Anniversary

1893
100 YEARS AGO
October 14
In an attempt to increase offense, former player and manager Harry Wright suggests that umpires keep the ball-strike count secret until the at bat is concluded. Despite this, Wright, who managed the undefeated 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings and is credited with introducing the practice of one fielder's backing up another, will be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953.

1898
95 YEARS AGO
April 21
Phillie pitcher Bill Duggleby hits a grand slam in his first major league at bat—a feat never accomplished before or since.

1903
90 YEARS AGO
July 2
Washington outfielder Ed Delahanty, who has a .346 career average, has been unhappy playing for the Nationals and wants to join the Giants. After Washington refuses to release him, Delahanty walks out on the team and boards the Michigan Central No. 6 train traveling from Detroit to Buffalo. By the time the train arrives in Fort Erie, Ont., on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, Delahanty has downed several whiskies and is brandishing a razor and terrifying passengers. The conductor kicks him off the train, and Delahanty begins walking across the International Bridge, a drawbridge that—most of the time—spans the Niagara River. Unfortunately the bridge has opened for a passing ship on this night. Delahanty's body will be found a week later, below the Falls."

1908
85 YEARS AGO
September 23
Giant shortstop Al Bridwell singles in Moose McCormick from third base in the bottom of the ninth, giving New York what appears to be a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. Giant Fred Merkle (left), who was on first, retreats to the clubhouse to escape the swarming fans. In the pandemonium Chicago second baseman Johnny Evers, noticing that Merkle did not touch second base, retrieves a ball (not necessarily the ball) and tags second. Merkle is called out. When the game is replayed on Oct. 8, the Cubs win, giving them the pennant by one game over the Giants.

1918
75 YEARS AGO
April 7
In a Pacific Coast League game, Los Angeles Angel pitcher Doc Crandall is throwing a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth when, on a 1-and-2 count, Salt Lake City's Karl Crandall, Doc's brother, hits the ball between short and third for a base hit.

1923
70 YEARS AGO
October 16
Insurance agent—and Detroit Tiger outfielder—Harry Heilmann, who beat Babe Ruth for the batting title by 10 points, sells Ruth a $50,000 life-insurance policy.

1933
60 YEARS AGO
July 6
The American League, on a two-run homer by Babe Ruth, beats the National League 4-2 in the first All-Star Game, at Comiskey Park.

1938
55 YEARS AGO
June 15
Four days after throwing a no-hitter against Boston, Cincinnati pitcher Johnny Vander Meer (below) hurls a second one, beating the Dodgers 6-0 in the first night game at Ebbets Field.

1943
50 YEARS AGO
February 24
Their rosters ravaged by the war, teams advertise for players in The Spoiling News.

1948
45 YEARS AGO

June 13
The Yankees retire Babe Ruth's number 3 in the Babe's final appearance at Yankee Stadium.

June 20
Pittsburgh outfielder Ralph Kiner hits a home run. It is the eighth straight Sunday on which he has done so.

October 5
The Washington Homestead Grays beat the Birmingham Black Barons in the last Negro leagues World Series.

1953
40 YEARS AGO
January 21
Dizzy Dean and Al Simmons are elected to the Hall of Fame. Bill Terry finishes third, followed by Bill Dickey, Rabbit Maranville, Dazzy Vance and Ted Lyons. In his first year of eligibility, Joe DiMaggio comes in eighth.

1968
25 YEARS AGO
May 9
Oakland pitcher Cattish Hunter drives in all three runs as the A's beat the Twins 3-0. He also throws a perfect game.

1973
20 YEARS AGO
March 5
New York Yankee pitchers Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich arrive at spring training and announce that they have swapped wives, children and dogs.

1978
15 YEARS AGO
October 2
Yankee shortstop Bucky Dent hits the shot heard 'round New England: His three-run homer leads New York to a 5-4 win over the Red Sox in a one-game playoff for the American League East title.

1983
10 YEARS AGO
July 24
With two outs in the ninth, Kansas City third baseman George Brett hits a two-run homer to give the Royals a 5-4 lead over the Yankees. But when New York manager Billy Martin points out that the pine tar on Brett's bat exceeds the 18 inches allowed by the rules, the umpires call Brett out and the Yankees are awarded the win. League president Lee McPhail then overrules the umpires. The game is resumed on Aug. 18, and 16 pitches later the Royals are 5-4 winners.

ILLUSTRATION

EDWARD GOREY

ILLUSTRATION

JEFFREY FULVIMARI (INSURANCE POLICY)

ILLUSTRATION

ROBERT RISKO (DIAMAGGIO)

ILLUSTRATION

CAMPBELL LAIRD (RED SOCK)

PHOTO

CULVER PICTURES (MERKLE)

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AP (VANDEER MEER)

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THE SPORTING NEWS (AD)

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RALPH MORSE/LIFE (RUTH)

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RON RIESTERER (HUNTER)

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AP (PETERSON)

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NATIONAL BASEBALL LIBRARY (BAT)