This Day In Baseball October 28

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

Events for October 28

Lou_Boudreau

Lou Boudreau Day held to honor the world champion Cleveland Indians

The Red Sox trade catcher Les Moss and Tom Wright for Gus Niarhos and outfielder Ken Wood

The Red Sox trade catcher Les Moss and Tom Wright for Gus Niarhos and outfielder Ken Wood

1953 – Red Barber resigns from the Brooklyn Dodgers broadcast booth and takes a job with the rival New York Yankees.

Red Barber resigns as a Brooklyn Dodger broadcaster and will take the ‘catbird’ seat with the rival New York Yankees. The ‘Old Redhead’ is reported to have left the team because he was upset with Brooklyn owner Walter O’Malley, who refused to support him when he failed to get a higher fee from Gillette, the sponsor of the 1953 World Series on television.

1954 – Major League Baseball owners vote down the sale of the Philadelphia Athletics to a hometown syndicate. A week later, Arnold Johnson will buy a controlling interest in the Athletics from the Mack family for $3.5 million and move the team to Kansas City.

Major league owners vote down the sale of the Philadelphia A’s to a hometown syndicate. A week later the Mack family sells a controlling interest to Arnold Johnson, who will move the team to Kansas City.

Major league owners vote down the sale of the Philadelphia A’s to a hometown syndicate. A week later the Mack family sells a controlling interest to Arnold Johnson, who will move the team to Kansas City.

1958 – In San Francisco, construction begins on the new ballpark for the Giants. The rocks in the area resembled candlesticks.

On Candlestick Point, an area in which the rocks resembled candlesticks, construction begins on the Giants’ new ballpark in San Francisco. The transplanted team will play their games at Seals Stadium until a new ballpark on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay is ready.

1961 – Workers break ground on a new ballpark in Flushing Meadows, Queens, NY. Shea Stadium will become the home of the expansion New York Mets in 1964.

Three thousand spectators witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony for the $18,000,000 Municipal Stadium in the Queen’s Flushing Meadow Park. The future home of the Mets, as well as the NFL’s Titans, is expected to ready for Opening Day in 1963, will be known as Shea Stadium in honor of Bill Shea, the lawyer who helped to bring back the National League to the Big Apple.

Three thousand spectators witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony for the $18,000,000 Municipal Stadium in the Queen’s Flushing Meadow Park. The future home of the Mets, as well as the NFL’s Titans, is expected to ready for Opening Day in 1963, will be known as Shea Stadium in honor of Bill Shea, the lawyer who helped to bring back the National League to the Big Apple.

1968 – Future Hall of Famer Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals wins his first Cy Young Award. Gibson is a unanimous choice after dominating hitters with a 22-9 record and an ERA of 1.12 during the “Year of the Pitcher.”

1979 – The New York Yankees replace fired manager Billy Martin with Dick Howser, the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles and a former coach with the Bronx Bombers. In 1980, Howser will lead the Yankees to 103 victories but will be fired in turn after failing to advance in the ALCS.

Dick Howser replaces Billy Martin as the Yankee manager. The former Florida State baseball head coach, who spent the previous ten years as the team’s third base coach, compiles a 103-59 record, leading the team to an American League East championship, but hands-on owner George Steinbrenner fires the independent-minded skipper after being swept by Kansas City in the playoffs.

Dick Howser replaces Billy Martin as the Yankee manager. The former Florida State baseball head coach, who spent the previous ten years as the team’s third base coach, compiles a 103-59 record, leading the team to an American League East championship, but hands-on owner George Steinbrenner fires the independent-minded skipper after being swept by Kansas City in the playoffs.

The Dodgers win 4 straight to win 1981 World Series

The Dodgers win 4 straight to win 1981 World Series

The Padres trade Keith Moreland and Chris Brown to the Tigers for pitcher Walt Terrell

The Padres trade Keith Moreland and Chris Brown to the Tigers for pitcher Walt Terrell

1989 – The Oakland Athletics complete a sweep in the World Series with a 9 – 6 win over the San Francisco Giants. Rickey Henderson’s home run supports starter and winner Mike Moore. Dave Stewart is named Series MVP after winning the first and third game of the Series, which was interrupted by an earthquake.

The A’s complete the sweep of the Giants in the earthquake-delayed Fall Classic with a 9-6 victory at Candlestick Park. Right-hander Dave Stewart, who is named the series MVP, becomes the first hurler to win two games in both the LCS and World Series.

