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On July 11, 1985, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros becomes the first pitcher in history to record 4,000 strikeouts. Ryan notches the milestone dismissing New York Mets outfielder Danny Heep with 3 pitches in the sixth inning.

On July 11, 1968, the Baltimore Orioles name future Hall of Famer Earl Weaver their manager. Weaver, a lifetime minor league player had been serving as the team's first base coach, and replaced the fired Hank Bauer. Under Weaver's managerial philosophy of ""Double-plays and the Three Run Homer" the 1970 Orioles would be World Champions. In addition to the 1970 World Series, Weaver's Orioles would win 100 plus games 5 times, four pennants, and six division titles.

On July 11, 1914, "The Babe", George Herman Ruth makes his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. Striking out in his first at-bat, Ruth would have to settle for a no-decision as the starting pitcher, after getting pulled for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. The Red Sox would win the game 4-3.

On July 11, 1950, network television broadcasts an All-Star Game for the first time in history. In the first-ever extra-inning All-Star Game, the NL defeats the AL, 4-3. St. Louis Cardinals star Red Schoendienst wins the game with a home run in the 14th inning against Ted Gray.

On July 11, 1961, San Francisco Giants pitcher Stu Miller is literally blown off the mound during the All-Star Game at Candlestick Park. In the ninth inning, high winds cause the 165-pound Miller to lose his balance. Umpires call a balk, allowing the tying run to score. The National League eventually wins, 5-4, in 10 innings.

On July 11, 1967, Tony Perez of the Cincinnati Reds hits a 15th inning home run against Jim "Catfish" Hunter of the Kansas City A's. Perez' dramatic blast gives the National League a 2-1 victory ending the longest game in All Star history. The 2008 15 inning All Star game would tie that record

Historical Recap performed by:

Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

Trivia is provided by -Horseshide Trivia

This Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On July 10, 1945, ten new members are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Among them are catcher Roger Bresnahan, outfielder Hugh Duffy, and shortstop Hughie Jennings.

Roger Bresnanhan is generally regarded as the most famous catcher of the deadball era. In a time when catchers rarely batted higher than 8th, Bresnahan was a leadoff hitter due to his high on base percentage and speed that belied his 200 pound frame. He broke into the majors as a pitcher, throwing a six hit shutout in his first appearance but had the ability to play every other position. Perhaps his most notable contributions to the game were in the development of protective equipment. Bresnahan is credited for the development of the batting helmet, shin guards for catchers, and improving the safety of the catcher's mask. Despite initial ridicule and protest, these safety measures all caught on and are standard equipment in today's game.

Hughie Jennings, for his career stole 359 bases, walked 347 times, and holds the record for number of times hit by a pitch at 287. Each of these totaling more than his meager strikeout total of 233.

Hugh Duffy, holds the single season record with a .438 batting average. In 1894, he amassed 234 hits in only 124 games, while playing for the Boston Beaneaters. Duffy collected 50 doubles and 18 homeruns during that amazing season!

On July 10, 1934, in one of the most memorable All-Star Game performances ever, Carl Hubbell strikes out five consecutive future Hall of Famers. Hubbell fanned Ruth, Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in that game won by the American League, 9-7. Hubbell himself gained entry to the Hall in 1947.

In 1936, at Forbes Field, Chuck Klein hits 4 home runs in one game, including the tie-breaker in the tenth, helping the Phillies defeat the Pirates, 9-6. The Indianapolis, Indiana native barely misses hitting an additional homer in the second when right fielder Paul Waner catches his drive against the wall. At 36, Klein is the oldest player ever to hit four homers in a game, and the first National Leaguer in the 20th century to do so.

On July 10, 1982, Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers tied a major league record by clubbing his third grand slam within the span of a week. Parrish's latest slam lifted the Rangers to a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, Detroit's Jim Northrup also hit three grand slams in a week.

Historical Recap performed by:

Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

This Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

Trivia is provided by -Horseshide Trivia

• This Day In Baseball - This day in baseball, provides information about what happened on specific day, career highlights.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

July 9 1946 Ted Williams Homers off Rip Sewell Blooper in All Star Game

At Fenway Park in Boston Ted Williams, playing in the All-Star Game, homers on the famed blooper pitch thrown by Rip Sewell of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Williams finishes the game with two home runs, two singles, and a record-setting five RBIs in the American League's 12-0 win.

Classic Broadcasts are old-time broadcasts that have been put together from various sources. Many are found on the Internet Archives in a raw form.

If you wish to take a deeper dive, that includes:

Scorecards, Rosters, Newspaper Clippings. All members can jump over to : www.vintagebaseballreflections.com and join the membership platform

Listen to him close it out!

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

1941 - At the All-Star Game at Briggs Stadium, Ted Williams, hitting .405 at the break, homers off Chicago Cubs P Claude Passeau with two out and two on in the ninth inning to give the American League a dramatic 7 - 5 victory. Williams's 4 RBI are matched by National League SS Arky Vaughan, who hits homers in the seventh and eighth. Williams would end the season hitting .406 and is the last batter in MLB history to reach that mark.

