September 23 Merkle's Boner

This Day in Baseball - The Daily Rewind

September 23, 1908 Giants Pitcher Christy Mathewson and Cubs P Three Finger Brown battle

in one of the most controversial game ever played. The score is 1-1 with two outs in the last of the 9th, when Fred Merkle's failure to touch second after an apparent game - winning hit by Al Bridwell costs the Giants a 2 - 1 win. The ump calls Merkle out and rules the game a tie.The base running gaffe, referred to as “Merkle's Boner”'is often blamed for the Giants loosing the pennant.

September 23, 1905 Eighteen year old Detroit rookie Ty Cobb, hits his first home run, an inside - the park blow, off Cy Falkenberg, in an 8 - 5 loss at Washington.

September 23, 1965 - A 20-game winner in 1964, Larry Jackson loses his 20th game of 1965,

as the Phillies sweep a twin bill from the Cubs. Jackson is the first pitcher since Murry Dickson of the 1951-1952 Pirates to follow a 20 - win season with 20 losses.

September 23, 1983 Steve Carlton becomes the 16th pitcher in major league history to win 300 games and the Phillies inch closer to the National League East title with a 6 -2 win over the Cardinals.

September 23, 1998 Sammy Sosa breaks an 0 for 21 slump, hitting his 64th and 65th home

runs as the Cubs build a 7 - 0 lead over the Brewers. With his eight total bases, “Slammin’ Sammy ” has now topped the 400 mark for the season.