Baseball History Today: October 1st
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Injuries completely derailed Chris Carpenter’s 2013 season before it began and have continued to offer linger questions about whether or not he’ll actually throw a pitch in the Major Leagues again. Carpenter’s had some great moments and strong seasons during his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, despite missing this past season, but perhaps one of his fondest might be one that took place four years ago today.
Carpenter made his final start of the 2009 season on this date. He’d throw five scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds, giving up just three hits and a walk while striking out six. St. Louis would blowout the Reds that afternoon, by a 13-0 final score. The win would push Carpenter’s record to 17-4 on the year, the second highest win total of his career, and would cap off what would arguably be one of the best seasons of Carpenter’s career.
Perhaps more notable about the game, however, was what Carpenter accomplished at the plate. He went 2 for 3 on the day. He hit a grand slam in the 1st inning (the first of his career, by the way) off of Reds starter Kip Wells. He’d later add a two-run double in the 3rd, against reliever Micah Owings.
Elsewhere in baseball history today:
2004 – Ichiro Suzuki passes George Sisler’s single season hits record, which had stood for 84 years. He’d still have a pair of games remaining on the schedule after this one. He’d finish with 262 hits.
1989 – Strong efforts on the final day of the regular season were necessary, but Kirby Puckett and Tony Gwynn each won batting titles in their respective leagues. Puckett went 2 for 5, edging out Carney Lansford in the AL. Gwynn went 3 for 4 to surpass Will Clark in the NL.
1980 – Don Zimmer was fired by the Boston Red Sox. He’d continue to work in baseball for another 30 years.
1961 – Roger Maris hits his 61st home run of the season, eclipsing Babe Ruth’s single season home run record. Tracy Stallard of the Boston Red Sox was the pitcher who had given up the home run at Yankee Stadium. New York won the game 1-0.
Notable MLB Births
Rod Carew (1945)
Mark McGwire (1963)
Xander Bogaerts (1992)
For more on the vast baseball history of October 1st, be sure to check out the fabulous Baseball Reference Bullpen.