August 28, 1884 – Baseball pitcher “Smiling “Mickey Welsh made MLB history by setting a record for most consecutive batters struck out to begin a game. The hurler struck out the first 9 batters he faced. Welsh was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his spectacular talent displayed in how he played the game. During his 13 major league seasons, he posted 20 or more wins nine times, seven of them in consecutive seasons.
The pitcher success was attributed to his accuracy and timing with a wicked curveball, an excellent change-up, and a version of the screwball all thrown underhand. He is also known for becoming the third pitcher in history to win 300 MLB games and is credited as being the first pinch hitter in major league history when he batted for Hank O’Day and struck out in September of 1889.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
The 7 Most Successful Athletes From Delaware in the Last 20 Years
Delaware may stand as the second smallest state, but it has delivered some of
How Sports Fandom Became a 24/7 Digital Spectacle
Once, being a fan meant showing up on game day and turning off once
History Of Counter-Strike Skins
Weapon cosmetics turned online battles into a showcase of style and status. The changing
Jim Finks: A Builder of Winners
Jim Finks could have spent his life as the answer to this trivia question,
1975 Baltimore Colts: A Year In Review
From 1957 to 1971, the Baltimore Colts never experienced a losing season. They played
The Gambler Who Outsmarted the NFL: Inside the Mind of Haralabos Voulgaris
Every professional gambler has a story about the one big win. Haralabos Voulgaris has
Legends and Leisure: Stadium-Inspired Seating for Themed Restaurants
Sports culture has a powerful way of bringing people together, and themed restaurants are
The Irish Premier Division: A Century of Soccer Evolution
The League of Ireland Premier Division stands as the pinnacle of domestic soccer in