Field‚ the Mets’ Jerry Koosman strikes out the leadoff Cub for his 7th straight strikeout‚ then wins, 2 – 0.
Ewing Kauffman signs a 4-year lease for the Royals to play in Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium.
Fresco Thompson succeeds Buzzie Bavasi as general manager of the Dodgers. Bavasi will run the new National League club in San Diego.
In LA’s Ambassador Hotel, Robert Kennedy, giving his victory speech for his win in the California primary before being fatally shot, tells his followers in the packed ballroom, “I like to express my high regard to Don Drysdale, who pitched his sixth straight shutout tonight. And I hope we can have as good fortune in our campaign.” At nearby Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers right-hander had blanked the Bucs, 6-0, extending his scoreless streak to 54 innings.
On June 4, 1968, Los AngelesDodgers’ Don Drysdale pitches his sixth straight shutout, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5 – 0, and establishes two new major league records. Drysdale tops Doc White’s 64-year-old mark of five shutouts, and with 54 scoreless innings, he breaks Carl Hubbell’s National League string, set in 1933, by one-third, en route…
1968 – Bill Hands of the Cubs outduels Don Wilson for a 3-1 decision at the Dome but it’s definitely not the most newsworthy event that day. Judge Hofheinz opens Astroworld right across the Loop 610 freeway, featuring rides and In the Texas can-do spirit of the times, outdoor seating areas are air conditioned. exhibits.
On June 1, 1968, Joe Hoerner of the St. Louis Cardinals ties the National League record for most consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher. The side-arming left-hander fans the final six batters he faces and earns the win in a extra innings 6-5 victory over the New York Mets at Shea. Hoerner who pitched 4…
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