Baseball History

[67RedSox]

It was on this date in 1886 Capitol Park, a.k.a. "Swampdoodle Grounds", is opened in Washington with an exhibition game. With a seating capacity of 6,000 it was the home of the Washington Nationals baseball team of the National League from 1886 to 1889. The park was named for the Swampoodle neighborhood.

File:Flickr - USCapitol - Washington Nationals baseball team of the National League circa 1886-1889.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It was on this date in 1908, after a 2-year investigation‚ the Mills Committee‚ formed on the recommendation of Al Spalding and headed by the former NL president A. G. Mills‚ declares that baseball was invented by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown‚ NY in 1839. Overwhelming evidence to the contrary is ignored‚ but the designation makes James Fenimore Cooper's town the most likely site for a Hall of Fame and museum when these establishments are conceived some 30 years later.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=abne...erial_Tours-Cooperstown_New_York.html;550;358

It was on this date in 1942 The Baseball Bible of my youth, The Sporting News, raises its price to 15 cents a copy‚ $7 per year. ( the cheapest I ever paid for it was 50 cents ). Publisher A.J. Spink‚ in TSN‚ reports on the result of a poll of 100 former Major Leaguers and Managers as to who their choice is as best player of all time. Ty Cobb is the overwhelming pick‚ getting 60 of the votes cast. The remaining 42 votes are divided among 14 players: Honus Wagner (17): Babe Ruth (11); and Rogers Hornsby and Ross Youngs (2 votes each). The following players each received one vote: Lou Gehrig‚ Ed Delahanty‚ Tris Speaker‚ Joe DiMaggio‚ Mel Ott‚ George Sisler‚ Eddie Collins‚ Christy Mathewson‚ Walter Johnson‚ and Jerry Denny. Among those who reveal they voted for Cobb are Speaker‚ Collins‚ Sisler‚ Johnson‚ Al Simmons‚ Connie Mack‚ and Jack Coombs.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=the+...2-Jimmie-Foxx-Babe-Ruth-Sporting-News;400;555

Although it would be 40 years before Denver gets a MLB team it was on this date in 1952 Denver would host a MLB exhibition game that would have ramifications on the NL’s 1952 regular season. Giants slugger Monte Irvin breaks his ankle sliding into 3B in an exhibition game against the Indians and as a result will play just 46 games in 1952 and drive in only 21 runs, exactly 100 less than he did in 1951 when he led the NL. The Giants would win 92 games but finish second to the Dodgers who won 96.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=mont...ortsphotos.com%2Fhome.php%3Fcat%3D561;303;392

"Not getting booed at Ebbets Field was an amazing thing. Those fans knew their baseball, and Gil was the only player I can remember whom the fans never, I mean never, booed."—Clem Labine

It was on this date in 1972 that Gil Hodges died suddenly of a heart attack in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Hodges was born in the coal mining area in Southwest Indiana. His father, a coalminer, was adamant neither Gil or his older brother would follow him into the coal mines so he taught his sons how to play sports, and Gil was a four-sport athlete in High School. He ran track and played baseball, basketball, and football, earning a combined seven varsity letters. In 1941, like his brother before him, Hodges was offered a Class D contract by the Detroit Tigers, but he declined it and instead enrolled at St. Joseph's College on an athletic scholarship. St. Joseph's, located near Indianapolis, had a well-regarded physical education program, and Hodges had designs on a college coaching career. Gil played baseball and basketball for the Pumas and was a member of the Marines ROTC. The lure of the Major leagues was too much for him though and when the Dodgers came knocking he listened and by the end of the following year he was in the Majors.
From the time he was 19 years old until the day he died Hodges wore a MLB uniform except for 1944 and 1945 when he wore that of the U.S. Marine Corps. Brooklyn called up the nineteen-year-old Hodges late in the 1943 season. He made his debut at Crosley Field on October 3, the Dodgers’ last game of the year. Facing Cincinnati’s Johnny Vander Meer, Gil went 0-for-2 at the plate and made two costly errors at third base. Eleven days later, he entered the Marine Corps and was sent to Hawaii, first to Pearl Harbor and later Kauai. Hodges served as a gunner for the 16th Anti-Aircraft Battalion. From Hawaii he went to Tinian, the sister island of Saipan in the South Pacific. In April 1945, Sergeant Hodges, now assigned to his battalion’s operations and intelligence section, landed on Okinawa with the assault troops and was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star.
I didn’t know the Dodgers played him at 3B and was even more surprised he was a catcher for the Dodgers in both 1947 and into 1948 before he settled in at 1B. Was he a good 1st Baseman? In four short words…one of the best. In 1957 when Gold Gloves were initiated, Hodges won the Award for 1B when there was only one award for both Leagues. In 1958 Gold Gloves were awarded in each League and Hodges won again as he did for a 3rd time in 1959 after the Dodgers moved West.
Hodges is one of a handful of players who won a World Championship while wearing a Dodger uniform on both Coasts. Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Clem Labine, Junior Gilliam and Don Zimmer were others who can also lay claim to that…there may have been others???
Once Hodges got to Flatbush and married a Brooklyn girl it would always considered it to be his home and although it must have been difficult to take off the Dodger uniform for the last time in 1961 he was 37 and knew his time as a player was nearing an end and was delighted to be selected by the Mets in the expansion draft. He was going home and in 1962 he was happy to wear a Met uniform ( as did other former teammates from the Dodgers like Clem Labine, Don Zimmer, Joe Pignatano, Charlie Neal and Roger Craig. Duke Snider would come to the Mets as well in 1963. Hodges, at 39, played his last ML game in May, 1963…another gig was awaiting him. The Washington Senators asked him to be their Manager. After clearing waivers, Gil was traded to Washington for outfielder Jimmy Piersall on May 23, ending his playing career. When it did end Hodges retired holding the NL record for hitting the most career HRs by a right-handed batter, with 370…Willie Mays would later break it.
In 1968 Hodges would move back to New York again, this time, to manage the Mets and two things happened in 1969. Hodges had his first winning season as a manager, and oh yes, the Mets win the World Series.
The spring of 1972 saw the first modern players strike. On April 2, Easter Sunday, Hodges played golf at the Palm Beach Lakes golf course in Florida with coaches Joe Pignatano, Rube Walker, and Eddie Yost. The first two were old Brooklyn Dodger pals, while Yost had been with Hodges since the Senators days. As they walked off the final hole of their twenty-seven-hole day toward their rooms at the Ramada Inn, Pignatano asked Hodges what time they were to meet for dinner. Hodges answered him, "7:30," and then he fell to the pavement. He was pronounced dead of a coronary at 5:45 p.m. in West Palm Beach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4rwO_05CIE

 

[67RedSox]

