This Day In Baseball May 12

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

Events for May 12

In a National League contest played at the South End Grounds, Umpire Van Cort infuriates the visiting Detroit Wolverines when he calls their batter out on a third-strike foul tip. Mike Hines, the Beaneaters’ backstop, clearly did not catch the strike three because the ball becomes wedged in his catcher’s mask.

Chief Bender of the Philadelphia Athletics pitches a 4 – 0 no-hitter against the Cleveland Naps. Bender, who misses a perfect game by issuing a walk, will compile a 23-5 record during the season.

Issuing just one walk, which spoils his bid for a perfect game, A’s right-hander Chief Bender, who is part Chippewa, throws a 4-0 no-hitter at Shibe Park against the Cleveland Naps (Indians). The home plate umpire is Bill Dinneen, who tossed a no-hit game against the White Sox playing with the Pilgrims (Red Sox) in 1905, making him the only person in big league history to both throw a no-hitter and call one as an umpire.

Using just 67 pitches, Red Faber of the Chicago White Sox throws a complete game victory, beating the Washington Senators on three hits, 4 – 1.

Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators wins his 400th career game.

Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators wins his 400th career game.

 Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators records his 400th career win when he defeats the St. Louis Browns, 7 – 4, to reach the rarely-achieved milestone.

Carey Selph of the Chicago White Sox collects his ninth strikeout of the season. But it won’t happen again. Selph will go another 89 games without striking out, to set a major league record, hitting .283 in 396 at-bats in his second and last season. Selph’s record will last until 1958, when Nellie Fox sets a new mark with 98 consecutive games whitout striking out.

Joe Medwick hits two home runs and two doubles to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 15 – 3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

At Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl, Ducky Medwick hits two home runs and two doubles. The Cardinal outfielder’s 12 total bases contribute to the Redbirds’ 15-3 rout over the Phillies.

After five years of being called the Bees, the National League franchise in Boston is once again known as the Braves.

After five undistinguished seasons of being called the Bees, the National League club in Boston reverts to its original name. New owners of the Braves had hoped to change the team’s image by renaming the franchise.

5/12/1948: Joe DiMaggio hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning at Yankee Stadium off Gene Bearden of the Indians. There was one out at the time. The game was rained out in the bottom of the fourth.

Ted Williams apologizes to Red Sox fans for the ‘insulting’ gestures he made after being booed by the Fenway Faithful for allowing the eventual winning run to score on his second error of yesterday’s game. In response to the patrons’ vocal displeasure, the ‘Splendid Splinter’ had bowed three times to various sections of the Boston ballpark and made an obscene gesture with his finger.

5/12/1953: Carlos Bernier of the Pirates led off the top of the second inning with a homer off Cincinnati’s Eddie Erautt for the first run of the game. With one out in the bottom of the fifth and the Pirates ahead, 5-1, the game was rained out. Bernier hit three homers in his career.

Sam Jones becomes first black pitcher to fire no hitter

Sam Jones becomes first black pitcher to fire no hitter

Sad Sam Jones Autographed 1x3.5 Cut Signature Chicago Cubs #83964209 - PSA/DNA Certified

Toothpick Sam Jones of the Chicago Cubs becomes the first black pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter

Carl Erskine of the Brooklyn Dodgers hurls a no-hitter against the New York Giants

Carl Erskine of the Brooklyn Dodgers hurls a no-hitter against the New York Giants

Carl Erskine of the Brooklyn Dodgers pitches a 3 – 0 no-hitter against the New York Giants. Erskine strikes out three and walks two. His masterpiece at Ebbets Field is the second no-hitter of his career. His first came in 1952 against the Chicago Cubs.

Willie Mays Signed Photograph - Certified 7x9 Authentic - JSA Certified

Willie Mays hits first Grand slam for San Fran Giants

Willie Mays hits the first grand slam in the history of the San Francisco Giants. Mays also belts another home run in a 12 – 3 victory over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants moved from New York to San Francisco prior to the season.

In a 12-3 rout of their West Coast rival, Willie Mays homers twice against the Dodgers in the LA Memorial Coliseum contest. The ‘Say Hey Kid’s’ second round-tripper, a fifth-inning shot off Ed Roebuck, is the first grand slam ever hit by a San Francisco Giant.

At Yankee Stadium, Yogi Berra commits an error as his errorless streak of 148 games for a catcher comes to an end in a New York 7 – 6 loss to Cleveland.

