Remember When.....

August 31, 1990
Seattle King Dome, Seattle, WA

They used to play baseball together as father and son in their backyard. Then Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. got to play together in a bigger venue.

The Griffey’s became the first father and son to play on the same team in the majors on August 31, 1990, helping the Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. It was a memorable and moving night both fans and for the Griffey’s as Ken Sr.'s wife, Birdie, watched from the stands.

''I wanted to cry,'' Griffey Jr. said after the game. ''It was his day,'' he said, referring to his father.

Griffey Sr. gave his son reason to be proud. They made a bet on who would get the first hit, and the 40-year-old Griffey won dinner from his 21-year-old son with a first-inning single. Griffey Jr. then followed with a single and both Griffey’s eventually scored.

Then in the sixth inning, Griffey Sr. threw out Bo Jackson at second base, who was trying to stretch a single into a double. Griffey fielded the ball off the wall and threw a strike to second base.

''I'd have been mad if anyone else had thrown me out, but it was a piece of history,'' Jackson said. ''Those Griffey’s were messing with me.''

A Season to Remember

In 1985 Ricky Henderson was traded to the Yankees. That year he led the league in runs scored (146) and stolen bases (80), was fourth in the league in walks (99) and on-base percentage (.419), and had 24 home runs while hitting .314. He also won the Silver Slugger Award, and was third in the voting for the MVP award. His 146 runs scored were the most since Ted Williams had 150 in 1950 and he became the first player since Lou Gehrig in 1936 to amass more runs scored than games played.

Henderson became the first player in major league history to reach 80 stolen bases and 20 home runs in the 1985 season. He matched the feat in 1986, as did the Reds' Eric Davis; they remain the only players in major league history who are in the "80/20 club."

Roberto Clemente - "Remembered"

The following poem was written by Juan A. Pérez in memory of Roberto Clemente.

Roberto was the Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder from 1955 to 1972. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico and died on New Year's Eve at the early age of 38 while on a mission to help the victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua:

The Game's True Leaders

He played the game of childhood dreams with humble grace of mountain streams.
He learned so early through his time the selfless purpose of his life.

His human pride, his elegance, not in a hundred years surpassed.
From far away gave us a gift, too valuable to leave adrift.

Some saw the game as being the end he knew the end and played, he played!
When in the face of human pain some wasted time, he ran and helped.

For all who saw and didn't know they were in front of royal grace, a modest place
where rivers wed saved us a wall of right field fence.

On holidays of cheer and joy when smiles abound for girl and boy, there is a town
down by the sea where grown men cry on new year's eve.

Remind me game of boyhood dreams that men of grace knew how to play.
The game's true leaders learn early in time the selfless purpose of their lives.

1970 All-Star Game - All-Star Collision

July 14, 1970 - Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Although the game is supposed to be an exhibition, Pete Rose only knew how to play one way: full speed. With the game tied 4-4, Rose came barreling home and bowled over catcher Ray Fosse giving the NL the win and Fosse permanent shoulder damage. (Did anyone ever think that Rose may have had a bet on the game and was desperately trying to score? Just a thought……)

1980 World Series, Game 6 - Charlie Hustle Saves the Day

October 21, 1980 - Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

With one out in the ninth, the bases full and the Phils on top, 4-1. Tug McGraw induced Frank White to hit a foul pop near the Philadelphia dugout, and catcher Bob Boone camped under it. The ball popped in and out of Boone's mitt — the Royals' hopes rose for a fleeting moment — but first baseman Pete Rose, also giving chase on the ball, was there to snatch it out of the air.

1992 NLCS, Game 7 - Dramatic Ending

October 14, 1992 - Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta, GA

The 1992 NLCS ended in dramatic fashion, as in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7, with Atlanta down 2-1 and the bases loaded, the Braves' Francisco Cabrera cracked a two-run single that scored David Justice and Sid Bream. Bream famously slid to score the Series-winning run, beating the throw by Pirates left fielder Barry Bonds. As a result, Atlanta won the series in seven games to advance to their second straight World Series.

