How did your team fare the day you were born?

**runningshoes** · 11-10-2005, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by driver62

What did the Reds do on July 16, 1941?

Giants won the game 7-4, but the Reds came back to win 10 of their next 13 against the Giants, Dodgers, Phillies and Braves.

Elmer Riddle led the league with a 2.24 ERA and Johnny Vander Meer took the strike out crown with 202. Vander Meer, of course, pitched back to back no hitters in 1938 one happening at the first night game at Ebbet's Field. in Brooklyn. He also pitched the longest 0-0 tie in baseball history. If anyone knows when and who this was against, can you please let us know?

The Reds finished the season at 88-66, good enough for third place, 12 games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers.

This is Vander Meer's 1949 Bowman card.

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by Aa3rt

July 1st, 1953-the ORIGINAL Washington Senators, enroute to a 76-76 record and 5th place finish, defeat the Philadelphia Athletics in Philly by the score of 5-3.

If someone would like to post any additional information, I'd be most appreciative.

The box score for this game is not readily available, but here is some info about the 1953 Washington Senators.

Mickey Vernon led the American league in batting average at .337 and doubles with 43. A bit of an iron man himself, Vernon retired having played more games than anyone at first base with 2,237. Dwight Eisenhower had a penchant for Vernon; he was the president's favourite player.

Pitcher Bob Porterfield Finished with a league high 22 wins, one shy of Robin Roberts and Warren Spahn in the National League.

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by Chisox

Hey! Change the date to 41 years later and you have my b-day?
Of course, you realize that was the last day of Joe Ds hit streak? (at least ended in-tact)

And on that fateful day Chisox, your 2005 World Champion White Sox were in the midst of five game sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Five games you say, Troy?

Yes it was five games. The previous day, the Sox had lost a doubleheader. The next day, while you were wondering who had turned on all the lights, Paul Molitor, Phil Gantner, Ted Simmons, Moose Haus and Rollie Fingers were busy giving it to Jerry Koosman and the White Sox. Robin Yount, who went hitless this day, was held to only five hits in the series.

La Marr Hoyt, seen here in his 1984 Topps card, helped the White Sox to a third place finish in the American League West, six games behind the California Angels with his league leading 19 wins.

Twenty three years later, the Baseball Gods smiled on you.

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by leecemark

--Too lazy to check out how the game turned out that day (Sept 20, 1959), but it was the waning days of a disappointing season in a disappointing decade for the Tigers. They did have some individual heros, with Harvey Kuenn winning the batting title, Al Kaline leading the league in slugging and Eddie Yost in runs.

Here's Harvey Kuenn's 1959 Topps card

**Ursa Major** · 11-11-2005, 02:35 AM

Well, on my birthday of October 1, 1955 (yep, I'm that old, my dear Giants, then in New York, had completed the season (only 154 games then) a week earlier, and presumably they were finishing packing to go their off-season homes and jobs. (Yeah, players' paltry salaries required 'em to do that.) The bigger news everywhere on my birthday was that young actor James Dean had died in an auto accident the previous day.

The Giants had stumbled through a lumbering, middle of the pack season, burdened by old timers who didn't have it the way they did back in the 1951 hey day (like Sal Maglie and Al Dark), or newcomers who weren't quite there yet (Johnny Antonelli) or never would bes. This year was also Leo "The Lip" Durocher's last as the Giants' skipper. The still had two more desultory years left in New York, before they would move to the West Coast and pick up in short order such future HOFers as Cepeda, McCovey and Marichal.

But, they had Willie Mays, who led the team in every significant offensive category -- highlighted by his 51 home runs to go with his .319 batting average and 127 home runs. In a way, 1955 truly was his break-out year, showing the baseball world that he had that fifth "tool" -- power -- to go along with his fielding, throwing, baserunning, and hitting for average.