The A’s complete the sweep of the Giants in the earthquake-delayed Fall Classic with a 9-6 victory at Candlestick Park. Right-hander Dave Stewart, who is named the series MVP, becomes the first hurler to win two games in both the LCS and World Series.

The first-ever Branch Rickey Award recipient is Blue Jay outfielder/DH Dave Winfield, selected from 28 nominees, one player from each major league club. The honor, bestowed by representatives from the media and Rotary Club, will be given annually to the major leaguer who makes significant contributions to the community, exemplifying the service club’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

1995 – The Braves win their first World Series since moving to Atlanta with a 1 – 0 shutout of Cleveland in Game 6. Pitchers Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combine on a one-hitter and David Justice hits a home run in the 6th inning for the only run. Jim Poole is the losing pitcher.

In Game 6, Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combine on a one-hitter to defeat the Indians, 1-0, giving the Braves their third World Championship, the first since moving to Atlanta. David Justice’s leadoff homer in the sixth inning off Jim Poole proves to be the difference.

In Game 6, Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combine on a one-hitter to defeat the Indians, 1-0, giving the Braves their third World Championship, the first since moving to Atlanta. David Justice’s leadoff homer in the sixth inning off Jim Poole proves to be the difference.

Curt Flood-the reserve clause

The Curt Flood Act

Randy Johnson fires 3 hitter and Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams

Randy Johnson fires 3 hitter and Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams

In Game 6 of the 2001 Korean Series, the Doosan Bears lead the Samsung Lions, 6 – 5. One out away from the title, Doosan faces a tough situation with two men on and regular-season home run leader Seung-yeop Lee coming up to face struggling closer Pil-jung Jin. At the height of the drama, the outfield lights go out, causing a 15-minute delay. Lee will wind up singling but the runners don’t score and Jin gets the final out to lock up a Korean Series win for the Bears. Tyrone Woods, who hit four home runs, is named MVP.

Curt Schilling, who named his son Gehrig, receives the Roberto Clemente Award for his contributions to numerous charities, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which is better known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”. The Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher, who won the World Series opener yesterday, was selected due his outstanding baseball skills combined with devoted work within the community.

Curt Schilling, who named his son Gehrig, receives the 2001 Roberto Clemente Award for his contributions to numerous charities, including ALS, which is better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The Diamondback right-hander, who won the World Series opener yesterday, was selected due to his outstanding baseball skills, combined with devoted work within the community.

Curt Schilling, who named his son Gehrig, receives the 2001 Roberto Clemente Award for his contributions to numerous charities, including ALS, which is better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The Diamondback right-hander, who won the World Series opener yesterday, was selected due to his outstanding baseball skills, combined with devoted work within the community.

With his seventh inning three-run shot off New York’s Andy Pettitte, Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams. The Diamondback third baseman homered in the Fall Classic for the Indians in 1997 and with the Giants in 1989.

The New York Mets, after being unable to get permission to talk to manager Lou Piniella from Seattle, and deciding not to wait ten days after the World Series for the availability of San Francisco skipper Dusty Baker, give Art Howe a four-year, $9.4 million deal to manage the team. Howe managed the Oakland Athletics to two AL West titles in 2000 and 2002 with his teams winning 383 games during the last four seasons, matching Joe Torre’s total for the Yankees. A day later, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will name Piniella as their team’s new skipper, signing him to a four-year contract. As compensation to sign Piniella away from Seattle, Tampa Bay will send All-Star outfielder Randy Winn, who hit .298 with 14 home runs and 75 RBI, to Seattle for minor leaguer Antonio Perez.

The Florida Marlins do not renew the contract of John Routh, the 43-year-old man who has been known as mascot “Billy the Marlin”, since Florida’s first game in 1993. Although Billy will return next season, a new person will be hired to wear the 35-pound costume as the team seeks to increase the mascot’s visibility by changing the overall role of the character.

After being unable to get permission to talk to Lou Piniella from Seattle and deciding not to wait ten days after the World Series for the availability of Giant skipper Dusty Baker, the Mets give Art Howe a four-year, $9.4 million deal to manage the team. New York’s new skipper led the A’s to a pair of AL West championships (2000, 2002), with his teams winning 383 games during the last four seasons, matching Joe Torre’s Yankee total.

The Marlins do not renew the contract of John Routh, the 43 year-old man who has been Billy the Marlin since Florida’s first game in 1993. Although ‘Billy’ will return next season, a new person will be hired to wear the 35-pound costume as the team seeks to increase the mascot’s visibility by changing the overall role of the character.

