Today in Baseball History: July 11th

1985 On July 11, 1985, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros becomes the first pitcher in history to record 4,000 strikeouts. Ryan notches the milestone when he fans New York Mets outfielder Danny Heep on three pitches in the sixth inning.

1976 On July 11, 1976, the Atlanta Braves stage an unusual promotion at Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium. In a pre-game ceremony dubbed "Headlocks and Wedlocks," 34 couples are married at home plate, followed by the staging of championship wrestling matches. The Braves then defeat the New York Mets, 9-8, to complete the evening's festivities.

1974 On July 11, 1974, the San Diego Padres release Matty Alou, ending the career of the lifetime .307 hitter. Earlier in the season, the Milwaukee Brewers had released Matty's older brother, Felipe, also ending his career.

1972 On July 11, 1972, future Hall of Famer Billy Williams of the Chicago Cubs collects eight hits in eight at-bats during a doubleheader. Williams and the Cubs lose the first game to the Houston Astros, 6-5, before bouncing back to win the nightcap, 9-5.

1968 On July 11, 1968, the Baltimore Orioles name future Hall of Famer Earl Weaver their manager. Weaver, a lifetime minor league player who had been serving as the team's first base coach, replaces the fired Hank Bauer. Weaver will lead the Orioles to a World Championship in 1970. Under Weaver, the Orioles win four pennants and six division titles.

1967 On July 11, 1967, Tony Perez of the Cincinnati Reds hits a 15th inning home run against Jim "Catfish" Hunter of the Kansas City A's, ending the longest All-Star Game in history. Perez' dramatic blast gives the National League a 2-1 victory.

1961 On July 11, 1961, San Francisco Giants pitcher Stu Miller is literally blown off the mound during the All-Star Game at Candlestick Park. In the ninth inning, high winds cause the 165-pound Miller to lose his balance. Umpires call a balk, allowing the tying run to score. The National League eventually wins, 5-4, in 10 innings.

1950 On July 11, 1950, network television broadcasts an All-Star Game for the first time in history. In the first-ever extra-inning All-Star Game, the NL defeats the AL, 4-3. St. Louis Cardinals star Red Schoendienst wins the game with a home run in the 14th inning against Ted Gray.

1914 On July 11, 1914, Babe Ruth makes his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. Ruth, who settles for a no-decision as the starting pitcher, strikes out in his first at-bat and leaves for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. The Red Sox win the game, 4-3.

1910 On July 11, 1910, Addie Joss wins the last game of his career. Troubled with arm injuries, Joss was sidelined for the last two months of the 1910 season. On April 14, 1911, he died suddenly from tubercular meningitis at the age of 31. He was elected to the HOF in 1978.