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Saturday, April 30, 2016

Best Baseball Fights of 2015 Baseball Season


A look at the best fights during the 2015 baseball season. During the course of a long baseball season tempers will flare.

Abbott & Costello's Who's On First


This routine should require no introduction. I have enjoyed it over and over again since my grandfather introduced me to it in the late 60's.

Pitchers Hitting Home Runs 2015


The speculation of the National League adopting the designated hitter in the future last winter brought ire from the fans. Here is a look at home runs by pitchers from the 2015 season.

Ryan Braun's Hits Three Home Runs


April 30, 2012, Milwauke Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun hits three home runs and triple accounting for 15 total bases. Braun knocks in six runs, and it is the first time since Freddie Lynn of the Red Sox did it in 1975 that a player hits three home runs, and a triple in the same season. The Brewers win the game at Petco Park 8-3.

Willie Mays Smashes Four Home Runs


April 30, 1961, Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays smashes four home runs off the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium in Milwaukee. All four home runs were over 400 feet. Mays shot for a record fifth home run are denied as on deck when the last out is made by the Giants in the 9th inning. The Giants routed the Braves 14-4.

Bob Feller Tosses Second No-Hitter


April 30, 1946, Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller fired his second career no-hitter beating the New York Yankees 1-0 at Yankee Stadium. The only run of the game came on a 9th inning home run by catcher Frankie Hayes. 

Lou Gehrig Plays His Final Game




On April 3, 1939, Lou Gehrig played his last game for the New York Yankees. The Iron Horse went 0 for 4 against the Washington Senators in a 3-2 Yankee loss. The Hall of Fame first baseman concludes his career with 490 home runs, and a lifetime batting average of .340. He played in a record 2,130 consecutive games. A record that was held until broken by the Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken Jr.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Steve Carlton Registers 3,000th Strike


April 29, 1981, Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies strikes out his 3,000th hitter. Tim Wallach is the victim in a 6-2 Phillies win at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. He becomes the sixth pitcher in Major League Baseball history to accomplish the feat, and is the first southpaw to do so.

Baseball's Sad Lexicon



Baseball’s Sad Lexicon

Related Poem Content Details

These are the saddest of possible words: 
      “Tinker to Evers to Chance.” 
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds, 
      Tinker and Evers and Chance. 
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble, 
      Making a Giant hit into a double— 
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble: 
      “Tinker to Evers to Chance.”

Kirk Gibson's World Series Home Run


Kirk Gibson with a swollen knee, and a bad hamstring Gibson fell behind Dennis Eckersley 0-2 with a couple of painful looking swings. He was able to comeback working the count full. He then blasted a two-run homer that will be a World Series classic.

Warren Spahn No-Hits Giants



April 28, 1961, 40-year old Warren Spahn no-hits the San Francisco Giants 1-0 with Hank Aaron driving in the only run of the game. Spahn was an All-Star seventeen times, 1957 Cy Young Award winner, and he tossed two no-hitters. He had a won-loss record of  363-245 with an ERA 3.09, and 2,583 strikeouts during his career. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Hank Aaron Hits His 600th Home Run


April 27, 1971, Hank Aaron hits his 600th home run. He becomes the third member of the 600 home run club, Willie Mays, and Babe Ruth are the other two. His home run comes off San Francisco Giants right-hander Gaylord Perry.

1947 Babe Ruth Day At Yankee Stadium


April 27, 1947, it is Babe Ruth Day at Yankee stadium, and 58,000 people pack the stands to honor the "Bambino." The fans are treated to a pitchers duel in which the Yankee Spud Chandler is out dueled by the Washington Senators Sid Hudson. lose 1-0. Babe Ruth died of cancer on August 16, 1948 at the age of 53.

Scott Erickson Fires No-Hitter


April 27, 1994, Scott Erickson no-hits the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 at the Metrodome. It is the first no-hitter at the stadium. He was the third Twins pitcher to throw a no-hitter. Scott Erickson's won-loss record 142-136 with an ERA of 4.59 for his career. His best year was 1991, when he led the American League in wins, and was a member of the All-Star team.

