TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY courtesy of National Pastime
1959 – Sadaharu Oh hits the first round-tripper of his world record 868 home runs. The Japanese first baseman will play his entire 22-year career with the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball.
1962 – Catcher Harry Chiti is traded to the Mets from the Indians for a player to be named later. In June, New York sends the backstop to Cleveland to complete the deal.
2006 – At the age of 47, Julio Franco becomes the second oldest player to steal a base. In 1909, Arlie Latham, who played two games at second base for the Giants, swiped a sack at the age 49.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fww71rJKdns]And finally…in 2008, Vin Scully receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, the institution’s highest honor. The Dodgers’ Hall of Fame broadcaster delivers a stirring commencement address to the 2008 Class of Seaver College, telling the graduates that achieving dreams may be “very difficult, but possible”.
STAT OF THE DAY provided by @HighHeatStats
Ten years ago today, Kevin Mench set the Rangers’ team record by homering in his sixth straight game. He added another the next day to extend the record to seven.
PLAYERS BORN TODAY
Hack Wilson (1900), Virgil Trucks (1917), Amos Otis (1947), Mike Scott (1955) and Kosuke Fukudome (1977)
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