This Day In Baseball October 26

The history of sports is both vast and rich, thanks to the existence of so many different events and the longevity associated with them. With so much history to cull through, We offer the opportunity to look back and see what memorable things happened or milestones were reached on October 26 in baseball history.

Notable Events and Chronology for October 26

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October 26, 1887

The World Series winds up with a game back at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis. St. Louis wins the final game but loses the series‚ 10 games to 5. Sam Thompson leads all hitters in the series with a .362 average.

October 26, 1911

With a seven-run seventh inning in Game 6, the A’s coast to win the World Series

October 26, 1931

1931 – Charles Comiskey dies at age 72. The Chicago White Sox owner and pioneer player never recovered from the betrayal of the 1919 World Series.

October 26, 1934

Boston Red Sox acquire shortstop Joe Cronin from the Washington Senators for Lyn Lary

October 26, 1940

Detroit Tigers outfielder Hank Greenberg is named the American League MVP for second time

October 26, 1946

Westbrook Pegler, a syndicated columnist, becomes the first to question in print the off-field association of Leo Durocher with actor George Raft and others allegedly tied to gamblers. The Pulitzer Prize winning writer’s expose of the Dodgers manager will start a series of events that will lead to the ‘Lip’s’ one year suspension in 1947.

October 26, 1949

The San Francisco Seals complete an 11-game trip to American-occupied Japan

October 26, 1950

The Baseball Writers Association of America selects New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the American League MVP

October 26, 1950

Walter O’Malley succeeds Branch Rickey as president of the Dodgers

October 26, 1960

In a move designed to get a jump on the National League in the expansion race, the American League grants franchises to Washington and Los Angeles, and okays the Senators’ move to Minnesota. The decision to place a new team in Washington is partly political because the owners fear the nation’s lawmakers, upset about losing the American League’s oldest club, will threaten baseball’s anti-trust exemption.

October 26, 1971

Vida Blue of the Oakland Athletics wins the American League Cy Young Award by a 98-85 margin over Mickey Lolich 

October 26, 1977

1977 – Sparky Lyle of the New York Yankees becomes the first American League reliever to win the Cy Young Award. Lyle led the league with 72 appearances, posting a 13-5 record with 26 saves and a 2.17 ERA.

October 26, 1979

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notifies Hall of Famer Willie Mays that if he accepts a position with the Bally Manufacturing Corporation he must disassociate himself from major league baseball

October 26, 1980

Former Yankee and Tiger skipper Ralph Houk comes out of retirement to manage the Red Sox

October 26, 1980

1980 – Al Rosen is named as General Manager. The former Cleveland slugger comes from the New York Yankees’ front office where owner John McMullen used to be a minority partner. Tal Smith is fired as President and General Manager, days before he is awarded Major League Executive of the Year for building the Astros in five seasons into their first pennant-winner. Angry HSA partners force a reorganization, reducing McMullen’s power to make executive decisions without their consent.

October 26, 1982

Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies becomes the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards

October 26, 1985

Don Denkinger’s controversial ninth-inning call at first base enables the Royals to beat the Cardinals forcing a game 7

October 26, 1987

1987 – Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams announces his NFL team will not leave Houston for Jacksonville, after agreements are made to increase seating capacity and add luxury suites to the Astrodome. This sets the wheels in motion that would change the appearance of the Dome, removing the giant centerfield scoreboard and Judge Hofheinz’ now-vacant right field apartment. 

October 26, 1991

Kirby Puckett turns out the lights in the 11th with a home run to force a seventh game in 1991 World Series

October 26, 1995

The ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 5 of the World Series is thrown by Commander Ken Bowersox, who is onboard the space shuttle Columbia. The ceremony, transmitted from space via satellite and shown to the Indians and Braves fans at Jacobs Field, continues with an animation sequence on the scoreboard that ends with a ball that appears to fly in and land in center field.

October 26, 1995

1995 – In the World Series, pitcher Orel Hershiser allows just two runs over eight innings and reliever Jose Mesa survives a two-run home run by Ryan Klesko in the 9th inning to give the Indians a 5 – 4 win over the Braves in Game 5.

October 26, 1996

New York Yankees clinch their 23rd World Championship by defeating the Atlanta Braves, 3-2

October 26, 1997

Edgar Renteria singles home Craig Counsell, giving the Florida Marlins their first World Series title with a 3-2 win over the Indians

October 26, 1998

Potential free-agent All-Star catcher Mike Piazza signs the most lucrative contract in major league history when he agrees to terms with the Mets. The seven-year deal is worth over $91 million and includes having a suite on road trips and a luxury box for home games at Shea.

October 26, 1999

Chad Curtis leads off the tenth inning with his second home run of the game, giving the Yankees a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory over the Braves, and a commanding 3-0 lead in the World Series. The outfielder becomes the 11th player to end a Fall Classic game with a round-tripper when he goes deep off Atlanta reliever Mike Remlinger.

