BB On this Date ~ Events & Birthdays #2

1945 Dodger shortstop Tommy Brown becomes the youngest player (17 years, eight months, and 14 days) in major league history to hit a home run. The round-tripper by 'Buckshot,' who started his career as a 16-year-old high school student, will be the only run Brooklyn scores off 30-year-old Pirates southpaw Preacher Roe, who goes the distance in the 11-1 rout of the home team at Ebbets Field.

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1946 Before the start of the game against the Senators at Griffith Stadium, Bob Feller's fastball is clocked at 98.6 miles-per-hour using the U.S. Army's Sky Screen Chronograph. The speed of the Indians right-hander's ball breaks Atley Donald's record of 94.7 mph, established by the Yankee hurler in 1939.

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1948 The largest crowd (78,382) ever to attend a night game sees Satchel Paige become the fourth consecutive Indian to throw a shutout when he blanks the last-place White Sox, 1-0, at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. The ageless wonder, joining Gene Bearden, Sam Zoldak, and Bob Lemon, helps the team establish a major league record with his one-hour and fifty-minute gem.

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1953 The Browns beat the Baltimore Orioles, the city's AAA minor league team, 8-2, in an exhibition game in front of a small crowd of 10,861 at Municipal Stadium. Undaunted by the low turnout of fans for the contest against the International League team, St. Louis owner Bill Veeck seeks and will receive permission to shift his franchise to the Charm City, a move denied by the American League owners last year.

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1957 In the nightcap of a doubleheader, Robert Keegen throws the White Sox's first no-hitter in twenty years, beating the Senators, 6-0. The Comiskey Park no-no is the first one thrown at night in franchise history.

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1961 In the second game of a doubleheader, the Phillies snap a 23-game losing streak when the team beat the Braves at Milwaukee's County Stadium, 7-4. The winning pitcher John Buzhardt, who wears jersey #23, throws a complete game, ending the Philadelphia's skid, a major league mark for the most consecutive defeats by a team.

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1963 In his first major league start, Grover Powell blanks the Phillies in the Mets' 4-0 victory at Connie Mack Stadium. The shutout will be the only big league win for the 21-year-old right-hander, who, after pitching four more scoreless innings in his next appearance, will lose his effectiveness when he is struck in the face by a line drive hit by Pittsburgh first baseman Donn Clendenon.

1963 A's right-hander Moe Drabowsky tosses a one-hitter against the Senators, going the distance in team's 9–0 victory in Kansas City's Municipal Stadium. Washington's lone hit is a fourth-inning bunt single by Don Blasingame, marking the third time the infielder spoils a no-hitter by getting the only safety in a game.

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1964 Due to a misunderstanding caused by Mickey Mantle misinforming his teammate that their manager Yogi Berra had asked for the harmonica to be played louder, a confrontation occurs on the back of the team bus between the skipper, who had actually requested for the music to stop, and utility player Phil Linz. Some believe the well-publicized incident fired up the third-place team to a successful pennant run but may have reinforced the perception Berra had lost control of the club, leading to his dismissal after Game 7 of the World Series.


1967 In the first game of a twin bill in Boston, switch-hitter Reggie Smith, in a 12-2 rout of the Angels, becomes the first Red Sox player to blast a home run from each side of the plate. Until today, no Fenway Park batter had accomplished the feat. In the nightcap of a doubleheader at Fenway Park, the Red Sox rally from an eight-run deficit to beat the Angels, 9-8. The big blow is Carl Yastrzemski's fifth-inning three-run homer, his second of the day, having gone deep with two men on in the first game.

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1974 In an 18-8 rout of the Cubs, the Dodgers collect 24 hits and set a club record with 48 total bases, including Davey Lopes' three home runs, double, and single. The Dodger second baseman's 15 total bases are the most ever for a leadoff hitter.

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1974 At Anaheim Stadium, Angel hurler Nolan Ryan throws a ball "officially" clocked at 100.9 miles per hour by the Guinness Book of World Records. The right-hander's pitch, tossed in a losing effort against Detroit, is the fastest pitch ever thrown in major league baseball. Ryan whiffs 19 batters in a game for the second time in eight days and the third time this season. The Angels' right-hander's stellar performance isn't enough when he loses to Detroit's Mickey Lolich in an 11-inning complete-game duel, 1-0.

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1978 In the visitors' clubhouse at Shea Stadium, Dodger Blue becomes black and blue when Steve Garvey confronts teammate Don Sutton about a Washington Post story in which the pitcher is critical of him. After the right-hander confirms he had made the comments, the argument becomes physical when he makes an inappropriate remark about the first baseman's wife.

