José López makes history by hitting three sacrifice flies in a 11 – 6 Mariners win over Kansas City. He is the 12th player in major league history to accomplish that feat. He drives in Willie Bloomquist twice and Kenji Johjima once.
On April 15, 2007, on the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s debut, the entire Dodger team wears uniform #42 in his honor. At least one player on each MLB team wears #42, after Ken Griffey Jr. had asked commissioner Bud Selig for permission to do so. In Oakland, Yankee closer Mariano Rivera, who is the only major leaguer still grandfathered in to wear #42, allows a three-run walk-off homer to Marco Scutaro of the A’s.
The Indians became the first team in almost 55 years to notch a victory with their only hit coming in the team’s first at-bat when Grady Sizemore doubles leading off the first inning in Tribe’s eventual 2-1 win over Chicago at Jacobs Field. The last time the Tribe won while getting just one hit or less was in 1992, a 2-1 victory over Boston with the team being no-hit by Matt Young.
To honor Jackie Robinson, some players on each team, including Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter and Braves’ outfielder Andruw Jones, wear the Dodger immortal’s uniform No. 42 on the 60th anniversary of his historic breaking the color barrier in baseball. In the Cardinals and Brewers contest at Busch Stadium, every player and coach on both teams dons Jackie’s revered number.
The Dodgers, to commemorate the 58th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game in the big leagues, wear replicas of the old road uniforms worn by the 1947 team which played in Brooklyn. Right-hander Derek Lowe throws a three-hitter, blanking the Padres in San Diego, 4-0.
A Fenway fan is ejected from the game after taking what appeared to be a swipe at Gary Sheffield as the Yankee outfielder fields a ball hit by Jason Varitek. The right fielder’s response, which includes shoving the fan, making a fist, and exchanging words, will be investigated by major league baseball.
2004 – Despite a 6-2 loss to Milwaukee, reliever Brandon Backe becomes the third pitcher in franchise history to strike out the side on nine pitches. He whiffs Bill Hall, Scott Podsednik and Craig Counsell in order after having fanned Chad Moeller to end the previous frame. Craig Biggio swats the 35th leadoff homer of his career, an NL record.
Fifty-seven years after the historic event, major league baseball begins the tradition of Jackie Robinson Day, an annual celebration marking the day the color line was broken. At big league parks across the country there are ceremonies honoring the ground-breaking Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman, including Commissioner Bud Selig joining his widow, Rachel Robinson, for a Shea Stadium tribute.
A swarm of bees nesting in the Coors Field’s right field auxiliary scoreboard makes their presence known when Todd Hollandsworth steps into the batter’s box to start the bottom of the fourth frame. After a nine-minute delay, the game continues without incident to the players, fans or bees, but the Rockies’ outfielder gets the crowd buzzing by hitting three home runs following the incident, including a three-run walk-off round-tripper in the tenth inning of Colorado’s 10-7 victory over Arizona.
2000 – In the 2,800th game of his career, Baltimore Orioles infielder Cal Ripken, Jr. lines a base hit off Minnesota Twins pitcher Hector Carrasco to become the 24th major leaguer to reach the 3,000 career hit milestone. The single also makes Ripken only the seventh player to get 3,000 hits and 400 home runs in major league history.
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