October 26, 2000

The Yankees win their third consecutive World Series, their fourth title in five years

October 26, 2002

Angels comeback after being down 5-0 to force 7th game in world series

October 26, 2003

Citing disagreements with team owner George Steinbrenner, Don Zimmer resigns as the bench coach of the Yankees. ‘Popeye’, a close friend of skipper Joe Torre, will be named Senior Baseball Advisor for the Devil Rays before the start of next season.

October 26, 2004

Manny Ramirez hits a two-run home run as the Boston Red Sox defeat the St. Louis Cardinals, 4 – 1, for their third consecutive victory

October 26, 2004

Prior to Game 3 of the World Series, Edgar Martinez receives the Roberto Clemente Award, an honor given to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team. A native of Puerto Rico, the Mariners designated hitter, like the award’s namesake, is involved in a number of charitable causes.

October 26, 2005

Chicago White Sox defeat the Astros, 1-0, to earn their first World Series title since 1917

October 26, 2005

Bobby Valentine becomes the first foreign manager to win the Japan Series in the 70-year history of Japanese baseball. Sweeping the Hanshin Tigers, the former Rangers and Mets skipper leads the Chiba Lotte Marines to their first league championship in 31 years.

October 26, 2007

Dmitri Young is announced as the National League Comeback Player of the Year by the MLB Players Trust and Yahoo! Sports. The big first baseman, who was released by the Tigers early last season due to both on and off-the-field issues, joined the Nationals as a non-roster player and became an All-Star selection for Washington, finishing the season with a .320 batting average, the tenth best in the circuit.

October 26, 2007

The MLB Players Trust and Yahoo! Sports announce the selection of Devil Rays first baseman Carlos Pena as the American League Comeback Player of the Year. After missing most of the past two seasons and being told he wouldn’t make the team in this year, the first baseman went on to set Tampa Bay’s single-season records in homers, RBIs, and walks.

October 26, 2008

In a 10-2 rout of the Rays in Game 4 of the World Series, right-hander Joe Blanton hits a home run, making it only the 15th time in the history of the Fall Classic that a pitcher has homered. Ken Holtzman was the last hurler to accomplish the feat when he went deep off Andy Messersmith in 1974.

October 26, 2008

The Hank Aaron Award, given annually to the top offensive player in each league, is presented to Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis (.312, 29, 115) and Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez (.289, 27, 111). The honor was established in 1999 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Hall of Fame outfielder surpassing Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record.

October 26, 2009

Tony La Russa agrees to a one-year contract to return for his 15th season as manager of the Cardinals. The Redbirds have appeared in the postseason eight times under their 65 year-old skipper, including a World Championship in 2006.

October 26, 2009

The Padres formally introduced 35 year-old Jed Hoyer as the team’s new general manager. The former assistant to Boston’s GM Theo Epstein replaces Kevin Towers, who held the position in San Diego for 14 seasons.

October 26, 2009

Mark McGwire will join his former manager Tony La Russa on the Cardinals’ bench as the team’s hitting coach, replacing Hal McRae. The one-time single season home run champ, whose reputation was ruined when he infamously refused to answer questions about the use of steroids during a 2005 congressional hearing, had La Russa for his skipper in 15 of the 16 years he played in the major leagues, both in Oakland and St. Louis.

October 26, 2010

The Nationals notify Jim Riggleman he will be returning as the team’s manager next year. Washington finished last in the National League East for the third consecutive season, but improved by ten games in the win column, finishing the campaign with 69 victories.

October 26, 2011

New Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein announces the appointment of Jed Hoyer, who worked with him with the Boston Red Sox, as the team’s new general manager. The San Diego Padres are expected to name Josh Byrnes as Hoyer’s replacement and will receive a player in compensation from the Cubs.

October 26, 2013

With runners on second and third with one out, Jon Jay’s grounder results in Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia easily throwing out Yadier Molina at the plate. After making the tag at home, Boston backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s errant throw to third base causes third baseman Will Middlebrooks to collide with Allen Craig, who had gone to third and appears to be thrown out while advancing to home, but the umpires ruled that the infielder interfered the baserunner, giving the Cardinals an unusual 5-4 walk-off victory in the first World Series game to ever end on an obstruction call.

October 26, 2014

Cardinal rookie Oscar Taveras, who participated in seven postseason games with St. Louis earlier in the month, dies in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic. The 22 year-old outfielder, who batted .320 and slugged .516 as a minor leaguer, was considered by many to be a ‘can’t miss prospect’.

