July 4th, 1964: Baltimore Orioles Host the Kansas City Athletics In A Rare Game

The Baltimore Orioles game of July 4th, 1964 against the Kansas City Athletics was one that is notable – because there was no winner.

There will be many stories of famous games from the 4th of July today. Just last season, MLB hosted a game on a military base on the 3rd. New York Yankees starter Dave Righetti threw a no-hitter in 1983. However, the Baltimore Orioles may have claim to the oddest result in a July 4th game in history.

Because of their proximity to the nation’s capital, perhaps, or because of tremendous patriotism within the community, Baltimore’s Memorial Park had been a location to go for fireworks. The displays were lengthy and drew sell out crowds, even when there was not a ball game ahead of the display.

The display got to be such an event that prominent politicians and speakers would be brought in to deliver rousing talks ahead of the fireworks. This is what led to the eventual issue of 1964.

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In 1963, the speakers had gone on and on, such to the point where the Baltimore mayor stood up to speak and was boo’d off the stage. That led to a limit in speeches and actually a time limit on the game – no inning was to start after 8:15 PM.

The Orioles and A’s could not have been more different that season. The Orioles at the time were in first place, competing for the American League crown. The A’s were in 9th place at the time, en route to a 105-loss team where they’d finish in last place in the AL.

The game was played to a 6-6 tie when the game was called. Boog Powell had hit a home run for the Orioles, while Manny Jimenez hit 3 home runs for the Athletics as part of a 4-4 day with 5 RBI.

The game was essentially stricken from the won-loss record, but game stats were kept from the game, and the game was made up on September 11th as a double header.

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Memorial Stadium won’t be hosting a fireworks display this year as the stadium was closed upon the opening of Camden Yards in 1992. Here is a tribute video that includes a fireworks display and many of the players from the 1964 game within the video: