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August 1
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
Today's Daily Highlights
In 1978, Pete Rose's 44-game hitting streak finally came to an end with an 0-for-4 day — a modern NL record that had stood since it was set just days earlier. Also: Cal Ripken Jr. joined Lou Gehrig as only the second player ever to reach 2,000 consecutive games in 1994, Nate Colbert set a doubleheader record with 12 RBI and five homers in 1972, and Tony Lazzeri once drove in 11 runs on two grand slams in a single game. 8 classic broadcasts today, pulled from our library of 3,100 games and 1,000 interviews, and today's Vintage Commercial: Halo Shampoo.
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August 1, 1925 — The Yankees buy Tony Lazzeri from the Pacific Coast League for spring delivery. Lazzeri will hit 60 home runs with 222 RBI at Salt Lake City and earn the nickname “Poosh-em-up” from his legion of Italian admirers.
More on Salt Lake City (Pacific Coast League) in 1925, he was assisted by the altitude and a 200-game schedule, Lazzeri set since-broken pro baseball records for HR (60) and RBI (222) and a still-standing record for runs (202).
The following year, he played 155 games for New York. With two out and the bases loaded in the seventh inning, he struck out against Grover Cleveland Alexander in the Game Seven of the 1926 World Series, won by the Cardinals 3-2. The famous incident damaged Lazzeri's reputation as a clutch hitter. Yet Miller Huggins, his manager, said: "Anyone can strike out, but ballplayers like Lazzeri come along once in a generation."
Lazzeri was a prominent member of the 1927 Yankees' "Murderers' Row" lineup and the second baseman on five World Championship Yankee clubs. He had seven 100-RBI seasons and four times hit as many as 18 home runs. His excellent glove, driving leadership, and superior baseball instincts made him the hero of Italian-Americans, as their first superstar. He was known as "the quiet man of the Yankees." Though an epileptic, he never had an on-the-field seizure in his 12 Yankee seasons.
From 1927 through 1930, and again in 1932, Lazzeri batted .300 or better; his .354 in 1929 put him among the league leaders. On May 24, 1936 he became the first major leaguer to hit two grand slams in one game and set an AL record with 11 RBI.
Lazzeri set the American League record for most RBI in a game on May 24, 1936 with 11, piled up on the strength of a pair of grand slams, the first player ever to blast two in one game. He hit for the cycle on June 3, 1932 - a feat overshadowed by teammate Lou Gehrig's four home runs in one game that day.
Notable Achievements
AL All-Star (1933)
100 RBI Seasons: 7 (1926, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1933 & 1936)
100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1929 & 1930)
Won five World Series with the New York Yankees (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936 & 1937)
Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1991
Records Held
Most RBI in an AL game: 11, May 24, 1936 (the NL record of 12 is held jointly by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten)
Most RBI in two consecutive games: 15, May 23 (4), 24 (11), 1936
Most RBI in four consecutive games: 18, May 21-24, 1936 (tied with Jim Bottomley, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Sammy Sosa and Alfonso Soriano)
TRIVIA Sponsored by Classic Baseball Broadcasts — Start you free trial here.
Todays Trivia . . .
Who is the only right-hander with three consecutive pitching Triple Crown seasons?
Hint: #1 He won at least twenty games for three different National League teams.
Hint: #2 In the National League in the Modern Era, only Christy Mathewson had more seasons of thirty career complete games.
Answer in a bit!
Quote of the day:
"(Tony) not only was a great ballplayer, he was a great man. He was a leader. He was like a manager on the field." Yankee teammate, shortstop Frankie Crosetti.
Game of The Day:
Game of the Day — August 1, 1978 Cincinnati Reds vs Atlanta Braves
👇 Join and Listen to the full game right here
🎧 Classic Broadcasts — August 1
Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves (August 1, 1978) — This is the exact game where Pete Rose's 44-game hitting streak came to an end — a genuine piece of streak history, win or lose.
Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees (August 1, 1960) — A good, older-era broadcast to anchor today's set in a different decade.
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox (August 1, 1973) — Classic rivalry baseball, always a safe and engaging pick regardless of the standings.
San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (August 1, 1989) — Rivalry baseball on the West Coast side, a nice geographic complement to the Yankees-Sox game above.
Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins (August 1, 1986) — Solid mid-80s AL action, good for rounding out the era mix in today's slate.