Signing the veteran manager to a four-year contract, the Devil Rays name Lou Piniella as their team’s new skipper. As compensation to sign ‘Sweet Lou’ away from Seattle, Tampa Bay sends their All-Star outfielder Randy Winn (.298, 14, 75) to Seattle for minor leaguer Antonio Perez.

After being unable to get permission to talk to Lou Piniella from Seattle and deciding not to wait ten days after the World Series for the availability of Giant skipper Dusty Baker, the Mets give Art Howe a four-year, $9.4 million deal to manage the team. New York’s new skipper led the A’s to a pair of AL West championships (2000, 2002), with his teams winning 383 games during the last four seasons, matching Joe Torre’s Yankee total.

The Marlins do not renew the contract of John Routh, the 43 year-old man who has been Billy the Marlin since Florida’s first game in 1993. Although ‘Billy’ will return next season, a new person will be hired to wear the 35-pound costume as the team seeks to increase the mascot’s visibility by changing the overall role of the character.

Signing the veteran manager to a four-year contract, the Devil Rays name Lou Piniella as their team’s new skipper. As compensation to sign ‘Sweet Lou’ away from Seattle, Tampa Bay sends their All-Star outfielder Randy Winn (.298, 14, 75) to Seattle for minor leaguer Antonio Perez.

Jon Lester

Jon Lester starts and earns the victory to clinch the World Series for Red Sox

The Uni-President Lions win Game 7 of the 2007 Taiwan Series, 4 – 2, for their fifth title. They beat the La New Bears, who had beaten them in the 2006 Series in a sweep. Nelson Figueroa wins his third game of the Series to earn MVP honors in leading the Lions to the title, while the bottom of the batting order paves the way in this contest with some clutch hitting.

The Red Sox win their second Championship of the decade, with their sweep of the Rockies in the 2007 World Series. Colorado had won 21 of 22 games entering the Series before falling flat. They lose Game 4 by a 4 – 3 score, thanks to 5 2/3 scoreless innings from Jon Lester. Mike Lowell is named World Series MVP.

With a 4-3 win over the Rockies at Coors Field, The Red Sox, for the second time in four years, complete a four-game sweep to win the World Series. Terry Francona becomes the first manager to win his first eight games in the Fall Classic.

During the middle of Game 4 of the World Series between the Red Sox and the Rockies, si.com reports Alex Rodriguez has decided to opt out of his contract with the Yankees. The timing of the announcement and being a no-show at the game to receive the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the most outstanding offensive performer in each league, are severely criticized by fans and the media.

2009 – The Philadelphia Phillies win Game 1 of the 2009 World Series, 6 – 1, over the New York Yankees, as Cliff Lee outpitches CC Sabathia in a duel of former Cy Young Award winners. Chase Utley hits a pair of homers. It is the latest starting date in the history of the Fall Classic.

In Game 1, Chase Utley, en route to a record-tying five World Series homers, becomes the first left-handed batter in 81 years to hit two round-trippers off a southpaw in a Fall Classic game. The Philadelphia second baseman, who also set a postseason record by reaching base in 26 straight games with his first-inning walk, goes deep twice off Yankee southpaw CC Sabathia in the Phillies’ 6-1 victory in New York, to match Babe Ruth’s performance in the fourth and final game of the 1928 series.

In Game 1, Chase Utley, en route to a record-tying five World Series homers, becomes the first left-handed batter in 81 years to hit two round-trippers off a southpaw in a Fall Classic game. The Philadelphia second baseman, who also set a postseason record by reaching base in 26 straight games with his first-inning walk, goes deep twice off Yankee southpaw CC Sabathia in the Phillies’ 6-1 victory in New York, to match Babe Ruth’s performance in the fourth and final game of the 1928 series.

The Nippon Pro Baseball amateur draft is held. Six of the twelve teams pick Tatsuya Oishi of Waseda University, with the Seibu Lions winning bargaining rights. Four teams choose Oishi’s teammate, Yuki Saito, with the Nippon Ham Fighters winning bargaining rights. A third Waseda hurler (Yuya Fuki) is chosen by the Hiroshima Carp after their bid for Oishi fails; it is the first time a Japanese college has three pitchers chosen in the first round.

In Game 2 of the 2010 World Series, the Giants rout the Rangers, 9 – 0, but the score is only 1 – 0 in the 7th when Texas starter C.J. Wilson leaves with a blister on his finger. Matt Cain and two relievers combine on a four-hit shutout. Texas has allowed 20 runs in the first two World Series games in franchise history, setting a major league record.

