New York Mets' Dwight Gooden Gets 20th Victory

On Aug. 25, 1985, the New York Mets defeat the San Diego Padres 9-3, making Mets starting pitcher Dwight Gooden the youngest pitcher to ever win 20 games in a season. At 20 years and nine months old, the second-year Met was a full month younger than Bob Feller, who won 24 games for the Cleveland Indians in 1939. The win was also his fourteenth in a row.

Gooden finished the season with a 24-4 record, a 1.53 ERA, 16 complete games, and 268 strikeouts in 276-and-two-thirds innings -- all of which led the National League. He won the Cy Young Award that year, just one season after winning the Rookie of the Year Award, and joined Herb Score as the only pitchers to strikeout 200 batters in their first two seasons. He was already being touted as one of the greatest pitchers of all time and was a sure-fire Hall of Famer just on talent alone.

 

Sadly, Gooden never lived up to his expectations. 1985 was the final year he won 20 games, although he did follow that up with six solid seasons. After that, his career became a bona fide trainwreck, as he struggled to overcome addictions to both alcohol and cocaine. He retired with a record of 194-112, and as one of the biggest what-ifs in baseball history.

Check out the video below of Gooden earning his 20th win:

Philadelphia Phillies' Eric Bruntlett Turns Unassisted Triple Play

On Aug. 23, 2009, tensions rose on Sunday as it looked like the Phillies would take their second game in a row going into the ninth inning. 

That’s when things got interesting.

With the Mets at bat, down 9-6, no outs and Angel Pagan on third base, Luis Castillo grounded a ball to second, but Eric Bruntlett couldn’t handle it and Castillo would beat out a late throw. Daniel Murphy stepped to the plate next and it was deja vu all over again. A grounder to Bruntlett which he once again could not handle. The tying run was now on base and a nightmare was unfolding right in front of the Phillies' fanbase eyes, but it didn’t seem as though he could do anything about it.

Then it happened.

A line drive off the bat of Jeff Francoeur which was headed to Bruntlett at second base.  

With the runners going, he made the catch for one out, touched second for another, and tagged Murphy who was caught in a hit-and-run. One man, three outs. It was only the 15th unassisted triple play in Major League history.

Check out the video below of Bruntlett's unassisted triple play:

New York Mets' Howard Johnson Has Second 30/30 Season

On Aug. 20, 1989, New York Mets' slugger Howard Johnson joins Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays as the only players to have more than one season with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases.

The players who had done it once before Johnson had done it twice included Ken Williams, Hank Aaron, Tommy Harper, Dale Murphy, Joe Carter and Eric Davis, as the only players to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single season. Mays completed the feat twice and Bonds five times before Johnson did it his second time.

Since Johnson joined the club of players to complete the feat twice in 1989, these players have joined the club once; Darryl Strawberry, Jose Canseco, Dante Bichette, Ellis Burks, Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, Shawn Green, Alex Rodriguez, Preston Wilson, Carlos Beltran, Jose Cruz Jr., David Wright, Jimmy Rollins, Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp, Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Trout last year.

Johnson would go on to complete the feat a third time in 1991, putting him in an elite class with just Bobby Bonds, and then later to be joined by Barry Bonds who completed the feat five times during his career and Alfonso Soriano who has completed the feat four times so far in his career.

Both Bonds, father Bobby and son Barry have the most 30-30 seasons with five each.

Other players to have more than one 30-30 season include; Ron Gant, Sammy Sosa, Jeff Bagwell, Raul Mondesi, Vladimir Guerrero, Bobby Abreu, Ian Kinsler and Ryan Braun.

Of the players to join the 30-30 club, only these players had a 40-40 season; Canseco 42 home runs, 40 steals; Barry Bonds 42 home runs, 40 steals; Alex Rodriguez 42 home runs and 46 steals; Alfonso Soriano 46 home runs and 41 steals.

The only players on the list to be inducted into the Hall of Fame include Mays, Aaron and Larkin.

Johnson ended his career as a two-time All-Star, a two-time World Series Champion, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He was also the National League Home Run Champion and NL RBI Champion in 1991.

Three times Johnson was in the MVP conversation, being in the top 10 in voting three times, and in the top five in voting twice.

Johnson would finish his 14-year career with a .249 batting average, with 1,229 hits with 237 doubles, 22 triples and 228 home runs. He also had 760 runs scored, 760 RBIs, 692 walks, 231 stolen bases and struck out 1,053 times.

Johnson led the league in runs scored once, with his highest single season total of 108 coming in 1991, although he did not lead the league that year. He also led the league in home runs once, with his highest single season total of 38 coming in 1991. Also in 1991 Johnson led the league in RBIs, that was also the year he hit his highest single season total of 117.

