The New York Yankees made the postseason once again in 2007 extending the team's consecutive streak of making the playoffs to 13 straight seasons as they drew the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. On this day in 2007 the Yankees and Indians played in Game 2 of the ALDS at Jacobs Field in a game that the Yankees had in hand before the eight inning. Joba Chamberlain came in to try and hold the lead and hand the ball to Mariano Rivera but a rare infestation of insects, or midges, appeared and took over the pitchers mound and the field. Joba threw a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score in Joba's first blown save of the season.
Also on this day in 2005 the Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. Ken Griffey Jr. won the award for the National League in the first time that the award was given out by the fans vote on MLB.com. Giambi finished the season with a .271 average with 32 home runs and 87 RBI.
Also on this day in 1995 Bernie Williams set one of his many records in postseason history as he became the first player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same postseason game. The Mariners fan who caught the eight inning blast was unaware of the milestone and foolishly threw the ball back onto the field.
Finally on this day in 1985 the Yankees Phil Niekro became the 18th and oldest player in major league history to win 300 games when he shut out the Toronto Blue Jays on the final game of the season. Niekro was 46 years old and 188 days and would ultimately finish with 318 victories.
At one point in his career everyone thought that Alex Rodriguez would be the man to finally break Hank Aaron's and then Barry Bonds all-time home run mark. Alex hit two home runs on this day on his way to the record books. It all started in 2007 when Alex became the 22nd and the youngest player (32 years and 8 days) to hit 500 home runs. Alex only took 14 seasons to reach the mark when he hit the three run home run off Royals starter Kyle Davies. Alex joined Mickey Mantle as the only other player to hit his 500th home run inside Yankee Stadium.
A mere three years later on this day in 2010 Alex was in the news again for hitting a home run, this time his 600th home run of his career. Alex would pass Babe Ruth to become the youngest player in the history of baseball to reach the 600 home run plateau. A Rod's first inning two run home run would make him the seventh player in baseball history to reach 600 home runs.
Also on this day in 1985 the Yankees honored Phil Rizzuto by retiring his #10 jersey before the game. Rizzuto was a former Yankees player and a play by play color broadcaster that was best known for his "Holy Cow" expressions. The Yankees honored Rizzuto by a gift from the team of a cow wearing a halo.
Also on this day in 1985 Tom Seaver becomes the 17th player in major league history to win his 300th game. Seaver ruins Phil Rizzuto Day at Yankee Stadium by beating the Yankees 4-1 allowing only six singles to reach the milestone.
Finally on this day in 1968 the Yankees held their second of three days honoring the great Mickey Mantle. Prior to the game over 2000 fans paid tribute to the future Hall of Famer in the Bronx.
On this day in 2003 the Yankees Roger Clemens finally got his 300th victory of his career throwing 6.2 innings pitched in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The 40 year old Clemens would become only the 21st pitcher to ever win 300 games and the first since 1990. Clemens also got his 4,000th strikeout of his career joining Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Steve Carlton (4,136) as the only two members of the 4,000 strike out club.
Also on this day in 2001 the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Enrique Wilson and his .186 average to the Yankees for relief pitcher Damaso Marte and his 3-1 record and 2.50 ERA. The rest is history, although a right would be wronged in 2009.
Also on this day in 2001 in what should have started a fight the New York Yankees lost to the Montreal Expos in 12 innings after Mark Smith hit a "home run" that was clearly foul on replay. The Yankees would be forced to restore the missing screen on the bottom three feet of the fair side left field foul pole to keep this event from ever happening again. The section was originally removed so the fans sitting behind the pole would not have an obstructed view of the game.
Also on this day in 1994 Don Mattingly passed Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp for consecutive games played in a Yankees uniform. Mattingly played in 1,469 straight games and is only second to the Iron Horse Lou Gehrig and his 2,130 straight games.
