Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Jake Cain
1900: Players’ Demands In New York
In 1900, over a hundred ballplayers from the National League boldly stepped up to the plate with some demands of their own. They weren’t just swinging for the fences; they wanted a fair chance in the big leagues. These guys were sitting on the bench, collecting dust, and they called for the owners to release players that weren’t seeing any game time.
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But that’s not all—these players weren’t content with just getting in the game, they also wanted a piece of the pie. If a player was sold, they demanded a share of the sales price. Makes sense, right? If your old team makes a buck from trading you, your batting gloves should at least feel a little greener. It was a play to ensure that players felt valued, both on and off the diamond.
1908: Rube Waddell’s Strikeout Achievement
Baseball fans still tip their hats to the day Rube Waddell fanned sixteen batters. On July 29, 1908, he steered the St. Louis Browns to a narrow win, with a final score of 5-4, against the Philadelphia Athletics. These strikeouts weren’t just numbers— they were a testament to Waddell’s finesse and dominance on the mound. Imagine the crowd’s reaction, witnessing one of baseball’s most flamboyant characters, racking up Ks as if he were swatting flies.
1909: Death Of Harry Pulliam
On July 29, 1909, the baseball world faced a somber moment when Harry Pulliam, the National League president, tragically passed away. He had been grappling with intense stress due to league conflicts and challenges. This distress culminated in his untimely death by suicide. Pulliam’s demise left a void in the heart of baseball during an era when the sport was burgeoning into America’s beloved pastime.
1911: Joe Wood’s No-Hitter
On a bright July day, Joe Wood of the Boston Red Sox etched his name in the record books with a masterful performance against the St. Louis Browns. The crowd roared as Wood, with a cannon for an arm, mowed down batter after batter, racking up an impressive twelve strikeouts. He cruised through nine innings without giving up a hit, sealing a 5-0 victory and securing a no-hitter, an achievement most pitchers only dream of. Fans still tip their caps to Wood for that game, where flair met finesse on the way to baseball immortality.
1915: Honus Wagner’s Historic Grand Slam
On July 29, 1915, at the age of 41, Honus Wagner made baseball history with a remarkable inside-the-park grand slam. In doing so, he set the bar high as the oldest player in the 20th century to clear the bases with a single hit. His athletic hustle showed that age was just a number, rounding the bases in a thrilling chase for home plate. Fans remember Wagner not only for his batting prowess but also for the way he continued to dazzle on the diamond well past an age when many have hung up their cleats.
1921: Cy Young’s Old-Timers’ Day Appearance
In the summer of ’21, Cy Young took the mound once again, though it had been years since his fastballs dominated the game. This wasn’t just any game – Young, at 54 years young, pitched two solid innings in an Old-Timers’ Day exhibition, much to the delight of baseball aficionados. Catching for him was another legend, Chief Zimmer, himself a spry 60-year-old. These two old-timers showed that age is just a number, bringing a nostalgic cheer to fans who revered their heydays with the same enthusiasm as a hot dog and a cold one at the ballpark.
1928: Cleveland Indians’ High Scoring Game
On July 29, 1928, Cleveland Indians fans witnessed an offensive juggernaut at Dunn Field, as their team smashed the New York Yankees with an avalanche of runs. In just two innings, the Indians chalked up 17 runs, already a spectacle for those in the stands. By the end of the game, the scoreboard displayed a staggering 24-6 victory for the Tribe, an event that longtime fans still chat about over hot dogs and cold drinks at the ballpark. This historic tally not only provided a thrilling day for Cleveland supporters but also etched itself into the annals of 1920s baseball lore, as the Indians outclassed one of the game’s titans.
1955: Smoky Burgess’s Three Home Runs
On a hot July day in 1955, Smoky Burgess of the Cincinnati Reds turned the heat up even higher at the ballpark. In an impressive display of power, he smacked not one, not two, but three home runs in a single game. Burgess didn’t just cross the plate; he brought his teammates along, racking up a total of nine RBIs as the Reds took the Pittsburgh Pirates to task.
