1983 – Nolan Ryan breaks Walter Johnson’s major league record for career strikeouts, fanning Montreal’s Brad Mills for his 3,509th victim. Ironically it was a curveball, not Ryan’s famed fastball, that claims Mills. Ryan accomplishes the feat in 2,500 less innings than Johnson needed to set it. Nolan tips his cap to the applauding Canadian fans then quickly resumes on his way to a 4-2 victory.
On April 27, 1983, future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan becomes the all-time strikeout king in major league history. The Houston Astros’ ace strikes out Brad Mills of the Montreal Expos to record his 3,509th strikeout, surpassing Walter Johnson for the all-time record.
Reggie Jackson, who left the Bronx when the team decided not to renew his contract, returns to Yankee Stadium as an Angel, and to the delight of the New York crowd, hits a long home run contributing to California’s 3-1 rain-shortened victory over the home team. The fans show their displeasure about losing ‘Mr. October’ to free agency by chanting “Steinbrenner Sucks” as Jackson rounded the bases while the Yankee owner stands defiantly in his box.
4/27/1980 – In the top of the first at Milwaukee’s County Stadium, there were two out and a runner on first when Roy Howell walked. However, Otto Velez had been the scheduled batter and when the Brewers objected, Velez was called out to end the inning. Toronto won the game, 8-2.
1979 – Art Howe singles home Craig Reynolds for a 9-8 triumph over Pittsburgh in eleven innings. It is Howe’s fourth hit and fourth RBI of the game. Reynolds also has four hits.
On April 27, 1975, the New York Yankees make a fruitful trade with the Cleveland Indians, acquiring first baseman Chris Chambliss and pitchers Dick Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw for four players, including pitchers Fritz Peterson and Steve Kline. Chambliss and Tidrow will become key contributors to the Yankees’ pennant-winning teams from 1976 to 1978.
April 27, 1973 Kansas City’s 22 year-old starter Steve Busby becomes the 13th rookie to throw a no-hitter, beating Detroit, 3-0, at Tiger Stadium. It is the first ever no-hit game thrown by a Royals pitcher, the first at Tiger Stadium since Virgil Trucks did it in 1952. Busby also becomes the first no-hit game…
Curt Flood jumps the Washington Senators after 13 games and departs for Denmark, ending his playing career. Flood batted .293 and won seven Gold Glove Awards during his 15-year major league tenure. He will continue his antitrust suit, which will eventually reach the Supreme Court.
Braves outfielder Hank Aaron joins Babe Ruth and Willie Mays as the only major league player to hit 600 career home runs. His historic homer, a 350-foot drive over the left field wall, comes off Gaylord Perry in the third inning of a 6-5 ten-inning loss to the Giants at Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium.
On April 27, 1971, Willie Stargell sets a major league record by hitting his 11th home run during the month of April. Stargell’s 430-foot blast, which comes against Pete Mikkelsen of the Los Angeles Dodgers, clears the center field wall at Three Rivers Stadium.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!