September 16

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

September 16, 1988, Tom Browning of the Cincinnati Reds pitches the 14th perfect game in major league history. In a game delayed by rain, Browning strikes out seven Los Angeles Dodgers and wins a 1-0 decision.

The game took place at Riverfront Stadium.

A two-hour, 27 minute rain delay forced the game to start at approximately 10 PM local time. The rain delay lasted longer than the game itself, played in a brisk one hour, 51 minutes.

The game's lone run came with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Batting against Dodger starter Tim Belcher, himself working on a no-hitter, Reds shortstop Barry Larkin doubled and advanced to third on Chris Sabo's infield single; an error by Dodger third baseman Jeff Hamilton on the play enabled Larkin to score.

In the top of the seventh inning, Dodger left fielder Kirk Gibson was ejected by home plate umpire Jim Quick after striking out.

In the top of ninth inning, Browning first got Rick Dempsey to fly out to right field. Steve Sax then grounded out to the shortstop. Facing pinch hitter Tracy Woodson, Browning recorded his seventh strikeout of the evening, completing the perfect game.

Browning threw 70 of his 102 pitches for strikes, and did not run the count to three balls on a single Dodger hitter. Over three starts including the perfect game he retires 40 consecutive batters - one shy of a major league record.

Listen to the game:

Milestones for the old guys:

September 16, 1960 -- Warren Spahn pitches a no-hitter, beating the Phillies at County Stadium, 4-0. The 39 year-old southpaw sets an all-time Braves record with 15 strikeouts en route to his 20th victory of the season, marking the tenth time he has reached the plateau.

September 16, 1963 -- The Dodgers and Cardinals begin the first-place showdown before 32,442 fans at Busch Stadium. Ron Perranoski saves a 3 - 1 win for Johnny Podres and the Dodgers. Stan Musial hits the final home run of his career in the 7th inning to tie the game, Johnny Podres.

September 16, 1993, Dave Winfield of the Minnesota Twins reaches the 3,000-hit circle. Winfield singles against Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in the bottom the ninth of a 5-4 extra-inning victory over Oakland at the Metrodome.

Winfield becomes the 19th member of the 3000 hit club and only the fifth player to pick up his 3,000th hit after the age of 40. He and Al Kaline, the Minnesota DH becomes the second player to have reached the milestone having never played a day in the minors.

September 16, 1996, 40-year-old Paul Molitor of the Minnesota Twins hits A 5th-inning triple off Royals pitcher Jose Rosado giving Molitor 3000 hits. He will become the first major leaguer to accomplish this milestone in a season in which he collects 200 hits. Molitor, the 21st player to reach the exclusive hit club, becomes the first player to achieve the milestone with a triple.

Quote of the day:

" . . . a true five-tool athlete . . . a complete player . . ." - from the page about Dave Winfield at the Hall of Fame website

TRIVIA

Who holds the record for the most doubles hit in All-Star games?

Hint: #1  He was the first outfielder to win multiple Gold Glove awards in each league.

Hint: #2  He was not drafted by the NHL in spite of attending a school very strong in hockey.

Answer in tomorrow’s newsletter

 ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S TRIVIA

PRINCE FIELDER 

-  Ans.  Fielder hit exactly 50 in his 2^nd full season in the majors, 2007, playing for MIL.  He was 23 years and 139 days old when he hit his 50^th HR on 25-Sep-2007.

-  #1  Fielder, son of Cecil, & Rickie Weeks, brother of Jemile, both hit their MLB 1^st HR on 25-Jun-2005.

-  #2  Father Cecil Fielder taught you Prince to bat lefty at a young age & it stuck throughout his life.

JOIN CLASSIC BASEBALL BROADCASTS TODAY

Become a member and enjoy thousands of radio broadcasts and interviews including Vin Scully, Mel Allen, Ernie Harwell, Babe Ruth, Jack Buck, Willy Mays, and Hank Aaron.

Get the FREE 7 day trial!