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4/29/1985: Yankee Bobby Meacham batted in the top of the fourth inning in Texas with two runners on and one out. He homered off Frank Tanana, but didn’t expect the ball to leave the park. While he was running towards and around first, the runner at first, Willie Randolph was headed back to the bag to tag up. Neither Randolph nor Meacham expected the ball to leave the yard. They collided just past first base and Meacham was called out for passing Randolph and ended up being credited with a two-run single. By the way, this was Billy Martin’s first day on the job for one of his stints as New York manager.

ByTom

4/29/1985: Yankee Bobby Meacham batted in the top of the fourth inning in Texas with two runners on and one out. He homered off Frank Tanana, but didn’t expect the ball to leave the park. While he was running towards and around first, the runner at first, Willie Randolph was headed back to the bag to tag up. Neither Randolph nor Meacham expected the ball to leave the yard. They collided just past first base and Meacham was called out for passing Randolph and ended up being credited with a two-run single. By the way, this was Billy Martin’s first day on the job for one of his stints as New York manager.

On Strawberry Sunday, former World Series hero Jerry Koosman is greeted warmly by the Mets’ faithful in his first start at Shea Stadium since 1978 when he faces his old team for the first time. Prior to the 6-2 victory over Philadelphia, fans are treated to strawberry sundaes provided by Carvel in honor of Darryl Strawberry, last season’s National League Rookie of the Year.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On Strawberry Sunday, former World Series hero Jerry Koosman is greeted warmly by the Mets’ faithful in his first start at Shea Stadium since 1978 when he faces his old team for the first time. Prior to the 6-2 victory over Philadelphia, fans are treated to strawberry sundaes provided by Carvel in honor of Darryl Strawberry, last season’s National League Rookie of the Year.

Chicago-Cubs-manager-Lee-Elia

After a 7-2 loss to L.A. at Wrigley Field, Cubs manager Lee Elia launches into an obscenity-laced tirade, that will become a much-reported media story on the airwaves and in print for days to come.

ByThis Day in Baseball

After a 7-2 loss to L.A. at Wrigley Field, Cubs manager Lee Elia launches into an obscenity-laced tirade, that will become a much-reported media story on the airwaves and in print for days to come. The Chicago skipper’s rant clearly shows his frustration with the team’s fan base, “the (bleepers) don’t even work. That’s why they’re out at the (bleeping) game. They oughtta go out and get a (bleeping) job and find out what it’s like to go out and earn a (bleeping) living. Eighty-five percent of the (bleeping) world is working. The other 15 come out here. A (bleeping) playground for the (bleepers). Rip them (bleepers)! Rip them (bleeping) (bleepers) like the (bleeping) players!”

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1982 – Phil Garner celebrates his 33rd birthday with a three-run homer that beats his old Pittsburgh teammates, 4-3. Garner had been traded to Houston the previous summer. 

ByTom

1982 – Phil Garner celebrates his 33rd birthday with a three-run homer that beats his old Pittsburgh teammates, 4-3. Garner had been traded to Houston the previous summer. 

In a game which lasts only one hour and thirty-three minutes, the St. Louis Cardinals tie a franchise record for the quickest nine-inning game played in their history, beating the Dodgers at Busch Stadium, 1 – 0. The game also marks a victory for Ken Boyer in his managerial debut, after replacing Vern Rapp who was fired four days ago.

ByBaseball

In a game which lasts only one hour and thirty-three minutes, the St. Louis Cardinals tie a franchise record for the quickest nine-inning game played in their history, beating the Dodgers at Busch Stadium, 1 – 0. The game also marks a victory for Ken Boyer in his managerial debut, after replacing Vern Rapp who was fired four days ago.

In a 6-1 loss at Baltimore, Angel starter Nolan Ryan, who will finish the season fanning 341 batters, strikes out 11 Orioles to pass the 300 mark for the fifth time in his career. The future Hall of Fame right-hander will retire as baseball’s all-time leader with 5,714, averaging 9.5 K’s per nine innings.

ByTom

In a 6-1 loss at Baltimore, Angel starter Nolan Ryan, who will finish the season fanning 341 batters, strikes out 11 Orioles to pass the 300 mark for the fifth time in his career. The future Hall of Fame right-hander will retire as baseball’s all-time leader with 5,714, averaging 9.5 K’s per nine innings.

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4/29/1977 – In a game in San Diego, the Mets batted out of order through the whole game. The lineup featured Roy Staiger batting sixth, John Stearns seventh and Bud Harrelson eighth. This was a change from recent games when Stearns was sixth and Staiger seventh and the two batted this way four times in a row. In the first inning, Stearns hit into an inning-ending double play. Staiger made an out and Harrelson singled in the second (both batting out of turn). Stearns led off the fourth with a home run but the Padres said nothing. Both Staiger and Harrelson made outs, again out of order. In the fifth, Stearns and Staiger were both out but Harrelson started the sixth by reaching on an infield error. With two out in the seventh, Stearns walked and Staiger singled him to third. However, the Padres finally spoke up and the umpires incorrectly declared Staiger out instead of Harrelson, who led off the eighth inning. Even with all the batting changes, the Mets won the game, 9-2.

ByTom

4/29/1977 – In a game in San Diego, the Mets batted out of order through the whole game. The lineup featured Roy Staiger batting sixth, John Stearns seventh and Bud Harrelson eighth. This was a change from recent games when Stearns was sixth and Staiger seventh and the two batted this way four times in a row. In the first inning, Stearns hit into an inning-ending double play. Staiger made an out and Harrelson singled in the second (both batting out of turn). Stearns led off the fourth with a home run but the Padres said nothing. Both Staiger and Harrelson made outs, again out of order. In the fifth, Stearns and Staiger were both out but Harrelson started the sixth by reaching on an infield error. With two out in the seventh, Stearns walked and Staiger singled him to third. However, the Padres finally spoke up and the umpires incorrectly declared Staiger out instead of Harrelson, who led off the eighth inning. Even with all the batting changes, the Mets won the game, 9-2.

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The Astros explode for eight runs in the seventh to topple the Padres, 8-2.

ByTom

1975 – The Astros explode for eight runs in the seventh to topple the Padres, 8-2. J.R. Richard starts the scoring with a two-run single. Roger Metzger ends it in the same manner. Jose Cruz has two hits in the inning. Richard tosses a five-hitter. 

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1974 – Lee May slams a pair of two-run homers in a nine-run sixth inning to spark an 18-2 mauling of Chicago. His two “taters” cap a five-for-five performance by the slugger to pace a 20-hit assault. Manager Preston Gomez gives May the rest of the night off or he might have done more. Winning pitcher Dave Roberts adds a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to the cause. The 18-2 win ties a club record for the largest margin of victory in a game. 

ByTom

1974 – Lee May slams a pair of two-run homers in a nine-run sixth inning to spark an 18-2 mauling of Chicago. His two “taters” cap a five-for-five performance by the slugger to pace a 20-hit assault. Manager Preston Gomez gives May the rest of the night off or he might have done more. Winning pitcher Dave Roberts adds a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to the cause. The 18-2 win ties a club record for the largest margin of victory in a game.