Baseball – 1998

Baseball in 1998

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January

January 4Blue Jays C Benito Santiago is injured when he loses control of the car he is driving and crashes into a tree in Ft. Lauderdale. He sustains ligament damage to his right knee and fractures his pelvis‚ limiting him to just 15 games at the end of the season. Toronto also loses 1B Carlos Delgado to a shoulder injury‚ which he sustains while diving for a ball in a game in Puerto Rico. He will be lost to the team until late April.
January 5324-game winner Don Sutton is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his 5th try. Sutton‚ who missed election by 9 votes in 1990‚ was named on 81.6% of the ballots.
January 9Red Sox 1B Mo Vaughn is arrested and charged with DWI when his pickup truck strikes an abandoned car and flips over.
January 14Astros trade OF James Mouton to Padres for P Sean Bergman.
January 15The Cubs sign burly free agent P Rod Beck to a 1-year contract.
January 20Veteran P Lee Smith and 3B Terry Pendleton sign minor league contracts with the Royals‚ who invite them to training camp as non-roster players.
January 22Free agent OF Rickey Henderson signs on for a 4th tour of duty with the Oakland A’s.
January 24Minor league 1B Doug Blosser is killed in an automobile accident in Sarasota‚ Florida.
January 29Cleveland signs free agent DH-OF Geronimo Berroa to a 1-year contract.

Former White Sox SS Ozzie Guillen signs a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles‚ who invite him to spring training as a non-roster player.

February

February 2Yankees GM Bob Watson announces his resignation. He is replaced by 30-year-old Brian Cashman.
February 3Free agent P Andy Benes signs a 3-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
February 4Free agent DH-OF Jose Canseco signs a 1-year contract with the Blue Jays.
February 6The Minnesota Twins trade All-Star 2B Chuck Knoblauch to the Yankees for minor leaguers P Eric Milton‚ P Danny Mota‚ OF Brian Buchanan‚ SS Cristian Guzman‚ and $3 million.

The Mets obtain P Al Leiter and IF Ralph Milliard from the Marlins for minor leaguers P Jesus Sanchez‚ pitcher A.J. Burnett‚ and OF Robert Stratton.
February 18Chicago Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray dies 4 days after collapsing at a Valentine’s Day supper. Caray‚ age 84‚ was known‚ among other things‚ for leading the fans in a rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th-inning stretch at Wrigley Field. He previously broadcast the games of the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox in a career that spanned half a century.

Yankees sign OF Bernie Williams to a $8.5 million‚ 1-year contract‚ avoiding salary arbitration.
February 19Shortly after beating Jorge Fabregas in an arbitration case‚ Arizona owner Jerry Colangelo stuns the catcher-and fellow owners-by signing him to a 2-year‚ $2.9 million contract‚ which includes a significant raise over the arbitration salary in the first year.
February 23A series of killer tornadoes sweeps through Florida‚ narrowly missing the Houston Astros clubhouse‚ and the homes of several players‚ in Kissimmee. A campground behind Osceola County Stadium‚ the Astros training base‚ is destroyed‚ and 7 people are killed by one of the twisters.
February 25Free agent P Jack McDowell signs a 1-year contract with the Anaheim Angels.
February 26Cleveland P Ben McDonald undergoes surgery on his right shoulder. He will be out for the season.

March

March 3Larry Doby‚ Lee MacPhail‚ George Davis‚ and “Bullet” Joe Rogan are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Brickhouse undergoes surgery to remove a tumor from the lining of his brain.
March 6Cardinals C Eli Marrero has a mass removed from his neck. Test results show the mass to be a low-grade malignancy.
March 7Yankees sign P Orlando Hernandez‚ brother of World Series hero Livan Hernandez‚ to a 4-year‚ $6.6 million contract.
March 8Yankees trade IF Andy Fox to the Diamondbacks in exchange for P Marty Janzen and Todd Erdos.
March 19Rupert Murdoch purchases the Los Angeles Dodgers from Peter O’Malley for a reported $311 million‚ the highest price ever paid for a US sports franchise.
March 26Free agent 2B Mark Lemke signs a minor league contract with the Red Sox.
March 30Reds trade projected Opening Day P Dave Burba to the Indians in exchange for 1B Sean Casey. Burba will win 10 games by the All-Star break.
March 31The Tampa Bay Devil Rays lose to the Tigers‚ 11-6‚ in their first game ever. Wilson Alvarez takes the loss for Tampa while 3B Wade Boggs slugs the 1st HR in team history and drives in 3 runs.

The Arizona Diamondbacks drop a 9-2 decision to the Rockies in their first game ever. P Andy Benes is tagged with the loss‚ and rookies Travis Lee‚ who gets 3 hits‚ and Karim Garcia hit HRs. Vinny Castilla drives in 5 runs for Colorado.

The Mets and Phillies tie the NL mark for the longest opening day game‚ with NY coming out on top with a 1-0 win in 14 innings on PH Alberto Castillo’s single. Chuck Schilling shuts out the Mets for the first 8 innings on only 2 hits‚ while fanning 9.

SS Pokey Reese‚ starting in place of Barry Larkin who is on the DL‚ commits 4 errors on his 1st 3 chances in the field as the Reds lose their opener‚ 10-2‚ to the Padres.

Marlins’ C Charles Johnson‚ who had not committed an error in a record 172 consecutive regular season games‚ is charged with one on a wild throw in the 1st inning of Florida’s opening day 11-6 victory over the Cubs. Johnson hits a 3-run HR in Florida’s 6-run 1st inning to atone for his miscue. The defending champs will lose their next 10 games.

Cardinals’ rookie P Braden Looper makes an auspicious major league debut in St. Louis’ 6-0 win over the Dodgers. Looper enters the game in the 9th inning and strikes out all 3 batters he faces-Todd Zeile‚ Raul Mondesi‚ and Paul Konerko. The Dodgers are held to 3 hits by 4 St. Louis pitchers.

At Turner Field‚ the Milwaukee Brewers‚ the first team to switch leagues since 1901‚ lose their first game in the NL‚ 2-1‚ to the Braves. Bob Wickman takes the historic loss in relief‚ as the Braves plate the winning marker with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning.

The Giants win their opener against the Astros‚ 9-4‚ as Jeff Kent gets 5 hits‚ including a double and HR‚ and drives home 4. Houston 2B Craig Biggio‚ who last year became only the 3rd player in major league history to go an entire season without grounding into a double play‚ hits into a twin-killing in his 2nd time up this year.

April

April 1Seattle 1B David Segui homers from both sides of the plate in the Mariners 9-7 loss to Cleveland. Segui adds a double and drives in 5 runs.

The expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays win their first game in franchise history‚ beating the Tigers‚ 11-8. Fred McGriff has 4 RBIs on 3 hits.

The Angels put together a 4-run rally in the 4th to hand the Yankees a 4-1 opening day defeat. Matt Walbeck’s 2-RBI triple was the big hit in the game. Chuck Finley earns the win as he gives up a run on 4 hits and 6 walks in 7 IP‚ with 7 K’s. Chuck Knoblauch enters the record books as he plays his 1000th game at 2B and set the AL record for highest career fielding percentage.

The Angels sign free agent pitcher Steve Sparks to a minor league contract. He’ll go 0-8 in the minors‚ earning a promotion‚ where he’ll go 9-4. The knuckler missed the entire 1997 season when he injured himself ripping a phone book in half following a spring training game.
April 2Kevin Elster‚ Mike Simms‚ Juan Gonzalez‚ Ivan Rodriguez‚ and Lee Stevens all homer as Texas pounds out a 20-4 win over the White Sox. The Rangers‚ with 23 safeties‚ tie an AL record as 9 players have 2 or more hits in the contest.

By hitting a HR in Colorado’s 6-4 win over Arizona at Bank One Ballpark‚ Rockies OF Ellis Burks sets a major league record by having homered in 33 different stadiums.

Jeromy Burnitz hits 2 HRs‚ including an 11th inning grand slam‚ as the Brewers hold on to beat the Braves‚ 8-6. It is the Brewers first win in the NL.
April 3Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jose Valentin strokes three homers‚ and drives in five runs‚ to lead his team to a 7-1 victory over the Florida Marlins.

Just 4 days after being obtained in a trade with Cleveland‚ Reds 1B Sean Casey is hit in the eye with a ball thrown by Damian Jackson during batting practice. His eye orbit is fractured‚ and will require surgery on April 8.
April 4Cardinals 1B Mark McGwire homers in his 4th straight game to tie the NL record set by Willie Mays in 1971 for HRs in consecutive games at the beginning of the season. The Cardinals defeat the Padres by an 8-6 score.

The Twins’ Mike Morgan hurls the first 7 innings of Minnesota’s 3-2 loss to KC. In doing so‚ he ties a modern major league mark‚ shared by Bob Miller and Ken Brett‚ by appearing in a game with his 10th team. In the game‚ Minnesota OF Otis Nixon has his jaw broken while sliding into 2B when he is kicked in the face by Royals SS Felix Martinez.
April 5The Arizona Diamondbacks win their first game in franchise history‚ 3-2‚ over the Giants. Andy Benes gets the win for the 1-5 D’backs.

In a duel of aces‚ Philadelphia’s Curt Schilling strikes out 15 to beat Greg Maddux‚ 2-1.
April 6Houston trounces Colorado‚ 13-4‚ despite 5 hits by Rockies’ RF Dante Bichette. Jeff Bagwell homers and drives home 3 runs for the Astros.

The Cleveland Indians request permission from the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell shares of the team to the public. Plans are made for an initial offering of 4 million shares.
April 8The Athletics trade OF Shane Mack and a player to be named to the Royals in exchange for C Mike Macfarlane and cash.
April 9The Orioles (7-1) win their 7th straight‚ 2-1‚ tying the score on Cal Ripken’s 7th inning homer. Ripken moves ahead of Gehrig to 45th on the career hit list.
April 10The Dodgers Mike Piazza becomes the 5th NL player in history to hit grand slams in consecutive games by homering in the Dodgers 7-2 win over the Astros. Piazza also homered with the bags full‚ while driving in 6 runs‚ in last night’s 7-2 win over Arizona. He’ll hit another on April 24th to tie the ML record for slams in a month.

Tino Martinez leads the Yankees to a historical 17-13 win over the A’s. Martinez had 3 hits‚ including a double and HR‚ 5 RBI‚ and 4 runs. The teams combine for a Yankee Stadium record with 30 runs‚ topping the old record of 28 set on June 3‚ 1933. The Yankees’ 17 runs are the most in a home opener since 1955.

Cubs’ OF Henry Rodriguez gets 5 hits and drives home 3 runs in Chicago’s 13-0 win over Montreal. Kevin Tapani limits the Expos to just 3 hits to gain the win.

Mo Vaughn of the Red Sox and Steve Finley of the Padres each hit game-ending grand slams‚ the first time 2 players accomplished the feat on the same day since 1982. Vaughn’s gives Boston a 9-7 win over Seattle‚ while Finley’s powers San Diego to a 6-4 victory over Arizona.

Down 7-2‚ the Red Sox jump on Seattle for 7 runs in the last half of the 9th to defeat the Mariners‚ 9-7. Four Mariner relievers fail to get a single batter out in the frame‚ as Mo Vaughn‘s grand slam off Paul Spoljaric is the decisive hit.
April 11Andy Pettitte pitches the Yankees to a 3-1 win over the A’s‚ to put the team over the .500 mark for the first time in the season. Pettitte earned his 1st win of the year‚ beating Tom Candiotti. Derek Jeter has 2 hits‚ 2 runs‚ and 2 steals.

In the Reds 12-5 win over the host Rockies‚ the 2 teams tie a 19th century ML record as 8 players have 3 or more hits. The Reds have 6 players with 3 hits.
April 12With their 4-1 win over the White Sox‚ Tampa Bay becomes the 1st expansion team in history to have a record over .500 after their first 10 games.

Tim Salmon has a pair oof hoemrs and scores 5 runs as Anaheim downs Clevelnad‚ 12-1. Steve Finley goes 7+ innings for the win.
April 13Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr. slugs 2 HRs in a 6-5 loss to Cleveland. In doing so‚ he becomes the second-youngest player in big league history to reach 300 homers for his career‚ at 28 years and 143 days. Jimmie Foxx‚ at 27 years 328 days‚ was the youngest.

Lee Stevens of the Rangers hits 3 HRs and drives in 4 in a 10-1 victory over the Tigers.

Cardinals rookie C Eli Marrero returns to action after undergoing surgery for the removal of a malignant tumor from his neck on March 6. He hits the first pitch he sees for a triple‚ and also homers in the Cardinals 8-2 loss to the Giants.

A steel joint‚ weighing several hundred pounds‚ falls through a roof panel at Yankee Stadium‚ destroying a seat located between 3rd base and home plate. Luckily‚ the Yankees are scheduled to play a night game‚ and no fans are in the stadium at the time. Emergency inspections are scheduled‚ and the game against the Angels is canceled. The final game of the series will be played at Shea Stadium‚ while next week’s series against the Tigers is switched to Detroit.
April 14Atlanta rookie pitcher Kevin Millwood pitches a 1-hitter against Pittsburgh‚ shutting out the Pirates‚ 6-0. He fans 13 in the contest‚ without walking a single batter.

Mark McGwire of the Cardinals hits 3 HRs and notches 5 ribbies in a 15-5 victory over the Diamondbacks. Matt Williams hits a grand slam‚ the first in Diamondbacks history.
April 15The Yankees defeat the Angels‚ 6-3‚ in an afternoon game played at Shea Stadium. The Mets defeat the Cubs‚ 2-1‚ in a night game‚ marking the first time in history that American and National League games are played in the same park on the same day.

Sammy Sosa of the Cubs hits his 210th career HR in the Cubs 2-1 loss to the Mets. He breaks Bob Horner‘s major league record for most HRs without a grand slam from the start of a career.

