In the top of the sixth inning at Busch Stadium, Ozzie Smith emerges from the gate in right field wall in an open convertible. After touring the warning track, the former Cardinal shortstop removes the digit “1”, his old uniform number, which is affixed to the outfield wall, revealing a “0” to indicate the number of regular-season games scheduled at Busch Stadium.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the top of the sixth inning at Busch Stadium, Ozzie Smith emerges from the gate in right field wall in an open convertible. After touring the warning track, the former Cardinal shortstop removes the digit “1”, his old uniform number, which is affixed to the outfield wall, revealing a “0” to indicate the number of regular-season games scheduled at Busch Stadium.

In a recorded message shown at the start of the last regular season game at Busch Stadium, Joe Buck, unable to be in attendance due to calling an NFL game on national television, asks the crowd to honor his late father by singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” a cappella. A stirring rendition fills the ballpark when 50,000 voices join in unison to sing the national anthem, a fitting tribute to the late and beloved Cardinal broadcaster.

ByBaseball

In a recorded message shown at the start of the last regular season game at Busch Stadium, Joe Buck, unable to be in attendance due to calling an NFL game on national television, asks the crowd to honor his late father by singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” a cappella. A stirring rendition fills the ballpark when 50,000 voices join in unison to sing the national anthem, a fitting tribute to the late and beloved Cardinal broadcaster.

The Brewers compile their first non-losing season since 1992 when the team finishes the season with an 81-81 record. Milwaukee had a chance to finish with a winning record but dropped their last two games to the Pirates at PNC Park.

ByBaseball

The Brewers compile their first non-losing season since 1992 when the team finishes the season with an 81-81 record. Milwaukee had a chance to finish with a winning record but dropped their last two games to the Pirates at PNC Park.

During the seventh inning of the final game of the season, the Mets halt play for eight minutes as the Shea Stadium crowd pays tribute to Mike Piazza, their 37 year-old All-Star catcher, who will not be with the team next season. A video montage is shown on the centerfield scoreboard highlighting many of the backstop’s magic moments in a New York uniform.

ByTom

During the seventh inning of the final game of the season, the Mets halt play for eight minutes as the Shea Stadium crowd pays tribute to Mike Piazza, their 37 year-old All-Star catcher, who will not be with the team next season. A video montage is shown on the centerfield scoreboard highlighting many of the backstop’s magic moments in a New York uniform.

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2004 – Roy Oswalt becomes the National League’s only 20-game winner with a 9-3 triumph over Colorado. Craig Biggio smashes two homers to set a career high. Jeff Kent goes yard to set a career record for home runs by a second baseman with 278. More importantly, the win clinches a tie for the wild card spot when ex-Astro Steve Finley belts a walk-off grand slam to give the Dodgers a 7-3 verdict over the Giants. The next day, Brandon Backe clinches the berth for Houston with a 5-3 victory, giving the Astros a 92-70 mark . They finished the year winning 36 of their last 46 games and 18 straight at home. 

ByTom

2004 – Roy Oswalt becomes the National League’s only 20-game winner with a 9-3 triumph over Colorado. Craig Biggio smashes two homers to set a career high. Jeff Kent goes yard to set a career record for home runs by a second baseman with 278. More importantly, the win clinches a tie for the wild card spot when ex-Astro Steve Finley belts a walk-off grand slam to give the Dodgers a 7-3 verdict over the Giants. The next day, Brandon Backe clinches the berth for Houston with a 5-3 victory, giving the Astros a 92-70 mark . They finished the year winning 36 of their last 46 games and 18 straight at home. 

Steve Finley, for the second time in his career, hits a walk-off grand slam. The center fielder’s ninth-inning bases-loaded home run in the 7-3 win over the Giants at Chavez Ravine clinches the NL West title for the Dodgers. (Ed note: Charles Gottschalk inspired this entry – LP).

ByBaseball

Steve Finley, for the second time in his career, hits a walk-off grand slam. The center fielder’s ninth-inning bases-loaded home run in the 7-3 win over the Giants at Chavez Ravine clinches the NL West title for the Dodgers. (Ed note: Charles Gottschalk inspired this entry – LP).

The Montreal Expos earn the last win in the franchise’s history, defeating the New York Mets, 6 – 3. Brad Wilkerson hits the Expos’ final home run in the 9th inning, his 32nd of the year.

ByBaseball

The Montreal Expos earn the last win in the franchise’s history, defeating the New York Mets, 6 – 3. Brad Wilkerson hits the Expos’ final home run in the 9th inning, his 32nd of the year.

The Toronto Blue Jays announce the dismissals of pitching coach Gil Patterson and first-base coach Joe Breeden, effective at the end of the season.

ByBaseball

The Toronto Blue Jays announce the dismissals of pitching coach Gil Patterson and first-base coach Joe Breeden, effective at the end of the season.

Much to the chagrin of manager Ron Gardenhire and his players, the Twins’ game against Cleveland, tied at 5-5 after 11 innings, is halted because the ground crew needs time to prepare the field for a University of Minnesota football game. The suspended Metrodome contest resumes before tomorrow’s scheduled game with the home team scoring a run in the bottom of the 12th frame, giving the team a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Tribe.

ByTom

Much to the chagrin of manager Ron Gardenhire and his players, the Twins’ game against Cleveland, tied at 5-5 after 11 innings, is halted because the ground crew needs time to prepare the field for a University of Minnesota football game. The suspended Metrodome contest resumes before tomorrow’s scheduled game with the home team scoring a run in the bottom of the 12th frame, giving the team a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Tribe.

Jeff Kent hits two round-trippers to become the all-time home run leader of second basemen. The Astros infielder records his 278th dinger and 302nd overall to break Ryne Sandberg’s major league record established in 1997.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Jeff Kent hits two round-trippers to become the all-time home run leader of second basemen. The Astros infielder records his 278th dinger and 302nd overall to break Ryne Sandberg’s major league record established in 1997.