Happy Birthday Jim 'Catfish' Hunter!
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Oakland A's
Dave 'Smoke' Stewart
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On This Day - 1989 World Series Game 3 Earthquake
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October 17th, 1989
Can you guys name the scheduled starting pitcher for the Oakland A’s in Game 3 of the 1989 World Series? He was minutes away from taking the mound when the Loma Prieta Earthquake struck San Francisco, causing extensive damage to the city and the postponement of Game 3 for eleven days. In fact our guy never even got to throw a pitch in the series because when the Battle of the Bay resumed, Manager Tony Larussa opted to go back with his Game 1 starter, Dave ‘Smoke’ Stewart, instead of his # 3 Pitcher. Game #2 starter Mike Moore won again in Game #4, giving Oakland the sweep of the Giants.
He’s also an answer in the Blaze #10 Pop Quiz.
On This Day - 40 / 40 Club
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It was back on September 23rd, 1988 in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers that Oakland A’s slugger Jose Canseco stole two bases to become the charter member of the 40/40 club. 40 Homers & 40 Stolen Bases. The ‘88 AL MVP finished the season batting .307 with 42 HR’s, 40 SB, 120 runs and 124 RBI’s.
Rickey Henderson
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July 5th, 1993 - In a Monday Doubleheader between the Oakland A’s & Cleveland Indians, Rickey Henderson leads off both games with a Homerun. NO one had accomplished that feat since 1913 when Harry Hooper of the Red Sox did it. Rickey was actually traded to the Toronto Blue Jays just 3 1/2 weeks later, where he would go on to be apart of the Blue Jays World Series repeat in ‘93. He would return to Oakland the next season.
Gene Nelson
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July 3rd, 1988
Oakland A’s relief pitcher Gene Nelson steals second base while pinch running in the 12th inning of a 16 inning marathon against the Toronto Blue Jays. He would be considered crazy by most for even attempting to nab 2nd in the tight 6-6 game. In extra innings no less. What’s even crazier is that he did it while Jose Canseco was up to bat! In fact, Jose would hit a homer three pitches later driving in Nelson to give the A’s an 8-6 lead. They would go on to win 9-8. He became the first American League pitcher to swipe a base since John’ Blue Moon’ Odom stole one of his own in 1973.
Rickey Henderson
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On This Day - May 1st, 1991 - Rickey Henderson records his 939th stolen base, passing the great Lou Brock. The ‘Man of Steal’ would go on to play another dozen years, ultimately ending his career with 1,406 stolen bases.
Mr. Blue
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