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So let’s get the show going, starting with memorable historical moments that happened this week
This Week’s Memorable Moments:
September 18, 1992: A Fan Wins the Game for the Yankees
(note: watching this clip re-broke my heart as a Red Sox fan)
In this game at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees were trailing the Boston Red Sox by a score of 3-1 in the ninth inning. The Yankees had a runner on base, and Mike Stanley was at bat. He hit a lazy fly to left field to end the game. But wait!
Umpire Tim Welke signaled a time out on the field during the play because a fan ran onto the field. Security personnel removed the individual, and Welke announced the previous pitch had been nullified as a result. The previous sure-fire out no longer counted.
After that delay caused by the fan's interference, the Yankees managed to rally for three runs in the inning, taking a 4-3 lead over the Red Sox. This late-game surge ultimately led to the New York winning the game.
The Boston Red Sox protested the outcome of the game due to the fan interference incident, arguing that the interruption had disrupted the game's flow and unfairly benefited the Yankees. However, their protest was not successful, and the game's result stood.
September 19, 1993: Tom Glavine Hits the 20-Win Mark for the 3rd Straight Season
Tom Glavine achieved a notable milestone in his career as a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. He became the first National League pitcher in twenty years to win twenty or more games in three consecutive seasons. The last pitcher to accomplish this feat in the National League before Glavine was Fergie Jenkins, who played for the Chicago Cubs.
Tom Glavine was a key part of the Braves' pitching rotation during the 1990s, and his contributions helped the team achieve success, including multiple playoff appearances and a World Series victory in 1995. His career in Major League Baseball is highly regarded, and he eventually earned a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame for his outstanding accomplishments as a pitcher.
September 20, 1988: Boggs Knocks his 200th Hit for the 6th Season in a Row
Wade Boggs, a standout player for the Boston Red Sox, achieved a remarkable milestone in his career. He became the first player in the 20th century to record 200 hits in six consecutive seasons. This achievement is a testament to Boggs' consistency and ability to consistently make contact with the baseball, qualities highly valued in baseball.
In addition to his 200-hit streak, the 1988 season was notable for Boggs as he joined an exclusive club by becoming only the second player in baseball history to achieve both 200 hits and 100 walks in three consecutive seasons. The legendary Lou Gehrig, who played for the New York Yankees, was the other player to achieve this feat.
September 21, 1922: The MVP Award is Revived by the American League
A significant development occurred in Major League Baseball when the American League reinstated the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. This award had not been presented since 1914, and its reintroduction marked a significant recognition of outstanding individual performance in the league.
A committee was established to administer the MVP award, consisting of one writer from each city with an American League team. These writers were tasked with evaluating players' performance throughout the season and determining the most valuable player in the league.
In the inaugural year of the reinstated MVP award, the honor went to George Sisler. George Sisler was a highly talented first baseman who played for the St. Louis Browns, an American League team (the franchise is now known as the Baltimore Orioles). Sisler was known for his exceptional hitting and fielding abilities, and his outstanding performance in the 1922 season earned him the distinction of being the first recipient of the newly reinstated MVP award.
This move by the American League to recognize and celebrate the league's most valuable player was a significant step in the history of baseball awards. It helped highlight the individual achievements of players. The National League followed suit two years later, establishing its own MVP award to honor the top player in that league.
September 22, 1985: A Bar Fight Leads to a Broken Arm for an MLB Manager
On this date, a highly publicized incident occurred involving Billy Martin, the manager of the New York Yankees at the time, and his pitcher, Ed Whitson.
The series of events began when Billy Martin got into a confrontation with a patron at the bar of the hotel the Yankees were staying at for a series against Baltimore. The previous night, Martin had been involved in an altercation with the same patron, drawing attention and leading to tension within the team.
In the early hours of September 22, 1985, tensions escalated further when Ed Whitson, one of the Yankees' pitchers, got into a physical altercation with Billy Martin at the same bar. The altercation resulted in Martin suffering a broken arm, which was a significant and unfortunate injury.
This incident made headlines in the sports world and added to the already tumultuous and drama-filled career of Billy Martin, who had multiple stints as the Yankees' manager. It's worth noting that Billy Martin was known for his fiery personality and had a history of confrontations and disagreements, both on and off the field.
September 23, 1978: An Angels Outfielder is Killed by Shotgun Blast
On this day, a tragic and deeply saddening incident occurred involving Lyman Bostock, a talented 27-year-old outfielder for the then-named California Angels. Bostock, known for his impressive career as a .311 lifetime hitter, lost his life due to a senseless act of violence.
On that fateful day, while Bostock was riding in a car in Gary, Indiana, a shotgun blast was fired at the vehicle. Tragically, the shot was not intended for him but for one of the other passengers in the vehicle. Bostock was struck by the gunshot, killing him instead.
Lyman Bostock was considered one of the rising stars in Major League Baseball at the time, known for his skills and promising career. His untimely death shocked the baseball community and fans alike.
September 24, 1985: Andre Dawson Hits 3 HR’s in One Game
Expos outfielder Andre Dawson slugs three home runs, including a pair of three-run shots in a 12-run fifth inning, to lead Montreal to a wild 17-15 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Dawson joins Willie McCovey as the only player to hit two home runs in one inning on two occasions.
This Week in Baseball History: September 18-24