1968 – In Mickey Mantle’s last appearance at Yankee Stadium, he slices a two-out 1st-inning single off Cleveland’s Luis Tiant, the only hit for the Yankees. Tiant tosses his 9th shutout of the year, tops in the American League, to win, 3 – 0. El Tiante’s ERA drops to 1.60; the previous low for an Indian pitcher was Stan Coveleski’s 1.87 in 1917.
The Giants beat the Astros, 5 – 4, with Willie Mays driving in three runs. Mays hits a solo homer in the 1st and drives in the tying and winning runs in the 8th with a perfect bunt. With runners on second and third base, Mays bunts and Doug Rader attempts a barehanded pickup but misses the ball.
Steve Blass records his third shutout in a row, defeating the Reds, 2 – 0, and beating Gary Nolan. For Nolan, it is his first defeat after seven straight wins, while Blass wins his 9th straight for the Pirates.
Mets manager Gil Hodges, during a game against the Braves in Atlanta, suffers a mild heart attack. The New York skipper, who will die of a massive coronary in 1972, is hospitalized until October 20, when doctors give him a clean bill of health, but warned him about the continued risks of stress and smoking.
1968 – Cesar Tovar plays one inning at each position for the Minnesota Twins, becoming only the second major leaguer in history to do it. Bert Campaneris of the Oakland Athletics was the first, earlier this season.
At Yankee Stadium, Red Sox pitcher Ray Culp fires his 3rd successive shutout, stopping the Yankees on one hit, 2 – 0. Roy White’s single in the 7th is the only hit. It’s Culp’s 15th win of the year.
Pittsburgh’s Dock Ellis pitches a complete game win over the Cubs, winning 5 – 1. Joe Niekro allows four runs to take the loss. Cubs reliever Jophery Brown goes two innings, allowing the other run, in his only major league appearance. His next appearance will be in the opening scene of the movie Jurassic Park when he is eaten by a raptor. Brown tossed two no-hitters in the minors, losing them both.
September 20, 1968 At Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers score 4 off Future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton and pull out a 5-4 Victory. Bill Singer picks up the win for the Dodgers. Lou Brock Homers for the Cardinals. Los Angeles Dodgers 5, St. Louis Cardinals 4 Game Played on Friday, September 20, 1968 (N)…
Mickey Mantle hits final home run, finishing his 18-year major league career third on the all-time home run list with 536 round-trippers behind only Babe Ruth and Willie Mays when he retires at the end of the season. The homer is given up by Jim Lonborg in a 4-3 loss to the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
On September 19, 1968, Denny McLain’s 31st win is overshadowed by Mickey Mantle’s 535th homer. McLain allegedly calls C Jim Price out and tells him to inform Mantle he’s throwing the slugger nothing but fastballs. The home run gives Mantle undisputed hold of 3rd place on the all-time home run list. Mantle tips his cap to Denny as he rounds third…