San Diego’s Kevin Brown shuts out the Giants‚ 1-0‚ on a 4-hitter. Brown almost matches the Giants himself‚ as he gets 3 hits in 4 at bats.

In a 5-3 loss to the visiting Mariners‚ the Indians David Bell hits the 1st inside-the-park HR in Jacobs Field history and the 1st for the Indians since July 18‚ 1989 (Joe Carter). Randy Johnson and Kenny Lofton are both ejected after the 2 argue about inside pitches.
April 16Milwaukee 2B Fernando Vina gets 5 hits in the Brewers’ 5-3‚ 14-inning victory over the Expos.
April 17At Boston‚ the Sox pinch run OF Damon Buford in the 9th‚ then hide him in the infield in the 10th against the Indians. He starts the 10th at 2B‚ then switches to 3B after Ramirez singles. Valentin goes to 2B. An out later they switch back‚ then switch again after another out. The Tribe fails to score and Boston wins in the 10th‚ 3-2.
April 18The Yankees set a team record for the longest win streak in Detroit as they win their 12th straight‚ beating the Tigers‚ 8-3. It is their 8th straight win overall and David Cone‘s first of the year. Greg Keagle takes the loss. The Tigers beat the Yanks tomorrow‚ 2-1.

The Cardinals unveiled a bronze statue of Bob Gibson outside Busch Stadium‚ then beat the Phils‚ 6-5.
April 19Florida Marlins rookie 3B Kevin Millar makes his first major league start against the Diamondbacks. On the first pitch he sees from Jeff Suppan‚ Millar swings and hits a foul ball. In doing so‚ he breaks the hamate bone in his left hand‚ sending him to the DL. Florida goes on to defeat Arizona‚ 4-3.

The Mets score 3 runs in each of the last 3 innings to take a 14-0 victory over the Reds‚ the largest shutout in team history. Another team mark is tied when LF Bernard Gilkey scores 5 times.

The Blue Jays beat the White Sox‚ 5-4‚ despite Lou Frazier tying the Sox team record (George Davis and Jimmy Callahan‚ in 1905) for stolen bases with 4. Interestingly‚ Frazier is 0-for-3 at the plate. Albert Belle homers for the Sox and Mike Stanley and Ed Sprague go back to back for the Jays in the 4th.
April 20In the Mariners 8-7 win over the Royals‚ Alex Rodriguez again paces Seattle with two doubles and a homer. the young star ties Earl Sheehy’s 1926 AL record of 8 extra base hits in 3 straight games: Alex had a triple and HR on the 18th‚ 2 doubles and a triple on the 19th.

Arizona gaffs the Marlins‚ 15-4‚ pounding 4 pitchers. The D’Backs use 6 pitchers‚ including reliever Gregg Olson‚ who hits a 2 run HR‚ his 1st‚ in the 7th off Henriquez. It will turn out to be Olson’s last ML at bat. In 2.2 innings‚ Henriquez gives up 5 singles‚ a double‚ triple‚ and homer.
April 22White Sox 2B Ray Durham ties a major league record by reaching base on an error 3 times in Chicago’s 14-7 victory over the Indians. Durham adds 3 hits‚ scores 4 runs‚ and drives home 2. Chicago breaks the game open by scoring 9 runs in the 5th inning. Durham was also involved in 2 other plays in which he advanced on errors-a SB in which he went to 3rd on a throwing error and he triples and scores on another error.

The Yankees‚ in first by a half game‚ pound Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte shuts down the Blue Jays‚ as the Yankees prevail‚ 9-1. Scott Brosius has 3 hits and 5 RBI. Pettitte pitches a complete game and allows 1 run (unearned) on 6 hits and 1 walk‚ with 6 strike outs. Clemens takes the loss allowing 9 runs (6 earned)‚ the 3rd time in Clemens’ great career that he allowed 9 runs in a game and the 2nd time against the Yankees. Clemens K’s 6 and reaches 2900 career strikeouts.
April 23Brewers’ OF Marquis Grissom hits his 103rd career homer in Milwaukee’s 2-1 win over the Dodgers. He surpasses Lou Piniella‘s old record for most homers without a multiple-HR game. Grissom eventually reaches 109 career HR before hitting a pair on September 26.
April 24Yankee Stadium is cleared to reopen‚ so a series that was originally scheduled to be in Detroit opens in New York. Darryl Strawberry homers to complete a 4-run rally in the 1st in the Yankees 8-4 win. David Cone earns the win‚ his 150th‚ over Greg Keagle. It is also Cone’s 11th consecutive win over Detroit.

Moises Alou drives in 5 runs and Carl Everett homers from each side of the plate-the 7th time an Astro has accomplished this-to lead the Astros to an 8-4 win over Montreal.

John Burkett lasts just 4 2/3 innings but gives up 11 earned runs-8 in the 2nd-to set a Rangers’ club record for earned runs allowed.

The Mets unveil a model of their proposed new stadium. The park‚ patterned after the old Ebbets Field in Brooklyn‚ will have a retractable roof and a retractable field‚ so that it can be used for an assortment of events.
April 25Cal Ripken plays in his 2‚500th consecutive game as the Orioles defeat the A’s‚ 8-2. Ripken gets 2 singles in 5 at bats and drives in 3 runs. The next 22 longest active streaks add up to less than Cal’s 2500.
April 27Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal is seriously injured in an automobile accident in the Dominican Republic. Marichal is hospitalized with injuries to his head‚ neck‚ spine and left leg.
April 28Texas OF Juan Gonzalez drives home 2 runs in the Rangers 7-2 win over the Twins‚ giving him a major league record 35 RBIs for the month of April. Tino Martinez had 34 in 1997.

OF Tony Gwynn leads San Diego to a 7-3 win over the Cubs as he strokes 5 hits‚ including a home run‚ scores 3 runs‚ and drives home 2. It is his 9th game of 5 or more hits (one 6-hit game) placing him 3rd on the all-time list behind Cobb (14) and Rose (10).
April 29Oakland rookie OF Ben Grieve gets 5 hits in the Athletics’ 11-4 win over Cleveland. He scores 4 runs in the contest while knocking in a pair.

Led by Wil Cordero and Albert Belle‚ the White Sox pound on the Orioles‚ 16-7‚ ruining Sidey Ponson’s 1st ML start. Cordero‚ cut by Boston on the last day of spring training‚ has 2 HRs and 5 RBI‚ and Belle has 2 HRs and 4 RBI. Belle follows a Thomas HR with his 1st dinger‚ and Ventura follows Belle’s 2nd with another. Thomas adds a big hurt‚ breaking reliever Norm Charlton‘s nose with a line single in the 7th.
April 30The Rangers manage just 2 runs in a 7-2 loss to the Tigers‚ but establish a new major league mark for runs scored in the month of April with 180.

The Cubs record their 1‚000th win over the Cardinals‚ winning 8-3 behind Kerry Wood. Mark McGwire hits his 11th‚ off Marc Pisciotta in the 8th.

May

May 2Roger Clemens (7 innings) and Paul Quantrill (2 innings) combine to 1-hit the Athletics‚ 7-0. Oakland’s only hit is a single by rookie Ben Grieve.

In an 8-7 loss to the Padres‚ Marlin’s P Eric Ludwick tries to block a ball off the bat of Wally Joyner and fractures his wrist of his throwing arm. Ludwick will miss three months. Joyner has 3 hits in the game.
May 3Mariners C Dan Wilson becomes just the 7th backstop in major league history to hit an inside-the-park grand slam‚ as Seattle defeats Detroit‚ 10-6. It’s a first for the Mariners and the first in the AL since Mike Greenwell did it on September 1‚ 1990.

The Orioles Mike Mussina shuts out the Twins‚ 2-0‚ fo rhis 11 straight win over the Twins. Palmeiro and Davis homer for the scoring.

After pitching to 2 batters yesterday‚ Braves closer Mark Wohlers had to leave the game and is put on the DL because of a torn muscle in his side. Coming off the DL‚ his control will disappear and he will split his time between Richmond (AAA) and the Braves. With Atlanta‚ Wohlers will walk 15 and allow 13 runs in just 4 1/3 innings.
May 4The Dodgers become the first major league team to have an Asian office with the opening of their headquarters in Tokyo‚ Japan.
May 6In one of the finest pitching efforts ever‚ Chicago Cub rookie righthander Kerry Wood fans 20 Houston Astros in a 2-0‚ one-hit victory to tie the major league mark for strikeouts in a 9-inning game. Making only his 5th big league start‚ the 20-year-old ties the record held by Roger Clemens‚ who performed the feat twice. Wood does not walk a batter in his masterpiece‚ allowing only an infield single to Ricky Gutierrez in the 3rd inning‚ that likely would have been an error had it occurred late in the game. The 20-year-old Wood became the 2nd pitcher in baseball history whose strikeout total matched his age (Bob Feller struck out 17 when he was 17-years-old). Wood struck out the first 5 batters of the game and struck out 7 in a row between the 7th and 9th innings‚ a streak that ties Jamie Moyer‘s Cubs record. Pitcher Shane Reynolds‚ meanwhile‚ fans 10 and the two-team mark of 30 strikeouts is a NL record.

In a wild game‚ the Yankees (22-6) beat the Rangers‚ 15-13‚ after jumping out to a 9-0 lead with 2 in the 1st and 7 in the 2nd. But the Rangers came back with 7 in the 3rd. After the Yankees score 4 in the top of the 4th‚ the Rangers score 3 to cut the lead to 13-10‚ then tie it with 3 in the 6th. Jorge Posada‘s RBI single gives the Yankees the lead in the 8th. Derek Jeter has 4 hits‚ including a triple and homer‚ and 5 RBI‚ while Paul O’Neill contributes 3 hits‚ 2 runs‚ 2 RBI‚ a double and a HR. Juan Gonzalez has 3 hits‚ 5 RBI‚ 3 runs and a HR for the Rangers. The game is a turning point for David Wells. After Wells allows 7 runs on 7 hits in 2 2/3 innings‚ he receives a tongue lashing from Joe Torre which proves therapeutic.
May 71B Carlos Delgado goes 5-for-5‚ while driving in 4 of Toronto’s runs in a 6-0 Blue Jay victory over Seattle. The Mariners tie a major league record and set an AL record by stranding 16 in a 9-inning shutout loss. The major league record was set by the Cardinals on May 24‚ 1994.

The Tigers sweep a series (of any length) in Oakland for the first time ever‚ coming back to beat the A’s 6-3. The Tigers sweep the 2-game series with the 3rd game rained out. The last road sweep for Detroit against the A’s was in 1965‚ in Kansas City.
May 8Cardinals 1B Mark McGwire hits his 400th career HR in a 9-2 loss to the Mets. He is the 27th player to reach 400‚ and does so in fewer at bats than anyone in history‚ 4‚726.

A bit behind McGwire is Andres Galarraga‚ who clubs his 300th HR in the Braves 3-2 loss to the Padres. Tony Gwynn homers off Tom Glavine.

The Rockies top the Expos‚ 7-5‚ despite 5 hits by Montreal SS Mark Grudzielanek.

Charlie Hayes‚ playing 1B‚ snags Jeff Blauser‘s liner and starts the Giants first triple play since 1980. Hayes also has 4 hits in the 14 inning‚ 5-4‚ loss to the Cubs at Wrigley.
May 11Cubs rookie Kerry Wood strikes out 13 Diamondbacks in just 7 innings of a 4-2 win over Arizona. By doing so‚ Wood sets a major league record with 33 strikeouts over 2 consecutive games.
May 12The Met-Padre game is postponed because of rain. It is the 1st rainout in San Diego in 15 years‚ ending a streak of 1‚184 home games without a cancellation for the Padres‚ the longest streak in the majors for a team without a domed stadium.

The Cubs defeat the Diamondbacks‚ 7-6‚ as Chicago 1B Mark Grace becomes the 1st player to hit a home run into the swimming pool behind the right field fence at the BOB.
May 13The Atlanta Braves set an NL record by homering in their 25th straight game‚ a 10-2 win over the Cardinals. This ties the major league mark held by the 1941 Yankees and the 1994 Tigers. The streak will be stopped by the Cardinals tomorrow.
May 14Baltimore pitcher Mike Mussina‘s nose is broken when he is hit in the face by a line drive off the bat of Cleveland’s Sandy Alomar in a 5-4 Indian win. Mussina had just recently returned from the DL where he had been placed because of a wart on his right index finger.

Colorado pounds out 21 hits‚ including 5 by 3B Vinny Castilla‚ but still loses to Chicago‚ 9-7.

Rusty Greer hits a 2-run HR in the 13th inning‚ and has 6 RBIs‚ to lead Texas to a 7-5 win over the Yankees. For New York‚ it ends a ML record streak of 25 straight wins in which they’ve homered
May 15In one of the biggest trades in recent years‚ the Dodgers send All-Star C Mike Piazza and 3B Todd Zeile to the Florida Marlins in exchange for outfielders Gary Sheffield and Jim Eisenreich‚ C Charles Johnson‚ 3B Bobby Bonilla‚ and P Manuel Barrios. Piazza’s stay in Miami will be just a week.
May 16At Busch Stadium‚ Mark McGwire crushes a Livan Hernandez pitch for a 545-ft. homer to lead the Cards to a 5-4 win over the Marlins. “It’s the best ball I’ve ever hit‚” says the Cards slugger. On May 12‚ he hit a homer 527 feet.
May 17Yankees pitcher David Wells hurls the 13th perfect game in modern major league history with a 4-0 win over Minnesota. Wells fans 11 batters in his masterpiece. OF Bernie Williams strokes 3 hits for New York‚ including a HR.

Cardinals’ OF Brian Jordan collects 5 hits‚ including a HR‚ and drives home 4 to lead St. Louis to a 13-4 win over the Marlins.
May 18Oakland 3B Mike Blowers hits for the cycle and drives home 4 runs in the A’s 14-0 win over the White Sox. Blowers homers in the 2nd inning‚ doubles in the 5th‚ singles in the 7th‚ and triples in the 8th to become only the 2nd player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
May 19The Montreal Expos defeat the Houston Astros‚ 4-2‚ in the first outdoor game played in Montreal’s Olympic Stadium since 1991. The retractable roof‚ which has been prone to tearing in high winds‚ was removed on May 10. A new permanent roof will be installed after the season.

