July 30, 1933: Dizzy Strikes Out 17

     On July 30, 1933,in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cubs at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Dizzy Dean set a modern day record by striking out 17 if the Cubs batters as he led the way to an 8-2 victory. The offense was highlighted by a 4 for 4 day by Ducky Medwick, Ernie Orsatti knocked in two, and Dizzy did more than pitch, as he went 3 for 4, with two doubles, and two RBIs. While the offense rolled, Dizzy baffled batter after batter with a mixture of fastballs and curveballs. The previous modern day record was shared by Frank Hahn, Christy Mathewson, Rube Waddell, and Nap Rucker. The all time record of 19 had been set in 1884 by Charles Sweeney of the Providence Grays, and was matched that same season by Hugh "One Arm" Daily that same year. It should be noted that the rules to the game were very different when those records were set. The strikeout record was not the only record setting performance at the ballpark that day, as the Cardinals catcher Jimmie Wilson's 18 putouts set  another record as well. While neither one of the records would stand the test of time, that day at Sportsman's Park is one to be remembered.

Check out the box score here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN193307301.shtml

     While the legendary performance by Dean was the headline grabber, the second game of the doubleheader was won by the Cardinals by the score of 6-5. That game was highlighted by a three run shot off of Medwick's bat, and a 2 for 3 day by Pepper Martin who scored three times, and knocked out a triple.

Check out the box score here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN193307302.shtml