THIS DAY IN BEISBOL: October 2: Carlos Baerga sets AL record for second basemen

Carlos Baerga was a rising star in 1992 and only in his second full season with the Indians when on this day in beisbol, October 2, he set an American League record as the first second baseman to hit .300 with 200 hits, 20 home runs and 100 RBI.

The Santurce, Puerto Rico native, 23, led a young Cleveland team that would soon become an American League powerhouse in batting average. He hit .312 and was second in home runs (20) and RBI (105) behind slugger Albert Belle.

Also on this day:

In 1969, Roberto Clemente missed out on winning his fifth batting title by a hair despite going 3-for-4 on the last day of the season. The Pirates right-fielder finished .005 of a point behind Pete Rose — .3447 to .3452.

In 1999, Montreal Expos outfielder Vladimir Guerrero hit two homers while  his teammate — older half-brother Wilton — hit one in a 13-3 victory over the Phillies. It was the second time the brothers homered in the same game. Wilton had two dingers that year; Vladimir hit 42.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera wrapped up his 1999 season with his 45th save — two more than the number of hits he allowed all year.

Photo:  Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; LatinoBaseball illustration