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
December 24, 1947: NFL Cinderella Finalists
They called them “Cinderellas”—a couple of previously woebegone National Football League teams that had
Have a Bobby Heenan Christmas!
I was shaving my face a few weeks ago, listening to old Jean Shepherd
Greatest Comebacks In NBA Playoff History
The NBA playoffs are where the real action begins. Forget about the regular season
December 21, 1947: Just One Beer?
It was a long week—and a long wait—for the Chicago Cardinals as the club
50 Years of ‘Coexistence’ Between the Islanders and Rangers
Sports rivalries have existed ever since organized sports began to be played. The numbers
My Top 15 NFL Quarterbacks of the 1970s
My top 15 quarterbacks of the 1970s are based partly on statistics and my
The Harlem Globetrotters Very First Game
Figuring out how the Harlem Globetrotters started is a complicated story because there are
December 18, 1947: Holidays Don’t Mean Us!
How does a team adequately prepare for an NFL title game? Even more, so,