Going deep off Senator hurler Jim Shellenback, Rico Petrocelli becomes the first shortstop in American League history to hit 40 home runs in a season. The Red Sox infielder’s record will stand until 1998, when Alex Rodriguez blasts 42 bombs with the Mariners.

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Going deep off Senator hurler Jim Shellenback, Rico Petrocelli becomes the first shortstop in American League history to hit 40 home runs in a season. The Red Sox infielder’s record will stand until 1998, when Alex Rodriguez blasts 42 bombs with the Mariners.

1969 – Jim Maloney fires a one-hitter in beating Houston, 3 – 0, at Crosley Field. Joe Morgan’s 3rd-inning single is the only safety.

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1969 – Jim Maloney fires a one-hitter in beating Houston, 3 – 0, at Crosley Field. Joe Morgan’s 3rd-inning single is the only safety.

The Senators’ 4-1 victory over Cleveland at RFK Stadium is the team’s 82nd of the season, guaranteeing the ‘expansion Senators’ their first-ever winning record. Ted Williams’ fourth-place team will finish the season with an 86-76 record, marking the first time Washington has had a winning campaign since the original Senators posted a 78-76 mark in 1952.

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The Senators’ 4-1 victory over Cleveland at RFK Stadium is the team’s 82nd of the season, guaranteeing the ‘expansion Senators’ their first-ever winning record. Ted Williams’ fourth-place team will finish the season with an 86-76 record, marking the first time Washington has had a winning campaign since the original Senators posted a 78-76 mark in 1952.

Pirates skipper Larry Shepard is fired with five games to play and is replaced on an interim basis by Alex Grammas. Danny Murtaugh, the team’s pilot next season, will win the National League Manager of the Year Award after his team finishes with 88 victories, just one more win than this year’s squad.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Pirates skipper Larry Shepard is fired with five games to play and is replaced on an interim basis by Alex Grammas. Danny Murtaugh, the team’s pilot next season, will win the National League Manager of the Year Award after his team finishes with 88 victories, just one more win than this year’s squad.

Jerry Koosman signed New York Mets B&W 16x20 Photo (1969 World Series champagne celebration with Tom Seaver)
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New York Mets clinch their first post-season berth

ByThis Day in Baseball

On September 24, 1969, the New York Mets clinch their first post-season berth, wrapping up the first National League East title. The Mets defeat the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-0, At Shea Stadium to officially eliminate the Chicago Cubs from contention. The Mets will go on to win the World Series… Mets starter Gary Gentry four-hits…

In an 8-3 win over the Yankees at Fenway Park, Red Sox first baseman Carl Yastrzemski hits his 200th career home. Yaz, who will hit 452 homers during his 23-year tenure in the major leagues, blasts a third-inning pitch off starter Mel Stottlemyre to reach the milestone, and then adds #201 in the eighth off Lindy McDaniel.

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In an 8-3 win over the Yankees at Fenway Park, Red Sox first baseman Carl Yastrzemski hits his 200th career home. Yaz, who will hit 452 homers during his 23-year tenure in the major leagues, blasts a third-inning pitch off starter Mel Stottlemyre to reach the milestone, and then adds #201 in the eighth off Lindy McDaniel.

John Miller homers and becomes the only player in history to have hit a home run in his first and last plate appearance in the major leagues

John Miller homers and becomes the only player in history to have hit a home run in his first and last plate appearance in the major leagues

ByThis Day in Baseball

In his last major league at-bat, John Miller homers, making the Dodger the only player in history to have hit a home run in his first and last plate appearance in the major leagues. In 1966, as a Yankee, he went deep in the first of only 61 big league career at-bats in which he would collect only 10 hits, including the two memorable round-trippers to start and end his 32-game career.