Today in Baseball History

[Pirhala]

[b:ec5b9ac6c2]August 12: Today's featured birthday is that of Tom McAvoy who turns 75. [/b:ec5b9ac6c2]

A) [b:ec5b9ac6c2]1936[/b:ec5b9ac6c2] - The largest crowd ever to watch a baseball game turns out for the 1936 Olympics, with between 90,000 and 125,000 fans watching the US amateurs lose, 6-5, to the world amateurs.

B) [b:ec5b9ac6c2]1987 [/b:ec5b9ac6c2]- The Tigers get some veteran help down the stretch in the form of Doyle Alexander. The price, in retrospect, is steep, as they deal prospect John Smoltz to the Braves, for whom Smoltz will star for two decades.

C) [b:ec5b9ac6c2]1994[/b:ec5b9ac6c2] - The 1994 strike begins. For the first time in 90 years, the World Series will not be held. Matt Williams' assault on the home run record held by Roger Maris is halted.

D) [b:ec5b9ac6c2]2002[/b:ec5b9ac6c2] - Chih-Chia Chang of the Seibu Lions strikes out a batter for the 28th consecutive inning, a new Nippon Pro Baseball record. Yutaka Enatsu and Isamu Kida had held the out mark of 23.

E) [b:ec5b9ac6c2]2006 [/b:ec5b9ac6c2]- Takuro Ishii raps his 2,082nd lifetime hit, setting a new Yokohama BayStars record.