October 26, 2014

Madison Bumgarner hurls a four-hit, complete-game, blanking the Royals, 5-0, in Game 6 of the World Series. The southpaw’s victory, giving the Giants a 3-2 edge, is the first shutout thrown by starter in the Fall Class since Josh Beckett accomplish the feat for the Marlins at Yankee Stadium in 2003, and the first for the franchise since 1962 when Jack Sanford whitewashed New York in 1962.

October 26, 2016

The Cubs tie up the World Series with a 5 – 1 win over the Indians in Game 2. Jake Arrieta does not allow a hit until the 6th, while the Cubs score against Trevor Bauer in the top of the 1st and add runs in the 3rd and 5th. Anthony Rizzo scores twice while Kyle Schwarber drives in a pair.

October 26, 2017

2017 – In a surprising move, the Yankees announce that Joe Girardi will not return as manager in 2018, despite the fact that he took a young team that was not expected to contend to within one game of the World Series­.

October 26, 2018

2018 – The Dodgers win a marathon Game 3 in the World Series, 3 – 2 over the Red Sox, on a walk-off homer by Max Muncy off Nathan Eovaldi to lead off the 18th inning. The game lasts 7 hour and 20 minutes and begins with a great start by Walker Buehler, who shuts out the Sox for 7 innings. But Los Angeles can only score one run on a solo homer by Joc Pederson in the 3rd, and in the 8th Boston ties the score on a two-out homer by Jackie Bradley off Kenley Jansen. The two teams trade runs in the 13th when the Dodgers manage to score on a two-out error by 2B Ian Kinsler. The score remains at 2 – 2 until Muncy ends the game as Eovaldi begins his 7th inning of work. The game’s total time and the 18 pitchers used are both postseason records.

Todays Major League Birthdays On October 26

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Roland Hemond Stats & Facts

Elio Chacon Stats & Facts

Bill Gogolewski Stats & Facts

Toby Harrah Stats & Facts

Steve Rogers Stats & Facts

Mike Hargrove Stats & Facts

Wayne Garland Stats & Facts

Dave Coleman Stats & Facts

Steve Ontiveros Stats & Facts

Monk Sherlock Stats & Facts

Hugh Shelley Stats & Facts

Snuffy Stirnweiss Stats & Facts

Jack Cassini Stats & Facts

Bud Byerly Stats & Facts

Tommy Glaviano Stats & Facts

Dick Bokelmann Stats & Facts

Danny Coulombe Page

Wilfredo Boscan Page

Dominic Leone Page

Dwight Smith Page

Eric Skoglund Page

Harry Chappas Stats & Facts

Frank Wills Stats & Facts

Ed Vande Berg Stats & Facts

Gus Polidor Stats & Facts

Steve Adkins Stats & Facts

Gil Heredia Stats & Facts

Zach Crouch Stats & Facts

Rafael Novoa Stats & Facts

Scott Lydy Stats & Facts

Mark Sweeney Stats & Facts

Armando Almanza Stats & Facts

Marty McLeary Stats & Facts

Ryan Bradley Stats & Facts

Scott Sobkowiak Stats & Facts

Jaime Cerda Stats & Facts

Francisco Liriano Stats & Facts

Jesus Flores Stats & Facts

Andy Sommers Stats & Facts

Kid Gleason Stats & Facts

Parke Wilson Stats & Facts

Bill Garfield Stats & Facts

John Gilroy Stats & Facts

Ed High Stats & Facts

Doc Newton Stats & Facts

Charlie Swindells Stats & Facts

Lee Tannehill Stats & Facts

Gerry Shea Stats & Facts

Jock Somerlott Stats & Facts

Harry Camnitz Stats & Facts

Harry Chapman Stats & Facts

Swede Carlstrom Stats & Facts

Dick Hoblitzell Stats & Facts

Tommy Griffith Stats & Facts

George Winn Stats & Facts

Skipper Friday Stats & Facts

Roy Moore Stats & Facts

Otto Vogel Stats & Facts

John Dailey Stats & Facts

Fred Gunkle Stats & Facts

Frank Selee Stats & Facts

Major League Baseball Deaths On October 26 

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Dave Cole Stats & Facts

Bill Kirk Stats & Facts

Bill Graham Stats & Facts

Bill Cronin Stats & Facts

Vern Underhill Stats & Facts

Tom Angley Stats & Facts

Gus Mancuso Stats & Facts

Bob Scheffing Stats & Facts

Eddie Silber Stats & Facts

Russ Derry Stats & Facts

Bill Bevens Stats & Facts

Lyman Linde Stats & Facts

Bud Podbielan Stats & Facts

Fred Marsh Stats & Facts

Jim Blackburn Stats & Facts

Bobby Avila Stats & Facts

Oscar Taveras Page

Jeff Robinson Stats & Facts

Ed Lennox Stats & Facts

Jake Knodell Stats & Facts

Dan Sullivan Stats & Facts

Charlie Comiskey Stats & Facts