Today in Baseball History: October 1st

2006 On October 1, 2006, Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins becomes the first catcher to win the American League batting title. Mauer bats .347, finishing just ahead of a pair of Yankees: Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter.

2006 On October 1, 2006, on the final day of the regular season, the last-place Kansas City Royals erase a six-run deficit and defeat the Detroit Tigers, 10-8, in 12 innings. The loss drops the Tigers out of first place for the first time in more than four months, and allows the Minnesota Twins to win the AL Central. Detroit still makes the playoffs via the wild-card.

2006 On October 1, 2006, Frank Robinson manages his final game for the Washington Nationals, as they lose to the New York Mets, 6-2. The Nationals had announced that Robinson"s contract, which expires on October 31, would not be renewed. Robinson managed the Expos/National for five seasons, beginning in 2002. The Hall of Fame outfielder was the first black manager in both the American and National leagues.

2006 On October 1, 2006, in front of a record crowd at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, Tim Salmon played his final game. A few days after announcing he would retire at the conclusion of the season, Salmon, who spent all of his 15 years in the majors with the Angels, went 0-for-4 with a walk in an 11-10 loss to the A"s.

1978 On October 1, 1978, the Boston Red Sox win their eighth consecutive game to force a playoff game that will decide the American League East. The Red Sox will play the New York Yankees, who lose their season-ending game to the Cleveland Indians, 9-2…

1967 On October 1, 1967, Carl Yastrzemski goes 4-for-4 as the Boston Red Sox defeat the Minnesota Twins, 6-3, clinching one of the most exciting pennant races in major league history. Jim Lonborg's 22nd win wraps up the "Impossible Dream" for the Sox, who had finished ninth the previous season. The Sox will face the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

1961 On October 1, 1961, Roger Maris of the New York Yankees blasts his 61st home run, eclipsing baseball's most glamorous record-the single-season home run mark set by Babe Ruth in 1927. Maris' solo shot against Tracy Stallard of the Boston Red Sox gives the Yankees a 1-0 win.

1952 On October 1, 1952, Joe Black becomes the first African-American pitcher to win a World Series game. The Brooklyn Dodgers' right-hander scatters six hits and hurls a complete game in earning a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees…

1950 On October 1, 1950, Richie Ashburn throws Cal Abrams out at the plate to help the Philadelphia Phillies win the National League pennant over the Brooklyn Dodgers. After Ashburn's game-saving play, Dick Sisler hits a three-run homer to win the game, 4-1, for the "Whiz Kids."

1946 On October 1, 1946, a pennant play-off series is used for the first time in history to determine a league championship. The St. Louis Cardinals take the lead in the National League play-off, winning the first game, 4-2, behind the two-hit pitching of Howie Pollet…

1932 On October 1, 1932, Babe Ruth's "called shot" home run allegedly takes place during the third game of the World Series. In the fifth inning, Ruth gestures toward Cubs pitcher Charlie Root and hits the next pitch into the center field bleachers...

1922 On October 1, 1922, Rogers Hornsby of the St. Louis Cardinals reaches the .400 mark by going 3-for-5 in the final game of the regular season. "The Rajah" finishes the year with a .401 average and the National League batting crown…

1903 On October 1, 1903, the Boston Pilgrims and Pittsburgh Pirates play the first modern-day World Series game. Deacon Philippe outduels Cy Young and pitches Pittsburgh to a 7-3 win. The Pilgrims will eventually win the Series, five games to three.