The Cardinals Mark McGwire hits 3 HRs in a game for the 2nd time this season‚ leading St. Louis to a 10-8 victory over the Phillies. He is only the 12th player in history to have a pair of 3-HR games in the same season. McGwire drives in 6 of the Cardinal runs as he reaches the 20 HR mark faster than other player in history.

The Yankees defeat the Orioles‚ 9-5‚ in a game marked by a brawl which results in 5 ejections. Players involved will be suspended for a total of 18 games. The melee begins when Baltimore relief P Armando Benitez hits Tino Martinez in the back with a pitch following an 8th-inning HR by Bernie Williams.

Arbitrator Dana E. Eischen rules that J.D. Drew‚ the second overall selection in last year’s amateur draft‚ remains subject to the draft. Drew’s agent‚ Scott Boras‚ claimed Drew was a free agent since he played professionally last season in the independent Northern League. The Phillies were unwilling to meet Boras’ demand for $11 million for his client.
May 20Behind Pedro Martinez (5-0)‚ the Red Sox beat the White Sox‚ 6-2‚ pinning the loss on Jaime Navarro. It is Navarro’s 1st loss to the Red Sox following 10 straight wins‚ dating back to 1991.

The Triple A Indianapolis Indians perform a feat possibly never before duplicated in professional baseball. In the 5th inning of a game against Pawtucket‚ Indianapolis players hit for a “Homer cycle.” Pete Rose‚ Jr. opens the inning with a solo HR‚ Jason Williams connects for a 3-run shot‚ Glenn Murray slugs a grand slam‚ and Guillermo Garcia finishes the scoring with a 2-run blast. The Indians win the game‚ 11-4.
May 22The Mets acquire C Mike Piazza from the Marlins in exchange for OF Preston Wilson‚ P Ed Yarnell and a player to be named. Piazza spent a week with Florida following the Dodger trade. Piazza will be the first player to have a 100-RBI season while playing with three teams.
May 24The Giants score 3 runs in the 17th inning to take a 9-6 decision from the Cardinals. Willie McGee gets 4 hits for St. Louis and Mark McGwire hits his 24th HR.
May 25Cleveland 2B David Bell becomes the 3rd player in major league history to play against a team managed by his father. Bell’s 2-run double brings home the go-ahead run in the Indians 7-4 win over Buddy Bell‘s Detroit Tigers. Bump Wills and Moises Alou are the only other players to appear in games against their fathers.
May 28With Arizona leading the Giants‚ 8-6‚ in the bottom of the 9th with the bases loaded‚ manager Buck Showalter orders reliever Gregg Olson to intentionally walk Barry Bonds to bring home the Giants’ 7th run. It is only the 4th bases-loaded intentional walk in major league history and the first since Swish Nicholson on July 23‚ 1944.
May 31At Toledo (International League)‚ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre downs the Mud Hens‚ 26-4. The Barons collect 7 home runs and 27 hits‚ led by DH Bobby Estalella who goes 5-for-6 with 2 doubles and a HR.

June

June 2The KC Royals and Anaheim Angels play a brawl-filled game‚ which results in managers Tony Muser and Terry Collins receiving 8-game suspensions. A total of 12 players are ejected in the Angels 7-5 victory.

Atlanta P Dennis Martinez hurls a 12-hit shutout as the Braves defeat the Brewers‚ 9-0. It is the 243rd victory of Martinez’s career‚ as he ties Juan Marichal‘s record for most wins by a Latin American pitcher. 1B Andres Galarraga hits a pair of homers and drives in 5 runs for Atlanta.

The Phillies select University of Miami 1B Pat Burrell with the 1st pick in the First-Year Player Draft. Burrell’s .888 slugging percentage is 2nd in NCAA history. The Athletics follow by taking Michigan State P Mark Mulder at No. 2; the Cubs take high school OF Corey Patterson with No. 3; Stanford P Jeff Austin is grabbed by the Royals at No. 4; and last year’s top pick‚ J.D. Drew is selected by the Cardinals as No. 5. Drew will debut in September. The 19-year-old Patterson will get a record $3.7 million from the Cubs‚ but will sign too late to play in 1998‚ while Mulder will pocket $3.2 million from the A’s. At number 6‚ the Twins take Ryan Mills‚ the losing pitcher for ASUN in the 21-14 loss to USC in the CWS. Picking 9th‚ the Padres select Sean Burroughs‚ son of former MLer Jeff Burroughs. Drew Henson‚ Michigan QB‚ drops to the 3rd round where the Yanks take him. The Mets take Ty Wigginton on the 17th round.
June 3By playing in his 1‚000th game‚ Roberto Alomar of the Orioles qualifies as the AL’s all-time fielding percentage leader (.9871) at 2B. Baltimore defeats the Red Sox‚ 3-0‚ with Alomar bringing home one of the runs.

Behind Roger Clemens‚ the Blue Jays defeat the Tigers‚ 1-0. The Rocket won’t lose another game until 1999.
June 4The Dodgers trade P Hideo Nomo and Brad Clontz to the Mets in exchange for pitchers Dave Mlicki and Greg McMichael. McMichael will make 12 appearances for LA‚ then be sent back to the Mets on July 10.

The Indians raise $60 million as all 4 million shares in the initial offering of common stock in the club are sold in one hour. Cleveland is the only publicly traded major league team.
June 6Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan has his uniform retired by the Cincinnati Reds in a ceremony at Cinergy Field.

In a game a minute short of 4 hours‚ USC wins the College World Series with a 21-14 victory over Arizona State. The Trojans take an 8-0 lead‚ but ASU battles back on grand slam by Michael Collins and a 2-run HR from Jeff Phelps in the 4th. Jason Lane wins in relief and puts the game out of reach with a 9th inning grand slam. 2B Wes Rachels‚ voted the Most Outstanding Player of the Series‚ sets a championship game record with 7 RBIs and ties another with 5 hits. The football-like score will set off debate about bat reform.
June 7Tied with the Rangers at 6-6 after 7 innings‚ the Padres erupt for 6 runs in the 8th and 5 more in the 9th to take a 17-8 decision. Steve Finley leads the way for SD‚ getting 3 doubles among his 4 hits and bringing home 5 runs.

David Cone fans 14 Marlins as he hurls a 2-hitter to lead the Yankees take a 4-1 decision over Florida.

Hall of Fame 1B Eddie Murray has his uniform retired by the Baltimore Orioles in a ceremony at Camden Yards.
June 8It takes 17 innings‚ but the Marlins finally defeat the Blue Jays‚ 4-3. Florida scored its first 3 runs in the 1st inning.
June 9Cecil Fielder of the Angels and Yamil Benitez of the Diamondbacks each hit grand slams in the same inning in Anaheim’s 10-8 win over Arizona. It is the 1st time that both teams hit grand slams in the same inning since 1992. Darin Erstad adds 5 hits for the Angels‚ while Fielder brings home 6 runs altogether.
June 10In honor of C Brian Johnson‚ the Giants hold “Brian Johnson Buzz Cut Night.” Everyone who gets their head shaved receives four free box seat tickets. The Giants lose the game to the Mariners‚ 4-1.

Colorado OF Dante Bichette becomes the first Rockies player ever to hit for the cycle in the team’s 9-8‚ 10-inning victory over the Rangers. Bichette doubles in the 4th‚ homers in the 6th‚ triples in the 9th‚ and singles in the 10th.

Yankee OF Tim Raines steals the 800th base of his career in NY’s 6-2 win over the Expos. He is the 5th player in history to reach that milestone. The Yanks lose Bernie Williams to the DL list when he injures his knee sliding.
June 13Atlanta’s Javy Lopez and Andruw Jones hit back-to-back HRs twice in the same game. The Braves defeat the Expos‚ 9-7.

Anaheim CF Jim Edmonds hits 3 doubles and a single to pace the Angels’ 21-hit attack as the Halos defeat the Rangers‚ 18-6.
June 14By defeating the Indians‚ 4-2‚ the Yankees tie the major league mark for most consecutive non-losing series at 24. The 1912 Red Sox and 1970 Reds also accomplished the feat. David Cone fans 12 in recording the win.

Carlton Loewer pitches an impressive complete game 5-hitter in his ML debut to lead the Phils to a 4-2 win over the visiting Cubs. Loewer walks none and strikes out 8 and at one stretch retires 14 straight. Mark Clark goes 5 innings for the Cubs to take the loss. The last complete game debut was by Boston’s Nate Minchley‚ who beat the Indians 11-1 on September 12‚ 1993. The last NL complete-game debut was by Pittsburgh’s Tim Wakefield‚ who beat the Cards‚ 3-2‚ on July 31‚ 1992.

Houston scores 2 runs off Reds closer Jeff Shaw in the 9th‚ and three more off him in the 10th to win‚ 6-3. Billy Spiers starts the rally in the 9th with a double and hits a 2-run homer off him in the 10th‚ his 4th hit of the game. Shaw‚ who enters the game with an 0.97 ERA‚ gives up 7 hits‚ a walk‚ and 5 runs.
June 15Cubs’ OF Sammy Sosa hits 3 HRs in Chicago’s 6-5 victory over the Brewers. The 3 round-trippers give him 15 in his last 16 games. Kerry Wood‚ 21 today‚ is the victor.

Colorado scores 3 runs in the top of the 12th‚ 2 on a HR by Ellis Burks‚ and holds on for a 4-3 win over San Francisco. The Giants score 2 in the bottom of the 12th on J.T. Snow’s 2nd HR of the game.

Tampa Bay gets homeruns from its first two hitters‚ Quinton McCracken and Wade Boggs‚ and McCracken homers again in the 2nd with 2 on. But TB needs 3 runs in the 8th to beat the Blue Jays‚ 8-7.
June 16The Phillies trail the Pirates‚ 7-1‚ heading into the bottom of the 9th. They fight back against relievers Ricardo Rincon and Rich Loiselle‚ however‚ to score 7 runs in their half of the frame for an 8-7 victory.

The Orioles Sidney Ponson and Arthur Rhodes combine on a 2-hit‚ 2-0 shutout over the Yankees. The win‚ the 2nd in the 3 game series with New York‚ ends the Yankees ML record streak of 24 straight winning series. The skein started after the Yankees opened with 2 losses at Anaheim.
June 18Cubs OF Brant Brown hits 3 HRs in Chicago’s 12-5 victory over the Phillies. He adds a single and drives home 5 of the Cubs’ runs. Exactly 3 years earlier‚ on June 18‚ 1996‚ Brown hit 3 HRs in a doubleheader against the Dodgers.

Pitcher Dave Stieb is recalled by the Toronto Blue Jays. Stieb‚ attempting to make a comeback this year‚ last pitched in the major leagues for the White Sox on May 22‚ 1993. The veteran righthander hurls an inning of scoreless relief‚ despite giving up 3 hits‚ in Toronto’s 13-6 win over the Orioles. Stieb will finish the year at 1-2 and then retire for good.
June 19A 3-run homer by 1B Rafael Palmeiro in the bottom of the 15th inning gives Baltimore a 7-4 win over the Blue Jays.
June 20The Indians retire Bob Lemon‘s uniform number prior to the team’s 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

Former Dodger general manager Al Campanis dies of a heart attack at age 81. Campanis is credited with helping to build the Dodger clubs of the 1970s and 1980s.

The Cubs Sammy Sosa cranks out his 21st homer in the last 30 days‚ something no other slugger has ever done. The previous high was 20‚ set by Kiner in 1947 and tied by Maris in 1961. Sosa’s 30 days go from May 22 through June 22‚ as noted by the Elias Sports Bureau.
June 21Cleveland lefty Bartolo Colon coasts to a 11-0 shutout over the Yankees.

The Red Sox trade C Jim Leyritz and OF Ethan Faggett to the Padres for P Carlos Reyes and Dario Veras‚ and C Mandy Romero.

The Cincinnati Reds start an outfield against the Astros of Dmitri Young‚ Mike Frank and Chris Stynes. Yup‚ for you movie buffs‚ that would be Young‚ Frank and Stynes. It is still a horror for the Reds as they lose their 8th straight‚ 4-2. Pete Schourek is the CG winner. The losing streak will reach 10 as the Royals will win the next 2.

The Dodgers fire general manager Fred Claire and manager Bill Russell. Former manager Tommy Lasorda is hired as GM on an interim basis. Glenn Hoffman‚ who managed the team’s Triple-A Albuquerque farm club‚ takes over as interim manager.
June 22Florida OF Mark Kotsay gets 5 hits in the Marlins’ 12-inning‚ 3-2 win over Tampa Bay.

The Rangers send P Bobby Witt to the Cardinals in exchange for a player to be named and cash.

Against the Yankees‚ Greg Maddux gives up 3 runs in 6 innings‚ then gives way to Dennis Martinez who gives up another 3 in less than an inning. The Yankees win‚ 6-4‚ the 13th straight time they have beaten Martinez going back to September 18‚ 1984.
June 23Texas scores 11 runs in the 5th inning of their game against Arizona and goes on to a 16-5 victory. Roberto Kelly and Ivan Rodriguez each get 4 of the Rangers’ 19 hits.

The Braves trade P Alan Embree to the Diamondbacks in exchange for P Russ Springer.

The Athletics acquire IF-OF Bip Roberts from the Tigers in exchange for a player to be named.
June 24The Indians trade OF Geronimo Berroa to the Tigers for P Tim Worrell and minor league OF Dave Roberts.