Also on this day in 1957 another ugly brawl broke out when Art Ditmar threw a pitch behind Larry Doby's head. The White Sox infielder took exception to being thrown at and punched the Yankees pitcher Ditmar. Billy Martin, Walt Dropo, Bill Skowron, and Enos Slaughter were all in the middle of the fight.
Also on this day in 1948 the Yankees held Babe Ruth Day on the silver anniversary. Members of the 1923 team, his first team he played with in Yankee Stadium, and 49,641 fans sang Auld Lang Syne to Ruth. The #3 uniform was retired and immediately sent to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame.
Also on this day in 1924 the Yankees outfielder Bob Meusel is hit by a pitch in the back by the Detroit Tigers Bert Cole and bedlam starts in the Bronx. The Yankees outfielder would throw his bat and charge the mound resulting in a nine inning brawl. The brawl included everyone from players, fans, and police and would see the Tigers forfeit the game 10-6 because the umpires could not clear the field after 30 minutes. Wow.
Finally on this day in 1921 Babe Ruth pitched the first five innings in a 11-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers for the first and only time this season. Ruth also hit two home runs in a season in which he broke his own major league record for home runs in a single season with 59. This would be the last time Ruth would pitch for the Yankees this season.
The New York Yankees made the postseason once again in 2007 extending the team's consecutive streak of making the playoffs to 13 straight seasons as they drew the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. On this day in 2007 the Yankees and Indians played in Game 2 of the ALDS at Jacobs Field in a game that the Yankees had in hand before the eight inning. Joba Chamberlain came in to try and hold the lead and hand the ball to Mariano Rivera but a rare infestation of insects, or midges, appeared and took over the pitchers mound and the field. Joba threw a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score in Joba's first blown save of the season.
Also on this day in 2005 the Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. Ken Griffey Jr. won the award for the National League in the first time that the award was given out by the fans vote on MLB.com. Giambi finished the season with a .271 average with 32 home runs and 87 RBI.
Also on this day in 1995 Bernie Williams set one of his many records in postseason history as he became the first player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same postseason game. The Mariners fan who caught the eight inning blast was unaware of the milestone and foolishly threw the ball back onto the field.
Finally on this day in 1985 the Yankees Phil Niekro became the 18th and oldest player in major league history to win 300 games when he shut out the Toronto Blue Jays on the final game of the season. Niekro was 46 years old and 188 days and would ultimately finish with 318 victories.
At one point in his career everyone thought that Alex Rodriguez would be the man to finally break Hank Aaron's and then Barry Bonds all-time home run mark. Alex hit two home runs on this day on his way to the record books. It all started in 2007 when Alex became the 22nd and the youngest player (32 years and 8 days) to hit 500 home runs. Alex only took 14 seasons to reach the mark when he hit the three run home run off Royals starter Kyle Davies. Alex joined Mickey Mantle as the only other player to hit his 500th home run inside Yankee Stadium.
A mere three years later on this day in 2010 Alex was in the news again for hitting a home run, this time his 600th home run of his career. Alex would pass Babe Ruth to become the youngest player in the history of baseball to reach the 600 home run plateau. A Rod's first inning two run home run would make him the seventh player in baseball history to reach 600 home runs.
Also on this day in 1985 the Yankees honored Phil Rizzuto by retiring his #10 jersey before the game. Rizzuto was a former Yankees player and a play by play color broadcaster that was best known for his "Holy Cow" expressions. The Yankees honored Rizzuto by a gift from the team of a cow wearing a halo.
Also on this day in 1985 Tom Seaver becomes the 17th player in major league history to win his 300th game. Seaver ruins Phil Rizzuto Day at Yankee Stadium by beating the Yankees 4-1 allowing only six singles to reach the milestone.
Finally on this day in 1968 the Yankees held their second of three days honoring the great Mickey Mantle. Prior to the game over 2000 fans paid tribute to the future Hall of Famer in the Bronx.
