Not having anything new to talk about, except the deaths of sports legends, means Africa we have to make stuff up. Exercise, baseball's calendar. Today is the anniversary of Hank Aaron hitting his record-breaking/record-setting home run. So, Happy Hank Aaron Day.
Baseball season usually being from April to October, not every day of the year can be assigned to a player. Sometimes, it's fairly easy, like when a famous game is played, and a player's name gets attached to it, But sometimes, that gets problematic, especially in October, where we may have more than one great anniversary in one day.
Keeping in mind that this is my list, and I decide whether a baseball figure is worthy of "his own day"; and that not every day will be assigned to someone, and that new suggestions are welcome (I will credit anyone whose suggestion is approved), here is my list:
January 1: Hank Greenberg Day. He was born on that day in 1911.
January 16: Dizzy Dean Day. He was born on that day in 1910. Also the birthday of another St. Louis Cardinals legend, Albert Pujols, in 1980.
January 18: Curt Flood Day. He was born on that day in 1938.
January 24: Jack Brickhouse Day. He was born on that day in 1916.
January 25: Ernie Harwell Day. He was born on that day in 1918.
January 26: Bob Uekcer Day. He was born on that day in 1934.
January 31: Ernie Banks Day. He was born on that day in 1931.
February 6: Babe Ruth Day. He was born on that day in 1895. Commissioner Happy Chandler declared April 27, 1947 "Babe Ruth Day" throughout baseball, but that day isn't as well remembered as the days the Yankees gave for Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle.
February 9: Bill Veeck Day. He was born on that day in 1914.
February 14: Mel Allen Day. He was born on that day in 1913.
February 17: Red Barber Day. He was born on that day in 1908.
February 24: Honus Wagner Day. He was born on that day in 1874.
February 25: Monte Irvin Day. He was born on that day in 1919.
March 1: Harry Caray Day. He was born on that day in 1914.
March 2: Mel Ott Day. He was born on that day in 1909.
March 3: John Montgomery Ward Day. He was born on that day in 1860.
March 6: Lefty Grove Day. He was born on that day in 1900.
March 8: Jim Bouton Day. He was born on that day in 1939. One of the things that, prior to 2019, made a fellow proud to be an Astro.
March 19: Richie Ashburn Day. He was born on that day in 1927.
March 22: Bob Costas Day. He was born on that day in 1952.
March 24: George Sisler Day. He was born on that day in 1893.
March 26: Harry Kalas Day. He was born on that day in 1936.
March 27: Miller Huggins Day. He was born on that day in 1879. Ahead of Buster Posey (1987), and way ahead of Matt Harvey (1989).
March 29: Cy Young Day. He was born on that day in 1867.
April 1: Phil Niekro Day. He was born on that day in 1939.
April 2: Luke Appling Day. He was born on that day in 1907.
April 4: Tris Speaker Day. He was born on that day in 1888.
April 6: Ron Blomberg Day. He became the 1st MLB player to be used as a designated hitter on that day in 1973. Instead of his birthday, August 23, 1948.
April 7: John McGraw Day. He was born on that day in 1873.
April 8: Hank Aaron Day. Instead of his birthdate, February 5, 1934.
April 12: Addie Joss Day. He was born on that day in 1880.
April 14: Marvin Miller Day. The 1st Director of the Players' Association was born on that day in 1917. Ahead of Pete Rose (1941), Greg Maddux and David Justice (both 1966).
April 15: Jackie Robinson Day. He debuted in Major League Baseball on that day in 1947, making April 15 perhaps the holiest day on the Baseball Calendar. Instead of his birthdate, January 31, 1919. Interestingly, 3 of the 1st black players on teams had January 31 as a birthday. The others are Ernie Banks of the Cubs and Tom Alston of the Cardinals.
April 16: Bob Feller Day. He pitched his 1st of 3 career no-hitters on this day in 1940. It remains the only no-hitter ever pitched on a season's Opening Day, although it is no longer the earliest on the calendar that a no-hitter has been pitched. Instead of his birthday, November 3, 1918.
April 17: Alexander Cartwright Day. The man most often credited as the inventor of baseball (it's not completely fair, but it is partially fair) was born on that day in 1820.
April 21: Joe McCarthy Day. The Yankee manager who won 8 Pennants and 7 World Series was born on that day in 1887. He should not be confused with the infamous Senator of the same name.
April 22: Tom Seaver Day. On that day in 1970, he tied a major league record with 19 strikeouts in a 9-inning game, and set one that still stands by striking out 10 straight, the last 10 he faced. Instead of his birthday, November 17, 1944.