Despite Jeff Bagwell‘s 2 homers-#200 and #201-the Astros lose to the Rockies‚ 8-6.
June 25Chicago’s Sammy Sosa hits a HR in the Cubs’ 6-4 loss to the Tigers‚ breaking Rudy York‘s major league record for HRs in a month with 19. He will end the month with 20 round-trippers.
June 27Ismael Valdes hurls a 1-hit shutout in beating the Pirates‚ 2-0. Pittsburgh’s only hit is a single by 1B Kevin Young as Valdes fans 7 without walking a batter.
June 28Milwaukee 3B Jeff Cirillo gets 5 hits and drives in 2 runs‚ but it’s not enough to keep the Brewers from losing a 10-8 decision to the White Sox.

The Twins Bob Tewksbury slows down Mark McGwire‚ twice retiring him with a 44-MPH lob. McGwire grounds out in the 1st inning swinging at a lob‚ and then with a 0-2 count in the 4th‚ pops out to first on another. Tewksbury also retires Ray Lankford in the 6th on a lob and ends with a 3-2 win.

Sammy Sosa has two singles and an RBI-but no homers-as the Cubs snap a seven game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Royals.
June 29Not a single major league game is scheduled to be played. With the exception of All-Star breaks and labor shortages‚ it is the first time this has happened during the regular season in 25 years‚ since April 30‚ 1973.

Bud Selig calls a special session of the owners for July 9th in Chicago.
June 30Dodgers P Ramon Martinez undergoes season-ending surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn cartilage in his pitching shoulder.

Sammy Sosa clouts his ML record 20th homer of the month‚ and his 34th of the year‚ but the Cubs lose to the Diamondbacks‚ 5-4.

Mark McGwire belts his 37th homer of the year‚ tying Reggie Jackson‘s record for most homers before the All-Star break. The homer is a 472-ft upper deck shot off KC’s Glendon Rusch.

July

July 1Trailing the Mets‚ 8-7‚ in the bottom of the 8th inning‚ Toronto comes up with 8 runs. New York fights back with 2 in their half of the 9th‚ but the Blue Jays hold on for a 15-10 triumph.

During Houston’s 10-4 win over the White Sox‚ a wild pitch bounces into the pocket of home plate umpire Gerry Davis‚ allowing Chicago’s Ray Durham to score while Astros catcher Brad Ausmus scurries around the plate trying to find the ball. Says Ausmus: “I asked (Davis) if I was supposed to pick him up and throw him in front of the runner.”(San Angelo Standard). Shaun Berry is 4-for-4 including a homer‚ while teammate Jeff Bagwell has a HR and scores 3 times.
July 2The Red Sox and Pedro Martinez pile on the Expos‚ defeating them 15-0 at Fenway. The Sox collect 20 hits for Pedro.
July 3Manny Ramirez’s 2 home runs are Cleveland’s only hits against KC pitcher Jose Rosado‚ but they’re enough to give the Tribe a 2-1 win over the Royals.

The Mets trade P John Hudek to the Reds in exchange for OF Lenny Harris.
July 4Three White Sox pitchers combine to shut out the Red Sox‚ 3-0‚ on 5 hits. Snyder gets the win with 7 1/3 innings. Nomar Garciaparra has 2 walks but his 24-game hit streak ends.

Dodger interim GM Tommy Lasorda sends blue chippers Dennis Reyes and Paul Konerko to the Reds for closer Jeff Shaw. Lasorda later admits he was unaware that Shaw‚ under terms of the Basic Agreement‚ has the right to demand a trade at the end of the season.
July 5The White Sox plate 14 runs-including 8 in the 6th inning-on 12 hits against Red Sox pitching‚ but it’s not enough for a win. Boston strokes 20 hits and pushes 15 runners across for a 15-14 victory.

Toronto defeats Tampa Bay‚ 2-1‚ with the help of 7 1/3 strong innings by Roger Clemens. In the game‚ Clemens fanned Devil Ray LF Randy Winn for his 3‚000th career K. Only 10 other pitchers have reached that mark in major league annals.

Hot-hitting Manny Ramirez hits 2 more homers‚ one a grand slam‚ in the Indians 12-3 win over KC. Manny had 2 homers on July 3.
July 7The AL defeats the NL‚ 13-8‚ in the 69th All-Star Game. Baltimore’s Roberto Alomar is named the game’s MVP‚ going 3-for-4 with a HR‚ RBI‚ a stolen base and 2 runs scored. His brother Sandy won the award last year.
July 9Bud Selig is elected as the 9th Commissioner of Baseball by a vote of club owners.

Ila Borders becomes the first female pitcher in history to start a minor league baseball game‚ as she hurls the first 5 innings‚ surrendering 5 hits and 3 runs‚ while registering 2 walks and 2 strikeouts‚ for the Duluth-Superior Dukes in their 8-3 loss to the Sioux Falls Canaries in the Northern League. Borders was tagged with the loss.

Benny Agbayani‚ Norfolk Tides outfielder about to be called up to the Mets‚ is married at home plate to his fiancee Neila before Triple-A All-Star game between the International and Pacific Coast Leagues. Agbayani‚ from Hawaii‚ and his bride wear Hawaiian shirts and have a receiving line of bat-toting ballplayers. The IL whips the PCL‚ 84. Tomorrow‚ Agbayani will make his ML debut‚ pinch-running in the 9th of an 8-8 game. He will slip trying to steal and get run down. Another Met runner is doubled off 2B in the 10th and the Expos win‚ 9-8.
July 10The Mets trade P Brian Bohannon to the Dodgers bringing back P Greg McMichael.
July 16Randy Johnson tosses a 1-hitter as he leads Seattle to a 3-0 win over Minnesota. Johnson fans 11 and gives up only a single to 3B Brent Gates.

Red Sox SS Nomar Garciaparra goes 4-for-4‚ with 2 doubles and a HR‚ driving in 5 runs and scoring 3 as he leads Boston to a 15-5 win over the Indians. The Sox ice the game with 7 runs in the 8th inning.
July 17Both Rafael Palmeiro and Albert Belle hit their 300th homers tonight. Palmeiro is 3-for-4 as his Orioles win‚ 4-1 over the Angels‚ and improve their record since the All-Star break to 9-0. Belle’s homer-his 10th in 10 games since the break-and Robin Ventura’s 9th-inning homer give the White Sox a 4-3 victory over the visiting Indians.

The Mariners sink the Royals‚ 18-5‚ for their 5th straight win. Bill Swift gives up 5 runs in 5+ innings‚ but it is good enough to win. Dan Wilson is 3-for-4 and drives in 6 runs for the M’s. Wilson‚ Alex Rodriguez‚ and Jay Buhner clout homers.

The Rangers trade P Todd Van Poppel and promising minor leaguer Warren Morris to the Pirates in exchange for P Esteban Loaiza.
July 18The Red Sox set an AL record by hitting 4 two-out homers in one inning as they beat host Detroit‚ 9-4. They hit the 4 dingers in the 7-run 4th inning. Mo Vaughn‚ Donnie Sadler‚ Darren Lewis‚ and Nomar Garciaparra all homer in the stanza‚ a first for Boston.
July 20The Dodgers shutout the Reds‚ 2-0‚ on a combined 1-hitter by Darren Dreifort (8 innings) and Jeff Shaw (1 inning). A Willie Greene double is the only hit for Cincinnati.

The Tigers take the 1st game of a doubleheader against the Yankees by a 4-3 score in 17 innings. The New Yorkers bounce back to take the nightcap by the identical score. The 26 innings take nearly 9 hours to play.

Mark McGwire hits his 43rd homer in the Cards 13-1 drubbing of the Padres. His homer ties the club record set by Johnny Mize in 1940.
July 21In Houston‚ Rockies pitcher Mark Brownson (6-8 at Colorado Springs) makes a spectacular major league debut firing a 4-hit 5-0 shutout. Houston’s first hit is in the 6th inning. The win snaps the Rock’s 9-game road losing streak.

Kerry Woods outduels Greg Maddux as the Cubs defeat the Braves before a sellout crowd. Woods strikes out 11 in 7 2/3 innings‚ the 6th time in 18 starts he’s reached double figures. For Maddux (13-4)‚ it is his first loss to his former team after 7 wins.
July 22The Yanks deflate the Tigers‚ 13-2‚ to run their record to 71-25‚ a ML record percentage for that number of games.

The Pirates send Darnell Coles to the Mariners for Glenn Wilson.
July 23Baltimore C Lenny Webster’s 4 hits-including a double and homer-and 6 ribbies power the Orioles to a 9-7 win over Oakland.

Following the Giants 2-11 mark since the All-Star break‚ San Francisco picks up Joe Carter from Baltimore and Jose Mesa‚ Al Morman‚ and Shawon Dunston from the Indians. The Giants send 33-year-old (he’ll later reveal he’s 34) Steve Reed (1.48 ERA in 50 appearances) and minor leaguer Jacob Cruz to Cleveland‚ and Darin Blood to Baltimore. The Giants receive cash in both swaps.
July 24Trailing Florida‚ 3-1‚ in the bottom half of the 9th‚ the Phillies get a 2-outs‚ 2-run‚ pinch-hit HR from Mark Lewis to send the game into extra innings. Each team scores a single run in the 10th‚ then again in the 11th. The Marlins plate another in the top of the 12th to take a 6-5 lead‚ but the Phils get 2 in their half to finally win‚ 7-6.

The Indians trade P Eric Plunk to the Brewers in exchange for P Doug Jones.
July 25The Padres top Houston‚ 6-5‚ as Mark Langston gets the win with 5+ innings of work. Trevor Hoffman picks up his 41st consecutive save-33rd this year‚ tying a ML record. He’ll blow his first save opportunity tomorrow in San Diego’s 5-4 win‚ ending his streak.

Former Yankee P Jim Bouton makes his 1st appearance at Yankee Stadium since 1970 at Oldtimers Day and is greeted with cheers all around. Bouton had been persona non grata in New York since writing “Ball Four‚” which broke a long-standing taboo in sports by taking readers into the locker room and revealing players’ extracurricular escapades. The Yanks invited the Bulldog back after his son wrote a Father’s Day article in the New York Times suggesting it.
July 26Boston defeats Toronto by a score of 6-3. Jose Canseco‘s 8th-inning HR accounts for the Blue Jays’ 1st run. It is the 380th HR of Canseco’s career‚ making him the all-time leader among players born outside of the US. Orlando Cepeda and Tony Perez had been the co-leaders with 379.

After 41 straight saves‚ Padres closer Trevor Hoffman try for a ML record fails‚ as he gives up a 9th inning homer to Houston’s Moises Alou‚ which ties the game. He earns the win when the Padres score in the 10th to win 5-4.
July 27Colorado defeats Pittsburgh in 13 innings‚ 8-7. When Pirates’ 2B Tony Womack bounces out in the 11th inning‚ it gives him a major league record 888 consecutive at bats without grounding into a double play. The old record of 887 had been set by Brooklyn’s Pete Reiser (July 20‚ 1941 to June 24‚ 1946). Womack last bounced into a DP on May 27‚ 1997.

Sammy Sosa hits his 248th career homer-and his first grand slam-as the Cubs beat the Diamondbacks‚ 6-2. Sosa went to bat 4‚428 before drilling the sacks-full homer. His 247 homers without a slam is a ML record: the previous mark was 210 homers by Bob Horner. Sosa also tops the 100 RBI mark with his 4 ribbies‚ to back Steve Trachsel’s (10-5) pitching.

LF Tyrone Horne of the Arkansas Traveler hits 4 HRs‚ and drives home 10 runs‚ in a 13-4 win over San Antonio. The last player to hit four in a Texas League game was Tom Brunansky. ”Honestly‚ there’s no explanation for this‚” Horne said after hitting for the unique home run cycle -a two-run homer in the first inning‚ a grand slam in the second‚ a solo homer in the fifth (all three off Pete Zamora) and a three-run homer in the sixth‚ off Miguel Garcia. He strikes out his last at bat. Horne will lead the Texas League in homers with 37.
July 28I like‚ it so much‚ I’ll do it again. Sammy Sosa hits his 2nd grand slam in 4 at bats in the Cubs 7-5 loss to the Diamondbacks. Sosa is the first Cub to hit grand slams in consecutive games‚ and just the 18th in history.

Twins 2B Todd Walker ties a club record with his 9th consecutive hit‚ in a 3-0 victory over KC. He also matches a club record by reaching base safely 11 straight times. Walker’s batting average is now up to .352.
July 29After 16 straight starts without a win‚ Devil Rays’ pitcher Tony Saunders gives up just 5 hits in 6 2/3 inning in a 6-0 win over Oakland. He’ll end the year at 6-15.

The White Sox swap P Matt Karchner to the Cubs for P Jon Gardner‚ the Cubs 1st round pick (10th) in 1997.
July 30The Indians score 3 runs in the top of the 17th inning against Seattle‚ then hold on as the Mariners fight back with 2 of their own in the bottom of the stanza. Cleveland gets 16 hits in the contest while Seattle accounts for 19 in a losing cause. Alex Rodriguez steals his 30th base in the game‚ to go along with his 31 homers. He’s the 6th 30-30 player in AL history.

The Red Sox bring back OF-1B Mike Stanley from the Blue Jays trading minor league pitchers Peter Munro and Jay Yennaco.

The Braves obtain IF Greg Colbrunn from the Rockies in exchange for minor league pitchers David Cortes and Mike Porzio.

The Ladies Professional Baseball League suspends the remainder of the season due to low attendance. In the last game played‚ the Long Beach Aces lose to the San Jose Spitfires‚ 7-0.
July 31Chicago’s Albert Belle hits his 16th HR of the month to set a new major league mark for July. His HR helped the White Sox to a 10-2 win over the Rangers. Frank Thomas hits a grand slam and drives in 5 runs for Chicago.

Oakland defeats Cleveland‚ 12-2. Down by 9 runs in the 8th inning‚ the Indians bring OF Mark Whiten in to pitch. The strong-armed Whiten allows 1 run on a double‚ HBP (Spiezio)‚ and 2 walks‚ but also strikes out 3 batters (Blowers‚ Tejada‚ Neill) He becomes the only player in major league history‚ with at least 1 inning pitched‚ to get every out with a strikeout.