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1980 Leo Sutherland's single with one out in the ninth inning spoils Dan Spilner's bid for a no-hitter against the White Sox. The 28-year-old Indian right-hander will get the next two outs and settle for a one-hit, 3-0 victory over Chicago at Comiskey Park.

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1985 Dwight Gooden, going the distance in the Mets' 3-0 victory over San Francisco at Shea Stadium en route to his 13th consecutive win, whiffs 16 batters to become the first National League pitcher to strike out 200 or more batters in each of his first two seasons. After improving his record to 19-3 with his sixth shutout, the 20-year-old sophomore matches Herb Score's accomplishment in the American League in 1955 and 1956 with the Indians.

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1989 The Mets have a busy day on the trading block when they send popular outfielder Mookie Wilson to the Blue Jays for pitcher Jeff Musselman and minor leaguer Michael Brady. New York also gets Frank Viola from the Twins for pitchers Rick Aguilera, David West, and Kevin Tapani and two minor leaguers.

1995 Indians closer Jose Mesa picks up his 37th save in as many opportunities to set a major league record. The right-handed reliever pitches a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the Tribe's 8-5 win over Milwaukee at Jacobs Field.

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1998 At Shea Stadium, Cardinal first baseman Mark McGwire becomes the first player in major league history to hit fifty home runs in three consecutive seasons. Mac's seventh-inning solo shot, the second of back-to-back round-trippers off Willie Blair, helps to defeat the Mets, 2-0.

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2000 The Yankees honor Whitey Ford, their winningest pitcher in franchise history, is honored during ceremonies on his day at Yankee Stadium. The crafty lefty holds the team record for victories (236), innings pitched (3,170 1/3), strikeouts (1,956), and shutouts (45).

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2001 Ken Griffey Jr. hits a walk-off, inside-the-park home run against the Cardinals, giving the Reds a 5-4 victory at Cinergy Field. The Cincinnati slugger, who missed half the season due to a pulled hamstring, circles the bases when the ball caroms of the centerfield fence, eluding outfielders Kerry Robinson and Jim Edmunds.

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2002 A judge issues a temporary restraining order preventing the sale of Barry Bonds' 600th career home run ball hit into the Pacific Bell Park stands on August 9th. Jay Arsenault, who allegedly promised friends after being given a game ticket to split any monetary gains if he caught the historic baseball, has been ordered to appear in court for a hearing on September 5th along with the prized souvenir.

2005 Using the equivalent of a 98-miles-per-hour major league fastball, 12-year-old Kalen Pimentel ties a Little League World Series record for strikeouts in a six-inning game. The preteen from Rancho Buena Vista strikes out 18 Owensboro batters (all of the recorded outs) when his team coasts to a 7-2 victory in the tournament pool.

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2005 The Royals snap their 19-game losing streak, beating the A's in Oakland, 2-1. The skid ends two games shy of the American League record of 21 straight defeats established by the Orioles in 1988.

2008 Umpires sign an agreement that will allow major league baseball to start using instant replay to help determine boundary calls, such as determining fair or foul fly balls and difficult home run rulings. The installation of the necessary equipment has been taking place in ballparks, hoping to use the technology later this month.

2008 After the Angels score the potential winning run in the top of the inning of an eventual 5-4 victory over the Rays, Francisco Rodriguez pitches a perfect ninth to record his 48th save, establishing a new franchise record. The right-handed closer had set the previous team mark with 47 saves in 2006.

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2012 The official first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Major League Baseball All-Stars Forever stamps takes place at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY. The popular philatelic series based on historic photographs honors Yankee Joe DiMaggio, Larry Doby of the Indians, Willie Stargell of the Pirates, and Red Sox legend Ted Williams.

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2017 The Pirates host the Cardinals in the inaugural Little League Classic at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, the home of the New York-Penn League's Williamsport Crosscutters. In front of a crowd consisting mostly of Little Leaguers and their families, Pittsburg's first baseman Josh Bell homers and drives in four runs in the Bucs' 6-3 victory over the Redbirds.

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2020 The Yankees, the first major league team to wear digits, assign right-hander Miguel Yajure #89, the only number from 0 to 99 never worn by a big-leaguer. The season also started with 86 and 92 never appearing on the back of a uniform until the Cardinals gave the numerals to relievers Jesus Cruz and Génesis Cabrera, respectively.

