This Day in Reds History: Rose raps hit #2,000

On this day in 1894, the Reds signed lefty Jesse Tannehill. He appeared in only five games for Cincinnati that season before returning to the minors. Tannehill returned to the majors in 1897 and enjoyed a string of successful seasons. After a rocky 1909, Tannehill left the majors only to return for four more innings with the Reds in 1911. At his best, Tannehill was a tremendous pitcher who posted big seasons and even led the NL in ERA (2.18) in 1901. Cincinnati discovered him at the age of 19, but lost the finest years of his career to other teams.

On this day in 1927, the Reds split a doubleheader with the Phillies at Redland Field (Crosley Field). The day is notable as Philadelphia pitcher Jack Scott tossed a complete game for the Phillies in both contests. Scott is the last player to throw two complete games in one day.

On this day in 1928, former Red Jake Weimer died in Chicago at the age of 54. "Tornado Jake" threw 630 innings for Cincinnati from 1906 to 1908. Weimer posted a 2.31 ERA during that stretch, which was only good for a 113 ERA+ in that era. To give you an idea of how scarce runs were in 1908, the average NL team scored only 3.3 runs per game that season. That's roughly the equivalent of Bert Blyleven's, Fergie Jenkins', Luis Tiant's, or Matt Cain's career ERA.

On this day in 1938, Johnny Vander Meer took a no-hitter into the fourth inning before surrendering a hit to Boston's Debs Garms. Vander Meer had not allowed a hit in the previous 21 and 2/3 innings. The Reds somehow worked around the suddenly hittable Vander Meer to win, 14-1.

On this day in 1964, the Reds signed Johnny Temple. The second baseman was a fixture of the team's lineup during the "Redleg" years of the mid-1950s, but had bounced around baseball in the early '60s. His second stint with the Reds consisted of only six games before he retired. Temple was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1965.

On this day in 1973, Pete Rose tallied his 2,000th hit. Charlie Hustle went four for five with a run and an RBI on the day to bring his season average up to .309. The Reds defeated the Giants at Candlestick Park, 4-0.

On this day in 1983, former Red Nick Esasky made his major league debut with the Reds. Esasky started at third base against the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. Unfortunately, he went oh-for-three with a strikeout, but managed to record a putout at third base. Los Angeles won 5-1, as Burt Hooton threw a three-hit complete game for the Dodgers.

On this day in 1988, the Reds traded third baseman Buddy Bell to the Astros for a player to be named later, which turned out to be pitching prospect Jeff Edwards.

Also on this day in 1988, Devin Mesoraco was born in Punxsutawney, PA.