This Day In Baseball August 23

Debuts, Milestones, No Hitters, Rule Changes, Events, Birthdays, Deaths, and more on This Day In Baseball.  

Events for August 23

1903 – Before 21,400 in St. Louis the Americans sweep St. Louis, 5 – 3 and 4 – 2. Boston executes a triple play in the nitecap.

At American League Park in Washington, D.C., the White Sox establish a new American League record, winning their 19th consecutive game with a 4-1 victory over the hometown Senators. In 2002, the A’s will string together 20 straight wins to surpass the AL mark, but will fall one short of the major league mark established by the 1935 Cubs.

The Pirates top the Giants, 4 - 2 in 10 innings, then win the second game, 1 - 0, when Howie Camnitz spins a 5-inning no-hitter. The Bucs score when Ed Abbaticchio singles home Honus Wagner, who had singled and stolen second base. The Giants also lose Frank Bowerman, hit on the head by a Camnitz pitch. The doctors predict that the burly catcher will miss the season, but he is back in action in three days.

The Pirates top the Giants, 4 – 2 in 10 innings, then win the second game, 1 – 0, when Howie Camnitz spins a 5-inning no-hitter. The Bucs score when Ed Abbaticchio singles home Honus Wagner, who had singled and stolen second base. The Giants also lose Frank Bowerman, hit on the head by a Camnitz pitch. The doctors predict that the burly catcher will miss the season, but he is back in action in three days.

In the first game of a doubleheader, Brooklyn swipes six bases in a 7 - 0 win over the Cards, who steal two bases. With lefthander Jim Pastorius pitching in the second game, Brooklyn C Bill Bergen then throws out six (erroneously listed as 7) of eight base-stealing Cardinals in a 9 - 1 St. Louis victory. Bergen's mark is a 20th century high, twice tied in 1915.

In the first game of a doubleheader, Brooklyn swipes six bases in a 7 – 0 win over the Cards, who steal two bases. With lefthander Jim Pastorius pitching in the second game, Brooklyn C Bill Bergen then throws out six (erroneously listed as 7) of eight base-stealing Cardinals in a 9 – 1 St. Louis victory. Bergen’s mark is a 20th century high, twice tied in 1915.

It's a day for thievery as the Cubs steal home three times in a game at Boston, tying a major league mark. They waste no time, as Johnny Evers and Del Howard do it in the 1st inning, and Solly Hofman in the 2nd. Chicago wins, 11 - 6.

It’s a day for thievery as the Cubs steal home three times in a game at Boston, tying a major league mark. They waste no time, as Johnny Evers and Del Howard do it in the 1st inning, and Solly Hofman in the 2nd. Chicago wins, 11 – 6.

Left fielder Fred Clarke makes a record-tying four OF assists for Pittsburgh against the Phils, as the Bucs win 6 - 2. The Pirates get one more for a National League record five outfield assists.

Left fielder Fred Clarke makes a record-tying four OF assists for Pittsburgh against the Phils, as the Bucs win 6 – 2. The Pirates get one more for a National League record five outfield assists.

Ed Walsh

Chicago’s Ed Walsh tops Walter Johnson, 1 – 0, the 3rd straight time Walsh has beaten the Big Train and Washington by that score.

At St. Louis, Frank Corridon outpitches Christy Mathewson for a 4 – 1 Cardinals win. The Cards tag Matty for 11 hits.

1912 – The Tigers fall to Walter Johnson, 8 – 1, Big Train’s 16th win in a row. He is now 29-7.

1914 – The Giants lose their 5th straight, to Cincinnati, 3 – 2, and the idle Braves move into a tie for first place. Herbie Moran, playing his last game for Cincy before being sold to the Braves, doubles in the game-winner in the 9th.

1915 – At the Polo Grounds, the Cardinals sweep two from the Giants, winning 5 – 4 and 4 – 3. New York is in 7th place, 8 1/2 games back of the leading Phillies.

Babe Ruth picks up his only save of the season, relieving Dutch Leonard in the 8th with Boston leading the Indians, 6 - 3. Babe strikes out three in the 8th and doubles and scores in his trip to the plate. He shuts out Cleveland in the 9th as Boston completes a 4-game sweep of the Tribe.

Babe Ruth picks up his only save of the season, relieving Dutch Leonard in the 8th with Boston leading the Indians, 6 – 3. Babe strikes out three in the 8th and doubles and scores in his trip to the plate. He shuts out Cleveland in the 9th as Boston completes a 4-game sweep of the Tribe.

Ty Cobb goes from first to third on a teammate's single to LF, then swipes home when A's 3B Charlie Pick holds the ball. Detroit wins, 10 - 3.

