The Blue Jays release former superstar Frank Thomas

2008 – The Blue Jays release former superstar Frank Thomas, who has 516 major league home runs and a 979 career OPS to his name. A five-time All-Star and two-time MVP, Thomas has gotten into conflict with manager John Gibbons, who benched him. After a clubhouse meeting, Toronto G.M. J.P. Ricciardi and the designated hitter reach a “mutual agreement,” that gives the disgruntled player an opportunity to continue to be a full-time player on another team. Thomas is 12th all-time in major league history in OPS, 9th in walks and 18th in home runs. It is the third major player-manager conflict for Gibbons in his time with Toronto; he will be fired and replaced by Cito Gaston in a few weeks.

The Blue Jays fire manager Jimy Williams and replace him with hitting coach Cito Gaston. Williams led the club to a 12-24 start and had several publicized run-ins with star slugger George Bell, who refused to be the designated hitter.

The Blue Jays fire manager Jimy Williams and replace him with hitting coach Cito Gaston. Williams led the club to a 12-24 start and had several publicized run-ins with star slugger George Bell, who refused to be the designated hitter.

The Blue Jays fire manager Jimy Williams and replace him with hitting coach Cito Gaston. Williams led the club to a 12-24 start and had several publicized run-ins with star slugger George Bell, who refused to be the designated hitter.

Clay Kirby removed for a pinch hitter with a no hitter

Clay Kirby removed for a pinch hitter with a no hitter

On July 21, 1970, San Diego Padres manager Preston Gomez lifts starter Clay Kirby for a pinch-hitter, Cito Gaston in the eighth inning, even though the right-hander has a no-hitter in progress. Gaston fails to get a hit off Mets starter Jim McAndrew With the Padres trailing 1-0, Gomez decides to play for the win instead of letting…

Tom Seaver ties NL record by striking out 19
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Tom Seaver ties NL record by striking out 19

On April 22, 1970, New York Mets ace Tom Seaver ties a major league record by striking out 19 batters in a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres. Seaver also strikes out the last 10 batters he faces, setting another big league mark. Earlier in the day, Seaver was officially presented with the 1969 National League Cy Young Award.

Tom Griffin tosses a one-hitter in a 5-1 victory over the Padres
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Tom Griffin tosses a one-hitter in a 5-1 victory over the Padres

1970 – Tom Griffin tosses a one-hitter in a 5-1 victory over the Padres. A double by Cito Gaston in the seventh is the lone safety although Jim Wynn robbed Gaston of a similar hit earlier . Houston also pulls off a triple steal when John Mayberry, Doug Rader and Johnny Edwards run on a failed squeeze play.