1962: With home runs in his first three at bats, 41-year-old Stan Musial of the Cardinals not only becomes the oldest player to hit three in a game but also ties the major-league record of four straight home runs, as the Cards whip the Mets, 15 - 1. His home run in the second game the day before won the game, 3 - 2. Musial's .924 OPS is the highest of any player 41 years or older in the history of the game. He retired after the 1963 season as one of the top 10 players to ever play the game of baseball.

2001: A librarian finds an 1823 reference to "base ball" marking the earliest known reference to the game. But Thorn finds proof of existence from 1791.

Historical Recap performed by:

Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

This Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

Trivia is provided by -Horseshide Trivia

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Birthday boy - Willie Randolph

Todays debut - Stan Papi

July 6, 1933, the first major league All-Star Game is played at Comiskey Park. Babe Ruth hits a two-run home run to give the American League a 4-2 win over the National League. Connie Mack comes out of retirement to manage the NL. This was the only Managerial apperence for both Hall of Fame managers, Casey Stengel holds the record for managing 10 All star games for the American League.

July 6, 1953

Ford Frick inaugurates the Cy Young Award, to honor the outstanding pitcher each year. The BBWAA will do the voting. Only one pitcher will be honored each year until 1967, when a pitcher will be selected in each league. Don Newcombe will be the first winner of the award, he became the only player to win a Rookie of the year, Cy Young and MVP in a career.

July 6 , 1978 Steve Carlton becomes the major leagues' left-handed strikeout king, fanning seven Cardinals in a 8 - 3 Phillies win to bring his career total to 2,836. Mickey Lolich had held the record with 2,832.

July 6 1986 Bob Horner becomes the 11th player to hit four home runs in a game, but it isn't enough as the Braves fall to the Expos, 11 - 8. Horner is only the second to hit his four home runs in a losing cause; Ed Delahanty of the Phillies on was the first, on July 13, 1896. In the same Game On the winning side, Al Newman cracks his first major league homer, off Zane Smith; it'll be the only homer of his career, as Newman will go to the American League next year and set the junior circuit record by going to bat 1,893 times without a 4-bagger.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Cesar Cedeno News Coverage 1974

In 1929, at the Polo Grounds, the New York Giants become the first team to use a public address system.

1947 - Larry Doby becomes the first black to appear in the American League. Striking out as a pinch hitter in an Indian 6 - 5 loss to the White Sox, the 22-year old and The former Newark Eagles standout will play in the major leagues for 13 years, amassing 1,515 hits, just three less than Jackie Robinson.

1951 - At Ebbets Field, After sweeping the Giants in the 3-game series, Dodger manager Chuck Dressen declares, "We knocked 'em out. They won't bother us anymore." The Dodgers now lead the Giants by 7 1/2 games but will be surpassed by season's end when Bobby Thompson hits his historic homerun. Also on this day in 1951 future Hall of Famer, Rich "Goose" Gossage is born in Colorado Springs, CO.

2002: Baseball legend Ted Williams, considered by many the greatest hitter in the history of the game, dies of cardiac arrest at the age of 83. The first-ballot Hall of Famer, who was a lifetime .344 hitter, won the Most Valuable Player Award and the Triple Crown twice, led the American League in batting six times, and hit .406 in 1941 during his 19-year career with the Boston Red Sox. Williams was also a vetrain of two wars servering as a pilot for the United States Marines.

Historical Recap performed by:

Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

This Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

Trivia is provided by -Horseshide Trivia

• This Day In Baseball - This day in baseball, provides information about what happened on specific day, career highlights.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On July 4, 1939, the New York Yankees retire the uniform #4 of future Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig in emotional ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. For over 40 minutes, current and former Yankee greats, including Hall of Famer Babe Ruth, parade onto the field to honor the “Iron Horse.” Other former Yankee greats, such as pitcher Waite Hoyt, second baseman Tony Lazzeri, and outfielder Bob Meusel, also attend. Yankee manager Joe McCarthy presents Gehrig with a special silver trophy. Gehrig, in one of the most memorable speeches in baseball history, tells the 61,808 in attendance at the Stadium, “I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Gehrig, who is stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, will die from the muscular disease in 1941.

Future Hall of Famers collect 3,000 Strikeouts!

In 1980 Nolan Ryan pitching for the Houston Astros strikes out Cesar Geronimo and becomes only the 4th pitcher to achieve the mark. The Astros's lost the game 8-1. Ryan would go on to fan over 5,000 batters during his career.