It was on this date in 1993 the Rockies sign free agent veteran Dale Murphy. The two-time MVP will hit just .143 in 26 games for the Rockies.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=dale...2Fshort-term-stops-4-dale-murphy.html;289;400

Joliet, Illinois was named after the French-Canadian explorer who first came to the area along the Des Plaines River southwest of Chicago in 1673. Little did he know that 247 years later what will become known as the University of St. Francis opens. It was on this date in 1996 the school ( then known as the College of St. Francis ) sets 71 records with a 71-1 four-inning defeat of Robert Morris College. The Fighting Saints score 26 runs in the 1st inning‚ 22 more in the 2nd‚ 4 in the 3rd and 19 in the 4th‚ collecting 44 hits along the way. 1st baseman Brian Mazurek hits for the cycle‚ while freshman SS Mike Palermo ties an NAIA record with 7 hits. LF Mike Holcomb sets a NCAA mark with 9 runs scored. Can you say…Ouch!

https://www.google.ca/search?q=univ...tps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FBaseballUSF;500;373

It was on this date in 1992 the Red Sox conclude 27 years of spring training at Winter Haven‚ Florida‚ by beating the Tigers‚ 14-4. I’m not knocking Fort Myers but why the Red Sox ever left Winter Haven for Fort Myers boggles the mind. I can only assume it was because of that old temptress…money. Certainly the Red Sox played that card a few years ago to get a new ST site out of Fort Myers. Before Winter Haven they trained in Scottsdale or as some might say, “The Bowels of Hell”.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bost...012%2F07%2Fwinter-haven-florida.html;1165;797

Chances are you know where the Brooklyn Dodgers ended up when they left New York after the 1957 season. However, do you know where their scoreboard ended up?
Asheville, North Carolina has a deep tradition in Minor League Baseball. Asheville teams have played under the Tourists moniker in different Leagues and classifications for decades, with the earliest dating to 1897. The current team has played continuously in what is now known as the South Atlantic League since 1976 and for the past 20 years have been a farm team of the Colorado Rockies at the ‘A’ level. The Tourists play home games at McCormick Field, truly one of the nicest settings for a ballpark you could possibly find. The park opened in 1924, renovated in 1959, and renovated again for the 1992 season. McCormick Field seats 4,000 fans. People get a kick out of the scoreboard which reads "Visitors" in the guest slot and "Tourists" in the home slot. It was on this date in 1924 the first game was played at McCormick Field and it was a smashing success as the visiting Detroit Tigers beat the Ashville Skylanders‚ 18-14. A crowd of 3199 watches as Harry Heilmann bangs 3 homers‚ two off the top of the LF grandstand. Ty Cobb adds a homer.
Well, when the Dodgers left Brooklyn the Ebbets Field scoreboard was relocated to McCormick Field.

McCormick Field - Asheville, North Carolina

There are a couple of birthdays worth mentioning today. It was on this date in 1856 Guy Hecker is born. Now that name doesn’t ring too many bells today but it did in the 19th century. Guy Hecker has been regarded as the best combination of hitter and pitcher during the 19th Century. In a Major League career that lasted from 1882 to 1890 he won 175 games and compiled a .290 batting average. But when one looks at his year-by-year record, two seasons stand out. Fittingly, one was as a hitter and one was as a pitcher. In 1884 he wins 52, yes 52 games. He leads the League with a record of 52-20 and is tops with an ERA of 1.80, Starts with 73, Complete Games with 72, Innings Pitched with 671 and Strikeouts with 385. Two years later in 1886 he wins the Batting Crown with a .341 mark.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=guy+...vl.org%2Fcatalog%2Fxt73n58cg87g_2_32;736;1039

It was on this date in 1930, Wally Moon is born. Yes, he may have had the longest unibrow in the history of the game but he’ll be remembered for his patented ‘moonshots’ over the left-field fence in the LA memorial Coliseum when the Dodgers played there. As I’ve mentioned before I think he’s one of the best interviews in the game.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=wall...nfo%2F1960sBaseball_PP_WallyMoon.html;445;319

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuzJPzD2ddQ

 

[67RedSox]

It was on this date in 2005 Clint Barmes hit a 2-run walk-off HR off of Trevor Hoffman as the Rockies defeat the Padres 12-10 in a game they trailed 10-8 coming to bat in the bottom of the 9th inning.

April 4, 2005 San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

One of the classic confrontations in Baseball is a Lou Brock, a Maury Wills, a Ty Cobb or a Luis Aparicio trying to cover 90 feet quicker than a ball thrown 127 feet , 3 3/8 inches by a Johnny Bench or Sherm Lollar. On this date in 1948 Baseball fans in St. Pete’s were treated to the foot race of the Century when 84 year old Connie Mack challenges Clark Griffith, the 78-year-old owner of the Senators, to a foot race from home plate to first base. It was quite a treat and apparently ended in a dead heat. I’m thinking neither Mack nor Griffith matched the3.1 seconds that Billy Hamilton, Mickey Mantle or vada Pinson have been timed doing it.

Kentucky New Era - Google News Archive Search

It’s been 25 years but on this date in 1989 before 52‚394 at Minneapolis‚ the Yankees spoil the Twins Opening Day game by winning‚ 4-2. Tommy John ties a record by playing in 26 seasons. The Yankee veteran hurler beats the Twins, 4-2, for his 287th win, putting him 19th overall in career wins. He has 1 more Win in his 46 year old body and 15 year old left arm before calling it quits to his career.
On September 25, 1974, Dr. Jobe, while in the middle of what would become a three-hour procedure on John’s left elbow, made a fateful determination. “When I went to repair (the ligament),” he said, “because of the long years of wear, there was nothing left to repair. I had to look elsewhere for a substitute.” Jobe replaced John’s medial collateral ligament of the elbow, which was completely ruptured, with a new ligament that he harvested from the palmaris longus tendon of John’s right wrist. (Sportswriters later joked that John was the world’s first “right-handed southpaw.”) When John woke up and reached out to learn what had happened during the surgery, he found his left arm—his pitching arm—bandaged and difficult to move. And he found that his right hand was also bandaged.
The recovery from what would become known as Tommy John surgery was more uncertain than the actual procedure itself. No one knew what to expect. We were making medical history.” The immediate aftermath was the low point. The surgery had damaged the ulnar nerve, and John’s left hand was shriveled into a kind of a useless claw, with feeling in several of his fingers lost. On December 15 Dr. Jobe quietly performed another procedure to re-route the nerve through fatty tissue on the inside of the elbow, well away from the scarring that was affecting John’s hand. This operation was a success; otherwise John would have ended up with a permanent deformity. The next month Dr. Jobe removed the final cast on John’s arm, and the pitcher set to work on restoring the muscle strength and control that he would need to pitch again.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=tomm...ess.com%2Ftag%2Ftommy-john-surgery%2F;675;534

