1962 – Roberto Clemente’s home run almost reaches Forbes Field’s right-field roof, providing Pittsburgh with an early 3-run lead over Houston which starter Vern Law will not relinquish. As Les Biederman of the Pittsburgh Press recounts: “Roberto Clemente almost made history Saturday, missing by a foot or so of being the first right-handed batter to hit a ball to the right field roof. Clemente’s homer in the first inning landed against the facing of the right field roof, a tremendous blast as it was.” Bobby Bragan, formerly Pittsburgh’s manager but now working for Houston, provides his own account: “The ball was within a foot or so of landing on top of the roof and perhaps two or three feet in fair territory. It probably was the longest ball ever hit to that field by a right-handed batter.”

ByThis Day in Baseball

1962 – Roberto Clemente’s home run almost reaches Forbes Field’s right-field roof, providing Pittsburgh with an early 3-run lead over Houston which starter Vern Law will not relinquish. As Les Biederman of the Pittsburgh Press recounts: “Roberto Clemente almost made history Saturday, missing by a foot or so of being the first right-handed batter to hit a ball to the right field roof. Clemente’s homer in the first inning landed against the facing of the right field roof, a tremendous blast as it was.” Bobby Bragan, formerly Pittsburgh’s manager but now working for Houston, provides his own account: “The ball was within a foot or so of landing on top of the roof and perhaps two or three feet in fair territory. It probably was the longest ball ever hit to that field by a right-handed batter.”

Swarm of gnats delays the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park

Swarm of gnats delays the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 2, 1959, a swarm of gnats delays the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park. After a half-hour interruption, the White Sox’ grounds crew disposes of the gnats by using a smoke bomb. The Orioles eventually defeat the White Sox, 3-2. From the AP – Hoyt Wilhelm finally…

Whitey Ford of the New York Yankees strikes out six batters in a row to tie an American League record as he shuts out the Chicago White Sox, 3 – 0. White Sox pitcher Jim Wilson allows just six hits, but three of them are home runs by Hank Bauer (two) and Mickey Mantle (one). On a botched hit-and-run attempt, Luis Aparicio is thrown out at second base, ending his streak of 26 consecutive stolen bases.

Whitey Ford of the New York Yankees strikes out six batters in a row to tie an American League record as he shuts out the Chicago White Sox, 3 – 0. White Sox pitcher Jim Wilson allows just six hits, but three of them are home runs by Hank Bauer (two) and Mickey Mantle (one). On a botched hit-and-run attempt, Luis Aparicio is thrown out at second base, ending his streak of 26 consecutive stolen bases.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Whitey Ford of the New York Yankees strikes out six batters in a row to tie an American League record as he shuts out the Chicago White Sox, 3 – 0. White Sox pitcher Jim Wilson allows just six hits, but three of them are home runs by Hank Bauer (two) and Mickey Mantle (one). On a botched hit-and-run attempt, Luis Aparicio is thrown out at second base, ending his streak of 26 consecutive stolen bases.

Brooks Robinson Hand Signed Autographed 3"x5" Postcard Baltimore Orioles COA
|

Brooks Robinson hits into a triple play against the Washington Senators

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 2, 1958, Brooks Robinson lines into a triple play against the Washington Senators. In the bottom of the sixth inning with Orioles on first and second base of an eventual 2-1 loss, Brooks Robinson lines into a triple play when Senator shortstop Rocky Bridges snares the wicked drive, steps on second, and then…

Moe Drabowsky sets a National League record for the most hit batsmen in a single game when he plunks four Reds in the Cubs’ 4-3 loss at Crosley Field. Cincinnati’s right fielder Frank Robinson is drilled in consecutive innings by the right-hander, who was born in Ozanna, Poland.

ByTom

Moe Drabowsky sets a National League record for the most hit batsmen in a single game when he plunks four Reds in the Cubs’ 4-3 loss at Crosley Field. Cincinnati’s right fielder Frank Robinson is drilled in consecutive innings by the right-hander, who was born in Ozanna, Poland.

Due to the poor lighting during an Alabama-Florida League contest at Peanut Stadium in Headland, Alabama, Ottis Johnson of the Dothan Browns fails to get out of the way of a fastball thrown by Jack Clifton. The 24 year-old Class D minor league outfielder undergoes surgery and spends eight days in the hospital before dying on June 10 as a result of being hit by the Dixie Runners hurler’s pitch.

ByTom

Due to the poor lighting during an Alabama-Florida League contest at Peanut Stadium in Headland, Alabama, Ottis Johnson of the Dothan Browns fails to get out of the way of a fastball thrown by Jack Clifton. The 24 year-old Class D minor league outfielder undergoes surgery and spends eight days in the hospital before dying on June 10 as a result of being hit by the Dixie Runners hurler’s pitch.

During a game against the Durham Bulls, Mike Romello hits umpire Emil Davidzuk after being called out for leaving third base early. A judge at the game arrests the visiting Danville’s shortstop on the spot, and the infielder will later be fined $25 for his assault on the arbitrator.

ByTom

During a game against the Durham Bulls, Mike Romello hits umpire Emil Davidzuk after being called out for leaving third base early. A judge at the game arrests the visiting Danville’s shortstop on the spot, and the infielder will later be fined $25 for his assault on the arbitrator.

The St. Louis Browns win both games of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators, 10 – 5 and 9 – 3. Hank Arft goes 5 for 5 in the opener, while Harry Dorish is the winning pitcher in the second game. Dorish also steals home on the front end of a double steal with Ray Coleman, to become the last American League pitcher in the 20th century to steal home.

ByTom

The St. Louis Browns win both games of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators, 10 – 5 and 9 – 3. Hank Arft goes 5 for 5 in the opener, while Harry Dorish is the winning pitcher in the second game. Dorish also steals home on the front end of a double steal with Ray Coleman, to become the last American League pitcher in the 20th century to steal home.

George Kell of the Detroit Tigers hits for the cycle in the 16 – 5 against Philadelphia Athletics

George Kell of the Detroit Tigers hits for the cycle in the 16 – 5 against Philadelphia Athletics

ByThis Day in Baseball

George Kell of the Detroit Tigers hits for the cycle in the 16 – 5 second-game sweep of a doubleheader with the Philadelphia Athletics. The Tigers win the opener, 8 – 2, behind the pitching of Ted Gray and home runs by Vic Wertz and Hoot Evers. Wertz has five runs batted in in the opener, and two more in the second game.