New York Mets reliever Craig Anderson wins both ends of a doubleheader – then loses 16 straight

New York Mets relief pitcher Craig Anderson wins both ends of a doubleheader. Success will soon turn to failure, however: Anderson will lose his next 16 decisions on the season and 19 decisions overall. In fact, he will never win another game in the major leagues.

Lou Brock hits a RBI single in the 12th inning and gives the St. Louis Cardinals a 4 – 3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the opening of Busch Memorial Stadium. Felipe Alouhits two home runs for Atlanta.

Lou Brock 3000 hit

Lou Brock hits a walk off single in extra innings as Cardinals open new Busch Stadium

bob gibson Bob Gibson becomes the seventh pitcher in National League history to strike out the side on nine pitches.

Bob Gibson becomes the seventh pitcher in National League history to strike out the side on nine pitches.

Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals becomes the seventh pitcher in National League history to strike out the side on nine pitches. Gibson enjoys his feat against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as part of a 6 – 2 win for St. Louis.

Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs becomes the ninth player to join the 500-home run club

Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs becomes the ninth player to join the 500-home run club

Ernie Banks hits his 500th career home run off Pat Jarvis in the Cubs’ 4 – 3 victory over Atlanta at Wrigley Field. It is also his 1,600th career RBI. The ball, after it bounces back onto the field, is retrieved by Braves left fielder Rico Carty, who gives it to Banks. Carty, meanwhile, hits safely in his 30th consecutive game.

Heinie Manush dies in Sarasota, Florida, at the age of 69. Manush won the American League batting championship in 1926, and twice led the league in hits. A lifetime .330 hitter, Manush gained induction to the Hall of Fame in 1964.

Hall of Fame outfielder Heinie Manush dies at the age of 69

Hall of Fame outfielder Heinie Manush dies at the age of 69

At Royals Stadium, a potential game-ending routine fly ball becomes an Amos Otis walk-off inside-the-park home run as Reggie Jackson and Mickey Rivers collide in the outfield. The misplay turns a sure Goose Gossage save into a sour loss for the current World Champion New York Yankees.

Bill Murray, anchorman on Saturday Night Live Weekend Update reports 42 year-old Chico Escuela (a fictional baseball player portrayed by Garrett Morris) has informed the Mets that he is quitting baseball. Although baseball has been “berra berra good…” to him, a crushing blow off the bat of Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey into the Dominican’s infielder’s crotch ends an inspiring comeback.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mario Soto is one out away from a no-hitter when the Cardinals’ George Hendrick hits a home run to tie the game, 1 – 1. Cincinnati then rallies for a run in the bottom of the 9th inning to give Soto a one-hit, 2 – 1 victory.

Rick Reuschel of the San Francisco Giants records his 200th major league win, beating Montreal, 2 – 1.

Jerry Goff, playing in his first game of the season, ties a modern major league record when he allows six passed balls in the Astros’ 7-6 loss to the Expos at Olympic Stadium. The 32 year-old Houston backup backstop, filling in for starter Rick Wilkins, who caught all 13 frames of yesterday’s extra-inning loss to Montreal, equals the dubious mark for misplaying six pitches in one game shared by Harry Vickers (1902 Reds) and Geno Petralli (1987 Rangers).

In a Jet magazine article, Frank Thomas, “hurt” and “embarrassed” by the portions of his ESPN interview that ABC’s “Nightline” used in their segment about Jackie Robinson, says the piece misrepresented his remarks. The White Sox All-Star was shown saying that he rarely thinks about Robinson’s efforts in breaking down baseball’s color barrier.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez strikes out 15 batters for the second consecutive game in a 9 – 2 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

The Angels shut out the Yankees, 1 – 0, behind the combined three-hit pitching of Chuck Finley and Troy Percival. Finley strikes out 11 Yankees in his eight innings of work, including four in the 3rd inning, to become the 33rd pitcher in history to strike out four in a single frame.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, who posted 17 strikeouts in his last start on May 6th against Tampa Bay, strikes out 15 in a 9 – 0 shutout over the Orioles, to tie an American League record set by the Indians’ Luis Tiant in 1968 for most strikeouts over two games.