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2020 The Padres set the major league mark for the most consecutive games with a grand slam when Eric Hosmer connects with the bases full, making' Slam Diego' the first team to hit a four-base home run in four consecutive contests. Fernando Tatis Jr., Wil Myers, and Manny Machado contributed to the historic accomplishment during the team's four-game home-and-away series sweep against the Rangers.

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8/21/23
BIRTHDAYS
1920 Gerry Staley pitcher (MLB All Star 1952-53, 60; St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox), born in Brush Prairie, Washington (d. 2008)


Jack Buck (1924-2002) announcer (St. Louis Cardinals), born in Holyoke, Massachusetts


1945 Jerry DaVanon born in Oceanside, California

1951 John Stearns catcher (MLB All Star 1977, 79, 80, 82; New York Mets), born in Denver, Colorado (d. 2022)


1961 Danny Sheaffer catcher (St Louis Cardinals), born in Jacksonville, Florida

1965 Jim Bullinger pitcher (Chicago Cubs), born in New Orleans, Louisiana


1966 John Wetteland pitcher (NY Yanks, Rangers, Expos), born in San Mateo, California


1973 Ismael Valdes pitcher (LA Dodgers), born in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico


1978 Jason Marquis pitcher, born in Manhasset, NY

1978 Lee Gronkiewicz born in Los Angeles, California

1984 B. J. Upton born in Norfolk, Virginia

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FROM MLB's This Day in Baseball History+​

1902 The National League throws right-handed pitcher Joe McGinnity of the Baltimore Orioles out of the circuit after punching and spitting at an umpire. Due to his popularity, 'Iron Man Mike' will be quickly reinstated.

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1908 After over a dozen attempts, Senator backstop Gabby Street catches a baseball dropped by journalist Preston Gibson atop the 555-foot Washington Monument. Scientists estimate the ball traveled with a force of between 200-to-300 pounds.

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1919 Phillies catcher Bert Adams has a stellar day behind the plate, recording ten putouts and five assists. The weak-hitting backstop's outstanding defense doesn't prevent Philadelphia from dropping a 5-1 decision to Chicago at the Baker Bowl.

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1926 At Fenway Park, White Sox right-hander Ted Lyons throws a no-hitter against the hometown Red Sox, 6-0. The future Hall of Famer's gem takes only 67 minutes to complete.

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1931 Babe Ruth becomes the first major leaguer to hit 600 career home runs when the Yankees defeat the Browns, 11-7. The 36-year-old slugger hit the milestone round-tripper off right-hander George Blaeholder.

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1932 Defeating the Senators, 11-5, at Washington's Griffith Stadium, Indians' hurler Wes Ferrell becomes the first pitcher in this century to win 20 or more games in each of his first four seasons. The Greensboro, NC native, who will post a 23-12 record this season, won 21, 25, and 22 games for Cleveland during the past three years.

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1935 At Braves Field, Cardinals' first baseman Ripper Collins does not make a putout during the team's 13-3 nine-inning loss in Boston. The St. Louis infielder, who will also not make a putout playing first for the Cubs in a game against Brooklyn in 1937, is the only player who accomplished the rare feat twice in the major leagues.

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1947 Williamsport (PA) hosts the first Little League World Series tourney. With a .625 team batting average, the hometown Maynard Midgets easily win the tournament, 16-7.

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1948 Cleveland's streak of victories (8), shutouts (4), and scoreless innings (47) ends in the ninth inning when Bob Lemon walks Pat Seerey and yields home runs to Aaron Robinson and Dave Philley in a 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

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1949 With the home team trailing 4-2 with one out in the top of the ninth inning, the visiting Giants are awarded a 9-0 forfeit by umpire Al Barlick when the Phillies fans launch a pop bottle and paper barrage at Shibe Park. The Philadelphia patrons displayed their displeasure after first base ump George Barr rules center fielder Richie Ashburn had trapped the ball hit by Joe Lafata, a call vehemently protested by the outfielder and his teammates.

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1951 President Harry Truman nixes the selection of Major General Emmett O'Donnell as Commissioner of Baseball, stating the officer needs to remain in his post as commander of bombers in Korea. The owners, who had unanimously elected the military man to succeed Happy Chandler, choose National League president Ford Frick to fill the position.​

1963 At Wrigley Field, Jerry Lynch leads off the top of the ninth with a pinch-hit home run off Lindy McDaniel, which proves to be the difference in the Pirates' 7-6 victory over Chicago. The historic homer is the southpaw slugger's 15th career homer coming off the bench, establishing a new major league record previously shared with former Cincinnati teammate George Crowe.

