Baseball History (10/6)

Complete Entry for October 6 is at BaseballLibrary.com HERE.

A few highlighted entries today:

1945

Tavern owner "Billy Goat" Sianis buys a box seat for his goat for the 4th game of the WS and is escorted out of Wrigley Field. In retaliation Sianis casts a "goat curse" over the Cubs. The Tigers tie the series on Dizzy Trout's 5-hit 4-1 win. Detroit scores all its runs in the 4th, with Hank Greenberg, Roy Cullenbine, Paul Richards, and a force-out scoring the runners.

Why didn't they just let the damn goat watch the game?!?! I'll let the damn goat on this site. Will that help?

Photo Credit: The Sports Frog

1957
With the score tied at 5-5, Eddie Mathews of the Braves evens the WS at 2 games with a 2-run HR in the bottom of the 10th. In the WS first famous "shoeblack incident," pinch hitter Nippy Jones convinces umpire Augie Donatelli that Tommy Byrne's pitch-hit him on the foot.

Remember, kids. Always have plenty of polish on your shoes.

1980
The Astros finally win, whipping the Dodgers 7–1 in a one-game playoff at Dodger Stadium. Art Howe drives in four runs with a home run and two singles and Joe Niekro wins his 20th game of the season to put Houston in the post-season for the first time since entering the major leagues in 1962.

This is memorable to me for the following reason: It started at 3:00pm Central. St. Thomas let out at 2:30 and I rushed the two blocks home only to find that the key wasn't in its normal spot. I had to break in through a window (No glass was broken. I lifted a screen to get through an open window).

1984
Steve Garvey's 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning gives San Diego a 7–5 win over Chicago and evens the NLCS at 2–2.

What is it about October 6 and the Cubs?

1985
Phil Niekro finally wins his 300th career game 8–0 over the Blue Jays on the final day of the regular season. He allows four hits in the CG win. At 46, he is the oldest hurler ever to pitch a complete-game shutout.

Give Roger Clemens a few more years...When the Astros pay him $10,000,000 to pitch one game in September.