The 1991 season was a great one for Johnson as he set several records as he became the only switch-hitter to ever lead the NL in both home runs and RBIs in the same season. He also became the only Met to lead the National League in RBI. Finally he became the first switch-hitter to lead the National League in RBI. (Lance Berkman became the second in 2002.)

In 2001, Johnson was on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot but received no votes.

Currently Johnson is part of the Seattle Mariners franchise as a Hitting Coach for the 2014 season part of the new coaching staff that was put in place during the off season.

San Francisco Giants' Willie Mays Hits Final Home Run Of Career

On August 17, 1973, Willie Mays hits his final home run of his career, number 660 off of Don Gullett of the Cincinnati Reds.

Since Mays hit his last home run only two players have passed him on the all-time home run list. One is a currently active player, although on suspension, New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez and the other is another former San Francisco Giants outfielder, Barry Bonds. Bonds finished his career with the most all-time home runs with 762.
 

“The Say Hey Kid,” Mays is considered by many to be the greatest all-around baseball players that ever played. The ultimate five-tool player, Mays could hit for average and power, had incredible speed and base running abilities and could throw and play defense at a gold glove caliber level.

Mays finished his career as one of the all-time greats with eye-popping stats. He had a lifetime .302 batting average, 3,283 hits, with 523 doubles, 140 triples and 660 home runs. He also had 2,062 runs scored, 1,903 RBIs, 1,464 walks, 338 stolen bases and 1,526 strikeouts.

Four-times Mays led the league in home runs, with his highest single season total coming in 1965 with 52. Mays also led the league in stolen bases four times, with his highest single season total coming in 1956 with 40. He led the league in triples three times with his highest single season total coming in 1957 with 20. He led the league in runs scored twice with his highest single season total coming in 1962 with 130, although he did not lead the league that year. 

Mays led the league in hits once, in 1960 he had 190 hits, although his highest single season total came in 1958 when he had 208 hits, however he did not lead the league that day. Mays led the league in batting average once with his highest single total coming in 1958 with a .347 average, although he did not lead the league that year. He also led the league in walks once, in 1971 he has 112 walks, that was his highest single season total of his career.

Mays hit over 50 home runs in 1955 and 1965, representing the longest time span between 50-plus home run seasons for any player in Major League Baseball history.

His numbers would have been more outrageous but he left baseball in 1953 to serve his country part of the military.

Mays would also finish his career as one of MLB’s most decorated athletes earning 24 All-Star selections including 24 consecutive appearances from 1954 to 1973 including two in 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962 when the All-Star game was played twice a season, once at the start of the season and once in the now traditional All-Star break. He was a two-time All-Star game MVP in 1963 and 1968.

Mays was also a 12-time Golden Glove winner including 12 consecutive times from 1957 to 1968. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1951, and a two-time National League MVP in 1954 and 1965. 12-times Mays was also in the top 10 in MVP voting. He was also a part of the World Series Champion New York Giants.

In 1971 he was given the Roberto Clemente award, and in 1979 Mays was inducted into Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 with 94.9 percent of the vote on the first ballot in which he was on.

Mays was also elected to the MLB All-Time and All-Century teams in 1997 and 1999 respectively.

The San Francisco Giants have retired his no. 24 jersey.

Tom Glavine Earns Win 300

On Aug. 5, 2007, Tom Glavine becomes the 23rd pitcher to reach 300 wins, joining a prestigious group that included Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, and Nolan Ryan. Glavine won 20 games five times in his career as well as two Cy Young Awards and one World Series championship.

A high school hockey star, he was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL before signing on with the Atlanta Braves. At first he struggled, losing a National League-high 17 games in 1988, but he eventually found his groove and posted double-digit wins in 18 of the next 19 seasons.

Glavine spent the bulk of his career in Atlanta, where he teamed with John Smoltz and Greg Maddux to form one of the best pitching rotations in baseball. With the help of those three, Atlanta won 14 division titles in a row, and quickly fell back to earth when Maddux and Glavine left for bigger markets (Glavine in '02 to New York, Maddux in '04 to Chicago).

Glavine along with former teammate Maddux and manager of the Atlanta Braves Bobby Cox were inducted into Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame this summer with Frank Thomas, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre.

Vince Coleman Throws Firecrackers At Fans

On July 24, 1993, Vince Coleman gets in trouble for throwing firecrackers at a group of fans outside of a ball game.

Coleman was one of the fastest base runners the game of baseball had ever seen, compiling multiple seasons with more than 100 stolen bases and even stealing a record 50 in a row in 1989.

