90SecondReCap

On this date in 1951, the Harlem Globetrotters staged a democracy showcase in West Berlin, in front of 75,000.

On this date in 1989, baseball fans woke up to news of Nolan Ryan’s 5000th K. Today, we highlight a SERIOUS banger of a cap from a first-time designer, as well as an achievement that'll NEVER be accomplished again.

On this date in 1989, Bart Giamatti banned Pete Rose for life. Did Charlie get Hustled?

On this date in 1929, umpire Cy Rigler’s ball and strike calls were broadcast to fans on the Polo Grounds’ PA system, 92 1/2 years before the crew chief’s voice was regularly heard in baseball stadiums.

On this date in 1951, The Rifleman hit his second—and final—Major League home run.

On this date in 1877, a Syracuse lad authored the first known no-hitter in minor league history.

On this date in 1983, Greg Luzinski hit his third Comiskey Park roof shot of the year—the most ever by one man in a single season.

On this date in 2001, the Cub who effectively created the Bleacher Bums died at the age of 57. Right field sucked in 1969, and right field sucks in 2024.

Today, we wish Ron Coomer a happy birthday, and celebrate multi-year contract extensions for him and his Hall of Fame partner Pat Hughes.

On this date in 1965, Casey Stengel retired, ending a 55-year pro baseball career that got its start in the very same outfield I once patrolled—76 years apart.

By many accounts the fastest pitcher EVER, Steve Dalkowski sadly never achieved his promise. On this date in 1957, Dalko had a typical outing, in his first year as a professional.

Today, we celebrate two Japanese game changers—NPB pitchers who each had a big effect on MLB, sixty years apart. Happy 31st birthday to Shota Imanaga, and happy 60th anniversary to Masanori Murakami, who made his Major League debut on this date in 1964–MLB’s first Japanese player.

On this date in 1965, Ernie Banks clubbed his 400th home run—driving in both of his Cub All-Star game teammates from that season, the ONLY time that Banks, Santo, and Williams made an All-Star team in the same year

Today, we remember Frenchy Uhalt—a man with a muy interesante connection to Roberto Clemente—who died on this date in 2004, at the age of 94.

On this date in 1908, Johnny Evers set the stage for Merkle’s Boner—baseball’s defining play in the first half of the 20th century—which would occur 19 days later.

On this date in 2005, Jimmy Buffett played the second-ever concert at The Friendly Confines. Or was it? And, we recount Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder telling a touching story about his childhood idol, Walter Payton.

On this date in 1930, Bubbles Hargrave played his final MLB game. Hargrave is best known for winning the 1926 NL batting championship—in DECEMBER.

Today, we remember a man who traded coal for a diamond, who made his MLB debut on this date in 1931.

Claral Gillenwater’s cup of coffee ran dry on this date in 1923.

On this date in 1977, Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell made their Major League debuts.

Today, we honor Chet Lemon—All-Star, World Series Champion, youth sports benefactor, and all-around good dude, who’s been dealt a lousy hand, but he’s somehow still smiling.

After 9/11, baseball helped America smile again, however briefly. Today, we send smiles and happy birthday wishes to Eduardo Perez, a man around the game literally since birth, one who continues to share his expertise with the public each and every week.

Former Detroit Tiger Ole Olsen—one-time conquerer of Babe Ruth—was born on this date in 1894–and died on this date in 1980.

Henry Chadwick—The Father of Baseball—was elected to the Hall of Fame on this date in 1938.

The Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano threw MLB’s first-ever neutral site no-hitter, defeating the Astros 5-0, on this date in 2008.