On this day back in 1978, Ron Guidry set a franchise record by striking out 18 Angel batters in a 4-0 complete game victory. The previous record was 15 strikeouts, set back on September 27, 1919 by Bob Shawkey. Whitey Ford also had a 15 K performance, but that came in an extra inning game in 1959. It was during this historic outing that Phil Rizzuto, who was in the booth calling the game, coined Guirdy’s nickname of the Louisiana Lighting.
This performance is also believed to be the start of a Yankee Stadium tradition.