On this day in 2009 the San Francisco Giants Randy Johnson would pitch six innings in a 5-1 Giants victory over the Washington Nationals for Johnson's 300th victory of his career. The former Seattle Mariner, Houston Astro, Arizona Diamondback, and New York Yankee would become the 24th pitcher in the history of the game to win #300 and the first to win his 300th game in his first try since Tom Seaver beat the Yankees in 1985.
Also on this day in 1980 at Shea Stadium the recently traded Jim Kaat, who was fresh over from the New York Yankees, gets a complete game shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings. The Mets would beat the Cardinals 1-0 in 10 innings. The 41 year old pitcher did not start a game for the Yankees last season but gets the win thanks to a 10th inning solo home run from Ken Reitz. Ain't that some luck?
On this day in 2002 Roger Clemens signed a one year deal worth $10.1 million with the Yankees at age 40. Clemens was coming off of a 13-6 season with a 4.35 ERA and states that this would probably be his last season. The six time Cy Young Award winner was only seven wins shy of 300 victories for his career.
The New York Yankees made the postseason once again in 2007 extending the team's consecutive streak of making the playoffs to 13 straight seasons as they drew the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. On this day in 2007 the Yankees and Indians played in Game 2 of the ALDS at Jacobs Field in a game that the Yankees had in hand before the eight inning. Joba Chamberlain came in to try and hold the lead and hand the ball to Mariano Rivera but a rare infestation of insects, or midges, appeared and took over the pitchers mound and the field. Joba threw a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score in Joba's first blown save of the season.
Also on this day in 2005 the Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. Ken Griffey Jr. won the award for the National League in the first time that the award was given out by the fans vote on MLB.com. Giambi finished the season with a .271 average with 32 home runs and 87 RBI.
Also on this day in 1995 Bernie Williams set one of his many records in postseason history as he became the first player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same postseason game. The Mariners fan who caught the eight inning blast was unaware of the milestone and foolishly threw the ball back onto the field.
Finally on this day in 1985 the Yankees Phil Niekro became the 18th and oldest player in major league history to win 300 games when he shut out the Toronto Blue Jays on the final game of the season. Niekro was 46 years old and 188 days and would ultimately finish with 318 victories.
At one point in his career everyone thought that Alex Rodriguez would be the man to finally break Hank Aaron's and then Barry Bonds all-time home run mark. Alex hit two home runs on this day on his way to the record books. It all started in 2007 when Alex became the 22nd and the youngest player (32 years and 8 days) to hit 500 home runs. Alex only took 14 seasons to reach the mark when he hit the three run home run off Royals starter Kyle Davies. Alex joined Mickey Mantle as the only other player to hit his 500th home run inside Yankee Stadium.
A mere three years later on this day in 2010 Alex was in the news again for hitting a home run, this time his 600th home run of his career. Alex would pass Babe Ruth to become the youngest player in the history of baseball to reach the 600 home run plateau. A Rod's first inning two run home run would make him the seventh player in baseball history to reach 600 home runs.
Also on this day in 1985 the Yankees honored Phil Rizzuto by retiring his #10 jersey before the game. Rizzuto was a former Yankees player and a play by play color broadcaster that was best known for his "Holy Cow" expressions. The Yankees honored Rizzuto by a gift from the team of a cow wearing a halo.
Also on this day in 1985 Tom Seaver becomes the 17th player in major league history to win his 300th game. Seaver ruins Phil Rizzuto Day at Yankee Stadium by beating the Yankees 4-1 allowing only six singles to reach the milestone.
Finally on this day in 1968 the Yankees held their second of three days honoring the great Mickey Mantle. Prior to the game over 2000 fans paid tribute to the future Hall of Famer in the Bronx.
On this day in 2003 the Yankees Roger Clemens finally got his 300th victory of his career throwing 6.2 innings pitched in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The 40 year old Clemens would become only the 21st pitcher to ever win 300 games and the first since 1990. Clemens also got his 4,000th strikeout of his career joining Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Steve Carlton (4,136) as the only two members of the 4,000 strike out club.