Kevin Brown wins his 10th straight for the Padres‚ beating the Expos‚ 5-4. He strikes out 10 for the 2nd straight game. Greg Vaughn adds his 39th homer and Trevor Hoffman saves his 35th.

In a flurry of transactions at the trading deadline‚ many involving free agents-to-be‚ the Mets trade OF Bernard Gilkey‚ P Nelson Figueroa and cash to the Diamondbacks in exchange for P Willie Blair‚ C Jorge Fabregas and a player to be named. New York then obtains IF-OF Tony Phillips from the Blue Jays for P Leoncio Estrella‚ and sends the Brewers P Bill Pulsipher for IF Mike Kinkade.

The Rangers trade P Darren Oliver and 3B Fernando Tatis to the Cardinals in exchange for P Todd Stottlemyre and SS Royce Clayton. The Rangers get 3B Todd Zeile from the Marlins in exchange for 3B Jose Santo and P Daniel De Young. Tatis will hit .287 with 11 homers this year in St. Louis‚ but Zeile will help by reaching base 11 straight times during a critical 3 game stretch in September. Zeile completes the broom cleaning of the Marlins vets for rookies.

The Blue Jays trade P Juan Guzman to the Orioles for P Nerio Rodriguez and OF Shannon Carter.

The Expos trade P Carlos Perez‚ SS Mark Grudzielanek‚ OF Hiram Bocachica to the Dodgers in exchange for 2B Wilton Guerrero‚ P Ted Lilly‚ OF Peter Bergeron and 1B Jonathan Tucker.

The Rockies trade OF Ellis Burks to the Giants for OF Darryl Hamilton‚ P James Sloops and a player to be named.

After the talks indicate the Yankees or Cleveland‚ the Mariners trade flame thrower Randy Johnson to the Astros in exchange for IF Carlos Guillen‚ P Freddy Garcia and a player to be named.

The Cubs trade 3B Kevin Orie‚ P Todd Noel and P Justin Speier to the Marlins for pitchers Felix Heredia and Steve Hoff.

The Blue Jays trade vet 3B Ed Sprague to the A’s for P Scott Rivette.

The Twins trade P Greg Swindell and 1B-OF Orlando Merced to the Red Sox in exchange for P Matt Kinney‚ Joe Thomas and John Barnes.

August

August 1Paced by Jose Conseco’s 7th homer in 11 games‚ the Blue Jays edge the Twins‚ 10-9. Todd Walker is 3-for-4 to raise his average to .350. Pat Hentgen gives up 4 runs in 6 innings‚ but it is good enough to win his 11th in 12 decisions against Minnesota. The Twins nipped him‚ 2-1‚ on May 15‚ 1996‚ his only loss.

In a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks‚ Brewers RHP Bronswell Patrick hits a 5th inning HR‚ off Felix Rodriguez. It’s the first homer by a Milwaukee pitcher since Skip Lockwood connected off Detroit’s Joe Niekro on August 11‚ 1971.
August 2Welcome to the Bigs. The Phils Mike Welch makes his first big league start and the Giants greet him with three consecutive homers in the 2nd inning. Newly acquired Ellis Burks starts the fireworks‚ then Bobby Bonds-who had tripled in the first inning‚ goes deep‚ then Jeff Kent drills his 15th. Welch takes the loss‚ allowing 8 runs in three innings. Bonds is 4-for-4 with a stolen base to pace the Giants.
August 3Houston pitcher C.J. Nitkowski hits 3 consecutive Marlin batters with pitches in the 8th inning: Dock Ellis (1974) and Wilbur Wood (1977) are the only other pitchers since 1900 to hit 3 batters in a row. The 3 plunks in an inning ties the ML record. Nitkowski gives up a hit and 4 runs in Florida’s 11-3 win.

Leading off for the Yankees‚ Chuck Knoblauch lines a hit off Mike Oquist’s ribs‚ and the Yankees continue to connect off the Oakland pitcher for 15 more hits‚ including 4 homers‚ in 5 innings. New York wins‚ 14-1‚ scoring all 14 earned runs off Oquist‚ the most runs allowed since Bill Travers in August 1977. Orlando Hernandez picks up the win.
August 4OF Darryl Strawberry’s PH grand slam is the big blow in NY’s 9-run 9th inning‚ as the Yankees come from behind to defeat the A’s 10-5 in the 2nd game of a DH. It is his 2nd PH slam of the season‚ setting a new AL record‚ and tying the NL mark held by his former manager‚ Davey Johnson‚ and Mike Ivie‚ both set in 1978. New York also wins the 1st game of the twinbill‚ 10-4.

Pittsburgh 1B Kevin Young goes 4-for-4‚ with 4 runs scored and 4 RBIs‚ to lead the Pirates to a 13-5 mauling of the Rockies. Three of Young’s hits are doubles.

The Orioles Mike Mussina carries a no-hitter into the 8th before allowing a double to Frank Catallano. He ends with a 2-hit‚ 4-0‚ win at Detroit. Broadcasting the game is the long-time voice of the Tigers‚ Ernie Harwell. Ernie is celebrating his golden anniversary‚ starting as an announcer for the Dodgers on August 4‚ 1948. The Dodgers had to trade a player‚ Cliff Dapper‚ to the Atlanta Crackers to acquire Harwell.
August 5In Houston’s 5-3 loss to Florida‚ Craig Biggio sits out ending his streak of 494 consecutive games played.
August 6The Blue Jays trade P Randy Myers to the Padres for C Brian Loyd and a player to be named. The Padres claimed Myers off the the waiver list to block him from going to the Braves‚ though Atlanta‚ it turns out‚ has no intention of acquiring him. It’ll cost San Diego $14 million for Myers’ 21 appearances with the Pads.

The Red Sox obtain P Pete Schourek from the Astros for cash.

In Chicago‚ Jack Brickhouse‚ the long-time voice of the Cubs‚ dies at the age of 82. Brickhouse was the play-by-play announcer from 1941-81. Jack also handled the White Sox announcing from 1948-67 and was the radio voice for the Bears from 1953-76. He even did Bulls games in the 60s‚ signing the deal for WGN over drinks with the team’s owner.
August 7Rookie OF Shane Spencer gets 5 hits‚ including 2 doubles and 2 home runs‚ while driving home 3 runs and scoring 4 in New York’s 14-2 pasting of Kansas City in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. The Yankees also took the 1st contest by a score of 8-2.

The Orioles pound the Twins‚ 16-9‚ as OF Brady Anderson gets 5 hits‚ including 2 doubles and 2 homers‚ drives home 4 runs and scores 3.

The Indians HR leader Matt Williams breaks his right hand when he is hit by a Wilson Alverez pitch. Williams will not make another appearance till September 16.

Mark McGwire lines a single against the Cubs‚ driving in 2 runs. For Big Mac‚ they are his first runs driven in without a homer since June 7. The Cards roll over the Cubs‚ 16-3 as Bottenfield allows just 3 hits in 7 innings. Ray Lankford has a 3-run homer in the 1st for St. Louis off Stevens‚ in relief of Steve Trachsel who lasts just 1/3 of an inning.

Pete Harnisch pitches 6 innings of shutout ball‚ and Belinda and Williams continue the whitewash as the Reds roll 17-0 over Milwaukee. Reggie Sanders drives in 3 runs with 2 doubles and a homer. Sanders‚ Sean Casey and Aaron Boone all hit bases loaded doubles in the 12-run 6th inning. Taubensee and Barry Larkin also homer in the game.

The Angels obtain P Jeff Juden from the Brewers in exchange for a player to be named.
August 8Behind Rafael Palmeiro‘s 35th HR‚ the Orioles defeat the Twins‚ 6-3‚ despite 5 hits by Minnesota DH Paul Molitor. Molitor also swipes his 500th base. He’s the 6th player with 500 steals and 3000 hits.
August 9Atlanta’s Dennis Martinez defeats the Giants‚ 7-5‚ for his 244th career victory to set the record for most wins by a Latin American pitcher. Juan Marichal held the old mark. 3B Chipper Jones backs Martinez pitching with 4 hits and 4 ribbies.
August 10Chicago WS OF Albert Belle drives in his 100th run of the season in a 5-3 win over Oakland. He joins Jimmie Foxx‚ Lou Gehrig‚ and Babe Ruth as the only players to record at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs in 7 consecutive seasons.

The Orioles trade OF Jeffrey Hammonds to the Reds in exchange for IF-OF Willie Greene.

The Athletics trade P Mike Fetters to the Angels in exchange for a player to be named and cash.
August 11The Yanks David Wells stops the Twins on a 4 hitter to win‚ 7-0. In his last start the Yankee lefty pitched a perfect game against the Twins:
August 12Seattle loses to Toronto‚ 11-5‚ despite a HR by SS Alex Rodriguez. It is the 100th homer of Rodriguez’s career‚ making his the 4th-youngest player to reach the plateau. The only players to do so at a younger age were Mel Ott‚ Tony Conigliaro‚ and Eddie Mathews.

The Royals defeat the Red Sox‚ 8-4‚ as 1B Hal Morris records 5 hits for KC.
August 13Baltimore’s Harold Baines becomes the all-time leader in RBIs by a DH when he drives in his 824th in a 7-4 win over the Indians. Hal McRae was the previous record-holder.

Orlando Hernandez sets a Yankee rookie record by striking out 13 in beating Texas‚ 2-0.

Tom Glavine (16-4) shuts out the Padres‚ 5-0‚ on 2 hits and beats Mark Langston. Langston strikes out 8 batters to push his career Ks to 2‚419‚ and move into 24th place on the career K list.
August 14Baltimore C Chris Hoiles becomes the 9th player-and 1st catcher-to hit 2 grand slams in a single game‚ doing so in a 15-3 win over the Indians. Hoiles connects in the 3rd and 8th innings.
August 15There are seven extra inning games out of 14‚ matching a mark set in 1918.

Toronto’s Roger Clemens strikes out 15 but gets no decision‚ as the Anaheim Angels win‚ 6-3.

In the Reds-Expos game two pairs of brothers face each other‚ and three out of four go deep. Vladimir and Wilton Guerrero homer for the Expos while Bret Boone hits a solo shot for the Reds. Aaron Boone follows with a strikeout‚ but the Reds win 6-4.
August 16Baltimore OF Eric Davis has his 30-game hitting streak snapped in a 5-3 loss to the Indians.

The Padres defeat the Brewers‚ 4-0‚ in the 1st game of a doubleheader behind Kevin Brown‘s 1-hitter. Brown fans 11 and allows only a single to OF Jeromy Burnitz. The Brewers bounce back to take the nightcap‚ 4-2.
August 18Greg Maddux wins his 200th game as the Braves double up the Giants‚ 8-4. Maddux allows one earned run to lower his NL best ERA to 1.65. In a rarity‚ the Braves collect 9 hits-all doubles. Gerald Williams‚ Danny Bautista and Walt Weiss have 2 apiece‚ while Eddie Perez drives in 3 runs with another.

Detroit edges Seattle‚ 7-6‚ despite 5 hits by Mariners’ SS Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez hits 2 doubles and a pair of homers and drives in 2 runs in a losing cause.
August 19Toronto downs Seattle by a score of 16-2. The Blue Jays hit 7 homers in the contest‚ including 2 each by Shawn Green and Carlos Delgado.

The Expos beat Arizona‚ 8-2‚ giving Felipe Alou his 521st career win as manager of the Montreal Expos. Buck Rodgers had 520. Alou’s good luck charm is P Dustin Hermanson‚ who allows 3 hits in 7 innings. Hermanson was also the starting and winning pitcher in Alou’s 400th‚ 450th‚ and 500th win.
August 20The Phillies split a doubleheader with the Diamondbacks‚ winning the 1st game‚ 11-1‚ and losing the 2nd‚ 12-9. Philadelphia 3B Scott Rolen drives in 9 runs in the twinbill.
August 21Cards slugger Mark McGwire admits using the steroid supplement androstenedione‚ which is legal in baseball‚ but was banned by the NFL‚ and the Olympics. Adro raises testosterone levels. A reporter noticed the jar in McGwires’s locker.
August 23Giants OF Barry Bonds hits his 26th homer‚ and 400th career HR‚ off Kirt Ojala of the Marlins in the Giants’ 10-5 victory. He thus becomes the 1st player in major league history with more than 400 career HRs and 400 career steals.

Leadoff man Craig Biggio‘s double‚ 2 home runs‚ and 6 RBIs pace the Astros to a 13-3 victory over the Cubs. C Brad Ausmus also contributes to the cause with 4 hits and 5 ribbies for Houston. OF Sammy Sosa hits a pair of homers for Chicago‚ giving him 51 on the year.

The Pirates defeat the Cardinals‚ 4-3‚ despite 5 hits‚ including a HR‚ by St. Louis 3B Fernando Tatis. Mark McGwire also hits his 53rd homer for the Cards.
August 25Toronto’s Roger Clemens strikes out 18 Royals in a 3-0 victory over KC. He becomes the 1st P ever to record 3 games of 18 or more strikeouts. Clemens allows only 3 hits and does not walk a batter.

The Twins trade veteran Mike Morgan to the Cubs in exchange for a player to be named and cash.
August 26Florida’s Derek Lee‚ Kevin Orie‚ and Cliff Floyd hit consecutive HRs in the 9th inning of a game with St. Louis. The Marlins‚ who were trailing 6-0 at the time‚ go on to tie the game with 6 runs‚ then win‚ 7-6‚ with a run in the 10th. Mark McGwire hits HR #54 for the Cards.

Atlanta’s Andruw Jones steals his 20th base of the season‚ becoming the youngest player ever to have a 20 homer‚ 20 steal season. Cesar Cedeno was the previous record-holder. The Braves go on win by a score of 6-2.

