Key facts
- Alex Rodriguez hit his 23rd career grand slam on June 12, 2012, tying Lou Gehrig's record.
- The New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets 9-8 in a 2009 game where Luis Castillo dropped a crucial popup.
- Daniel Nava hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw in his major league debut in 2010.
- Hub Pruett struck out Babe Ruth three consecutive times in 1922.
- The Baseball Hall of Fame was dedicated on June 12, 1939.
On June 12, 2012, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees hit his 23rd career grand slam, tying the record previously held by Lou Gehrig. This milestone occurred during a game where the Yankees narrowly defeated the New York Mets with a final score of 9-8.
Throughout baseball history, June 12th has seen numerous notable events. In 1922, Hub Pruett struck out Babe Ruth three consecutive times. Lou Gehrig himself had a standout game in 1928, hitting two triples and two home runs. The Baseball Hall of Fame was dedicated in Cooperstown, N.Y., in 1939.
Other significant pitching performances on this date include Jim Wilson's no-hitter in 1954 and Dock Ellis's no-hitter in 1970. Stan Musial set a National League record for consecutive games played in 1957. In 1959, Mike McCormick tossed a rain-shortened no-hitter.
Notable offensive achievements include the Aaron brothers, Hank and Tommie, both homering in the same game in 1962. Cal Ripken had a remarkable 6-for-6 performance with two home runs and six RBIs in 1999, contributing to the Baltimore Orioles' franchise-record 22-1 victory. In 2010, Daniel Nava hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw in his major league debut.
The date has also seen significant off-field developments, including the cancellation of 13 games due to a players' strike in 1981 and the introduction of interleague play in 1997. In 2006, Jason Grimsley was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs. Discussions about potential league realignment were also on the table in 2011.