TODAY IN BASEBALL: August 16

august 17

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TODAY IN BASEBALL courtesy of National Pastime

1948 – In the age 53, with his wife Claire and his two adopted daughters at his side, Babe Ruth dies of throat cancer at Memorial Hospital in New York City. The Bambino made his final public appearance at the premiere of The Babe Ruth Story three weeks ago in New York.

1954 – The first issue of Sports Illustrated is available at the newsstands. The inaugural cover of the innovative new magazine features a Mark Kauffman photo of Braves slugger Eddie Mathews at bat, Giants catcher Wes Westrum behind the plate, and umpire Augie Donatelli calling balls and strikes in Milwaukee County Stadium.

2006 – Prior to the Red Sox and Tigers game, Bruce Froemming is honored during an on-field ceremony at Fenway Park. The 66 year-old home plate umpire works his 5,000th major league game of his 36 year career, second only to Bill Klem, who arbitrated 5,374 games from 1905-40.

And finally…in 2009, Derek Jeter, with his 3-for-4 performance in the Yankees’ 10-3 loss in Seattle, passes Luis Aparicio for the most hits ever compiled by a major league shortstop. The New York infielder, collecting career hits number 2,673 and 2,674 his first two at-bats, surpasses the Hall of Famer’s total, who spent his 18-year career, ending in 1973, with the White Sox, Orioles, and Red Sox.

PLAYERS BORN TODAY

Baby Doll Jacobson (1890), Rick Reed (1964), Yu Darvish (1986) and Delino DeShields Jr. (1992)

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