Today in Baseball History: September 29th

 

 

2007 On September 29, 2007, the Padres are bit by irony when Tony Gwynn Jr, the son of San Diego"s hometown Hall of Famer, triples in the tying run in the bottom of the ninth for Milwaukee off closer Trevor Hoffman. Gwynn"s triple denies the Padres the chance to clinch a playoff spot on the next-to-the-last day of the season. The Brewers win the game in 10 innings.

1996 On September 29, 1996, Vinny Castilla of the Colorado Rockies joins teammates Andres Galarraga and Ellis Burks in the 40-home run circle. The Rockies become only the second team in history to boast three players with at least 40 home runs. In 1973, Hank Aaron, Darrell Evans and Dave Johnson did the same for the Atlanta Braves.

1987 On September 29, 1987, Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees sets a major league record by hitting his sixth grand slam of the season. Mattingly's home run helps the Yankees to a 6-0 win over the Boston Red Sox…

1978 On September 29, 1978, Jim Rice of the Boston Red Sox becomes the first major leaguer since Joe DiMaggio in 1937 to achieve 400 total bases in a season. Rice collects a single and a double to help the Red Sox defeat the Toronto Blue Jays, 11-0. Rice will eventually win the American League's MVP Award.

1976 On September 29, 1976, the Los Angeles Dodgers name Tommy Lasorda as manager, replacing the retired Walter Alston. Lasorda will lead the Dodgers to two World Championships during his tenure…

1973 On September 29, 1973, Hank Aaron hits his 40th home run, making the Atlanta Braves the first team in history to have three players with 40 or more home runs in one season. Aaron, who becomes the oldest player to hit 40 home runs, joins teammates Darrell Evans and Dave Johnson in reaching the milestone…

1963 On September 29, 1963, John Paciorek of the Houston Colt .45s makes his major league debut a memorable one by going 3-for-3 with two walks and three RBIs. Unfortunately, Paciorek injures his back and will never appear in another major league game…

1963 On September 29, 1963, the St. Louis Cardinals staged "Stan Musial Day" at Sportsman's Park. Musial banged out two hits in his final major league appearance, giving him a total of 3,630 for his career. After his second hit, Musial left the game for a pinch-runner.

1957 On September 29, 1957, the New York Giants played their final game at the Polo Grounds, losing to the Pirates 9-1. After the game, fans stormed the field and tore up the bases and home plate and performed other acts of vandalism as both teams retreated to the center field clubhouses for safety. The following year the Giants moved west to San Francisco.

1954 On September 29, 1954, Willie Mays of the New York Giants makes an incredible over-the-shoulder catch against Cleveland's Vic Wertz in Game One of the World Series. Mays' grab in deep center field helps the Giants to a 5-2 win…

1914 On September 29, 1914, the Boston Braves clinch the pennant, completing an incredible second-half comeback. The Braves, who were in last place in mid-July, will win the pennant by 10 and a half games over the New York Giants.