THIS DATE IN BASEBALL

October 17

1859 — Buck Ewing is born in Hoagland, Ohio. Ewing is one of baseball’s earliest superstars, playing more than 1,300 games over 18 seasons and earning Hall of Fame induction in 1939.

1964 — Yogi Berra is fired as manager of the New York Yankees, who win 99 regular-season games but lose to St. Louis in the World Series. He is replaced by Johnny Keane, who resigns after leading the Cardinals to the championship.

1971 — Roberto Clemente homers as the Pittsburgh Pirates win a dramatic World Series with a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 7. Clemente is named MVP after batting .414 in the series.

1974 — The Oakland Athletics join major-league royalty, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in Game 5 to win their third consecutive World Series. The A’s and New York Yankees are the only teams in history to win three straight titles.

1978 — The New York Yankees secure their second straight World Series championship, cruising to a 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bucky Dent has three hits for the Yankees and is named series MVP. 1979 — Willie Stargell’s two-run home run highlights the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 7 of the World Series. The 39-year-old Stargell is named series MVP, making him the oldest in major-league history.

1985 — The New York Yankees name Lou Piniella manager. Piniella replaces Billy Martin, who was sacked for a fourth time despite going 91-54.

1989 — A major earthquake strikes the San Francisco area, postponing Game 3 of the World Series between the Giants and the Oakland Athletics. The series doesn’t resume for 11 days.

1995 — The Cleveland Indians clinch their first pennant in 41 years, defeating the Seattle Mariners 4-0 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. 2000 — The New York Yankees rally to beat the Seattle Mariners 9-7 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, advancing to the World Series for the 37th time.