October 1

Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 1.

[edit] Events

• 1903 - The Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Boston Americans, 7-3, in the first World Series game ever played. Jimmy Sebring hits the first home run in the Series, as Deacon Phillippe is the winning pitcher and Cy Young the loser.
• 1919 - Just before the start of the World Series, the highly favored Chicago White Sox become the betting underdogs in the best-of-nine contest. Eddie Cicotte, a 29-game winner, is driven from the hill in a five-run fourth inning. The Cincinnati Reds' Dutch Ruether pitches a six-hitter and helps himself with three RBI on two triples and a single for a 9 - 1 victory.
• 1921 - Ray Schalk of the Chicago White Sox is the first catcher to make a putout at every single base. The feat has not been accomplished again since.
• 1932 - Babe Ruth, as legend has it, calls his home run against Chicago Cubs pitcher Charlie Root in the fifth inning of Game Three of the World Series, won by the New York Yankees, 7-5, at Wrigley Field. Ruth and Lou Gehrig each hit two homers for the Yankees.
• 1943 - MLB statistics show the Chicago White Sox Luke Appling leading American League hitters with a .328 batting average, the lowest since Ty Cobb hit .324 to lead in 1908. Conversely, of course, the pitchers' marks are topped by Spud Chandler's 1.64 ERA, the best since 1919. Chandler also has the best winning percentage at .833, on a 20-4 won-lost mark. White Sox outfielder Wally Moses stole 56 bases after stealing only three two years before. The veteran Mel Ott hits only .234 for his New York Giants, but he still has 18 home runs, all at the Polo Grounds.
• 1946 - For the first time in major league history, a playoff series to determine a league's championship is played, featuring the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers. St. Louis takes the first game, 4-2, as Howie Pollet holds the Dodgers to two hits, a home run and an RBI single by Howie Schultz.
• 1949 - At Griffith Stadium, rookie Alex Kellner posts his 20th win, a 7-4 victory over the Washington Senators, to became the first Philadelphia Athletics 20-game winner since Lefty Grove did it in 1933.
• 1950 - The Philadelphia Phillies clinch the National League pennant on Dick Sisler's three-run home run against Don Newcombe in a 4-1 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers on the season's last day.
• 1955 - In Game Four of the World Series at Ebbets Field, the Brooklyn Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees, 8-5.
• 1961 - Roger Maris hits his 61st home run of the season against Tracy Stallard of the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The homer eclipses Babe Ruth's 34-year-old single-season home run record. The Yankees win the game 1 - 0.
• 1967 - Roberto Clemente's Major League Managerial Career: Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, all one day of it. Filling in for interim manager Danny Murtaugh, Clemente puts up stratospheric – if statistically insignificant – numbers as Pittsburgh's player-manager. Joe Curcio of the Pittsburgh Press reports: "Baseball’s only undefeated ‘manager’, Roberto Clemente, climaxed his greatest season ever by smashing his 23rd homer, a triple and driving in three runs while managing the Bucs before 28, 244 fans on Prize Day."
• 1970 - The final game at Connie Mack Stadium is played as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the visiting Montreal Expos, 2-1. The fans respond by swarming onto and destroying the field at the end of the game.
• 1972:
  • Having yesterday witnessed teammate Roberto Clemente achieve his cherished goal, career hit number 3,000, Pittsburgh's Steve Blass now attempts to realize his own longstanding dream, a 20-win season, pitching at home against the New York Mets. Unfortunately the dream will not survive the 1st inning as, on the eve of the National League playoffs, Pittsburgh's ace is knocked out of this game, literally as well as figuratively, the third RBI of the inning coming on a two-out John Milner bullet off Blass' right elbow. Prior to game, Clemente is honored in a ceremony commemorating his previous day's feat. But, as he did yesterday regarding Hall of Fame shoo-in Willie Mays, Clemente again takes time to make his feelings known regarding another Cooperstown candidate, albeit a less accaimed one. Al Abrams of the Post Gazette writes: "Bill Mazeroski is retiring from the game as a player. Clemente doesn't think Maz should quit. "No, no,' he said. 