Derek Lowe No Hits The Devil Rays


April 27, 2002, Derek Lowe tosses a no-hitter at Fenway Park over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a 10-0 rout. It was the first no-hitter at Boston's Fenway Park since September of 1965 by Dave Morehead, who no-hit the Cleveland Indians. Lowe faced only 28 batters in the game, and finished the no-hitter with only 97 pitches thrown.

James Earl Jones Reads Casey At The Bat


Casey at the Bat is a poem written by Ernest Thayer in 1888. DeWolf Hopper recited the poem on stage  over 10,000 times by his count. Thayer was a humor columnist for the San Francisco Examiner at the time he wrote the poem.

Kevin Millwood No Hits The Giants


April 27, 2003, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Kevin Millwood no-hits the San Francisco Giants. Millwood will need only 108 pitches to dispose of the Giants. It is the ninth no-hitter in Philadelphia Phillies history. Millwood would finish his career with 169-152 with an ERA 4.11. On June 8, 2012, Millwood would pitch in a combined no-hitter.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Anibal Sanchez Whiffs 17 Atlanta Braves


On this date in baseball history, right-hander Anibal Sanchez whiffs 17 Atlanta Braves to break Tiger great Mickey Lolich's record of 16, that been set in 1972. The total of 17 strikeouts was accomplished in eight innings of work. The Tigers clubbed the Braves 10-0 in the game. Thus far in his career Sanchez is 82-76 with a 3.75 ERA.

Jack McCarthy Sets Record


April 26, 1905, Chicago Cubs outfielder Jack McCarthy throws out three runners at home plate preserving a 2-1 Cubs victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. All three out resulted in double plays. The 36-year old journeyman outfielder played for Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Superbas, Cleveland Naps, and the Cincinnati Reds, He finishes with a slash line of .287/.333.365.

Sadaharu Oh Hits First Home Run


April 26, 1959, Sadaharu Oh, the most prolific home run hitter in the history of professional baseball connects on his first home run of his career. He will another 867 home runs before his playing days are done. Below is a home run from an exhibition when he was 55 years old. He played his entire career with the YomiYomiuriuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball from 1959 to 1980.


Harry Chiti Traded To Cleveland


April 26, 1962, Harry Chiti a catcher known for his defense is traded by the Cleveland Indians  to the New York Mets  for a player to be named later. June 15, 1962, Harry Chiti is the player to be named later in the deal. He becomes the first player in Major League Baseball to be traded for himself. Dickie Noles, Brad Gulden, and John McDonald would allow follow Chiti being traded for themselves. He never played in another major league after being traded. He played two more years at AAA before calling it a career. He played for the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets.

Kevin Mitchell Makes Barehand Catch


On April 26, 1989, San Francisco Giants Kevin Mitchell races into the left-field corner in an attempt to catch a slicing ball hit by Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals. He over runs the slicing ball reaches up to catch it with his bare hand.

Vladmir Guerrero's Hits 100th Home Run



April 26, 2000, Vladimir Guerrero hits his 100th career home run for the Montreal Expos. The clip above is the young outfielder connecting on his first home run against the Atlanta Braves in 1996. The 100 home run comes at the expense of Julian Tavarez of the Colorado Rockies at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Guerrero would play 16 seasons of Major League Baseball, He finished with 449 home runs, 1496 RBI, and a batting average of .318. He was a nine time All-Star, 2004 American League Most Valuable Player, and an eight time Silver Slugger Award winner. 

