Baseball History Today: October 2nd

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

No one would argue that the Atlanta Braves didn’t exactly get their money’s worth when it comes to B.J. Upton‘s production for this season. Producing a triple slash of .184/.268/.289 isn’t what you expect from a guy that signed a five-year, $75 million deal.

But what Upton did in 2009 etched his name in Tampa Bay Rats lore. Upton hit for the first cycle in Tampa Bay history. Now overly impressed? The opponent was the New York Yankees. Still not? CC Sabathia, looking for his 20th win, was the starter.

Here’s how Upton’s game went…

Bottom of the 1st: Bases loaded and Upton takes Sabathia’s first offering and laces it into the right field gap. Upton’s triple clears the bases and adds to the Rays lead, now at 4-0.

Bottom of the 3rd: This time, Upton takes a few pitches. Fourth pitch results in a double into the left field gap. He would later score on a single by Fernando Perez. His run would push the score to 5-1 Rays. Sabathia would not make it out of the inning.

Bottom of the 4th: Jonathan Albaladejo is now in for the Yankees. Upton doesn’t seem to mind the change. On a full count, he deposits an Albaladejo pitch over the fence for a home run. With Gabe Kapler on board, Upton now has 5 RBI for the game.

Bottom of the 5th: Now the Yankees turn to David Robinson. The result is another hit from Upton, the single he needs for his cycle, and he completes in in 4 AB. With this single, Upton also collects his 6th RBI of the game as he once again drives in Kapler.

Upton would also add another single in the 8th. For the game, he goes 5-for-5 with 6 RBI and scored 3 runs.

2004 – The Montreal Expos earn the lst win as the Expos by beating the New York Mets, 6-3.THe final Expo home run also came in this game. Brad Wilkerson had the honor.

1978 – All I have to say is two words: Bucky Dent. Of course, folks in Boston have a word they add. Dent’s unlikely home run leads the New York Yankees to 5-4 win over the Red Sox.

1968 – Bob Gibson hurls one of the most notable games in World Series history. Gibson whiffs 17 Detroit Tigers en route to a 4-0 Cardinals victory. The 17 strikeouts sets the World Series record.

1966 – Los Angeles Dodgers and baseball legend Sandy Koufax wins his final game, a 6-3 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies. It was also the 27th win on the season for Koufax. WIth the win, the Dodgers clinch the National League pennant.

Notable births for October 2nd:

Maury Wills (1932)

To read more about baseball history that occurred on October 2nd, check out the Baseball Reference Bullpen.