Four Years later, Knuckballer Phil Niekro joined Ryan becoming the 5th pitcher to achieve the mark. He fans Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers. Niekro was pitching for the New York

Historical Recap performed by:

Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

Trivia is provided by -Horseshide Trivia

This Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

• This Day In Baseball - This day in baseball, provides information about what happened on specific day, career highlights.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Two-no hitters were thrown, hall of famers to be Walter Johnson and Bob feller both tossed no-hitters, Johnson fired a 1-0 gem in 1920 vs the Boston Red Sox, losing a perfect game on Bucky Harris error, and in 1951 Feller got his 3rd career no-hitter, tying the record of Cy Young and Larry Corcoran as Cleveland beat Detroit 2-1 . . . Two historic Parks opened on July 1st, in 1910 White Sox field opens, the White Sox played to a crowd of 24,000 and lost 2-0 to the St. Louis Browns. The field would be renamed Comiskey Park after its team owner, Charlie Comiskey, and in 1920, the St. Louis Cardinals move into Sportsman’s Park, they bowed to the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2, but would go on to win 7 World Championships and house the fantastic career of Stan Musial

Historical Recap performed by:

Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

This Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

Trivia is provided by -Horseshide Trivia

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On June 30, 1972, journalist Clifford Evans interviewed President Richard Nixon in the White House for RKO General Broadcasting. This meeting was captured by recording devices in the Oval Office.

Prior to this meeting, Evans had asked President Nixon to name his favorite baseball players during a June 22, 1972 press conference. President Nixon subsequently prepared a list and explanatory notes that were distributed via the Associated Press on June 30.

In this conversation segment, President Nixon explains the process, methodology, and rationale for building his all-star teams, which included distinctions between pre-World War II and post-World War II rosters as well as American League and National League all-stars. He mentions working with son-in-law David Eisenhower at Camp David to generate the lists. President Nixon also discussed Lou Gehrig, whom he named “Most Courageous Baseball Player.” President Nixon references the movie, The Pride of the Yankees; Gehrig’s farewell speech; and correspondence with Gehrig’s widow, Eleanor. President Nixon also lauds Red Schoendienst’s comeback after tuberculosis, recalling his own brother Harold’s struggle with the disease. President Nixon then mentions Bill Mazeroski‘s grand slam performance for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1960 World Series, the crowd’s response, and comparison to the teams of Pie Traynor‘s day. President Nixon also notes the 1951 “shot heard ’round the world” by New York Giants’ Bobby Thomson against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Evans then ends the official RKO General broadcast.

After the formal broadcast, the two men continue chatting, touching on New York Yankee Don Larsen‘s “perfect game” in the 1956 World Series as well as Los Angeles Dodger Sandy Koufax’s breaking of the strike-out record in 1965. President Nixon ends by sharing the crowd’s response at Dodger Stadium during Koufax’s attempt for the record.

Classic Broadcasts are old-time broadcasts that have been put together from various sources. Many are found on the Internet Archives in a raw form.

If you wish to take a deeper dive, that includes:

Scorecards, Rosters, Newspaper Clippings. All members can jump over to : www.vintagebaseballreflections.com and join...

On June 26, 1971, this clip was Originally aired of Vida Blue of the Oakland A’s was in the midst of setting the baseball world on its ear when this story aired. Interviews with Blue’s mother is included as are clips of him pitching against the Kansas City Royals. Royals manager Bob Lemon and first baseman and Chuck Harrison are also included.

You can view the video clip @ https://youtu.be/2ldm9pMMc3Q

More information about todays events, players, ball park, date and season -  (www.thisdayinbaseball.com)

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Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

June 18, 1979 Dave Kingman launches Homerun vs Dodgers

• This Day In Baseball - Learn more about the players, teams and seasons

Radio broadcast from June 12 1939 when the Baseball Hall of Fame first opened. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Today we explore May 26th and May 27th when Harvey Haddix pitches 12 brilliant innings only to lose it in the 13th. 

What future famous owner was at the game? Bud Selig. 

The music is brought to you by, The Baseball Project. https://music.apple.com/us/album/vol-1-frozen-ropes-and-dying-quails/284707334

The Haddix interview was found on SABR: Become a member to support their cause researching baseball history. https://sabr.org/latest/new-sabr-oral-history-collection-website-launches/

Players involved in today's events:

Learn More about the teams, players, ball parks and events that happened on this date in history just click the tags! 1959 | Felix Mantilla | Hank Aaron | Harvey Haddix | Joe Adcock | May 26 | Milwaukee Braves | Pittsburgh Pirates

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On May 10, 1981, Montreal Expos right-hander Charlie Lea pitches the first no-hitter in the history of Olympic Stadium. Lea, the first French-born pitcher to hurl a no-hitter, strikes out eight batters and walks four in the second game of a doubleheader, as the Expos beat the San Francisco Giants, 4-0.

In 2010 Lea was asked what he remembered about the final out of the game, it ended with a fly ball of the bat of Giants first baseman Enos Cabell. Lea said “It was a slider a little bit away from him,”  he went onto say, ” I don’t know if it was up or down but he hit it off the end, a little lazy fly ball to center. Dawson really didn’t have to move out of his tracks. Andre was a fairly emotionless guy. When he caught it and and immediately threw his arms in the air and started jumping up and down, me seeing his emotion, it was something special.”

Only three pitchers tossed no-hitters for the Montreal Expos franchise, Bill Stoneman did it twice in 1969 and 1972, and Dennis Martinez pitched a perfect game in 1991.