Ty Cobb goes from first to third on a teammate’s single to LF, then swipes home when A’s 3B Charlie Pick holds the ball. Detroit wins, 10 – 3.

1923 – Reds 2B Sam Bohne and OF Pat Duncan deny under oath that they have been approached to throw games with the Giants.

1928 – The Yankees pick up lefty Tom Zachary on waivers from Washington.

1929 – The Cubs buy Lon Warneke, 20, from Alexandria (Cotton States League) for $100.

The Giants’ Fred Lindstrom singles to extend his hitting streak to 24 games, but Pat Malone tops Carl Hubbell for a 4 – 2 Cubs win.

The Yankees buy Frank Crosetti from the San Francisco Seals but allow him to play another season in the Pacific Coast League before reporting. The Yankees will make a similar arrangement for Joe DiMaggio, buying him from the Seals but waiting a year before acquiring him in 1936.

The Yankees buy Frank Crosetti from the San Francisco Seals but allow him to play another season in the Pacific Coast League before reporting. The Yankees will make a similar arrangement for Joe DiMaggio, buying him from the Seals but waiting a year before acquiring him in 1936.

In St. Louis, the league-leading Cardinals go to 78-44 by sweeping the Braves. The Birds pound Boston, 16 – 1, in the opener as Chick Hafey drives in eight runs on 5 for 5 hitting, including two home runs. One of the homers is a grand slam. St. Louis takes the nitecap, 1 – 0, in 11 innings, winning on Jim Bottomley’s home run.

In his attempt to break Walter Johnson's consecutive game winning streak of 17 games, Lefty Grove loses when Browns' hurler Dick Coffman throws a three-hit shutout

In his attempt to break Walter Johnson’s consecutive game winning streak of 17 games, Lefty Grove loses when Browns’ hurler Dick Coffman throws a three-hit shutout

1932 – The Cubs have only one assist in a 5 – 1 win, sweeping the Phillies in four straight. The fielding mark equals the major-league record.

1935 – National League President Ford Frick announces an undisclosed punishment of umpires Beans Reardon and Ziggy Sears for arguing with Cincinnati fans on July 11.

Bob Feller makes his first major league start

Bob Feller makes his first major league start

The East uses a balanced offense to thump the West, 10-2, in the 1936 East-West Game. Leroy Matlock got the win and Sug Cornelius the loss while Cool Papa Bell went 3 for 3.

1940 – The Reds purchase Jimmy Ripple from the Dodgers.

Seven of 16 games played today are shutouts. A near-miss is by White Sox veteran Ted Lyons. Taking a regular Sunday start, he wins his 256th career game, a 3-hitter 3 – 1 complete game victory over Cleveland.

Cub pitchers Claude Passeau and Lon Warneke each toss 3 – 0 shutouts against the Reds while Red Sox hurlers Tex Hughson and Joe Dobson whitewash the A’s, winning 2 – 0 and 7 – 0.

Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth is the pregame attraction that draws 69,000 at Yankee Stadium

Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth is the pregame attraction that draws 69,000 at Yankee Stadium

At Ebbets Field, the Dodgers sweep two from their cross-town rivals. In the first game, the Giants take a 4 - 2 lead in the 10th on Johnny Mize's 2-run home run, only to see Dolph Camilli hit reliever Harry Feldman's first pitch for a grand slam and give Dem Bums a 6 - 4 win. In the second game, the Dodgers score two in the 5th to take a 7 - 5 lead in a game halted by darkness. The Dodgers now lead St. Louis by 7 1/2 games.

At Ebbets Field, the Dodgers sweep two from their cross-town rivals. In the first game, the Giants take a 4 – 2 lead in the 10th on Johnny Mize’s 2-run home run, only to see Dolph Camilli hit reliever Harry Feldman’s first pitch for a grand slam and give Dem Bums a 6 – 4 win. In the second game, the Dodgers score two in the 5th to take a 7 – 5 lead in a game halted by darkness. The Dodgers now lead St. Louis by 7 1/2 games.

Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth is the pregame attraction that draws 69,000 at Yankee Stadium

Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth is the pregame attraction that draws 69,000 at Yankee Stadium

War bond Game 1943

War bond Game 1943

1951 – At Ebbets Field, the Cards finally beat the Dodgers, 4 – 2. Max Lanier allows seven hits, including Roy Campanella’s 27th homer, in beating Don Newcombe. Newk won’t lose again to the Birds till 1957, winning 12 straight.

Bob Elliott of the Giants is tossed from the Cardinal game for protesting a strike two call and his replacement, Bobby Hofman, is also thrown out for arguing the third strike of the same at-bat.

