1983 – Baltimore clinches the American League East title with a 5 – 1 win over Milwaukee, as Storm Davis and Tippy Martinez combine on a six-hitter.
1983 – In the 9th inning of Atlanta’s 3 – 2 win over Los Angeles, Braves OF Dale Murphy walks, steals second, and scores the winning run on Rafael Ramirez’s single. The stolen base makes him only the 6th player in major league history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season.
Troubled Dodger reliever Steve Howe is suspended once again because of his chronic drug problem after missing the club’s flight to Atlanta and refusing to take a urinalysis upon his arrival. Howe, who has 18 saves and a 1.44 ERA despite spending part of the season in a drug rehabilitation program, will not be eligible for post-season play.
test On September 23, 1983, Steve “Lefty” Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies wins his 300th game. The future Hall of Famer defeats his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Using his trademark slider, Carlton strikes out 12 batters in winning the game, 6-2. Carlton also drives in a run in the first inning… The Cardinals…
1983 – Jose Cruz smacks a two-run single and a grand slam to pace a 15-2 demolition of Los Angeles. Alejandro Pena, Burt Hooton and Pat Zachry are torched for 13 runs in the first four innings. Denny Walling chimes in with three hits, including two doubles and three RBIs. Nolan Ryan coasts to his 14th win.
In the first inning of a 14-1 rain-shortened five-inning victory over the Orioles, the Tigers stroke ten consecutive hits and score 11 runs. Detroit’s opening offense ties the American League record for runs scored to start a game, which was established by the Boston Americans in 1901.
Denver (American Association) beats Portland (Pacific Coast League), 5 – 4, to give the Tidewater Tides (International League) the championship in the first AAA World Series. Manager Davey Johnson’s Tides won three of their four games in the double round-robin tournament to edge 2nd-place Portland, which finished 2-2.
Phillies 2B Joe Morgan celebrates his 40th birthday by going 4 for 5 with two home runs in a 7 – 6 win over the Cubs. He will go 4 for 5 again tomorrow in an 8 – 5 win over the Cubs. He’s the second player to celebrate his 40th birthday with a dinger: Bob Thurman was the first, in 1957.
On September 17, 1983, At Riverfront Stadium, 53,790 faithful fans celebrate Johnny Bench Night. The future Hall of Fame catcher doesn’t disappoint the regular-season record crowd, responding with a two-run homer and a single, the homerun was his 389th, and final of his career, it came off Mike Madden in the 3rd inning…
The Chicago White Sox clinch their first-ever American League West championship, beating Seattle, 4 – 3, on Harold Baines’ sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th.