August 20, 1938 - Lou Gehrig hits his last grand slam, the 23rd of his career, and still the record. It comes off Buck Ross in an 11-3 victory over the A's.
August 20, 1945 - At the age of 17, shortstop Tommy Brown of the Brooklyn Dodgers is the youngest player to hit a major league home run. Brown homers off Pirates southpaw Preacher Roe at Ebbets Field. Seven Dodger errors make it easy for Pittsburgh to win, 11-1.
August 20, 1947 - The Boston Braves hit a million attendance for the first time.
August 20, 1948 - The Indians draw 78,382 at Municipal Stadium as Satchel Paige blanks the White Sox for the fourth consecutive shutout by Cleveland hurlers. Besides Paige, Gene Bearden, Sam Zoldak, and Bob Lemon had shutouts.
August 20, 1958 - Out of catchers, the Cubs put left-handed first baseman Dale Long behind the plate in the opener against the Pirates. He is the first lefty backstop since 1906. The Cubs lose 4-2, then win the nightcap 5-1 with Long back at first base.
August 20, 1961 - The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Milwaukee Braves 7-4 in the second game of a doubleheader to snap a 23-game losing streak, a modern record.
August 20, 1964 - On the New York team bus following a 5-0 White Sox win, Phil Linz begins to play Mary Had a Little Lamb on his harmonica. Manager Yogi Berra orders Linz to stop, then slaps the instrument out of his hands when he continues playing. The incident is reported as indicating dissension on the club and Berra's lack of control, as well as the level of Linz's humor.
August 20, 1965 - Eddie Mathews hits his 28th home run as the Braves win 4-3 at Pittsburgh. The duo of Mathews and Hank Aaron, 1954-1965, becomes the top home run tandem in major league history, passing the Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig total of 772 home runs while playing together.
August 20, 1974 - Nolan Ryan of the California Angels struck out 19 in a 1-0, 11-inning loss to the Detroit Tigers, marking the third time during the season Ryan struck out 19 in a game.
August 20, 1980 - Pittsburgh's Omar Moreno steals his 70th base of the season, becoming the first player this century with three consecutive 70-steal seasons. The fleet outfielder swiped 71 in 1978, 77 in 1979, and will finish 1980 with a career-high 96.
August 20, 1985 - Dwight Gooden fans 16 batters on the way to his 13th consecutive victory, 5-0 over the Giants, raising his season strikeout total to 208. Gooden (19-3) and Herb Score are the only pitchers this century to strike out 200 batters in each of their first two seasons.
August 20, 1989 - Howard Johnson hits his 30th home run of the season in the Mets' 5-4 loss to the Dodgers. Ho Jo joins Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays as the only players to achieve 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in two different seasons.
August 20, 1995 - Jose Mesa of the Cleveland Indians picked up his 37th save in 37 opportunities, setting a major league record as the Indians beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5.
August 20, 1998 - Mark McGwire becomes the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs in three consecutive years. His home run off Willie Blair helps the Cardinals to a 2-0 win over the Mets. He adds No. 51 in the second game of the doubleheader at Shea Stadium, but the Mets prevail 5-4.
August 20, 1995- Setting a major league record, Indian Jose Mesa picks up his 37th save in as many opportunities as Cleveland beats the Brewers, 8-5.
August 20, 1998- At Shea Stadium, Cardinal first baseman Mark McGwire becomes the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs in three consecutive seasons. Mac's seventh inning solo shot helps to defeat the Mets, 2-0.
August 20, 2000- The winningest pitcher in franchise history is honored by the Yankees during Whitey Ford Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. The crafty lefty holds the team record for victories (236) , innings pitched (3,170 1/3), strikeouts (1,956) and shutouts (45).
August 20, 2002- A judge issues a temporary restraining order preventing the sale of Barry Bonds' 600th career home run ball hit into the Pacific Bell Park stands on August 9. Jay Arsenault, who allegedly promised friends after being given a game ticket to split any monetary gains if he caught the historic baseball, has been ordered to appear in court for hearing on September 5 along with the prized souvenir.
August 20, 2008- Umpires sign an agreement which will allow major league baseball to start using instant replay to help determine boundary calls, such as determining fair or foul fly balls and difficult home run rulings. No exact date has been set for the start of using replays, but installation of the necessary equipment has been taking place in ballparks, with the hope of starting later this month.
August 20, 2008- After the Angels score the potential winning run in the top of the inning of an eventual 5-4 victory over the Rays, Francisco Rodriguez pitches a perfect ninth to record his 48th save, establishing a new franchise record. The right-hander closer had set the previous team mark with 47 saves in 2006.
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