Also on this day in 2001 the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Enrique Wilson and his .186 average to the Yankees for relief pitcher Damaso Marte and his 3-1 record and 2.50 ERA. The rest is history, although a right would be wronged in 2009.
Also on this day in 2001 in what should have started a fight the New York Yankees lost to the Montreal Expos in 12 innings after Mark Smith hit a "home run" that was clearly foul on replay. The Yankees would be forced to restore the missing screen on the bottom three feet of the fair side left field foul pole to keep this event from ever happening again. The section was originally removed so the fans sitting behind the pole would not have an obstructed view of the game.
Also on this day in 1994 Don Mattingly passed Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp for consecutive games played in a Yankees uniform. Mattingly played in 1,469 straight games and is only second to the Iron Horse Lou Gehrig and his 2,130 straight games.
Also on this day in 1957 another ugly brawl broke out when Art Ditmar threw a pitch behind Larry Doby's head. The White Sox infielder took exception to being thrown at and punched the Yankees pitcher Ditmar. Billy Martin, Walt Dropo, Bill Skowron, and Enos Slaughter were all in the middle of the fight.
Also on this day in 1948 the Yankees held Babe Ruth Day on the silver anniversary. Members of the 1923 team, his first team he played with in Yankee Stadium, and 49,641 fans sang Auld Lang Syne to Ruth. The #3 uniform was retired and immediately sent to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame.
Also on this day in 1924 the Yankees outfielder Bob Meusel is hit by a pitch in the back by the Detroit Tigers Bert Cole and bedlam starts in the Bronx. The Yankees outfielder would throw his bat and charge the mound resulting in a nine inning brawl. The brawl included everyone from players, fans, and police and would see the Tigers forfeit the game 10-6 because the umpires could not clear the field after 30 minutes. Wow.
Finally on this day in 1921 Babe Ruth pitched the first five innings in a 11-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers for the first and only time this season. Ruth also hit two home runs in a season in which he broke his own major league record for home runs in a single season with 59. This would be the last time Ruth would pitch for the Yankees this season.
On this day in 2009 the San Francisco Giants Randy Johnson would pitch six innings in a 5-1 Giants victory over the Washington Nationals for Johnson's 300th victory of his career. The former Seattle Mariner, Houston Astro, Arizona Diamondback, and New York Yankee would become the 24th pitcher in the history of the game to win #300 and the first to win his 300th game in his first try since Tom Seaver beat the Yankees in 1985.
Also on this day in 1980 at Shea Stadium the recently traded Jim Kaat, who was fresh over from the New York Yankees, gets a complete game shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings. The Mets would beat the Cardinals 1-0 in 10 innings. The 41 year old pitcher did not start a game for the Yankees last season but gets the win thanks to a 10th inning solo home run from Ken Reitz. Ain't that some luck?
The New York Yankees have made it a habit of holding a day
to honor their stars from past and present and have even seemingly made it a
yearly thing in the Bronx. New York has held days for Derek Jeter, Andy
Pettitte, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Tino Martinez, Jorge Posada, Joe
Torre and others in recent years as the team acknowledges and honors the “Core
Four” and the “Dynasty Yankees” but the team has done little to honor the
pitching staff that toed the line for many of those World Series Championships.
I know this is going to be an unpopular decision, and call me crazy, but what
about a Roger Clemens Day in 2016?
Before you click the little red “X” at the top of your
browser hear me out a second. I didn’t say induct the guy into the Hall of Fame
and I didn’t say retire the guy’s number inside Monument Park. All I’m saying
is honor the guy for what he did in the Bronx with the Yankees. Clemens came to
the Yankees before the 1999 season from the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal that
sent David Wells, Homer Bush and Graeme Lloyd back to the Blue Jays and
immediately won a pair of World Series with the team in 1999 and 2000.