Ryne Sandberg Breaks Record


On this date in baseball history, Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs hits his 267th home run. Breaking Joe Morgan's record, Sandberg would end up with 282 career home runs. He retired with .285 batting average with 2,386 hits. Sandberg was a 10 time All-Star, 1984 National League Most Valuable Player, 9 time Gold Glove Award winner, 7 time Silver Slugger Award winner, and his #23 has been retired by the Chicago Cubs. In 2005, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Alex Rodriguez 10 RBI Game


On this date in baseball history, Alex Rodriguez hits three home runs in his first three times to the plate knocking in 10 runs. He falls short of  the Yankee's  Tony Lazzeri American League record of 11 set in 1936. He is only one of eleven players to accomplish the feat of 10 RBI or more in a single game. The clip above shows all of A-Rod's three home-run games.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Mike Piazza's 400th Home Run


April 26, 2006, Mike Piazza becomes the 41st player in Major League Baseball History to hit 400 home runs. He hits an upper deck shot against the Arizona Diamondbacks to enter the 400-home run club. In his career he will hit 427 home runs with 1335 RBI. Piazza was a 12 time All-Star, 10 time Silver Slugger Award winner, and 1993 Rookie of the Year. He was elected to Baseball Hall of  Fame 2016.

Baseball History: Mariners Acquire Randy Johnson


April 25, 1989, the Seattle Mariners trade their starter Mark Langston, and minor league player Mike Campbell to the Montreal Expos for Brian Holman, Gene Harris, and a lefty named Randy Johnson. Johnson would anchor the Mariners staff for the next ten seasons. He would finish with a 130-74 record with a 3.42 ERA in Seattle. He would be a ten time All-Star, win five Cy Young Awards, a World Series Most Valuable Player Award, pitched both a no-hitter and a perfect game. He also pitched for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco Giants. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Hoyt Wilhelm Makes His Major League Debut


April 23, 1952,  on this date in baseball history Hoyt Wilhelm makes his major league debut with the New York Giants. The twenty-year old hurler homers in his first at bat, two days later he will triple in his second major league plate appearance. Wilhelm will have 432 official more at-bats in 21-year career without ever hitting a home run or triple again. He served in World War II, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where he received a shrapnel wound in the back something he would play with his entire career. The knuckleball pitcher would have a won-loss record of 143-122 with 228 saves in his career. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985,

Larry Doby Baseball Pioneer



Larry Doby was the first black player to play in the American League signing with the Cleveland Indians in 1947.  He would make a his major league debut with the Indians that year, but would have his official rookie season in 1948. The last season the Cleveland Indians won the World Series.  
Before signing with the Indians, Doby had been a star in the Negro league star playing there four seasons, which was interrupted by a two-year stint in the U.S. Navy during WW II.   In 1946, he was part of the Newark Eagles team that won the Negro league title. 
Doby would play for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White So and Detriot Tigers. Doby enjoyed his best offensive season in 1954, when he hit 32 home runs and have 126 RBI. He would hit 20 or more home runs in 8 seasons, last being with the Chicago White Sox in 1956.
Doby was a seven time all-star all in a Cleveland Indians uniform. He would win the American home run title in 1952, and 1954. In 1998, he was elected by the veteran's committee to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  His #14 has been retired by the Cleveland Indians.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Forbes Field Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates


Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was home of the Pittsburgh Pirates from June 30, 1909 until the last game on June 28, 1970. It also served as the home of the Pitt Panthers from 1909-1924, Pittsburgh Steelers 1933-1963, Homestead Grays of the Negro League 1922-1939.

Last Days Of The Polo Grounds



White Sox Execute Triple Play


April 22, 2016. The Rangers hit into a triple play with the bases loaded in Chicago. The play was scored 9-3-2-6-2-5, the first time it has happened in major league history. The play happened in the 7th inning of the game, and the White Sox went on to win 5-0. The triple play is the first in Major League Baseball during the 2016 season.

Johnny Mize Establishes Home Run Mark


On this date in 1947 slugging first baseman Johnny Mize became the first major league baseball player to hit three home runs in a game five times. Mize hits his three off Johnny Sain of the Milwaukee Braves in a 6-2 Giants win at the Polo Grounds. Mize hit 359 home runs in his career with 1,337 RBI, The "Big Cat" as he was known finished with a.312 batting average. He played his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and finished  1953  with the New York Yankees. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Fernando Tatis Hits Two Grandslams


April 23, 1999,Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis becomes the only player in Major League Baseball history to hit two grand slams in the same inning. He also broke the record for most RBI in an inning with eight. The accomplishment came in the third inning off Los Angeles Dodgers starter Chan Ho Park.

