The Cardinals even their NLDS by defeating Arizona, 4 – 1. Woody Williams notches the win for the Cardinals, behind a two-run home run from rookie Albert Pujols. Randy Johnson takes his record seventh consecutive playoff loss for Arizona.
The Yankees fall to Oakland, 5 – 3, in Game 1 of their American League Division Series. Terrence Long hits a pair of home runs for Oakland and Jason Giambi adds another. Mark Mulder gets the win for Oakland while Johnny Damon goes 4 for 4.
2001 Shane Reynolds wins his 100th game as an Astro and it comes at the best possible time. He drops St. Louis, 9-2, to claim Houston’s fourth division title in five years . Richard Hidalgo blasts a two-run homer in the second off Darryl Kile and the Astros never look back . While the two clubs share 93-69 records, the Astros claim the title by winning nine of 16 head-to-head matchups.
On the last day of the season, Rickey Henderson bloops a double down the right-field line off Rockies’ hurler John Thomson to become the 25th major leaguer to collect 3000 hits. Tony Gwynn, who is playing in his last major league game and is also a member of the 3000 hit club, meets the Padre outfielder at home plate in front of a sellout crowd Qualcomm Park.
The San Francisco Giants’ Barry Bonds extends his major league record for home runs in season to 73 as he drives a 3-2 1st-inning knuckleball off Dodgers pitcher Dennis Springer over the right field fence. The blast also secures two more major league records for Bonds as he surpasses Babe Ruth – who slugged .847 in 1920 – with a .863 season slugging percentage and bests Mark McGwire, who in 1998 hit one HR every 7.27 at-bat by homering in every 6.52 at-bats.
With his 151st pinch hit, Lenny Harris breaks the major league mark for career pinch hits established by Manny Mota. Coming off the Met bench to bat for Rey Ordonez, he lines a 1-2 pitch off Expo starter Carl Pavano for a single to become the career leader in pinch hits.
2001 – Phil Nevin has his first three-homer game, including a grand slam, as the San Diego Padres beat the Colorado Rockies, 10 – 4. Colorado’s Todd Helton becomes the first player in major league history to have consecutive seasons with 400 or more total bases. His 7th-inning double gives him exactly 400 bases this year.
With their 116th win, the Mariners tie the 1906 Cubs as the winningest team in major league history. Bret Boone’s 37th home run of the season and the shutout pitching of five Seattle pitchers prove to be the difference in the 1-0 historic win over the Rangers.
At Camden Yards in front of a full house including Orioles notables Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer, and Earl Weaver as well as Commissioner Bud Selig and former President Bill Clinton, Cal Ripken plays his 3,001st and final game. After a hitless night, the 41 year-old Cal watches the last out of the team’s 5-1 loss to the Red Sox from the on-deck circle.
2001 – With their season in turmoil, Lance Berkman delivers twice in a crucial 2-1 triumph in St. Louis, clinching a tie for a playoff spot. Berkman homers off Jeff Tabaka in the eighth to tie it then doubles home Craig Biggio in the ninth for the game-winner.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!