July 28
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
Today's Daily Highlights
In 1991, Dennis Martínez threw the 13th perfect game in MLB history against the Dodgers — becoming the first Latin American pitcher to do it, with catcher Ron Hassey behind the plate for his second perfect game ever caught. Also: Dave Kingman crushed three straight homers in a 1979 loss to the Mets, Ken Griffey Jr. tied the record for homering in eight straight games in 1993, and Rogers Hornsby tied the NL's single-season home run record back in 1922. 8 classic broadcasts today, pulled from our library of 3,100 games and 1,000 interviews, and today's Vintage Commercial: Goodyear Life Guard Tires.
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July 28, 1991 Dennis Martínez authored the only perfect game in Montreal Expos history, blanking the Dodgers 2-0 at Dodger Stadium before 45,560 fans — becoming just the 13th pitcher in major-league history to accomplish the feat.
The gem was personal redemption for Martínez, who had battled alcoholism that nearly derailed his career before he got sober in 1983. "Before, when I was drinking, I used to think I was good," he'd said. "Now I think." By 1991, that thinking had made him a master craftsman — moving the ball around, changing speeds, and attacking hitters' weaknesses. He led the NL in ERA that year at 2.39.
On a hot, hazy Sunday, El Presidente fooled the Dodgers with knee-buckling curveballs and guts, needing just 96 pitches. Two full-count curveballs proved pivotal — one got Eddie Murray to ground out in the seventh, another struck out Kal Daniels in the eighth. Martínez also barehanded a bunt from speedy Juan Samuel for an out. The Dodgers' Mike Morgan matched him for five innings before Montreal broke through with two unearned runs in the seventh, capped by a Larry Walker triple.
The last threat came from pinch-hitter Chris Gwynn, whose fly ball settled into center fielder Marquis Grissom's glove to complete history. "I had no words to say, I could only cry," Martínez said afterward.
Catcher Ron Hassey, who'd also caught Len Barker's 1981 perfect game, called Martínez "a pitcher's pitcher." Teammates toasted the sober veteran with champagne that night — he raised his glass but never took a sip.
Martínez, the first Nicaraguan-born player to reach the majors, was already a folk hero at home. He pitched through 1998, finishing with 245 career wins — a record for Latin American pitchers until Bartolo Colón broke it in 2018.
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Todays Trivia . . .
Which All-Star right fielder holds the record for most triples in a season by a right-handed batter in the Modern Era?
Hint: #1 In his career, he recorded one six-hit game, five five-hit games and 31 four-hit games, ten of which were recorded in the same season.
Hint: #2 Some consider him an asterisk that needs to be added to the phrase “Greatest baseball team of all-time”.
Answer in a bit!
Quote of the day: As Expos historian Jonah Keri wrote, “Though there weren’t advanced pitch-tracking systems back then … you’d swear he threw 50 of his trademark knee-buckling curveballs.” Ken Singleton, the color commentator who teamed with Dave Van Horne on the TSN (Canada’s only sports network at the time) telecast, said, “It’s not your run-of-the-mill curveball that’s coming up there today.”
Game of The Day:
Game of the Day — July 28
At Dodger Stadium Dennis Martinez of the Expos tosses the 13th perfect game in major league history (excluding those of Harvey Haddix and Ernie Shore) against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Martinez throws 96 pitches in winning the game, 2-0. Martinez becomes the first Latin American pitcher to throw a perfect game when he blanks the Dodgers during a day game at Dodger Stadium.
Ron Hassey becomes the first backstop to ever catch two perfect games, as he also was behind the plate on May 15, 1981 when Indian hurler Len Barker faced 27 batters, beating the Blue Jays, 3-0.
Dodger infielder Alfredo Griffin goes 0 for 3 against Martinez, to go along with his 0 for 3 performance in Tom Browning’s perfect game in 1988, and 0 for 2 in Barker’s perfecto in 1981.
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🎧 Classic Broadcasts — July 28
Brooklyn Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds (July 28, 1957) — This is the Dodgers' final season in Brooklyn before the move to LA — a genuinely historic broadcast for any fan of the borough's baseball era.
Philadelphia Athletics at Chicago White Sox (July 28, 1936) — The oldest broadcast in today's set — a rare glimpse into Depression-era American League ball.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Montreal Expos (July 28, 1979) — This is the Pirates' "We Are Family" World Series championship season — a great pick if you want a title-run broadcast.
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins (July 28, 1980) — Solid late-70s/early-80s Yankees-era baseball, always a safe, engaging listen.
Todays Podcast
July 28 highlights and Historic Days!