Hank Aaron Hits First Home Run



On April 23, 1954, Vic Raschi of the St. Louis Cardinals serves up the first of 755 home runs to Milwaukee Braves outfielder Hank Aaron at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Braves went on to win the game in extra innings 7-6. 

Friday, April 22, 2016

Jake Arrieta No-Hits The Cincinnati Reds


April 21, 2016. Jake Arrieta's no-hitter in the 16-0 rout of the Cincinnati Reds is the 15th in Chicago Cubs history. He becomes the third pitcher for the Cubs to register multiple no-hitters. Ken Holtzman did it in 1969, 1971. and Larry Corcoran did it three times in 1880, 1882, and 1884. No Chicago Cubs pitcher has ever hurled a perfect game.

Alejandro Carrasquel First Venezuelan To Play In MLB



On April 23, 1939, right-hand pitcher Alejandro Eloy Carrasquel becomes the first Venezuelan to play in Major League Baseball game. He come out of the Washington Senators bullpen to face the New York Yankees. He strikes out Joe DiMaggio, gets Lou Gehrig to ground out, and Bill Dickey to pop out to retire the side in order. Carrasquel had a won loss record of 50-39 with an ERA of 3.73. He played most of his Major League Baseball Career with the Washington Senators, and made a brief appearance with the Chicago White Sox. He was elected to the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

John Smoltz Registers 3,000th Strikeout


On this day in baseball history Atlanta Braves right-hander John Smoltz becomes the 16th pitcher in MLB history to register 3,000 strikeouts. During the course of his career, he would finish with a won-loss record of 213-155 with 154 saves, and an ERA of 3.33. He would register a total of 3,084 strikeouts for his career. He pitched for the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals. His #29 has been retired by the Atlanta Braves. He won the 1996 Cy Young Award, 1997 Silver Slugger Award, and an 8 time All-Star. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

2007 Red Sox Hit Four Straight Homers


April 22, 2007, New York Yankees pitcher Chase Wright became the second pitcher in baseball history to surrender four straight home runs. In the third inning of the game Wright gave up home runs to Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell,  and Jason Varitek. The Red Sox won the game, and Wright was sent down to the minor leagues. Wright would be called up to pitch one game in September his last Major League appearance. His career record of 2-0 with 7.20 ERA.

Chris Bosio Tosses No-Hitter


On April 22, 1993, Chris Bosio of the Seattle Mariners walks the first two hitters in the game, but proceeds to retire the next 27 batter for a no-hitter. The no-hitter is preserved on the last out of the game when defensive wizard shortstop Omar Vizquel makes a bare-hand play, and throw to first to end the game. Bosio will have a won-loss record  94-93 in a career with the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Seattle Mariners. Bosio has enjoyed a successful career as a pitching coach, and currently holds that position with the Chicago Cubs.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Chicago Cubs Acquisition of Ferguson Jenkins


On this day April 21, 1966. The Chicago Cubs send pitchers Larry Jackson, and Bob Buhl to the Philadelphia Phillies in return for future Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, outfielder-first baseman John Herrnstein, and outfielder Adolfo Phillips. Jackson and Buhl would combine to go 47-53 for the rest of their careers. Starting in 1967, Jenkins would win 20 plus games a season for six consecutive seasons. He would finish with a record of 284-226 with an ERA of 3.34, striking out 3,192. He was a three time All-Star selection, and won the 1971 Cy Young Award.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers. His #31 has been retired by  the Chicago Cubs, where he ended his career in 1983.

Phil Humber Hurls Perfect Game


On this day on April 21, 2012, the Phil Humber of the Chicago White Sox hurls a perfect game at SafeCo Field in Seattle as the White Sox down the Mariners 4-0. He becomes the third White Sox pitchers to accomplish the feat in team history. Humber struggled throughout his career finishing with a 16-23 record with an ERA of 5.31. He signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres for 2016, but opted to retire on March 29, 2016.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Julio Franco: The Oldest Player To Homer


April 20, 2006. Julio Franco becomes the oldest player to homer in a Major League Baseball history surpassing Jack Quinn of the Philadelphia A's (ironically Quinn was a pitcher). The feat was accomplished at PetCo Park in New York Mets 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres. He will go on to hit another home run for the New York Mets  in the following season at 48, it will be his last after 23 seasons in the major leagues.