Learn More about the teams, players, ball parks and events that happened on this date in history just click the tags! 1981 | Andre Dawson | Bill Stoneman | Charlie Lea | Dennis Martinez | Enos Cabell | May 10 | Montreal Expos | Olympic Stadium | San Francisco Giants

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

 On May 8, 1968, Catfish Hunter of the Oakland A’s pitches a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins. Hunter’s perfect game is the first in the American League during the regular season in 46 years, when White Sox right-hander Charlie Robertson, who accomplished the feat against Detroit in 1922.

Don Larsen had pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

He strikes out 11, including Harmon Killebrew three times, and drives in three of the A’s four runs, the other coming on a two-out, bases-loaded walk to 1B Danny Cater in the 8th inning. Only 6,298 fans are in attendance.

1968 | Catfish Hunter | Danny Cater | Harmon Killebrew | May 8 | Minnesota Twins | Oakland A's

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On May 4, 1975, At 12:32pm at Candlestick Park, Bob Watson of the Houston Astros scores the one millionth run in major league history. Watson scores the run on Milt May’s three-run homer, as part of the Astros’ 8-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants in the first game of a doubleheader. He scored seconds ahead of Dave Concepción of the Cincinnati Reds, playing in a different game in another city, to earn the distinction.

Learn More about the teams, players, ball parks and events that happened on this date in history just click the tags! 1975 | Bob Watson | Candlestick Park | Dave Concepcion | Houston Astros | May 4 | Milt May | San Francisco Giants

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

April 24, 1966 Willie Mays ties Mel Ott with his 511th homerun

The Audio Was supplied by Astrodaily.com

Classic Broadcasts are old-time broadcasts that have been put together from various sources. Many are found on the Internet Archives in a raw form.

If you wish to take a deeper dive, that includes:

Scorecards, Rosters, Newspaper Clippings. All members can jump over to : www.vintagebaseballreflections.com and join the membership platform

• Astros History - Astros History
• This Day In Baseball - Learn more about the players, teams and seasons

Classic Broadcasts are old-time broadcasts that have been put together from various sources. Many are found on the Internet Archives in a raw form.

If you wish to take a deeper dive, that includes:

Scorecards, Rosters, Newspaper Clippings. All members can jump over to : www.vintagebaseballreflections.com and join the membership platform

On April 18, 1987, At Three Rivers Stadium Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run. Schmidt connects against Don Robinson of the Pittsburgh Pirates, becoming the 14th player in history to reach the milestone. Schmidt’s home run helps the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-6 victory.

Classic Broadcasts are old-time broadcasts that have been put together from various sources. Many are found on the Internet Archives in a raw form.

If you wish to take a deeper dive, that includes:

Scorecards, Rosters, Newspaper Clippings. All members can jump over to : www.vintagebaseballreflections.com and join the membership platform

On April 11, 1969, The Seattle Pilots debuted for their first home game at Sick's Stadium. 

Gus Bell fires a complete game 7-0 shutout over the White Sox as the paid attendance of 14,000+ watches on a perfect Seattle day. 

The story of the Pilot's though is a deep complicated one and in this podcast, we will discuss - 

Ball Four, William Daley's Role, how the ballpark although clearly unusable for Major League Baseball was not the main issue and neither was the attendance. How two bids to buy the team failed to keep them in Seattle and how they were the only team in MLB history to go bankrupt.  

Also - the website celebrating the Pilots. Or, watch a promotional 17-minute videothe Pilots produced about their season-including footage of opening day at Sicks.)

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 18, 1981 Future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, signs a contract with the Chicago White Sox after then GM Hayward Sullivan made an apparent clerical error mailing the contract out late in December of 1980. 

He makes the season debut in 1981 vs the Boston Red Sox in fenway and in a scene out of the movies he slugs a 3 run homer in the 8th to give the White Sox a lead they would not relinquish. 

Here is the story. 

Highlighted in this podcast - 

Carlton Fisk 

Ron Leflore 

Our Youtube Channel and full length radio broadcasts - 

Thisdayinbaseball

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

April 9, 1981 Fernando Valenzuela was forced to start opening day for the Dodgers as Jerry Reuss injured himself 24 hours before the game. 

Fernando would unleash the second greatest pitching streak in baseball history and turn the Dodger fan base upside down with is incredible performance. 

As Vin Scully would say it was like a religious experience to see what he did. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

April 8 episode is about Hank Aaron and his heroic journey through a divided Nation to take one of baseballs most treasured records. 

Aaron's story is one of perseverance and worth the listen. We take you through his childhood and bring you to the ball park on April 8, 1974 with a World Series like atmosphere. 

Enjoy the show!

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

The role of a closer was not an officially role until the term Save came into play officially in 1969. Bill Singer of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the first to register a save when he pitched 3 nearly perfect games to open the 69 season at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. 

The actually stat was created by Jerome Holtzman after he got frustrated watched Elroy Face receive so much credit after his 18-1 season. He felt Face was far better in 1958 and the existing stats had no true way to capture it. 

