Template:Today in Baseball/June 2

November 24: Today's featured birthday is that of Ben McDonald, who turns 57.

• 1916 - The Oakland Oaks release Jimmy Claxton (pictured), apparently upon discovering that he is an African-American player. Claxton was the first black player in Organized Baseball in the 20th Century.
• 1925 - Wally Pipp sits out a game with his famous headache (probably a concussion), allowing Lou Gehrig to take over the starting job at first base for the Yankees.
• 1935 - Babe Ruth announces his retirement from baseball.
• 1949 - The Phillies get a major league record 18 extra bases (beyond first) in an inning as they hit five homers (two by Andy Seminick), a triple and a double. Willie Jones contributes the triple and one of the home runs.
• 1957 and 1996 - Moe Drabowsky (1957) and Darryl Kile (1996) hit four batters in games on this date to tie the major league record. In the intervening 39 years, it is not done in the National League.

Recent days: June 1 – May 31 – May 30