Bob Elliott of the Giants is tossed from the Cardinal game for protesting a strike two call and his replacement, Bobby Hofman, is also thrown out for arguing the third strike of the same at-bat.

Chattanooga OF Don Grate betters his 1952 record by throwing a baseball 443 feet 3 ½ inches. Glen Gorbous will beat it in 1957.

Phil Paine, a former Boston Braves pitcher on military service with the U.S. Air Force in Japan, becomes the first ex-major league player to play in Japan. He pitches in nine games for the Nishitetsu Lions: four wins, three losses, ERA 1.77.

DŐN grate sets the record for longest thrown ball

DŐN grate sets the record for longest thrown ball

Led by Nellie Fox's seven straight hits, the White Sox sweep the Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a bunt single, triple and home run in the 6 - 4 nightcap loss but trails Fox in season hits, 158 to 155. But the Mick still leads in the Triple Crown race.

Led by Nellie Fox’s seven straight hits, the White Sox sweep the Yankees. Mickey Mantle has a bunt single, triple and home run in the 6 – 4 nightcap loss but trails Fox in season hits, 158 to 155. But the Mick still leads in the Triple Crown race.

Angel Macias

Angel Macia pitches a 12-inning perfect game for Monterrey, Mexico

Gil Hodges hits his 14th career grand slam in the Dodgers' 10-1 victory over Milwaukee at LA Memorial Coliseum. The first baseman's bases-full round-tripper establishes a new National League record, but is far fewer than Lou Gehrig's major league mark of 23.

Gil Hodges hits his 14th career grand slam in the Dodgers’ 10-1 victory over Milwaukee at LA Memorial Coliseum. The first baseman’s bases-full round-tripper establishes a new National League record, but is far fewer than Lou Gehrig’s major league mark of 23.

Nellie Fox’s streak of 98 consecutive games without striking out ends when he is whiffed by lefty Whitey Ford in the White Sox’s 7-1 victory over the Yankees in the Bronx. The Chicago second baseman last struck out on May 16 against another southpaw, Cleveland’s Dick Tomanek.

1959 – The Pirates take a doubleheader form the Dodgers, beating Don Drysdale in both games. As a starter, Drysdale loses the opener, then relieves in game 2. In the 10th inning, with runners on first and third and two out, Drysdale hands out an intentional pass to get to Dick Groat, who singles in the winning run.

8/23/1959: In game 2, the Orioles’ Bob Nieman homered to right field off Jim Bunning of Detroit in the top of the first inning. The game was rained out in the bottom of the first.

1960 – Following up his no-hitter, Lew Burdette fires his third shutout in a row, pitching the Braves to a 7 – 0 win over the Dodgers. The Braves stroke five homers.

Wynn is a great relief as White Sox win a protested game vs Yankees - Full Radio Broadcast

Wynn is a great relief as White Sox win a protested game vs Yankees – Full Radio Broadcast

June 2, 1962 - Willie Mays in action as the Giants take on the Mets in a DH at the Polo Grounds.

Giants set a record for total bases in an inning in 14-0 rout of Reds

Dave Philley ties Sam Leslie’s 29 year-old major league record with his 22nd pinch hit of the season. The historic moment occurs in an Orioles 7-5 extra-inning victory over the A’s as the 41 year-old singles in the top of the 7th pinch hitting for Hoyt Wilhelm at Municipal Stadium.

The Reds rack up 21 hits in routing the Cubs, 14 – 3.

Steve Boros matches the American League record for most errors in an inning by a 3B with 4, but Detroit beats Cleveland, 8 – 5, as Al Kaline hits two home runs.

1B Lee Thomas of the Angels ties a major-league record by participating in six double plays in a 17 – 0 romp at Washington. 3B Felix Torres starts four of them to tie a record. Ken McBride is the recipient of the outburst while Steve Ridzik is the loser.

Milwaukee's Warren Spahn sets a modern National League record—his 601st start surpassing Grover Alexander—while going all the way to defeat the Dodgers for his 343rd career win, but only after spending the better part of the day in Los Angeles filming what will prove to be the first and last performance of his acting career, on the popular World-War-II-set TV series, Combat. Spahn, himself a decorated WW II veteran and avowed fan of the series, appears in an uncredited but heavily publicized bit part as a German patrol. As one refreshingly frank TV critic will warn us prior to the November 5 air date, "This is Warren Spahn's much-heralded appearance as a German soldier. If the National League saw as little of him as you will, he probably never would have won a game."

