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1976 – Ken Forsch has to save the Astros twice. Leading San Diego, 5-4 in the ninth, and the tying runner aboard, Forsch gets Ted Kubiak to ground to second for an apparent finish but catcher Cliff Johnson is ruled for interference. Kubiak is awarded first and Forsch must retire Merv Rettenmund, which he does on a fly to Greg Gross in right to seal the victory. 

ByTom

1976 – Ken Forsch has to save the Astros twice. Leading San Diego, 5-4 in the ninth, and the tying runner aboard, Forsch gets Ted Kubiak to ground to second for an apparent finish but catcher Cliff Johnson is ruled for interference. Kubiak is awarded first and Forsch must retire Merv Rettenmund, which he does on a fly to Greg Gross in right to seal the victory. 

Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies blasts four consecutive home runs in a wild 18-16 win over the Chicago Cubs

Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies blasts four consecutive home runs in a wild 18-16 win over the Chicago Cubs

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 17, 1976,  At Wrigley Field, Mike Schmidt leads a Philadelphia Phillies assault with a single, four home runs in consecutive at-bats, and eight RBI to overcome a 12 – 1 deficit after three innings and beat the Chicago Cubs in 10 innings, 18 – 16. Chicago ties the game in the 9th after the Phillies have taken a 15 –…

Thurman Munson 1976 MVP

At Yankee owner’s George Steinbrenner’s insistence, Thurman Munson is named the team captain

ByTom

At Yankee owner’s George Steinbrenner’s insistence, Thurman Munson is named the team captain. The reluctant backstop is the first player to assume the role since the Bronx Bombers honored Lou Gehrig with the position in 1935.

Ted simmons
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Ted Simmons homers from both sides of the plate‚ while teammate Ted Sizemore ties a record with 3 errors in an inning

ByTom

  April 17, 1975 – During a 14-7 loss to the New York Mets‚ the Cardinals Ted Simmons homers from both sides of the plate‚ while teammate 2B Ted Sizemore ties a ML record with 3 errors in the 6th inning. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports and other links Other Resources…

C George Mitterwald has a career day in leading the Cubs to an 18 – 9 win over the Pirates. He goes 4-for-4 with a walk, a double, three homers, and 8 RBI. The next Cub catcher to hit three homers in a game will be Dioner Navarro, in 2013.

ByBaseball

C George Mitterwald has a career day in leading the Cubs to an 18 – 9 win over the Pirates. He goes 4-for-4 with a walk, a double, three homers, and 8 RBI. The next Cub catcher to hit three homers in a game will be Dioner Navarro, in 2013.

Atlanta rookie Earl Williams, starting his second straight game in place of ailing third baseman Clete Boyer, hits a double and his first two big league home runs, which — along with additional solo blasts from Orlando Cepeda and Hal King — help Braves starter Ron Reed secure a 6 – 2, complete game decision over Philadelphia. An ironic sidebar to the evolving Williams story is provided by Wayne Minshew in the Atlanta Constitution: “Lost in the glow of Williams’ big day is King’s towering home run in the 7th, which almost reached the upper deck in brand new Veterans Stadium.” The irony will be heightened immeasurably within less than 24 hours, when Williams — who, in two months’ time will lay exclusive claim to the starting catcher’s job King is currently struggling to retain — will erase all memories of King’s prodigious near-miss with the Vet’s bona fide inaugural upper-decker.

ByBaseball

Atlanta rookie Earl Williams, starting his second straight game in place of ailing third baseman Clete Boyer, hits a double and his first two big league home runs, which — along with additional solo blasts from Orlando Cepeda and Hal King — help Braves starter Ron Reed secure a 6 – 2, complete game decision over Philadelphia. An ironic sidebar to the evolving Williams story is provided by Wayne Minshew in the Atlanta Constitution: “Lost in the glow of Williams’ big day is King’s towering home run in the 7th, which almost reached the upper deck in brand new Veterans Stadium.” The irony will be heightened immeasurably within less than 24 hours, when Williams — who, in two months’ time will lay exclusive claim to the starting catcher’s job King is currently struggling to retain — will erase all memories of King’s prodigious near-miss with the Vet’s bona fide inaugural upper-decker.

Bud Harrelson of the New York Mets hits a home run in the 1st inning of a 6 – 0 win over the Phillies. The homer is one of only seven in Harrelson’s 16-year career and the only one he will ever hit at Shea Stadium.

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Bud Harrelson of the New York Mets hits a home run in the 1st inning of a 6 – 0 win over the Phillies. The homer is one of only seven in Harrelson’s 16-year career and the only one he will ever hit at Shea Stadium.

Bill Stoneman of the Montreal Expos pitches a 7 – 0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in only the ninth game of the Expos’ existence

Bill Stoneman of the Montreal Expos pitches a 7 – 0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in only the ninth game of the Expos’ existence

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Connie Mack Stadium, Bill Stoneman of the Montreal Expos pitches a 7 – 0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in only the ninth game of the Expos’ existence. Rusty Staubhits a home run with three doubles and three RBI to pace Stoneman’s gem.

In their first game at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, the newly arrived A’s lose to the Orioles, 4-1. The team, which played in Kansas City last season, is shut down by Baltimore southpaw Dave McNally on two-hits.

ByTom

In their first game at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, the newly arrived A’s lose to the Orioles, 4-1. The team, which played in Kansas City last season, is shut down by Baltimore southpaw Dave McNally on two-hits.

In the only game scheduled on this Monday evening, the New York Mets pound Pittsburgh, 9 – 6. Obscured amidst the offensive fireworks is the sorry plight of poor Jerry Buchek, a career backup infielder on the verge of his career year who’s got to be wondering what he ever did to Pirate right fielder Roberto Clemente, likewise embarking on his own best-ever season. Clemente abuses Buchek on both sides of the ball, starting with his 2nd-inning snatch of his 400-footer to right center. Pirate beat writer Les Biederman reports: “Clemente went toward the exit gate for a startling back-handed stab of Buchek’s long drive.” Next inning, one of Roberto’s patented one-hop rockets undresses the Met second baseman even as it dares him to return Clemente’s favor. “Clemente slammed a vicious one-hop shot right at Buchek,” writes Biederman, “but the second baseman dropped the ball as he set himself to throw.”

ByBaseball

In the only game scheduled on this Monday evening, the New York Mets pound Pittsburgh, 9 – 6. Obscured amidst the offensive fireworks is the sorry plight of poor Jerry Buchek, a career backup infielder on the verge of his career year who’s got to be wondering what he ever did to Pirate right fielder Roberto Clemente, likewise embarking on his own best-ever season. Clemente abuses Buchek on both sides of the ball, starting with his 2nd-inning snatch of his 400-footer to right center. Pirate beat writer Les Biederman reports: “Clemente went toward the exit gate for a startling back-handed stab of Buchek’s long drive.” Next inning, one of Roberto’s patented one-hop rockets undresses the Met second baseman even as it dares him to return Clemente’s favor. “Clemente slammed a vicious one-hop shot right at Buchek,” writes Biederman, “but the second baseman dropped the ball as he set himself to throw.”