Today in Baseball History: July 4th

1985 On July 4, 1985, the New York Mets defeat the Atlanta Braves, 16-13, in a wild 19-inning affair at Fulton County Stadium. Light-hitting pitcher Rick Camp hits a game-tying home run in the 18th, only to see his team lose. New York's Keith Hernandez hits for the cycle.

1984 On July 4, 1984, future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro collects his 3,000th career strikeout. Pitching for the New York Yankees, the knuckleballing veteran fans Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers to reach the milestone.

1983 On July 4, 1983, Dave Righetti of the New York Yankees pitches a no-hitter against the rival Boston Red Sox. Righetti strikes out Wade Boggs to complete the 4-0 masterpiece at Yankee Stadium. Righetti"s teammate, third baseman Bert "Campy" Campaneris, plays in a record 11th no-hitter.

1980 On July 4, 1980, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros collects his 3,000th strikeout during an 8-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. "The Express" fans Cesar Geronimo, becoming the fourth major league pitcher to reach the milestone.

1976 On July 4, 1976, Philadelphia Phillies catcher Tim McCarver hits an apparent grand slam home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates. When McCarver passes teammate Garry Maddox, the runner at first base, he loses credit for the grand slam. The Phillies still win the game, 10-5.

1939 On July 4, 1939, the New York Yankees retire the uniform #4 of future Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig in emotional ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. For over 40 minutes, current and former Yankee greats, including Hall of Famer Babe Ruth, parade onto the field to honor the "Iron Horse." Other former Yankee greats, such as pitcher Waite Hoyt, second baseman Tony Lazzeri, and outfielder Bob Meusel, also attend. Yankee manager Joe McCarthy presents Gehrig with a special silver trophy. Gehrig, in one of the most memorable speeches in baseball history, tells the 61,808 in attendance at the Stadium, "I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." Gehrig, who is stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, will die from the muscular disease in 1941.

1939 On July 4, 1939, Boston Red Sox third baseman Jim Tabor slugs two grand slams in a 17-7 win over the Philadelphia A"s in the first game of a doubleheader.

1932 On July 4, 1932, minor leaguer Buzz Arlett slugs four homers in one game for the second time in the season. Playing for Baltimore, Arlett hits his four homers and drives in nine runs against Reading in the first game of a doubleheader. Earlier, on June 1, he had hit four homers, also against Reading. His final tally for the "32 season was 54 home runs, and Arlett belted as many as 30 in a season eight times in the minors. Arlett"s only major league experience came in 1931, when he batted .313 with 18 homers for the Phillies.

1925 On July 4, 1925, two of the era's greatest pitchers lock horns in a classic pitching duel. Herb Pennock of the New York Yankees defeats Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia A's in a 1-0, 15-inning matchup of future Hall of Famers. Pennock retires the final 21 batters he faces.