Today in Baseball History: August 31st

1992 On August 31, 1992, the Oakland A's and Texas Rangers announce a blockbuster trade. The A's send outfielder Jose Canseco, an MVP and two-time home run champion, to the Rangers for outfielder Ruben Sierra and pitchers Jeff Russell and Bobby Witt.

1990 On August 31, 1990, Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. become the first father and son combination to play together in a major league game. The elder Griffey plays left field and bats second, while the younger Griffey bats third and plays center field. They each pick up one hit in four at-bats.

1990 On August 31, 1990, the Houston Astros make one of their best trades ever, acquiring minor league infielder Jeff Bagwell from the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Larry Andersen. Bagwell will win the National League's MVP Award in 1994 and become one of the greatest players in Astros franchise history.

1959 On August 31, 1959, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers ties the major league record for most strikeouts in a game. Koufax fans 18 San Francisco Giants in a 5-2 Dodger win, matching Bob Feller's mark and surpassing Dizzy Dean's National League record. Koufax strikes out 15 of the last 17 batters he faces.

1950 On August 31, 1950, Gil Hodges of the Brooklyn Dodgers ties a major league record by piling up 17 total bases in a game against the Boston Braves. Hodges hits four home runs and a single in leading the Dodgers to a 19-3 win at Ebbets Field.

1932 On August 31, 1932, a solar eclipse darkens Fenway Park for 20 minutes. The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians were supposed to play that day, but the two teams re-scheduled the game for three days earlier, when the Sox beat the Indians, 4-3, in 11 innings.

1917 On August 31, 1917, 22-year old Red Sox lefty Babe Ruth won his 20th game of the season, defeating the Athletics, 5-3. Ruth won 24 games that season, the second straight year he had reached the 20-win mark. Ruth posted a career 94-46 mark as a pitcher, but earned his fame as a slugger.