Milwaukee’s Warren Spahn sets a modern National League record—his 601st start surpassing Grover Alexander—while going all the way to defeat the Dodgers for his 343rd career win, but only after spending the better part of the day in Los Angeles filming what will prove to be the first and last performance of his acting career, on the popular World-War-II-set TV series, Combat. Spahn, himself a decorated WW II veteran and avowed fan of the series, appears in an uncredited but heavily publicized bit part as a German patrol. As one refreshingly frank TV critic will warn us prior to the November 5 air date, “This is Warren Spahn’s much-heralded appearance as a German soldier. If the National League saw as little of him as you will, he probably never would have won a game.”

Mets pitcher Willard Hunter picks up half his career wins (4) today as New York sweeps the Cubs, 2 - 1

Mets pitcher Willard Hunter picks up half his career wins (4) today as New York sweeps the Cubs, 2 – 1

New York tops host Boston, 4 – 3, as Mickey Mantle starts the scoring with a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning off Earl Wilson. New York will win 26 of their next 33 games.

Don Larsen tosses a five-hitter in the Texas heat to best Warren Spahn It is Larsen's first complete game in five years.

Don Larsen tosses a five-hitter in the Texas heat to best Warren Spahn It is Larsen’s first complete game in five years.

Twelve year-old Robert Stratta throws the eighth no-hitter in Little League World Series history when Chicago’s Roseland North team beats Rota, Spain in the quarterfinals, 1-0. The future transplant surgeon doesn’t allow the ball to leave the infield, retiring the last 11 batters he faces, eight on strikeouts.

1967 – Jim Wynn cracks his 30th home run of the season during a 9-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Clay Carroll is the victim. Wynn is the first Houston player to reach that plateau and no other Astro would join him until Glenn Davis in 1986. 

1968 – Stan Bahnsen outpitches Earl Wilson to give the host Yankees a 2 – 1 win over Detroit. The two teams then battle for 19 innings, before the second game is suspended by curfew with the score 3 – 3. The game will be finished tomorrow. In the long tie, Lindy McDaniel retires 21 straight Tiger batters, six on strikeouts. In his last three relief appearances, he has retired 30 batters in a row.

Don Gullett strikes out six straight batters and pitches four innings with no runners reaching base in beating the host Mets, 7 – 5. Gullett strikes out eight in the last four innings. The Reds win on Jimmy Stewart’s 3-run pinch homer off Tom Seaver.

Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates posts his second consecutive five-hit game

Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates posts his second consecutive five-hit game

Chicago's Dick Allen becomes the 4th major league player to hit one into the CF bleachers in Comiskey Park 

Chicago’s Dick Allen becomes the 4th major league player to hit one into the CF bleachers in Comiskey Park 

Kansas City’s Roger Nelson shuts out the Red Sox, 3 – 0. Ben Oglivie’s single in the 8th is the only hit off Nelson.

The Reds score eight times in the 5th inning to wipe out a 4 – 0 deficit and whip the Padres, 12 – 7.

Champ Summers and Rick Monday hit pinch home runs for the Cubs, but the Astros win the game, 14 – 12.

Making his first major league start, Indian rookie Rick Waits tosses a complete game, beating Kansas City, 7-1. The 23 year-old southpaw from Atlanta allows only five hits in the Royals Stadium contest.

Behind Mickey Rivers’ 5 for 5 contributing to an 8 – 3 whipping of the White Sox, the Yanks take over first place in the American League East. With the Red Sox losing, the Yankees go ahead by a half game and will stay in first place to the end.

Dave Goltz one-hits the Red Sox to give the Twins a 7 – 0 win. Jim Rice hits a single in the 4th for the only safety.

At Cleveland, the A’s Rick Langford gives up six hits and six runs in the 1st inning, including a grand slam to Andre Thornton and a solo by Ron Hassey. He then allows just one hit over the next eight innings, and the A’s come back to win, 8 – 6.

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn slaps Padres owner Ray Kroc with a $100,000 fine for tampering, following remarks Kroc made about potential free agents Joe Morgan and Graig Nettles.

Rickey Henderson swipes three bases in the A’s 8-6 victory over the Indians at Cleveland Stadium. At the age of 20 years 241 days old, the rookie outfielder becomes the youngest player to accomplish the feat.

Charlie Finley sells the Oakland A’s to the Levi Strauss company for nearly $13 million

Charlie Finley sells the Oakland A’s to the Levi Strauss company for nearly $13 million

1980 – Joe Niekro comes on in relief to start the 16th inning of a scoreless tie with the Cubs at the Dome. He wins it himself an inning later when he drives home Enos Cabell for a 1-0 triumph in 17 frames.  Houston pitchers allow just seven hits to increase their lead in the NL West to three games over Los Angeles. 

Days after challenging the Reds’ “no facial hair” policy, P Jim Kern finds himself a member of the Chicago White Sox. The Reds receive IF Wade Rowdon and OF Leo Garcia.

