1971 – Joe Morgan raps four hits, steals two bases, scores three times and drives in two to lead the Astros over the Phillies, 8-1, in their first game at Veterans Stadium. Don Wilson strikes the key blow off Jim Bunning, a bunt that found a hole in the artificial turf between third and the pitcher and rolled until two runs were in.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1971 – Joe Morgan raps four hits, steals two bases, scores three times and drives in two to lead the Astros over the Phillies, 8-1, in their first game at Veterans Stadium. Don Wilson strikes the key blow off Jim Bunning, a bunt that found a hole in the artificial turf between third and the pitcher and rolled until two runs were in.

Wes Paker completes cycle in 10th driving in winning runs for Dodgers

Wes Paker completes cycle in 10th driving in winning runs for Dodgers

ByTom

1970 – Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Wes Parker completes the cycle by hitting a triple in the 10th inning off Jim McAndrew to beat the New York Mets, 7 – 4, at Shea Stadium. Parker becomes the first Dodger to hit for the cycle since Gil Hodges did it with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.

Willie Davis gets last laugh with a game winning homerun after being hackled by Cubs Fans

Willie Davis gets last laugh with a game winning homerun after being hackled by Cubs Fans

ByTom

Willie Davis, furious with the Wrigley Field Bleacher Bums because of their continual verbal abuse of him, tells his Dodgers teammates that he wants to hit a home run in the middle of the group, which he does in the sixth inning to tie the score. The LA center fielder exacts a bit more revenge on the heckling horde when his 12th-inning two-run round-tripper proves to be the difference in the 4-2 defeat of the Cubs.

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Norm Sherry hits a walkoff homerun while catching for his brother Larry

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Sherry boys become the tenth pair of siblings to appear as batterymates in a major league game when Norm replaces John Roseboro behind the plate in the top of the eighth to catch Larry, who is starting his first inning in relief. The Norm will hit a two-out home run in the bottom of the 11th inning, assuring his brother of a victory in the Dodgers’ 3-2 walk-off win over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

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Italian born Reno Bertoia hits Grandslam – the first in history

ByTom

Detroit third baseman Reno Bertoia’s first-inning grand slam, the first ever hit by an Italian born player, proves to be the difference in the Tigers’ 5-1 victory over Washington at Griffith Stadium. The San Vito al Tagliamento native’s feat will not be equaled by a fellow countryman for another 54 years when Sanremo’s Alex Liddi goes deep with the bases loaded in the Mariners’ 5-3 win over Texas in 2012.

Vic Power hits leadoff and walkoff homerun in same game
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Vic Power hits leadoff and walkoff homerun in same game

ByThis Day in Baseball

Vic Power becomes the first modern major leaguer to hit both a leadoff and walkoff home run in the same game. The A’s first baseman, who went deep off Hal Brown leading off the game, ends the contest in the 10th frame with a round-tripper off the right-hander, giving Kansas City a 3-2 victory over Baltimore.

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Cookie Lavagetto replaces Chuck Dressen as Manage

ByTom

After dropping their eighth straight decision, the Senators name Cookie Lavagetto to replace Chuck Dressen, who compiled a meager 116-212 (.354) record during his two-plus seasons as the team’s manager. Washington’s new skipper will not fare much better, finishing the year in last place, 43 games behind the first-place Yankees.�

herb score injury

Cleveland Indians pitcher Herb Score is struck in the right eye by a line drive hit by the New York Yankees’ Gil McDougald

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 7, 1957, Cleveland Indians pitcher Herb Score is struck in the right eye by a line drive hit by the New York Yankees’ Gil McDougald. Score will miss the rest of the season with a fractured nose and damaged eye. The 1955 Rookie of the Year, who won 20 games in his sophomore…