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by Ursa Major

But, they had Willie Mays, who led the team in every significant offensive category -- highlighted by his 51 home runs to go with his .319 batting average and 127 home runs. In a way, 1955 truly was his break-out year, showing the baseball world that he had that fifth "tool" -- power -- to go along with his fielding, throwing, baserunning, and hitting for average.

Nice post.

Here's Willie's 1955 Topps card.

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 05:41 AM

Originally Posted by RuthMayBond

Maybe, but when you were four days old, commish Ueberroth announced that Pete Rose was under investigation

I guess they get baseball cards too.

**RuthMayBond** · 11-11-2005, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by ElCaminoSS

Damn!! Why did I have to be born in the offseason!!!

One day before you were born, the Hall of Fame board said that Rose is ineligible as long as he is banned from baseball

**RuthMayBond** · 11-11-2005, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by DownUnderDodger

Please elaborate RMB.
I note they defeated the Pirates 11-10 in bottom of 11th, the middle game of a 3 game sweep, at Dodgers Stadium in front of 44,032 spectators, but that was about all I could find out!.

Supposedly, the Pirates catcher fielded a ball WITH HIS MASK. This gave the batter-runner two bases and probably was the difference in the game.

**RuthMayBond** · 11-11-2005, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by Bklyn Boy since 1936

I really don't know what my team did on April 22, 1936, Troy. My eyes were closed, there was no radio in the room and TV hadn't been invented yet. I didn't develop into a BROOKLYN DODGERS fan for several days after the day I was born.

(LA) Dodger Ron Perranoski was born three weeks before you. Brooklyn Dodger Eddie Morgan (who was not a Dodger at the time) hit a HR on the 1st ML pitch he saw (was supposedly also the 1st to hit a pinch-HR in his 1st ML AB) eight days before you were born. Brooklyn's Ben Geraghty reached on catcher's interference twice in one game when you were four days old. I guess you were "born" to be a Dodger fan

**RuthMayBond** · 11-11-2005, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by Clockwork

My dad and my older sister were at the Phillies game when my Mom went into labor. It was the Philly Phanatics birthday. April 26, 1987.

Former Phillie Steve Carlton joined Phil Niekro to have two 300-G winners throw for the same team (Indians) in the same game 17 days before you were born.
Mike Schmidt hit his 500th HR eight days before you were born - it was a three-run shot in the 9th that was the game-winner.

**RuthMayBond** · 11-11-2005, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by Ursa Major

Well, on my birthday of October 1, 1955 (yep, I'm that old, my dear Giants, then in New York, had completed the season (only 154 games then) a week earlier.

Eleven days before you were born, Willie Mays hit home runs off Vern Law in BOTH

games of a twinbill

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by RuthMayBond

Former Phillie Steve Carlton joined Phil Niekro to have two 300-G winners throw for the same team (Indians) in the same game 17 days before you were born.
Mike Schmidt hit his 500th HR eight days before you were born - it was a three-run shot in the 9th that was the game-winner.

Can't find a pic of Steve with the Indians, so you'll have to settle for this.......

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by RuthMayBond

Eleven days before you were born, Willie Mays hit home runs off Vern Law in BOTH

games of a twinbill

Vern's 1952 Bowman card.

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by RuthMayBond

(LA) Dodger Ron Perranoski was born three weeks before you. Brooklyn Dodger Eddie Morgan (who was not a Dodger at the time) hit a HR on the 1st ML pitch he saw (was supposedly also the 1st to hit a pinch-HR in his 1st ML AB) eight days before you were born. Brooklyn's Ben Geraghty reached on catcher's interference twice in one game when you were four days old. I guess you were "born" to be a Dodger fan

Eddie Morgan 1933 Goudy.

**ballparks** · 11-11-2005, 09:22 AM

Born in Toronto, Canada.

With the birth of Canada's greatest fan, the executives of Labatt's and other Canadian based corporations realized that there was a conspicuous absence of a baseball team in Toronto. One would be needed to provide for the newborn child a baseball atmosphere in which he could grow up.

