Gehrig Clears the Bases

Gehrig Clears the Bases (1925)

Lou Gehrig was 22 and in his first season as a regular. The Yankees trailed Washington 6 to 5 in the seventh when Aaron Ward and Babe Ruth walked and Bob Meusel took a pitch off the ribs. Gehrig came up with the bases full and drove one down the left-field line and into the seats. It was the first of 23, a number that stood as the major league record for 88 years. He went 3 for 4 with seven RBIs. New York won 11 to 7.

The Highest Compliment in Baseball (1944)

Bill Nicholson hit three home runs in the opener of a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds and a fourth in the nightcap. In the eighth, with the Giants up 10 to 7, the bases loaded and nobody out, Mel Ott decided he would rather hand over a run than find out. He ordered the intentional walk, one of only a handful ever issued with the bases loaded. It did not work. Chicago tied it that inning, then the Giants scored twice in the bottom half and won 12 to 10 anyway.

Two Pitchers, One Number (1991)

Nolan Ryan was 44. Goose Gossage had just turned 40. On a Tuesday night in Arlington they combined to beat Boston 5 to 4, and Ryan had his 308th career win while Gossage had his 308th career save. It was Gossage's first save in nearly two years. Ryan also made his 545th straight start without ever coming out of the bullpen, passing Steve Carlton. He had not relieved since 1974.

Death of a Uniform (2016)

The White Sox planned a throwback night around the collared 1976 jerseys, a Bill Veeck creation and the only big league jersey ever meant to be worn untucked. Chris Sale, that night's starter, said they were uncomfortable and that the club was chasing merchandise instead of wins. When nobody listened, he cut them up. Chicago scratched him two hours before first pitch, sent him home, wore the 1983 uniforms instead, and gave Matt Albers his first start in eight years. Sale got five days for destroying team equipment.