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Stealing second base in the first inning in an 8-5 victory over the Brewers at RFK, Alfonso Soriano becomes the fourth player in major league history in a single season to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases. The Nationals’ outfielder joins Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), and Alex Rodriguez (1998) as the only players to record 40-40 seasons.

ByBaseball

Stealing second base in the first inning in an 8-5 victory over the Brewers at RFK, Alfonso Soriano becomes the fourth player in major league history in a single season to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases. The Nationals’ outfielder joins Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), and Alex Rodriguez (1998) as the only players to record 40-40 seasons.

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9/16/2006: Ryan Howard hit a ball to left field that was touched by a Houston fan; the ball was ruled in play although it was apparent from the replay that it was over the wall when touched. Howard was credited with a double. The lost homer did not affect the outcome of the game as the Phillies beat the Astros, 7-2.

ByTom

9/16/2006: Ryan Howard hit a ball to left field that was touched by a Houston fan; the ball was ruled in play although it was apparent from the replay that it was over the wall when touched. Howard was credited with a double. The lost homer did not affect the outcome of the game as the Phillies beat the Astros, 7-2.

Angels center fielder Chone Figgins, in a 12-6 loss to the Rangers in Texas, triples in the ninth inning to become the fifth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. ‘Figgy’ joins Jeff DaVanon (2004), Dave Winfield (1991), Dan Ford (1979), and Jim Fregosi (1964, 1968) to accomplish the feat for the Halos.

ByBaseball

Angels center fielder Chone Figgins, in a 12-6 loss to the Rangers in Texas, triples in the ninth inning to become the fifth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. ‘Figgy’ joins Jeff DaVanon (2004), Dave Winfield (1991), Dan Ford (1979), and Jim Fregosi (1964, 1968) to accomplish the feat for the Halos.

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2005 – This wasn’t just an ordinary game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth for Jeff Bagwell. It was his first big league hit since mid-May when he decided on surgery to help an arthritic shoulder. There were no guarantees the franchise’s home run champ would be able to resume playing. His hit scores Willy Taveras for a 2-1 triumph over Milwaukee to keep the Astros a half-game ahead in the wild card race. Elsewhere, former Astro owner John McMullen, the man who signed the first million-dollar free agent (Nolan Ryan), dies at age 87. McMullen owned the ballclub from 1979 to 1992. 

ByTom

2005 – This wasn’t just an ordinary game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth for Jeff Bagwell. It was his first big league hit since mid-May when he decided on surgery to help an arthritic shoulder. There were no guarantees the franchise’s home run champ would be able to resume playing. His hit scores Willy Taveras for a 2-1 triumph over Milwaukee to keep the Astros a half-game ahead in the wild card race. Elsewhere, former Astro owner John McMullen, the man who signed the first million-dollar free agent (Nolan Ryan), dies at age 87. McMullen owned the ballclub from 1979 to 1992. 

Youppi!, who got his start at Olympic Stadium, is named as the first official mascot of the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first to ever switch from Major League Baseball to the NHL. The acquisition, reportedly at the cost of six figures, is made possible when the Expos leave the hairy orange arm-waving giant behind in favor of an eagle called “Screech” when they moved to Washington, D.C. to become the Nationals.

ByBaseball

Youppi!, who got his start at Olympic Stadium, is named as the first official mascot of the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first to ever switch from Major League Baseball to the NHL. The acquisition, reportedly at the cost of six figures, is made possible when the Expos leave the hairy orange arm-waving giant behind in favor of an eagle called “Screech” when they moved to Washington, D.C. to become the Nationals.

The Red Sox become the fourth team in big league history to sell out an entire 81-game home season. The Indians (1996-2000), Rockies (1996), and Giants (2000) are the other clubs that have accomplished the feat.

ByBaseball

The Red Sox become the fourth team in big league history to sell out an entire 81-game home season. The Indians (1996-2000), Rockies (1996), and Giants (2000) are the other clubs that have accomplished the feat.

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2003 – Richard Hidalgo blasts three homers and drives in five to lead a 14-4 slugfest over the Rockies at Coors Field . Adam Everett, Morgan Ensberg and Jeff Kent join him in the home run derby. Jeriome Robertson wins his 15th, a Houston rookie record, to keep the Astros 1-1/2 games ahead of Chicago in the N.L. Central race. 

ByTom

2003 – Richard Hidalgo blasts three homers and drives in five to lead a 14-4 slugfest over the Rockies at Coors Field . Adam Everett, Morgan Ensberg and Jeff Kent join him in the home run derby. Jeriome Robertson wins his 15th, a Houston rookie record, to keep the Astros 1-1/2 games ahead of Chicago in the N.L. Central race. 

Diamondback righty Curt Schilling K’s his 300th victim to join southpaw Randy Johnson in becoming the first teammates to each strike out at least 300 batters in the same season. ‘Schill’ has now done it three times in his career with the ‘Big Unit’ reaching the milestone six times, but neither hurler will accomplish the feat again.

ByBaseball

Diamondback righty Curt Schilling K’s his 300th victim to join southpaw Randy Johnson in becoming the first teammates to each strike out at least 300 batters in the same season. ‘Schill’ has now done it three times in his career with the ‘Big Unit’ reaching the milestone six times, but neither hurler will accomplish the feat again.

Giant left fielder Barry Bonds walks three times, breaking his own record for bases on balls in a season with 178. Approximately one-third of the free passes given to the San Francisco slugger have been intentional (60 out of 178).

ByBaseball

Giant left fielder Barry Bonds walks three times, breaking his own record for bases on balls in a season with 178. Approximately one-third of the free passes given to the San Francisco slugger have been intentional (60 out of 178).

Seattle’s Jamie Moyer (13-9) scatters three hits over seven scoreless innings to coast to his 11th straight win over the Orioles, winning 14 – 0. Alex Rodriguez hits his 37th home run in the 1st off Mike Mussina. Moyer, 11-1 against his old team, started his win streak on April 18, 1996, when he was with Boston.

ByBaseball

Seattle’s Jamie Moyer (13-9) scatters three hits over seven scoreless innings to coast to his 11th straight win over the Orioles, winning 14 – 0. Alex Rodriguez hits his 37th home run in the 1st off Mike Mussina. Moyer, 11-1 against his old team, started his win streak on April 18, 1996, when he was with Boston.