1990s – Page 12 – Society for American Baseball Research

June 5, 1997: Alex Rodriguez hits for million-dollar cycle

June 13, 1997: Minnesota Twins win first interleague game in the Astrodome

Mark Smith (Trading Card Database)

June 16, 1997: Mark Smith’s homer lifts Pirates over Twins in Metrodome’s first-ever interleague game

June 16, 1997: Mets win their first regular-season game against Yankees

1997 Louisville Redbirds game program (Courtesy of Harry Rothgerber)

June 22, 1997: Louisville Redbirds manage only two hits against Iowa Cubs

June 30, 1997: Montreal-Toronto rivalry finds a new outlet in baseball

July 1, 1997: Expos beat Blue Jays in a Canada Day Classic

July 8, 1997: Hometown hero Sandy Alomar Jr. homers in All-Star MVP performance

Hideki Irabu: Trading Card Database

July 10, 1997: Hideki Irabu brings Japan to Yankee Stadium

July 12, 1997: Cordova, Rincon, and Smith provide fireworks for Pirates in 10-inning no-hitter

July 28, 1997: Brewers’ Steve Woodard whiffs 12 in first big-league start

Todd Helton (Trading Card DB)

August 2, 1997: Todd Helton homers in major-league debut, but Pirates edge Rockies

Rex Barney (COURTESY OF THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES)

August 12, 1997: After Rex Barney’s death, a quiet night at Camden Yards

August 29, 1997: Braves return to Boston for interleague play

August 31, 1997: Loss ends Expos’ affiliation with West Palm Beach after almost 30 years

Vladimir Guerrero (TRADING CARD DB)

September 1, 1997: Boston, Montreal take their rivalry to the baseball diamond as Vladimir Guerrero walks it off

Shawon Dunston (Trading Card DB)

September 2, 1997: ‘Freak Show’ Pirates get closer in NL Central race with Shawon Dunston’s two-homer debut

September 10, 1997: Buffalo Bisons win final American Association championship

September 13, 1997: Mets not quite dead and buried after Gilkey’s walk-off home run

Eric Davis (TRADING CARD DB)

September 15, 1997: Eric Davis returns to Orioles lineup between chemotherapy sessions

September 25, 1997: Astros clinch first National League Central Division title

Ryne Sandberg

September 28, 1997: Cardinals win in Ryne Sandberg’s last career game as McGwire hits 58th home run

Jeff Reboulet (COURTESY OF THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES)

October 5, 1997: Jeff Reboulet delivers ALDS victory for Orioles

October 11, 1997: Grissom speeds home to give Indians an extra-innings win in Game 3 of ALCS