1962 – Heat sets in

During a double-header between the Colt .45s and Los Angeles Dodgers at Colt Stadium, 78 fans and umpire Jocko Conlan all suffered heat stroke during the game. Even the Dodgers, who won both games of the double header, complained about the heat following the game.

Don Buddin, the Colts shortstop who was hitting just .160 at the time, hit a grand slam during the second game, the first grand slam in franchise history.

1981 – Pete Rose becomes the hits leader

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Pete Rose singled off Houston Astros starter Nolan Ryan to tie St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial as the all time hits leader. Houston went on to blow a four-run lead following that, losing 5-4 just one day before a two-month strike began.

2001 – Astros take the series

In the first ever “Lone Star Series” matchup between the Astros and Texas Rangers, Orlando Merced saved the day with a two-out pitch–hit three-run home run in the top of the ninth to give Houston the 6-5 win and take the series.

2015 – Astros poor stretch continues

Despite a 5-for-5 day from Astros outfielder George Springer and a five shutout inning debut for Vincent Velasquez, the Astros still lost to the Chicago White Sox 4-1 and extended their losing streak to seven games. What was once a six-game lead in the division has now shrunk to just two-games up.

What else happened on this day?

1880

Boston Red Caps hitter Charley Jones became the first player in baseball history to hit two home runs in one inning. This comes after leading the league in home runs in the previous season.

1968

Games continue to be postponed due to the RFK assaination, including the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs. Two Houston players were even fined for not playing in their games.

1974

Mike Shmit of the Phillies hit may have been the longest home run/single in history at the Astrodome. A ball that is estimated to travel around 550 ft uninterrupted ends up as a single after it hits the roof.

1998

In one of the weirdest promotions ever, the Boston Red Sox honor their Brian Johnson by offering a 4-set of tickets to anyone who shaves their head on “Brian Johnson Buzz Cut Night.”

2010

Omar Vizquel of the White Sox became the fourth player in history to hit a home run in four different decades after making his MLB debut in 1989.