Reggie Jackson
Henry Aaron hits his first All Star Game home run, but in a losing effort as the AL ends its’ 8 game losing streak 6-4 in Tiger Stadium. The game featured home runs by six future Hall of Famers highlighted by a Reggie Jackson moonshot off of the rightfield roof light tower. Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Johhny Bench and Roberto Clemente also went deep.
Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb plays second base for the Detroit Tigers in a 16-9 loss to the Athletics. He commits three errors in five chances, prompting E.A. Batchelor of the Detroit Free Press describe Cobb as “the worst second baseman living or dead.”
Nolan Ryan
Houston Astros starter Nolan Ryan strikes out Danny Heep of the New York Mets for his 4000th strikeout. Ryan is the first player in history to reach that milestone. In defeating the Mets 4-3, he strikes out 11 in eight innings.
Milt Gaston
Milt Gaston of the Washington Senators throws an unlikely shutout against the Cleveland Indians. Gaston gives up 14 hits, including two doubles and a triple, and two walks in shutting down the Indians 9-0.
John Smoltz
The NL defeats the AL in the 1996 All-Star Game 6-0. John Smoltz gets the win and both Ken Caminiti and Mike Piazza homer. The NL has not beat the AL since.
Jim Ray Hart
Jim Ray Hart of the San Francisco Giants becomes the first player since Frank Merkle in 1911 to drive in 6 runs in an inning. Hart hit for the cycle as the Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves 13-0.
Shirley Povich with Shoeless Joe Jackson
Shirley Povich, sports editor for the Washington Post, is listed in Who’s Who in American WOMEN. It reprints HIS biography from Who’s Who in America, including that he is married to Ethel Friedman.
Johnny Callison
Johnny Callison hits a three run home run in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the AL 7-4 in the All Star Game at Shea Stadium.
Andre Dawson
Andre Dawson is hit in the face by a pitch from Eric Show of the San Diego Padres. The incident incites a brawl and requires Dawson to get 24 stitches.
New York Lincoln Giants
The first Negro League game is played at Yankee Stadium drawing a crowd of 20,000. The New York Lincoln Giants split a doubleheader with the Baltimore Black Sox.
Fairball 