1986 ALCS, Game 5 - "Hendu"

October 12, 1986 - Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, CA

The California Angels were playing at home and were in firm command of the best-of-seven series, 3 games to 1. The Halos held a 5-2 lead going into the ninth inning and were three outs removed their first-ever trip to the World Series, but Boston was able to plate two runners on a home run by former Angel Don Baylor, closing the gap to 5-4.

When Henderson stepped to the plate, there were two outs and a runner on first base (catcher Rich Gedman). On a 2-2 count with the Red Sox down to their final strike in the series, Henderson, who had entered the game as a replacement for an injured Tony Armas, hit a drive off pitcher Donnie Moore that kept the Sox alive.

"The pitch . . . To left field, and deep, and Downing goes back. And it's gone! Unbelievable! You're looking at one for the ages here. Astonishing! Anaheim Stadium was one strike away from turning into Fantasyland! And now the Red Sox lead 6-5! The Red Sox get four runs in the ninth on a pair of two-run homers by Don Baylor and Dave Henderson." — Al Michaels, ABC-TV.

Henderson began to jump for joy, even running backwards for a few steps, while making his way down the first base line as he watched the ball sail over the outfield fence, having just smacked possibly the most stunning clutch homer since Bobby Thompson in 1951. The home run also saved Henderson from possibly being a scapegoat, after Bobby Gritch’s sixth-inning warning track fly ball deflected off his glove and over the wall for a two-run home run that gave the Angels a 3-2 lead. The ball hit the palm of Henderson's glove an instant before his wrist hit the fence, dislodging the ball and sending it over the fence. The Angels were able to tie the score up at 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth, but in the 11th inning, Henderson hit a sacrifice fly that would prove to be the margin of victory. Still down 3 games to 2, the Red Sox returned home to Fenway Park for the final two ALCS games, where they defeated the devastated Angels 10-4 and 8-1 to win the series.

He went on to hit .400 in a losing cause as the Red Sox were defeated in the 1986 World Series (which had its own historic drama) by the New York Mets in seven games. Henderson hit two home runs in that series. On a sad note, Donny Moore, the pitcher who let the game away ended up committing suicide as he was not able to deal with the devastating loss.

1988 World Series, Game 1 - Kirk Gibson makes like "The Natrual"

October 15, 1988 - Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

The Dodgers trailed 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, facing the future Hall of Famer, Dennis Eckersley. With a runner on, Tommy Lasorda sent in a hobbled Kirk Gibson to pinch hit. In a scene straight out of Hollywood, the reigning NL MVP delivered with the game-winning two-run homer in his only at bat of the World Series.

1978 A.L. East One-Game Playoff - Bucky's Blast

October 2, 1978 - Fenway Park, Boston, Mass

The Red Sox led 2-0 in the seventh when an unlikely power source added to the Curse of the Bambino. With two on, Bucky Dent shocked crowd with a 3-run homer. That gave the Yankees the lead and the win.

2003 NLCS, Game 6 - Bartman (Dam it Bartmen, you are no Maier…)

October 14, 2003, Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

You think it was tough being a Red Sox fan before they won a few Championships recently? They hadn't won since 1912. The Cubs haven't won since 1908! (Because of the Black Sox Scandal in 1919 the White Sox hadn't won since 1906 until they won in 2005 - Chicago's had it tough).

The Cubs sat just five outs away from their first World Series appearance since 1945. The Cubs had a 3- 0 lead over the Marlins in the eighth inning with their young stud Mark Prior pitching a gem when Luis Castillo sent a fly ball to foul territory in left. Cubs left fielder Moises Alou leaped for the ball but it was tipped by lifelong Cubs fan Steve Bartman. Instead of the third out, the Cubs collapsed and the Marlins went on to win the game and the series.

2001 ALDS, Game 3 - Derek's Fabulous Flip

October 13, 2001 - Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, CA

With the Yankees down 0 games to 2 versus the Oakland Athletics in the 2001 American League Division Series, and holding on to a 1-0 lead in Game 3 and with an A's runner on first base, Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina served up a high fly ball to deep right field to the A's Terrence Long.