Thus the save was born and he was paid a bonus by the Sporting News to calculate the stat unofficially from 1960 - 1969. 

We hope you enjoy the episode! 

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

April 6 1973 - Ron Bloomberg comes to the plate for the New York Yankees as the first officially DH in Fenway Park. It may surprise you though to know the DH debate was started all the way back in 1887 by Al Spaulding and the vote to have a DH narrowly failed and again it nearly took hold in 1928.

Here is the story behind the story! 

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On April 5, 1913 Charlie Ebbets dream comes true as we opens Ebbets Field. 

Our Podcast details how the land was bought Disney style, lost they keys to the front gate and how a future hall of famer hits a foul pop that lends to a Highlander bumping his head on a base drum. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

April 3, 1987, the Chicago Cubs trade Dennis Eckersley for 3 minor league players to the Oakland A's. At one time trading "The Eck" would have been big news! However, at the time the Eck was a struggling pitcher heading towards the end of his effectiveness. 

Unknown to Oakland or Chicago the Eck had already taken incredible steps to turn his life around. 

Here is the story of the trade, what Oakland thought they were getting vs what they actually got. 

You can read all about Dennis Eckersley on This Day in Baseball.

If you are hungry for more baseball stories we have thousands of stories for all 365 days of the year on this day in baseball!  

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Happy Birthday, Luke Appling!   Born in High Point, North Carolina on April 2, 1907, Lucius Benjamin Appling moved to Atlanta, Georgia with his family as a child. After graduating from Fulton High School, where he played baseball and football, Appling attended Oglethorpe College in Georgia for two years. Appling starred on the university's baseball team, while also playing fullback on the football team, before leaving school during his sophomore year to pursue a career in professional baseball. He signed a contract with the Southern League Atlanta Crackers in 1929 and spent one year with the team, experiencing success at the plate but also committing 42 errors in only 104 games at shortstop. Despite his early difficulties in the field, Appling remained determined to make a successful career out of playing shortstop. He later recalled, "My Daddy was lefthanded, and I was lefthanded when I was little. In fact, I was lefthanded all the way to high school. Then I switched over to righthanded 'cause I wanted to play shortstop."   Check out his page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/luke-appling-page/   Hall of Fame Interview - https://collection.baseballhall.org/PASTIME/luke-appling-oral-history-interview-1987-april-10-4   An interview of Luke Appling that was conducted by Rod Roberts on the behalf of the Baseball Hall of Fame on April 10, 1987 in Greenville, South Carolina. Content of the interview includes: Side Two -- Track 1 - On breaking a finger in 1930, working out at 10 a.m. fielding 154 ground balls, 32 pop-ups plus batting practice; having arthritis (00:00:00 to 00:01:36) Track 2 - On playing 21 seasons until 1950; manager Paul Richards wanting him to stay; Appling managing in Memphis (00:01:36 to 00:02:33) Track 3 - On barnstorming with Mickey Harris and (Birdie?) Tebbetts; Appling talking to Yankees Casey Stengel and Phil Rizzuto (00:02:33 to 00:04:24) Track 4 - On watching the Cubs play in World Series and playing against them in spring training; good catchers (Mickey) Cochrane, (Bill) Dickey (00:04:24 to 00:05:29) Track 5 - Interviewer Roberts talking about Leo Durocher picking a fantasy team; more on Cochrane and Dickey; Tebbetts being a good catcher (00:05:29 to 00:06:59) Track 6 - On good first basemen Jimmie Foxx, (Hank) Greenberg, Moose Skowron (00:06:59 to 00:07:58) Track 7 - On good second basemen (Tony) Lazzeri, Charlie Gehringer; (Gil?) Gordon; (Bobby) Doerr (00:07:58 to 00:09:11) Track 8 - On good third basemen Ossie Bluege, Pie Traynor (00:09:11 to 00:10:03) Track 9 - On good shortstops Joe Cronin, (Phil) Rizzuto, a player from the Browns, (Luis) Aparicio, Marty Marion; Appling playing with older brother Johnny “Red” Marion; Marty getting Appling’s #4; shortstops need to be intelligent and learn the hitters and the pitchers; giving signs in the field; (Ted) Kazanski and Joe Lonnett using word signs; knowing Tommy Bridges curve ball; Mule Haas talking about the curve ball (00:10:03 to 00:16:52) Track 11 - On good outfielders (Joe) DiMaggio, (Ted?) Williams as a great hitter, DiMaggio’s brother a good fielder, on seeing Babe Ruth play (00:17:27 to 00:18:48) Track 12 - On Babe Ruth’s character; on changes in the game and equipment; Appling liking Spaulding featherweight shoes with spikes, getting custom shoes for $25 a pair; always changing shoes; putting feet on metal vibrator after games, still using it (00:18:48 to 00:22:57) Track 13 - On people who should be in Hall of Fame; on writers changing too rapidly; Appling being surprised at being voted into Hall of Fame; (Lefty) Grove being fast pitcher (00:22:57 to 00:25:38) Track 14 - On pitchers throwing at batters, formerly fair game, now not being allowed; hitter...

