After being awarded one of the two expansion franchises for Triple-A by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Durham officially becomes the home of the Devil Rays’ top farm club beginning in 1998. Tampa Bay and Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc. jointly own the new North Carolina franchise, but the team will continue to be called the Bulls.

ByBaseball

After being awarded one of the two expansion franchises for Triple-A by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Durham officially becomes the home of the Devil Rays’ top farm club beginning in 1998. Tampa Bay and Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc. jointly own the new North Carolina franchise, but the team will continue to be called the Bulls.

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Andruw Jones becomes the fourth rookie in baseball history to hit two home runs in the same World Series game when he goes deep twice in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. The Braves’ center fielder joins Charlie Keller (1939 – Yankees), Tony Kubek (1957 – Yankees), and Willie McGee (1982 – Cardinals) in accomplishing the feat.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Andruw Jones becomes the fourth rookie in baseball history to hit two home runs in the same World Series game when he goes deep twice in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. The Braves’ center fielder joins Charlie Keller (1939 – Yankees), Tony Kubek (1957 – Yankees), and Willie McGee (1982 – Cardinals) in accomplishing the feat.

1996 – For the third year in a row, a Dodgers member is named Rookie of the Year. Raúl Mondesi, like last year’s pick, Mike Piazza, is a unanimous choice. The fleet Dominican outfielder hit .306 with 16 home runs and 16 assists.

ByBaseball

1996 – For the third year in a row, a Dodgers member is named Rookie of the Year. Raúl Mondesi, like last year’s pick, Mike Piazza, is a unanimous choice. The fleet Dominican outfielder hit .306 with 16 home runs and 16 assists.

The Atlanta Braves have the biggest blowout in postseason history, beating the St. Louis Cardinals, 15 – 0, in Game 7 of the NLCS 

The Atlanta Braves have the biggest blowout in postseason history, beating the St. Louis Cardinals, 15 – 0, in Game 7 of the NLCS 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1996 – The Atlanta Braves have the biggest blowout in postseason history, beating the St. Louis Cardinals, 15 – 0, in Game 7 of the NLCS to complete a comeback from a 3-1 deficit. The Cardinals become the only club to blow a 3-1 edge three times in the postseason.

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1996 – The Atlanta Braves, behind Greg Maddux, even the National League Championship Series at three games apiece with a 3 – 1 victory over the Cardinals.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1996 – The Atlanta Braves, behind Greg Maddux, even the National League Championship Series at three games apiece with a 3 – 1 victory over the Cardinals.

The Devil Rays name Jamie Reed as the club’s head trainer. The 37 year-old Annapolis, Md native, formerly the assistant trainer for the Orioles, is the first on-field major league hire for the new expansion team.

ByBaseball

The Devil Rays name Jamie Reed as the club’s head trainer. The 37 year-old Annapolis, Md native, formerly the assistant trainer for the Orioles, is the first on-field major league hire for the new expansion team.

1996 – Powered by three home runs in the 3rd inning and eight strong innings from Andy Pettitte, the Yankees win their 34th American League pennant with a 6 – 4 victory over Baltimore. The Yankees take the ALCS, 4 games to 1, and will go to the World Series for the first time since 1981.

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1996 – Powered by three home runs in the 3rd inning and eight strong innings from Andy Pettitte, the Yankees win their 34th American League pennant with a 6 – 4 victory over Baltimore. The Yankees take the ALCS, 4 games to 1, and will go to the World Series for the first time since 1981.

Gary Gaetti hits a grand slam off Greg Maddux to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8 – 3 win over the Atlanta Braves and a tie of the NLCS. Todd Stottlemyre gets the victory.

Gary Gaetti hits a grand slam off Greg Maddux to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8 – 3 win over the Atlanta Braves and a tie of the NLCS. Todd Stottlemyre gets the victory.

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Gary Gaetti hits a grand slam off Greg Maddux to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8 – 3 win over the Atlanta Braves and a tie of the NLCS. Todd Stottlemyre gets the victory.

The Baltimore Orioles’ 5 – 3 win over the New York Yankees in Game 2 evens the ALCS at one game apiece. Rafael Palmeiro’s 7th-inning home run is the key blow.

ByBaseball

The Baltimore Orioles’ 5 – 3 win over the New York Yankees in Game 2 evens the ALCS at one game apiece. Rafael Palmeiro’s 7th-inning home run is the key blow.

The Jeffrey Maier Incident and a Yankees Victory
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The Jeffrey Maier Incident and a Yankees Victory

ByThis Day in Baseball

With the Yankees trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Derek Jeter ties the game with a deep fly ball to right field that is ruled a home run by umpire Rich Garcia, despite the protest of outfielder Tony Tarasco and Orioles manager Davey Johnson, who claim there was spectator interference that prevented the ball from being caught. Video replay clearly shows 12 year-old Jeffrey Maier reaching over the fence and bringing the catchable live ball into the stands, forever changing the outcome of Game 1 of the ALCS, and, many believe, of the series.