Baseball History Today: October 26th

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Going with some World Series flavor today. Seems appropriate.

2005 – The Chicago White Sox finish off a sweep of the Houston Astros by winning Game 4 of the World Series, 1 – 0. Jermaine Dye accounts for the game’s only run when he connects for an RBI single off Brad Lidge in the 8th. Pitcher Freddy Garcia (pictured above) becomes the first Venezuelan starter to notch a World Series win. The White Sox earn their first World Championship since 1917.

2000 – The New York Yankees win their third consecutive World Series, their fourth title in five years, and record their 26th World championship, by defeating the Mets, 4 – 2, in Game 5. Luis Sojo‘s delivers a 9th-inning two-out, tie-breaking single off Al Leiter for the winners. Derek Jeter becomes the first player to win the All-Star Game MVP and the Series MVP honors in the same season. Manager Joe Torre becomes only the fifth manager to win four World Series titles. The others: Hall of Famers Joe McCarthy (7), Casey Stengel (7), Connie Mack (5) and Walter Alston (4).

1997 – A thrilling World Series Game 7 ends when Edgar Renteria singles with two outs in the bottom of the 11th to deliver the Florida Marlins their first World championship. The 3 – 2 victory comes against the Cleveland Indians, and the Marlins become the youngest expansion team to capture the Fall Classic. There are only five years old.

1996 – The New York Yankees clinch WS #23 by defeating the Atlanta Braves, 3 – 2, in Game 6. Joe Girardi hits a RBI triple to key a three-run rally against Greg Maddux.

1985 – Two words: Don Denkinger.

But there’s also these noteworthy items…

2011 – A new regime in Chicago continues to take shape as Cubs President Theo Epstein tabs Jed Hoyer, who worked with Epstein with the Boston Red Sox, as the Cubs new general manager. Hoyer had held a position with the San Diego Padres prior to the Epstein appointment.

1982 – Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton becomes the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards. The 37-year-old lefty led the National League in wins (23), innings pitched (295.2), strikeouts (286) and shutouts (6). Carlton’s previous wins came in 1972, 1977 and 1980.

Notable Birthdays:

Mike Hargrove (1949)
Steve Rogers (1949)
Francisco Liriano (1983)