It was on this date in 1974, 40 years ago, at Riverfront Stadium‚ in his first swing of the season‚ Hank Aaron hits a 3-run HR off Jack Billingham as the Braves lose to the Reds 7-6 in 11 innings. It comes on a 3-1 pitch. It is HR 714 for Aaron to tie him with the Babe and Hank is greeted by Bowie Kuhn and Vice-president Gerald Ford. The Reds‚ trailing 6-2 in the 8th‚ get a 3-run homer from Tony Perez‚ tie in the 9th on Pete Rose's RBI-double‚ and win it in the 11th when Rose scampers home from second on Buzz Capra's wild pitch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCxe_NeNZFI

It took a tremendous blast to hit a home run over the 86-foot high right field roof at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. From the time of the roof’s construction in 1925, until the stadium’s final game in June 1970, only 18 balls, hit by 10 different players, ever cleared the roof. Among the men who accomplished the feat were some of the most prodigious sluggers of all time: Babe Ruth, whose homer was the 714th and last of his legendary career; Willie Stargell, who did it a record seven times; and Eddie Matthews, who homered twice.
And then there was 5’8”, 165 pound Ted Beard; in the company of power hitters such as those, he was the most unlikely slugger of them all but he accomplished it in 1950. His professional baseball career lasted for 19 seasons. If Beard never ultimately realized lasting success in the Major Leagues (he played just 194 games over parts of seven seasons), he nevertheless enjoyed great success in the minors (1,915 games). As with many players, the transition from Triple A to the Majors proved a challenge that Beard was never quite able to overcome, yet he produced several dominant seasons at the lower levels, including a number of performances that surpassed his most notable Major League achievement. On this date in 1953 at San Diego, he set a Pacific Coast League record by hitting four home runs in one game: in a 6-5 victory he went four for five, driving in all six runs with home runs, all hit to right center field, 375 feet away. Later in the month he then tied another record when he went 12 for 12, collecting five home runs, a double and six singles, before ending his string with a fly out.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ted+...en-angels-and-stars-ruled-los-angeles;300;237

https://www.google.ca/search?q=forb...baseball.com%2Fpast%2FForbesField.htm;490;324

Tristram E. Speaker was born on this date in 1888, in Hubbard, Texas, a railroad town of 500 people 70 miles south of Dallas. Speaker, Ty Cobb’s friendly rival as the greatest center fielder of the Dead Ball Era, could field and throw better than the Georgia Peach even if he could not quite match him as a hitter. Legendary for his short outfield play, Speaker led the American League in putouts seven times and in double plays six times in a 22-year career with Boston, Cleveland, Washington, and Philadelphia. Speaker’s career totals in both categories are still major-league records at his position. No slouch at the plate, Speaker had a lifetime batting average of .345, sixth on the all-time list, and no one has surpassed his career mark of 792 doubles. He was also one of the game’s most successful player-managers. A man’s man who hunted, fished, could bulldog a steer, and taught Will Rogers how to use a lariat, Speaker was involved in more than his share of umpire baiting and brawls with teammates and opposing players. But when executing a hook slide on the bases, tracking a fly ball at the crack of an opponent’s bat, or slashing one of his patented extra-base hits, Speaker made everything he did look easy.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=tris...%2Fnew_tris_speaker_biography_is.html;512;427

https://www.google.ca/search?q=tris...2F%2Fwww.trisspeaker.us%2Fphotos.html;359;415

 

[67RedSox]

It was on this date in 1993, at Shea Stadium‚ the Colorado Rockies make their NL debut‚ losing to the Mets by a score of 3-0. Andres Galarraga gets a pair of hits for Colorado but is thrown out in the 9th trying to stretch a single. David Nied takes the loss.

April 5, 1993 Colorado Rockies at New York Mets Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

A couple of days ago I did a blurb on McCormick Field in Asheville, North Carolina. In 1926, Ruth stood in the outfield, smelled the honeysuckle and said, “My, my, what a beautiful place to play.” No, he never played for the Tourists, and no, the Great Bambino did not die in The Land of the Sky, even though there were published reports to the contrary for a few hours. He did, however, play at McCormick Field with the New York Yankees and liked what he saw. Ruth and teammate Lou Gehrig both hit home runs in New York’s 11-3 win during an exhibition game at McCormick Field. As far as Ruth’s supposed death in Asheville is concerned, that event garnered the nickname, “The Bellyache Heard ‘Round The World.” A variety of stories have made their way to print over the past 80 years, yet the following is what happened, based on the most credible accounts.
It was on this date in 1925 the New York Yankees were working their way north from ST in Florida. The tradition in those days had teams playing exhibition games for approximately two weeks while riding the trains to the Northeast to open the regular season. The Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers were slated to meet in a series of contests, including stops in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Asheville, prior to Opening Day on April 14.
Such games produced excitement at every stop, for the Yankees were the game’s biggest draw and Ruth ranked among the world’s greatest celebrities. Ruth had not been feeling well since he celebrated his 30th birthday on February 6, 1925. His weight had increased significantly topped off by an eating and drinking binge since the end of the 1924 campaign that left Ruth tipping the scales at 255 pounds. In an effort to drop some weight, Ruth reported to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in February for a combination of exercise and steam baths. His efforts proved fruitless before he caught the flu just prior to heading for spring training in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Ruth battled his health for most of March until the team ventured north at the end of the month. On the way to Atlanta, Ruth complained of chills and fever. He continued to fight through his conditions in Chattanooga, yet thrilled the locals with two home runs after feeling too sick to take batting practice. Ruth added another roundtripper in Knoxville, only to suffer stomach cramps with a high fever shortly after the contest.
The bumpy ride along the winding tracks through the Great Smoky Mountains did little to improve Ruth’s condition. The Bambino was not alone, for several of his Yankee teammates reportedly felt nauseous on the trip prior to pulling into the Asheville train station on Depot Street. Ruth staggered off the train in front of a large crowd that had gathered to meet him and immediately fainted. Had teammate Steve O’Neill failed to catch the falling Babe, Ruth might have been seriously injured had his head landed on the station’s marble floor.
The Yankees made plans to ship Ruth to New York along with scout Paul Krichell. In the meantime, an unconscious Ruth was carried to a taxi by his teammates and driven to the Battery Park Hotel. He remained at the hotel overnight in the care of Dr. A.S. Jordan prior to departing the next afternoon, at 3:50. With little information to report, rumors started to circulate, including one that stated Ruth had died in Western North Carolina.
Sportswriter W.O. McGeehan of the New York Tribune is the one who initially described Ruth’s ailments as “The bellyache heard ‘round the world.” Ruth’s bellyache, however, proved to be much more than a virus or a temporary case of indigestion. Shortly after his arrival at New York’s St. Vincent’s Hospital on West Eleventh Street, the Babe underwent surgery for what was described as an “intestinal abscess.” He wound up spending seven weeks in the hospital, from April 9 through May 25. Amazingly, Ruth took the field shortly thereafter, playing in his first game on June 1.
Regardless of what bothered the Babe in early 1925, he managed to overcome the problem. He wound up hitting .290 with 25 home runs in 98 games that year, numbers that represent one of the lower outputs of his laudable career but every year thereafter until 1932 his legend continued to grow by leading the Majors in HRs.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bell...otobooth%2F2012%2F07%2Fbabe-ruth.html;323;458