On April 2, 1976 the Oakland A's trade future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson and World Series hero and Al Start Pitcher Ken Holtzman to the Baltimore Orioles for Don Baylor, Mike Torrez and Paul Mitchell. 

At the time Jackson had won an MVP, made 6 All-Star appearances, was a driving force in 3 Championships, and he was second all-time in home runs for the franchise and 4th in career RBI's. 

Holtzman was a workhorse pitching between 255 - 297 innings and winning 58% of his games. He made 2 All-Star games and won game 7 in the 1973 World Series. 

Don Baylor at the time was an evolving player and Mike Torrez had established himself as a good pitcher but not on Holtzman's level. 

We look into the trade and why it happened. 

To read more check out - This Day in Baseball 

You can find more April 2 events HERE

Learn more about Reggie Jackson

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On today's rewind brings us too, April 1, 1914, that day future Hall of Famer George Edward Waddell, better known as “Rube” dies from tuberculosis in San Antonio, TX. 

Sponsor Waddell's Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/rube-waddell-page/

We review his oddities and tremendous pitching career. Such as his love for fire engines, wrestling alligators and never collecting a regular salary. 

Today's trivia question involves a quote Pedro Guerrero gave about a fellow Dodger teammate.

You can read more this day at This Day In Baseball 

You can also read about more events the happened on April 1 here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 30 , 2000 —  Enron Field officially opens with a 6-5 exhibition win over the A.L. Champion New York Yankees, paralleling the feat that occurred when the Astrodome opened in 1965. Daryle Ward’s two-run homer caps a four-run eighth-inning rally to open up the Astros’ new home in style.

Enron Field - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/tag/enron-field/

Jeff Bagwell -  https://thisdayinbaseball.com/tag/jeff-bagwell/

Roger Clemens - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/tag/roger-clemens/

Strat O Matic Day 5 replay - Only 1 team remains undefeated! 

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 29, 1867 — Denton True “Cy” Young is born in Gilmore, a tiny village near Newcomerstown, Ohio. Young will earn his nickname for his cyclone-like pitching motion and he will win (and lose) more games than any pitcher in major league history with a 511-316 record and a 2.63 ERA over 22 seasons. Young will win 20 or more games 15 times, and top the 30-win mark five times. He will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America in 1937, with 153 votes on 201 ballots.

Read More about Cy Young - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/cy-young-page/

March 29th Events - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/this-day-in-baseball-march-29/

Rube Waddell - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/rube-waddell-page/

SOM Day 4 Replay - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/day-4-2020-strat-o-matic-simulation/

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 28, 1913, the St. Louis Browns make an unusual “trade,” sending infielder Clyde “Buzzy” Wares to the Montgomery Rebels a minor league team in exchange for the rental of a stadium. The Montgomery Rebels will allow the Browns to use their stadium during spring training-rent free. he Southern Association Class-A team will return the 26 year-old infielder to St. Louis later in the season. He will debut on September 15, 1913   vs. BOS  and he goes 0-1. Wares will play part of the 1913 and 1914 season in St Louis and hang around in the minors until 1920.

The Browns didn’t tell Wares about the deal until the last minute. When the manager called Buzzy into his office on the last day of spring training, Wares thought it was to tell him he had made the team with his strong play. However, skipper, George Stovall informed Wares that he was staying in Montgomery, telling him “You’re the payment for our grounds rental.” He played over 250 games of Montgomery.  Wares will later rejoin the Cardinals as a coach for the Gas House Gang teams.

https://thisdayinbaseball.com/st-louis-browns-make-an-unusual-trade-sending-infielder-clyde-buzzy-wares-to-a-minor-league-team-in-exchange-for-the-rental-of-a-stadium/

Also on the Show - Dizzy Dean talking about Frankie Frisch 

and the Strat O Matic replay - Day 3 

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 27, 1879 —– Miller Huggins is born in Cincinnati, Ohio. A second baseman adept at getting on base, Huggins will lead the National League in walks four times, score 100 or more runs three times, and regularly collect 30 or more stolen bases and an on-base percentage near .400. He will start as a player-manager with the St. Louis Cardinals before heading to the New York Yankees in 1918. Huggins will lead the Yankees to six American League pennants and three World Series titles, and his “Murderers’ Row” club, which will win 110 games before sweeping the 1927 World Series, will be considered one of the greatest teams in history. Huggins will be selected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1964.

Miller Huggins Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/miller-huggins-is-born-in-cincinnati-ohio/

March 27 - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/this-day-in-baseball-march-27/

Stan Musial - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/stan-musial-biography/

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 21, 1975, Hall of Fame outfielder Joe “Ducky” Medwick dies in Saint Petersburg, Florida at the age of 63. As one of the feared hitters on the famed “Gashouse Gang,” Medwick clubbed 205 home runs and batted .324 over a 17-year career. Medwick gained election to the Hall of Fame in 1968.

