1870: At the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, the Cincinnati Red Stockings see their 130 game consecutive streak (81 official games and 49 exhibitions) come to an end losing to the Atlantics in extra innings, 8-7. During the game, in an effort not to hit the ball to George Wright, the opponents' slick fielding shortstop, hometown third baseman and captain, Bob Ferguson, bats left-handed becoming the first-known switch hitter in baseball history.

1876: Philadelphia Athletic George Hall becomes first major league player to hit for the cycle. The Englishman will also become the first player to be banned along with others for throwing a 3 1/2 game lead with 12 games to go 1877.

1919: Batting only .198 in 25 games since being acquired last month from the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, Joe Wilhoit scratches out a first-inning single to begin longest consecutive game hitting streak in the history of professional baseball. The Wichita Jobbers' outfielder will hit safely in 69 Western League contests, collecting 153 hits in 297 at-bats for an astounding .515 batting average.

1952: In a 3-1 loss, Boston Braves southpaw Warren Spahn whiffs 18 Cubs in 15 innings tying Jim Whitney's National League record of 18 strikeouts. On the same day, Braves scout Dewey Griggs signs a Mobile, Alabama youth named Henry Aaron.

1963: In a 10-3 win over the Reds at Crosley field, Met outfielder Duke Snider hits his 400th career homer off of Bob Purkey. With his sweet left-handed swing, the future Hall of Famer will finish his 18-years in the major leagues with 407 round-trippers.

1965: At Crosley Field, Jim Maloney no-hits the Mets for ten innings but loses 1-0 when Johnny Lewis connects for a homer in the eleventh.

1974: Nolan Ryan whiffs 19 batters in 13 innings, including Cecil Cooper six consecutive times, in the Angels' 15-inning, 4-3 victory over Boston in Anaheim. The right hander's performance will be the first of three 19 strikeout outings the Texan throws this season.

1979: Giant first baseman Willie McCovey hits his 513th round tripper establishing him as the National League all-time left-handed home run leader.

1990: The National League announces plans to expand from 12 to 14 teams. The two new franchises, that will begin playing in 1993, are the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies.

1995: In a 13 inning game, Mike Benjamin goes 6-for-7 and drives in the winning run beating the Cubs, 4-3. The Giant infielder sets a major league record by getting 14 hits in three games.

1996: At Kauffman Stadium, Cal Ripken sets a new consecutive games world record by playing in his 2,216th consecutive game. The previous mark of 2,215 was held by Hiroshima Carp third baseman Sachio Kinugasa playing in the Japanese Central League.

2002: Due to 14 interleague contests all played in National League parks, a designated hitter is not used in a full slate of major league games for the first time since 1972. Visiting hurlers will get plenty of opportunities to swing the bat as there isn't a home game scheduled in American League park for the 10 consecutive days.

2006: Russ Ortiz (0-5, 7.54) becomes the highest paid player ever to be cut by a major league team. Although the team still owes $22 million of the $33 million of the four-year deal signed in December 2004, the Diamondbacks designate the 32-year old righty for assignment, meaning the club has 10 days to trade, waive or release the pitcher who is 1-14 record in his last 19 starts.