Not only is Milwaukee’s 4-hour, 22-minute, 14 – 8 drubbing of Chicago the longest 9-inning game in National League history, it also features one of the longest home runs in the history of Wrigley Field. A picture circulated by the Associated Press puts it this way: “Rick Frohock celebrates on the rooftop of a three-story building on Waveland Ave. behind the left-field bleachers of Wrigley Field after catching a home run hit by Chicago’s Glenallen Hill against the Brewers. It was believed to be the first time a ball landed on top of the apartment building.” Hill’s shot is estimated at 490 feet by the next day’s press accounts and eventually measured at 500 feet.

Striking out 15 Orioles, Boston’s Pedro Martinez ties an American League record set in 1968 by Indian hurler Luis Tiant for most strikeouts over two games, 32. The Red Sox fireballer had 17 strikeouts in his last start against the Devil Rays.

A.J. Burnett pitches an unlikely no-hitter, overcoming nine bases on balls to lead the Marlins over San Diego, 3 – 0.

Ramón Arano plays in a Mexican League game for the 6th different decade, the only player to do so. The 62-year-old pitcher allows one run in 3 1/3 innings for the Veracruz Eagle and leaves with a 1-1 score against the Nuevo Laredo Owls.

Major League Baseball is ordered by arbitrator Alan Symonette to reinstate nine of the 22 “resigning” umpires let go two years before, and to grant back-pay for the time missed. The order also states that veteran umpires Frank Pulli and Terry Tata do not need to retire after the season, as previously planned.

Carlos Delgado hits his 204th home run in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform, surpassing Joe Carter in the all-time Blue Jays career leader in homers.

A.J. Burnett no hits Sand Diego Padres

A.J. Burnett no hits Sand Diego Padres

In one of the most remarkable at-bats in major league history, Alex Cora fouls off 14 consecutive pitches and then hits the 18th pitch over the right field fence for a two-run home run off Cubs pitcher Matt Clement. The homer extends Los Angeles’s lead to 4 – 0. The Dodger Stadium crowd cheers each foul ball as the total starts to be displayed on the scoreboard.

In one of the most remarkable at-bats in big league history, Alex Cora fouls off 14 consecutive pitches and then hits the 18th thrown to him by the Cubs’ Matt Clement over the right-field fence for a two-run home run which doubles LA’s lead to 4-0. The Dodger Stadium crowd cheered each foul ball, watching the increasing total displayed on the scoreboard.

In the second game of a doubleheader, the Indians lose, 3 – 0, to the Blue Jays against Shaun Marcum and two relievers. The historic note goes to Cleveland, which is involved in the 6th unassisted triple play in franchise history (3 for them, 3 against them) and the 14th overall in major league annals. In the 5th, Cliff Lee lets the first two men reach. Lyle Overbay hits a liner that is caught by a diving Asdrubal Cabrera at second. Cabrera steps on the bag to force Kevin Mench, then tags out Marco Scutaro to complete the trifecta. Also of note is that Ron Hansen, involved in a 1968 unassisted triple play against Cleveland, is at the game as a Phillies scout.

In the nightcap of a twin bill against the Blue Jays, Asdrubal Cabrera completes the 14th unassisted triple play in major league history. The Indians second baseman catches Lyle Overbay’s line drive, then steps on second to force out Kevin Mench, and gets the third out tagging Marco Scutaro, the runner from first base.

Major League Baseball issues a warning to the Phillies after investigating allegations made by the Colorado Rockies that bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer used binoculars to steal signs from the centerfield bullpen in the game between the teams on May 10th. In today’s game, Colorado wins, 4 – 3, as Miguel Olivo goes 5 for 5, capping his perfect day with a walk-off home run off Chad Durbin in the 10th inning.

The Nationals continue to surprise, beating the Mets, 6 – 4, at Citi Field, thanks to Roger Bernadina’s first two homers this year. The second is a two-run shot off closer Francisco Rodriguez in the 9th inning and comes moments after Bernadina makes a diving game-saving catch to rob Jeff Francoeur with the bases loaded. Nats starter Craig Stammen contributes the other 3 RBI but does not figure in the decision; instead, reliever Tyler Clippard picks up his major-league leading 7th win, followed by Matt Capps’s 14th save, which is also a major league high so far this season.

Due to security concerns raised as a result of the G-20 Summit in Toronto, MLB switches the Phillies’ scheduled visit to Canada to play the Blue Jays to Philadelphia. The visitors will be considered the home team, batting last, and can employ a designated hitter in the National League’s Citizens Bank Park.