Gaylord Perry of the Seattle Mariners is caught putting a foreign substance on the ball

Gaylord Perry of the Seattle Mariners is caught putting a foreign substance on the ball

At Wrigley Field, Reds rookie Jeff Russell beats Fergie Jenkins and the Cubs, 4 – 2. Russell adds his only career home run. Dave Concepcion is called out on a steal attempt, and then is tossed out for arguing with umpire Dave Pallone. He also gets suspended for three days for allegedly spitting on Pallone during the argument.

Kansas City’s Amos Otis notches his 2,000th career hit, a single in a 10 – 2 win over the White Sox.

1985 – Joaquin Andujar becomes baseball’s first 20-game winner this season, beating Atlanta 6 – 2 for the Cardinals. Andujar is the first National League pitcher to post consecutive 20-win seasons since Joe Niekro in 1979-1980.

August 23, 1989 - The second longest shutout in big league history ends when Rick Dempsey hits a home run in the top of the 22nd inning giving the Dodgers an eventual 1 to 0 victory over the Expos at Olympic Stadium.

Dodgers beat the Expos in longest 1-0 game in history

1991 – The Rangers’ 6 – 1 win over the Royals is marked by an unusual play in the 8th inning. Kansas City 2B Terry Shumpert is charged with a 4-base error when he collides with RF Danny Tartabull while going back on a short fly hit by Juan Gonzalez. Gonzalez and the two runners in front of him score as the ball rolls all the way to the warning track.

In a Class A Florida State League game, Andy Carter of the Clearwater Phillies defeats Scott Bakkum of the Winter Haven Red Sox, 1 – 0. Neither team gets a hit in what is believed to be the first double no-hitter in the minors in 40 years.

In his last outing as a Met, David Cone (13-7) gives up four runs in seven innings in losing to the Padres, 4 – 3. Cone gives up just three hits. Mets Bobby Bonilla homers in his fourth consecutive game, tying the club mark.

1992 – Jimmy Jones and three relievers outpitch Curt Schilling, 3-1, completing a three-game sweep over the Phillies and ending a 26-game road trip. Houston is 12-14 on the marathon tour. They manage just four hits off Schilling but two of them are RBI singles by Luis Gonzalez and Jeff Bagwell to give Jones all the runs he needs. 

1993 – Toronto OF Joe Carter slugs three home runs in the Blue Jays’ 9 – 8 loss to the Indians. It is the 5th time in his career that he has homered three times in a game, setting an American League record.

8/23/1995: At Shea Stadium, the Giants led 3-2 with two out in the bottom of the ninth and Chris Jones at bat for the Mets. Jones hit a drive to right field which appeared to be a game tying homer off Terry Mulholland. However, first base umpire Gary Darling ruled the ball foul, even though replays of the hit showed it hitting the fair pole. Mulholland struck out Jones on the next pitch to end the game.

1996 – The Yankees obtain P Graeme Lloyd and former Rookie of the Year Pat Listach from the Brewers in exchange for OF Gerald Williams and pitcher Bob Wickman. Lloyd is put to work and provides late-inning relief as the first-place Yankees beat the A’s, 5 – 3. The Yanks will officially complain to the American League that the Brewers sent damaged goods in the two players, but the complaint is ignored. However, the Brewers will take back Listach and send Ricky Bones to the Yanks on the 29th. The Yanks will file a grievance over Lloyd’s injury next month.

1997 – For the second day in a row, Rangers LF Rusty Greer hits a pair of home runs and posts six ribbies, doing so in today’s 13 – 8 win over Chicago.

Giants OF Barry Bonds hits his 26th homer, the 400th of his career, off Kirt Ojala of the Marlins in the Giants' 10 - 5 victory. He thus becomes the first player in major league history with more than 400 career home runs and 400 career steals.

Giants OF Barry Bonds hits his 26th homer, the 400th of his career, off Kirt Ojala of the Marlins in the Giants’ 10 – 5 victory. He thus becomes the first player in major league history with more than 400 career home runs and 400 career steals.

The Pirates defeat the Cardinals, 4 – 3, despite five hits, including a home run, by St. Louis 3B Fernando Tatis. Mark McGwire also hits his 53rd homer for the Cards.

Leadoff man Craig Biggio’s double, two home runs, and six RBIs pace the Astros to a 13 – 3 victory over the Cubs. C Brad Ausmus also contributes to the cause with four hits and five ribbies for Houston. OF Sammy Sosahits a pair of homers for Chicago, giving him 51 on the year.

