MAKING TOMORROW'S HISTORY TODAY

52 DAYS LEFT TO THIS REGULAR SEASON

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Before I write you in Billy-Ball posts, I peruse numerous websites, newsletters, emailings, and podcasts to get a sense of the landscape. Often, I check to see what has happened this day in baseball history. Essentially, I view Billy-Ball as a historical newsletter. When I write about something that happened yesterday, like Shohei Ohtani hitting a homer for his 1000th hit, I do so with the idea that you should be able to say, five years from now, “Yes, I remember reading about it in that fabulous newsletter before Billy-Ball became a big deal.”

Another wonderful aspect of writing about baseball history is that it evokes memories of the players involved in that moment. These are the types of recollections that I feel are unique to baseball. For example, on August 7, 1963, Jim Hickman became the first member of the New York Mets to hit for the cycle.

In Mets history, 11 players have hit for the cycle. In a 7-3 win over the Cardinals at the Polo Grounds. You can’t blame Hickman for wanting to punish the Cardinals. After all, as a rookie, Hickman played for the 1962 120-loss Mets after being selected from St. Louis. Hickman’s cycle was a rare natural cycle as he hit his single, double, triple, and homer in order.

The first three hits were all off pitcher Ernie Broglio, who is best remembered for being a key part of one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history. In 1964, the trade deadline was June 15, and the Cubs traded Broglio and Bobby Shantz to the Cardinals for Lou Brock, along with two other players, getting in just under the wire.

Hickman’s homer was off Barney Schultz. While Barney was a reliable reliever, he remains most famous for the walkoff home run he threw to Mickey Mantle to end Game 3 of the 1964 World Series.

Hot Rod Kanehl, Jim Hickman, HOFer Gil Hodges, Frank Thomas (not the HOFer), and former Dodger great Charlie Neal

Oops, I have fallen into a rabbit hole.