Today in Baseball History: October 2nd

1978 On October 2, 1978, Bucky Dent's unlikely home run helps the New York Yankees defeat the Boston Red Sox in a dramatic one-game playoff for the AL East title at Fenway Park. Trailing by two runs in the sixth inning, Dent smacks a three-run shot against Mike Torrez into the screen above the "Green Monster." The Yankees hold on for a 5-4 victory.

1974 On October 2, 1974, future Hall of Famer Al Kaline announces his retirement. During a 22-year career with the Detroit Tigers, Kaline compiled 3,007 hits and 399 home runs. He also batted .379 in the 1968 World Series…

1968 On October 2, 1968, in one of the most memorable World Series performances ever, Bob Gibson strikes out 17 Detroit Tigers. Gibson sets a World Series record for most strikeouts in a single game and leads the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-0 win over Tigers ace and Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain...

1966 On October 2, 1966, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers wins his 27th game of the season-and the final game of his career. Koufax' 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies clinches the pennant for the Dodgers.

1963 On October 2, 1963, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers sets a World Series record by striking out 15 batters in Game One against the New York Yankees. The Dodgers win the game, 5-2, behind Koufax' six-hit pitching…

1949 On October 2, 1949, the New York Yankees win the American League pennant by defeating the Boston Red Sox, 5-3. Jerry Coleman's three-run triple provides the winning margin, while Ted Williams falls short of both the batting title and the Triple Crown…

1920 On October 2, 1920, Clyde Barnhart becomes the only player in big league history to collect hits in three games in one day. With his Pirates facing the Reds in the only tripleheader in history, Barnhart collected two hits in game one, and one hit in each of the other two games.

1919 On October 2, 1919, the Chicago White Sox lose the second game of the World Series, 4-2, to the Cincinnati Reds. Lefty Williams, one of eight Sox players involved in a Series-fixing scandal, walks three men in the fourth inning. After the game, he is confronted and attacked by Sox catcher Ray Schalk.

1908 On October 2, 1908, Addie Joss of the Cleveland Naps tosses a perfect game against the Chicago White Sox. The future Hall of Famer wins a 1-0 decision over Ed Walsh in one of the greatest pitching duels in history. Joss strikes out only three batters, while Walsh fans 15.