Thurman Munson dies tragically in a plane crash

August 2, 1979, 32-year-old Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees is killed in the crash of his private plane in Canton, Ohio. The following day the Yankees will honor their captain before their game against the Baltimore Orioles. Fans will give Munson, who helped the Yankees to titles in 1977 and 1978, a thundering 10-minute ovation.

August 2, 1960, in an agreement with the major leagues, the Continental League abandons plans to join the American League and National League as a third major league. Walter O'Malley, chairman of the NL Expansion Committee, says, "We immediately will recommend expansion and that we would like to do it in 1961." Braves owner Lou Perini proposes a compromise that four of the Continental League territories be admitted to the current majors in orderly expansion. Branch Rickey's group quickly accepts. The Continental League ends without playing a game.

August 2, 1938, the Brooklyn Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals use yellow baseballs in the first game of a doubleheader. The experiment will end quickly, as the two teams switch to white baseballs in the second game. The Dodgers sweep both games, winning 6-2 and 9-3.

August 2, 1930, Smokey Joe Williams of the Homestead Grays strikes out 27 Kansas City Monarchs in a memorable 12-inning night game. The 54-year-old Williams, who outduels Chet Brewer 1-0, benefits from pitching under a portable light system that makes it difficult for hitters to see the baseball.

August 2, 1921 - With the jurors lifting the men onto their shoulders, the eight White Sox players accused of throwing the 1919 World Series are acquitted by the jury.

The next day, Commissioner Kenesaw Landis will say the overwhelming evidence clearly shows the Black Sox fixed the games with gamblers and all involved will be banned from playing professional baseball again.

August 2, 1907, Walter Johnson makes his major league debut. The Washington Senators rookie loses a 3-2 decision to the Detroit Tigers. In an interesting twist, Ty Cobb collects the first hit against Johnson. Cobb would go on to collect more hits against Johnson than any other batter, and bat .366 against the hard-throwing righthander. In 1936, both players will become part of the inaugural class of the Hall of Fame.

On August 2, 1966 Tim Wakefield was born in Melbourne, Florida and celebrates his birthday today. Happy Birthday, Tim!

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• August 2
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• New York Yankees
• Baltimore Orioles
• 1960
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• Walter O'Malley
• Milwaukee Braves
• Lou Perini
• 1938
• Brooklyn Dodgers
• St. Louis Cardinals
• 1930
• Smokey Joe Williams
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• Kansas City Monarchs
• 1921
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• 1907
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• Tim Wakefield