Barry Bonds becomes the first player in major league history to hit 400 home runs and steal at least 400 bases (438). The Giant slugger reached the unmatched plateau with his 26th homer of the year against Marlin southpaw Kirt Ojala in a 10-5 San Francisco victory.

At County Stadium against the Padres, Bob Hamelin hits his fourth pinch-hit home run of the season. It is the most pinch-hit home runs hit by a single Brewer player in a season and is also the all-time franchise record.

With his 50th and 51st dingers, Cubs’ slugger Sammy Sosa joins Mark McGwire (53) of the Cardinals in hitting 50 home runs, making it only the second time two National League hitters have reached the plateau in the same season. Pirates outfielder Ralph Kiner and Giants first baseman Johnny Mize each hit a league-leading 51 round trippers in 1947.

Although Scott Rolen has started all but one game this season and appeared in every one, Phillies manager Terry Francona’s decision not to play his third baseman today, of all days, proves to be very unpopular. It’s Scott Rolen T-shirt Day, a promotion for kids 14 and under, and many of the Veterans Stadium fans voiced their disappointment about not being able to watch the 23 year-old infielder play on his special day.

Although Scott Rolen has started all but one game this season and appeared in every one, Phillies manager Terry Francona’s decision not to play his third baseman today, of all days, proves to be very unpopular. It’s Scott Rolen T-shirt Day, a promotion for kids 14 and under, and many of the Veterans Stadium fans voiced their disappointment about not being able to watch the 23 year-old infielder play on his special day.

The Padres defeat the Phillies, 7 – 6. Philadelphia 3B Scott Rolen strikes out five times in the game.

The Yankees score six runs in the 1st inning on their way to a 21 – 3 victory over the Rangers. 3B Scott Brosius (6) and C Joe Girardi (7) – the 8th and 9th batters in the New York lineup – drive in 13 of the Yankee runs. Derek Jeter scores his 100th run of the year, the first Yank to string together four straight seasons of 100+ runs since Mickey Mantle did it in nine straight seasons (1953-1961).

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announces that Pete Rose will be invited to the World Series if he is elected to the All-Century Team. Rose has been banned from baseball since 1989.

Joining Babe Ruth and Mark McGwire, Mariner outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. becomes the third player in major league history to hit 200 homers in a four-season span. Junior’s 39th helps Seattle beat the Indians, 4-1.

Los Angeles Dodgers team president Bob Graziano apologizes to a female couple who were asked to leave Dodger Stadium on August 8th because the two shared a kiss during a game. The pair felt the action of the eight security guards was discriminatory because the couple’s friends, a man and a woman, also kissed but were not ejected.

At Comerica Park, fans flee their seats as swarms of small insects invade the stands during the 1st inning. The six-legged pests do not affect the players, and the game continues uninterrupted with the Tigers edging the Mariners, 6 – 5.

Team president Bob Graziano apologizes to a female couple who were asked to leave Dodger Stadium on August 8th because the two shared a kiss during a game. The pair felt the action of the eight security guards was discriminatory because the couple’s friends, a man and a woman, also kissed but were not ejected.

In a 6 – 2 loss to the Blue Jays, it is a busy night for Twins CF Torii Hunter. Hunter throws out consecutive runners Darrin Fletcher and Homer Bush, both trying to stretch singles. Later in the inning he bobbles a ball for an error. Roy Halladay is the winning pitcher.

Barry Bonds and Shawon Dunston of the San Francisco Giants become just the 12th pair of teammates to hit back-to-back homers as pinch hitters when they go deep in the top of the 9th. Bonds’ pinch homer is his first since 1989 and snaps a 5 – 5 tie. It is also his 549th home run, moving him ahead of Mike Schmidt into 8th place. The Giants win, 10 – 5.

The Pirates defeat the Diamondbacks, 5 – 1, despite a 16-strikeout performance in seven innings of work by Randy Johnson. In doing so, Johnson ties Nolan Ryan as the only ones in history to fan 300 in three straight seasons.

In his major league debut, Jason Jennings gets off to an impressive start by going 3-for-5 at the plate while tossing a complete-game shutout in the Rockies’ 10-0 rout of New York at Shea Stadium. With his ninth-inning round-tripper off Donnie Wall, the 23 year-old right-handed rookie becomes the only hurler to blank his opponent and to go deep in his first big league game.

Arizona left-hander Randy Johnson becomes the first pitcher to strike out 300 batters in four consecutive seasons, The ‘Big Unit’s’ 16-strikeout performance isn’t enough as the Pirates beat the Diamondbacks, 5-1, ending the southpaw’s eight-game winning streak.

Cleveland’s rookie C Josh Bard hits a game-winning 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning against Seattle in his first major league appearance. He has two hits and three RBIs as the Tribe wins, 4 – 2.