Before Game 2 of the World Series at AT&T Park, Tim Wakefield receives the Roberto Clemente Award, in recognition of his excellence as a ballplayer and his commitment to the community. The 44 year-old Red Sox starter is actively involved with “Pitching in for Kids,” a nonprofit that provides grants to improve the lives of children across New England.

The St. Louis Cardinals win the 11th title of their history by defeating the Texas Rangers, 6 – 2, in Game 7 of the World Series. Texas takes a two-run lead in the top of the 1st, but Series MVP David Freese ties the score with a two-run double in the bottom of the inning. Chris Carpenter then keeps the Rangers from adding to their score, while Allen Craig hits a 3rd-inning homer off Matt Harrison. The Cards add two runs without getting a hit in the 5th and, typically, St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa uses four relievers to get the last 9 outs. It is an unlikely title for a team that was 10 1/2 games out on August 25th and twice was down to its last strike in Game 6.

The SK Wyverns win Game 3 of the 2011 Korean Series, 2 – 1, against the Samsung Lions. In all three games so far, neither team has scored more than two runs. Today, SK left fielder Jae-sang Park is the star, with a solo homer and a throw which retires a runner at home.

After being down by 10.5 games on August 25 for the NL Central Division lead, the Cardinals beat the Rangers at Busch Stadium, 6-2, in Game 7 of the Fall Classic to win their eleventh world championship in franchise history. In Game 6, the Redbirds had been down to their last strike in both the ninth and the 10th inning but rallied to tie the score and eventually win the game on David Freese’s lead-off, walk-off home run to centerfield in the 11th.

The Giants complete a sweep of the Tigers in the World Series with a 4 – 3, 10-inning win in Game 4. Miguel Cabrera, Delmon Young and Buster Posey all homer as the two teams are tied, 3 – 3, after 9, then Marco Scutaro drives in Ryan Theriot for the winning run in the top of the 10th. Sergio Romo ends the game by striking out Cabrera, picking up his third save. It is the Giants’ second Championship in three years. Pablo Sandoval, author of a three-homer performance in Game 1, is named World Series MVP.

In Game 2 of the 2012 Japan Series, Hirokazu Sawamura outduels Masaru Takeda, 1 – 0, to give the Yomiuri Giants another win over the Nippon Ham Fighters. All the scoring comes in the bottom of the 1st on a leadoff homer by Hisayoshi Chono. The Fighters rally in the 9th, getting men on the corners against reliever Tetsuya Yamaguchi, but Scott Mathieson relieves and gets pinch-hitter Tomohiro Nioka to end it.

At a press conference held before Game 4 at Detroit’s Comerica Park, Clayton Kershaw is named the recipient of the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award, an honor given to a major leaguer who demonstrates the value of helping others by his action off the field. The Dodger right-hander and his wife, Ellen, founded the Kershaw Challenge, which includes its cornerstone charity, “Arise Africa,” that helps the couple to build and sustain an orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia known as “Hope’s Home.”

At a press conference held before Game 4 at Detroit’s Comerica Park, Clayton Kershaw is named the recipient of the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award, an honor given to a major leaguer who demonstrates the value of helping others by his action off the field. The Dodger right-hander and his wife, Ellen, founded the Kershaw Challenge, which includes its cornerstone charity, “Arise Africa,” that helps the couple to build and sustain an orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia known as “Hope’s Home.”

The Red Sox take a 3 games to 2 lead in the World Series with a 3 – 1 win over the Cardinals. David Ortiz continues to be unstoppable at the plate, getting three more hits to increase his average for the Series to .733, while back-up C David Ross has the big blow, a tie-breaking ground rule double in the 7th. Jon Lester prevails over Adam Wainwright for the second time.

Masahiro Tanaka wins the Sawamura Award for 2013 after going 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA for the Rakuten Golden Eagles. He had previously won the award in 2011 and set Nippon Pro Baseball records for wins in consecutive starts and consecutive wins without a loss.

2014 – The Royals force a seventh game in the World Series by routing the Giants, 10 – 0, behind the pitching of rookie Yordano Ventura in Game 6. The Royals score 7 runs in the 2nd inning to chase starter Jake Peavy as every starting position player gets at least a hit and either scores or drives in a run.

