On this date July 15 (missed yesterday)
1994 - “Batgate” came to Comiskey Park. In the first inning, Cleveland slugger and future White Sox outfielder Albert Belle was caught using a corked bat by Chicago manager Gene Lamont and was ejected from the game by umpire Dave Phillips, who placed the bat in the umpires’ dressing room.
In order to keep Belle from being suspended further, teammate Jason Grimsley crawled 100 feet through the air ducts and dropped into the umpire’s room, where the bat was being held for examination. Grimsley replaced Belle’s bat with a Paul Sorrento model, which tipped off everyone to the switch.
Umpire Dave Phillips then realized the bats had been switched and the police investigated; the league demanded the return of Belle’s bat. Four days later the bat was sent to New York. It was X-rayed and cut open, revealing illegal cork, in the presence of Belle and Cleveland GM John Hart.
Belle was suspended for 10 games. The Sox lost the game, 3-2.
On this date July 16
1897 - Colts first baseman Cap Anson becomes the first major leaguer to collect 3000 hits when he singles off George Blackburn. The 45-year-old infielder’s historic hit comes in a 2-1 loss to Baltimore at Chicago’s West Side Grounds.
1902 - John McGraw was named manager of the New York Giants, a job he would hold for thirty years.
1990 - Steve Lyons slides headfirst into first base to beat out a bunt. The play becomes memorable when the White Sox first baseman drops his pants to brush away the dirt inside his uniform in front of 14,770 surprised fans at Tiger Stadium.