April 23: Warren Spahn Day. He was born on that day in 1921.
April 27: Rogers Hornsby Day. He was born on that day in 1896. I had considered giving this day to Nolan Ryan, as it was the day in 1983 that he became the all-time strikeout leader.
April 29: Luis Aparicio Day. He was born on that day in 1934.
May 1: Oeschger-Cadore Day. On that day in 1920, the Boston Braves and the Brooklyn Dodgers played the longest game in MLB history, 26 innings, and both starting pitchers went the distance. Joe Oeschger of the Braves was born on May 24, 1892. Leon Cadore of the Dodgers was born on November 20, 1891. I could have chosen this day as Nolan Ryan Day, as it was the anniversary of his 7th career no-hitter in 1991.
May 2: Toney-Vaughn Day. On that day in 1917, for the only time in baseball history, both starting pitchers in a game threw no-hit ball for 9 innings. Fred Toney of the Cincinnati Reds kept his no-hitter for 10 innings, while Jim "Hippo" Vaughn lost his, and the game, in the 10th. Both were born in 1888: Vaughn on April 9, Toney on December 11.
May 5: Chief Bender Day. Baseball's most prominent Native American was born on that day in 1884.
May 9: Tony Gwynn Day. He was born on that day in 1960.
May 11: Charlie Gehringer. He was born on that day in 1903.
May 12: Yogi Berra Day. He was born on that day in 1925.
May 14: Dwight Gooden Day. He pitched his no-hitter on that day in 1996. Instead of his birthday, November 16, 1964.
May 15: George Brett Day. He was born on that day in 1953.
May 17: David Wells Day. He pitched his perfect game on that day in 1998. Instead of his birthday, May 20, 1963.
May 18: Brooks Robinson Day. He was born on that day in 1937. I am well aware that this is also the birthday of my favorite athlete of all time. He will get a day.
May 23: Zack Wheat Day. Arguably still the best hitter the Dodger franchise has ever had, in either Brooklyn or Los Angeles, he was born on that day in 1888.
May 26: Harvey Haddix Day. On that day in 1959, he pitched 12 perfect innings, but lost the game in the 13th inning. Instead of his birthday, September 18, 1925.
May 27: Bagwell-Thomas Day. Two future Hall-of-Famers were born on this day in 1968, Jeff "Bags" Bagwell and Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas. Their teams even faced each other in the 2005 World Series: Thomas was injured and unable to play for the Chicago White Sox, but they beat Bagwell's Houston Astros anyway.
May 28: Kirk Gibson Day. He was born on that day in 1957. His famous walkoff home run happened on October 15, 1988, so giving him his birthday as "his day" makes it easier to decide among the many big events that happened in baseball on that day.
May 30: This date available. I could have made it Manny Ramirez Day, but he was a 2004 Red Sock, and one of them proven to have personally cheated, so screw him.
June 6: Bill Dickey Day. He was born on that day in 1907.
June 8: Mickey Mantle Day. It's the day the Yankees gave for him in 1969. Instead of his birthdate, October 20, 1931.
June 12: Dock Ellis Day. On that day in 1970, he pitched a no-hitter, and claimed to have done so under the influence of LSD.
June 15: Johnny Vander Meer Day. On that the day in 1938, he pitched his 2nd straight no-hitter. Instead of his birthday, November 2, 1914.
June 17: Ron Guidry Day. On that day in 1978, he struck out 18 batters, setting a Yankee team record, and began the tradition of Yankee Fans standing with a 2-strike count. Instead of his birthday, August 28, 1950.
June 18: Lou Brock Day. He was born on that day in 1939.
June 29: Harmon Killebrew Day. He was born on that day in 1936.
July 1: Bobby Bonilla Day. The day every year, until 2035, that the Mets have to pay Bobby Bo over $1 million, because of the dumbest contract in baseball history.
July 2: Joe DiMaggio Day. He hit in his 45th straight game on this day in 1941, setting a new record, one which still stands. Instead of his birthday, November 25, 1941.
July 4: Lou Gehrig Day. It's the day the Yankees gave for him in 1939. Instead of his birthday, June 19, 1903.
July 5: Goose Gossage Day. He was born on that day in 1951.
July 7: Satchel Paige Day. He was born on that day in 1906. It's been checked. A lot.
July 10: Carl Hubbell Day. He struck out 5 straight American League Hall-of-Famers in the All-Star Game on this day in 1934, but his National League team lost anyway. Instead of his birthday, June 22, 1903.
July 11: Bo Jackson Day. He hit a memorable All-Star Game home run on this day in 1989. Instead of his birthday, November 30, 1962.
