August 16 - Mays ties Foxx

“The Babe”, George Herman Ruth, was the first sports superstar. He had the potential to be baseball’s greatest left-handed pitcher. Instead, he moved to the outfield and became its greatest hitter. Until Ruth arrived in New York in 1918, the Yankees had never won a pennant. Babe Ruth dies of throat cancer at age 53 in New York on August 16th 1948. He lied in state at Yankee Stadium and St. Patrick’s Cathedral more than 100,000 mourners would show their respects.

August 16th, 2010 New York Giant Great, Bobby Thompson passes away. On October 3rd 1951, dubbed the "Shot Heard 'Round the World," Thompson hit a game-deciding, three-run home run the final game of a three-game playoff between the Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers. It is considered by many to be one of the most memorable and dramatic homers in baseball history.

August 16th 1940- Jimmie Foxx smashes two homers to help the Red Sox beat the Senators. The two round trippers move him ahead of Lou Gehrig on the all-time list with a total of 495. 2

August 16th, 1966 - Willie Mays hits his 534th home run, matching Jimmie Foxx's record for right-handed batters, as Gaylord Perry beats the Cardinals, 3 - 1.

August 16th 2002 The Twins down the Red Sox, 5 - 0, in the process ending Pedro Martinez's scoreless inning streak at 35. It is the longest such streak in the majors since 2000. Pedro’s 2000 season is considered by many to be the best season ever pitched in the history of the game.