Today in Baseball History: June 23rd

2007 On June 23, 2007, former relief pitcher Rod Beck died at the age of 38 in his home in Phoenix, Arizona. Beck saved 286 games in a 13-year career spent with the Giants, Cubs, Red Sox, and Padres. He saved 48 games for the Giants in 1993, and 51 for the Cubs in 1999.

1988 On June 23, 1988, Billy Martin is fired for the fifth time as manager of the New York Yankees. Although the Yankees' record under Martin is 40-28, a recent 2-7 road trip doomed his fifth term in the Bronx. Martin is replaced by Lou Piniella, who had also succeeded Martin three years earlier…

1981 On June 23, 1981, the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings complete the longest game in professional baseball history. Dave Koza's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 33rd inning gives Pawtucket a 3-2 win. The game features several future major league stars, including Cal Ripken Jr.

1976 On June 23, 1976, the Los Angeles Dodgers trade onetime Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall to the Atlanta Braves for infielder-outfielder Lee Lacy and pitcher Elias Sosa. Marshall, who set a major league record by appearing in 106 games in 1974, had struggled in his first 30 appearances of 1976…

1973 On June 23, 1973, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ken Brett hits a home run in the fourth consecutive game he pitches, setting a major league record. Brett's longball helps the Phillies to a 7-2 win over the Montreal Expos.

1971 On June 23, 1971, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Rick Wise puts on an awesome one-man display in pitching a 4-0 victory. Wise no-hits a powerful Cincinnati Reds' lineup, which features Johnny Bench and Pete Rose. Wise also becomes the first man to hit two home runs while pitching a no-hitter…

1963 On June 23, 1963, New York Mets' outfielder Jimmy Piersall celebrates his 100th career home run by running the bases backward. Piersall's stunt angers Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Dallas Green and Commissioner Ford Frick…

1950 On June 23, 1950, the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees combine to hit a major league record 11 home runs. The Tigers win the game, 10-9, before a crowd of over 51,000 at Briggs Stadium.

1946 On June 23, 1946, Eddie Waitkus and Marv Rickert of the Chicago Cubs hit consecutive inside-the-park home runs in the fourth inning against the New York Giants. The dual inside-the-parkers, which occur at the spacious Polo Grounds, don't prevent the Cubs from losing the game, 15-10.

1917 On June 23, 1917, Boston Red Sox reliever Ernie Shore pitches what some historians consider a perfect game. In the first inning, starting pitcher Babe Ruth walks leadoff man Ray Morgan. When Ruth argues balls and strikes, he is ejected and replaced by Shore. After the runner is caught stealing, Shore retires the next 26 batters and posts a 4-0 victory.