Tag: October 21

2018 – Two teams announce that they have hired a new manager for the 2019 season. The Angels settle on Brad Ausmus to replace long-time skipper Mike Scioscia, who retired at the end of the past season, while the Reds tab David Bell, for whom it will be a first opportunity to manage at the major league level, and who will become the fourth second-generation manager in major league history.

The Borgerhout Squirrels win Belgium’s First Division, taking the Belgian Series 3 games to 2 over the Brasschaat Braves. In the finale, Sam Boermans hits a three-run homer in the first and Kenny Vandenbranden goes the distance in a 6-2 win.

The Astros win Game 7 of the ALCS, 4 – 0, over the Yankees to clinch their-first ever American League pennant. Having also won one in the National League in 2005, they become the first team to have done so in both major leagues. In the game, the Astros get a great combined pitching performance by Charlie Morton, who goes the first five innings, and Lance McCullers, who pitches the last four, limiting the Yankees to just three hits. Evan Gattis and Jose Altuve hit solo homers and Brian McCann drives in two runs, as CC Sabathia is charged with the loss.

The Blue Jays extend the ALCS by taking Game 5, 7 – 1, at home against the Royals. Chris Colabello’s solo homer in the 2nd is the only run through the first five innings as pitchers Marco Estrada and Edinson Volquez are dominant, but the Jays take advantage of Volquez’s wildness to score four runs in the 6th and break the game open.

The Mets complete a sweep of the Cubs in the NLCS with an 8 – 3 win at Wrigley Field. They score 4 runs in the 1st and 2 in the 2nd to run away with the game, while Daniel Murphy, who is named MVP of the series, sets a new postseason record by homering in his sixth straight game.

Yomiuri Giants pitchers Shoki Kasahara and Ryuya Matsumoto are found to have bet on professional baseball games, just two weeks after fellow Yomiuri hurler Satoshi Fukuda had bet on games involving the club. It is the first gambling scandal to hit Nippon Pro Baseball in a long time.

The Spanish Division de Honor names its 2015 All-Star team, headlined by MVP Leslie Nacar of the Tenerife Marlins, who had an ERA under 1.00 for the second straight year. He is joined by Tenerife teammates Richard Montiel (1B), Lesther Galvan (OF), Franklin Tavarez (OF), Luis Rodriguez (OF) and Deion Galvan (DH). SS Oscar Angulo and C Blake Ochoa of the Astros Valencia are picked, as well as CBS Sant Boi 2B Jesus Golindano and 3B Marc Carrillo.

2014 – The Giants take Game 1 of the World Series, 7 – 1, over the Royals. A two-run homer by Hunter Pence off James Shields fuels a three-run 1st inning, while Madison Bumgarner gives up only one run on three hits in seven innings. The loss ends Kansas City’s streak of 11 consecutive wins in the postseason, dating back to the 1985 World Series.

During Game 1 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium, Laurence Leavy, better known as the Marlin Man, is approached by a Royals representative, who informs him the Kansas City owner is upset with his bright orange Miami jersey that is diverting attention from the home team on national television. Although he is offered a variety of inducements, including autographed memorabilia and an opportunity to sit in the luxury boxes, the workers’ comp attorney refuses to remove his colorful garb, choosing to remain in his $8,000 seat behind home plate.

2013 – Two days after losing the 2013 ALCS, Tigers manager Jim Leyland announces he is retiring after a 22-year career as a big league skipper.

2012 – The Giants force a Game 7 in the NLCS by beating the Cardinals, 6 – 1, behind the pitching of Ryan Vogelsong, who wins for the second time of the Series. The Giants jump on Chris Carpenter for 5 runs in the first two innings to quickly put the game away. Vogelsong strikes out a career-high 9 batters, while Marco Scutaro is the offensive star with a two-run double in the 2nd inning.

Pleased to be staying in Detroit, Brandon Inge signs an $11.5 million, two-year deal to remain with the Tigers. The 33 year-old infielder, prone to striking out, is better known for his defensive prowess at third base than for his hitting.

When he is issued a first-inning walk by L.A.’s starter Vicente Padilla in Game 5 of the NLCS, Chase Utley ties a postseason record by reaching base in 25 consecutive contests. The slugging second baseman, who has reached base in every postseason game in which he has participated except for his first in 2007, equals Boog Powell’s mark established from 1966-1971 playing for the Orioles.

The Phillies are returning to the World Series after beating the Dodgers, 10 – 4, in Game 5 of the NLCS at Citizens Bank Park. Seven home runs are hit in the game – 4 by the Phils – including 2 by Jayson Werth. Ryan Howard’s streak of postseason games with an RBI ends at 8, but he is still selected the Series’ MVP.

