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…
1970 – Frank Robinson belts two successive grand slams during a 12 – 2 Oriole romp over the Senators, just the 7th major leaguer to ever accomplish the feat. Dave McNally, the winning pitcher, Don Buford and Paul Blair trot home ahead of him on each blow. They will be Robby’s only grand slams for the O’s.
1968 – Dave Giusti gives up first-inning singles to Chicago’s Don Kessinger and Glenn Beckert then goes the rest of the game without allowing a hit for a 2-1 triumph. He also provides the game-winner, singling in Bob Watson. Jim Wynn’s solo homer off Bill Hands is the other Houston run.
On June 26, 1968 At Busch Stadium Cardinal Bob Gibson pitches his 5th straight shutout in the first game of a doubleheader with Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh wins the second game, 3 – 1, although the Cardinals stop Maury Wills’ 24-game hitting streak. The future Hall of Famer’s accomplishment is one shy of the major league mark,…
Sandy Koufax (13-2) matches his National League record of seven consecutive strikeouts in consecutive 9-inning appearances on his way to a 2 – 1 win in Atlanta.
The Major League Executive Council decides that both the American League and National League will play 162-game schedules in 1969 and operate two 6-team divisions each.
Chicago’s Ron Santo singles in the 1st and his next time up is struck in the face by a Jack Fisher pitch that fractures his cheek. Before Santo’s at bat, the Mets’ Ron Hunt and the Cubs’ Adolfo Phillips had both been hit by pitches. Santo will be operated on the following day but will return to action in a week. The injury ends his consecutive game streak at 390, but his 27 game hitting streak continues one shy of the franchise mark, stays intact with a first-inning single.
University of Wisconsin standout Rick Reichardt receives the highest bonus to date when he signs with the Angels for $200,000. The bidding war for the talented Badger outfielder ultimately led the owners to institute a draft, which started in 1965 when Arizona State University’s Rick Monday became the first-ever #1 overall selection.
Twins P Gerry Arrigo just misses a no-hitter when Chicago’s Mike Hershberger laces a 9th-inning single, as the Twins beat the Sox, 2 – 0. Arrigo will toss another one-hitter while pitching for the Cincinnati Reds.
The Colt .45’s snap their streak of 30 consecutive innings without scoring a run when Al Spangler goes deep in the sixth frame of a 7-2 victory over Milwaukee. The Houston outfielder’s round-tripper is only the second run the team has scored in the last 70 innings.
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