It was on this date in 1953 in the 6th inning of a Pacific Coast League game against Hollywood‚ San Diego Padres OF Herb Gorman suffers a heart attack and dies on the way to the hospital. He was 2-for-2‚ both doubles‚ in the game before suffering the fatal blood clot.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=herb...otDetail.aspx%3Finventoryid%3D48191;1601;2012

1 Year ago today - 2013:
The Rockies behind the stellar pitching of Francis (W)/Ottavino/Betancourt(S) defeat the Padres 5-2 in their Home Opener in front of 49,077 fans at Coors.
The Phillies get thumped 13-4 in their Home Opener by the Royals…yes the AL Royals. Playing the rival league the first week of the season just doesn’t seem right.
5 Years ago today – 2009:
The Rockies were in the Bowels of Hell awaiting to play the D-backs the following day in their season opener. Now doesn’t starting the season on April 6th make much more sense than starting it on March 22nd which the D-backs did this year.
10 Years ago today – 2004:
The Rockies were also in the Bowels of Hell awaiting to play the D-backs the following day in their season opener.
15 Years ago today – 1999:
The Rockies had an off day after defeating the Padres in San Diego the previous day in the season opener. It would be a year from hell for the Rockies thanks to burnt-out Jim Leyland being at the helm and who gave up on the Rockies from the get-go.
20 Years ago today- 1994:
Ah, the year that never was in MLB. Look it up…there was no World Series that year.

It was on this date in 1938 Ron Hansen was born. One of those great fielding Shortstops of the 1960’s who just didn’t hit for average although Hansen did have a couple of 20 HR seasons. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1960. On July 30, 1968, playing for the Washington Senators Hansen pulled off one of Baseball’s rarest and most difficult feats when he turned an unassisted triple play against the Cleveland Indians. This diamond rarity took place at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland during the bottom of the first inning after leadoff hitter Dave Nelson singled and Russ Snyder followed that up with a walk. The next batter, catcher Joe Azcue, worked the count to three balls and two strikes off Senators pitcher Bruce Howard. With both runners moving on the pitch, Howard delivered the ball to Azcue, who laced a line drive between Hansen and second base. Ron took a step to his left and snagged the ball out of the air. With his momentum carrying him toward second, he stepped on the bag to double up Nelson. Hansen then ran towards Snyder, who was caught in no man’s land between first and second base, tagging him for the third out. It was the first unassisted triple play in the major leagues in 41 years. Hansen later donated his glove and the ball from that historic play to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ron+...eballtoddsdugout.com%2Fronhansen.html;516;357

Sugar Cain was born, Merritt Patrick Cain, on this date in 1907 in Macon, Georgia. He was a MLB pitcher of modest success in the 1930’s pitching for the A’s, White and Browns…three times winning at least 12 games in a season. His mention here though is strictly because of his nickname which has to be one of the best in the history of the game. He died in 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia and was carmelized, er, I mean to say cremated.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=suga...onlon-Collection-TSN%3FPageIndex%3D30;252;350

 

[67RedSox]

From 1950-1961 Robin Roberts made 12 consecutive Opening Day starts, all for the Philadelphia Phillies. That record stood for over 30 years but on this date in 1992 Jack Morris topped it by making his 13th consecutive Opening Day start when he pitched a Complete Game 4-2 Win for the Blue Jays over the Tigers. He would also be the Jays Opening Day pitcher in 1993 extending the record to 14 consecutive Opening Day starts.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=jack...morris_new_tv_radio_commentator.html;817;1199

https://www.google.ca/search?q=robi...hillies%2Fplayer%2FRobin-Roberts.html;480;600

Ever hear of the Chicago Cubs unorthodox experiment with the College of Coaches during the 1961 and 1962 seasons in which the Manager or “Head Coach” would rotate from one coach to another every three or four weeks. Ever hear of Vedie Himsl. It was on this date in 1961 Himsl is designated as the first head coach of the Cubs for the opening weeks of the season. He posted a 10–21 won-loss record.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=vedi...-major-league-baseball-coaches-5.html;280;420

https://www.google.ca/search?q=cubs...2F700390%2Fthe-cub-can-of-worms-the-c;300;300

Two of the greatest Catchers the Game has known, both Hall of Famers, were born on April 6th. Mickey Cochrane, after whom Mickey Mantle was named, was born on this date in 1903 and Ernie Lombardi was born on this date in 1908.
Cochrane with a lifetime Batting Average of .320 played from 1925-1937. The first nine of those seasons were with the Philadelphia Athletics and the final four with the Detroit Tigers. He would cop an MVP Award and World Series title in each city. He was the first Catcher elected to the HOF by the Baseball writers in 1947 ( three…Buck Ewing, Roger Bresnahan and Wilbert Robinson had been selected earlier by the Veterans Committee).
Lombardi played 17 seasons in the NL from 1931-1947 and was a MVP winner in 1938. He was also a lifetime .300 hitter with an overall mark of .306… twice winning NL Batting Crowns in 1938 with an average of .342 and in 1942 with a mark of .330. Pretty remarkable in the sense that he has been dubbed “the slowest man to ever play Major League baseball well." He is listed at 6'3" and 230 lbs, but he probably approached 300 lbs towards the end of his career.
While Lombardi played for the Reds as the starting catcher, teammate and backup catcher Willard Hershberger became the only ML player to commit suicide during a season. Hershberger oddly enough told manager Bill McKechnie that "my father killed himself, and I'm going to do it, too!" After failing to appear at the stadium the next day the Reds checked Hershberger's room at the hotel only to find that he had slit his throat and wrist.
A sad footnote to the Hershberger suicide was Lombardi's eerily similar suicide attempt in 1953. Lombardi had been battling depression for some time and agreed to go to a sanitorium at his wife's urging. While staying overnight at a relative en route to the facility, Ernie slit his throat from ear to ear with a razor and begged not to be saved. Papers described him as "clinging to life" but he made a full recovery.
Lombardi was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1986, nine years after he died in 1977

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQbSvRlam2w

https://www.google.ca/search?q=erni...uffworks.com%2Fernie-lombardi-hof.htm;200;273

In 1937 there were 105 future MLB players born, some of them pretty darn good players from HOF’ers…Brooks Robinson, Orlando Cepeda, and Juan Marichal to Juan Pizarro, Clete Boyer, Jim Brewer, Mike Cuellar and Dick Radatz. One of my favourites was Fiery Phil Regan dubbed “The Vulture” by Sandy Koufax who was born on this date in 1937. He pitched in the Majors from 1960 to 1972 first as a starter with Detroit until 1965. He came over to the Dodgers after the 1965 season and with 75% of the Dodgers starting rotation HOF bound (Koufax, Drysdale, Sutton) and their 4th starter Claude Osteen, (who would Win 196 games in his career) it’s no surprise Regan ended up in the bullpen. Even better, he became their Closer going 14-1 and leading the NL in Saves. Regan's knack for earning wins in late-inning relief situations caused Sandy Koufax to nickname him "The Vulture". He would also lead the League in Saves again in 1968 after the Dodgers traded him to the Cubs and he became their guy out of the bullpen for four seasons. He would later both coach and Manage at the ML level. He also managed teams in the Venezuelan Winter League for 18 seasons, 1989-2009.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=phil...84046-gambo-t_wil1-photopack-941.html;545;695

https://www.google.ca/search?q=phil...F2012%2F03%2Fhoscheit-its-vern.html;1127;1600

 

[67RedSox]

Ben Petrick was born on this date in 1977. Happy 37 to a player most fans in Colorado need no introduction to.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ben+...;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.benpetrick.com%2F;1800;2700

A couple of interesting things happened on this date in 1969 to Hall of Famers Don Drysdale and Ted Williams.
Don Drysdale was a Dodger in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Surprisingly, his career was not a lengthy one, only 12 full seasons plus his first and last seasons where he pitched under 100 innings in each. His numbers were staggering though. In his 12 full seasons here’s what he averaged…any current starter might want to sit down. Between 1957 and 1968 he averaged 37 Starts, 273 Innings and almost 17 Wins a season with an ERA under 3 at 2.95. Those numbers demand respect but on this date in 1969 the Cincinnati Reds, at least their first two hitters, showed him none in the season’s Opener in Cincinnati. The first pitch of the game Drysdale threw Pete Rose he hit it out of the park. The next batter, Bobby Tolan hit the first pitch he saw out of the park. Two pitches, two Hrs, two runs. Oddly, Alex Johnson batting 3rd in the Reds line-up was not drilled by Drysdale but my guess was he might have seen a pitch or two somewhere close to his chin. Drysdale quickly got it together as did the Dodgers and beat the Reds, 3-2, with the W going to Drysdale. Bill Singer gets the Save which is the first official Save in ML history.
500 miles to the East of Cincinnati the Washington Senators are Opening their season against the Yankees and Ted Williams is making his ML debut as a Manager. The Yankees win 8-4 but Washington takes the Series by winning the next two.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=don+...layers.numbers.47-99%2Fcontent.7.html;666;800

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ted+...2Fstories%2Fplenty_on_his_plate.shtml;350;277

What is the distance from the mound to home plate in Little League…46 feet. It was on this date in 1959 Little League moves its pitcher's mound 2 feet back‚ from 44 to 46 to better protect players.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=litt...ide.com%2Fbaseball-field-diagram.html;960;720

It was on this date in 1958 the Dodgers erect a 42-foot screen in LF at the Los Angeles Coliseum to cut down on HRs‚ since it is only 250 feet down the line. It didn’t stop Wally Moon.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=la+m...om%2Fbaseball%2Fnational%2Flaxcol.htm;400;240

It was on this date in 1931 Seals Stadium opened. It was built to accommodate San Francisco’s two Pacific Coast league teams, the Seals who played there until the Giants arrived and the Mission Reds who re-located in 1938 to become the Hollywood Stars. The stadium was unusual in that it was built with three dressing rooms - one for the visiting team, and one for each of the Seals and the Mission Reds, a.k.a. the San Francisco Missions. It was built for night games, with six tower banks which were described as the best in Minor League baseball at the time. With a capacity of 18,600, the stadium had no roof over the grandstands because of San Francisco's lack of rainfall during the summertime and the fans' preference to sit in the sun. The stadium initially consisted of an uncovered grandstand stretching from foul pole to foul pole and an uncovered bleacher section in right field. A separate uncovered bleacher section was added in left field when the New York Giants moved to the city in 1958. The Giants played at Seals Stadium for two years while Candlestick Park was under construction. It lacked a warning track. It was demolished almost as soon as Candlestick was open. It’s now a Mall if you want to shop at Safeway.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=seal...deadballbaseball.com%2F%3Fcat%3D366;2274;1379

Doc Crandall is generally regarded as the premier relief specialist of the Dead Ball Era and the first pitcher to be used consistently as a reliever. Though he never led the National League in Saves, he did lead the League in relief appearances each year from 1909 to 1913, and from 1910 to 1912 he led the NL each year in relief victories, compiling an overall record of 45-16. "Crandall is the NY Giants' ambulance corps," wrote Damon Runyon after the 1911 campaign. "He is first aid to the injured. He is the physician of the pitching emergency, and they sometimes call him old Doctor Crandall. He is without an equal as an extinguisher of batting rallies and run riots, or as a pinch hitter." After his ML career ended he pitched a number of years for Los Angeles in the Pacific Coast League and on this date in 1918 Crandall’s bid for a No-Hitter against Salt Lake City is spoiled with 2 outs in the 9th… by Crandall's brother, Karl.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=doc+...05%2Fone-for-the-hall-doc-crandall%2F;300;266

It’s on this date in 1896 the NL’s Louisville Colonels, Pete Cassidy, becomes the first baseball player in history to be X-rayed‚ as a splinter of bone is removed from his wrist.

