ClimbingSky

Why Baseball, Books, and the Grateful Dead matter

Baseball History

This Day in Baseball History

  • FRIDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Durocher on Willie Mays

    “If somebody came up and hit .450, stole 100 bases, and performed a miracle in the field everyday I’d still look you in the eye and say Willie was better. He could do the five things you have to do to be a superstar: hit, hit with power, run, throw and field. And he had… Read more

  • The Greatest

    On May 1st, 1991, Rickey Henderson surpassed Lou Brock as baseball’s career stolen base leader with his 939th steal as the Oakland Athletics beat the New York Yankees 7-4. I have written a lot about Rickey here because he deserves it. He was that great. Rickey got a bad rap when he broke Lou Brock’s record for Stolen… Read more

  • The Rocket

    On April 29th, 1986,  Roger “The Rocket” Clemens set a major league record by striking out 20 as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Seattle Mariners 3-1. How great was Roger Clemens? Clemens even won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 1986 (an award generally considered for everyday players NOT pitchers!). And yet, like… Read more

  • Tom Seaver

    On April 20th, 1967,  Tom Seaver of the New York Mets recorded his first major-league victory with a 6-1 triumph over the Chicago Cubs. Seaver went 7 2/3 innings and gave up eight hits and one run. Tom Seaver won a total of 311 games in his 20-year career. He won 3 Cy Young Awards and… Read more

  • A Weird Stat

    Lee Smith became the all-time saves leader as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-7. Smith got his 358th save, passing (former Minnesota Twin) Jeff Reardon. The Save is a relatively new stat in baseball. It did not become an official stat until 1969 And the rules for getting a Save have changed over… Read more

  • The Eighth Wonder of the World

    On April 12th, 1965, Richie Allen hit the first home run in the Houston Astrodome, off Bob Bruce, as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Astros 2-0. I have a special place in my heart for the Astrodome, “The Eighth Wonder of the World.” Just as I have for the Metrodome and Wrigley Field. 20 years after Richie… Read more

  • Fernando Valenzuela

    On April 9th, 1981, as a last minute fill-in on Opening Day when scheduled starter Jerry Reuss pulled a calf muscle, Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela shut out the Astros 2-0 on five hits in his first major league start. He would go on to win eight consecutive games. In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela led the league in For context from… Read more

  • Hank Aaron

    On April 8, 1974, In the fourth inning of the Braves home opener against the Dodgers, Hank Aaron parks an Al Downing pitch in the left-center field stands for career home run No. 715, breaking Ruth’s once thought to be unapproachable record. How good was Hank Aaron? Do the math. If a rookie starting this season hit 30 homers… Read more

  • The Metrodome

    On April 6th, 1982, The Minnesota Twins played their inaugural game at the brand-new Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Twins rookie Gary Gaetti had four hits with a pair of home runs, but Seattle won, 11-7. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome was home to the Minnesota Twins for 27 years, from 1982-2009. I have always felt like the… Read more

  • Earl Weaver

    On April 5th, 1979, Future Hall of Fame Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver wins his 1,000th game as a skipper. He would end up with 1480 in his career. Earl Weaver was the manager for Orioles between 1968 and 1986. I say “between” because like most managers he was fired a few times during that… Read more