Special Sub-Topic: September 11: Baseball Was There! Click Here To Play: September 11: Baseball Was There!

On September 11, 1985, who singled to left centerfield off Eric Show, to surpass Ty Cobb's career hit total?

Pete Rose. Pete Rose became baseball's career leader, when he singled off Eric Show in the first inning of the Reds' 2–0 win over San Diego. His 4,192nd career hit broke the record of the 'Georgia Peach at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. Rose had tied the record at Wrigley Field on September 8th with a single off the Cubs' Reggie Patterson, in a game that was later suspended due to darkness, enabling Rose to break the record at home.

Which Montreal teammates broke a season stolen base record on September 11, 1980?

Ron LeFlore and Rodney Scott. In a 6–5 win over the Cubs, the Expos' Ron LeFlore stole his 91st base of the season, and Rodney Scott stole his 58th. They broke the Major League record for stolen bases by teammates in one season. Lou Brock and Bake McBride set the previous record with the Cardinals in 1974.

In 1977, which team pulled the only triple steal of the decade on September 11?

Atlanta Braves. The Braves pulled off a triple steal in beating the Padres, 7–3. The thieves were Gary Matthews, Biff Pocaroba, and Pat Rockett.

On September 11, 1976, Minnie Minoso of the White Sox became a four decade player. Which of the following was a five decade player?

Nick Altrock. Minnie Minoso batted for the White Sox after a 12 year hiatus. He went hitless in his three at-bats against Frank Tanana in 1976. His at-bat in 1980, matched him with Nick Altrock as a five decade player. Altrock began his career in 1898 as a Louisville Colonel. He also played with Boston, Chicago, and Washington of the American League. His 19 seasons spanned five decades, retiring in 1933.

In September 11, 1974, two teams battled for 25 innings to a decision, setting a Major League record. Which teams were they?

Mets / Cardinals. On September 11, 1974, The Major Leagues did not have interleague play. The Mets lost the marathon night game after seven hours four minutes, and 25 innings, setting a record for the longest game to a decision in ML history. Two Mets' errors led to the Cardinals' winning run, starting with an errant pick-off throw that allowed Bake McBride to scamper all the way around from first base. St. Louis won the game, 4–3.

On September 11, 1973, which player set a Major League record by striking out four times in his first game?

Samuel Ewing. Ewing of the White Sox, set an unenviable record by striking out four times in his first ML game. The suspect pitcher was Nolan Ryan of the California Angels who whiffed him every time. The Angels won the game, 3-1.

Which 21 year old Oakland Athletic, threw a one-hitter eight days after being called up from the Minor Leagues, on September 11, 1970?

Vida Blue. Blue pitched in 12 games in 1969 before being sent back to the Minors. At the age of 21, he was recalled from the Minors again, just eight days earlier, and hurled a one-hit shutout against the Royals. Oakland won the game, 3-0. Blue continued to shine for another 16 seasons, and retired in 1986 with 209 wins.

On this historical date in 1967, an Oakland baseball team agreed to drop a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board, against which team owner?

Charles Finley. The Athletic players agreed to drop a grievance filed with the National Labor Relations Board against owner Charles Finley. Finley agreed in writing, that he would not coerce or intimidate his players, or discriminate against them for the threatened action. Pitcher Jim Catfish Hunter was the first one who challenged Finley and his 'cheapskate' contracts, and finally left the team. This was the beginning of the end for the Oakland dynasty.

On these September 11s, which Yankee in 1966 hit a home run in his first Major League at-bat, and then hit a home run in his last career Major League at-bat, with a different team in 1969?

John Miller. John Miller became the first Yankee ever to hit a homer in his first Major League at-bat. He contributed two runs in a 4–2 defeat of the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston. It would be Miller's only home run in the pinstripes. As a Dodgers in 1969, he hit a home run in his last Major League at-bat. He appeared in only six games as a Yankee in '66, then only 25 games as a Dodger in '69. These were his only two Major League seasons.

On September 11, 1956, which Yankee tied the career home run record by a catcher?

Yogi Berra. The others listed were not catchers. Yogi tied the Major League career record for home runs by a catcher, in the Yankees' 9-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals. His 236th tied with Cub catching great, Gabby Hartnett. Yogi retired with 358 home runs in 1965 as a New York Met.