He hasn’t played in the majors since 1951, 63 years ago, but he’s still around at age 96. HOF’er Bobby Doerr was born on this date in 1918. He is the 10th oldest living MLB player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Gib5tOSg4

John McGraw, Manager of the NY Giants for 31 years…1902-1932 was born on this date in 1873.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=john...ts-the-top-10-managers-of-all-time%2F;400;297

 

[67RedSox]

Forty years ago, on this date in 1974 in the 4th inning‚ of the Braves home opener 7-4 win against the Dodgers‚ Henry Aaron parks an Al Downing pitch in the left-centerfield stands for career home run number 715‚ breaking Ruth's once thought to be unapproachable record. Looking on is Braves manager Eddie Mathews, who homered in the same game as Aaron 75 times, a major league record for duos. After Downing walks the next 2 batters‚ Mike Marshall makes his first appearance as a Dodger‚ and the first of a record 106 appearances this year. The Dodgers are wearing black arm-bands this game (and for the next few) in memory of Ken McMullen's wife‚ who died just before the season started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S6KPtpGn9E

It was on this date in 1969 the four expansion teams Kansas City Royals‚ Montreal Expos‚ San Diego Padres‚ and Seattle Pilots make things look easy by winning their first regular-season games. The Expos win by scoring 11 runs against the Mets to win 11-10. Pitcher Dan McGinn cracks the Expos first (and only) homer‚ off Tom Seaver‚ to help keep the Mets winless for Openers. The host Royals edge the Twins in 12 innings‚ 4-3. Seattle wins‚ 4-3‚ at Anaheim. Mike Hegan hits the first Pilots' HR‚ a 1st inning solo shot off McGlothlin. In the Padres opening night 2-1 victory over Houston‚ the leadoff batter at Jack Murphy Stadium is Astro outfielder Jesus Alou. Brother Matty‚ with the Pirates‚ was the first batter up at the opening of Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium on April 12‚ 1966‚ and Brother Felipe‚ playing for Atlanta‚ was the first batter up when Busch Stadium opened in St. Louis a month later.

April 8, 1969 Montreal Expos at New York Mets Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

April 8, 1969 Houston Astros at San Diego Padres Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

April 8, 1969 Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

April 8, 1969 Seattle Pilots at California Angels Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

It was on this date in 1963 the Detroit Tigers claim young pitcher Denny McLain from the White Sox for the $25‚000 waiver price.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=denn...Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_kw%3DMclain%2BSchool;182;225

It was on this date in 1922 at Sportsman's Park‚ the Cardinals wear their new uniforms (two red birds on a bat with the words "Cardinals" across the front) for the first time in an exhibition contest with the Browns.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=card...odner-st-louis-cardinals-designer%2F;739;1024

Two Hall of Famers of our time but no longer with us were born on this date. Gary Carter was born on this date in 1954. Jim Catfish Hunter was born on this date in 1946.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=gary...nefit-montreal-childrens-hospital%2F;763;1064

https://www.google.ca/search?q=catf...calling-young-jim-catfish-hunter.html;376;520

It was on this date in 1963 Pete Rose has his first ML at-bat on Opening Day hitting 2nd in the Reds line-up and walks. He scores on a Frank Robinson HR later in the inning.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=pete...spot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fpete-rose.html;294;340

 

[67RedSox]

Curt Walker, Reds did it in 1926. Al Zarilla,Cardinals did it next in 1946. Then Gil Coan, Washington Senators did it in 1951. Since then it’s only been once and that was on this date in 2006 by Cory Sullivan of the Colorado Rockies in a game in San Diego. These players are the only four to hit 2 triples in one inning since 1900. A rare feat indeed.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=cory...ery.usatoday.com%2FColorado%2BRockies;373;465

Twenty-one years ago, on this date in 1993 the Rockies defeat the Expos‚ 11-4‚ before 80‚227 fans in the first Major League game played at Mile High Stadium. Eric Young, the elder goes 4 for 4 for the Rockies with the bat and Bryn Smith starts and pitches 7 scoreless innings to pick up the win the 106th of his career. He would win only one more ML game before retiring less than 2 months later.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1st+...gs-the-best-places-to-catch-a-game%2F;553;300

It was 80 years to the day before that the first game was ever played at Ebbets Field, on this date in 1913. The Dodgers play their Opener-and first regular-season game at Ebbets Field. Cold weather keeps the crowd down to about 12‚000‚ and the Phils' knuckleballer Tom Seaton beats Nap Rucker‚ 1-0.
Seaton was one of the Game's best pitchers in 1913. He emerged as one of the top pitchers in the NL, appearing in 52 games, compiling a 27-12 record in 322 innings. He led the NL in Wins, innings and strikeouts. However, by the time he left organized baseball about 10 years later his reputation was blacker than Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Black Betsy. The beginning of the end for Seaton would begin in August of 1913 in Chicago. While Seaton was taking the mound to pitch against the Cubs his wife, Rene, was in labour in Philadelphia and in danger of losing her life. Seaton pitched seven innings that day and lost, 5-2. He immediately returned to Philadelphia. Seaton's child had already died, and doctors gave Rene no hope of survival. Rene did survive. She harboured a grudge against the Phillies and Manager Dooin, whom she felt kept her husband from rushing to her side. According to newspaper accounts, Dooin withheld a telegram from Seaton urging the pitcher to hurry to Philadelphia to be with his wife. Dooin denied it, maintaining that he had given Seaton the telegram before the game and that Seaton had insisted that he pitch the game and leave after the contest. Mrs. Seaton did not believe Dooin.
The Federal League competed with the established ML's for the 1914 season. Seaton signed a 3-year contract to play for the Federal League team in Brooklyn at $7,000 per year, along with a $5,000 advance. The Phillies complained that they had a verbal agreement with Seaton to pay the pitcher in excess of $6,000 for the 1913 season. Seaton claimed, however, that a portion of the Phillies' offer was a bonus contingent upon him appearing in at least 35 games and winning 60 percent of his decisions. When the Federal League appeared with an offer for more money, Mrs. Seaton reminded her husband about how she had been "wronged" by Manager Dooin and insisted that he sign with the Feds. The saga gets complicated when Seaton reports to Spring Training in Shreveport, Louisiana, with the Chicago Federals. He finally announced that he "...would play for Chicago or not at all." In the end Seaton agreed to play for Brooklyn when the owner agreed to increase Seaton’s salary to $8,500.00 a year for three years and pay Mrs. Seaton's expenses as she traveled with her husband on the road.
Seaton was 25-14 for Brooklyn in 1914. He was among the top pitchers but between 1911 and 1914, Seaton pitched 1,262 innings and that work was too much. All of those breaking pitches in all of those innings took their toll. In August of 1914, Seaton visited arm specialist Bonesetter Reese, who advised a good rest. Seaton sat out two weeks of the season although he still made ten starts in the final month of the season. Nonetheless, the Brooklyn Tip-Tops expected Seaton to be their top pitcher again in 1915. It was not to be. Seaton struggled going 12-11 in 32 games and he was dealt to the Newark. Seaton finished a combined 14-17 with the two New York area teams.
When the Federal League folded after the 1915 season, Seaton was available to any ML team and ended up with the Chicago but won only 6 games in 1916 and 5 games in 1917 after which he was traded to the L.A. Angels of the Pacific Coast League.
Seaton pitched for 22 games for the Angels in 1917. He then threw for San Francisco for the next three seasons. He had a stellar season with the Seals in 1919, winning 25 and losing 16 with an ERA of 2.84 in 354 innings. As the 1920 season began, trouble was brewing for Seaton. During his baseball career, Seaton had apparently earned himself a reputation as a less than honest character. In the wake of the Black Sox scandal of 1919, the Pacific Coast League targeted several players who were considered undesirable for the League. Seaton was one of them. After pitching in ten games for the Seals, Seaton and fellow Seals pitcher Luther "Casey" Smith were released in May of 1920. Seals President Charles Graham cited rumors "...regarding the practices of the players (Seaton and Smith) and their associates." Seaton then faded into the background and finally settled permanently in El Paso, continuing to pitch semi-pro ball for several years. He died in 1940 at the age of 52.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ebbe...%2F25%2F2-more-clearwater-games-2%2F;1337;959

