With just three weeks left in the season, the standings at the end of the day will reveal a four-way tie for first place in the American League. The Red Sox (79-62), the eventual AL champs, are battling the White Sox (78-61), Tigers (79-62), and the Twins (78-61) to capture the flag in the historic pennant race.

At Candlestick Park, the Giants tie a National League mark, using a record 25 players to beat the Astros in 15 innings, 3-2. Manager Herman Franks uses all his starters and five relief pitchers, sends six pinch hitters to the plate, and three players enter the contest as pinch runners, along with two defensive substitutions.

The Pirates roll out 11 pitchers but still lose two to the Giants, 6 – 4 and 9 – 6.

At Connie Mack Stadium, a Labor Day crowd of 26,390 fans watches the first-place Phillies split a doubleheader with the Dodgers. The attendance for the twin bill brings the season’s total to 1,224,172 patrons, breaking the all-time franchise home attendance record established by the Whiz Kids in 1950.

Completing a 12-3 home stand, the Cards sweep a Labor Day doubleheader from the Reds 3 – 2, 3 – 2, and move into a 2nd-place tie with Cincinnati.

1963 – In the Reds’ 4 – 2 win, Frank Robinson suffers a spike wound requiring 30 stitches when Mets 2B Ron Hunt lands on his left arm.

Four steals bring Maury Wills’ season total to 82, one better than Bob Bescher’s 1911 mark and a modern National League record. But Pittsburgh beats Los Angeles, 10 – 1, cutting the Dodger lead to half a game. In a streak of six games, from September 6th to the 11th, Maury will swipe 13 bases.

With a three-game lead, the Yankees purchase some insurance in the form of righty Hal Brown, acquired from the Orioles.

1961 – Roger Maris lays down a bunt and also belts his 55th homer of the year in the 3rd inning as New York beats the Senators, 7 – 3. All of Washington’s scores come in the 6th on an inside-the-park homer by Tito Francona, off Bill Terry. When asked by writers after the game why he bunted, a testy Maris replies, “Trying to win the game, you stupid cocksucker. Why do you think.”

1960 – At Crosley Field, Frank Robinson homers in the 15th inning as the Reds edge the Dodgers, 4 – 3. Marshall Bridges is the winner in relief, pitching six innings of shutout ball, and allowing two hits while striking out 7.