Clemens enjoyed many accolades, milestones and achievements
inside a Yankees uniform that in my opinion should be honored by the team in
some capacity. Clemens set the ALCS record for strikeouts in a game against the
Seattle Mariners in 2000 when he struck out 15 batters while he followed it up
with his sixth Cy Young Award in 2001 with a 20-win season. Clemens also won
his 300th game inside a Yankees uniform and recorded his 4,000th
strikeout in the same game becoming the 21st pitcher in MLB history
to win 300 games and just the third ever (at the time) to record 4,000
strikeouts joining Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton and eventually Randy Johnson, now
all Hall of Fame pitchers. Clemens also went on, after a short stint with the
Houston Astros and retirement thrown in the middle, to win his 350th
game in a Yankees uniform including 83 wins inside of a Yankees uniform.
Clemens was no slouch in the postseason either posting a
career 12-8 record in 34 starts with a 3.75 ERA, 173 strikeouts and a 3-0 World
Series record with a 2.37 ERA. Clemens may have had his struggles with
steroids, former trainers trying to ruin his image and tarnish his career and
he may have even fallen short every year in the Hall of Fame voting but that
doesn’t mean he is any less of a person. Clemens has since been cleared of any
perjury charges and, for what it’s worth, never failed a steroid or drug test
in his career. And lastly, before you mention how few years he pitched for the
Yankees and before you bring up his recruitment of Andy Pettitte to the Astros
I want you to go Wikipedia the name “Reggie Jackson.” Enough said.
Hey if the Cincinnati Reds can do it with Pete Rose then why
can’t the Yankees, right?
On this day in 2002 Roger Clemens signed a one year deal worth $10.1 million with the Yankees at age 40. Clemens was coming off of a 13-6 season with a 4.35 ERA and states that this would probably be his last season. The six time Cy Young Award winner was only seven wins shy of 300 victories for his career.
The New York Yankees made the postseason once again in 2007 extending the team's consecutive streak of making the playoffs to 13 straight seasons as they drew the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. On this day in 2007 the Yankees and Indians played in Game 2 of the ALDS at Jacobs Field in a game that the Yankees had in hand before the eight inning. Joba Chamberlain came in to try and hold the lead and hand the ball to Mariano Rivera but a rare infestation of insects, or midges, appeared and took over the pitchers mound and the field. Joba threw a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score in Joba's first blown save of the season.
Also on this day in 2005 the Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. Ken Griffey Jr. won the award for the National League in the first time that the award was given out by the fans vote on MLB.com. Giambi finished the season with a .271 average with 32 home runs and 87 RBI.
Also on this day in 1995 Bernie Williams set one of his many records in postseason history as he became the first player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same postseason game. The Mariners fan who caught the eight inning blast was unaware of the milestone and foolishly threw the ball back onto the field.
Finally on this day in 1985 the Yankees Phil Niekro became the 18th and oldest player in major league history to win 300 games when he shut out the Toronto Blue Jays on the final game of the season. Niekro was 46 years old and 188 days and would ultimately finish with 318 victories.
Roger Clemens was brought up this morning in our daily “This Day in Yankees History” post as he started the 2001 season with a 20-1 record (or 20-01 record in 2001 if you want to be clever). Roger was an integral part of the “Dynasty Years” in New York as he added a ferocity unmatched by any pitcher in the game, also known as roid rage. Clemens spent the 1999-2003 and the 2007 season with the Yankees after spending 1984-1996 with the Red Sox and 1997 and 1998 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. Clemens also spent the 2004-2006 seasons down in Houston with Andy Pettitte and the Astros but we as Yankee fans like to conveniently forget that. Today we will remember another Yankee of the past, Mr. William Roger Clemens.
As we all remember vividly Clemens did not sign a contract with the Boston Red Sox after the 1996 season even though he was reportedly offered “by far the most money ever offered to a player in the history of the Red Sox franchise.” General Manager Dan Duquette mentioned that Clemens was in the “twilight” of his career when he left for Toronto and two pitching triple crown’s and Cy Young Awards later the New York Yankees acquired Clemens before the 1999 season for David Wells, Homer Bush, and Graeme Lloyd. Clemens immediate impact was huge as he helped New York win the 1999 and 2000 World Series before ultimately reaching the 2001 and 2003 World Series’ before losing in both.