After leading the league in stolen bases the first six seasons of his career, Coleman left the St. Louis Cardinals to sign a large deal with the New York Mets – where his productivity took a nosedive. He did not live up to his massive three million dollar salary and failed to even keep out of trouble.

He feuded with Jeff Torborg, scuffled with a batting coach, claimed that Shea Stadium's aesthetics were preventing him from being a Hall of Famer, cost Dwight Gooden a start when he accidentally wacked him with a golf club, and was even accused of a raping woman in 1991, although no charges were ever filed.

But his most infamous moment came after a 5-4 extra-inning loss in Los Angeles. Coleman and Bobby Bonilla were in the passenger's seat of a car, driven by teammate Eric Davis, when they pulled up in front of Dodgers Stadium, where a few hundred fans were exiting. Coleman, as a practical joke, hurled a firecracker into the throng of people before they drove away laughing. The citizens involved weren't laughing though; the explosion injured several people, including a 33 -year old woman, an 11 year-old boy and the eyesight, cheek, and finger of two year-old Amanda Santos.

Coleman would play in three more games before the Mets dismissed him for the rest of the season (albeit with pay). He was given three years probation, 200 hours of community service, and an additional $2,500 in fines. It took him several days to apologize, and when he did, he offered the following statement: "I'm a father first and an athlete second. Amanda stood out near a gate to catch a glimpse of a ballplayer. But today, I want her to catch a glimpse of a loving father and a helpful friend."

The next season, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals.

Cleveland Indians' Sandy Alomar Jr. Wins All-Star Game MVP

On July 8, 1997, the 68th annual Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star game was played.  

The game took place at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio and hometown hero, Cleveland Indians catcher, Sandy Alomar Jr., was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. 

Alomar Jr. is the only player to win an All-Star game MVP and have his brother win the All-Star game MVP the next year, as Roberto Alomar did in the 1998 All-Star game.

Sandy Alomar Jr. (left) taking a curtain call at the 1997 MLB All-Star Game.

The American League went on to win 1997 All-Star game by a score of 3-1, it was one of the lowest scoring games in All-Star game history.

Edgar Martinez of the Seattle Mariners opened the scoring with a solo home run in the third inning.  The game remained 1-0 until the seventh inning, when Javy Lopez of the Atlanta Braves tied it with a solo shot of his own.  

However, in the bottom half of the inning Sandy Alomar Jr. would hit the game winning home run, a two-run shot off San Francisco Giants pitcher Shawn Estes.

Sandy Alomar Jr. became the first player to be named All-Star Game MVP while playing in his home stadium. MLB CEO Paul Beeston awarded Alomar with the trophy, as the MLB commissioner position was vacant at the time.

Alomar Jr. put together a solid career in MLB playing 20 seasons, earning the 1990 AL Rookie of the Year and also earning the 1990 American League Gold Glove for catchers, and being selected to six All-Star games between 1990 and 1998. He finished his career with a .274 batting average, 112 home runs and 588 RBI’s.

In 2008, Alomar Jr. began his coaching career starting with the New York Mets acting as the catching instructor. He filled that role in 2008 and 2009. After the 2009 season Manny Acta the Indians manager hired Alomar Jr. to be the teams first base coach. He filled that role during the 2010 and 2011 season. After the completion of the 2011 season Alomar Jr. was promoted to being the Indians manager, a position he held for one year, but since he has taken over the duty as being the teams bench coach, the position he currently resides in.

 

Alomar Jr. was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in August of 2009.

Atlanta Braves' Tony Cloninger Hits Two Grand Slams

On July 3, 1966, in the Atlanta Braves 17-3 rout of the San Francisco Giants, Tony Cloninger hits two grand slams and collects nine RBI's at Candlestick Park. 

The Braves' pitcher is the first National league player to hit two home runs with the bases full in the same game.

Only 12 other players have hit two grand slams in one game, with four players doing it before Cloninger. 

Tony Lazzeri did it for the New York Yankees in 1936. Jim Tabor did it for the Boston Red Sox on July 4, 1939. Rudy York also did it for the Boston Red Sox, in 1946, and Jim Gentile did it for the Baltimore Orioles in 1961.

The following players completed the feat after Cloninger. In 1968 Jim Northup did it for the Detroit Tigers. Frank Robinson did it for the Baltimore Orioles in 1970. In 1995 Robin Ventura did it while a member of the Chicago White Sox. Later Ventura became the only player to hit a grand slam in each game of a doubleheader, while playing for the New York Mets in 1999.