Todays Podcast
August 1 highlights and Historic Days!
August 1, 1865, in Pittsfield, MA, future Hall of Famer Frank Grant is born. Often regarded as the greatest black ballplayer of the 19th century, Grant played all positions but excelled at second base, where his speed, range and acrobatic plays impressed all observers. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2006.
August 1, 1924 — Dazzy Vance strikes out seven consecutive batters to establish a major league record when the Brooklyn Robins defeat the Cubs at Ebbets Field, 4-0. The future Hall of Famer, who will compile a 28-6 record for the Dodgers this season, will lead the National League in strikeouts with 262.
Vance struck out Gabby Hartnett in the top of the first, in the second he put down Bernie Friberg looking, Denver Grigsby, Cliff Heathcote, in the 3rd put down Bob Barrett, Vic Aldridge and Jigger Statz. Charlie Hollocher walks in the 4th to end the streak.
August 1, 1929 — Grover Cleveland Alexander wins his 372nd game to tie Christy Mathewson’s National League record for wins (the record has since been amended to 373 wins). The Cardstop the Robins, 5 – 2.
August 1, 1945, Mel Ott of the New York Giants rips the 500th home run of his career. Ott, who ranks third on the all-time list at the time, will finish his career with 511 home runs
August 1, 1972, Nate Colbert of the San Diego Padres sets a major league record by driving in 12 runs during a doubleheader sweep of the Atlanta Braves. Colbert also ties a doubleheader record by clubbing five home runs. In a remarkable coincidence, Colbert attended a game at Sportsman’s Park in 1954, when Hall of Famer Stan Musial also hit five home runs in a doubleheader.
August 1, 1978, the hitting streak of Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose ends at 44 games. Rose goes 0-for-4, in the Reds’ 16-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Rose’s 44-game streak sets a new modern day National League record, surpassing the 37-game streak of Tommy Holmes.
August 1, 1982, the major leagues’ all-time home run king is inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hank Aaron, who hit 755 home runs to eclipse Babe Ruth’s record, is joined by playing greats Frank Robinson and Travis Jackson and former commissioner Happy Chandler.
August 1, 1994, Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles becomes the second major leaguer to play in 2,000 consecutive games, joining Lou Gehrig in the exclusive club. Ripken goes hitless in four at-bats, as the Orioles defeat the Minnesota Twins, 1-0.
News Reels August 1
Hank Aaron 1982 Hall of Fame Induction Speech — Baseball's all-time home run king reflecting on his career in his own words — an absolute must-listen.
Frank Robinson 1982 Hall of Fame Induction Speech — Part of the same historic 1982 class as Aaron — a great pairing if you want to bundle both together.
Reggie Jackson 1993 Hall of Fame Induction Speech — Mr. October in his own words at Cooperstown — always a compelling listen given his personality.
Bill Stern Sports Newsreel (August 1, 1947) with Frank Sinatra — A rare guest-hosted Bill Stern edition with Ol' Blue Eyes himself on the mic — a fantastic old-time-radio crossover.
Tony Conigliaro Boston Red Sox Comeback Segment with Howard Cosell (August 1, 1968) — A genuinely moving piece on Conigliaro's comeback attempt after his career-altering beaning — one of the more emotional reels in the library.
Milestones August 1
🎙️ Did you know? Did you know? Nate Colbert once drove in 12 runs across a doubleheader in 1972 — and in an odd coincidence, he'd attended a game as a kid where Stan Musial hit five homers in a doubleheader, then grew up to match that same five-homer feat himself. He's got dozens of broadcasts and interviews in our library.
Birthdays:
Notable: Tony Muser
Debuts:
Notable: Ron Leflore
Final Games:
Highlights: Thurman Munson
Passings:
Notable: Chris Short
New From Around the League!
ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA
TRIVIA ANSWER: GROVER CLEVELAND “Pete” ALEXANDER
- Ans. No left-hander has ever done it.
1915 – Led NL in W (31), K (214) & ERA (1.22)
1916 – Led NL in W (33), K (241) & ERA (1.55)
1917 – Led NL in W (30), K (167) & ERA (1.83)
- #1 Alexander won 91 for PHI, 83 for CHC & 34 for STL.
- #2 In 6 seasons, his CG total was more than 30. Mathewson did it 7 times.
Thank you Horsehide Trivia
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