In Game 5 of the NLCS, the Phillies defeat the Dodgers, capturing their second straight pennant. Philadelphia, with their 10-4 victory at Citizens Bank Park, becomes the first National League team to repeat the feat since the Braves won consecutive flags in 1995-96.

When he is issued a first-inning walk by L.A.’s starter Vicente Padilla in Game 5 of the NLCS, Chase Utley ties a postseason record by reaching base in 25 consecutive contests. The slugging second baseman, who has reached base in every postseason game in which he has participated except for his first in 2007, equals Boog Powell’s mark established from 1966-1971 playing for the Orioles.

Luther Hackman throws 153 pitches in a complete game 11 – 5 win for the Uni-President Lions over the Brother Elephants in Game 4 of the 2009 Taiwan Series. Tai-Chi Kuo drives in four to win Game MVP honors. Hackman becomes the second pitcher in Taiwan Series history to win four straight decisions in the Series (dating back to two wins in 2008).

2007 – The Boston Red Sox defeat Cleveland, 11 – 2, in Game 7 of the ALCS to reach the World Series where they will face the Colorado Rockies. They had trailed Cleveland 3 games to 1 before mounting a comeback. Josh Beckett is the ALCS MVP after winning Games 1 and 5 of the Series. Before the game began, Paul Byrd of the Indians acknowledged using Human Growth Hormone for four years, creating a media frenzy. Byrd said he stopped buying it once Major League Baseball banned it and that he had a doctor’s permission to use it to treat a pituitary gland condition.

In the first matchup of rookies to start Game 1 of the World Series, Anthony Reyes bests Justin Verlander as the visiting Cardinals beat the Tigers at Comerica Park, 7-2. The 25 year-old right-hander allows two runs and four hits, striking out five Redbirds in eight innings of work.

After hosting Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in February, Detroit becomes just the second city to host both a Super Bowl and a World Series in the same calendar year. San Diego was the site of the NFL Championship game and Fall Classic in 1998.

On the eve of the World Series beginning in Chicago, Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) sponsor a resolution in the U.S. Senate calling for ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson to be “appropriately honored for his outstanding baseball accomplishments.” The former White Sox outfielder, considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game, was banned from baseball for life by commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis for his role in the 1919 ‘Black Sox’ Fall Classic fix .

On the eve of the World Series beginning in Chicago, Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) sponsor a resolution in the U.S. Senate calling for ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson to be “appropriately honored for his outstanding baseball accomplishments.” The former White Sox outfielder, considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game, was banned from baseball for life by commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis for his role in the 1919 ‘Black Sox’ Fall Classic fix .

At Busch Stadium, the Cardinals advance to the World Series for the first time in 17 years. The Redbirds capture the National League pennant, beating Roger Clemens and the Astros in Game 7 of an exciting NLCS, 5-2.

2003 – At Pro Player Stadium, the New York Yankees defeat the Florida Marlins, 6 – 1, in Game 3 of the World Series. Aaron Boone and Bernie Williams hit home runs for the Yankees as Mike Mussina is the winning pitcher with the help of Mariano Rivera in relief. Josh Beckett is the loser. The Yankees lead the Series, 2-1.

Florida team president David Samson, in an effort to get fans “falling back in love with the Marlins,” announces plans which include free hot dogs and a cozier atmosphere at Pro Player Stadium. The average crowd of 10,038 per home game, more than a third less than the previous season, was next-to-last in the major leagues in attendance this year.

The New York Yankees take a 3-1 lead in their American League Championship Series matchup with the Seattle Mariners, defeating Seattle by a score of 3 – 1. Bret Boone’s 8th-inning home run breaks a scoreless tie, but Bernie Williams hits a home run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score. New York wins on Alfonso Soriano’s two-run homer in the 9th and Mariano Rivera gets the victory in relief.

Randy Johnson and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeat the Atlanta Braves, 3 – 2, to win the National League Championship Series and reach the World Series for the first time in their history. Arizona gets to the Series faster than any expansion team in history, doing so in the fourth year of its existence. Erubiel Durazo’s pinch-hit two-run home run is the key blow. Craig Counsell is named the NLCS MVP.

2000 – The Yankees defeat the Mets, 4 – 3, in 12 innings, in Game 1 of the World Series. The longest game in World Series history (4 hours, 51 minutes) is ended on Jose Vizcaino’s single which drives home Tino Martinez. It is Vizcaino’s fourth hit of the night. The Mets lead, 3 – 2, going into the 9th, but reliever Armando Benitez surrenders the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Chuck Knoblauch. The victory is the Yankees’ 13th in a row in Series play for a new record. Todd Pratt of the Mets ties a Series record by being hit by pitches twice.

