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 J.R. Richard collapses from a stroke while working out at the Astrodome

ByTom

1980 – J.R. Richard collapses from a stroke while working out at the Astrodome. He is rushed to Methodist Hospital where surgery saves his life. His distracted teammates lose in Philadelphia, 6-4. Richard would never regain the coordination needed to resume his career. 

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Don Wilson is taken out after eight innings of no-hit ball

ByTom

1974 – Don Wilson is taken out after eight innings of no-hit ball. He is behind, 2-1. Two walks and an error have put Cincinnati ahead. Ironies abound. Wilson is approaching a rare third career no-hitter. The man who hit into the error is Pete Rose, who hit into the run-scoring error that made Ken Johnson a no-hit loser in 1964. The Houston manager is Preston Gomez who similarly yanked Clay Kirby during a no-hit bid while with San Diego. Kirby is watching from the Reds’ dugout. Mike Cosgrove gives up a meaningless single in the ninth that breaks up the bid. Houston loses. Gomez hears the boos.

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Bob Gallagher drives in Milt May in the bottom of the 12th for a 7-6 win over the Cubs during indoor rain storm

ByThis Day in Baseball

1974 – Bob Gallagher drives in Milt May in the bottom of the 12th for a 7-6 win over the Cubs. It rains indoors! Workers forget to replace some tiles in the Astrodome roof and an evening downpour creates puddles in right and center fields while showering a few lucky outfield ticket-holders who are handed plastic trash bags for shelter. 

Mike Schmidt hits what may be the longest single in major league history at Astrodome

Mike Schmidt hits what may be the longest single in major league history at Astrodome

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 10, 1974, Mike Schmidt hits what may be the longest single in major league history. The Philadelphia Phillies’ third baseman slams a ball off Astros hurler Claude Osteentoward center field, with enough distance to clear the fence at the Houston Astrodome. The ball suddenly hits a caroms of the public address speaker that…

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Lee May hits the first “foamer” in team history

ByTom

1974 – Lee May hits the first “foamer” in team history, a promotion where Dome patrons get free beer for the rest of the night if an Astro belts one out on an even-numbered minute. May hits a second shot for good measure and Larry Dierker tosses a three-hitter in a 4-0 whitewash of the Expos.