2011 – Carlos Beltran belts 3 homers and drives in 6 runs as the Mets beat the Rockies, 9 – 5, after a two-hour rain delay. Beltran homers from both sides of the plate and to all three fields in his power display. Ubaldo Jimenez, who set a Rockies season-record for wins in 2010, falls to 0-3.

Chris Sale of the White Sox throws the third major league one-hitter in three days in beating the Angels­, 3 – 0. Sale takes a perfect game into the 7th before Mike Trout singles with one out; he needs only 98 pitches to record his first career shutout.

Dè Flanegin sets a new Hoofdklasse record for games played all for a single team. He passes Jurjan Koenen with his 692nd game for the Pioniers, but his club loses 3 – 1 to The Hawks behind a pitching gem from fellow veteran Elton Koeiman.

Yankee right fielder Alfonso Soriano becomes only the seventh player to collect a thousand hits in both leagues when he singles off Mets starter Bartolo Colon in the bottom of the second inning of the team’s 9-7 loss at the Bronx ballpark. The 38 year-old Dominican outfielder, who is also the first major leaguer to record 100 HRs, 500 RBIs, 500 runs, and 100 RBIs in each circuit, joins Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield, Vladimir Guerrero, Fred McGriff, Orlando Cabrera, and Carlos Lee in reaching the milestone.

The Mariners tie a team record by hitting six homers in an 11 – 4 win over the Padres at Safeco Field. Nelson Cruz hits his major league-leading 15th home run, while Mike Zunino hits two, and Kyle Seager, Justin Ruggiano and Logan Morrison complete the barrage.

The Red Sox’s bats are red hot as they score 11 or more runs for the fourth straight game in defeating Houston, 11 – 1. They are the first team to score in double figures in four straight games since 2007, and by also collecting 14 or more hits in all four games, match a feat last performed by the 1930 Philadelphia Athletics. Jackie Bradley extends his hitting streak to 18 games, longest in the majors so far this year. Boston has now won 14 of its last 18 games.

Buster Posey homers in the 17th inning to send the Giants to a 3 – 2 win over the Reds, in a game that takes 5 hours and 28 minutes. Posey’s shot off Robert Stephenson is the latest walk-off homer in San Francisco’s history, bettering a 16th-inning blast by Willie Mays in 1963. Umpire Tony Randazzo has to leave the game in the 13th, feeling the after-effects of having been hit in the face by a Johnny Cueto fastball back in the 5th.

George Springer has a great day, going 5 for 5 with 2 homers as Houston defeats Texas, 15 – 5, completing a four-game sweep. He starts his day with a leadoff homer off Adrian Sampson and caps it off with a two-run shot off Brett Martin in the 6th, also scoring five times. For his part, teammate Alex Bregman also homers twice and drives in 5 while Corbin Martin is a winner in his big league debut.

2007 – Roy Oswalt sails to his sixth win in a 10-4 bombing of the Diamondbacks. Mike Lamb and rookie Hunter Pence crunch three hits apiece, including a home run. Carlos Lee and Luke Scott also go deep. Lee leads the league in RBIs with 34. Craig Biggio ties Sam Crawford on the all-time hits list at 2,964 while passing Carl Yastrzemski for seventh on the all-time doubles list (647). 

1996 – Reserve catcher Jerry Goff ties a modern major-league record, allowing six passed balls in a 7-6 loss to Montreal. Goff also plunks a homer and goes two-for-four in his final major league appearance. 

1989 – Jim Deshaies goes the distance with a four-hitter as Houston trips the Cubs, 3-1.Gerald Young and Billy Hatcher execute a double steal for the game’s first run, with Young crossing the plate. 

1978 – Reliever Tom Dixon singles home Julio Gonzalez in the 14th inning for a wild 5-4 victory in New York. It’s his first big league hit. Houston scores twice in the ninth to reach extra innings then takes the lead in the 12th on a two-run homer by Enos Cabell. Ken Forsch can’t hold the lead, setting up Dixon’s heroics. 

1974 – Cincinnati fans hurl beer, ice, cups and insults at an injured Bob Watson after the left-fielder crashes head-first into the fence. It happens in the nightcap of a doubleheader loss at Riverfront. Watson’s glasses shatter. He gets twelve stitches to his face at a local hospital.

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