At the Kingdome, Rangers’ starter Mike Morgan beats the Mariners for the first time since 1980 when he hurled for the A’s. The interval of 19 years, eight months, and nine days is the longest span of time a hurler has gone between victories over one team.
1999 – Craig Biggio scores his 1000th career run against Milwaukee in a 5-2 victory. Biggio has two hits on the day, including a double. Shane Reynolds captures the victory.
1999 – On the Astrodome’s final anniversary, Tim Bogar drives home Richard Hidalgo with the winning run as Houston nips Milwaukee, 3-2. Starter Sean Bergman adds a solo homer but Scott Elarton takes the win in relief.
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Kris Benson beats the Cubs in his first major league start. He is just the second #1 draft pick to win his first start; David Clyde was the other, in 1973.
1999 – The Astros begin their final campaign in the Astrodome by defeating the Cubs, 4-2. Shane Reynolds is the Opening Day winner. Carl Everett and Richard Hidalgo bash solo home runs.
The U.S. government garnishes Denny McLain’s pension in order to reimburse the pension fund from which he was convicted of laundering money. McLain was recently divorced and under the terms of the settlement‚ all of his assets went to his wife‚ including his pension‚ while McLain got all of the debts. But a federal judge overrules that and orders that all of McLain’s pension benefits be used to reimburse his victims.
The Braves defeat the Phillies, 11 – 3‚ behind Greg Maddux. Maddux hits a homer and two-run single in Atlanta’s 8-run 4th inning‚ becoming the first pitcher since Todd Stottlemyre in 1996 to get 2 hits in the same inning.
On April 4, 1999, Hall of Famer Early Wynn dies at the age of 79 from complications caused by a stroke. Known for his toughness on the mound, the highly competitive Wynn won exactly 300 games over a 23-year career with the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.
Opening Day starts in Mexico, making it the first time baseball’s first pitch comes outside the U.S. or Canada when the Rockies defeat the National League’s defending champs Padres, 8-2. Darryl Kile goes 6.2 innings to get the win in the Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey contest.
1999 – Commissioner Bud Selig confirms that discussions are underway which could lead to advertising space being sold on the sleeves of players uniforms. Nothing will come of these, fortunately.
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