Chris Hoiles did it as a member of the Baltimore Orioles in 1998. 
 
In 1999 Fernando Tatis hit two grand slams in one inning as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Tatis was also the first National League player to complete the feat since Cloninger. Tatis also holds the record for most RBIs in a single inning.

Also in 1999, Nomar Garciaparra did it as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Garciaparra was the only player on the list to hit two grand slams in one game, to be playing on the home team. He also hit another home run that day finishing the day with 10 RBIs.

Former Giants third baseman Bill Mueller did it in 2003 with the Boston Red Sox and in 2009 Josh Willingham did it as a member of the Washington Nationals.

Cleveland Indians Eddie Murray Joins 3,000 Hit Club

On June 30, 1995 Cleveland Indians first baseman and designated hitter Eddie Murray becomes the just the twentieth major leaguer to reach 3,000 hits in the MLB. 

Murray aka "The Crime Dog," ended his career as an eight time All-Star, including six consecutive selections from 1981-1986. He won all three of his Gold Gloves consecutively from 1982-1984 and won three Silver Slugger awards in 1983, 1984 and 1990.

Murray was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1977 and was part of the Baltimore Orioles team that won the 1983 World Series.

Murray’s career also saw playing time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians and Anaheim Angels to go along with his time with the Mets and Orioles.

Murray would finish his career with a .287 batting average, 3,255 hits, 504 home runs, 1,917 RBIs and 1,627 runs scored. He is one of only four players to have 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. The other three are Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Willie Mays as well as another famous Orioles slugger Rafael Palmeiro.

His 504 home runs are the most of a player who never hit more than 33 home runs in a season, the second most by a switch hitter to that only of New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle, who hit 536 in his career. They also rank Murray twenty-fifth in all-time home runs.

At the time of his retirement he was tied with Chili Davis for the most games in which he hit a home run from both sides of the plate, 11. In 2011 New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeria broke the record with 12.

A record not shown on the stat book but still a valuable one is that Murray is the record holder for sacrifice flies with 128. You have to drive in the runs at any cost, and Murray got the job done.

The Baltimore Orioles retired Murray’s jersey number 33 in 1998.

In 1999, Murray ranked Number 77 on The Sporting News list of Baseball's Greatest Players, and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Murray was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 with 85.3 percent of the vote on the first ballot in which he appeared.

After retirement Murray served as the hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians from 2002 to 2005.

On June 14, 2007, Murray was fired as hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, after just months on the job.

In 2012 a Bronze statue of Eddie Murray's left handed hitting stance unveiled at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Watch the video below of Murray getting hit 3,000:

Rickey Henderson Gets Steal 800

On April 9, 1989, Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson steals base number 800 for his career, in the New York Yankees 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

Henderson was a left fielder who played in Major League Baseball for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics.

Nicknamed "The Man of Steal", he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and base runner^/ holding the record for most career leadoff home runs with 81, and winning three Silver Slugger awards in 1981, 1985 and 1990. His 1,406 career steals are almost double the previous record of 938 by Lou Brock, and just under 800 more than the current active leader in stolen bases, Juan Pierre, who has 614.

Oakland Athletics great Rickey Henderson, the "Man of Steal," after breaking Lou Brock's record of 938 steals.

Henderson is the all-time stolen base leader for the Oakland A’s and previously held the New York Yankees' franchise record from 1988-2011.

He also holds the major league records for runs scored and unintentional walks.

Henderson also holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982) and is the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times.

A 12-time stolen base champion, Henderson led the league in runs five times and was among the league's top ten base stealers in 21 different seasons.

Henderson was named the AL's Most Valuable Player in 1990, and he was the leadoff hitter for two World Series champions: the 1989 Oakland A's and the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays.

At the time of his last major league game in 2003, the ten-time American League (AL) All-Star ranked among the sport's top 100 all-time home run hitters and was its all-time leader in base on balls.

His 25-year career elevated Henderson to the top ten in several other categories, including career at bats, games, and outfield putouts and total chances.

His high on-base percentage, power hitting, and stolen base and run totals made him one of the most dynamic players of his era.

He was further known for his unquenchable passion for playing baseball and a buoyant, eccentric and quotable personality that both perplexed and entertained fans.

Once asked if he thought Henderson was a future Hall of Famer, statistician Bill James replied, "If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers^.

In 2009, he was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot appearance with 94.8 percent of the vote.

The Oakland Athletics also retired Henderson’s no. 24 jersey in 2009.

