September 18

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

September 18, 1996, It's another whiff of history for Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens, who notches 20 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers, tying his own record set 10 years earlier. Incredibly, just as he did against the Seattle Mariners on April 29, 1986, Clemens does not walk a batter.

Clemens is the only major leaguer to record 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. Throwing up to 96 mph, the 34-year-old Rocket holds Detroit to four hits in his 4-0 victory at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers don't even manage to hit a ball past the infield until the sixth inning.

Clemens strikes out at least two batters in all but the ninth inning and three times strikes out the side (second, fifth and sixth innings). With 19 strikeouts entering the ninth, Clemens has a chance to break his record, but the first two outs come on a popout by Alan Trammell and a fly to left by Tony Clark, who had already fanned three times. But Clemens' favorite victim, Travis Fryman, fittingly provides the final strikeout -- his fourth whiff in as many at-bats.

With the victory, Clemens ties Cy Young for both victories by a Red Sox pitcher (192) and most shutouts (38). It is Clemens' last victory for Boston as he will sign as a free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays after the season.

Listen to the game:

Historic Days!

September 18, 1963 -- In the Polo Grounds' final game, played in front of a paltry 1,752 patrons, Jim Hickman of the Mets hits the last home run in the 52-year history of the Coogan's Bluff ballpark. The Philadelphia Phillies beat New York Mets, 5 - 1 as Chris Short beats Craig Anderson.

The iconic stadium, which served as the home of the Giants (1911-1957), Yankees (1913-1922), and Mets (1962-63), first opened its doors on June 28, 1911.

September 18, 1968, Ray Washburn of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches a no-hit game against the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park. Washburn wins a 2-0 decision, just one day after San Francisco’s Gaylord Perry hurled a no-hitter at Candlestick vs Bob Gibson. The performances by Washburn and Perry mark the first time that consecutive no-hitters have occurred in the same park or series. Run-scoring hits by Mike Shannon and Curt Flood.

Washburn stole Perry's thunder, allowing just two balls to leave the infield in a no-hit 2-0 victory. It is the only occurrence of back-to-back no-hitters in the same series. The 30 year-old right-hander is the fourth Cardinal pitcher to throw a no-no in franchise history, and the first since Lon Warneke's gem in 1941.

September 18, 1984 -- The Detroit Tigers clinch the American League East championship with a 3 - 0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers as starter Randy O'Neal records his first major league win. Detroit becomes the 4th team this century to be in first place every day of the season, joining the 1923 Giants, the 1927 Yankees, and the 1955 Dodgers. Listen to the game here

Quote of the day:

“The only thing he wants to do is just win.” - Jorge Posada or Roger Clemens

TRIVIA

Which one-time Texas starting pitcher is the only pitcher who has won more Cy Young awards than Randy Johnson has.

He once picked Joe Carter off first base without a throw.

Answer in tomorrow’s newsletter

 ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S TRIVIA

DAVE WINFIELD 

-  Ans.  Winfield hit 7 2B in ASG.

-  #1  His 1^st 2 GG were won w/SDP of the NL.  His next 5 GG were as a member of NYY.  Mookie Betts (BOS 2016-2018) & (LAD 2020, 2022) has now matched Winfield’s GG feat.

-  #2  A graduate of the University of Minnesota, the multi-talented Winfield was drafted by the NFL, ABA & the NBA as well as MLB.  Being a gentleman of proper upbringing, he chose baseball.

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