July 16: Shoeless Joe Jackson Day. He was born on that day in 1887.
July 17: Lou Boudreau Day. He was born on that day in 1917. The temptation was to give him October 4, the day of the 1948 Playoff between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox, but that's Johnny Podres/Brooklyn Dodger Day.
July 18: David Cone Day. He pitched his perfect game on that day in 1999. On what had originally been celebrated as Yogi Berra Day. Cone was born on January 2, 1963.
July 19: Lon Simmons Day. He was born on that day in 1923.
July 21: CC Sabathia Day. He was born on that day in 1980.
July 23: Pee Wee Reese Day. He was born on that day in 1918.
July 26: Hoyt Wilhelm Day. He was born on that day in 1923.
July 30: Casey Stengel Day. He was born on that day in 1890.
July 31: Curt Gowdy Day. He was born on that day in 1919.
August 12: Christy Mathewson Day. He was born on that day in 1880.
August 14: Earl Weaver Day. He was born on that day in 1930.
August 16: Ray Chapman Day. He was hit with a pitch on this day in 1920, and died the next day. He remains the only player to die as the result of an on-field injury. (Officially. See Doc Powers.) He was born on January 15, 1891.
August 20: Al Lopez Day. He was born on that day in 1908.
August 21: Jack Buck Day. He was born on that day in 1924. His son Joe Buck does not get a day.
August 22: Carl Yastrzemski Day. He was born on that day in 1939.
August 25: Rollie Fingers Day. He was born on that day in 1946.
August 27: Jim Thome Day. He was born on that day in 1970.
August 30: Tug McGraw Day. He was born on that day in 1944.
August 31: Frank Robinson Day. He was born on that day in 1935.
September 2: Al Spalding Day. He was born on that day in 1850.
September 4: Jim Abbott Day. On that day in 1993, the one-handed Abbott pitched a no-hitter. Instead of his birthday, September 19, 1967.
September 5: Nap Lajoie Day. He was born on that day in 1874.
September 6: Cal Ripken Day. On that day in 1995, he played in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking Lou Gehrig's record. Instead of his birthday, August 24, 1960.
September 9: Frank Chance Day. "The Peerless Leader" was born on that day in 1876.
September 10: Randy Johnson Day. He was born on that day in 1963.
September 11: It was known as Pete Rose Day, because on that day in 1985, he collected his 4,192 hit, officially becoming MLB's all-time leader. This is complicated by, A, the fact that we now know that Ty Cobb had 4,189, meaning that Rose broke the record 3 days earlier; B, Rose's banishment from baseball, meaning we shouldn't celebrated the day; and C, the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Rose was born on April 14, 1941, but I'm not going to award him April 14 as Pete Rose Day.
September 16: Robin Yount Day. He was born on that day in 1955.
September 17: Rube Foster Day. The great pitcher, and the founder of the Negro National League, was born on that day in 1879.
September 19: Duke Snider Day. He was born on that day in 1926. A tough call over Bob Murphy (1924), Joe Morgan (1943) and Jim Abbott (1967).
September 25: Phil Rizzuto Day. He was born on that day in 1917.
September 26: Nolan Ryan Day. On that day in 1981, he set a record with his 5th of what would turn out to be 7 career no-hitters. It was tough picking a day for him. He was born on January 31, 1947, so he shares his birthday with Jackie Robinson and Ernie Banks.
September 27: Mike Schmidt Day. He was born on that day in 1949.
September 28: Ted Williams Day. On that day in 1941, he went 6-for-8 in a doubleheader, to close the season batting .406, making him baseball's last .400 hitter to this day. In addition, on that day in 1960, he hit his 521st career home run in his last major-league at-bat. He seems to be the only player with 2 events that significant on the same calendar day. Instead of his birthday, August 30, 1918.
September 29: Willie Mays Day. On that day in 1954, he made the most famous defensive play in the history of sports, known to baseball fans as "The Catch," to help the New York Giants win Game 1 of the World Series, sparking a 4-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians. Instead of his birthday, May 6, 1931.
October 1: Roger Maris Day. On that day in 1961, he hit his record-breaking/record-setting 61st home run of the season. Instead of his birthday, September 10, 1934.
October 2: Bucky Dent Day. On that day in 1978, you either know what he did, or you're reading the wrong blog. Instead of his birthday, November 25, 1951. Speaking of 1951...
October 3: Bobby Thomson Day. On that day in 1951, he hit what we would now call a walkoff home run to give the New York Giants the National League Pennant over the Brooklyn Dodgers. Instead of his birthday, October 25, 1923.
