The Pitcher Who Would Not Stop Scoring

The Pitcher Who Would Not Stop Scoring (1886)

Guy Hecker took the box for Louisville in a Sunday doubleheader nightcap and then beat Baltimore with his bat. He went 6 for 7 with three homers and crossed the plate seven times. That last number is the one that lasted. Nobody at any position has scored seven in a nine inning game since, and the man who did it was also the winning pitcher. Modern records credit him with the league's highest average that year, the only time a pitcher has led a major league in hitting.

Three Men, One Base (1926)

Brooklyn had the bases loaded in the seventh at Ebbets Field when Babe Herman drove one off the right field wall. Hank DeBerry scored the go ahead run. Dazzy Vance rounded third, thought better of it, and came back. Chick Fewster arrived from first at the same moment. Herman, watching the outfield instead of the play, slid in behind them. Beans Reardon gave Vance the bag and called the other two out. Herman spent the rest of his life reminding people the hit everybody laughed at won the game.

Thanks, Banks (1964)

Chicago gave Ernie Banks his own day at Wrigley Field, with Jack Brickhouse at the microphone, Little Leaguers ringed around the infield, and a scroll from the mayor. Banks thanked the fans and said he would never forget it. Then he batted fifth, went 0 for 3, and Pittsburgh beat the Cubs 5 to 4. Mr. Cub played 19 seasons and never once reached the postseason. He got a Saturday in August instead, and he took it gladly.

The Haircut (1991)

Don Mattingly was hitting .305 and wearing the captain's title when Stump Merrill benched him for refusing a haircut. The fine was $250, plus $100 for every additional day. New York beat Kansas City 5 to 1 with Kevin Maas at first base. Afterward Mattingly said he had asked to be traded in June and was asking again. He cut the hair, stayed a Yankee, and finished all 14 of his seasons in the pinstripes he had just been benched out of.