1. materials characteristic of baseball and the culture of baseball; 2. collectible baseball Americana
1972
The Pirates Roberto Clemente doubled off Jon Matlack during Pittsburgh’s 5-0 victory over the New York Mets. The hit was the 3,000th and last for the Pirates star right fielder, who was killed in a plane crash during the offseason while en route to deliver humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was 38 years old.
Continue readingOn This Day: September 30
1913
Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators finished the season with 36 victories after a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia A’s. He lost only 7 games that season, and had an ERA of a stingy 1.14.
1919
In the shortest recorded nine-inning game in Major League history—51 minutes!—the New York Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-1. Jesse Barnes of the Giants threw a complete game, striking out two and walking none. The Phillies pitcher, Lee Meadows, also threw a complete game and took the loss. Hall of Fame player George “High Pockets” Kelly had three hits for…
Continue readingOn This Day: September 28
1953
The St. Louis Browns play both their last game in Sportsman’s Park and the last game in the franchise’s 52-year history. Fittingly, they lose 2-1 to Billy Pierce and the Chicago White Sox in ten innings for their 100th defeat of the season.
1955
Ted Williams finishes the season at .356, well ahead of Al Kaline’s .340, but does not have enough at-bats to win the batting title. The same thing happened in 1954. Williams was walked 136 times in 1954 and 71 times (an American League leading 17 were intentional) this year. A rule change will later be instituted to recognize plate appearances,…
Continue readingOn This Day: September 26
1997
Pedro Martinez joins Curt Schilling of the Phillies in the 300-strikeout club. The Expos right-hander fans nine Marlins in a 3-2 victory to become the first pitcher in a quarter-century with 300 strikeouts and an ERA under 2.00 (Martinez finishes with an National League best 1.90 mark). The last time two pitchers fanned 300 in a season was 1972 when…
Continue readingOn This Day: September 25
1974
Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers (aka, “Mr. Tiger”) doubles off the Orioles Dave McNally for his 3,000th career hit, as the Tigers beat Baltimore, 5-4. Kaline would end the season, and his career, with 3,007 hits.
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Continue readingOn This Day: September 24
1998
Houston Astros’ Craig Biggio became only the second player of the 20th century to have 50 steals and 50 doubles in a season, joining Hall of Famer Tris Speaker. Biggio, with 51 doubles, singled for his second hit of the game and easily stole his 50th base with two outs in the sixth.
Continue readingOn This Day: September 23
1957
Duke Snider’s 39th and 40th home runs are the last that will be hit at Ebbets Field, the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Duke of Flatbush ties Ralph Kiner’s National League mark of hitting at least 40 home runs in five consecutive seasons. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Robin Roberts, who has a penchant for throwing home run balls, is the…
Continue readingOn This Day: September 22