October 4: Johnny Podres Day. On that day in 1955, he pitched a shutout over the Yankees in Game 7 of the World Series, to give the Brooklyn Dodgers their only Series win. Also known as Brooklyn Dodger Day. Instead of his birthday, September 30, 1932.
October 5: Tommy Henrich Day. On that day in 1941, he took advantage of a dropped 3rd strike to keep the Yankees from losing, and spark a rally that won Game 4 of the World Series. On that day in 1949, he hit the 1st walkoff homer in postseason history, winning Game 1 of the World Series. Both times, it was against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Instead of his birthday, February 20, 1913.
October 6: Roy Halladay Day. On that day in 2010, he pitched the 2nd no-hitter in postseason history. Instead of his birthday, May 14, 1977.
October 7: This date available, despite it being a postseason day.
October 8: Don Larsen Day. On that day in 1956, he pitched the 1st no-hitter in postseason history, a perfect game in Game 5 of the World Series. Instead of his birthday, August 7, 1929.
October 9: Jeffrey Maier Day. It's a bit odd to name a day after a fan, especially when you consider that he didn't even come up with the ball. I could name it Derek Jeter Day, but I had a better date in mind. And I could name it Bernie Williams Day, in honor of the man who hit the homer that won the game. But everyone knows it as The Jeffrey Maier Game. I could have messed with Met fans by naming this Mike Scioscia Day, in honor of Game 4 of the 1988 NLCS, but decided to stick with my own team.
October 10: Grover Cleveland Alexander Day. On that day in 1926, he struck Tony Lazzeri out to end a Yankee rally, and then closed out Game 7 of the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead of his birthday, February 26, 1887.
October 11: Jon Miller Day. The great broadcaster was born on that day in 1951.
October 12: Joe Cronin Day. He was born on that day in 1906.
October 13: Bill Mazeroski Day. He hit the only home run to win Game 7 of a World Series on that day in 1960. Instead of his birthday, September 5, 1936.
October 14: Chris Chambliss Day. He hit a Pennant-winning home run for the Yankees on that day in 1976. Instead of his birthday, December 26, 1948. Met fans might want to call it Tommie Agee Day, for his catches in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series.
October 15: Enos Slaughter Day. His "Mad Dash" won Game 7 of the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals. This was a tough call, overlooking the aforementioned 1988 World Series walkoff by Kirk Gibson, the birth of Jim Palmer in 1945, the catch by Ron Swoboda in the 1969 World Series, and a Pennant-winning home run by Tony Fernandez in 1997.
October 16: Aaron Boone Day. On that day in 2003 -- okay, it was after midnight, but MLB considers anything done in a game starting on a calendar day to have happened on that day -- you either know what he did, or you're reading the wrong blog. Instead of his birthday, March 9, 1973.
October 17: Willie Stargell Day. The Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series on this day in 1971 and again in 1979. Each time, they came from a 3 games to 1 deficit to beat the Baltimore Orioles, and clinched in Baltimore. "Pops" had a difficult Series in 1971, but in 1979, he led "The Family" to victory, and completed what remains a unique sweep: Winning the Most Valuable Player award for his League in the regular season, his League Championship Series, and the World Series. Instead of his birthday, March 6, 1940. I could have made this Dave Roberts Day, in honor of the most famous stolen base in baseball history, but he was a 2004 Red Sock, so screw him.
October 18: Reggie Jackson Day. On that day in 1977, he hit 3 home runs to win Game 6 and the World Series for the Yankees. Instead of his birthday, May 18, 1946.
October 19: Yadier Molina Day. On that day in 2006, he hit a Pennant-winning home run for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Mets. Instead of his birthday, July 13, 1982. I could have chosen Rick Monday, who did the same for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Montreal Expos in 1981, but "Rick Monday Day" would have sounded awkward. I could have made this Dave Roberts Day, in honor of The Bloody Sock Game, but he was a 2004 Red Sock, so screw him.
October 20: Scott Brosius Day. On that day in 1998, he hit 2 home runs, including the game-winner off the supposedly unbeatable Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres, to give the Yankees a win in Game 3 of the World Series. A tough call over Juan Marichal, born on that day in 1937. And, of course, I have already accounted for Mickey Mantle, born on that day in 1931.
October 21: Carlton Fisk Day. Again, the date on which the game began matters, not on which the game ended. It was 12:34 AM on October 22, 1975, when Fisk hit a walkoff home run in the 12th inning to give the Boston Red Sox the win over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 6 of the World Series. A tough call over Whitey Ford, born on that day in 1928; and Steve Carlton, winning pitcher in Game 6 to give the Philadelphia Phillies their 1st World Series win, in 1980.