The Padres score nine runs in the 5th inning on their way to an 18 – 2 win over the Marlins. Bubba Trammell, who has two homers in the game, starts the scoring in the 5th with a homer. 7 players have RBIs in the 5th, and the last 11 hitters come up with the bases loaded. Jake Peavy is the easy winner.

Bobby Abreu hits a solo homer in the 14th to give the Phillies a 5 – 4 win over the Cards in 5 hours, 13 minutes. Scott Rolen is 4 for 5 in his first appearance against his old team.

The Orioles spot the Blue Jays six runs and then roar back with four homers to win, 11 – 7. The win puts Baltimore (63-63) at .500. From here on it will be all downhill.

2003 – In front of a full house at Yankee Stadium, Ron Guidry’s uniform number 49 is retired on the lefty’s special day. “Louisiana Lightning”, who played his entire career with New York posting a 170-90 record for the Bronx Bombers, is surprised the club hasn’t just honored him with a day but has retired his jersey and placed a plaque in Monument Park in his honor.

In front of a full house at Yankee Stadium, Ron Guidry’s uniform 49 is retired on the lefty’s special day. ‘Louisiana Lightning’, who played his entire career in New York, posting a 170-90 record for the Bronx Bombers, is surprised the club hasn’t just honored him with a day but has retired his jersey and placed a plaque in Monument Park in his honor.

Carlos DelGado’s 400th career home run, his second of the game, proves to be significant when his fourth inning grand slam dramatically closes the gap in the Mets’ eventual 8-7 comeback victory over the Cardinals at Shea Stadium. The bases-loaded home run is New York’s ninth of the season, establishing a new club record.

Joining the 1989 Pirates, the Royals became the second team in big league history to have a 10-run first inning and not win the game. At Kauffman Stadium, the home team takes an early 10-1 lead, but is defeated by the Indians in ten innings, 15-13.

With his 16th bunt single of the season, Houston center fielder Willy Taveras extends his hitting streak to 26 games to set an Astros record. The previous mark was set by second baseman Jeff Kent in 2004.

With his 1,150th victory as the Bronx Bombers skipper, Joe Torre passes Casey Stengel for second place on the Yankees all time managerial win list. Joe McCarthy compiled a franchise record, winning 1,460 contests during his 16-year tenure in the dugout.

A protest of parents and teammates is held, demanding Jericho Scott be allowed to continue to pitch in the Youth Baseball League of New Haven. The nine year-old, a right-hander with pinpoint control of a 40-mph fastball, was banned from the mound for throwing too hard.

2B Eric Bruntlett snags a line drive from Jeff Francoeur and turns an unassisted triple play in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Philadelphia Phillies’ 9 – 7 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field. It is only the second game ever to end on such a defensive gem, after Johnny Neun pulled off the feat on May 31, 1927.

Michael Cuddyer hits two home runs in the same inning, becoming the first member of the Minnesota Twins and the 53rd Major League player to do so. The Twins defeat Kansas City, 10 – 3.

Down 6 – 5 in the 9th, the US rallies to beat Cuba in the 2009 World Youth Championship. The US ties Cuba at four Gold Medals, the most in the history of the World Youth Championship to this point. LF Austin Cousino is named MVP.

After a shaky defensive bottom of the ninth inning at Citi Field, in which he makes an error and another poor play allowing a batter to reach on an infield hit, Eric Bruntlett redeems himself when he turns the Mets’ attempted double steal into a game-ending unassisted triple play. The fourteenth single-handed regular-season triple killing, only the second one which results in the last three outs of a game, occurs when the Phillies’ second baseman snares Jeff Francoeur’s line drive up the middle for the first out, steps on second to double up Luis Castillo, and then tags the runner coming from first base, Daniel Murphy, for the last out of Philadelphia’s 9-7 victory.

The Rangers come within two outs of throwing the 6th no-hitter of the season with a collective effort against the Twins. Rich Harden, Matt Harrison, Darren O’Day and Neftali Feliz keep Minnesota hitless into the 9th inning, until Joe Mauer singles with one out. Feliz then finishes the 4 – 0 win. Harden has to leave the game after 6 2/3 innings as he is coming off the disabled list and has already thrown 111 pitches by that point.

Brandon Morrow, no stranger himself to having a no-hitter broken up in the 9th, has another strong outing against the Yankees, although reliever Scott Downs is credited with the 3 – 2 Blue Jays’ win. The game is decided in the 8th when José Bautista hits his second home run of the game, off David Robertson, to break a 2 – 2 tie. Bautista is the first player to reach 40 homers this year.