The Cubs defeat the Reds‚ 9-2‚ with the aid of Sammy Sosa‘s 52nd HR in the 3rd inning.
August 28The Mariners clout 3 HRs in a 10-3 loss to the Yankees‚ making them the 1st team in history to reach the 200-HR mark for a season in 3 consecutive years. Shane Monahan‚ Russ Davis‚ and Rob Ducey each belts a solo round-tripper for Seattle.

Juan Gonzalez‚ Will Clark‚ and Ivan Rodriguez hit successive HRs in the 4th inning of the Rangers’ 6-5 win over the White Sox in the 1st game of a twinbill. Chicago takes the nightcap‚ 8-7‚ as the 2 teams combine to hit 14 HRs in the doubleheader to tie an AL record.

Tied with the Indians at 6-6 going into the 10th inning‚ the Athletics score 8 runs for a 14-6 win. 1B Jason Giambi‘s 3-run homer is the big blast in the frame.

The Cubs defeat the Rockies‚ 10-5‚ as Sammy Sosa hits homer #53 for Chicago.

The Angels obtain the oft-injured Gregg Jefferies from the Phillies in exchange for a player to be named.
August 29The Reds defeat the Marlins‚ 7-5‚ for Florida’s 89th loss of the season. Florida thereby sets a record for the most losses by a defending world champion. The old record of 88 was held by the 1991 Reds.

The Blue Jays score in every inning but the 2nd in registering a 14-7 win over the Twins in Toronto. Veteran Dave Steib wins his first game since 1993. Steib‚ who began the year as a guest instructor in spring training‚ gives up 4 earned runs in 5 innings.

By virtue of an 11-6 win over the Mariners‚ the Yankees become the first team to qualify for the post season

The Braves‚ losers by one run yesterday to the Cards‚ clip the Birds today 4-3‚ behind Tom Glavine (18-5). Javy Lopez hits his 29th homer. Rookie third base ump Hunter Wendelstedt thumbs out Mark McGwire in the first inning for protesting a strike call. Hunter’s father Harry‚ in his last year in the ML‚ is umping at first base. They are the only father-son umpires to officiate in the same game‚ having done it in several contests this year (as noted by Bruce Fleming).
August 30Sammy Sosa’s 54th homer leads the Cubs to a 4-3 win over Colorado.

Mark McGwire‘s 55th HR leads the Cardinals to an 8-7 victory over the Braves.

Roger Clemens racks up his 3rd straight shutout‚ extending his scorelss inning streak to 29‚ as Toronto tops the Twins‚ 6-0. The Rocket is unbeaten in his last 17 starts.

Curt Schilling throws his ML-leading 13th CG‚ stopping the Giabnts‚ 5-4. Schilling is helped by a triple play as he raises his strikeout total to an NL-high 258. Bonds hits homers #29 and #30‚ the 7th straight year he’s had 30 homers and the 8th year he’s reached 100 RBIs.

The Reds beat Florida‚ 14-7‚ finishing 9-0 against the Fish.
August 31Oakland OF Rickey Henderson scores the 2‚000th run of his career in the Athletics’ 15-6 loss to Cleveland. He joins Ty Cobb‚ Hank Aaron‚ Babe Ruth‚ Pete Rose‚ and Willie Mays as the only players to reach the milestone.

Texas defeats Detroit‚ 13-2‚ as OF Juan Gonzalez gets 4 long hits‚ including 2 doubles‚ a triple and a homer‚ and drives home 7 runs. Gonzalez now has 143 ribbies on the year.

Cubs’ OF Sammy Sosa ties Mark McGwire by hitting his 55th HR in Chicago’s 5-4 win over Cincinnati. Sosa has hit 30 of his homers at Wrigley‚ 3 short of Hack Wilson’s Cub record and tying him with Ernie Banks.

Richie Sexton hit a 2-run single in Cleveland’s 10-run first inning‚ as the Tribe scalps Oakland‚ 15-6. Sexton hits his 4th homer in 3 days‚ and Manny Ramirez hits his 34th homer and knocks in 5 runs for starter Dave Burba. Joey Cora‚ acquired hours before the game from Seattle for David Bell‚ scores 2 runs and drives in 2.

Seattle trades 2B Joey Cora to the Indians for INF David Bell.

September

September 1Mark McGwire hits his 56th and 57th HRs of the season‚ in a 7-1 Cardinals’ win over Florida‚ to break Hack Wilson’s NL standard for HRs in a season. McGwire also eclipses Babe Ruth‘s record of 114 HRs in consecutive seasons set in 1927-28.
September 2Mark McGwire hits 2 HRs against the Marlins for the 2nd consecutive day to set a new major league mark for homers in a season by a righthanded batter with 59. The Cardinals defeat the Marlins by a score of 14-4.

Sammy Sosa hits HR #56 as the Cubs defeat the Reds‚ 4-2.
September 4The Yankees (100-38) win their 100th game of the season‚ defeating the White Sox‚ 11-6. It is the earliest any AL team has ever reached the 100-win mark. The 1906 Cubs needed 132 games to reach the 100-win mark. fewer Bernie Williams leads NY with a pair of homers and 4 RBIs.

Sammy Sosa‘s 57th HR leads the Cubs to a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh. Sosa surpasses Hack Wilson’s club record set 68 years ago.

With his Giants down 6-0‚ Bobby Bonds‚ with 23 stolen bases so far‚ attempts to steal 2B but is thrown out. Ellis Burks then hits a home run and the Giants end up losing‚ 8-5. Bonds ends the game with a NL record of 15 straight times reaching base.
September 5Mark McGwire slugs his 60th HR of the season to become the 3rd player in history to reach the milestone. The 1st-inning blast off lefty Dennis Reyes helps the Cards on their way to a 7-0 blanking of the Reds.

Sammy Sosa hits HR #58 tin Chicago’s 8-4 win over the Pirates‚ as the Cubs maintain their lead in the race for the wild card spot.

Giants OF Barry Bonds strikes out in the 1st inning of the game against the Dodgers to snap his NL record streak of reaching base safely 15 consecutive times. Bonds went 9-for-9 in the streak‚ which surpassed the old mark set by Pedro Guerrero in 1985. The Dodgers take the game by a score of 6-3.
September 6Atlanta OF Andruw Jones hits his 50th career HR in a 4-0 win over the Mets. He becomes the 3rd-youngest player in history to reach that level. Only Mel Ott and Tony Conigliaro did so at a younger age. Atlanta P John Smoltz limits the Mets to just 3 hits‚ while fanning an even dozen batters en route to his 14th win.
September 7Mark McGwire hits his record-tying 61st HR of the year in the 1st inning off Cubs’ P Mike Morgan in St. Louis’ 3-2 victory.

Mariners’ OF Ken Griffey Jr. has 4 hits‚ including 2 homers and reaches the 50th HR level. He’s the 3rd player to do so in successive seasons. Seattle defeats the Orioles‚ 11-1‚ as Griffey knocks in 6 runs..

Houston’s Randy Johnson strikes out 14 Reds in a 1-0 win. It is the 17th time this season he’s struck out 10 or more and the 100th time in his career. He lowers his ERA to 1.00.
September 8Mark McGwire breaks Roger Maris‘ single-season HR mark by clouting his 62nd of the year off Steve Trachsel in the 4th inning of the Cardinals’ 6-3 win over the Cubs in St. Louis.

Phillies rookie Marlon Anderson hits a pinch HR in his 1st major league at bat to become the 14th player in history to do so. The Phils and Mets combined for nine homers-Philadelphia has a team-record 7-in the 16-4 Phils win. Four different players homer twice-Jermaine Allensworth for New York and Rico Brogna‚ Kevin Sefcik‚ and Bobby Estalella for the Phils.
September 9In Toronto’s 6-3 loss to the Indians in 13 innings‚ Jays Alex Gonzalez strikes out 6 times. Tribe starter Dwight Gooden K’s him the first 3 times‚ with 3 relievers add strikeouts.
September 11At Turner Field‚ the Florida Marlins lose to the Atlanta Braves‚ 8-2‚ to become the 1st WS champion in history to lose 100 games the next season. Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Larry Bradford‚ there for a pre-game cermeny with a Little League team‚ dies of a sudden heart attack before the game.

The Cubs lose to Milwaukee‚ 13-11‚ with Sammy Sosa hitting HR #59 in the losing effort.

Kansas City’s Kevin Appier makes his first start of the season‚ stopping the Mariners‚ 8-5. It is exactly one year since Appier’s last start‚ at Anaheim. Since then he’s had two operations and been hospitalized with colon inflammation. His two strikeouts today put him in a tie for the career club record.

The Dodgers name Kevin Malone as their new GM. Malone had been assistant GM with the Orioles for the past 2 years.
September 12Cubs’ OF Sammy Sosa becomes the 4th player in history to reach the 60-HR mark for a season when he slugs number 60 off Valerio De Los Santos of the Brewers in the 7th inning of the 15-12 Chicago win. The Cubs power 6 homers‚ including two pinch hit‚ to win. Tyler Houston hits a pinch HR in the 8th and a 2-run single in the Cubs’ 5-run 9th. Orlando Merced finishes the the scoring with a 3-run 9th inning walk off pinch homer.

Mark McGwire draws his 152nd walk of the season‚ to break the NL mark set by Barry Bonds‚ as the Astros defeat the Cardinals‚ 3-2.

Philadelphia rides 5 hits by SS Alex Arias‚ including 3 doubles‚ to a 13-4 win over the Pirates.
September 13Sammy Sosa hits his 61st and 62nd HRs of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers to tie the NL record of 10 multi-HR games in a single season set by Ralph Kiner in 1947. The 2 HRs pace the Cubs to an 11-10 win‚ and tie Sosa with Mark McGwire for the HR lead.

Arizona defeats the Reds‚ 5-0‚ behind the 1-hit pitching of Andy Benes. Gregg Olson picks up the last 2 outs for the save‚ as 1B Sean Casey gets the only hit for Cincinnati.

Florida Marlins rookie lefthander Jesus Sanchez strikes out 10 in 7 innings, including 7 batters in a row, as the Marlins edge the Atlanta Braves, 6-5. Braves starter Greg Maddux leaves with a 1-0 lead after 6 IP, and reliever Odalis Perez gives up 4 runs without getting an out to take the loss.
September 14Kansas City scores in all 8 of their innings at bat as they down visiting Oakland‚ 16-6.

In another pitchers duel‚ the White Sox score twice in the 12th inning‚ then hold on for a 17-16 win over the Tigers. The teams combine for 41 hits‚ including 5 each for Albert Belle of the Sox and rookie OF Juan Encarnacion of the Bengals. Encarnacion also score 5 runs while driving home 4. Belle and SS Craig Wilson bring home 5 each for Chicago.
September 15Ken Griffey Jr. hits homer #52 and drives in the 1‚000th run of his career in the Mariners 12-7 win over the Twins. He becomes the 4th-youngest player in history to reach the milestone‚ after Mel Ott‚ Jimmie Foxx‚ and Lou Gehrig. Junior hit his 52nd on this date last year.

OF Manny Ramirez hits HRs in his last 3 ABs to help the Indians to a 7-5 win over Toronto.

Pittsburgh takes the 1st game of a doubleheader against St. Louis‚ 8-6‚ as Cardinals’ 1B Mark McGwire hits his 63rd HR of the season. The Cardinals take the nightcap‚ 9-3‚ to gain a split.
September 16Detroit rookie P Sean Runyan makes his 84th appearance of the season in the Tigers’ 2-1 loss to Toronto. He breaks Mike Myers’ rookie record of 83 set in 1996.

Ken Griffey Jr. steals his 20th base of the season in a 4-1 victory over Oakland. He becomes just the 3rd player in history to record at least 50 HRs and at least 20 stolen bases in the same season. Willie Mays and Brady Anderson are the others.

Montreal scores 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to defeat Florida‚ 3-2. Rookie P Kirt Ojala‚ who went the distance for the Marlins‚ ties a major league record by striking out 4 Expos in the 4th inning. Ojala fans Fernando Seguignol‚ Vladimir Guerrero‚ Shane Andrews‚ and Brad Fullmer to become the 12th hurler in major league history to fan 4 batters consecutively. Guerrero reached base on a 3rd-strike passed ball.

Cleveland defeats Minnesota by a score of 8-6. Indians’ OF Manny Ramirez homers in his 1st at bat‚ giving him round-trippers in 4 consecutive ABs to tie a major league mark. After grounding out his 2nd time up‚ he will homer again in the 5th inning. Matt Williams‚ out of action for a month with a broken wrist‚ homers in his first at bat since August 7.

Sammy Sosa‘s grand slam in the 8th inning‚ his 63rd HR of the year‚ leads the Cubs to a 6-3 win over San Diego. He now has 154 RBIs for the season.
September 17Cleveland OF Manny Ramirez ties a major league record by hitting his 6th HR over a 3-game span. It’s his 43rd on the year. The last AL player to do so was Gus Zernial in 1951. The Indians defeat the Minnesota Twins‚ 9-1.

Denny Neagle pitches 6 shut out innings as the Braves win‚ 1-0‚ over Arizona. Neagle wins his 15th and joins Millwood‚ Smoltz‚ Maddux‚ and Glavine‚ all of whom have reached that level. The last team to have five 15-game winners was the 1930 Washington Senators.

The Red Sox edge Baltimore‚ 3-2‚ with Flash Gordon picking up his 39th straight save‚ an AL record.

Ken Griffey‚ Jr. hits his 53rd homer to pace the Mariners to an 8-0 whipping of Oakland. Tom Candiotti serves up the helping of gopher to Junior.

Red Huff‚ the oldest ex-major leaguer dies at the age of 107. Huff pitched for the Yankees and Browns in 1911-13 and 1915 and struck out the first batter he ever faced-Ty Cobb.
September 18Mark McGwire hits HR #64 as he leads the Cardinals to a 5-2 win over the Brewers.

Frank Thomas notches his 100th RBI-the 8th straight year he’s reached that level-by clouting a 2-run HR in Chicago’s 11-9 win over Boston. Thomas’ HR is one of 7 in the game in which 32 hits are registered. Thomas will also rack up 110 walks this season, the 8th straight season he’s carded 100+ passes. This sets the ML record.

