On This Day - May 17th

OTD - 1925 - In a 2-1 loss to the Senators, Indians' outfielder Tris Speaker singles off pitcher Tom Zachary to collect his career 3000 hit. The 'The Grey Eagle' becomes the fifth major leaguer to reach the milestone, joining Cap Anson (1897), Honus Wagner (1914), Nap Lajoie (1914), and Ty Cobb (1921)



OTD - 1963 - At Colt Stadium, Don Nottebart throws first no-hitter in franchise history when the Colt 45's beat the Phillies, 4-1. It is the 197th game the team has played since its inception last season.



OTD - 1970 - During a 7-6 Atlanta loss to Cincinnati in the second game of a doubleheader, Hank Aaron collects his 3,000th career hit and his 570th home run. Aaron, the ninth man to amass 3,000 hits, is the first to also have 500 home runs.




OTD - 1984 - In a 5-4 victory over Montreal at Jack Murphy Stadium, Padres’ second baseman Alan Wiggins ties a National League record by stealing five bases in one game. Dan McGann (1904), Davey Lopes (1974), and Lonnie Smith (1982) also accomplished the feat in the senior circuit.



OTD - 1998 - David Wells pitches the 13th perfect game in modern major league history as the Yankees beat the Twins 4-0. Wells, whose perfecto is the first by a Yankee since Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, also sets an A.L. record by retiring 37 batters in a row, dating back to his start May 12 against the Royals. Twins shortstop Pat Meares flies out to Paul O'Neill in right field to complete the perfect afternoon at Yankee Stadium.



Cheers,

On This Day - May 10th

OTD - 1910 - Bill Purtell gets the dubious distinction of becoming the first player in major league history to strike out two times in the same frame. During the sixth inning of the White Sox 10-3 victory over Washington, the Chicago third baseman is victimized twice by future Hall of Famer Walter Johnson.


OTD - 1959 - Philadelphia's Jim Hearn allows two earned runs before the game is suspended with the Pirates ahead 6-4. Hearn is released before the game is completed in July and is charged with the loss — two months after his retirement.


OTD - 1967 - In the eighth inning against Jim Bunning of the Phillies, Hank Aaron drives a ball to deep center field and scores ahead of the relay. It will be the only inside-the-park home run among his 755.


OTD - 1970 - While losing 6-5 to St. Louis, the Braves' Hoyt Wilhelm becomes the first pitcher ever to appear in 1,000 games.


OTD - 1981 - Montreal's Charlie Lea, a native of France, no-hits the Giants 4-0, walking four and striking out eight in the second game of a doubleheader. It is the first no-hitter at Olympic Stadium, which opened for baseball in 1977.



Cheers,