The Rays take advantage of the Yankees’ loss to catch them for the AL East lead, by defeating the Angels, 4 – 3. Rafael Soriano strikes out the side on 9 pitches in the 9th to earn his 38th save. It is the 44th time the feat has been accomplished in the majors, being last done by Ross Ohlendorf of the Pirates last September.

In a trade of infielders, the Diamondbacks send their starting 2B, Kelly Johnson, to the Blue Jays in return for 2B Aaron Hill and veteran John McDonald. Both Johnson and Hill have struggled with low batting averages this year; Johnson has shown more power, but Hill and McDonald are both outstanding defensive players.

The Braves ride a five-run 5th inning, highlighted by Jason Heyward’s first career grand slam, to a 5 – 4 win over the Cubs. Craig Kimbrel ties the major league rookie record for saves, set last season by Neftali Feliz, by notching his 40th. Aramis Ramirez has the first five-hit game of his career in a losing effort.

The Angels formally announce the signing of their #1 starter, 28 year-old right-hander Jered Weaver, to a five-year contract extension reported to be worth $85 million. The American League All-Star Game starter, who was eligible to become a free agent after the 2012 season, has compiled a 14-6 record along with a league-leading 2.10 ERA so far this season.

The Rays move within 2 1/2 games of the Yankees in the AL East as Alex Cobb pitches a four-hitter for his first major league shutout, beating the Athletics, 5 – 0. Tyson Ross is called up from AAA to start for Oakland in place of Bartolo Colon, who was handed a 50-game suspension for PED use yesterday.

The Angels win a Fenway Park slugfest, 14 – 13, with a pair of 10th-inning runs. Boston grabs a 6 – 0 lead against C.J. Wilson after 2 innings, but Los Angeles replies with an 8-run 3rd inning, chasing Franklin Morales. The Red Sox then blow a 9 – 8 lead in the 7th, and an 11 – 9 lead in the 9th. In that frame, closer Alfredo Aceves surrenders a lead-off homer to Vernon Wells that bounces on the line marking the top of the Green Monster and back onto the field; replays clearly show it never left the park, but Boston fails to ask for a review. In the 10th, Kendrys Morales hits a solo homer off Aceves to start the inning, but it’s an insurance run scored by Erick Aybaron a double by Wells that proves to be the difference, as Boston claws back a run and the game ends with Dustin Pedroia, representing the tying run, on first base.

At a Dodger Stadium press conference, LA announces Vin Scully will continue to broadcast Dodgers’ games for his 65th consecutive season. Some of the historic moments the Hall of Fame broadcaster has called include Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, 19 no-hitters, including four thrown by Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron’s 715th home run, and Kirk Gibson’s dramatic walk-off in the 1988 Fall Classic.

2014 – Less than a week after the first successful protest in 28 years, the Rays file one of their own after today’s 5 – 4, extra innings loss to the Blue Jays. Rays manager Joe Maddon objects to a ruling by crew chief Bob Davidson in the 4th inning, who allows a video review on a pick-off play even though Blue Jays P Mark Buehrle has already stepped on the pitching rubber and the batter was in the batter’s box. The review is successful, giving the Jays a key out. The rule states that a play should no longer be reviewable at that point, although the final decision is left to the crew chief. Major League Baseball Vice-President Joe Torre agrees to hear the protest – a rare step in itself – but on August 26th, the protest will be denied as the umpires acted within the margin of discretion granted them.

2017 – Rich Hill of the Dodgers pitches 9 no-hit innings against the Pirates at PNC Park – but has nothing to show for it. Carrying a perfect game through 8 innings, Hill loses that bid when the Pirates’ lead-off batter in the 9th, Jordy Mercer hits a hard smash to third that Logan Forsythe fails to field, being charged with an error. Hill retires the next three batters however, but the Dodgers having failed to score all day, he is back on the mound for the start of the 10th and Josh Harrison hits a walk-off homer that barely reaches the seats, handing him a 1 – 0 loss instead of a place in history.

PODCAST Season 3, Episode 4 - Foxx, Marichal, Berra, Stairs, Perry

PODCAST Season 3, Episode 4 – Foxx, Marichal, Berra, Stairs, Perry

Craig Biggio and Brad Ausmus team up to massacre the Cubs, 13-3. Biggio blasts a pair of three-run homers for six RBIs while Ausmus drives in five on a 4-for-4 afternoon at Wrigley. Jose Lima is the beneficiary in an easy win. 

August 23 - Gaylord Perry ejected, Bob Feller debuts, and Rick Dempsey hits homer to win it in 22nd

August 23 – Gaylord Perry ejected, Bob Feller debuts, and Rick Dempsey hits homer to win it in 22nd

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