As we mentioned Clemens best season in pinstripes was by far the 2001 season when he started 20-1 and finished the season 20-3 winning his sixth Cy Young Award of his career. Clemens is the last New York Yankees pitcher to win the Cy Young Award as it stands today. Clemens was on the mound in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series where he out pitched Curt Schilling for six innings before Mariano Rivera blew the save in the 9th inning to give Arizona their first World Series Championship. Clemens would retire after the 2003 campaign with the Yankees after a season in which Clemens won his 300th game and achieved his 4,000th strikeout against the St. Louis Cardinals in Yankee Stadium. Clemens “went out” on top after 2003 finishing with a 17-9 record with a 3.91 ERA and a career 310-160 record with 4,099 strikeouts in his career.
As we all remember Clemens came out of his quick retirement for the 2004 season to join his friend Andy Pettitte in Houston with the Astros. While we could talk about him starting the All Star Game that season, him winning his seventh Cy Young Award, his record breaking $18,000,022 in salary arbitration for the 2005 season, his 1.87 ERA in 2005, his return to the World Series in 2005, or him coming out of retirement for a second time in 2006 but this is YANKEES of the past, so we won’t. Instead we will focus on Clemens unexpectedly showing up in the owner’s box at Yankee Stadium on May 6, 2007 as he announced he was coming out of retirement for a third time. Clemens would win his 350th game of his career on July 2 against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. A hamstring injury ended his 2007, and ultimately his career, prematurely in the Bronx. Clemens finished the season with a 6-6 record with a 4.18 ERA and another loss in the postseason for the Bronx Bombers.
At one point in his career everyone thought that Alex
Rodriguez would be the man to finally break Hank Aaron's and then Barry Bonds
all-time home run mark. Alex hit two home runs on this day on his way to the
record books. It all started in 2007 when Alex became the 22nd and the youngest
player (32 years and 8 days) to hit 500 home runs. Alex only took 14 seasons to
reach the mark when he hit the three run home run off Royals starter Kyle
Davies. Alex joined Mickey Mantle as the only other player to hit his 500th
home run inside Yankee Stadium.
A mere three years later on this day in 2010 Alex was in the news again for
hitting a home run, this time his 600th home run of his career. Alex would pass
Babe Ruth to become the youngest player in the history of baseball to reach the
600 home run plateau. A Rod's first inning two run home run would make him the
seventh player in baseball history to reach 600 home runs.
Also on this day in 1985 the Yankees honored Phil Rizzuto by retiring his #10
jersey before the game. Rizzuto was a former Yankees player and a play by play
color broadcaster that was best known for his "Holy Cow" expressions.
The Yankees honored Rizzuto by a gift from the team of a cow wearing a halo.
Also on this day in 1985 Tom Seaver becomes the 17th player in major league
history to win his 300th game. Seaver ruins Phil Rizzuto Day at Yankee Stadium
by beating the Yankees 4-1 allowing only six singles to reach the milestone.
Finally on this day in 1968 the Yankees held their second of three days
honoring the great Mickey Mantle. Prior to the game over 2000 fans paid tribute
to the future Hall of Famer in the Bronx.
On this day in 2003 the Yankees Roger Clemens finally got
his 300th victory of his career throwing 6.2 innings pitched in a win over the
St. Louis Cardinals. The 40 year old Clemens would become only the 21st pitcher
to ever win 300 games and the first since 1990. Clemens also got his 4,000th
strikeout of his career joining Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Steve Carlton (4,136) as
the only two members of the 4,000 strike out club.
Also on this day in 2001 the Pittsburgh Pirates traded
Enrique Wilson and his .186 average to the Yankees for relief pitcher Damaso
Marte and his 3-1 record and 2.50 ERA. The rest is history, although a right
would be wronged in 2009.
