Today in Baseball History: August 17th

2008 On August 17, 2008, Baltimore"s Melvin Mora went 5-for-6 with two homers, two doubles, and six RBI"s in the O"s 16-8 battering of the Tigers in Detroit. The red-hot Mora continued a stretch where his batting average was .500 over 15 games in August.

1987 On August 17, 1987, Oakland A's designated hitter Reggie Jackson hits his 563rd and final career home run. The longtime slugger will retire at the end of the season and will win election to the Hall of Fame in 1993.

1980 On August 17, 1980, future Hall of Famer George Brett goes 4-for-4 with five RBI to lift his batting average to .401, and extend his hitting streak to 29 games. Brett hit .390 in 1980, the highest mark in 39 years.

1974 On August 17, 1974, the Cleveland Indians purchase former National League batting champion Rico Carty from the Mexican League. Carty will hit .363 for the Indians over the balance of the season.

1973 On August 17, 1973, Willie Mays of the New York Mets hits the final home run of his Hall of Fame career. Mays blasts No. 660 against Cincinnati Reds left-hander Don Gullett. Mays will retire after the Mets fall to the Oakland A's in the World Series.

1960 On August 17, 1960, The Sporting News names Ted Williams "Player of the Decade" for the 1950s. From 1950 to 1959, "The Splendid Splinter" won two batting titles, led the American League in slugging percentage twice, and also led the league in walks twice.

1933 On August 17, 1933, Lou Gehrig plays in his 1,308th consecutive game, breaking the record held by another New York Yankee, Everett Scott. Gehrig will extend the streak to 2,130 games, a record that will stand until it is surpassed by Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles in 1995.

1920 On August 17, 1920, 29-year-old Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman dies in a hospital, one day after being beaned by New York Giants pitching star Carl Mays. Chapman, whose skull was fractured by the pitch, becomes the first and only major league player to die from an injury sustained on the playing field.