On this day in 1961 the Milwaukee Braves and the Cubs engaged in a pitchers' duel at County Stadium. The two teams were tied at 1 when Braves center fielder Gino Cimoli hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to take a 2-1 lead and the eventual victory.
The winning pitcher in the game was Warren Spahn, who pitched a complete game (the 317th of his career), drove in the game's first run with a sac fly and notched his 300th win. He was the 13th pitcher in major league history to record 300 victories, and just the sixth pitcher to do so after 1901.
Spahn led the National League with 21 wins in 1961, his fifth straight season as the league leader and a 21-game winner. He also led the league with 21 complete games, his fifth of seven consecutive seasons at the top of the NL in that category. He finished his career with 363 wins and 382 complete games in 750 major league appearances.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Brevard County Manatee Cody Hawn, who turns 24.
- 2002 Brewer Andrew Lorraine, who turns 40.
- 1989-91 Brewer George Canale, who turns 47.
Today is also the 30th anniversary of the 1982 Brewers claiming starting pitcher Doc Medich off waivers from the Rangers. We covered that event in this space last year.