Today in Baseball History: June 6th

1999 On June 6, 1999, former major leaguer Eddie Stanky dies from a heart attack at the age of 82. Nicknamed "The Brat" for his feisty nature, Stanky played on NL pennant winners in Boston, Brooklyn, and New York. He later became a successful college coach at South Alabama.

1996 On June 6, 1996, two rare baseball events take place in a game between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. Boston's John Valentin hits for the cycle and the White Sox execute a triple play, marking the first time that both take place in the same game. The Red Sox win the contest, 7-4, at Fenway Park.

1975 On June 6, 1975, Nolan Ryan came up short in a bid to throw his second straight no-hitter. Ryan held the Brewers hitless for 5 2/3 innings before Hank Aaron singled. Ryan had threw his fourth career no-hitter five days earlier.

1972 On June 6, 1972, Japanese baseball legend Sadaharu Oh belts his 500th home run. Oh will finish his career with 868 home runs, believed by some historians to be the most in professional baseball history, although complete records from the Negro leagues were not kept.

1937 On June 6, 1937, Woody English of the Brooklyn Dodgers takes advantage one of baseball's most difficult promotional opportunities. English wins a free suit of clothes when he hits the famous "Abe Stark" clothing advertisement sign, located just below the scoreboard at Ebbets Field. The company had promised to give any player a free suit if his home run hit the sign on the fly.

1921 On June 6, 1921, New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth becomes the 20th-century home run leader. Ruth, who connects on his 120th career home run against Cleveland Indians pitcher Jim Bagby, will finish his career with 714 home runs - a major league record until it is surpassed by Hank Aaron.

1918 On June 6, 1918, Casey Stengel makes an unusual return to Ebbets Field after being traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the off-season. During his first at-bat, Stengel doffs his cap, unveiling a bird which flies out from underneath.