With Oakland's Jeremy Giambi about to round third, Yankees right fielder Shane Spencer retrieved the ball and threw home. The throw sailed over the heads of both cut off men . With Giambi nearing homeplate, Jeter ran across the field, and nearing the 1st base line, caught the ball off a bounce and shovel passed it behind himself to his right to catcher Jorge Posada, who promptly tagged the back of Giambi's knee, a fraction of a second before his foot hit homeplate. The Yankees later went on to win the series in 5 games

1996 ALCS, Game 1 - Jeffrey Maier Steals One For the Yanks

October 9, 1996 - Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY -

The Yankees were behind the Orioles 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning. The then-12 year old Jeffrey Maier reached over the fence separating the right field stands and the field of play and deflected a deep fly ball hit by Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter. The Yankees went on to win the game and series. Oh, and that's Jeffrey playing college baseball for Wesleyan College in 2006. How old do you feel now?

"The Catch" - Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS

October 19, 2006 – Shea Stadium, Queens, NY

Given the time of the game, the score and the magnitude of the game, it will be ranked among the greatest grabs in postseason history.

Chavez’s running, leaping grab of Scott Rolen’s drive well above the left-field wall kept Game 7 of the NL championship series tied in the sixth inning. Chavez also was able to throw the ball back to first base to double off Jim Edmonds to end the inning.

But there was nothing Chavez could do to stop Yadier Molina’s two-run, ninth-inning homer into the bullpen, which gave the St. Louis Cardinals a 3-1 victory over the New York Mets and a trip to the World Series.

Hammerin' Hank - 715

Monday, April 8, 1974 -9:07 p.m. - Atlanta Fulton County Staduim, Atlanta, GA

Hank Aaron became the owner of the most hallowed record in sports as he slammed his 715th career home run, surpassing Babe Ruth.

At the age of 39, Aaron managed to slug 40 home runs in 392 at-bats, ending the season one home run short of the record. He hit home run number 713 on September 29, 1973, and with one day remaining in the season many expected him to tie the record. But in his final game that year, playing against the Houston Astros (led by manager Leo Durocher, who had once roomed with Babe Ruth), he was unable to hit one out of the park. After the game, Aaron stated that his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season.

Over the winter, Aaron was the recipient of death threats and a large assortment of hate mail from people who did not want to see a black man break Ruth's nearly sacrosanct home run record. The threats extended to those providing positive press coverage of Aaron. Lewis Grizzard, then editor of the Atlanta Journal, reported receiving numerous phone calls calling them "nigger lovers" for covering Aaron's chase. While preparing the massive coverage of the home run record, he quietly had an obituary written, scared that Aaron might be murdered.

Aaron received an outpouring of public support in response to the bigotry. Babe Ruth's widow, Claire Hodgson, even denounced the racism and declared that her husband would have enthusiastically cheered Aaron's attempt at the record.

As the 1974 season began, Aaron's pursuit of the home run record caused a small controversy. The Braves opened the season on the road in Cincinnati with a three game series against the Red. Braves management wanted him to break the record in Atlanta, and were therefore going to have Aaron sit out the first three games of the season. But Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ruled that he had to play two games in the first series. He played two out of three, tying Babe Ruth's record in his very first at bat off Reds pitcher Jack Billingham, but did not hit another home run in the series.

The team returned to Atlanta, and on April 8, 1974, a crowd of 53,775 people showed up for the game — a Braves attendance record. In the 4th inning, Aaron hit career home run number 715 off L.A. Dodgers pitcher Al Downing. Dodgers outfielder Bill Buckner (of later fame of his own) nearly went over the outfield wall trying to catch it, but the ball landed in the Braves bullpen, where relief pitcher Tom House caught it. I’m sure everyone remembers the cannons being fired in celebration, while two white college students sprinted onto the field and jogged alongside Aaron as he circled the base paths. (Aaron later admitted that his first thought was that they were trying to murder him.) As the fans cheered wildly, Aaron's mother ran onto the field as well. At 9:07 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 1974 the long ordeal was finally over. Good for him.........