October 22: Jimmie Foxx Day. He was born on that day in 1907. Ichiro Suzuki, born on that day in 1973, now makes it a close call.
October 23: Joe Carter Day. On that day in 1993, he hit a walkoff home run in Game 6 to give the Toronto Blue Jays the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies. Instead of his birthday, March 7, 1960.
October 24: Dave Winfield Day. On that day in 1992, his 10th inning double gave the Toronto Blue Jays a Game 6 win over the Atlanta Braves, the 1st and only World Series win for himself, and the 1st for the team.
October 25: Mookie Wilson Day. On that day in 1986, his 10th inning single gave the Mets a Game 6 win over the Boston Red Sox, and set them up to win the World Series the next day. I could have called it Bill Buckner Day, but that would be wrong.
October 26: Kirby Puckett Day. A great catch and a walkoff extra-inning home run to send a World Series to a Game 7 puts him ahead of Don Denkinger's goof in 1985, Joe Girardi's triple in 1996, Luis Sojo's single in 2000, and Max Muncy's 18th inning walkoff (the only game his team won in that World Series) in 2018. Instead of his birthday, March 14, 1960.
October 27: Ralph Kiner Day. He was born on that day in 1922.
October 28: David Justice Day. On that day in 1995, he hit a home run for the only run of Game 6, allowing the Braves to clinch their 1st World Series win since moving to Atlanta. Instead of his birthday, April 14, 1966.
October 29: Madison Bumgarner Day. On that day in 2014, he pitched 5 innings on 2 days rest to help the San Francisco Giants win Game 7 over the Kansas City Royals, and win the World Series. Instead of his birthday, August 1, 1989.
October 30: Ed Delahanty Day. He was born on that day in 1867.
October 31: Derek Jeter Day. On that day in 2001, he hit a walkoff home run in Game 4 of the World Series. MLB's rule is that the game started on October 31, so it doesn't matter that he hit that homer at 12:03 AM on November 1. But then, "Mr. November" stuck, didn't it? Instead of his birthday, June 26, 1974.
November 1: Johnny Damon Day. On that day in 2009, his double steal foiled the Philadelphia Phillies' shift, and led the Yankees to win Game 4 of the World Series. Instead of his birthday, November 5, 1973.
November 2: Ben Zobrist Day. On that day in 2016, he drove in the runs that won the Chicago Cubs their 1st World Series in 108 years. Instead of his birthday, May 26, 1981.
November 4: Hideki Matsui Day. On that day in 2009, he almost single-handedly won Game 6, and thus the World Series, for the Yankees. Instead of his birthday, October 24, 1974.
November 6: Walter Johnson Day. He was born on that day in 1887.
November 9: Bob Gibson Day. He was born on that day in 1935.
November 13: Buck O'Neil Day. He was born on that day in 1911. Also, among fans of classic TV, this is Felix Unger Day.
November 19: Roy Campanella Day. He was born on that day in 1921.
November 21: Stan Musial Day. He was born on that day in 1920.
November 29: Mariano Rivera Day. He was born on that day in 1969. Ahead of Vin Scully, who was born on that day in 1927. Sorry/Not Sorry, Dodger fans, but even if Scully was the greatest broadcaster ever, which he most certainly was not, even for the Dodgers (Red Barber), it doesn't put him ahead of Mariano.
December 7: Johnny Bench Day. He was born on that day in 1947. No, you can't put Tino Martinez (1967) ahead of him, and certainly not Yasiel Puig (1990).
December 13: Larry Doby Day. He was born on that day in 1923.
December 17: Chase Utley Day. He was born on that day in 1978. I list this one less to please Phillies fans, and more to smack Met fans.
December 18: Ty Cobb Day. He was born on that day in 1886. And I was born on that day in 1969.
December 19: Al Kaline Day. He was born on that day in 1934.
December 20: Branch Rickey Day. He was born on that day in 1881.
December 21: Josh Gibson Day. He was born on that day in 1911.
December 22: Connie Mack Day. He was born on that day in 1862. A tough call over another Philadelphia baseball legend, Steve Carlton, born on that day in 1944.
December 23: Liberation Day. This was the day in 1975 that arbitrator Peter Seitz ruled that the reserve clause was invalid.
December 30: Sandy Koufax Day. He was born on that day in 1935.
December 31: Roberto Clemente Day. The day of his plane crash in 1972. He may be the closest thing that baseball has to a saint, and the "feast days" of a saint is usually the anniversary of the day he died, since so many of them were in the early days of the Christian church, at a time when birth records were so haphazardly kept that their birthdays were often unknown.
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