Category: Baseball Library

George “Doc” Medich was primarily a starting pitcher, but he got his biggest “save” on this date in 1978, when he administered CPR to a fan while in uniform before a game with the Orioles.

On this date in 1951, the Pirates’ Ralph Kiner hit three home runs, good for 7 RBI, in a victory against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field.

The Giants’ Juan Marichal pitched a one-hitter against the Phillies on this date in 1960 in his first big-league appearance.

On this date in 1976, Henry Aaron hit his 755th and final major-league home run off the Angels’ Dick Drago.

Padres manager Preston Gomez pinch-hit for pitcher Clay Kirby on this date in 1970 because the Padres were trailing 1-0 in the eighth inning of a game against the Mets — although Kirby had a no-hitter going.

Braves manager Billy Hitchcock used five pitchers to get the last two outs in the ninth inning of a July 22, 1967 game with St. Louis. They got the outs, but the Cardinals tied the game in the process. Atlanta eventually won in extra innings, with rookie Cecil Upshaw getting the victory.

Willie McCovey was MVP of the All-Star Game, hitting two home runs and driving in three in a 9-3 NL win on this date in 1969.

The Royals’ George Brett hit a two-run home run off Yankees closer Rich Gossage with two out in the ninth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium, giving Kansas City a one-run lead. But Brett was called out after the Yankees complained that there was too much pine tar on Brett’s bat. League president Lee McPhail overturned the decision that was made on the field, because the pine tar — technically too far up the bat handle — did not assist the ball in flight. The game was completed at a later date, and the Royals won.

The Phillies’ Del Unser set a record on this date in 1979 when he hit his third consecutive pinch-hit home run. It came in the ninth inning of a game against the Padres and ace closer Rollie Fingers.