July 28, 1890, future Hall of Fame pitcher Mickey Welch wins the 300th game of his career. “Smiling Mickey” joins Pud Galvin and Tim Keefe in becoming baseball’s third hurler to record his 300th victory. After today’s 4-2 victory over Pittsburgh, the 31 year-old Brooklyn native will win only seven more games before ending his 13-year career next season.
July 28, 1909, National League President Harry Pulliam commits suicide at the New York Athletic Club. The 40-year-old Pulliam, distraught by his performance in office, had recently been granted a leave of absence.
July 28, 1922 — Rogers Hornsby ties the National League single-season home run record with his 27th, matching the 38-year-old mark set by Ed Williamson of the Chicago White Stockings in 1884. Hornsby’s 8th-inning solo shot off the Giants’ Bill Ryan carries into the Polo Grounds’ left field bleachers and pulls the Cards to within 2 runs of their New York hosts. But hospitality goes only so far; New York answers right back with two and closes out St. Louis, 8 – 4.
July 28, 1951 Charlie Gehringer succeeds Billy Evans as General Manager of the Detroit Tigers
July 28, 1958 — For the sixth time in his career, Mickey Mantle hits home runs from both sides of the plate. New York beats the Athletics, 14 – 7.
July 28, 1963 Dick Ellsworth strikes out Cardinals’ left fielder Stan Musial three times in the Cubs’ 5-1 victory at Wrigley Field. It will be the only time ‘Stan the Man’ is whiffed three times in a game during his 22-year career, a span of 3026 contests
July 28, 1969, Roy Campanella and Stan Musial join the legends of the Hall of Fame when they are inducted during a ceremony in Cooperstown. Catcher Campanella starred for the Brooklyn Dodgers, winning three Most Valuable Player Awards. Musial colleted 3,630 hits in a stellar career that included seven batting titles. Pitchers Stan Coveleski and Waite Hoyt are also inducted.
July 28, 1979 — At Shea Stadium, Chicago Cubs’ Dave Kingman continues his slugging with a single and three consecutive home runs during a 6 – 4 loss to the Mets. Kingman ties two records by having his second three-homer game of the season (the first was on May 17th) and hitting five home runs over two consecutive games.
July 28, 1983 American League President Lee MacPhail rules in favor of George Brett saying his bat was legal.
July 28, 1985 — Lou Brock, Enos Slaughter, Arky Vaughan and Hoyt Wilhelm are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Wilhelm is the first pitcher to be inducted because of his role as a reliever.
On July 28, 1990 — Chicago Cubs SS Shawon Dunston ties a major-league record with three triples in a 10 – 7 win over the Expos. Dunston also drives in five runs.
July 28, 1991, at Dodger Stadium Dennis Martinez of the Expos tosses the 13th perfect game in major league history (excluding those of Harvey Haddix and Ernie Shore) against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Martinez throws 96 pitches in winning the game, 2-0. Martinez becomes the first Latin American pitcher to throw a perfect game when he blanks the Dodgers during a day game at Dodger Stadium.
Ron Hassey becomes the first backstop to ever catch two perfect games, as he also was behind the plate on May 15, 1981 when Indian hurler Len Barker faced 27 batters, beating the Blue Jays, 3-0.
Dodger infielder Alfredo Griffin goes 0 for 3 against Martinez, to go along with his 0 for 3 performance in Tom Browning’s perfect game in 1988, and 0 for 2 in Barker’s perfecto in 1981.
July 28, 1993, Ken Griffey, Jr. of the Seattle Mariners ties a major league record by homering in his eighth consecutive game – a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins. The Mariners’ outfielder equals the mark set by Dale Long in 1956 and matched by Don Mattingly in 1987. In tomorrow’s game, Junior will barely miss breaking the record as he hits a long double off the right-center field wall at the Kingdome.
News Reels — July 28
Milestones July 28
🎙️ Did you know? Dodgers infielder Alfredo Griffin somehow went hitless against three different perfect games in his career — Len Barker's in 1981, Tom Browning's in 1988, and Dennis Martínez's in 1991. He's got 50 broadcasts and interviews in our library.
[Explore the Full Library Below→]
Birthdays:
Notable: Vida Blue
Debuts:
Notable: Andre Thornton
Final Games:
Highlights: Eddie Yost
Passings:
Notable: George Scott
New From Around the League!
ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA
TRIVIA ANSWER: KIKI CUYLER
- Ans. Cuyler hit 26 3B in 1925 for World Series champions Pirates.
- #1 Ten of his 4-hit games were all in 1925.
- #2 In the 1927 WS, the Yankees rolled over the Pirates 4-0 in games and outscored 19-10. However, Cuyler, who had slugged .435 with an OPS of .829 that year, was held out of the Series. Had he been allowed to play in the 1927 postseason, might there be fewer superlatives? You be the judge.
Thank you Horsehide Trivia
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