TODAY IN BASEBALL courtesy of National Pastime
1948 – The largest crowd (78,382) ever to attend a night game sees Satchel Paige become the fourth consecutive Indian to throw a shutout. The ageless wonder joins Gene Bearden, Sam Zoldak and Bob Lemon in blanking the opposition.
1974 – At Anaheim Stadium, Angels hurler Nolan Ryan throws a ball that is “officially” clocked at 100.9 miles per hour by the Guinness Book of World Records. The right-hander’s pitch, thrown in a losing effort against Detroit, is listed as the fastest pitch ever thrown in major league baseball.
1998 – At Shea Stadium, Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire becomes the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs in three consecutive seasons. Mac’s seventh inning solo shot helps to defeat the Mets, 2-0.
And finally…in 2000, the winningest pitcher in franchise history is honored by the Yankees during Whitey Ford Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. The crafty lefty holds the team record for victories (236), innings pitched (3,170 1/3), strikeouts (1,956) and shutouts (45).
PLAYERS BORN TODAY
Al Lopez (1908), Graig Nettles (1944), Mark Langston (1960) and Todd Helton (1973)
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