Today in Baseball History: July 20th

1976 On July 20, 1976, future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron blasts the final home run of his legendary career. The Milwaukee Brewers' designated hitter connects for No. 755 against Dick Drago of the California Angels. Aaron's home run helps the Brewers to a 6-2 victory.

1973 On July 20, 1973, Wilbur Wood of the Chicago White Sox starts - and loses - both ends of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees. The knuckleballing left-hander, who loses 12-2 and 7-0 decisions, will finish the season with 359 innings pitched and a record of 24-20.

1970 On July 20, 1970, Bill Singer of the Los Angeles Dodgers fires a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. Singer makes two errors, including an errant throw to first baseman Wes Parker that some observers feel should be scored as a hit. The hard-throwing right-hander had just missed a no-hitter in June, after spending three weeks in the hospital with hepatitis.

1969 On July 20, 1969, 19-year-old left-hander Vida Blue makes his major league debut for the Oakland A's. Blue gives up a pair of home runs and loses a 7-3 decision to the California Angels. Blue will go on to win 209 games during a 17-year career.

1965 On July 20, 1965, Mel Stottlemyre of the New York Yankees becomes the first pitcher in 55 years to hit an inside-the-park grand slam. Stottlemyre's rarity lifts the Yankees to a 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.

1959 On July 20, 1959, former outfielder Zach Wheat is inducted into the Hall of Fame. Wheat starred for the Brooklyn Dodgers for all but one of his 19 seasons in the big leagues, winning a batting title in 1918.

1958 On July 20, 1958, future Hall of Famer Jim Bunning throws a no-hitter for the Detroit Tigers against the Boston Red Sox. Bunning strikes out 12 batters en route to a 3-0 victory. The gem marks the first of two career no-hitters for Bunning, who will throw a perfect game in 1964 for the Philadelphia Phillies.

1947 On July 20, 1947, two black players appear in a major league lineup for the first time. Second baseman Hank Thompson and right fielder Willard "Home Run" Brown play for the St. Louis Browns in a doubleheader. The Browns win both games, 4-3 and 7-6, over the Boston Red Sox.

1944 On July 20, 1944, Nelson Potter of the St. Louis Browns becomes the first major league pitcher to be suspended for throwing a spitball. Potter is forced to the sidelines for 10 days, but will still win 19 games on the season.

1916 On July 20, 1916, the New York Giants trade two Hall of Famers, pitcher Christy Mathewson and outfielder Edd Roush, to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a five-player deal. The 35-year-old Mathewson, who sports a record of 3-4 with the Giants, will become the Reds' player-manager.