10/3/1972 1972 – Roric Harrison homers as Baltimore beats Cleveland 4 – 3 in the second game of a doubleheader. With the designated hitter rule on the horizon, it will be the last home run hit by an American League pitcher until interleague play 25 years later.

On October 3, 1972.00 1972 – Roric Harrison homers as Baltimore beats Cleveland 4 – 3 in the second game of a doubleheader. With the designated hitter rule on the horizon, it will be the last home run hit by an American League pitcher until interleague play 25 years later.

Bill Stoneman throws the second of his two no-hitters when he holds the Mets hitless in the Expos’ 7-0 victory at Jarry Park
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Bill Stoneman throws the second of his two no-hitters when he holds the Mets hitless in the Expos’ 7-0 victory at Jarry Park

Bill Stoneman throws the second of his two no-hitters when he holds the Mets hitless in the Expos’ 7-0 victory at Jarry Park. The Montreal All-Star right-hander, who also accomplished the feat in 1969 against the Phillies in Philadelphia in his fifth major league start, becomes the first major league pitcher to toss a no-hitter in Canada.

Steve Blass fails to win 20th Game

Having yesterday witnessed teammate Roberto Clemente achieve his cherished goal, career hit number 3,000, Pittsburgh’s Steve Blass now attempts to realize his own longstanding dream, a 20-win season, pitching at home against the New York Mets. Unfortunately the dream will not survive the 1st inning as, on the eve of the National League playoffs, Pittsburgh’s ace is knocked out of this game, literally as well as figuratively, the third RBI of the inning coming on a two-out John Milner bullet off Blass’ right elbow. Prior to game, Clemente is honored in a ceremony commemorating his previous day’s feat. But, as he did yesterday regarding Hall of Fame shoo-in Willie Mays, Clemente again takes time to make his feelings known regarding another Cooperstown candidate, albeit a less accaimed one. Al Abrams of the Post Gazette writes: “Bill Mazeroski is retiring from the game as a player. Clemente doesn’t think Maz should quit. “No, no,’ he said. ‘Bill should play two or three more years. Talk to him. Tell him he can get in shape. I know he can play better second base than anybody. He is two years younger than I am.’ Roberto then paid Mazeroski this supreme compliment: ‘He is the greatest second baseman of all time, a real super star. But people forget too fast what he has done for the Pirates. Nobody I ever saw could field with him. He won the World Series in 1960 with his home run against the Yankees. I don’t like to see him retire.’ Nobody does. But Mazeroski himself believes it is time to hang up his Gold Glove and spikes for good. ‘If I had his body,’ Bill grinned, meaning Clemente’s, ‘I would keep on playing. Unfortunately, I don’t. There’s a time for everybody to quit. Mine is here.’ ‘Maz would like to have your body,’ I told Clemente. ‘My body is old and tired,’ Roberto replied. ‘But I’ll bounce back. I think Mazeroski can do the same if he takes off a few pounds and gives them to me. I need them.'”

Pittsburgh Pirates star Roberto Clemente collects the 3,000th hit of his major league career
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Pittsburgh Pirates star Roberto Clemente collects the 3,000th hit of his major league career

test On September 30, 1972, Pittsburgh Pirates star Roberto Clemente collects the 3,000th hit of his major league career. In the fourth inning at Three Rivers Stadium, Clemente smacks a double against New York Mets left-hander Jon Matlack. The hit will be the last one in regular season play for the future Hall of Famer,…

The Tigers take their 3rd in a row from Milwaukee as John Hiller throws a 5-hitter. Aurelio Rodriguez’s 3-run home run is the margin in the 5 – 1 win. The Tigers now return home to face the Red Sox in a 3-game series that will determine which team wins the East.

The Tigers take their 3rd in a row from Milwaukee as John Hiller throws a 5-hitter. Aurelio Rodriguez’s 3-run home run is the margin in the 5 – 1 win. The Tigers now return home to face the Red Sox in a 3-game series that will determine which team wins the East.

Reggie Smith relaxes in the locker room after the Red Sox 7-5 victory over the Brewers

Reggie Smith relaxes in the locker room after the Red Sox 7-5 victory over the Brewers

September 27, 1972 – Reggie Smith relaxes in the locker room after the Red Sox 7-5 victory over the Brewers at Fenway Park. Smith doubled home 2 runs in the 5th and teammate Luis Aparicio tripled in 2 runs in the 6th to help pace the Red Sox to victory. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

A’s relief star Darold Knowles breaks his thumb, costing him a chance to pitch in the World Series. Knowles finishes the season with a 5-1 record, 11 saves, and a 1.36 ERA.

A’s relief star Darold Knowles breaks his thumb, costing him a chance to pitch in the World Series. Knowles finishes the season with a 5-1 record, 11 saves, and a 1.36 ERA.

The Dodgers’ Don Sutton shuts out San Diego, 2 – 0, handing Steve Arlin his National League-high 21st loss of the year. Arlin also led the NL in losses last year with 19. It’s Sutton’s 9th shutout of the year to tie Nolan Ryan for the most in the majors.

The Dodgers’ Don Sutton shuts out San Diego, 2 – 0, handing Steve Arlin his National League-high 21st loss of the year. Arlin also led the NL in losses last year with 19. It’s Sutton’s 9th shutout of the year to tie Nolan Ryan for the most in the majors.

1972 – Pittsburgh’s Steve Blass and Roberto Clemente each close in on a cherished goal: the former, a 20-win season, the latter a 3,000-hit career. Charley Feeney of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports: “Blass notched his 19th victory – and No. 100 of his career – while Clemente rapped two hits in a 5 – 1 breeze over the Phillies here last night… ‘I’ve always looked forward to winning 20 games,’ says Blass. He will get a chance for No. 20 on Sunday in Pittsburgh when he faces the Mets… Clemente is within four hits of becoming the first Pirate in history to collect 3,000 hits. Clemente hit four balls hard last night. He was instrumental in sending Wayne Twitchell to the hospital. Twitchell was hit on the palm of the right hand by Clemente’s vicious smash in the 1st inning. Twitchell retrieved the ball and threw out Clemente, then headed for the hospital where X-rays of the hand were negative. In the 3rd, rookie third baseman Mike Schmidt made a fine stop of Clemente’s hot smash and, with plenty of time to nab Clemente at first base, Schmidt threw low for an error. Clemente singled in the five-run 6th and chopped a hit to third in the 9th. He also fanned.”

1972 – Pittsburgh’s Steve Blass and Roberto Clemente each close in on a cherished goal: the former, a 20-win season, the latter a 3,000-hit career. Charley Feeney of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports: “Blass notched his 19th victory – and No. 100 of his career – while Clemente rapped two hits in a 5 – 1 breeze over the Phillies here last night… ‘I’ve always looked forward to winning 20 games,’ says Blass. He will get a chance for No. 20 on Sunday in Pittsburgh when he faces the Mets… Clemente is within four hits of becoming the first Pirate in history to collect 3,000 hits. Clemente hit four balls hard last night. He was instrumental in sending Wayne Twitchell to the hospital. Twitchell was hit on the palm of the right hand by Clemente’s vicious smash in the 1st inning. Twitchell retrieved the ball and threw out Clemente, then headed for the hospital where X-rays of the hand were negative. In the 3rd, rookie third baseman Mike Schmidt made a fine stop of Clemente’s hot smash and, with plenty of time to nab Clemente at first base, Schmidt threw low for an error. Clemente singled in the five-run 6th and chopped a hit to third in the 9th. He also fanned.”