TODAY IN BASEBALL courtesy of National Pastime
1980 – Bill Gullickson whiffs 18 batters, the most strikeouts ever recorded by a rookie in a Major League game. The Expos right-hander throws a complete-game four-hitter, beating Chicago at Olympic Stadium, 4-2.
1997 – In a 7-6 loss to the Giants, Cardinal Mark McGwire becomes only the second player in Major League history to hit 50 home runs in consecutive seasons. Babe Ruth accomplished the feat twice, in the 1920-21 and 1927-28 seasons.
2000 – On his 37th birthday, Diamondback southpaw Randy Johnson becomes the 12th pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters. Florida third baseman Mike Lowell is the ‘Big Unit’s’ historic victim, whiffing on four pitches to end the fourth inning. The lefty’s first strikeout of the game, his 300th of the season, ties Nolan Ryan for accomplishing the feat in three consecutive years.
And finally…in 2006, Francisco Rodriguez becomes the youngest pitcher to notch his 100th career save when he retires the side in order in the ninth inning of the Angels’ 4-3 victory over Toronto. The 24 year-old right-handed closer breaks the previous mark held by Gregg Olson, who accomplished the feat with Baltimore in 1992.
PLAYERS BORN TODAY
High Pockets Kelly (1895), Ted Kluszewski (1924), Roger Maris (1934) and Randy Johnson (1963)
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