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August 6
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
Today's Daily Highlights
On this date in 1972, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record for most home runs with a single team, hitting his 660th and 661st for Atlanta. Also: Brooks Robinson recorded his record fourth career triple play in 1967, Tony Gwynn collected his 3,000th career hit with his mother in attendance celebrating her birthday in 1999, and Jose Canseco joined the 30-30 club in 1988. 6 classic broadcasts today, pulled from our library of 3,100 games and 1,000 interviews, and today's Vintage Commercial: Ipana Toothpaste.
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August 6, 1939 — In the first 1939 East-West Game, the East leads 2-1 going into the bottom of the 8th, but Dan Wilson cracks a two-run homer off Roy Partlow to give the West the win.
The Negro East-West All-Star Game was first played in 1933. Thereafter it was held on an annual basis into the 1950s. The one exception to this schedule was in 1946 when two games were played. From 1933 thru 1936 the players came from the teams of the Negro National League (the only major Black circuit at that time), and other leading Negro teams.
In 1937 the Negro American League was formed, and from that year thru 1948 the Negro AL represented the West and the Negro NL the East. In 1948 the Negro NL folded and four of their teams joined the Negro AL which was then split into Eastern and Western Divisions. These divisions supplied the players for the 1949 and 1950 games. This summary does not deal with any of the games after 1950 because most of the outstanding Black players were playing in O.B. by then and the importance of the all-star game was diluted. In this 18-year period, the teams were evenly balanced, the West winning 11 of the 19 tilts played.
The team that had the most players performing in these games was the Chicago American Giants with 33 all-stars. The Kansas City Monarchs were next with 29, followed by the Philadelphia Stars 25, Memphis Red Sox 22, New York Cubans 22, Baltimore Elite Giants 20, Pittsburgh Crawfords 19, Newark Eagles 18, Homestead Grays 17, and the Birmingham Black Barons 16. To the casual fan there are a few familiar names that attract attention, such as Campanella, Gilliam, Irvin, Minoso and others of more recent major league fame. But essentially all the names would be familiar to fans of the old Negro Leagues.
Surprisingly, these games were not dominated by such known stars as Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson, although both performed well. Paige pitched in five games, winning two and losing one. He had 13 strikeouts, the most based on available figures (the 1937 game gave no strikeout totals). Gibson played in 11 games, batting an even .500. He led in hits with 16, two of which were homers. Teammate Buck Leonard led in homers with 3, runs 8, total bases 24, and tied Alex Radcliffe in games played with 12. The league leading batter, based on at least 10 at bat; was Horacio Martinez with .545, and the leading slugger was Mule Suttles with .882. Nine players tied with 2 stolen bases, including Cool Papa Bell, one of the all-time fastest. RBI figures are not available for four of the games and that’s what I mean about incomplete records. Still, it’s an interesting area of research.
Did you think Rip Sewell originated the “blooper” pitch? Bill Loughman calls attention to this quote from the New York Mercury of January 27, 1877: “John C. Chapman, now Manager of Louisville, was one of the beat general players in the profession some ten years ago. He once won a game for the Atlantics by his peculiar pitching. The ball was delivered very slowly and in order to make it go over the plate, it was tossed high into the air and descended over the plate at the spot which the striker designated as the place where he wanted the ball.”
And where have we heard this one before? The New York Mercury stated on December 6, 1879: Our “National Game” is gradually petering out and but few will regret it since it has degenerated into a fourth rate entertainment whose object is not so much sport as gate money.
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Todays Trivia . . .
Who was the Opening Day starting pitcher for the Yankees the first season they went to the World Series?
Hint: #1 On the team, he was second only to Babe Ruth in WAR that season.
Hint: #2 Ty Cobb once threw his bat at him after a couple of pitches came too close to Cobb’s head.
Answer in a bit!
Quote of the day:
The game was hailed by legendary player Buck O'Neil as "a matter of racial pride" and the ultimate annual showcase for Black baseball stars during the era of segregation.
Game of The Day:
Game of the Day — August 6, 1988 Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers
Marv Albert (NBC Sports) / Jim Rice (Boston Red Sox) ‘Have A Contentious Interview’ pre game (August 6, 1988)
👇 Join and Listen to the full game right here
🎧 Classic Broadcasts — August 6
San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds (August 6, 1978)
Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees (August 6, 1979)
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers (August 6, 1988)
Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds (August 6, 1989)
New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers (August 6, 1973)
Todays Podcast
August 6 highlights and Historic Days!
August 6, 1912 — Inspired in part by the Ty Cobb suspension and the Tigers’ brief strike in May, the formation of a “Players Fraternity” is announced, headed by attorney and former player Dave Fultz. Leading players include Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Mickey Doolan, and Jake Daubert. The goals are to oppose contract violations, rowdyism, and anything that may “impair a player’s ability.”
August 6, 1937, Cleveland outfielders set a major league record when they fail to record a single putout in a 10-inning loss to the Yankees. Indians’ starter Bob Feller keeps the ball out of the outfield, striking out 12 batters, but he also issues ten walks in taking the defeat
August 6, 1939 — In the first 1939 East-West Game, the East leads 2-1 going into the bottom of the 8th, but Dan Wilson cracks a two-run homer off Roy Partlow to give the West the win.
August 6, 1945 Andy Messersmith, pitcher; All-Star – Messersmith a fine pitcher is mainly known for becoming one of baseballs first free agents to sign with another team.
August 6, 1949 — Luke Appling appears as a shortstop in his 2,154th game, surpassing Rabbit Maranville’s major-league mark. Appling will finish with 2,218 games at the position.
