in 1968: Denny McLain becomes MLB's 1st 30-game winner since Dizzy Dean in '34 (& likely last ever). After game, he attributes his success to steel-toed cleats used to prevent recurrence of bookie-inflicted toe-smashing that ended his season (& Tigers pennant hopes) in '67.

On this day in 1985, under a pink late-summer sky, Pete Rose collected his 4,192nd career hit to pass Ty Cobb and become MLB’s all-time hit leader. In the first inning of a 2–0 win over the Padres, Rose singled to left off Eric Show. In front of a hometown crowd—and his son Petey—he was brought to tears during a nearly nine-minute standing ovation.

This photo hung in my Papaw’s basement since I was two years old. When he passed in 1999, my grandma made sure it came to me. Back in 2020, I had plans to get it signed by Pete, but the signing was canceled due to COVID, and I never got the chance. Still, the piece carries so much meaning as it is—both for baseball history and for childhood memories.

On this day in 1924, Reds legend Ted Kluszewski was born. Nicknamed “Big Klu,” he was one of the strongest and most feared hitters of his era. I remember listening to my grandparents and aunts and uncles talk about him, how much of a presence he was on the field and how beloved he was in Cincinnati.

As a Reds fan, I had to pick up the iconic 1957 Topps of Big Klu — such a classic card of a player who left such a lasting mark on the franchise.

Next Tuesday marks the 37th anniversary of Tom Browning’s perfect game in 1988 against the LA Dodgers. Hard to believe it’s been that long since “Mr. Perfect” carved his name into baseball history. Felt like the perfect time to show off my 1989 Fleer cards of Browning.