American League – Page 6 – Archived Innings

Some Sox-Yankees rivalry humor

October 17, 2017

The Yankees really are a popular target. I’m no Red Sox fan, either, but somehow, I still struggle to feel bad for the Yankees.

‘I am a Yankees fan,’ a first-grade teacher explains to her class. ‘Who likes the Yankees?’
Everyone raises a hand except one little girl. ‘Janie,’ the teacher says, surprised. ‘Why didn’t you raise your hand?’
‘I’m not a Yankees fan.’
‘Well, if you are not a Yankees fan, then what team do you like?’
‘The Red Sox,’ Janie answers.
‘Why in the world are you a Red Sox fan?’
‘Because my mom and dad are Red Sox fans.’
‘That’s no reason to be a Red Sox fan,’ the teacher replies, annoyed. ‘You don’t always have to be just like your parents. What if your mom and dad were morons? What would you be then?’
‘A Yankees fan.’

~*~

The Red Sox get into the Series thanks to the fact that the Yankees – who were leading the American League championships three games to none, and have all-stars at every position, not to mention a payroll larger than the gross national product of Sweden – chose that particular time to execute the most spectacular choke in all of sports history, an unbelievable Gag-o-Rama, a noxious nosedive, a pathetic gut-check failure of such epic dimensions that every thinking human outside of the New York metropolitan area experiences a near-orgasmic level of happiness. But there is no need to rub it in.

~ Dave Barry (2004 year in review)

red sox yanks

This day in baseball

October 3, 2017

Having led the American League in batting average (.377), home runs (9), and RBIs (107) during the 1909 season, Ty Cobb became the first player in Major League Baseball history to win the Triple Crown without hitting a ball over the fence. Astonishingly, all of Cobb’s homers for the year were inside-the-park home runs.

Baseball-Socks_Ty-Cobb — Ty Cobb (Sports Illustrated)

This day in baseball: Gehrig’s new deal

February 19, 2017

On February 19, 1935, Lou Gehrig signed a one-year deal with the New York Yankees for $30,000. The previous season, Gehrig hit .363, 49 homers, and led the American League with 165 RBIs.

lou_gehrig

This day in baseball: Kauffman buys the Royals

January 11, 2017

Ewing Kauffman became the owner of the new American League franchise in Kansas City on January 11, 1968. The franchise was eventually known as the Royals. With the departure of the A’s for Oakland, the pharmaceutical entrepreneur became a key force in bringing a lasting MLB club to KC.

ewing_kauffman_1968 — Missouri State Archives

This day in baseball: First NL DH

October 16, 2016

Dan Driessen of the Reds became the first National League player to be used as a designated hitter during the first game of the 1976 World Series. From 1973 to 1975, though the DH had been employed in the American League, all World Series games were played under National League rules, with no DH and pitchers batting.

Starting in 1976, the DH rule applied to all games in the World Series, regardless of venue, but only in even-numbered years. Beginning in 1986, the DH rule was used in games played in the stadium of the American League representative.

dan_driessen_autograph — baseball-almanac.com

This day in baseball: Comiskey established in Chicago

December 22, 2015

Owners of the emerging American League met on December 22, 1899 in an attempt to strategize a way to substantiate themselves in the face of an already-established National League. As part of their strategy, they decide to place a team in Chicago with Charles Comiskey as the owner-manager of the club.

This day in baseball: Unanimous Cy Young winner

November 12, 2015

On November 12, 1986, Roger Clemens of the Red Sox became only the second American League pitcher to unanimously win the Cy Young Award. Clemens had posted a 24-4 record, with an ERA of 2.48 for the season. The first AL pitcher to win the Cy Young by unanimous vote was Denny McLain in 1968.

Roger Clemens, 1986 (Boston Red Sox Photo Cards/public domain)

This day in baseball: Elston Howard wins AL MVP

November 7, 2015

On November 7, 1963, Elston Howard was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player, making him the first black player to ever receive the honor in the AL. He also became the third consecutive Yankee to receive the honor, after Roger Maris (1960 and 1961) and Mickey Mantle (1962).

This day in baseball: Smith’s no-hitter

September 6, 2015

On September 6, 1905, Frank Smith of the White Sox hurled a no-hitter against the Tigers as Chicago routed Detroit, 15-0. The game was was the most lopsided no-hitter in American League history. Smith would not allow a home run in either 1904 or 1905 seasons.

This day in baseball: The first All-Star Game

July 6, 2015

The first-ever All-Star Game was played on July 6, 1933 at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. A two-run home run by Babe Ruth helped the American League defeat the National League, 4-2.

Archived Innings

Exploring baseball's past and present

Tag: American League