August 6, 1953, Ted Williams returns to the Boston Red Sox after his military stint in the Korean War. Williams, who pops out in a pinch-hitting appearance, will finish his abbreviated season with 13 homeruns and .407 batting average.
August 3, 1959, Hoyt Wilhelm of the Baltimore Orioles makes one of the greatest relief appearances ever. The future Hall of Famer pitches 8 2/3 innings of no-hit ball against the Chicago White Sox before allowing his first safety.
August 6, 1967 — Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson hits into his fourth career triple play, setting a major league record. The fifth inning around-the-horn triple killing (5-4-3) doesn’t hurt the club when the Birds beat the White Sox at Memorial Stadium, 4-0, to complete a sweep of a twin bill.
August 6, 1970 — For the second and last time in his career, Lou Brock steals home, teaming up with Joe Hague on a double steal in the 1st inning against the Mets in St. Louis. Nelson Briles wins, 3 – 0, stopping Tom Seaver’s nine-game win streak.
August 6, 1972, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves breaks Babe Ruth’s record for the most home runs with one team. The Braves’ veteran slugger hits his 660th and 661st home runs to eclipse Ruth’s record. The latter home run gives the Braves a 4-3 win in 10 innings.
August 6, 1973, Roberto Clemente and Warren Spahn are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Earlier in the year, the Hall’s Board of Directors had voted to waive the traditional five-year waiting period for Clemente, in light of the Pittsburgh Pirate right fielder’s death in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve, 1972. Also inducted are umpire Billy Evans, outfielder Monte Irvin, first baseman George Kelly, and pitcher Mickey Welch. 24 Hall of Famers are in attendance for the festivities.
August 6, 1986 — In the game that establishes a new record for bases-full homers in one game, Texas beats Baltimore, 13-11. Rangers’ infielder Toby Harrah hits a second inning grand slam, and Larry Sheets and Jim Dwyer both go deep with the bases loaded in the Orioles’ nine-run fourth frame.
August 6, 1988 — Jose Canseco became the 11th player in major league history to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season. The A’s outfielder, with 31 homers, joins the 30-30 club, stealing second base with one out in the ninth inning for his 30th as Oakland beat the Mariners, 5-4.
August 6, 1989 — In a pregame ceremony at Fenway Park, the Red Sox retire Carl Yastrzemski’s #8. ‘Yaz’, recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, becomes only the fourth player in franchise history, joining Joe Cronin (4), Bobby Doerr (1), and Ted Williams (9), to be honored by having his uniform number retired by the club.
Roger Clemens then retires just one batter before leaving, giving up three earned runs. But Boston scores four in the 3rd and two in the 8th to beat Cleveland, 6 – 4.
August 6, 1996 — Darryl Strawberry strokes three home runs off Kevin Tapani in the Yankees’ 9 – 2 victory over the White Sox. In doing so, he becomes just the 8th player to hit three in a game in both leagues.
August 6, 1999, Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres collects his 3,000th major league hit – a single against Dan Smith of the Montreal Expos. First base ump Kerwin Danley, Gwynn’s college teammate, Vendella Gwynn, his mother celebrating her 64th birthday, and 13,540 Olympic Stadium fans help to celebrate the right fielder’s milestone. ‘Mr. Padre’ finishes the night 4-for-5, passing Roberto Clemente into 21st place on the all-time career hit list. During the Padres defeat the Expos, 12 – 10, Quilvio Veras ties a Pads record by scoring four runs.
6 years ago on August 6, 1993 Gwynn collected his 2,000 career hit off Bruce Ruffin at Jack Murphy Stadium.
News Reels August 6
Oakland A's vs. Texas Rangers (August 6, 1992) — "Nolan Ryan Is Ejected, Only Time of His Career" — A genuinely rare moment in a legendary career — worth the click for the novelty alone.
CNN Play of the Day: Phillies vs. Cardinals (August 6, 1986) — "The Wizard of Oz" — Ozzie Smith's signature defensive wizardry captured in one iconic highlight.
Jim Palmer 1990 Hall of Fame Induction Speech — Palmer reflecting on his career in his own words — essential for any Orioles fan.
Joe Morgan 1990 Hall of Fame Induction Speech — Part of the same 1990 class as Palmer — a great pairing if you want to bundle both together.
Montreal Expos vs. New York Mets (August 6, 1989) — "Otis Nixon with a Sensational Catch at Shea" — A highlight-reel defensive gem worth the click on its own merits.
Milestones August 6
🎙️ Did you know? In 1937, Cleveland's outfielders set a bizarre major league record by failing to record a single putout in a 10-inning loss — Bob Feller struck out 12 but issued 10 walks, keeping the ball entirely out of the outfield's reach. He's got 27 broadcasts and interviews in our library.
Birthdays:
Notable: Andy Messersmith
Debuts:
Notable: Billy Williams
Final Games:
Highlights: Norm Cash
Passings:
Notable: Tony Lazzeri
New From Around the League!
ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA
TRIVIA ANSWER: CARL MAYS
- Ans. Mays pitched a 3-hit complete game in an 11-1 win over PHA. NYY lost 5 games to 3 to their neighbors, NYG ,in the 1921 WS.
- #1 Mays had a very respectable WAR of 7.5 in 1921, but Ruth was ruthian, posting a 12.8, the 2nd-highest of his career.
- #2 Bat-thrown game: 16-Sep-1915 in Boston’s Fenway Park, Mays pitching for BOS.
Thank you Horsehide Trivia
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