In the longest World Series game ever played, the Yankees take Game 1 of the Subway Series, thanks to Jose Vizcaino’s 12th inning two-out single, defeating the Mets, 4-3, in four hours and fifty-one minutes. The victory surpasses the streak established by the Murderers’ Row clubs, as the present Bronx Bombers win their 13th consecutive World Series game.

In the longest World Series game ever played, the Yankees take Game 1 of the Subway Series, thanks to Jose Vizcaino’s 12th inning two-out single, defeating the Mets, 4-3, in four hours and fifty-one minutes. The victory surpasses the streak established by the Murderers’ Row clubs, as the present Bronx Bombers win their 13th consecutive World Series game.

1998 – The New York Yankees close out their historic season with 3 – 0 victory against the San Diego Padres, sweeping San Diego in four games to win their record 24th World Series championship. Andy Pettitte gets the victory, and Scott Brosius is named Series MVP. The Game 4 victory gives the Yankees 125 wins against 50 losses for a .714 winning percentage, the best in the majors since their Murderers’ Row club of 1927, as their American League record of 114 regular-season victories were the most ever for a major league champion team.

The Yankees, with a 3-0 victory at Qualcomm Stadium, sweep the Padres to win their 24th World Series championship. The Bronx Bombers’ 125 wins (regular season and playoffs combined) are the most by a championship team, surpassing the record of 116 established by the Mets in 1986.

Ruben Rivera, in his only major league appearance against cousin Mariano, legs out an infield single. The ninth-inning hit will be quickly be erased when the future Hall of Fame closer gets the next batter to ground into a double play before retiring Mark Sweeney for the final out of the Qualcomm Stadium contest, saving Game 4 to complete the Yankees’ World Series sweep of the Padres.

1997 – In a slugfest, the Florida Marlins plate seven runs in the 9th inning to outscore the Cleveland Indians, 14 – 11, and take Game 3 of the World Series. Gary Sheffield has five RBI for Florida on three hits, including a double and home run. Darren Daulton and Jim Eisenreich also homer for the Marlins, while Jim Thome connects for Cleveland.

1996 – Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves holds the New York Yankees to six hits in eight innings and Fred McGriff drives in three runs in a 4 – 0 win in Game 2 of the World Series.

After being awarded one of the two expansion franchises for Triple-A by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Durham officially becomes the home of the Devil Rays’ top farm club beginning in 1998. Tampa Bay and Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc. jointly own the new North Carolina franchise, but the team will continue to be called the Bulls.

1995 – Atlanta beats Cleveland, 3 – 2, in Game 1 of the World Series behind star pitcher Greg Maddux. Fred McGriff homers for Atlanta, while Kenny Lofton of Cleveland becomes the first player since 1921 to steal two bases in one inning of a Series game. The two teams combine for only five hits, tying a World Series record for fewest hits by both clubs.

In Game 5, Curt Schilling becomes the first Phillies’ hurler to pitch a World Series shutout, blanking the Blue Jays at Veterans Stadium on five hits, 2-0. The game is the franchise’s 20th Fall Classic contest, having played for the world championship in 1915, 1950, 1980, and 1983.

1993 – The night after Toronto wins a 15 – 14 slugfest, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Curt Schilling outduels Juan Guzman, 2 – 0, in Game 5 to send the World Series back to Toronto. Schilling also becomes the first Phillies pitcher to throw a shutout in the Series.

In Game 5, Curt Schilling becomes the first Phillies’ hurler to pitch a World Series shutout, blanking the Blue Jays at Veterans Stadium on five hits, 2-0. The game is the franchise’s 20th Fall Classic contest, having played for the world championship in 1915, 1950, 1980, and 1983.

1992 – In Game 4, the Toronto Blue Jays take a 3-1 lead in the World Series with a 2 – 1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Pitcher Jimmy Key gets the victory and catcher Pat Borders hits a home run. It marks a record 10 straight postseason games in which Toronto has hit a home run.

1987 – With the help of a three-run home run by the unlikely Tom Lawless, the St. Louis Cardinals even the World Series with a 7 – 2 win over the Minnesota Twins in Game 4.

1986 – After losing the first two World Series games at home, the New York Mets beat the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, 7 – 1, as pitcher Bob Ojeda beats his old team. Lenny Dykstra’s 1st-inning home run marks the third time in history in which the Mets’ lead-off hitter has homered in the initial inning of Game 3 of the World Series. The feat was also accomplished by Tommy Agee (1969) and Wayne Garrett (1973).

After losing the first two World Series games at home, the Mets beat the Red Sox at Fenway Park, 7-1. Lenny Dykstra’s first inning home run marks the third time in history in which the Mets’ leadoff hitter has homered in the initial inning of Game 3 of the Fall Classic. The feat was also accomplished by Tommy Agee (1969) and Wayne Garrett (1973).