Also on this day in 2001 in what should have started a fight
the New York Yankees lost to the Montreal Expos in 12 innings after Mark Smith
hit a "home run" that was clearly foul on replay. The Yankees would
be forced to restore the missing screen on the bottom three feet of the fair
side left field foul pole to keep this event from ever happening again.
The section was originally removed so the fans sitting behind the pole
would not have an obstructed view of the game.
Also on this day in 1994 Don Mattingly passed Yankees first
baseman Wally Pipp for consecutive games played in a Yankees uniform. Mattingly
played in 1,469 straight games and is only second to the Iron Horse Lou Gehrig
and his 2,130 straight games.
Also on this day in 1957 another ugly brawl broke out when
Art Ditmar threw a pitch behind Larry Doby's head. The White Sox infielder took
exception to being thrown at and punched the Yankees pitcher Ditmar. Billy
Martin, Walt Dropo, Bill Skowron, and Enos Slaughter were all in the middle of
the fight.
Also on this day in 1948 the Yankees held Babe Ruth Day on
the silver anniversary. Members of the 1923 team, his first team he played with
in Yankee Stadium, and 49,641 fans sang Auld Lang Syne to Ruth. The #3 uniform
was retired and immediately sent to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame.
Also on this day in 1924 the Yankees outfielder Bob Meusel
is hit by a pitch in the back by the Detroit Tigers Bert Cole and bedlam starts
in the Bronx. The Yankees outfielder would throw his bat and charge the mound
resulting in a nine inning brawl. The brawl included everyone from players,
fans, and police and would see the Tigers forfeit the game 10-6 because the
umpires could not clear the field after 30 minutes. Wow.
Finally on this day in 1921 Babe Ruth pitched the first five
innings in a 11-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers for the first and only time
this season. Ruth also hit two home runs in a season in which he broke his own
major league record for home runs in a single season with 59. This would be the
last time Ruth would pitch for the Yankees this season.
On this day in 2009 the San Francisco Giants Randy Johnson
would pitch six innings in a 5-1 Giants victory over the Washington Nationals
for Johnson's 300th victory of his career. The former Seattle Mariner, Houston
Astro, Arizona Diamondback, and New York Yankee would become the 24th pitcher
in the history of the game to win #300 and the first to win his 300th game in
his first try since Tom Seaver beat the Yankees in 1985.
Also on this day in 1980 at Shea Stadium the recently traded
Jim Kaat, who was fresh over from the New York Yankees, gets a complete game
shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings. The Mets would beat the
Cardinals 1-0 in 10 innings. The 41 year old pitcher did not start a game for
the Yankees last season but gets the win thanks to a 10th inning solo home run
from Ken Reitz. Ain't that some luck?
Randy Johnson was recently elected into the Major League
Baseball Hall of Fame as we all know and many wondered what team the Big Unit
would go into the Hall supporting. Johnson spent time in Seattle, Houston, San
Francisco, Montreal and New York during his career but his time in Arizona
apparently meant the most to him, and was the most successful for him truth be
told. For that reason Johnson will head into the Hall of Fame wearing his #51
in red and black supporting the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Obviously Johnson was not going to wear a Yankees cap in the
Hall after spending just two seasons in the Bronx, although he did win 34 games
in two seasons, so this should come as no surprise to anyone. Johnson will be
the first true Diamondbacks player to enter the Hall, Roberto Alomar spent time
in Arizona but did not enter the Hall as a Diamondback, after winning the first
World Series for the franchise among a slew of other achievements and
accomplishments.
Congratulations to Randy once again and congratulations to
the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and their fans. This has to be truly
special and an honor for them.
On this day in 2002 Roger
Clemens signed a one year deal worth $10.1 million with the Yankees at age 40.
Clemens was coming off of a 13-6 season with a 4.35 ERA and states that this
would probably be his last season. The six time Cy Young Award winner was only
seven wins shy of 300 victories for his career.