https://www.google.ca/search?q=tom+...ton-philadelphia-nl-baseball%2Fcanvas;500;367

I mentioned Black Betsy above and should mention a little more about “her”. Black Betsy was the primary baseball bat of Shoeless Joe Jackson. It was created in 1903 when Jackson was 15. It broke the record for the highest sold baseball bat in history, when it was sold for $577,610 in 2001. By then it was considered one of baseball's most fabled artifacts.
It was created by a local fan of the South Carolina mill teams, Charlie Fergerson. He used the northern side of a hickory tree to make the bat. It ended up measuring 36 inches and weighting 48 ounces. Knowing that Jackson liked blacked bats, Fergerson darkened the bat with tobacco juice. Shoeless Joe took the bat to the Minor Leagues, where the fans chanted "Give em Black Betsy" whenever he came to bat. Jackson took the bat with him when he was sold to the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League. He considered Black Betsy to be his favorite bat. The bat broke early in 1911 and he sent the bat to the J. F. Hillerich Company to get it fixed. He used the bat for the rest of his ML career. Jackson’s lifetime batting average of .356 is the third highest in the Game's history. Jackson kept Black Betsy until his death in 1951. After his wife's death a few years later it was bequeathed to her cousin and her son, who kept the bat on a bookcase for over 40 years before he decided to sell it.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=blac...-sports-memorabilia%2Fcontent.18.html;641;750

It was on this date in 1907 Wellington Titus receives a patent for the first portable batting cage. Necessity is often the mother of invention they say. As the catcher for his local amateur baseball club invented what he called a “baseball back stop” today better known as a “batting cage”. Titus disliked chasing errant pitches and fouled back balls. To save time and play more ball Titus designed the portable batting cage and it was an instant hit. Titus had signed an agreement with A.G. Spalding and Brothers Company, to manufacture his portable batting cage. Spalding paid Titus $5 for each cage sold. The cage was a hit because it was portable, stationary, adaptable in and out of doors, and prevented lost or stolen balls. Prior to Titus' invention, baseball teams hired young boys from the neighborhood as ball chasers. I guess the invention was great for everyone but the ball chasers.

(Can't find any photos of the earliest batting cages)

 

[67RedSox]

Well, today is a day of firsts and lasts for some teams and ballparks so we may as well look at these to lead things off.

If you’re an Astros fan…it was on this date in 1962 the Astros, who were then known as the Colt .45s, won their first ever game. It was played at their home ballpark, Colt Stadium, in Houston. Just a word on Colt Stadium first. It was the temporary home of the Houston Colt .45s for the 1962-1963-1964 seasons while the Astrodome was being built across the parking lot from it. If you like watching baseball in horribly hot and humid conditions this was the place for you. It might be the worst MLB ballpark of all-time, at least in the past 100 years. In an average year there are 15.7 million blood donations made. Given the number and size of mosquitos that called the Colt Stadium area home they may have collected more blood a year than the Red Cross. Players also had to be careful as rattlesnakes would often take up residence on the field. One baseball annual published just before the 1962 season referred to it as "a barn-like thing". In the game played before 25,271 the Colt .45s stun the Cubs, 11-2, behind the brilliant pitching of Bobby Shantz who was the AL’s MVP in 1951. The Cubs had four future Hall of Famers on the field that day, two in the outfield and two in the infield…Lou Brock, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ron Santo.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=colt...trosdaily.com%2Fhistory%2F19620410%2F;512;400

Also, on this date in 1962 while the Colt .45s are toying with the Cubs… Dodger Stadium‚ the first MLB stadium privately financed since Yankee Stadium in 1922-23‚ opens in Chavez Ravine. With 52‚564 fans on hand‚ the Dodgers inaugurate the $22 million facility with a 6-3 loss to the Reds. Wally Post hits the first homer in the new stadium‚ a 3-run shot over the CF fence in the 7th.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=dodg...wthread.php%3Ft%3D715496%26page%3D11;1362;881

It was on this date in 2006 the Cardinals defeat the Brewers, 6-4, in the 1st game played in the new $365 million Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The stadium will seat 40,713 through July 12 and 46,861 after that date. Mark Mulder gets credit for the victory, and also hits a HR in the contest.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=busc...wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBusch_Stadium;1798;792

It was on this date in 1971 the first game is Played in Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium. It’s one of those cookie-cutter stadiums that calls itself a ballpark but really isn’t. In the game the Phillies defeat the Expos 4-1.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=vete...by_the_Winning_Pitchers-4516-127.html;864;537

It was on this date in 1973 Kansas City opens its new park‚ Royals Stadium‚ with a 12-1 rout of the Rangers. The game is attended by 39‚464 fans braving 39-degree weather.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=roya...seball.com%2Fal%2FKauffmanStadium.htm;450;320

It was on this date in 1961 the last Opener ever to be played at Griffith Stadium takes place. Rookie President, JFK, throws out the longest and hardest thrown ceremonial first pitch in history as the ball sails over the heads of the players lined up in front of the presidential box. The newly elected commander in chief, an avid Red Sox fan, stays for the entire game and sees the 'new' Washington Senators, the former team having moved to Minnesota, play their first game losing to the White Sox, 4-3.