Listen to the hall of fame interview conducted on February 2 1968 - https://collection.baseballhall.org/PASTIME/joe-medwick-oral-history-interview-1968-february-08

Check out Ducky Medwicks Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/joe-medwick-page/

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 20, 1973 — Roberto Clemente becomes the first Hispanic American to gain election to the Hall of Fame. The Baseball Writers Association of America announces the results of a special ballot, with Clemente receiving 393 of 424 votes. Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve. In light of his tragic death, the Hall’s Board of Directors waived the five-year waiting period that is normally required before a player is eligible for election. A twelve-time All-Star, Clemente batted .317 and won a dozen Gold Gloves over an 18-year career, and batted .362 in World Series play. Named National League MVP in 1966, he was voted the outstanding player in the 1971 World Series, when the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles in seven games.

Roberto Clemente sits down with WPXI [then-WIIC]'s Sam Nover in October 1972, less than 3 months before his untimely passing. This is definitely his final at-length interview, and probably his only surviving extended interview that was captured visually. This was re-run by WPXI for the first time in 1989, and again on New Year's Eve 1997 [marking the 25th anniversary of his death], which is the source of this upload.

Check out his Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/?s=roberto+clemente

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 19, 1927 --- Don Richard (Richie) Ashburn is born in Tilden, Nebraska. A five-time All-Star, Ashburn will be a solid center fielder and a solid hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies. He will hit over .300 during 9 of his 15 major league seasons, twice capturing the National League batting title and conclude his career with a .308 lifetime average. Following his playing career, he will call Phillies games for more than three decades. Ashburn will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee in 1995.

Check out his interview on the Tops Sports Radio Network!

Visit Ashburn - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/1927-don-richard-richie-ashburn-is-born-in-tilden-nebraska-a-five-time-all-star-ashburn-will-be-a-solid-center-fielder-and-a-solid-hitter-for-the-philade/

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

March 17, 1918: A young Babe Ruth, still primarily a pitcher, slugs a pair of home runs during a spring training game at Whittington Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The second long ball is thought to be the first 500-plus foot blast in baseball history. The Herculean shot—hit off Brooklyn Robins hurler Norman Plitt—soared far over the fence in deep right-center, coming to rest in the middle of an inhabited pond at the Arkansas Alligator Farm. The Boston Globe reported that "the intrusion" caused quite a "commotion among the Gators.” The epic drive was later measured at 573 feet—the distance from home plate to the pond's center.

Amazingly, Ruth replicated the feat a week later in another spring exhibition versus Brooklyn. In its coverage of the proceedings, The Boston Post wrote: "Before the echo of the crash had died away the horsehide had dropped somewhere in the vicinity of South Hot Springs. . . . The sphere cleared the fence [400 feet away] by about 200 feet and dropped in the pond beside the Alligator Farm, while the spectators yelled with amazement." Edward Martin, writing for The Boston Globe, opined: "Every ball player in the park said [it] was the longest drive they had ever seen. . . . Had Ruth made the drive in Boston, it might have cleared the bleachers in right-center."

"I've never in all my time seen a man use the bat as does the slugging Boston hurler," gushed manager Fielder Jones, who had witnessed several of Babe's colossal clouts. Former Red Sox catcher Les Nunamaker offered similar praise: "He has no weakness . . . and can hit anything coming in the direction of the plate. If a hurler is foolish enough to give him a high one on the inside, it is all off. He will knock it out of the grounds. It is the general belief of the players in camp that Ruth is the best sticker in the league. . . . He just handles that old bat as if it were a toothpick."

Babe's heroics carried over into the regular season. Appearing in 95 games, he hit .300 with 26 doubles and an AL-best 11 home runs—his first of 12 long ball crowns. Though Ruth's 1918 power output seems paltry by modern standards, consider that the junior circuit's single-season record holder at the time was Socks Seybold, who hit 16 big flies in 1902. On the mound, the 23-year-old went 13-7 with a 2.27 ERA in 161 ⅓ innings pitched (2-0, 1.06 ERA in the World Series). Despite Ruth's stellar pitching, it was his mighty war club that captured the public's imagination.

On November 26, 1918, The Associated Press wrote:

"There were many stars in last year's baseball firmament, but there was only one Babe Ruth. Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Jim Vaughan, Benny Kauff, and other stars received their usual amount of interest, but the fan always returned to the question: Did Babe Ruth make a home run today?"

✍️ Bobby King II

Check out Babe Ruth's Page - 

https://thisdayinbaseball.com/babe-ruth-biography/

☑️Sources: http://www.hotspringsbaseballtrail.com + https://www.baseball-reference.com + 

On March 16, 1907 -- After watching Ty Cobb quarrel with a black groundskeeper and with teammate Charlie Schmidt, Tiger manager Hugh Jennings was tired of dealing with Cobb's abrasive behavior and tries to deal him to the Cleveland Naps for outfielder Elmer Flick.

