TODAY IN BASEBALL: August 7

TODAY IN BASEBALL courtesy of National Pastime

1999 – For the second consecutive day, a Major Leaguer gets his 3000^th hit as Wade Boggs homers in the sixth off Indian Chris Haney. The Devil Rays’ third baseman, who is the first player to reach the milestone with a home run, rounds the bases pointing skyward, blowing a kiss in memory of his mom, and gets down on his knees to kiss home plate.

2004 – In less than a masterful performance, Greg Maddux pitches five innings to register his 300^th victory when the Cubs beat the Giants, 8-4. The 38 year-old is the 22nd pitcher to reach the plateau and many believe may be the last to reach this coveted milestone.

2007 – In front of a very supportive home crowd at AT&T Park, Barry Bonds surpasses Hank Aaron as the all-time home run leader when he connects on a 3-2 pitch for #756 off southpaw Mike Bacsik of the Nationals. During the 10-minute celebration following the historic homer, a surprise video message is played on the scoreboard in which Hammerin’ Hank congratulates the Giants’ left fielder for breaking the 31 year-old record.

And finally…in 2016, Ichiro Suzuki becomes the 30th Major Leaguer to collect 3000 hits when he legs out a seventh inning triple in the Marlins’ 10-7 victory over the Rockies at Coors Field. The 42 year-old center fielder joins Paul Molitor as the only other player to reach the milestone with a three-bagger.

PLAYERS BORN TODAY

Bill McKechnie (1886), Don Larsen (1929), Edgar Renteria (1977) and Mike Trout (1991)