vida blue

Vida Blue of the Oakland A’s strikes out 17 California Angels in 11 innings

On July 9, 1971, At Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, 21 year old Vida Blue of the Oakland A’s strikes out 17 California Angels in 11 innings. Rollie Fingers follows with seven scoreless innings of relief. The A’s will eventually win the game, 1-0, in 20 innings, which is the longest shutout in American League History. Angels’…

alex johnson fallen angel

California Angels suspend defending batting champion Alex Johnson

On June 26, 1971, the California Angels suspend starting outfielder and defending American League batting champion Alex Johnson. Earlier in the season, Johnson had been benched five times and fined 29 times for failing to hustle. Some of these incidents include – During an exhibition game, Johnson leaned against the left-field fence, trying to stay…

Red Sox deal Tony Conigliaro to the Angels

Red Sox deal Tony Conigliaro to the Angels

“It was as if [Boston] Mayor Menino were to trade the USS Constitution to Baltimore for the USS Constellation.” – HERB CREHAN, referring to the Red Sox dealing Tony Conigliaro to the Angels in his book Red Sox Heroes of Yesteryear.During the O’s/Reds World Series, the Red Sox trade fan-favorite Tony Conigliaro along with Ray Jarvis and Jerry Moses to the Angels for Doug Griffin, Jarvis Tatum, and Ken Tatum. The deal stuns the baseball community and crushes the former Boston outfielder, who fans admire for his courageous comeback after being hit in the left cheekbone by a Jack Hamilton pitch that caused a severe eye injury.

Clyde Wright pitches a no-hitter after being inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

Clyde Wright pitches a no-hitter after being inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

    On July 3, 1970, Clyde Wright of the California Angels pitches a no-hitter against the Oakland A’s immediately after being inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. Wright, who won only one game in 1969, shuts down the A’s after being honored in pre-game ceremonies at Anaheim Stadium.He throw…

Rod Carew and Tony Oliva complete two double steals on two consecutive pitches

Rod Carew and Tony Oliva complete two double steals on two consecutive pitches

June 16, 1969, Rod Carew and Tony Oliva complete two double steals on two consecutive pitches in the same game. In the bottom of the first inning at Metropolitan Stadium, Tony Oliva and Rod Carew complete a double steal, swiping second and third base, respectively. On the next pitch thrown by Angels’ starter Tom Murphy,…