Tom Seaver Tribute


April 20, 1967. The New York Mets Tom Seaver earns his first major league baseball victory beating the Chicago Cubs 6-1 at Shea Stadium. Seaver would earn another 310 major league wins in his Hall of Fame career. He will finish career 311-205 with an ERA of 2.86, and fanned 3,640 major league hitters.  During his career, he will hurl for the Mets, Reds, White Sox, and Red Sox. He was a 12 time All-Star, won the Cy Young Award three times, pitched a no-hitter, and 1967 National League Rookie of the Year. He was a member of the 1969 World Series Champion New York Mets. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. His #41 has been retired by the New York Mets.

Addie Joss Tosses A No-hitter


April 20, 1910. Addie Joss of the Cleveland Naps  no-hit the Chicago White Sox 1-0, on Oct. 2, 1908, he had pitched a perfect game against Hall of Famer Ed Walsh of the White Sox. He became the first pitcher to no-hit the same team twice. It was a feat that wouldn't be duplicated again until Tim Lincecum of the Giants no-hit the Padres in 2013 and again in 2014. Joss was 160-97 with an ERA of 1.89. He died tragically at 31, on April 14, 1911 from tuberculous meningitis. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978 be the Veteran's Committee.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

In Memory of Milt Pappas, His No-Hitter


April 19, 2016, former Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas passed away. Pappas pitched seventeen years in Major League Baseball. He was 209-164 with an ERA of 3.40. He was a three-time All-Star, and had 43 career shutouts. He tossed a no-hitter on September 2, 1972, missing a perfect game when umpire Bruce Froemming squeezed the plate with Larry Stahl at the plate. He pitched for the Orioles, Reds, Braves, and closed out his career with the Cubs from 1970-1973.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Jim "Catfish" Hunter: A Remembrance


Jim "Catfish" Hunter debuted in 1965 for the Kansas City A's as a 19-year old. He would go on to enjoy a Hall of Fame career. He had a career record of 224-166 with an ERA of 3.26. He won 20 plus games five seasons in a row (1971-1975). He was an eight time All-Star, won the 1974 Cy Young Award winner, and 5 time World Champion. His #27 has been retired by the Oakland A's, Arm trouble forced his early retirement from the game. Hunter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. He died from ALS in 1999.


John McGraw Begins Managerial Career in 1899


April 18, 1899. Hall of Fame Manager John McGraw manages his first game with the old Baltimore Orioles, and beats the New York Giants. He would later manage the Giants for 30 years, and spent 33 years as Major League manager. He had a career record of 2763-1948 (.586 winning percentage). He won 10 Pennants, and three World Series Championships. He was known as Mugsy, and stood only 5-3, but was one most fearless managers in baseball history. The film is the New York Giants training in 1917.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Mike Schmidt Hits His 500th Home Run


April 18, 1987. Mike Schmidt hammers his 500th career home run. The home run is hit off Don Robinson at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. It is hit in the ninth inning sending the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. He becomes the 14th hitter in Major League Baseball history to top the 500 home runs mark.

Mark Buehrle Hurls No-Hitter


April 18, 2007. Mark Buehrle hurls a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers. It is the 16th no-hitter in White Sox history, and the first at home since 1967. It is the first at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle faces the minimum of 27 batters. He picked off the Rangers Sammy Sosa in the 5th inning.

Pedro Martinez Wins 200th Game


April 17, 2006. The New York Mets Pedro Martinez earns his 200th win beating the Atlanta Braves 4-3 at Shea Stadium. Martinez would finish his career with 219-100 record, and an ERA of 2.93. He would win only eight more games the rest of the season.

Ubaldo Jimenez Throws First Rockies No-Hitter


April 17, 2010. Ubaldo Jimenez no hits the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. His no-hitter is preserved in the seventh inning when outfielder Dexter Fowler makes a great catch. It is the first no-hitter in the history of the Colorado Rockies. Jimenez would have the best season of his career that season going 19-8 with an ERA of 2.88.