Houston’s Randy Johnson loses his no-hit bid in the 7th but improves his NL record to 9-1‚ beating the Pirates‚ 5-2. The Big Unit allows 4 hits.

The White Sox sell C Chad Krueter to the Angels.
September 19Mariners SS Alex Rodriguez hits his 40th HR of the season‚ off Jack McDowell of the Angels‚ to become the 3rd player in history to have 40 HRs and 40 SBs in the same season. Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds are the others. The Mariners lose the game‚ however‚ 5-3.

Texas strikes 2 home run marks today. Mike Simms of the Rangers hits his 16th HR of the year to tie the major league mark for most HRs with less than 200 at bats in a season. Eddie Robinson of the Yankees and Bob Thurman of the Reds accomplished the feat in 1955 and 1957‚ respectively. Juan Gonzalez belts his 300th career homer‚ off Jimmy Haynes‚ but the Rangers lose to Oakland‚ however‚ 8-4.

Cleveland OF Manny Ramirez hits 2 HRs-his 44th and 45th-in the Tribe’s 7-6 loss to Kansas City. In doing so‚ he ties a major league mark with 8 HRs in 5 games.

Braves lefty Tom Glavine wins his 20th‚ shutting out Arizona‚ 5-0. The victory gives the Braves their 2nd straight season of 100 wins‚ the first team in 2 decades to accomplish that. The Phils of 1976-77 posted identical 101-61 marks.

The Giants score 7 runs in the 3rd inning‚ and 6 more in the 4th‚ as they demolish the Dodgers by a score of 18-4. Bill Mueller and Jeff Kent bang grand slams in the 2 frames‚ just the 2nd time (April 26‚ 1970) in Giants history that 2 players have hit grand slams in a game.
September 20Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr. takes himself out of the Orioles lineup prior to the game with the Yankees to end his major league record consecutive game streak at 2‚632. The Orioles lose the historic game by a score of 5-4. Ryan Minor‚ Ripken’s replacement at 3B‚ gets 1 hit in 4 at bats.

Mark McGwire wastes no time as he hits HR #65 in the 1st inning of the Cardinals’ 11-6 win over Milwaukee.

The Rockies Darryl Kile pitches 10 shutout innings before he is lifted for PH Larry Walker, who doubles off Randy Myers and comes around to score the lone run in a 1-0 win over the Padres. Dave Veres earns the save.

Trent Hubbard hits a first inning solo homerun for the Dodgers’ only score in a 1-0 win over Shawn Estes and the Giants. Carlos Perez pitches the GC shutout. The Giants waste a leadoff triple in the 8th by catcher Brian Johnson; his counterpart Charles Johnson is hitless.
September 21Pittsburgh C Jason Kendall steals his 26th base of the season to set a new NL record for catchers. The previous mark was set by John Stearns in 1978. The Pirates lose to the Giants‚ however‚ 8-1.

Jim Abbott (4-0) continues his comeback with the White Sox‚ beating the Twins‚ 7-1 with six innings of pitching.

Tony Tarasco clubs a pinch grand slam in the 7th to lift the Reds to a 8-5 win over the Phils.
September 22Ken Griffey Jr. brings home his 140th run of the season to become the 3rd player in history to reach that level in at least 3 consecutive seasons. Griffey’s 2 HRs give him 55 on the season‚ and lift Seattle to a 7-6 win over Oakland.
September 23McGwire goes homerless in the Cards‚ 7-1 loss to the Astros as Randy Johnson clips the Birds for his 10th win. He strikes out 8 in 8 innings. Craig Biggio is 3-for-5 and swipes #50 to become the only player besides Tris Speaker in 1912‚ to have 50 doubles and 50 steals in a year.

Sosa breaks an 0-for-21 slump‚ hitting his 64th and 65th HRs as the Cubs build a 7-0 lead over the Brewers. Milwaukee fights back‚ however‚ and scores 3 in the last of the 9th when Chicago OF Brant Brown drops a routine fly ball with the bases loaded and 2 out in the 9th to allow 3 Brewers to score. Rod Beck is on the mound when the Merkle-like error occurs (Fred Merkle‘s boner occurred exactly 90 years ago). Milwaukee wins‚ 8-7‚ and the Cubs remain tied for the wild card spot with the Mets‚ who lose to Montreal‚ 3-0. With his 8 total bases‚ Sammy has now topped the 400 mark.

The Giants (86-72) stay close with a 4-1 win over the Pirates. Joe Carter‘s three-run homer helps Mark Gardner (13-5) win his 5th straight. Gardner strikes out 11 in 8 innings.
September 24Red Sox P Tom Gordon records his 42nd consecutive save of the year for a new major league mark as Boston defeats Baltimore‚ 9-6 (41 by Rod Beck and Trevor Hoffman). Boston clinches a wild card spot behind a pair of homers and 4 runs scored by Nomar Garciaparra.

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina leads Anaheim to a 10-6 win over Oakland with 5 hits‚ including 2 doubles‚ and a pair of RBIs.

The Yanks win‚ 5-2‚ over the Devil Rays and post their 11th win of the year‚ surpassing the club record 110‚ set by the 1927 team. Shane Spencer pounds a grand slam‚ his 8th homer in 57 at bats.
September 25The home run race continues unabated as Sosa blasts his 66th homer in the 4th inning at Houston‚ and McGwire responds in the 5th inning with his 66th in the 5th inning at Busch Stadium. Sosa’s solo shot ties the game at 2-2‚ but the Astros score in each in the next 4 innings to win‚ 6-2. Kevin Tapani fails in his bid to win his 20th. The Cards top the Expos‚ 6-5‚ as McGwire adds another single and J.D. Drew a pair of homers.

The fading Mets (88-72) lose another to the Braves‚ 6-5‚ as Dennis Martinez‚ the 3rd of 7 pitchers‚ is the winner. Meanwhile‚ the rampaging Giants (88-72) top the Rockies to move into a tie for the NL wild-card.

The Yankees win‚ 6-1 over the Devil Rays and set an AL record for most wins in a season‚ 112. The 1954 Indians held the record at 111. Orlando Hernandez improves his record to 12-4.

Ken Griffey hits HR #56‚ and drives in 5 runs‚ to lead Seattle to a 15-4 victory over Texas.

Mo Vaughn has 2 hits‚ including his 39th homer‚ to stay atop the AL batting race and lead the Red Sox to a 8-3 win over the visiting Orioles.

In the 3rd inning of a 7-5 Tiger win‚ Toronto starter Woody Williams serves up consecutive homers to Juan Encarnacion and Frank Catalanotto‚ walks a batter‚ and tees up another gopher for Tony Clark.
September 26Phillies P Curt Schilling strikes out 7 batters to reach the 300 mark in the season. He thus becomes the 5th pitcher in major league history to fan 300 or more in consecutive seasons. Florida wins in the 10th‚ 4-3 on Dave Berg’s 2-out double. The Phillies also lose the nightcap‚ 1-0‚ in 13 innings‚ when Alex Gonzalez hits a game-ending HR off Ricky Bottalico.

The Yankees defeat the Devil Rays‚ 3-1‚ for David Cone‘s 20th win of the year. Cone sets a record for the most years (10) between 20-win seasons‚ having won 20 for the Mets in 1988. Jim Kaat held the previous record at 9. Shane Spencer homers‚ his 6th in 9 days and his 7th in the month‚ a Yankee rookie record.

McGwire stands alone as he parks #67 and #68 at Busch Stadium‚ but his Cards lose‚ 7-6‚ to Montreal.

Sammy Sosa has no homers but a pair of hits and scores the game-winning run as the Cubs edge Houston‚ 3-2. Gary Gaetti has 2 RBIs while Jeff Bagwell hits his 34th for the Astros.

The hot Giants rip the Rockies‚ 8-4‚ to stay tied with the Cubs for the wild card. Orel Hershiser wins his 11th‚ despite allowing 8 hits in 5+ innings. One of the hits is Larry Walker’s 23rd homer‚ and he adds another two hits to run his average to .362.

Dennis Eckersley gets a standing ovation from the Fenway crowd as he appears in his 1‚071st game‚ breaking Hoyt Wilhelm‘s record for most appearances. It will be the Eck’s final game‚ When the Red Sox refuse arbitration after the season‚ Eckersley retires on December 10.
September 27Padres OF Greg Vaughn hits his 50th HR of the season in San Diego’s 3-2 win over Arizona. He is the 4th player this year to reach that plateau‚ marking the 1st time in major league history that 4 players have done so.

Oakland’s Rickey Henderson becomes the oldest SB leader in major league history as he finishes the year with an AL-high 66.

The Reds double up on the Pirates‚ beating them 4-1. Cincinnati uses a brother infield of Brett Boone at 2B (0-for-4) and his brother Aaron (1-for-2) at 3B; Barry Larkin at SS (0-for-3) and Stephen Larkin at 1B (1-for-3). Aaron Boone’s 3-run homer gives Tomko (13-12) the complete game victory. Stephen Larkin is a career minor leaguer with a pacemaker and had a new one installed in August after his old one had a hiccup. Stephen hit .228 with 3 HR and 31 RBI in 80 games with the AA Chattanooga Lookouts this year. 2B Bret Boone finishes the year as the NL leader in fielding percentage at his position. He becomes the 1st player ever to lead a league in fielding percentage 4 consecutive seasons.

The Yankees defeat the Devil Rays‚ 8-3‚ for their 114th win of the season‚ the 2nd-highest total in major league history.

The Cardinals Mark McGwire hits a pair of HRs in a 6-3 win over Montreal to finish the season with a major league record 70‚ shattering Roger Maris‘ mark of 61 set in 1961.

The Cubs and Giants both lose in their opponents’ final at bats to finish the year in a tie for the NL wild card spot‚ and force baseball’s 1st one-game playoff since 1995.

The Giants lose 9-8 to the Rockies when Neifi Perez hits a walkoff HR in the 9th of Robb Nen. Vinnie Castilla hits his 46th HR and Todd Helton adds a 3-run HR. Bonds has a double and triple and Jeff Kent has a double and HR‚ the latter served up by Pedro Astacio in his 1.1 innings of work. Astacio ends the season with more than 200 innings pitched and an ERA over 6.00‚ the first pitcher since 1931 to accomplish that.

Houston defeats the visiting Cubs‚ 4-3. The Cubs end up leading the league in road attendance with 2‚902‚914‚ with the Cardinals second at 2‚766‚984.

Blue Jays rookie P Roy Halladay throws 8.2 innings of no-hit ball against the Tigers before PH Bobby Higginson hits Halladay’s 1st pitch for a solo HR. Toronto wins the game‚ 2-1.
September 28The Giants score 3 runs in top of the 9th inning‚ but come up short as the Cubs defeat San Francisco‚ 5-3‚ in a one-game playoff to win the NL wild card spot in the playoffs.

The Rockies fire manager Don Baylor‚ the only manager they’ve ever had.
September 29The Yankees take the opener of their divisional series against the Rangers‚ 2-0‚ on a 5-hit shutout by David Wells‚ with help from Mariano Rivera in the 9th.

Mo Vaughn leads the Red Sox to an 11-3 victory over the Indians in their ALCS playoff series‚ clouting 2 HRs and driving home 7. Nomar Garciaparra gets 4 ribbies for Boston.

The Padres defeat the Astros‚ 2-1‚ in the opener of their divisional series. Kevin Brown hurls 8 innings of 2-hit‚ shutout ball.
September 30In the 1st game of their NLCS series‚ the Braves defeat the Cubs‚ 7-1‚ as Michael Tucker and Ryan Klesko homer to back John Smoltz‘s pitching.

Andy Pettitte’s strong pitching gives NY a 2-0 lead in their series with a 3-1 victory over the Rangers. Shane Spencer and Scott Brosius hit round-trippers.

Cleveland erupts for 5 runs in the 2nd inning on their way to a 9-5 win over the Red Sox to even their series at 1 game apiece. David Justice has a homer and 4 ribbies for the Tribe.

Former KC Royals’ P Dan Quisenberry dies of brain cancer at the age of 45.

October

October 1Atlanta’s Javy Lopez hits a one-out HR in the bottom of the 9th to tie the Braves’ game with Chicago at 1-1. Chipper Jones‘ base hit wins the game in the 10th‚ 2-1‚ as the Braves win their 2nd in a row.

Houston evens its series against the Padres‚ scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 9th on Bill Spiers’ single‚ his 3rd hit of the game.

At Seoul‚ Korea’s Chansil Stadium‚ 29-year-old American Tyrone Woods clouts his 42nd homer to break the 6-year-old Korean home run record. Woods‚ who plays for the OB Bears‚ played 11 years in the minors‚ the last with Pawtucket‚ before going to Korea. He was also named the MVP earlier in the week. 1998 is the first year foreign players were allowed in the Korean League.
October 2The Yankees shutout the Rangers‚ 4-0‚ to sweep their divisional playoff. Shane Spencer hits a 3-run homer and Paul O’Neill a solo blast for NY.

Cleveland takes a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the 9th against Boston in Game 3 of their series. A 2-run home run by Nomar Garciaparra brings the Sox within 1‚ but that’s how it ends‚ with the Indians winning‚ 4-3. Cleveland’s runs come on solo HRs by Manny Ramirez (2)‚ Jim Thome‚ and Kenny Lofton.

Gene Autry, former owner of the California Angels, dies at age 91.
October 3Cleveland wraps up its series with Boston‚ as David Justice’s 2-run double in the 8th is enough to give the Indians a 2-1 victory.

Atlanta sweeps the Cubs‚ winning Game 3 by a score of 6-2. The Braves score 5 in the 8th‚ with Eddie Perez’s grand slam off Rod Beck being the big blow.

Jim Leyritz’s 7th inning homer gives the Padres a 2-1 win over the Astros‚ and a 2-1 lead in games in their divisional series.

