On May 4th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1975 when the Houston Astros' Bob Watson scored what was considered the "millionth run" in Major League Baseball history.
The excitement surrounding this milestone had been building up for weeks as the league kept track of the total runs scored since the National League's inception in 1876. In a game against the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park, Watson led off the second inning with a home run off pitcher John Montefusco.
As Watson rounded the bases, the scoreboard flashed "1,000,000," and the game was briefly halted to celebrate the occasion. Watson was presented with a special "Million Run" trophy, a one-million-dollar check (which was actually a novelty item), and a new car.
Interestingly, there was some controversy surrounding the milestone. Some historians argued that the millionth run had likely been scored earlier due to record-keeping inconsistencies and the lack of comprehensive statistics from the early years of professional baseball. Others claimed that a few "no-decision" games in the 1800s were not included in the official count.
Despite the debate, Bob Watson's "millionth run" remains a unique and memorable moment in baseball history, one that showcased the sport's rich heritage and the enthusiasm of its fans.
