Today in Baseball History: August 6th

1999 On August 6, 1999, Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres collects his 3,000th major league hit - a single against Dan Smith of the Montreal Expos. Gwynn adds to his total by banging out three more hits, giving him a 4-for-5 night against the Expos at Olympic Stadium.

1998 On August 6, 1998, legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse dies from cardiac arrest at the age of 82. The likeable Brickhouse began his broadcasting career in 1934, working for a radio station in his native Peoria, Illinois. Known for his trademark home run call of "Hey Hey!," Brickhouse announced Chicago Cubs games from 1941 to 1981. He also performed play-by-play for the Chicago White Sox from 1940 to 1967, and broadcast a total of over 5,000 games on radio and television in his standout career. In 1983, Brickhouse received the Hall of Fame's prestigious Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence.

1973 On August 6, 1973, Roberto Clemente and Warren Spahn are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Earlier in the year, the Hall's Board of Directors had voted to waive the traditional five-year waiting period for Clemente, in light of the Pittsburgh Pirate right fielder's death in a plane crash on New Year's Eve, 1972. Also inducted are umpire Billy Evans, outfielder Monte Irvin, first baseman George Kelly, and pitcher Mickey Welch. 24 Hall of Famers are in attendance for the festivities.

1972 On August 6, 1972, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves breaks Babe Ruth's record for the most home runs with one team. The Braves' veteran slugger hits his 660th and 661st home runs to eclipse Ruth's record. The latter home run gives the Braves a 4-3 win in 10 innings.

1959 On August 6, 1959, Hoyt Wilhelm of the Baltimore Orioles makes one of the greatest relief appearances ever. The future Hall of Famer pitches 8 2/3 innings of no-hit ball against the Chicago White Sox before allowing his first safety.

1953 On August 6, 1953, Ted Williams returns to the Boston Red Sox after his military stint in the Korean War. Williams, who pops out in a pinch-hitting appearance, will finish his abbreviated season with a .407 batting average.

1952 On August 6, 1952, the forty-something Satchel Paige becomes the oldest pitcher in major league history to pitch a complete game or shutout. The St. Louis Browns' right-hander blanks the Detroit Tigers, 1-0, in 12 innings.

1937 On August 6, 1937, Cleveland outfielders set a major league record when they fail to record a single putout in a 10-inning loss to the Yankees. Indians" starter Bob Feller keeps the ball out of the outfield, striking out 12 batters, but he also issues ten walks in taking the defeat.

1917 On August 6, 1917, Walter Johnson out-dueled Eddie Plank, 1-0 in an 11-inning game that saw both pitchers go the distance. For Plank, who won 326 games in his Hall of Fame career, it was his last major league game.