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Rick Ankiel returns to major league baseball as an outfielder
August 9, 2007, marks another performance enhanced historical moment when Rick Ankiel made a dramatic return to the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first big league game in three years, Ankiel - a former pitcher - batted second and played right field. After going 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts, Ankiel hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to propel the Cardinals to a 5-0 victory over the Padres at Busch Stadium. August 9, 1918, Cincinnati Reds manager Christy Mathewson suspends first baseman Hal Chase for what he calls "indifferent play." Mathewson believes that Chase is "throwing" games because of gambling connections. It's not the first nor last time that Chase is accused of shady play. Historical milestones occur on August 9th: In 1988, Rich "Goose" Gossage of the Chicago Cubs earns his 300th career save. The veteran right-hander pitches the final inning of the Cubs' 6-4 win over the New York Mets, in what also happens to be the first completed night game at Wrigley Field. A crowd of 36399 attends the evening affair. August 9th 1975, Davey Lopes of the Los Angeles Dodgers breaks the record for most consecutive stolen bases without being caught. Lopes steals his 32nd straight base, eclipsing the record held by Max Carey. Lopes will swipe six more bases, shattering the mark, before being caught stealing on August 24. August 9, 1947, Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians and Hank Thompson of the St. Louis Browns make history by becoming the first African-American <b>...</b>