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This date in baseball history

Posted by Andy on August 27, 2011

I had forgotten that the B-R Bullpen has a great "This Date in Baseball History" feature. For example, here are the entries for today, August 27th.

I was first looking at this a couple of days ago but I didn't want to post something so trivial while there was a deep discussion going on about Mike Flanagan.

Anyway, that day, August 25th, was the 25th anniversary of Mark McGwire's first homer. It was the 16th anniversary of a memorable game for Phillies fans, when Darren Daulton tore his ACL, Gregg Jeffries hit for the cycle, and Jeff Juden hit a grand slam (I watched this game on TV!) It was the 10th anniversary of the Indians-Mariners game where a bench-clearing brawl was sparked by Omar Vizquel's complaint that the sun was reflecting off Arthur Rhodes' earring. then years later, both guys are well into their 40s and still playing MLB.

As for August 26th, how about these two entires:

1966:

  • After seeing a caricature of himself on the scoreboard, an angry Leo Durocher calls the Astrodome's press box to have it removed. When nothing is done, the enraged Cubs manager rips the phone out of the dugout wall and tosses it onto the infield.

1972:

So it took exactly 6 years, but Durocher finally got the control he wanted in Houston. 🙂

Should you start looking at the "This Date in History" feature, be prepared to watch your free time disappear.

30 Responses to “This date in baseball history”

  1. Andrew Says:

    It was the 16th anniversary of a memorable game for Phillies fans, when Darren Daulton tore his ACL, Gregg Jeffries hit for the cycle, and Jeff Juden hit a grand slam (I watched this game on TV!)

    I was at that game. Wonder if it's the only time in MLB history a pitcher hit a grand slam in the same game someone else hit for the cycle.

  2. Jbird Says:

    At the end of the day 109 years ago, Pittsburg (81-27) beats Boston 7-2 holding a 22.5 game lead over Brooklyn, who squeaks out a 2-1 exhibition victory over Atlantic City's college team in a beauty of a game. With sensational catches with men on base by Patrick Henry Dolan, Wild Bill Donovan, and Ed Wheeler to cut off a number of runs by the preps. Cozy was in the middle of playing every game of the season and Wheeler was playing his only season. Philadelphia (60-42) led the American at this point by 2.5 games over Boston after losing 2-1 to Cleveland.

  3. Tristram Says:

    There's a few items listed on the home page each day, but it always lists items from 1901, 1903, etc. I think it would get more attention if it listed random events from across all time, including more recent ones. I didn't realize how much was listed each day, until I clicked on the link for today.

  4. Adam Says:

    Andy,

    How are the "This Date in Baseball History" generated? I ask because I usually read them 3-4 times week and it must be written by the biggest Clemente fan in the world. Each day usually has a whole paragraph dedicated just about a game featuring Clemente.

  5. Jbird Says:

    Rocky Colavito 50 years ago.

  6. Jbird Says:

    '78 catfish finishes perfect 6 win month with 1.64 era over 44 ip.
    6-6 4.74 the rest of the year.

  7. Jbird Says:

    45 years ago, the first black player in Pirates history hit 4 homers for AAA Columbus Jets of IL in a 7 inning game in 1956.

    Joe D hits 3 triples in a no-hit blowout by Monte Pearson.

  8. Jbird Says:

    101 ago, Logan Squares vs Rogers Park at Comiskey

  9. DoubleDiamond Says:

    The irony of the offensive feats of that Aug. 25, 1995, Phillies game is that the pregame attraction of it was the Phillies' first look at Hideo Nomo! Jeffries set the tone right away in the bottom of the 1st with one of his extra-base hits.

  10. Jbird Says:

    @7

    they were consecutive. tied by a handful, only al rosen and a mexican league guy have ever had 5 for 5 HRs to PAs.

  11. Gary W Says:

    1955- - Dodger bonus baby Sandy Koufax fans 14 Redlegs in a 7 - 0 win, as the 2-team total of 23 strikeouts ties a record. Not bad for a 19-year-old who couldn't throw strikes.

  12. Richard Chester Says:

    And in 1951 Pirate pitcher Mel Queen hit an apparent single to RF against the Dodgers but Carl Furillo, who had a rifle arm, threw him out at first base.

  13. John Autin Says:

    On August 27:

    1976 -- Frank Tanana pitched 13 scoreless innings (13 Ks, 2 walks), but the Yankees scored 5 in the 15th to win. It was the 2nd year in a row that Tanana put up 13 zeroes and 13 Ks with nothing to show for it.
    http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197608270.shtml

    1975 -- Bert Blyleven tossed an 11-IP shutout with 13 Ks.
    http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL197508270.shtml

    P.S. Sunday 8/28 will be the 34th anniversary of Steve Garvey's "5-5-5-5" game, with 5 extra-base hits (2 HR, 3 2B). There are just 6 games of 5 XBH in the searchable era.
    http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN197708280.shtml

  14. Luis Gomez Says:

    @ 10

    Do you have any idea of who is that Mexican League player?
    I appreciate it if you let me know.

  15. Jbird Says:

    @14. Great question. I don't. Check back, though. I'm on it.

  16. Jbird Says:

    @14

    Luis, it's Eddie Moore for the Puebla Parrots. Five consecutive home runs against Mexico City Aztecas, December 15 and 16, 1957.

    Gene Rye August 6, 1930 is pretty impressive, as well.

  17. Ghost To Most Says:

    Some other interesting sidenotes, that grand slam by Jeff Juden was the only home run of his career. Also, it was his only hit of the 1995 season.

  18. Ghost To Most Says:

    Some more random thoughts, how many players in Major League history got a grand slam on their only career home run? And how many players hit a grand slam in their only hit of an entire season?

  19. Jbird Says:

    who got the only career in the park homer versus mariano?

    i know who and when. tick tick. lookin for the time of the answer post if anyone's tryin'. faster is more impressive.

  20. Andy Says:

    David Hulse:

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA199508010.shtml

  21. Jbird Says:

    good lord, andy. you're fast.

  22. Jbird Says:

    first relief appearance of career. appearance number nine after 8 starts to open.

  23. Jbird Says:

    struck out first two batters he ever faced: phillips and edmonds to start the game and a terrific career, getting each man twice in those fateful first 3.1. salmon gets the first hit. edmonds first homer against.

    tangent: edmonds. hall?

  24. Andy Says:

    To be fair, I get instant notification of any comments on my threads, so I probably saw it before anybody else.

  25. Andy Says:

    We had an Edmonds HOF debate back here, before he retired:

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/4708

  26. Luis Gomez Says:

    JBird:

    Thanks. I tried but I couldn't find it. I knew a few that hit 4 homeruns (one of them, former Padres backup catcher, Miguel Ojeda, among others).

  27. Jbird Says:

    @Luis

    Try googling

    baseball digest 1958 al rosen

    in the books feature on google.

  28. Jbird Says:

    @Luis

    I checked Ojeda due to my surprise that he had achieved the 4 feat. i don't see that he ever did. Minors perhaps?

  29. Charles Says:

    Leo Durocher did not like the Astrodome. He called it a 10 cent infield with the artificial turf infield and grass outfield prior to that game. Because the scoreboard flashed fireworks when an Astro player hit a HR, he had said he would set off fireworks in the dugout if his team did it in this game, which was illegal, so the park assigned a special duty policeman to watch the dugout. Durocher denied tossing the phone when questioned by the umpire. The scoreboard operator taunted him at least 3 times in that game.

  30. Daughter, Gabby Weger Says:

    Hello! Peeps!