Today in Baseball History: July 9th

1971 On July 9, 1971, Vida Blue of the Oakland A's strikes out 17 California Angels in 11 innings. Rollie Fingers follows with seven scoreless innings of relief. The A's will eventually win the game, 1-0, in 20 innings, when Angel Mangual's single scores Curt Blefary just before the 1:00 AM curfew.

1969 On July 9, 1969, Tom Seaver of the New York Mets comes within two outs of pitching a perfect game. Pitching with one out in the ninth inning in front of a record crowd at Shea Stadium, Seaver surrenders a bloop single to Jimmy Qualls of the Chicago Cubs. Seaver will settle for a one-hitter.

1963 On July 9, 1963, Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants steals the show at the All-Star Game. Mays singles, walks, swipes two bases, scores two runs, drives in a pair, and makes a sensational catch. The National League wins, 5-3.

1959 On July 9, 1959, the Baltimore Orioles recall Brooks Robinson from Vancouver of the Pacific Coast League. Robinson, who had struggled in four prior stints with the O"s, will hit .284 in 88 games, and will become Baltimore's regular third baseman on his way to the Hall of Fame.

1955 On July 9, 1955, the originator of the All-Star Game dies at the age of 58. Arch Ward, a Chicago writer and reporter, dies as he prepares to leave to cover his 22nd Midsummer Classic. Ward had initiated the idea for an All-Star Game, which began in 1933 as the "Game of the Century."

1948 On July 9, 1948, Satchel Paige makes his major league debut for the Cleveland Indians. Paige relieves Bob Lemon in the fifth inning, becoming the first black pitcher in American League history.

1946 On July 9, 1946, Ted Williams, playing in the All-Star Game, homers on the famed blooper pitch thrown by Rip Sewell of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Williams finishes the game with two home runs, two singles, and a record-setting five RBIs in the American League's 12-0 win.

1936 On July 9, 1936, future Hall of Famer Chuck Klein of the Philadelphia Phillies blasts four home runs in a 10-inning game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Klein's final home run lifts the Phillies to a 9-6 win at Forbes Field.

1914 On July 9, 1914, the Boston Red Sox purchase the contracts of pitchers Babe Ruth and Ernie Shore, and catcher Ben Egan from the Baltimore Orioles of the International League. The 19-year-old Ruth will make his major league debut two days later in a no-decision against the Cleveland Indians.