Within four years, the hometown Blue Jays were on the field at Exhibition Stadium. That's fine, as I wouldn't have remembered anything before that age anyways!!

Since I root for the home team wherever I am, the Blue Jays were my first 'team'. My current favs however are the Cardinals, as I lived in St. Louis for 5 years before returning to Canada. They won a 2-0 contest over the Dodgers behind the pitching of Rick Wise.

**Chris from NY** · 11-11-2005, 09:28 AM

Well as my luck would have it the Blue Jays were idle on April 5, 1988; better known as the day I was born. But they staret off that year by taking 2 of 3 from the Royals. A week later the Jays would pound the Yankees 17 - 9 in the second to last home opener played at Exibition Stadium before they moved to Skydome/ Rogers Centre.

**RuthMayBond** · 11-11-2005, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by ballparks

Born in Toronto, Canada.

With the birth of Canada's greatest fan, the executives of Labatt's and other Canadian based corporations realized that there was a conspicuous absence of a baseball team in Toronto. One would be needed to provide for the newborn child a baseball atmosphere in which he could grow up.

Within four years, the hometown Blue Jays were on the field at Exhibition Stadium. That's fine, as I wouldn't have remembered anything before that age anyways!!

Since I root for the home team wherever I am, the Blue Jays were my first 'team'. My current favs however are the Cardinals, as I lived in St. Louis for 5 years before returning to Canada. They won a 2-0 contest over the Dodgers behind the pitching of Rick Wise.

Either that, or you caused the DH eighteen days before you were born. Six days after you were born NO GAMES were scheduled that day.

**RuthMayBond** · 11-11-2005, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Chris from NY

Well as my luck would have it the Blue Jays were idle on April 5, 1988; better known as the day I was born. But they staret off that year by taking 2 of 3 from the Royals. A week later the Jays would pound the Yankees 17 - 9 in the second to last home opener played at Exibition Stadium before they moved to Skydome/ Rogers Centre.

I thought George Bell hit his three Opening Day HRs in anticipation of your arrival the next day

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by RuthMayBond

I thought George Bell hit his three Opening Day HRs in anticipation of your arrival the next day

Here's George Bell in his 1987 Topps card gearing up for your arrival, Chris.

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by ballparks

Born in Toronto, Canada.

With the birth of Canada's greatest fan, the executives of Labatt's and other Canadian based corporations realized that there was a conspicuous absence of a baseball team in Toronto. One would be needed to provide for the newborn child a baseball atmosphere in which he could grow up.

Within four years, the hometown Blue Jays were on the field at Exhibition Stadium. That's fine, as I wouldn't have remembered anything before that age anyways!!

Since I root for the home team wherever I am, the Blue Jays were my first 'team'. My current favs however are the Cardinals, as I lived in St. Louis for 5 years before returning to Canada. They won a 2-0 contest over the Dodgers behind the pitching of Rick Wise.

The Blue Jays may not have been around when you were born, but construction of this beauty started in 1973....

**Chris from NY** · 11-11-2005, 10:28 AM

You can see it in his eyes. He knew I was coming and he wanted to hit a couple extra Home Runs to make up for the ones he wouldn't be able to hit the next day.

**runningshoes** · 11-11-2005, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Chris from NY

You can see it in his eyes. He knew I was coming and he wanted to hit a couple extra Home Runs to make up for the ones he wouldn't be able to hit the next day.

Nah, that's the photagrapher's wife he's looking at.

**Chris from NY** · 11-11-2005, 10:39 AM

Good point, had those eyes had anything to do with me he would have been grinning from ear to ear!

**ballparks** · 11-11-2005, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by runningshoes53

The Blue Jays may not have been around when you were born, but construction of this beauty started in 1973....

On Feb 6th, just 2 1/2 months before! After SkyDome was built, they were joking that they would build another SkyDome on the other side of the tower as a lasting tribute to Pierre Trudeau!!!