Today in Baseball History: April 23rd

1999 On April 23, 1999, Fernando Tatis of the St. Louis Cardinals achieves a major league first when he hits two grand slams in one inning. Tatis connects twice in the third inning against Chan Ho Park. Tatis' eight RBIs lead the Cardinals to a 12-5 rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1992 On April 23, 1992, former major league slugger and current California Angels batting coach Deron Johnson dies from lung cancer at the age of 53. Johnson hit 245 home runs during a 16-year career. In 1965, he led the National League with 130 RBIs as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.

1978 On April 23, 1978, Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds makes an error at second base, bringing his major league record of 91 consecutive errorless games to an end. Morgan had begun the streak on July 6, 1977.

1968 On April 23, 1968, the Chicago Cubs acquire outfielder Jim Hickman and relief pitcher Phil "The Vulture" Regan from the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Ted Savage and pitcher Jim Ellis. Regan will lead the National League with 25 saves in 1968.

1964 On April 23, 1964, Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt .45s becomes the first major leaguer to hurl a nine-inning no-hitter and lose the game. The knuckleballing right-hander goes down to defeat, 1-0. Second baseman Nellie Fox, usually a reliable defensive player, commits a critical run-scoring error on Vada Pinson's groundball.

1962 On April 23, 1962, the expansion New York Mets win their first game-after nine consecutive losses. Right-hander Jay Hook earns a 9-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets' 0-9 start had tied a National League record for futility.

1954 On April 23, 1954, Hank Aaron of the Milwaukee Braves hits the first of his 755 home runs in a 7-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Aaron's milestone home run-a solo blast-comes against Cardinals right-hander Vic Raschi.

1952 On April 23, 1952, New York Giants relief pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm hits a home run in his first major league at-bat. The future Hall of Famer also earns his first victory in a 9-5 win over the Boston Braves. Wilhelm, a notoriously poor hitter, will never hit another home run in a major league game.

1940 On April 23, 1940, flooding of the Ohio River causes cancellation of today's game between the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals at Crosley Field. Weather forecasters predict that the flood's waters will reach as high as eight feet at the ballpark. The next day's game will also be postponed.