'Bill should play two or three more years. Talk to him. Tell him he can get in shape. I know he can play better second base than anybody. He is two years younger than I am.' Roberto then paid Mazeroski this supreme compliment: 'He is the greatest second baseman of all time, a real super star. But people forget too fast what he has done for the Pirates. Nobody I ever saw could field with him. He won the World Series in 1960 with his home run against the Yankees. I don't like to see him retire.' Nobody does. But Mazeroski himself believes it is time to hang up his Gold Glove and spikes for good. 'If I had his body,' Bill grinned, meaning Clemente's, 'I would keep on playing. Unfortunately, I don't. There's a time for everybody to quit. Mine is here.' 'Maz would like to have your body,' I told Clemente. 'My body is old and tired,' Roberto replied. 'But I'll bounce back. I think Mazeroski can do the same if he takes off a few pounds and gives them to me. I need them.'"
• 1973 - In the first game of a scheduled make-up doubleheader at Wrigley Field, a day after the regular season ended, the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs, 6 - 1, to capture the National League East flag. The Mets, who were 11 1/2 games behind and in last place on August 5th, by winning their 82nd game (the lowest number of victories ever to win a title), clinch the division, making the second game of the twin bill unnecessary.
• 1975 - The Montreal Expos fire manager Gene Mauch and his coaching staff and replace him with Karl Kuehl.
• 1978 - The Cleveland Indians beat the New York Yankees, 9 - 2, on the last day of the season, to force a one-game playoff between the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Boston win their eighth straight, 5 - 0, over the Toronto Blue Jays, to force the showdown.
• 1980 - With much media and fan pressure, the Boston Red Sox fire manager Don Zimmer.
• 1988 - Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres goes 2-for-3 to raise his league-leading batting average to .313 but sustains a hand injury during a 6 - 3 victory over the Houston Astros. Gwynn is the first National League batting champion to win the title with an average below .320. Before Gwynn, Larry Doyle's .320 average was the lowest.
• 1989 - Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins and Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres each win batting titles on the final day of the regular season. Puckett goes 2-for-5 to edge Carney Lansford, .339 to .336, while Gwynn goes 3-for-4 to beat Will Clark, .336 to .333.
• 1995 - The Colorado Rockies become the first major league team to reach the postseason before their seventh year in existence. Colorado also becomes the National League's first wild card winner following a 10 - 9 win over the San Francisco Giants. Colorado's .535 winning percentage (77-67 record) is the best-ever for a third-year team. The New York Yankees become the first wild card winner in the American League.
• 1997 - The Baltimore Orioles continue their dominance over the most dominant lefthander in major league baseball. Baltimore bounces Randy Johnson and the Seattle Mariners in the first game of the American League Division Series. Johnson, who has a winning record against every other team in the American League, drops to 3-8 overall against the Orioles.
• 2004 - Ichiro Suzuki surpasses George Sisler's 84-year-old record of 257 hits in a single season. After this game, Ichiro has collected 259 hits in the season with two games left; he will finish the season with 262 hits.
• 2006 - Seung-hwan Oh of the Samsung Lions sets a new Asian save record when he notches his 47th, this one against the Hyundai Unicorns. Japan's Hitoki Iwase held the old record.
• 2007 - The Colorado Rockies defeat the San Diego Padres 9 - 8 in 13 innings to win the one-game playoff to determine the National League wild card. Matt Holliday scores the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Jamey Carroll, as ace closer Trevor Hoffman blows the 8 - 6 lead which Scott Hairston's two-run home run in the top of the 13th had provided. The Rockies will take part in the postseason for the first time since 1995.
