Wasting a heroic pitching effort by starter Clay Kirby, the Padres lose to the Astros, 2 – 1, in 21 innings. Kirby hurls 15 innings and strikes out 15 men.

ByBaseball

Wasting a heroic pitching effort by starter Clay Kirby, the Padres lose to the Astros, 2 – 1, in 21 innings. Kirby hurls 15 innings and strikes out 15 men.

Honored in pregame ceremonies at Shea Stadium by New York Congressman Herman Badillo and Puerto Rican Senate President Rafael Hernandez Colon, Roberto Clemente responds by driving in the first and last runs in the Pirates’ 3 – 2 win over New York. Willie Stargell provides the second run with his 47th homer, tying him with Atlanta’s Hank Aaron for the league lead. Centerfielder Mike Jorgensen is the Mets’ offense, answering Clemente’s 1st-inning RBI single with one of his own and Stargell’s 6th-inning solo shot with his own bases-empty blast in the bottom of the 7th. Immediately thereafter, however, Clemente doubles in the go-ahead run. This time, the Bucs wise up; when they walk Jorgensen in the 9th, the Mets cannot capitalize.

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Honored in pregame ceremonies at Shea Stadium by New York Congressman Herman Badillo and Puerto Rican Senate President Rafael Hernandez Colon, Roberto Clemente responds by driving in the first and last runs in the Pirates’ 3 – 2 win over New York. Willie Stargell provides the second run with his 47th homer, tying him with Atlanta’s Hank Aaron for the league lead. Centerfielder Mike Jorgensen is the Mets’ offense, answering Clemente’s 1st-inning RBI single with one of his own and Stargell’s 6th-inning solo shot with his own bases-empty blast in the bottom of the 7th. Immediately thereafter, however, Clemente doubles in the go-ahead run. This time, the Bucs wise up; when they walk Jorgensen in the 9th, the Mets cannot capitalize.

In the top of the fourth inning of a losing effort to Philadelphia, Cubs’ starter Milt Pappas strikes out the side, throwing just nine pitches. Greg Luzinski, Don Money, and Mike Anderson are the victims of the right-hander’s immaculate inning.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the top of the fourth inning of a losing effort to Philadelphia, Cubs’ starter Milt Pappas strikes out the side, throwing just nine pitches. Greg Luzinski, Don Money, and Mike Anderson are the victims of the right-hander’s immaculate inning.

Al Downing becomes a 20-game winner when he blanks the Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, 2-0. The Dodger left-hander, best remembered for giving up Hank Aaron’s historic 715th home run, will compile a 123-107 record during his 17-year major league career.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Al Downing becomes a 20-game winner when he blanks the Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, 2-0. The Dodger left-hander, best remembered for giving up Hank Aaron’s historic 715th home run, will compile a 123-107 record during his 17-year major league career.

1970 – The Cubs stop the Cards, 7 – 1, behind Ken Holtzman’s seven-hitter, and stay 2 1/2 games in back of the Pirates. Chicago will lose its next two games and Pittsburgh will clinch the divisional title on the 27th.

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1970 – The Cubs stop the Cards, 7 – 1, behind Ken Holtzman’s seven-hitter, and stay 2 1/2 games in back of the Pirates. Chicago will lose its next two games and Pittsburgh will clinch the divisional title on the 27th.

Jerry Koosman signed New York Mets B&W 16x20 Photo (1969 World Series champagne celebration with Tom Seaver)
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New York Mets clinch their first post-season berth

ByThis Day in Baseball

On September 24, 1969, the New York Mets clinch their first post-season berth, wrapping up the first National League East title. The Mets defeat the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-0, At Shea Stadium to officially eliminate the Chicago Cubs from contention. The Mets will go on to win the World Series… Mets starter Gary Gentry four-hits…

Steve Blass records his third shutout in a row, defeating the Reds, 2 – 0, and beating Gary Nolan. For Nolan, it is his first defeat after seven straight wins, while Blass wins his 9th straight for the Pirates.

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Steve Blass records his third shutout in a row, defeating the Reds, 2 – 0, and beating Gary Nolan. For Nolan, it is his first defeat after seven straight wins, while Blass wins his 9th straight for the Pirates.

Mets manager Gil Hodges, during a game against the Braves in Atlanta, suffers a mild heart attack. The New York skipper, who will die of a massive coronary in 1972, is hospitalized until October 20, when doctors give him a clean bill of health, but warned him about the continued risks of stress and smoking.

Mets manager Gil Hodges, during a game against the Braves in Atlanta, suffers a mild heart attack. The New York skipper, who will die of a massive coronary in 1972, is hospitalized until October 20, when doctors give him a clean bill of health, but warned him about the continued risks of stress and smoking.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Mets manager Gil Hodges, during a game against the Braves in Atlanta, suffers a mild heart attack. The New York skipper, who will die of a massive coronary in 1972, is hospitalized until October 20, when doctors give him a clean bill of health, but warned him about the continued risks of stress and smoking.

The Giants beat the Astros, 5 – 4, with Willie Mays driving in three runs. Mays hits a solo homer in the 1st and drives in the tying and winning runs in the 8th with a perfect bunt. With runners on second and third base, Mays bunts and Doug Rader attempts a barehanded pickup but misses the ball.

ByBaseball

The Giants beat the Astros, 5 – 4, with Willie Mays driving in three runs. Mays hits a solo homer in the 1st and drives in the tying and winning runs in the 8th with a perfect bunt. With runners on second and third base, Mays bunts and Doug Rader attempts a barehanded pickup but misses the ball.

Gary Nolan becomes only the second pitcher in baseball history to strike out 200 batters in a season as a teenager when he fans Adolfo Phillips in the bottom of the fourth inning in the Reds’ 3-2 victory over Chicago at Wrigley Field. The 19 year-old right-handed fireballer joins Hall of Famer Bob Feller, who accomplished the milestone before reaching the age of twenty in 1938, hurling for the Indians.

ByBaseball

Gary Nolan becomes only the second pitcher in baseball history to strike out 200 batters in a season as a teenager when he fans Adolfo Phillips in the bottom of the fourth inning in the Reds’ 3-2 victory over Chicago at Wrigley Field. The 19 year-old right-handed fireballer joins Hall of Famer Bob Feller, who accomplished the milestone before reaching the age of twenty in 1938, hurling for the Indians.