Today's date in MLB History - July 18th

[DeanH3]

I know we have a couple Ruth/Cobb threads going. But since both had historic milestones on this date, I figured to start a new one. Hope it's OK.

1921 - At Navin Field in Detroit, Babe Ruth becomes the all-time home run leader when he hits his 139th career blast as a major leaguer. The Yankee slugger’s 36th homer of the season, a mammoth shot that travels over 500 feet, puts him ahead of Roger Connor, who connected for 138 round-trippers during his 18 years in the National League.



1927 - Ty Cobb becomes the first major leaguer to collect 4,000 career hits. The 40 year-old A's outfielder reaches the milestone with a first-inning double off Sam Gibson in Philadelphia's 5-3 loss to the Tigers at Shibe Park.

[z28jd]

Cobb's 4,000th hit actually came three days later. That date you referred to was based on his old hit total of 4,191, but research uncovered many years ago that he "only" had 4,189 hits. His 4,000th hit came against the Indians on July 21, 1927.

That falls in the same category as watching Pete Rose single off of Eric Show and now know that all that hit did was increase his all-time record. His record breaking hit was a first inning single off of Reggie Patterson three days earlier.

[Kawika]

Ty Cobb and fans, 1922


Babe Ruth and fans, 1926


Ruth and Cobb

[DeanH3]

Originally Posted by z28jd

Cobb's 4,000th hit actually came three days later. That date you referred to was based on his old hit total of 4,191, but research uncovered many years ago that he "only" had 4,189 hits. His 4,000th hit came against the Indians on July 21, 1927.

That falls in the same category as watching Pete Rose single off of Eric Show and now know that all that hit did was increase his all-time record. His record breaking hit was a first inning single off of Reggie Patterson three days earlier.

Good info. Thanks for the correction!

Edited to add. Awesome photos David. Thanks for sharing.

[packs]

1999: David Cone throws a perfect game against the Expos. I was there.