• 2008:
  • The Phillies defeat the Brewers 3 - 1 in the first game of the 2008 Postseason. Cole Hamels earns the victory with 8 innings of scoreless ball, while the Phils score three unearned runs in the 3rd thanks to an error by Rickie Weeks and Mike Cameron's inability to catch Chase Utley's double, which bounces out of his glove.
  • The Dodgers hammer the Cubs into submission to take a 1-0 lead in the NLDS at Wrigley Field. James Loney hits a grand slam off a wild Ryan Dempster, who walks seven batters in 4⅔ innings. Manny Ramirez and Russell Martin add solo homers to ice the 7 - 2 victory.
  • In Anaheim, the Red Sox continue their postseason dominance of the Los Angeles Angels by taking Game One of the ALDS, 4 - 1. Jason Bay hits a two-run homer off John Lackey, while Jon Lester gives up only an unearned run in 7 innings of work for the win.
  • The SK Wyverns beat the Lotte Giants 7-1 to improve to 82-40. They set a new Korea Baseball Organization record for wins; four teams previously had reached 81.
• 2009:
  • Chris Carpenter does it both ways in the Cardinals' 13 - 0 trashing of the Reds. He pitches 5 scoreless innings to bring his record to 17-4 and hits a grand slam and drives in 6 runs.
  • Colorado clinches a playoff berth with a 9 - 2 win over the Brewers. Aaron Cook, back from a stay on the disabled list, pitches 8 innings for the win.
• 2011:
  • Greece makes its Baseball World Cup debut and takes a 3 - 0 lead in the 2nd inning against Panama, but the hosts rally to win, 8 - 3. Paolo Espino and two relievers combine to fan 12, while Damaso Espino drives in 3 and Concepcion Rodriguez and Jose Macias each get three hits. Gus Panagotacos drives in 2 runs for Greece, while Meleti Melehes takes the loss.
  • Roy Halladay gives up an uncharacteristic 3-run homer to Lance Berkman in the 1st inning, but the Phillies come back to beat the Cardinals, 11 - 6, in the opening game of their NLDS. The Phils score 5 runs in the 6th, on a three-run homer by Ryan Howard and a two-run shot by Raul Ibanez.
  • Texas bounces back from one game down and an early 3 - 0 deficit to beat Tampa Bay, 8 - 6, in the ALDS. The Rangers score 5 runs off James Shields in the bottom of the 4th, then hold on for the win, which goes to Derek Holland. The Series is even at one win apiece.
  • The suspended game in the opener of the other ALDS, between Detroit and New York, resumes with the score tied 1 - 1 in the middle of the 2nd inning. Doug Fister and Ivan Nova take over on the mound and the Yankees break through for a run in the 5th and 6 in the 6th to take a 9 - 3 win. Robinson Cano drives in 6 runs, including a grand slam off Al Alburquerque in New York's big inning.
  • The Brewers defeat Arizona, 4 - 1, in the opening game of the NLDS. Yovani Gallardo gives up only one run in 8 innings, then Prince Fielder hits a two-run homer off Ian Kennedy in the 7th inning to give the Brewers a comfortable cushion. John Axford pitches the 9th inning for the save.
• 2012:
  • The Nationals are shut out by Philadelphia, 2 - 0, but still clinch their first NL East title since their move to Washington, DC in 2005 when the Braves lose to the Pirates, 2 - 1.
  • The Athletics crown an improbable playoff run by defeating the Rangers, 4 - 3. securing at least a wild card spot in the American League. They can still win the AL West crown if they defeat the Rangers in their last three games. The Athletics had traded away two All-Star starters during the offseason, then lost their only three experienced starting pitchers - Bartolo Colon, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson - during the season, going with an all-rookie starting rotation during an 8-4 run that clinched the playoff slot.
  • The champagne also flows in Kansas City, MO, where the Tigers defeat the Royals, 6 - 3, to clinch the AL Central title. Miguel Cabrera hits his 44th home run in the game. In deference to their star slugger, who is leading the AL in all three triple crown categories but who has had trouble with alcohol abuse in the past, the Tigers choose to celebrate with an alcohol-free bubbly.

[edit] Births

• 1849 - Steve Bellan, infielder (d. 1932)
• 1868 - Frank Motz, infielder (d. 1944)
• 1869 - Huyler Westervelt, pitcher (d. 1949)
• 1877 - Jim Hackett, infielder (d. 1961)
• 1884 - Ed Zmich, pitcher (d. 1950)
• 1889 - Dutch Sterrett, outfielder (d. 1965)
• 1894 - Ray Kolp, pitcher (d. 1967)
• 1894 - Duster Mails, pitcher (d. 1974)
• 1895 - Carmen Hill, pitcher (d. 1990)
• 1895 - Roy Johnson, pitcher, manager (d. 1986)
• 1901 - Jimmie Reese, infielder (d. 1994)
• 1918 - Jim Russell, outfielder (d. 1987)
• 1919 - Bob Boyd, infielder (d. 2004)
• 1919 - Barney Mussill, pitcher (d. 2013)
• 1919 - Eddie Zydowsky, minor league player (d. 1999)
• 1924 - Betty Russell, AAGPBL player
• 1925 - Jim Wilkes, Negro League outfielder (d. 2008)
• 1928 - Hal Naragon, catcher
• 1931 - Fred Kipp, pitcher
• 1932 - Luigi Cameroni, Serie A1 catcher and manager; Italian Baseball Hall of Fame (d. 2006)
• 1934 - Chuck Hiller, infielder (d. 2004)
• 1937 - Alan Brice, pitcher
• 1943 - Robert Slater, author
• 1945 - Rod Carew, infielder; All-Star, Hall of Famer
• 1946 - Remy Hermoso, infielder
• 1946 - Jon Warden, pitcher
• 1947 - Buzz Capra, pitcher; All-Star
• 1948 - Bill Bonham, pitcher
• 1951 - Ken Pape, infielder
• 1952 - Marty Maier, scout
• 1952 - Jun Misawa, NPB pitcher
• 1952 - Bob Myrick, pitcher (d. 2012)
• 1953 - Pete Falcone, pitcher
• 1955 - Jeff Reardon, pitcher; All-Star
• 1956 - Vance Law, infielder; All-Star
• 1958 - Dennis Noonan, minor league trainer
• 1960 - Bum-hyun Cho, KBO catcher and manager
• 1962 - Darin Cloninger, minor league pitcher
• 1963 - Adulfo Camacho, minor league infielder and manager
• 1963 - Mark McGwire, infielder; All-Star
• 1964 - Roberto Kelly, outfielder; All-Star
• 1965 - Francisco Despaigne, Cuban league pitcher
• 1967 - Chuck McElroy, pitcher
• 1968 - Jeff Patterson, pitcher
• 1970 - Massimo Ciaramella, Serie A1 infielder
• 1971 - Jeff Motuzas, minor league catcher
• 1972 - Teddy Warrecker, minor league player
• 1973 - John Thomson, pitcher
• 1975 - Marvin Jonathan, South African national team outfielder
• 1975 - Brandon Knight, pitcher
• 1975 - Tomáš Svoboda, Extraliga infielder
• 1980 - Chad Orvella, pitcher
• 1983 - Jacobo Meque, minor league pitcher
• 1984 - Matt Cain, pitcher; All-Star
• 1984 - Chris Johnson, infielder
• 1984 - Tim Karkatselos, Bundesliga pitcher
• 1985 - Mitch Atkins, pitcher
• 1985 - Alex Caldera, minor league pitcher
• 1985 - Darren Ford, outfielder
• 1985 - Jeremy Horst, pitcher
• 1985 - Roberto Lopez, minor league outfielder
• 1986 - Aaron Poreda, pitcher
• 1986 - Jonathan Saavedra, minor league outfielder
• 1987 - Jason Jarvis, minor league pitcher
• 1987 - Erik Komatsu, outfielder
• 1988 - Jamie Lekas, Greek national team infielder
• 1992 - Jair Bogaerts, minor league infielder
• 1992 - Xander Bogaerts, minor league infielder
• 1994 - Wuilmer Becerra, minor league outfielder

[edit] Deaths

• 1877 - Ed Somerville, infielder (b. 1853)
• 1890 - Pete Donnelly, outfielder (b. 1849)
• 1901 - Chappy Lane, infielder
• 1911 - Leo Hafford, pitcher (b. 1883)
• 1912 - Bill Boyd, infielder, manager (b. 1852)
• 1929 - Lee Richmond, pitcher (b. 1857)
• 1936 - George Huff, manager (b. 1872)
• 1937 - Mickey Devine, catcher (b. 1892)
• 1947 - Hub Northen, outfielder (b. 1885)
• 1948 - Lew Camp, infielder (b. 1868)
• 1949 - Eddie Kolb, pitcher (b. 1880)
• 1950 - Red Howell, pinch hitter (b. 1909)
• 1975 - Larry MacPhail Hall of Famer (b. 1890)
• 1977 - Pat Patterson, infielder (b. 1901)
• 1978 - Abe White, pitcher (b. 1904)
• 1980 - Pat Veltman, catcher (b. 1906)
• 1984 - Walter Alston, infielder, manager; Hall of Famer (b. 1911)
• 1984 - Billy Goodman, infielder; All-Star (b. 1926)
• 1985 - Barney Brown, Negro League pitcher (b. 1907)
• 2000 - Charlie Brewster, infielder (b. 1916)
• 2002 - Rob Garibaldi, drafted outfielder (b. ????)
• 2005 - Tom Clyde, pitcher (b. 1923)
• 2005 - Pete Jonas, minor league pitcher (b. 1916)
• 2011 - Johnny Schmitz, pitcher; All-Star (b. 1920)
• 2011 - Bill Tosheff, minor league pitcher (b. 1926)