Rick Rhoden of the New York Yankees becomes the first pitcher to start a game as a designated hitter

Rick Rhoden of the New York Yankees becomes the first pitcher to start a game as a designated hitter

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 11, 1988 Yankee skipper Billy Martin, due to a shortage of right-handed hitters to face Orioles’ southpaw Jeff Ballard, decides to use starting pitcher Rick Rhoden as his designated hitter, making the right-hander the first hurler ever to start at the position. In his lone plate appearance, the right-handed hurler hits a sacrifice…

Von Hayes becomes the first player to hit two home runs in the first inning
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Von Hayes becomes the first player to hit two home runs in the first inning

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 11, 1985 Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Von Hayes becomes the first major-league player ever to hit two home runs in the first inning, as Philadelphia blasts the Mets, 26 – 7. Hayes leads off with a home run‚ off Tom Gorman‚ and capping a 9-run outburst with a grand slam. Mets relievers Joe Sambito (3 innings) and Calvin Schiraldi (1.1 innings) both…

Cardinals OF Lonnie Smith checks into a drug rehabilitation program‚ joining the Phillies’ Dickie Noles and the Dodgers’ Steve Howe‚ as the third major league player to leave his team because of a substance-abuse problem this season.

ByBaseball

On June 11, 1983 Cardinals OF Lonnie Smith checks into a drug rehabilitation program‚ joining the Phillies’ Dickie Noles and the Dodgers’ Steve Howe‚ as the third major league player to leave his team because of a substance-abuse problem this season.

The Dodgers’ Jerry Reuss pitches his second one-hitter of the season‚ allowing a leadoff double to the Reds’ Eddie Milner in the first inning‚ then retiring the next 27 batters for an 11 – 1 victory. It is the second time in his career that Reuss has missed a perfect game by one batter.

The Dodgers’ Jerry Reuss pitches his second one-hitter of the season‚ allowing a leadoff double to the Reds’ Eddie Milner in the first inning‚ then retiring the next 27 batters for an 11 – 1 victory. It is the second time in his career that Reuss has missed a perfect game by one batter.

ByBaseball

On June 11, 1982 The Dodgers’ Jerry Reuss pitches his second one-hitter of the season‚ allowing a leadoff double to the Reds’ Eddie Milner in the first inning‚ then retiring the next 27 batters for an 11 – 1 victory. It is the second time in his career that Reuss has missed a perfect game by one batter.

In St. Louis‚ the Cardinals beat Fernando Valenzuela, 2 – 1‚ but the Dodgers still are a half-game in front of Cincinnati a day before the players’ strike begins. The Reds (35-21) win their 7th straight‚ topping the Mets‚ 2 – 1‚ in New York.

ByBaseball

On June 11, 1981 In St. Louis‚ the Cardinals beat Fernando Valenzuela, 2 – 1‚ but the Dodgers still are a half-game in front of Cincinnati a day before the players’ strike begins. The Reds (35-21) win their 7th straight‚ topping the Mets‚ 2 – 1‚ in New York.

The Mariners’ 8-2 victory over the Orioles played in the Kingdome will be the last game played before the major league players go on strike over the issue of compensation for free-agents. Baseball’s fifth work stoppage will last for 50 days, resulting in 712 games being missed.

ByTom

The Mariners’ 8-2 victory over the Orioles played in the Kingdome will be the last game played before the major league players go on strike over the issue of compensation for free-agents. Baseball’s fifth work stoppage will last for 50 days, resulting in 712 games being missed.

The White Sox beat the Yankees, 3 – 2‚ handing pitcher Doug Bird his first loss since August 16‚ 1978. The journeyman righthander had won 12 consecutive decisions.

ByBaseball

On June 11, 1981 The White Sox beat the Yankees, 3 – 2‚ handing pitcher Doug Bird his first loss since August 16‚ 1978. The journeyman righthander had won 12 consecutive decisions.

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1980 – J.R. Richard blanks the Chicago Cubs, 3-0, extending his shutout innings steak to 31-2/3rd innings.  He fans eight and walks three, allowing six hits yet says his arm doesn’t feel right. Jose Cruz and Denny Walling give Richard all the support he needs with RBI singles in the first inning. The win marks the first homestand sweep in Houston history, taking six from the Giants and Cubs. 

ByTom

1980 – J.R. Richard blanks the Chicago Cubs, 3-0, extending his shutout innings steak to 31-2/3rd innings.  He fans eight and walks three, allowing six hits yet says his arm doesn’t feel right. Jose Cruz and Denny Walling give Richard all the support he needs with RBI singles in the first inning. The win marks the first homestand sweep in Houston history, taking six from the Giants and Cubs.