In the fifth game of the World Series, Red Sox first baseman David Ortiz ties Billy Hatcher’s 1990 World Series record, reaching base in his ninth consecutive plate appearance. ‘Big Papi,’ the Fall Classic MVP, extends the streak that began in Game 3 with a fourth-inning single in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

In the fifth game of the World Series, Red Sox first baseman David Ortiz ties Billy Hatcher’s 1990 World Series record, reaching base in his ninth consecutive plate appearance. ‘Big Papi,’ the Fall Classic MVP, extends the streak that began in Game 3 with a fourth-inning single in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

The Royals take Game 2 of the World Series, 7 – 1 over the Mets, behind an outstanding performance by Johnny Cueto, who pitches a two-hitter. Eric Hosmer drives in two runs to put Kansas City ahead in the 5th and Alcides Escobar adds a run-scoring triple. It’s the first complete game by an American League pitcher in a World Series game since Jack Morris’s masterful performance in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.

Major League Baseball honors its top relief pitchers as Mark Melancon of the Pirates wins the Trevor Hoffman Award as the outstanding reliever in the National League while Andrew Miller of the Yankees wins the Mariano Rivera Award, its equivalent in the American League.

2016 – In the first World Series game played at Wrigley Field in 71 years, the Indians eke out a 1 – 0 victory over the Cubs in Game 3 of the 2016 World Series. Pinch-runner Michael Martinez scores the only run in the 7th when he is driven in from third base by pinch-hitter Coco Crisp’s single. Cody Allen ends the game by striking out Ben Zobrist with two runners in scoring position.

The Softbank Hawks open the 2017 Japan Series with a 10 – 1 romp at home over the Yokohama BayStars. Kodai Senga gets the win, Yuki Yanagita has two runs and two RBI and Alfredo Despaigne goes 3 for 4 with 1 run and 2 RBI to propel the Hawks to victory.

Kenley Jansen of the Dodgers becomes the first repeat winner of the Trevor Hoffman Award, given to the best relief pitcher in the National League, while Craig Kimbrel of the Red Sox wins the equivalent award in the American League, the Mariano Rivera Award. With this win, Kimbrel becomes the first pitcher to have won both awards.

Having worn the dreaded Golden Sombrero the day before, Cody Bellinger breaks out of his slump by leading the Dodgers to a 6 – 2 win over the Astros in Game 4 of the 2017 World Series. His double in the 7th leads to the tying run and another in the 9th drives in the go-ahead run as Los Angeles scores 5 times. Houston is limited to two hits, both solo homers, by George Springer and Alex Bregman, while Joc Pederson hits a three-run shot in the Dodgers’ big inning.

The Red Sox win their 9th Championship and 4th since 2004 by defeating the Dodgers, 5 – 1, in Game 5 of the World Series. David Price pitches 7 strong innings after allowing a lead-off homer to David Freese, but not before Boston had taken a 2 – 0 lead on a homer by Steve Pearce off Clayton Kershaw. Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and Pearce all hit solo shots later in the game to put the score out of reach, while Joe Kelly and Chris Sale combine to strike out the last six Dodgers batters in order. Pearce is named winner of the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.

After Game 1 of the 2018 Japan Series ended in a tie, the Hiroshima Carp beat the Softbank Hawks, 5 – 1, in Game 2. Kris Johnson retires 19 of the first 21 batters and Geronimo Franzua and Shota Nakazaki close it out. Seiya Suzuki has 3 hits and 3 RBI for Hiroshima, while Kosuke Tanaka has 3 hits and 2 runs.

2017 – Los Angeles blows open a tight 1-1 duel to score five times in the ninth, dropping the Astros, 6-2. Joc Pederson’s three-run homer off Joe Musgrove was the big blow. The World Series is tied at two games each. 

2005 – Thousands attend a victory rally near City Hall to celebrate the Astros’ first pennant in their 43-year history. Getting swept in the World Series did little to dampen the enthusiasm. Owner Drayton McLane says “give us one more year” to bring a World Championship to Houston. 

2004 – Houston agrees to pick up the contract option on outfielder Craig Biggio, assuring him an 18th season in an Astros uniform. Biggio owns franchise records in several categories and is coming off a season where he hits .281 with 24 home runs. 

2000 – Andujar Cedeno dies in an automobile accident in his hometown of La Romana, DR, at age 31. The shortstop arrives with high expectations and hits .250 with 31 homers during five seasons but he has trouble fulfilling his potential and is included in the mega-trade with San Diego, eventually returning from Detroit for three final big league games in 1996. 

1966 – Tim Bogar is born in Indianapolis, IN. He provides steady infield help for three division champions in Houston but bats just .207 when he gets a chance to start regularly in 2000.

Birthdays

Death