Today in Baseball History: May 30th

2007 On May 30, 2007, Johnny Damon collects his 2,000th career hit, a single against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

1995 On May 30, 1995, former major league outfielder Glenn Burke dies from AIDS at the age of 42. The first major leaguer to publicly acknowledge his homosexuality, Burke played four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland A's. He also popularized the "high five" greeting that many players used in congratulating teammates who had scored runs.

1980 On May 30, 1980, longtime Detroit Tigers reliever John Hiller announces his retirement. The owner of 125 career saves, Hiller had made a dramatic return to the major leagues in 1972, just one year after suffering a heart attack. Hiller capped off the comeback by leading the American League with 38 saves in 1973.

1967 On May 30, 1967, Whitey Ford of the New York Yankees announces his retirement. Plagued by a bone spur in his left elbow, the future Hall of Famer leaves the game with a record of 236-106.

1962 On May 30, 1962, Maury Wills of the Los Angeles Dodgers belts home runs from each side of the plate. Wills becomes the seventh player to switch-hit homers in the same game. Wills will hit only 20 home runs during a 14-year career.

1956 On May 30, 1956, Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees blasts one of the longest home runs in history. The slugger crushes a pitch by Washington's Pedro Ramos off the upper deck facade, 396 feet from home plate. Mantle comes within inches of becoming the first major leaguer to hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium. Some observers estimate that the ball would have traveled 600 feet if it had not hit the facade.

1956 On May 30, 1956, Bobby Thomson of the Milwaukee Braves hits four home runs in a doubleheader split against the Chicago Cubs. The two teams combine to hit a record-tying 15 home runs.

1955 On May 30, 1955, Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe hits two home runs in a 10-8 victory over the New York Giants. Just four days earlier, the hot-hitting Newcombe tripled, stole home and picked up a pair of RBIs against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1943 On May 30, 1943, the first games are played in the new All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The league, featuring women professional baseball players for the first time, is the brainchild of Chicago Cubs" owner Phil Wrigley, who seeks an entertaining product for wartime America. The league gives over 600 women athletes the opportunity to play a professional level of baseball never before attained. The League operated from 1943 to 1954.

1927 On May 30, 1927, Chicago Cubs shortstop Jimmy Cooney turns an unassisted triple play against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cooney snares a line drive by Paul Waner, steps on second base to retire brother Lloyd Waner, and completes the triple play by tagging Clyde Barnhart, the runner at first.

1922 On May 30, 1922, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals make a trade in-between games of their doubleheader. Chicago sends Max Flack to St. Louis for Cliff Heathcoate. In an interesting twist, both players will end up playing one game for each team, a major league first.