Joe McCarthy returns to manage the New York Yankees after missing most of spring training and the early season due to illness. With his roster heavily affected by World War II, McCarthy and the Yankees will finish in third place in the American League pennant race.
Future San Diego Padres star Tony Gwynn is born in Los Angeles. Gwynn will make his major league debut in 1982, and go on to win eight bating titles.
1961
Baltimore Orioles slugger Jim Gentile becomes the first major leaguer to hit grand slams in consecutive innings. “Diamond Jim” connects in the first and second inning of a 13-5 win over the Minnesota Twins. Three other players had previously hit two grand slams in a game, but never in back-to-back innings.
Future Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles clubs a grand slam against Ed Rakow of the Kansas City A’s. Robinson had hit a grand slam in his last game, making him one of five American League players to connect on bases-loaded home runs in consecutive games.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench wins a battle of future Hall of Famers. For the second time in his career, the All-Star catcher hits three home runs against left-hander Steve Carlton. Bench finishes with seven RBIs to lead the Reds over the Philadelphia Phillies, 9-7.
The Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers complete the longest game - by time - in major league history. The White Sox win the game in the 25th inning when Harold Baines hits a 420-foot home run against Chuck Porter. The game, which had been suspended the previous day after 17 innings, lasts a total of eight hours and six minutes.
1987
Eddie Murray of the Baltimore Orioles becomes the first player in major league history to switch-hit home runs in two consecutive games. Murray’s latest two-homer game helps the Orioles club the Chicago White Sox, 15-6. The previous game, Murray homered twice in a 7-6 win over the White Sox.
Kevin Elster's record-setting errorless streak comes to an end. The New York Mets’ shortstop makes his first error after 88 consecutive games without a miscue.
2006
Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect, Delmon Young is handed a 50 game suspension for an incident in which he threw a baseball bat at an umpire. Young was thrown out of the game after argueing a called third strike and threw his bat on the way back to the dugout.