Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguezbecomes the first infielder and third player in major league history to have 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in the same season.

Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguezbecomes the first infielder and third player in major league history to have 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in the same season.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguez, in a 5-3 loss to the Angels at Edison International Field, hits his 40th home run of the season off Jack McDowell, becoming the first infielder and third player in major league history to have 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in the same season. Jose Canseco (A’s – 1988) and Barry Bonds (Giants – 1996) are the other members of the 40-40 club.

Nomar Garciaparra becomes one of only five players to hit 30 homers in each of his first two seasons

Nomar Garciaparra becomes one of only five players to hit 30 homers in each of his first two seasons

ByBaseball

Nomar Garciaparra hits a ninth-inning grand slam, giving the Red Sox a 7-3 walk-off win over the Mariners at Fenway Park. The 25 year-old shortstop becomes one of only five players to hit 30 homers in each of his first two seasons, joining Rudy York (1937-38 Tigers), Ron Kittle (1983-84 White Sox), Jose Canseco (1986-87 A’s), and Mark McGwire (1987-88 A’s).

Ken Griffey makes an incredible catch at Tiger Stadium

Ken Griffey makes an incredible catch at Tiger Stadium

ByThis Day in Baseball

August 9th, 1998 at Tiger Stadium. Ken Griffey Jr. makes an incredible catch off a Luis Gonzalez shot in the 3rd inning. If you ask me about the most memorable play I ever made, it’s probably going back-to-back home runs. But my best play? That happened at the 415-foot mark, just below the Tiger Stadium…

Ken Griffey, Jr. hits his 300th career home run to become the second-youngest player to reach the milestone

Ken Griffey, Jr. hits his 300th career home run to become the second-youngest player to reach the milestone

ByThis Day in Baseball

Ken Griffey, Jr. of the Seattle Mariners hits his 300th career home run to become the second-youngest player to reach the milestone. Griffey’s 300th, a two-run shot to right off the Cleveland Indians’ Jose Mesa, is his second homer of the game and sixth of the season. At 28 years, 143 days old, Griffey is second only to Jimmie Foxx, who hit his 300th at 27 years, 328 days. Foxx hit 534 homers during his Hall of Fame career.

Manny Ramirez hits Josias Manzanillo hit the groin with a 107 mph line drive

Manny Ramirez hits Josias Manzanillo hit the groin with a 107 mph line drive

ByThis Day in Baseball

In a 14-8 Mariners victory over the Indians at the Kingdome, M’s pitcher Josias Manzanillo, who doesn’t wear a protective cup, is hit the groin by a Manny Ramirez 107 mph line drive. Now a firm believer in the use of protective gear, the 29 year-old reliever will be put on the 15-day disabled list for surgery needed to repair a tear in his testicles.

The Seattle Mariners acquire righty Scott Sanders from the Padres for lefty Sterling Hitchcock.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1996 – The Seattle Mariners acquire righty Scott Sanders‚ (9-5‚ 3.38 ERA) from the Padres for lefty Sterling Hitchcock. Hitchcock was the ace of the Mariner staff after Randy Johnson went down with back surgery. He finished with a 13-9 record‚ but had a 5.35 ERA.

Alex Rodriguez borrows a bat from Ken Griffey and belts a 3-run homer to lead the Mariners to a 5 – 1 win

ByThis Day in Baseball

1996 – After Baltimore manager Davey Johnson has his bat removed in the 5th inning‚ Seattle SS Alex Rodriguez borrows a bat from Ken Griffey and belts a 3-run homer to lead the Mariners to a 5 – 1 win over the O’s. A-Rod’s 34th home run pins the loss on David Wells.