Today in Baseball History: June 16th

1996 On June 16, 1996, legendary broadcaster Mel Allen dies at the age of 83. Allen called New York Yankee games from 1939 to 1964, and later narrated the long-running television show, This Week in Baseball. In 1978, Allen received the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence.

1991 On June 16, 1991, Atlanta Braves speedster Otis Nixon sets a National League record and ties the major league mark by stealing six bases against the Montreal Expos. Nixon matches the record set by Hall of Famer Eddie Collins in 1912. Nixon also picks up three hits in Atlanta's 7-6 loss.

1986 On June 16, 1986, the Baltimore Orioles trade seemingly over-the-hill pitcher Dennis Martinez to the Montreal Expos for a player to be named. Martinez will go on to win 100 games for Montreal over the next eight years and will eventually become the winningest pitcher among all Latin Americans.

1978 On June 16, 1978, Tom Seaver hurls the first no-hitter of his brilliant career. Seaver strikes out three and walks three as the Cincinnati Reds halt the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0. Seaver had barely missed pitching no-hitters on three previous occasions, losing the bid each time in the ninth inning.

1971 On June 16, 1971, the Oakland A's hit five solo home runs in a 5-1 victory over the Washington Senators. Powerful first baseman Mike Epstein bangs out home runs in his first two at-bats, giving him homers in four straight at-bats over two games.

1962 On June 16, 1962, an injured Mickey Mantle returns after a one-month layoff and hits a dramatic three-run pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning. Although Mantle's blast gives the New York Yankees a 9-7 lead, the Cleveland Indians come back to win the game in the ninth on a home run by Jerry Kindall…

1940 On June 16, 1940, a disgruntled group of Cleveland Indians players petitions owner Alva Bradley to fire Oscar Vitt as the team's manager. Bradley turns down the players' request, but eventually watches the team lose its hold on first place during the final weeks of the regular season…

1938 On June 16, 1938, the St. Louis Browns walk Boston Red Sox star Jimmie Foxx all six times he comes to the plate. The Browns' decision to pitch carefully to Foxx does not prevent the Red Sox from winning the game, 12-8.

1924 On June 16, 1924, George Kelly homers in his sixth consecutive game, tying a major league record. Kelly, a slugging first baseman on several pennant-winning teams, is elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973.

1916 On June 16, 1916, Tom Hughes of the Boston Braves pitches a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning the game, 2-0. Six years earlier, Hughes had pitched no-hit ball for nine innings, only to allow a hit in the 10th inning and then lose the game in the 13th.