Today in Baseball History: August 8th

1988 On August 8, 1988, lights are used for the first time in the history of Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies play 3 1/2 before being rained out.

1977 On August 8, 1977, popular Chicago Cubs" slugger Ernie Banks is inducted into the Hall of Fame, helping to draw a then-record 27 Hall of Famers to Cooperstown for the event. Martin Dihigo, Pop Lloyd, Al Lopez, Amos Rusie, and Joe Sewell are also inducted.

1976 On August 8, 1976, the Chicago White Sox become the first team in major league history to wear short pants in a game. The White Sox debut their Bermuda shorts - the brainchild of owner Bill Veeck - in the first game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. It will be the only regular season game in which the White Sox wear shorts.

1973 On August 8, 1973, future Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda of the Boston Red Sox bangs out four doubles in a 9-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The Red Sox' designated hitter, running on bad knees near the end of an outstanding career, ties a major league record with the four two-baggers.

1965 On August 8, 1965, Warren Spahn wins his first game as a member of the San Francisco Giants. The New York Mets had released Spahn earlier in the season.

1954 On August 8, 1954, the Brooklyn Dodgers explode for 13 runs - after two outs with no one on - in the eighth inning of their 20-8 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Gil Hodges highlights the outburst with a home run and a triple. Pitcher Clem Labine, a career .100 hitter, draws two walks during the inning.

1934 On August 8, 1934, Hall of Fame manager Wilbert Robinson dies at the age of 71 after suffering a stroke. Robinson won a total of 1,399 games in 19 major league seasons. "Uncle Robbie" managed the Brooklyn franchise for 18 of those seasons, leading the team to National League pennants in 1916 and 1920.

1903 On August 8, 1903, "Iron Joe" McGinnity won both ends of a doubleheader sweep of Brooklyn, starting and winning by scores of 6-1 and 4-3. McGinnity helped himself in the second game, stealing home for the deciding run.

1903 On August 8, 1903, tragedy strikes the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia when a walkway at the top of the stands suddenly collapses, killing 12 fans in attendance. The incident, which occurs when fans rush to the walkway to witness a street brawl, mars a doubleheader between the hometown Phillies and the Boston Braves.