Today in Baseball History:

baseball, history, research, writing

Today in baseball history is a blog dedicated to baseball fans who love researching and writing about the game’s history.

Babe Ruth’s Called Shot

On October 1, 1932, in Game 3 of the World Series Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees made history with his so-called “called shot.” With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning and the bases loaded, Ruth stepped up to the plate to face Chicago Cubs pitcher Charlie Root. AsRoot went into his windup, Ruth pointed to center field, seemingly indicating where he planned to hit the ball He then proceeded to do just that, hitting a home run to give the Yankees a 7-4 lead. The Yankees went on to win the game and the Series.

Jackie Robinson’s First Game

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made history by becoming the first African American to play in a Major League Baseball game. Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers was more than just a sports story; it was a moment that changed America forever.

Robinson’s first season was remarkable not only for his personal achievements (he was named Rookie of the Year), but also for the way he handled himself in the face of intense racism from both fans and fellow players. His courage and dignity in the face of adversity inspired many other African Americans to pursue their dreams, and helped break down the color barrier in baseball and other professional sports

Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run

On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run breaking Babe Ruth’s record. In front of a sellout crowd at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and a nationally televised audience, Aaron hits a pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers starter Al Downing over the left-field fence for a solo homer in the fourth inning.

Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Speech

On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig “the Iron Horse” of baseball, died at the age of 37 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), now commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Just two weeks earlier, on June 2, Gehrig had stood at Yankee Stadium to give what would become one of the most famous speeches in American history. In front of a sold-out crowd and a nationwide radio audience, Gehrig delivered these now-famous words:

“Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.

“Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn’t consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I’m lucky. Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have played on the same team as Babe Ruth and watched that great man hit your pitches to all corners of the park! Sure, I’m lucky.

“When the New York Giants a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift — that’s something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats come out to give you a hand — that’s something. When you have a wonderfully loyal wife who’s been with you through all the bad times — that’s something. When you have good friends like Herb Pennock, Waite Hoyt and Mark Koenig — that’s something.

“Sure I’m lucky. I could’ve been over there with my buddy Bob Feller or Van Lingle Mungo or Ralph Branca or Joe DiMaggio or any other fantastic ballplayer who has left us too soon. But when you’ve got this disease like I’ve got it — brother — let me tell ya — you couldn’t be luckier than me because I’ve got something they haven’t got: You fans! Each and every one of ya! Whenya line up every day an’ take yer position whether it’s alongside me at first base or in center field wherever it is out there in back o’ second base an’ somebody hits it out where ya can’t quite get it an’ ya sprint as fast as ya can but somehow ya can’t make it an’ yer heart is tearin’ up inside o’ ya ’cause this ain’t suposed ta happen ta guys like us not makin’ catches but we gotta go on tryin’-tryin’. That’s what keeps us alive-that tryin’. That gives us hope.”

Cal Ripken Jr.’s 2,131st Consecutive Game

On this day in baseball history September 6th, 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles played in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking Lou Gehrig’s record for most consecutive games played Ripken’s streak would eventually reach 2,632 games before he voluntarily ended it on September 20th, 1998.

Barry Bonds’ 756th Home Run

On August 7, 2007, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants became Major League Baseball’s (MLB) all-time home run king, hitting his 756th career home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik. The historic Home Run came in the bottom of the fifth inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco and gave the Giants a 5-4 lead. It was also Bonds’ first home run since May 28, when he hit his 755th off Houston Astros pitcher Woody Williams

Roger Clemens’ 4,000th Strikeout

On this day in baseball history Roger Clemens struck out his 4,000th batter. Clemens, who played for the Boston Red Sox New York Yankees and Houston Astros is one of only eight pitchers to reach this milestone. He is also the oldest pitcher to reach 4,000 strikeouts, at age 46.

Ichiro Suzuki’s 3,000th Hit

Ichiro Suzuki of the Miami Marlins made history on August 7, 2016, becoming just the 30th player in MLB history to reach 3,000 hits.

Suzuki reached the milestone with a single off right-hander Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers He is also the first Player to Reach 3,000 hits in a Marlins uniform.

A 10-time All-Star and two-time batting champion, Suzuki is one of the most accomplished hitters of his generation. He is also the only player in MLB history to have at least 10 seasons with 200 or more hits.

Derek Jeter’s 3,000th Hit

On July 9, 2011, Derek Jeter became just the 28th player in Major League history to accumulate 3,000 hits. His milestone hit came in the eighth inning off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price and was a home run over the left-center field wall at Yankee Stadium The game was paused for a nearly 10-minute on-field celebration, during which Jeter was serenaded with chants of “De-rek Je-ter!” from the crowd of 48,103.

Clayton Kershaw’s No-Hitter

On June 18, 2014, Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched a no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies It was the 22nd no-hitter in Dodgers history and the first since Hideo Nomo’s in 1996.