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1971 The Connie Mack statue, a fixture in front of the North Philadelphia ballpark since 1957, is rededicated at the corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue in front of the Phillies' new home, Veterans Stadium. The team added a plaque to the monument's pedestal, listing the A's players chosen between 1978 and 2003 for the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.

 

1972 In a complete-game effort at Veterans Stadium, Steve Carlton's consecutive-victory streak ends at 15 when the Phillies drop a 2-1 decision to Atlanta and Phil Niekro, who also goes the distance. Dusty Baker, who started the 11th-inning rally with a two-out double, scores the eventual winning run on Mike Lum's broken-bat flare over the shortstop's head.

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1975 The Reuschel brothers of the Cubs join forces to blank the Dodgers, 6-0. Rick goes 6.1 innings, and Paul finishes the game for the first shutout thrown by siblings.

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1977 In his first appearance at Shea Stadium since being traded, Tom Seaver throws a six-hitter against his former teammates and strikes out 11, helping the Reds defeat the Mets, 5-1. In addition to his work on the mound, 'Tom Terrific' hits a double and scores two runs.

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1977 Orioles' third baseman Brooks Robinson, retaining his coaching duties with the team, announces his retirement as an active player before the game against the Twins to make room on the roster for catcher Rick Dempsey, returning from the disabled list. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer, nicknamed the Human Vacuum Cleaner due to his outstanding defensive prowess, won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, playing his 23-year careerwith Baltimore

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1980 At a news conference, owner Charlie Finley announces he has sold his A's to Walter A. Haas, Jr., the Levi Strauss clothing empire board chairman, Hass's son Walter J., and son-in-law Roy Eisenhardt for $12.7 million. The sale to the San Francisco executives, effective in November, keeps the team in Oakland, thwarting oilman Marvin Davis's plan to move the team to Denver.

1982 Rollie Fingers becomes the first player in major league history to record 300 career saves. The Brewers' right-handed reliever reaches the milestone, pitching the final two innings of the team's 3-2 victory over the Mariners at the Kingdome.

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1983 On the same day, two minor leaguers, Vince Coleman and Donnell Nixon, break Rickey Henderson's single-season record by stealing their 131st base.

1986 In the Red Sox's 24-5 rout of the Indians, Spike Owen ties a major league mark, becoming the first major leaguer to score six runs in a game since Johnny Pesky, also playing for Boston, accomplished the feat in 1946. The light-hitting shortstop, along with center fielder Dave Henderson, was obtained three days ago from the Mariners in exchange for Rey Quinones and cash.

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1989 Orioles southpaw Jeff Ballard, throwing 112 pitches while scattering seven hits, hurls a shutout without issuing a walk or recording a strikeout when he whitewashes Milwaukee at Memorial Stadium, 5-0. The unusual feat of a no walk/no strikeout complete-game shutout will not occur again until Rick Porcello, an eight-month-old infant when Ballard throws his gem, blanks Oakland in 2014.

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1990 The Phillies overcome an eight-run deficit, scoring nine runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Dodgers, 12-11. John Kruk's pinch-hit three-run homer ties the game, and two batters later, Carmelo Martinez's double plates Rod Booker with the eventual winning run in the Chavez Ravine contest.

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1999 At Camden Yards, Orioles outfielder Brady Anderson becomes only the third player in major league history to lead off each game of a doubleheader with a home run. The pair of round-trippers doesn't help when Baltimore drops both ends of the twin bill to the White Sox, 4-3 and 8-5.

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1999 Joining Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., and Babe Ruth, Sammy Sosa becomes the fourth player to hit 50 home runs in consecutive seasons. The Cubs' right fielder, who hit 66 dingers last season, blasts his major league-leading 50th and 51st home runs in an 8-6 victory over the Rockies at Wrigley Field.

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2001 The International League's Triple-A game between the Rochester Red Wings (Orioles) and Ottawa Lynx (Expos) features Tim Raines and his son Tim Jr. as opponents. The contest marks the first time a dad and his son oppose each other during the regular season on the professional level.

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2002 The Expos' first selection, fifth overall, in the amateur draft, Clint Everts, signs a deal with Montreal, which gives him a $2.5 million signing bonus. The Houston Cypress Falls High School's right-hander and teammate left-hander Scott Kazmir (Mets) are only the fourth pair of high school players selected in the same draft round.

2002 In the longest game ever played in Little League World Series history, Louisville (KY) beats Fort Worth (TX) in the US semifinal in 11 innings, 2-1. A record-setting 49 batters strike out when Fort Worth's Walker Kelly whiffs 21 in nine two-hit innings, and Louisville's Aaron Alvey fans 19 opponents over nine no-hit innings.