Yankees Beat Mets In All New York World Series

On Oct. 26, 2000, the New York Yankees defeat the New York Mets four games to one to win their third straight World Series championship. Making them one of only two teams to win the World Series three consecutive times. The other only other team besides the Yankees to do complete the feat was the Oakland Athletics from 1972-1974. The MVP of the World Series was New York Yankees shortstop, Derek Jeter.

The Yankees would go on to do the unthinkable and make the World Series in 2001, bidding for the firs time in Major League history that a team would win four consecutive World Series trophies. But it was the Arizona Diamondbacks who would win the World Series, keeping the record for most consecutive World Series championships at three.

The World Series championship in 2000 was the Yankees twenty-sixth and last until they won No. 27, in 2009.

For the Mets, it was the last time they visited the World Series, and the last time the team won a Wild Card berth.

Since 2000, the Mets have made the playoffs just once, in 2006, when they won the East Division Title and won their NLDS matchup. However, for the Mets they were eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7 of the NLCS.

Buckner Costs Sox The Series

On Oct. 25, 1986, Buckner's mistake costs Red Sox the World Series.

On this day in 1986, the famous Bill Buckner error took place in Game 6 of the World Series. 

The Red Sox led 5-3 in the bottom of the tenth inning and were on their way to winning the World Series trophy. 

But a Mets rally kept the game alive. 

After a wild pitch, Bill Buckner misplayed a routine ground ball and allowed the Mets to steal the game. 

New Work would take the series in seven games.

Mays Plays His Final World Series

On Oct. 14, 1973, the MLB World Series featured the New York Mets and the Oakland A's. Willie Mays was at the end of a stellar career in 1973 and was used as a pinch hitter in Game 2 in Oakland.

 

Mays was substituted and played in center field for the Mets when he had his last Major League hit Oct. 14, 1973. It was an RBI single and the Mets won the game 10-7. Mays had two at-bats that night.

Mays retired after the 1973 season. His Mets lost the World Series in seven games. He quit playing pro baseball after 22 great years with a career average of .302, garnering 3,283 hits and 660 home runs. 

Some of his other accomplishments include 24 consecutive All-Star game appearances. He was the All-Star game MVP in 1963 and 1968. He also earned 12 consecutive Gold Glove awards, two National League MVP awards in 1954 and 1965, the 1951 National League Rookie of the Year award, winning the 1971 Roberto Clemente Award, and setting a record for most home runs in a game with four on April, 30, 1961.

Mays also helped the New York Giants in winning a World Series in 1954.

The San Francisco Giants retired his no. 24 jersey, and Mays was named to the MLB All-Century Team and the MLB All-Time team.

Mays was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot he appeared on in 1979 with 94.7 percent of the vote.

Gooden Sets A New Strikeout Record

On Sept. 12, 1984, New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden sets the rookie strike out record at 251. He would finish with 276 strikeouts in his rookie year, which led the National League. His 276 strikeouts as a rookie is still a major league record to this day.

Gooden, nicknamed "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s. He would enjoy a successful career in the major leagues. He had a 16 season career that saw him play for the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Over his career Gooden would earn four All-Star appearances, including three consecutive from 1984-1986. He would earn three World Series Championship rings with the New York Mets, and New York Yankees. He would earn two National League strikeout championships in 1984 and 1985, during his rookie and sophomore campaigns. He would win the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1984, in 1985 he would earn the pitching Triple Crown, given for the pitcher with the most strikeouts, wins, and lowest ERA, his totals that year were 268 strikeouts, 24 wins and a 1.53 ERA.

That performance was enough to give Gooden his only Cy Young Award for his career, as well earn the NL Wins Champion award and NL ERA Champion award. In 1992 Gooden was awarded the Silver Slugger award and in 1996 he pitched a no-hitter, the only one of his career.

Gooden never won a postseason game, going 0–4 in the course of nine postseason starts over eight series. In the 1986 National League Championship Series, however, he had an earned run average of only 1.06 after starting two games and allowing just one earned run in 17 innings pitched.

Gooden retired in 2001 after he was cut by the Yankees in spring training, ending his career with a record of 194–112. More than half of those wins came before age 25.

Gooden finished his career with 194 wins and 112 losses and three saves in 430 games with 410 starts. He totaled a 3.51 ERA with 2,293 strikeouts and 954 walks over 2,800.2 innings pitched. He would total 68 complete games in his career with 24 shutouts.

Gooden led the league in strikeouts twice, his first two years in the league, with his highest single season total coming in his rookie season with 276. He led the league in wins and ERA once, his 1985 Cy Young season with 24 wins and a 1.53 ERA.

Though he never won an MVP award, Gooden was in the conversation three times, with his highest voting coming in 1985 with the fourth most MVP votes.