Baseball aficionados still reminisce about that game when Burgess seemed to have a radar lock on the ball, launching it beyond the outfield with ease. His knack for driving in runs was the talk of the town, ensuring the Reds’ victory with a lopsided score of 16-5. Truly, Burgess’s bat was on fire that day, and Reds fans couldn’t have asked for a more exhilarating performance.
1978: Billy Martin’s Managerial Return
On a summer day in 1978, with the stands of Yankee Stadium buzzing for Old-Timers Day, an announcement made waves: Billy Martin was set to make a comeback steering the Yankees’ ship in 1980. Fans erupted in cheers; the fiery skipper known for his sharp baseball mind and gutsy decisions was getting another shot. No stranger to the highs and lows with the Bronx Bombers, Martin’s return promised yet another thrilling chapter to the storied franchise. His knack for igniting a spark in the team and fueling their chase for success left fans eagerly anticipating his reinstatement at the helm.
1983: End Of Steve Garvey’s Streak
On July 29, 1983, the baseball world watched as Steve Garvey’s impressive consecutive games played streak came to an abrupt halt at 1,207. Garvey, who was a staple in the lineup for the San Diego Padres at the time, found his streak shattered due to a broken thumb, the result of a home plate collision with an Atlanta Braves player. His streak, which began way back in September 1975, still stands as the fourth-longest in MLB history. For fans and players alike, it wasn’t just the end of a number—it was witnessing one of the game’s iron men having to sit one out, a rare sight indeed.
1996: Tom Lasorda Retires
July 29, 1996, marked the end of an era for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as Tom Lasorda hung up his managerial spikes. He had recently suffered a heart attack, prompting him to call it a career after two decades at the helm. Lasorda’s tenure included two World Series championships and a slew of division titles, cementing his legacy as a Dodgers icon. The team named Bill Russell as his successor, turning the page on a storied chapter in Dodgers history.
2000: Eddie Taubensee’s Clutch Homers
In a thrilling display of clutch hitting, Eddie Taubensee etched his name in Cincinnati Reds’ lore with two critical home runs against the Montreal Expos. Down in the score, Taubensee stepped up in the ninth with a game-tying blast that sent the crowd into a frenzy. But he wasn’t done yet. In the eleventh inning, he delivered once more with a walk-off homer, sealing a dramatic Reds’ win that fans still buzz about when talking great baseball moments.
Today’s Baseball Birthdays
Celebrating the birth of baseball talents, July 29 marks the anniversary for several noteworthy players. These athletes have made their mark on baseball history and today, they get a tip of the cap.
1934: Felix Mantilla
Felix Mantilla, born this day, played across the diamond but shined brightest at second base. He not only made it to the 1965 All-Star game, but Mantilla also knocked out 89 homers in his 11-season stretch.
1938: Don Wert
Don Wert stepped into the box for the first time on a major league diamond back in ’63, and by ’68, he was an All-Star. They called him “Coyote,” and with a glove as reliable as his, it’s easy to see how he helped the ’68 Tigers to a World Series title.
1951: Greg Minton
They dubbed him “Moon Man” and with good reason; Greg Minton’s pitching was out of this world when he saved 22 games without a single long ball against him in ’82. He’s another birthday boy today, saluted for his cool presence on the mound during a solid 16-year career.
1951: Dan Driessen
Sharing a birthday with Minton, Dan Driessen had his own spotlight at first base. A dangerous hitter and a slicer of doubles, Driessen grabbed some serious limelight during the ’75 and ’76 World Series.
1959: Steve Lapoint
Last but not least, raise a glass to Steve LaPoint, the southpaw who knew how to kick off a game. With six complete seasons in the show, LaPoint delivered from the hill with a style that kept batters guessing.