The Naps turned down a trade with the Tigers which would have exchanged Flick for the 21-year-old Cobb. They countered with Bunk Congalton, but the Tigers declined. Flick had been holding out but he signed a few days after the proposed trade. After Cobb was nearly traded away, Jennings attempted to repair the difficult relationships between Cobb and the other Detroit players. "Cobb is too good a hitter to let get away, when a little diplomacy will get the boys together", Jennings said

Flick will go onto hit .302 and lead the league with 17 3 baggers. Cobb will go on to hit .350 and lead the AL in hitting. He will also go on to become one of the top 5 players in Major League Baseball history and still holds the all-time record for career batting average at .367 which I will assume will never be broke.

Both players ended up in Cooperstown, Cobb was part of the initial class and Flick joined him in 1961.

Learn More About Ty Cobb - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/ty-cobb-biography/

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

March 12, 1956  in Portland, OR . . . One of the most talented and complete players of the 1980s, Dale Murphy won two Most Valuable Player Awards and clubbed 398 homers while maintaining a squeeky-clean image. He was one of the most respected and popular stars of his era. He led the National League in homers, RBI, and slugging twice each. Though he declined rapidly late in his career, in his prime Murphy was compared to Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Big John Mize won four National League home run titles, a batting title and three RBI crowns. He was revered by fans in St. Louis and New York, where he ended his career by playing on five World Series champions in his last seasons as a Yankee. In the 1952 Fall Classic against the Dodgers he belted homer sin games three, four and five, batting .400 with six RBI.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Robert Arthur Elson (March 22, 1904 – March 10, 1981[1]) was a pioneering American sportscaster who was the voice of the Chicago White Sox for all or parts of four decades. Known as "The 'Ol Commander", he broadcast an estimated 5,000 major league baseball games. In his prime, was among the leading play-by-play men in the game. In 1979, he received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame for his excellence and longevity in the industry.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Born: March 9, 1942 in Pueblo Nuevo, Cuba, Surrounded by superstars, Bert Campaneris was a key contributor to the great Oakland teams with his competitive spirit and superb play. His memorable debut with the Kansas City A's (July 23, 1964) included two home runs, one off the first major league pitch ever thrown to him. Bert became only the third player in big league history to hit two homers in his first game. He made headlines in one of club owner Charlie Finley's publicity stunts in 1965. On September 9, Campaneris played every position in a nine inning game.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

On March 7, 1902 — Hall of Famer James (Pud) Galvin dies at the age of 45. Galvin won 361 games over a 14-year career, placing him in a tie for sixth on the all-time list for most wins. In 1883 and 1884, Galvin won a combined 92 games. In 1884 his WAR was over 17+ which ranks 3rd highest all-time.

Galvin will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965 and later it will be uncovered he was the first known player to use Performancing Enhancing Drugs. 

On today's show, we have Brian Martin who was on the Nassau Community College show talking about his book on Pud Galvin. 

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/966-beyond-the-game-28826156/episode/brian-martin-interview-and-a-whole-28826512/

https://www.amazon.com/Pud-Galvin-Baseballs-300-Game-Winner-ebook/dp/B01M0BDWTP

NPR 

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5314753

Pud Galvin's Page - 

https://thisdayinbaseball.com/pud-galvin-page/

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Enos Slaughter

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

March 5, 1996 — The Veterans Committee elects four new members for the Hall of Fame, and just misses naming a fifth. The group elected includes fiery manager Earl Weaver, who had a .583 winning percentage in 17 seasons managing the Baltimore Orioles; pitcher Jim Bunning, who won 100 games in both leagues, including no-hitters in each circuit, one of them a perfect game; 19th-century manager Ned Hanlon, who won five National League pennants with the Baltimore Orioles (3) and Brooklyn (2), and Bill Foster, the top left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues. Nellie Fox receives the necessary 75% of the Committee’s votes, but the rules allow just one modern player elected, and Bunning has more votes.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Born: March 4, 1897 in San Francisco, CA, How did a baseball player named Lefty O’Doul become so popular in his native San Francisco that a bridge was named after him? The answer is complicated but legendary in the Bay Area. O’Doul began as a pitcher for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League, working his way to the big leagues for brief stretches, but an arm injury forced him to concentrate on his hitting. At the age of 31, in 1928, he made it back to the majors as an outfielder with the New York Giants. The following year with the Phillies, the hard-hitting O’Doul smacked 254 hits and 32 homers, while batting .398 to win the first of his two batting titles. He topped the 200-hit mark twice more, and batted .300 or better six times in his “second career.” Lured by a fat contract to manage the Seals back in his home city, O’Doul took his career .349 batting mark and returned to the West Coast in 1937. He held that position for 15 seasons, managing some of the best players to come out of California.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts

March 3, 1987, former Negro Leagues standout Ray Dandridge is elected to the Hall of Fame. Known for his power hitting ability and slick-fielding at third base, Dandridge starred for a number of Negro Leagues teams in the 1930s and 40s. He was the only player elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee.

Mentioned in this episode:

Classic Baseball Broadcasts