Today in Baseball History: August 24th

2002 On August 24, 2002, Hall of Fame pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm dies at the age of 79. Wilhelm became the first reliever inducted to the Hall of Fame, receiving the honor in 1985. Off the field, he served in World War II, earning the Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge. A five-time All-Star, the knuckleballer saved 227 games, posted a 2.52 career ERA, and forged a lifetime record of 143-122. At the time of his retirement, he held the record for most games pitched in big league history. Wilhelm, who homered in his first at-bat but never hit another in his career, pitched for 21 seasons. He played for nine teams, but spent most of his career with the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago White Sox, earning a World Championship ring with the Giants in 1954.

1989 On August 24, 1989, Pete Rose signs an agreement that bans him from baseball permanently. Commissioner Bart Giamatti announces that the agreement does not contain either "an admission or a denial" that Rose bet on baseball games. The ruling will prevent Rose from seeking employment in the major leagues.

1983 On August 24, 1983, Tippy Martinez of the Baltimore Orioles picks off three Toronto Blue Jays baserunners - all in the 10th inning! The runners had all taken big leads out of a lack of respect for the arm of Lenn Sakata, a utility infielder who had been put into the game as a catcher. Sakata then hits a home run in the bottom of the 10th to win the game.

1983 First baseman Pete Rose does not play in Philadelphia's 5-3 loss to the Giants, ending his consecutive games played streak at 745. Manager Paul Owens had planned to use Rose as a pinch-hitter in the 10th inning, but Joel Youngblood ends the game with a two-run home run off Steve Carlton in the bottom of the ninth.

1982 Kansas City's John Wathan steals his 31st base of the season in a 5-3 win over the Rangers, breaking the single-season record for catchers set by Ray Schalk in 1916. Wathan will finish the season with a career-high 36 stolen bases.

1975 After stealing second base in the seventh to add to his major league record of 38 consecutive steals, Davey Lopes is nabbed in the 12th inning by Montreal catcher Gary Carter. The Expos beat the Dodgers in 14 innings 5-2.

1971 On August 24, 1971, Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs hits his 512th and final career home run. Banks' homer helps the Cubs to a 5-4 victory.

1969 On August 24, 1969, the expansion Seattle Pilots trade knuckleballing pitcher Jim Bouton to the Houston Astros for pitchers Dooley Womack and Roric Harrison. Bouton will become a celebrity one year later when his book, "Ball Four", is published and becomes a best-seller.

1951 On August 24, 1951, St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck pulls off another one of his famous stunts. Veeck allows over 1,000 fans to act as "managers" during a game at Sportsman's Park. The fans use placards to vote on lineup and strategy decisions.

1945 On August 24, 1945, future Hall of Famer Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians makes his first appearance since his return from military duty. "Rapid Robert" strikes out 12 Detroit Tigers in a 4-2 win over fellow Hall of Famer Hal Newhouser.

1940 Left fielder Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox pitches the last two innings in a 12-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Williams allows three hits and one run but strikes out Tiger slugger Rudy York. Joe Glenn, who caught Babe Ruth's last pitching appearance in 1933, is Williams'catcher.

1919 Cleveland pitcher Ray Caldwell is flattened by a bolt of lightning in his debut with the team. He recovers to get the final out of the game, and defeats Philadelphia, 2-1.

1918 Secretary of War Newton D. Baker grants an extended exemption to players in the World Series. Three days later the National Commission gets an official approval to play from General Enoch Crowder, providing that 10 percent of the revenues go to war charities.

1904 On August 24, 1904, New York Highlander outfielder "Wee Willie" Keeler hit two inside-the-park home runs in a 9-1 victory over the St. Louis Browns at New York"s Hilltop Park. Keeler batted .341 in his Hall of Fame career, and 30 of his 33 career homers were of the inside-the-park variety.