This Day in Yankees History: Holy Cow, 18 Strikeouts!

Welcome to the relaunched This Day in Yankees History. With the start of the 2020 season delayed for the foreseeable future, the Pinstripe Alley team decided to revive the program in a slightly different format. These daily posts will highlight two or three key moments in Yankees history on a given date, as well as recognize players born on the day. Hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with us!

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This Day in Yankees History (June 17)

103 Years Ago

The New York Yankees and New York Giants played the first ever Sunday baseball game in New York City to raise money for a World War I charity. 21,000 spectators were in attendance.

84 Years Ago

With four hits, including two home runs, Yankees pitcher Red Ruffing recorded ten total bases in five at-bats, an American League record. Also on the day, he would give up four earned runs in a complete game, striking out none and walking five, as the Yankees went on to win 8-5.

42 Years Ago

Ron Guidry earns the nickname “Louisiana Lightning” from team announcer Phil Rizzuto while striking out 18 batters en route to a complete game shutout over the California Angels. Guidry’s performance is credited with starting the tradition of fans standing and clapping rhythmically with two strikes on an opposing batter, looking for the strikeout.

5 Years Ago

Michael Pineda takes a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins, with Christian Yelich recording Miam’s first hit with a solo home run to lead off the seventh. He would eventually earn the win, striking out nine and walking only two in 6.2 innings, with his only hit being Yelich’s home run.

In a fun twist, former Yankee Ichiro Suzuki played right field for the Marlins that day, while future Yankees Adeiny Hechevarria and Giancarlo Stanton played shortstop and DH, respectively.

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We thank Baseball-Reference, Nationalpastime.com, and FanGraphs for providing background information for these posts.