Today in Baseball History: July 5th

2002 On July 5, 2002, Hall of Famer Ted Williams, the last major league player to hit .400 in a single season, dies at the age of 83. Williams, who had suffered a series of strokes in recent years, was taken to Citrus County Memorial Hospital in Crystal River, Florida, where he passed away. One of baseball's greatest hitters, Williams combined keen vision with quick wrists and a scientific approach to hitting and set numerous batting records. His accomplishments included a .406 season in 1941, two Triple Crowns, two MVPs, six American League batting championships, 521 home runs, and a lifetime average of .344. At his 1966 Induction speech, Williams called for the election of Negro league greats to the Hall of Fame

1991 On July 5, 1991, National League owners unanimously approve Denver, Colorado and Miami, Florida as cities who will receive expansion franchises. The Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins will begin play in 1993.

1989 On July 5, 1989, Barry Bonds of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a home run in a loss to the Giants, making him and his father, Bobby, the all-time father-son home run duo. Barry and Bobby break the record held by Yogi and Dale Berra, and Gus and Buddy Bell, who had shared the mark with 407 home runs.

1987 On July 5, 1987, Mark McGwire of the Oakland A's becomes the first rookie to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break. McGwire's latest long ball helps the A's to a 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox. McGwire's teammate, Jose Canseco, adds a pair of home runs.

1947 On July 5, 1947, Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians becomes the first African-American to play in an American League game. Doby strikes out as a pinch-hitter, but will go on to have a Hall of Fame career.

1937 On July 5, 1937, Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees hits his first career grand slam. The blast, his 20th of the season, comes in the sixth inning against George "Rube" Walberg of the Boston Red Sox, and helps the Yankees to an 8-4 win and a sweep of their doubleheader.

1935 On July 5, 1935, brothers Tony and Al Cuccinello hit home runs in the same game. Tony homers for the Brooklyn Dodgers while Al goes deep for the New York Giants, marking the first time that brothers on opposing teams hit home runs in the same game. Tony's Dodgers go on to win the game at the Polo Grounds, 14-4.

1934 On July 5, 1934, Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees hits an inside-the-park grand slam in an 8-3 win over Washington. It's the 17th grand slam of Gehrig's career, surpassing Babe Ruth's total. Gehrig finishes the game with two home runs and seven RBIs.

1930 On July 5, 1930, two Negro leagues teams play at Yankee Stadium for the first time ever. A crowd of about 20,000 fans watches the Baltimore Black Sox and New York Lincoln Giants split a doubleheader. Rap Dixon hits three home runs for Baltimore, while Chino Smith blasts a pair for New York.

1904 On July 5, 1904, the 18-game winning streak of John McGraw"s New York Giants comes to an end. The red-hot Giants lose to the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-5, in 10 innings.