Barry Bonds Hits 500th Home Run


April 17, 2001. Barry Bonds hits his 500th home run into McCovey Cove at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco becoming the fourth Giant to hit the 500 home run mark. Willie Mays and Willie McCovey would join him for a ceremony at home plate.

Mike Schmidt Hits Four Home Runs


April 17, 1976. Mike Schmidt crushes four home runs  in a come from behind victory at Wrigley Field. The Phillies trailed 13-2, and behind the four home runs of Schmidt rally for an 18-16 win. I was doing my homework at my desk in my room listening to the game in disbelief at the comeback, By games end, I just had my head in hands in shock. Mike Schmidt would hit 38 home runs on the season with 107 RBI, and a season slash line of .262/.393/514,

Remembering Roberto Clemente


April 17, 1955. Roberto Clemente begins his Hall of Fame career with a single off Johnny Podres of the Dodgers. Clemente would bang out 2,999 more hits before he tragically lost his life in a plane crash on December 31, 1972. Clemente was bringing relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua when the plane he was in crashed. His career slash line was .317/.359/.475 with 240 home runs and 1305 RBI. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in  1973 via of a special election.

Gary Sheffield Hits His 500th Home Run


April 17, 2016. Forty year-old Gary Sheffield with the New York Mets in his final major league playing season hit his 500th career home run. He enjoyed a 22-year career in the major leagues. He hit 509 home runs and had 1676 RBI. He had a career batting average of .292, on base percentage of .393, his slugging percentage was .514. He began his career with the Milwaukee Brewers and played for a total of eight teams in his career. Sheffield tended to polarize fans, but he was always a tough out at the plate.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Albert Pujols Hitting Three Home Runs Vs. Cincinnati


April 16, 2006. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols unloads on the Cincinnati Reds for three home runs including a two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth to give the Cardinals an 8-7 victory.

Bob Feller Tribute


April 16, 1940. Bob Feller no-hits the Chicago White Sox 1-0 on opening day. It is the only no-hitter to have been thrown in a Major League Baseball opener. He would go on to win a career high 27 games that year. He enjoyed an 18-year career, but missed three seasons during World War II. He was 266-162 over the length of his career with an ERA of 3.25. He would throw two more no hitters during his career. He was an eight time All-Star elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Burt Hooton Tossed No-Hitter vs. Phillies


April 16, 1972, on this day in baseball history Burt Hooton no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies striking out Greg Luzinski to end the game. We huddled around with dad to listen to every pitch after the fifth inning. Hooton would be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975, and would be a solid member of their rotation for ten seasons, and finished his career with the Texas Rangers. He was 151-136 with an ERA of 3.38 for his career.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Andre Dawson Hits 400th Home Run


April 15, 1993. Playing for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park,  Andre "The Hawk" Dawson launched his 400th career home run. In his career he would be an eight time All-Star, 8-time Gold Glove winner, 4 time Silver Slugger winner, 1987 MVP, and was 1977 Rookie of the Year in the National League. In 2010, The Hawk was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Juan Nieves Tosses First No-Hitter In Brewer History




April 15, 1987. On this day in baseball history Milwaukee Brewers lefty Juan Nieves tossed the first no-hitter in Milwaukee Brewers history. He is the only Brewer to throw a no-hitter. He is the youngest pitcher to accomplished the feat. He was 32-25 in his career with an ERA of 4.71. His promising career was derailed by an arm injury. His accomplishment was the first no-hitter pitched by a Puerto Rican in Major League baseball history. Nieves has had a career serving in a coaching capacity for various major league organizations.

