The United States turns 250 today. A happy Fourth of July to everyone who is celebrating today. Please celebrate safely and responsibly.
Baseball has a rich tradition in the history of the United States. It is America’s pastime. As James Earl Jones said in Field of Dreams, “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.”
As we celebrate the 25th birthday of the country, let’s look at four memorable MLB moments from the Fourth of July.
4 Fourth of July MLB Moments to Celebrate 250
The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth
Perhaps MLB’s most famous Fourth of July moment came at Yankee Stadium in 1939. Legend Lou Gehrig, recently diagnosed with ALS, which forced him to retire, took the field at Yankee Stadium on “Lou Gehrig Day.” After being recognized by many former teammates, coaches, and others from MLB, Gehrig gave perhaps the most famous speech in baseball history.
Despite having a fatal disease and having to stop playing the game he loved, Gehrig insisted he was “the luckiest man on the face of the earth” because of the support of his family, friends, coaches, teammates, and the relationships he had built over his years in baseball. While his “luckiest man” line is the one many recognize, his final line illustrated his mindset and the gratitude he felt:
“So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for. Thank you.”
Tabor’s Fireworks
The Fourth of July is known for fireworks, but on July 4, 1939 (the same day as Gherig’s speech), Jim Tabor provided a different kind of fireworks for the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox were playing a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics. Tabor hit four home runs over the two games. He drove in 11 runs and totaled 19 bases. After homering in the first game, Tabor hit two more in the second game. Both were grand slams, with the second being an inside-the-park grand slam. At the time, Tabor was only the second player to hit two grand slams in one game. Since then, 11 players have done it, but no one since 2009.
Righetti’s Fantastic Fourth
The New York Yankees and Red Sox met on the Fourth of July in 1983. Dave Righetti took the mound for the Yankees and turned in a performance for the ages.
Just two seasons removed from winning the Rookie of the Year award, Righetti no-hit the Red Sox, the first no-hitter by a Yankee since Don Larson’s perfect game in 1956. Furthermore, he was the first Yankee southpaw to do it since George Mogridge in 1917.
Righetti threw 132 pitches to complete the no-hitter. He ended the game by striking out Wade Boggs. Boggs would go on to win the batting title that season, but would only strike out 36 times total. Retiring him at all was an accomplishment, but getting to swing and miss to end the game was even more impressive.
Happy Fifth of July!
The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets met at Fulton County Stadium in 1985. Braves fans attended the game excited for some baseball and for a Fourth of July fireworks display afterward. The fireworks had to wait, but they definitely got their baseball.
The two teams played 19 innings. The game did not end until 4:00 AM ET on July 5. The game included everything. It did not even start on time, as rain delayed the first pitch by 90 minutes. The game was delayed for another 41 minutes during the third inning, after which Mets’ manager Davey Johnson placed the game under protest after he was not allowed to make a double switch when play resumed. Keith Hernandez would hit for the cycle, completing it with a single in the 12th inning.
The fun truly started in the 13th inning. The Mets grabbed a 10-8 lead, only for the Braves to come right back and tie it, continuing the marathon. At the top of the 17th, both Johnson and Mets’ star Darryl Strawberry were ejected for arguing balls and strikes. However, the Mets would regain the lead in the 18th.
The Braves, as a result of an empty bench, were forced to have relief pitcher Rick Camp bat. Camp would hit an unlikely home run, tying the game and sending it to the 19th inning. The Mets again regained the lead, but this time, they gave themselves a cushion, scoring five runs off Camp. Those runs would come in handy, as the Braves scored two runs of their own, but the Mets hung on for the win.
The fans who endured the whole game got to enjoy their promised Fourth of July fireworks display.
Independence Day Wishes
Last Word On Baseball wishes everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. Whatever activities you have planned, have fun and make great memories. If you get the time, tune into an MLB game. No better way to celebrate the nation’s 25oth birthday than by watching the “national pastime.”
Main Photo: Patrick Gorski- Imagn Images
