Today in Baseball History: July 18th

1999 On July 18, 1999, New York Yankees ace David Cone pitches the 14th perfect game of the modern era and the 16th overall in major league history. Cone doesn't reach a three-ball count on a single batter and throws only 88 pitches in shutting down the Montreal Expos, 6-0. Cone becomes the second Yankee in the last year to throw a perfect game at Yankee Stadium, joining David Wells in the exclusive club.

1989 On July 18, 1989, former major league reliever Donnie Moore commits suicide by shooting himself, after critically wounding his estranged wife, Tonya. The 25-year-old Moore, who had reportedly been depressed ever since giving up a key home run in the 1986 AL playoffs, had recently been released by a minor league team.

1987 On July 18, 1987, New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly ties a major league record when he homers in his eighth consecutive game. Mattingly connects in a 7-2 loss to the Texas Rangers, matching a 31-year-old record set by Dale Long.

1980 On July 18, 1980, future Hall of Famer George Brett begins a 30-game hitting streak which boosts his average to .404 by August 18. Brett hits .390 for the season, the highest mark in 39 years.

1970 On July 18, 1970, San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays collects the 3,000th hit of his career - a second inning single against Montreal's Mike Wegener. The umpires stop the game, enabling Mays to be honored in ceremonies that feature Hall of Famer Stan Musial.

1964 On July 18, 1964, Ken Boyer, Tim McCarver, and Bill White hit back-to-back-to-back home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals. The power outburst takes place in the eighth inning of a 15-7 rout of the New York Mets.

1962 On July 18, 1962, Minnesota's Harmon Killebrew and Bob Allison power grand slam home runs in the first inning, as part of an 11-run outburst. The Twins become the first American League team to hit two grand slams in one inning.

1961 On July 18, 1961, Commissioner Ford Frick makes a controversial ruling in announcing that Babe Ruth's single-season home run record cannot be considered broken unless it is accomplished in 154 or fewer games. Frick's decision will result in two separate records: one for a 154-game season and one for a 162-game season.

1948 On July 18, 1948, Pat Seerey of the Chicago White Sox clubs four home runs in an 11-inning game. The White Sox defeat the Philadelphia A's, 12-11, in the first game of a doubleheader.

1927 On July 18, 1927, Ty Cobb of the Philadelphia A's collects his 4,000th hit. Cobb's double caroms off the glove of Detroit Tigers outfielder Harry Heilmann. Cobb will hold the record for most hits until 1985, when Pete Rose surpasses him.