Yankees’ OF Darryl Strawberry has a cancerous tumor removed from his colon during surgery. Doctors are optimistic that the cancer has not spread.
October 4The Padres close out the Astros‚ winning Game 4‚ 6-1‚ and taking their playoff series. Jim Leyritz hits another 4-bagger for the Pads‚ as does Wally Joyner.
October 5The Colorado Rockies name Jim Leyland as their new manager.
October 6The Yankees jump on Cleveland starter Jaret Wright for 5 runs in the 1st inning and hold on to defeat the Indians‚ 7-2‚ in the 1st game of the ALCS. Jorge Posada homers for NY‚ while Manny Ramirez connects for the Tribe.
October 7The Indians score 3 runs in the 12th inning to take Game 2 of the ALCS from the Yankees by a score of 4-1. The lead run scores when NY 2B Chuck Knoblauch argues the call on a bunt play at 1B‚ rather than going after the ball.

Atlanta scores a run in the last of the 9th to tie the NLCS opener with San Diego at 2-2‚ but the Padres win in the 10th on Ken Caminiti‘s home run. The 3-2 victory goes to reliever Trevor Hoffman.
October 8San Diego’s Kevin Brown hurls a 3-hit shutout to defeat Atlanta‚ 3-0‚ and go up two games to 0 in the NLCS.
October 9Cleveland takes a 6-1 victory over the Yankees on the strength of 4 HRs: 2 by Jim Thome‚ and 1 each by Manny Ramirez and Mark Whiten. Andy Pettitte gives up 3 of the homers in 5th inning.
October 10The Yankees even the ALCS at 2 games apiece on a 4-hit‚ 4-0 shutout. Orlando Hernandez hurls the first 7 innings‚ while Mike Stanton and Mariano Rivera finish up.

The Padres win their 3rd in a row over Atlanta‚ 4-1‚ as Sterling Hitchcock and 4 relief pitchers hold the Braves in check.
October 11New York gets 3 runs in the 1st‚ then holds on for a 5-3 win over the Indians in Game 5. David Wells picks up the victory‚ with Chili Davis‚ Jim Thome‚ and Kenny Lofton all hitting homers.

Atlanta stays alive by scoring 6 runs in the 7th inning of an 8-3 win over San Diego in Game 4 of the NLCS. Andres Galarraga‘s grand slam is the big blow of the inning.
October 12The Braves do it again‚ this time scoring 5 runs in the 8th to defeat the Padres‚ 7-6. Michael Tucker hits a 3-run homer in the inning‚ and drives home 5 runs altogether.
October 13The Yankees move on to the World Series‚ as they defeat the Indians‚ 9-5‚ to take the ALCS‚ 4 games to 2. Scott Brosius homers for NY‚ while Jim Thome hits his 6th of the postseason for Cleveland.
October 14The Padres finish off the Braves‚ as again Sterling Hitchcock and 4 relief pitchers do the job‚ limiting Atlanta to just 2 hits in a 5-0 win. Tom Glavine takes the loss for the Braves.
October 15The Reds managing Executive John Allen pulls off the first big trade of the off-season‚ swapping a three-game home series with the White Sox to the Cubs in exchange for a three-game home set with the Indians. In 1999‚ the Reds will play a series in Cleveland‚ as scheduled‚ and now another series in Cincinnati on July 9-11.
October 17The Yankees explode for 7 runs in the last half of the 7th inning to blow away the Padres‚ 9-6‚ in the Series opener. Chuck Knoblauch hits a 3-run homer in the inning‚ then Tino Martinez follows with a grand slam. David Wells notches the win.
October 18New York strikes early‚ scoring 3 runs in each of the 1st 2 innings. They go on to cruise to a 9-3 win in Game 2 behind Orlando Hernandez. Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada connect for homers.
October 20Down 3-0‚ the Yankees bounce back with 2 runs in the 7th and 3 in the 8th to defeat the Padres‚ 5-3. 3B Scott Brosius is the hitting star for NY with a single‚ 2 homers‚ and 4 runs batted in.
October 21The Yankees close out an incredible year by shutting out the Padres‚ 3-0‚ and sweeping the NL champs to win the World Series. Andy Pettitte gets the victory‚ and Scott Brosius is named Series MVP.
October 23The Orioles hire Fran Wren as General Manager.
October 26The Mets sign C Mike Piazza to a 7-year‚ $91 million contract‚ making him the highest-paid player in the game.
October 28Philadelphia Phillies’ top draft pick‚ Pat Burrell of Miami‚ wins the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s outstanding amateur player.

November

November 3Ben Grieve‚ Oakland outfielder‚ is named the AL Rookie of the Year. Grieve‚ in the lineup since Opening Day‚ hit .288.
November 6The Dodgers sign free agent OF Devon White to a 3-year contract.

Cubs fireballer Kerry Wood‚ with a 13-6 record‚ wins the NL Rookie of the Year award. Wood held batters to a NL best .196 average and was 3rd in the NL in strikeouts with 233 in just 166 2/3 innings.
November 8The Mets announce GM Steve Phillips will take a paid leave of absence while a threatened sexual-harassment lawsuit against him is resolved. Phillips acknowledges having had an extramarital affair with the woman‚ but denies having harassed her. Frank Cashen will replace Phillips on an interim basis.

The Rockies sign free agent P Brian Bohannon to a 3-year contract.

Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa is named the National League MVP. Sosa hits 66 homers and led the NL in RBIs while carrying the Cubs to the playoff.
November 9The Mariners trade P Paul Spoljaric to the Phillies in exchange for P Mark Leiter.

It is revealed that Hall of Fame P Jim “Catfish” Hunter is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‚ the progressive‚ ultimately fatal neurological condition better known as Lou Gehrig‘s disease.
November 10The Braves trade P Denny Neagle‚ OF Michael Tucker‚ and minor league P Rob Bell to the Reds in exchange for 2B Bret Boone and P Mike Remlinger.

Texas OF Juan Gonzalez is named the AL MVP. Gonzalez drove in 101 runs by the All-star break‚ and his 157 RBIs was the most in the AL in 49 years.
November 11The Diamondbacks sign free agent P Greg Swindell to a 3-year contract‚ and free agent 1B Greg Colbrunn to a 2-year contract.

The White Sox trade OF Mike Cameron to the Reds in exchange for 1B Paul Konerko.

In a swap of high-priced unwanteds‚ the Mets send P Mel Rojas to the Dodgers for OF Bobby Bonilla. Neither will help‚ but the little-used‚ outspoken Bonilla‚ with a 2-year contract‚ will be a heavier burden than Rojas.

The Tigers sign free agent 3B Dean Palmer to a 5-year contract.
November 12The Orioles sign free agent P Mike Timlin to a 4-year contract.

The Mariners sign free agent P Jose Mesa to a 2-year contract.
November 13The Babe hits new heights today: $126‚500. That is the price paid for the ball he hit in 1923 for the first home run in Yankee Stadium. Mark Scala found the Ruth ball two years ago in the attic of his grandmother’s house. The bid was $110‚000 and the total price includes the auction house’s 15 percent commission. Two year ago‚ the ball Eddie Murray hit for his 500th home run was sold for what one day could be $500‚000. Michael Lasky‚ the founder of the Psychic Friends Network‚ paid $280‚000 that was put in an annuity to be paid over 20 years. With interest‚ the annuity will be worth about $500‚000‚ according to a spokesman for Lasky‚ who also operates as syndicated handicapper Mike Warren. The previous record for an auctioned baseball was $93‚500 for the ball that went through Bill Buckner‘s legs in the 1986 World Series. That ball was bought by actor Charlie Sheen in 1992. Other auctioned items include: the bat Pete Rose used for his 4‚191st hit‚ which tied Ty Cobb‘s career record‚ was sold by an unidentified Rose associate for $21‚096; an autographed ball from President Franklin Roosevelt that he used to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the 1941 season opener at Griffith Stadium sold for $17‚255‚ and a personal check signed Henry Louis Gehrig sold for $15‚306.

The Red Sox sign free agent Jose Offerman‚ who played with the Royals‚ to a 4-year contract.

The Dodgers sign free agent P Alan Mills to a 3-year contract.

The Indians trade P Chad Ogea to the Phillies in exchange for P Jerry Spradlin.
November 15The Astros sign free agent 3B Ken Caminiti to a multi-year contract as the Padres championship team begins to come apart.
November 16The Mets reinstate GM Steve Phillips‚ who will continue to undergo counseling. The threatened sexual harassment suit will be settled out of court.
November 17The Pirates sign free agent INF Mike Benjamin to a 2-year contract.
November 18In a good swap for Pittsburgh‚ the Indians trade OF Brian Giles to the Pirates for P Ricardo Rincon.
November 19The Phillies trade Ps Ricky Bottalico and Garrett Stephenson to the Cardinals for OF Ron Gant‚ Ps Jeff Brantley and Cliff Politte‚ and cash.

The Cardinals sign free agent OF Eric Davis to a 2-year contract‚ and free agent P Scott Radinsky to a 2-year contract.
November 20The Mets trade C Jorge Fabregas to the Marlins in exchange for P Oscar Henriquez.
November 23The Braves sign free agent OF Brian Jordan to a 5-year contract. Jordan had flirted with several teams before landing the 5 year deal with the Braves.

The Marlins trade C Gregg Zaun to the Rangers in exchange for a player to be named or cash.

Bob Betts‚ the PA announcer whose distinctive baritone made him synonymous with Brewers baseball at Milwaukee County Stadium‚ dies at the age of 70. Betts announced the home games for 23 seasons.
November 24The Indians sign free agent 2B Roberto Alomar to a 4-year contract. Alomar joins his brother‚ Sandy.

Padres 1B Wally Joyner undergoes corrective eye surgery to bring his eyesight up to 20/20. His eye sight had deteriorated to 20/3000.
November 25The Angels sign free agent 1B Mo Vaughn to a 6-year contract‚ a year longer than the Red Sox were willing to give Mo.
November 30The Diamondbacks sign free agent P Randy Johnson to a 4-year contract.

December

December 1The Mets trade C Todd Hundley and minor league P Arnold Gooch to the Dodgers for C Charles Johnson and OF Roger Cedeno. They then swap Johnson to the Orioles for P Armando Benitez.

The Braves sign free agent OF Otis Nixon. The peripatetic speedster was a starter for Atlanta in 1991-93.

The Orioles sign slugger-grumbler outfielder Albert Belle to a 5-year contract. A degenerative hip problem will end his play after two years.

The Rangers sign free agent 1B Rafael Palmeiro to a 5-year contract.
December 2The Cubs sign free agent P Scott Sanders.

The Mets sign free agent 3B Robin Ventura to a 4-year contract.
December 4The Mets trade P Willie Blair to the Tigers in exchange for INF Joe Randa.

The Orioles sign free agent 2B Delino DeShields to a 3-year contract.
December 5The Orioles sign free agent 1B Will Clark to a 2-year contract.
December 7The Diamondbacks lure Padres free agent OF Steve Finley with a 4-year contract.

The Cubs sign free agent 3B Gary Gaetti‚ free agent OF Glenallen Hill‚ and tomorrow sign free agent C Benito Santiago. Following a car crash last January where he suffered mangled ligaments in his right knee‚ Santiago played just 15 games in 1998 for the Blue Jays. In his last appearance at Wrigley Field‚ in 1996‚ Santiago hit 3 consecutive home runs.
December 9The Red Sox sign free agent P Mark Portugal.

The Devil Rays sign free agent OF Jose Canseco.
December 10In an emotional press conference‚ pitcher Dennis Eckersley of the Red Sox announces his retirement.

The Mariners sign free agent C Tom Lampkin to a 2-year contract.

The Royals sign free agent IF Rey Sanchez‚ and acquire IF Joe Randa from the Mets in exchange for OF Juan LeBron.
December 11The Reds sign free agent P Steve Avery.

The Athletics sign the much-traveled free agent IF-OF Tony Phillips.
December 12The Reds sign free agent IF Mark Lewis.

The Dodgers set the salary bar higher by signing free agent P Kevin Brown to a 7-year‚ $105 million contract‚ the largest in the majors.
December 13The Padres trade P Joey Hamilton to the Blue Jays for pitchers Woody Williams and Carlos Almanzar and OF Peter Tucci.

The Mets sign free agent OF Rickey Henderson.
December 14The Twins trade OF Alex Ochoa to the Brewers in exchange for a player to be named.

The Mets trade OF Butch Huskey to the Mariners in exchange for minor league P Lesli Brea.

The Cubs trade OF Brant Brown‚ whose error on September 24th almost cost the Cubs a playoff spot‚ to the Pirates in exchange for P Jon Lieber.

The Cardinals acquire SS Edgar Renteria from the Marlins in exchange for SS Pablo Ozuna and pitchers Armando Almanza and Braden Looper.

The Tigers sign free agent C Bill Haselman to a 2-year contract.

The Royals sign free agent C Chad Kreuter.
December 15The Phillies sign free agent C Tom Prince to a 2-year contract.

The Pirates sign free agent 3B Ed Sprague.
December 16The Athletics sign free agent C Mike Macfarlane.
December 17Orioles GM Frank Wren signs free agent P Xavier Hernandez to a 2-year $2.5 million contract‚ only to find out when Hernandez takes a physical that he has a torn rotator cuff. Owner Peter Angelos will void the contract and Hernandez will file a grievance‚ settling eventually for $1.75 million.

The Pirates sign free agent P Pete Schourek to a 2-year contract.
December 18The Angels sign free agent P Tim Belcher to a 2-year contract.
December 19The Red Sox sign free agent P Mark Guthrie to a 2-year contract.
December 28In a great trade for Arizona‚ the Diamondbacks swap OF Karim Garcia to the Tigers in exchange for OF Luis Gonzalez. Garcia hit .222 this year for the D’Backs. The D’Backs will extend Gonzo’s contract in 2003 for another 3 years.

The Tigers sign free agent IF-OF Gregg Jefferies to a 2-year contract.