The record for July 4 in baseball history — 11 milestones, 20 debuts, 18 final games, 60 births, 28 deaths and 2,049 games played.
Hooks Wiltse started as the New York Giants held the Philadelphia Phillies without a hit on July 4, 1908, winning 1–0.
Hooks Wiltse started as the New York Giants held the Philadelphia Phillies without a hit on July 4, 1908, winning 1–0.
George Mullin threw a no-hitter for the Detroit Tigers against the St. Louis Browns on July 4, 1912, winning 7–0.
Jim Tabor hit three home runs for the Boston Red Sox against the Philadelphia Athletics on July 4, 1939.
Hank Leiber hit three home runs for the Chicago Cubs against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 4, 1939.
Lou Gehrig, recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, informs a crowd at Yankee Stadium that he considers himself "The luckiest man on the face of the earth", then announces his retirement from major league baseball.
Manny Jiménez hit three home runs for the Kansas City Athletics against the Baltimore Orioles on July 4, 1964.
Dave Righetti threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees against the Boston Red Sox on July 4, 1983, winning 4–0.
Keith Hernandez hit for the cycle for the New York Mets against the Atlanta Braves on July 4, 1985.
Moisés Alou hit three home runs for the Chicago Cubs against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 4, 2003.
Drew Stubbs hit three home runs for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago Cubs on July 4, 2010.
Michael Busch hit three home runs for the Chicago Cubs against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 4, 2025.
Monk Cline made a major-league debut on July 4, 1882.
George Stovall made a major-league debut on July 4, 1904.
Gene Robertson made a major-league debut on July 4, 1919.
Lance Richbourg made a major-league debut on July 4, 1921.
Don Lang made a major-league debut on July 4, 1938.
Johnny Antonelli made a major-league debut on July 4, 1948.
Murray Wall made a major-league debut on July 4, 1950.
Sparky Lyle made a major-league debut on July 4, 1967.
Andy Messersmith made a major-league debut on July 4, 1968.
Bruce Kison made a major-league debut on July 4, 1971.
Julio Cruz made a major-league debut on July 4, 1977.
Guy Hoffman made a major-league debut on July 4, 1979.
Mike Campbell made a major-league debut on July 4, 1987.
Kevin Tapani made a major-league debut on July 4, 1989.
Reggie Harris made a major-league debut on July 4, 1990.
John McDonald made a major-league debut on July 4, 1999.
Jon Garland made a major-league debut on July 4, 2000.
Cody Ross made a major-league debut on July 4, 2003.
Justin Verlander made a major-league debut on July 4, 2005.
Nick Hundley made a major-league debut on July 4, 2008.
Pop Snyder played a final major-league game on July 4, 1891.
Elmer Flick played a final major-league game on July 4, 1910.
Cy Falkenberg played a final major-league game on July 4, 1917.
Roy Walker played a final major-league game on July 4, 1922.
Fred Carisch played a final major-league game on July 4, 1923.
Wally Berger played a final major-league game on July 4, 1940.
Johnny Rigney played a final major-league game on July 4, 1947.
Max Lanier played a final major-league game on July 4, 1953.
Jim Hegan played a final major-league game on July 4, 1960.
Bill Dawley played a final major-league game on July 4, 1989.
Mike Norris played a final major-league game on July 4, 1990.
Freddie Toliver played a final major-league game on July 4, 1993.
Mike Maddux played a final major-league game on July 4, 2000.
Fernando Tatís played a final major-league game on July 4, 2010.
Brandon Lyon played a final major-league game on July 4, 2013.
Donnie Murphy played a final major-league game on July 4, 2014.
Kevin Correia played a final major-league game on July 4, 2015.
Carlos Martínez played a final major-league game on July 4, 2021.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3, Toronto Blue Jays 4.
Pittsburgh Pirates 0, Seattle Mariners 6.
Tampa Bay Rays 3, Minnesota Twins 4.
Detroit Tigers 2, Cleveland Guardians 1.
San Francisco Giants 2, Athletics 11.
Boston Red Sox 11, Washington Nationals 2.
Texas Rangers 2, San Diego Padres 3.
Cincinnati Reds 9, Philadelphia Phillies 6.
New York Yankees 5, New York Mets 6.
Milwaukee Brewers 6, Miami Marlins 5.
Houston Astros 18, Los Angeles Dodgers 1.
Chicago White Sox 3, Colorado Rockies 2.
These are the 12 most recent of 2,049 games played on this date. The sections above lead with what made the day matter.
60 players were born on July 4; these are the 24 best known.
28 players died on July 4; these are the 24 best known.