June 22

Mark Teixeira’s three home runs account for half of the Braves’ runs in their 8-3 interleague victory over Seattle. Atlanta’s switch-hitting first baseman smacks solo shots from the left side in the second and fourth innings, and then adds a two-run round-tripper batting right-handed in the seventh frame of the Turner Field contest.

The fifth longest consecutive game streak in baseball history comes to an end at 1,152 when Miguel Tejada sits out when Baltimore plays the Diamondbacks in Arizona. The Oriole shortstop, who was struck by San Diego’s Doug Brocail two games ago, resulting in a non-displaced fracture of the left radius, continued his streak yesterday with an attempted sac bunt, but was lifted for a pinch runner in the first inning.

Ryan Rowland-Smith makes his historic major league debut. The former Australian Olympic star and Silver Medalist becomes the first player in history to have a hyphenated surname.

Opposing a pitcher who was born the year before he began his major league career, Roger Clemens makes his much-hyped season debut against the Twins. The ‘Rocket’, starting his 23rd major league season, is bested by Francisco Liriano, a 22 year-old pitching sensation from the Dominican Republic, when Minnesota beats the Astros, 4-2.

In just his fourth major league start, Cardinals starter Anthony Reyes throws a one-hitter, but is beaten by the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, 1-0. The only hit the Redbird rookie right-hander gives up is Jim Thome’s seventh inning solo home run.

A saddened Joe Girardi, the Cubs’ player rep, informs the Wrigley Field crowd the scheduled game between St. Louis and the Cubs is postponed due to the death of Darryl Kile, who is found dead in his Chicago hotel room as the result of coronary disease. The 33 year-old Cardinal right-hander is the first active major league player to pass away during the regular season since 1979, when Yankee captain Thurman Munson was killed while practicing landing his plane at the Akron-Canton Airport.

The Marlins score four runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to defeat the Tigers, 5 – 4. Luis Castillo goes hitless in four at bats to end his 35-game hitting streak and is left on deck when the winning run scores. The streak is the longest ever accomplished by a second baseman, a mark that Phillies’ secondbaseman Chase Utley will equal in 2006.

The Texas Longhorns win their 5th College World Series, beating South Carolina, 12 – 6, in the finale of the 2002 College World Series. Chris Carmichael hits a three-run home run and closer Huston Street picks up his 4th save and is selected the Outstanding Player. Augie Garrido is the first coach to win CWS championships at two schools. Texas last won a CWS in 1983, when Roger Clemens pitched for the Longhorns.

At Wrigley Field, Milwaukee beats the Cubs and Kerry Wood, 2 – 1, snapping Chicago’s home win streak at 12 games, their longest win streak since 1936. It’s their first loss since May 18th. James Mouton’s infield single in the 9th drives home the winner.