This Day In Baseball - The Daily Rewind

October 9, 1996 - Bernie Williams hit a home run in the 11th inning to give the New York Yankees a 5 - 4 victory over Baltimore in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. The Yankees were also aided by an assist from a young fan, which proved to be a game changer. The O’s held a 4-3 lead when Derek Jeter hit a ball to deep right field. Right fielder Tony Tarasco positioned himself to make the play when 12 year old Jeffrey Maier reached out and deflected the ball into the stands and Umpire Rich Garcia called the hit a home run.  Garcia later admitted that there was spectator interference, though he maintained the ball was not catchable despite overwhelming visual evidence to the contrary.October 9, 1910 - Nap Lajoie, in a batting race with Ty Cobb, collected eight hits for Cleveland in a season-ending doubleheader with the St. Louis Browns. The hits were somewhat tainted; however, as St. Louis third baseman Red Corriden played back as Lajoie bunted safely six times. Regardless, Cobb was awarded