On May 29, 1945 John Odom was born. By the time he was in the fifth grade, Odom was known as “Blue Moon,” and by the time he was a teenager, he was pitching in the majors. Richard looks back on Odom’s life and career.

On May 14, 1955, Dennis Martinez was born. “El Presidente” would go on to a 23-year career in the major leagues that included a perfect game, battles with alcoholism, and a distinguished record for games won.

On May 5, 1981, Maury Wills lost his job as manager of the Seattle Mariners. Wills had led the team only since Aug. 4 of the year before, but already had one of the most disastrous managerial tenures in history. Richard looks back on the lowlights.

On April 30, 1961 Willie Mays became just the ninth player to hit four home runs in a game. Richard looks back on Mays’ feat, and the other men who have clubbed four round-trippers in a single day.

On April 20, 1937, Gee Walker of the Tigers hit for the cycle on Opening Day. Walker managed his feat “in reverse,” starting with a homer and working his way down to a single. That’s one of many cycle-related facts that Richard shares this week.

On April 8, 1946, James Augustus Hunter was born. Thanks to the machinations of Charlie Finley, he would be known to the wider world as “Catfish.” Richard looks back on Hunter, and the rest of the “All-Sea Creature Team.”

On April 1, 1969, the Seattle Pilots traded little-known outfielder Lou Pinella to Kansas City. Thanks to moves like that, a year later Bud Selig bought the Pilots and moved them to Milwaukee. Richard looks back at the history of Seattle’s first major league team.

On March 24, 1961, the New York State Senate approved money for the construction of a baseball stadium in Queens. On that anniversary, Richard looks back at New York’s “other” baseball stadium, one which also will be lost to the ages after this season.

On March 11, 1901, John McGraw announced the signing of Tokohama, a Native American he hoped to deploy at second base for his Baltimore Orioles. That was just one of the transactional shenanigans that took place during this week of March.

On March 8, 1939, Jim Bouton was born. He would go on to fame as a Yankees pitcher and even greater fame as the author of Ball Four. He is one of many baseball writing talents to have a birthday this week.