Jackie Robinson's MLB Debut


April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson makes his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers to become the first black player in the major leagues since the 1880. Robinson would enjoy a Hall of Fame career with the Dodgers. He was the National League MVP in 1949, National League Rookie of the Year in 1947. He was two-time stolen base champion, and was on the National League All-Star team six times.  He hit .311 for his career, had an on base percentage of .409, and slugging percentage of .474. He was honored by Major League Baseball by having his number retired by all teams. In 1962, Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Mickey Mantle's 500th Home Run




On May 14, 1967, Mickey Mantle unloaded on a pitch from Stu Miller of the Baltimore Orioles. It was the 500th home run of his distinguished career. Mantle would retire at the end of the 1968, and I don't remember seeing him play. The Hall of Fame outfielder  hit some of the longest home runs in baseball history. 


Duke Snider Hits Three-Run Walk off Home Run


At 36, Duke Snider played his lone season for the New York Mets, where he hit this three-run home run that was a walk off shot against the St. Louis Cardinals. Snider was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980, played the majority of his career with the Dodgers in Brooklyn. He hit 407 career home runs with 1333 RBI, with a career slash line of .295/.380/.540 (batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage). Snider known also as the Duke of Flatbush was an eight time all-star.

Willie Mays Makes His Famous Over the Shoulder Catch



Willie Mays famous catch in game one of the 1954 World Series off the bat of Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians. A series in which the Giants went on to sweep the Indians. When I started following baseball, Mays was past his prime. The part of the love of baseball became the stories my dad told me of baseball in the 1950's. When watching Mays late in his career dad would often say "You should've seen him in his prime."

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Pete Rose's 4,000th Hit



On this day in baseball history Pete Rose collected his 4,000th hit at Olympic Stadium in Montreal off Philadelphia's Jerry Koosman a double into the rightfield corner. It came 21 years to the date of his first hit in 1963 off of the Pittsburgh Pirates Bob Friend. You can leave us your comments on whether Pete Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame or not.

Jody Gerut Hits First Home Run At Citi Field



On this date in baseball history Jody Gerut hit the first home run at Citi Field. Gerut tagged a 1-1 pitch from Mike Pelfrey over the rightfield wall to become the first  batter to homer in a regular season opener at a major league park. The Padres would go on to beat the Mets in their debut at Citi Field 6-5.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Philadelphia's Shibe Park




On this date in baseball history Shibe Park in Philadelphia becomes the first concrete and steel stadium in Major League baseball history. It was originally the home of the Philadelphia Athletics, and a shared facility with the Philadelphia Phillies beginning in 1938. Renamed in Connie Mack stadium in 1953, in honor of Connie Mack's long service as the Athletics manager. The A's played in the park until 1954, when they moved to Kansas City for the 1955 season. It was the home of the Philadelphia Phillies until Veteran's Stadium became their new home. The ballpark was demolished in 1975.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Ken Griffey Jr. First Career Home Run



On this day in baseball history Ken Griffey jr. connected on the first pitch he saw at the Kingdome off the White Sox's Eric King for a home run. It is his father Ken Griffey Sr's birthday, he is an outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. It is the first of the 630 home runs that he would hit in his career

Griffey, or Junior as he was known was an 13 times All-Star, awarded with 10 Gold Gloves, 7 Silver Slugger award, 1997 American League MVP, and will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a part of the class of 2016.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Vin Scully Calling Hank Aaron Breaking Ruth's Home Record


I remember the anticipation of watching this game, and a chance to see the home run record fall. It was something we talked about school for days. My friend Danny, who was the only known Braves fan in our part of the world. In five years living in the neighborhood, I don't think he ever took off his Braves cap.

 As I grow older, it is one of my many baseball historic moments that I shared with my late father. The anticipation, my dad reciting stats why Aaron's accomplishment paled in comparison to "the Babe." When the historic moment happened all was forgotten, he had witnessed baseball history with his son reciting the highlights of Aaron's career. A moment in an imperfect childhood that will remain as a cherished memory.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

2016 Chicago Cubs Hype Video



The 2016 season could be a historic one for the Chicago Cubs. A good video to get the blood pumping for any Cubs fan. In my 48th year following the Cubs, I hope this is "the year." It should be a season filled with fun, and many highlights. Enjoy.

Blogposts

Bob Wicker: Dead Ball Era Hurler

Bob Wicker was born at Bono,IN, and lived in Bedford,IN. He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds from ...