THE KENNEDY GALLERY

It was on this date in 1964 demolition begins on the Polo Grounds to clear the way for a housing project.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=polo...4%2Fpolo_grounds_demolition_april.php;500;445

https://www.google.ca/search?q=polo...ngell-and-death-of-still-another.html;594;420

A seven-time All-Star and The Sporting News' Pitcher of the Year Award in 1982, Dave Stieb amassed 140 wins in the 1980s, the second-highest total by a pitcher in that decade, behind only Jack Morris. It was on this date in 1989 that Stieb throws his 3rd 1-hitter in four starts when he 1-hits the Yankees. He is spared some of the agony he suffered in the first two 1-hiiters when Jamie Quirk gets a 5th inning single. In the previous two 1-hitters he was one strike away from the no-hitter, only to settle for one-hitters each time. Julio Franco spoiled the first bid with a bad-bounce grounder past the second baseman, and Jim Traber ruined the second with a clean single to right. This is the fourth 1-hitter of his career as he had previously 1-hit the Brewers. Stieb would finally get that elusive No-Hitter the following season when he no-hit the Indians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkPxtOViVoo

I do remember when the Grand Old Game was played in a timely manner. At one time ( I think this to be the case ) there was a rule in the Minor Leagues that prevented a batter from stepping out of the batter’s box between pitches… you could move away from the plate but you had to leave one foot in the box. Here’s a story about that lends itself to illustrating just how quickly the Game was played in the 1940’s anyway. Max West was a pretty good ballplayer both at the Major and Minor League level and enjoyed a professional career that started in 1935 and ended in 1954. It was on this date in 1949 while playing for San Diego he set a Pacific Coast League record as he goes 5-for-5 with 5 extra base hits… 3 homers and a pair of doubles. A day like that would make up for the day he had playing for Casey Stengel’s Boston Braves. He was a regular in the Braves outfield for the 5 seasons 1938-1942. During a game played in 1941 he hit a grounder and was thrown out at 1st Base with men on base. As he returned to the Braves' dugout on the 3rd base side and crossed behind home plate, a ball rolled by his feet. West thought it was foul and tossed it back to Phillies catcher Mickey Livingston. The ball was actually live and he watched as Livingston tagged a Braves' runner out who was trying to score on the passed ball. His embarrassment wasn't over. West continued to the dugout to be berated by Boston manager Casey Stengel. As he went to the water cooler to escape Stengel's wrath, Braves' outfielder Paul Waner hit a foul into the dugout, catching West in the jaw and breaking his teeth.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=max+...2F217543-1939-starting-lineups-6.html;533;800

 

[67RedSox]

Carl Yastrzemski and the team that call themselves the Angels wherever they’re from at the moment, Los Angeles or Anaheim, have something in common. It was on this date in 1961 the Angels win their first ML game ever and Yastrzemski gets his first ML base hit. It was Opening Day for both the Angels and Red Sox.
Perhaps because it was overcast with rain and a temperature of 45 in Boston or perhaps because it was the bottom two teams in the AL League in 1960 playing, Boston and Kansas City ( 65-89 & 58-96 ), the game attracted only 10,277 to Fenway Park. Those who did go got to see Yastrzemski play LF and collect his first ML hit, a single, in the 2nd inning. Alas, his time on the bases was reduced when the Kansas City catcher, Haywood Sullivan, would throw him out trying to steal 2nd Base. Ironically, before Yastrzemski playing career ended the same Haywood Sullivan, a self-made millionaire, would be first the GM of the Red Sox and then an owner of the team.
360 miles south of Boston along the I-95 the Angels were in Baltimore opening not only the season but their MLB career. In front of 37,352 at Memorial Stadium the Angels scored 7 runs in the first two innings thanks to a 2-run HR by Ted Kluszewski in the 1st inning and a 3-run HR by Kluszewski in the 2nd inning to defeat the Orioles 7-2.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=carl...logspot.com%2F2011_03_01_archive.html;490;367

https://www.google.ca/search?q=los+...F%2Fangelswin.com%2F31_40_moments.htm;405;221

Crosley Field ( Redland Field then ) opened on this date in 1912. I always liked Crosley Field and it was much more of a ballpark than Riverfront Stadium ever was even with its slope in the outfield, no warning track and under 20 feet of water in the 1937 flood.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=redl...3D30126616%26fext%3D.jsp%26c_id%3Dcin;500;184

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvDNy5RS2eU

https://www.google.ca/search?q=cros...napshots.com%2Ftag%2Fcrosley-field%2F;517;410

The Seattle Pilots have their first and only Home Opener on this date in 1969 in front of 14,993 fans at Sicks Stadium. Their first homestand will draw a total of 44,000 fans or less than 9,000 on average.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=sick...ayle.com%2Flisting.php%3Fi%3DKDL75893;635;472

From 1897 to 1908 he was a catcher for seven different ML teams. Ossee Schrecongost was born on this date in 1875. Say his name fast three times.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=Osse...wn-memory-lane-ossee-schreconogost%2F;276;414

I would love to see the replay. Montreal Expos Archi Cianfrocco gets the most from his first ML hit. On this date in 1992 he collects 3 rbi’s on a bases loaded single…behind the 2nd Base bag with no errors on the play.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=Arch...26%2FArchi-Cianfrocco%3FPageIndex%3D2;252;350

 

[67RedSox]

Can you name the three 1950’s MLB Baseball stadiums that enjoyed the highest per game average attendance regardless of the number of years during the decade the stadium was used. Of course, Yankee Stadium was among those three but ranked only third behind the L.A. Memorial Coliseum which was #2 over the two seasons it housed the Dodgers and #1 was…surprise, no doubt… Milwaukee’s County Stadium over the seven seasons the Braves played there. The following will allow you to check attendance figures for any team, any decade, any single year.

1950-59 Ballpark Attendance Figures, Ballparks of Baseball

There are only two MLB stadiums that have a capacity of 50,000 or greater. Dodger Stadium at 56,000 and Coors Field at 50,480. ( I’m assuming Coors Field’s capacity is still in excess of 50,000 even after the construction of The Rooftop )

List of Major League Baseball stadiums - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

67 of the 306 members of Baseball’s Hall of Fame are living. The difference in age between the eldest and youngest is 50 years. Bobby Doerr is 96 (born in 1918) and Frank Thomas is the youngest and will be 46 next month (born in 1968). See the following list.

http://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/all/Documents/living_members_birthdays_2-2014.pdf

I know you’re not wondering about Minor League Baseball…nevertheless… I thought I’d mention that except for the Mexican League, teams in the organized minor leagues are generally independently owned and operated but are directly affiliated with one Major League team through a standardized Player Development Contract (PDC). These leagues also go by the nicknames the "farm system," "farm club," or "farm team(s)" because of a joke passed around by Major League players in the 1930s when St. Louis Cardinals' general manager Branch Rickey formalized the system, and teams in small towns were "growing players down on the farm like corn."
Major and Minor League teams may enter into a PDC for a two- or four-year term and may re-affiliate at the expiration of a PDC term, though many relationships are renewed and endure for extended time periods. For example, the Omaha Storm Chasers (formerly the Omaha Royals) have been the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals since the Royals joined the American League in 1969, but the Columbus Clippers changed affiliations from the New York Yankees to the Washington Nationals in 2007 and are now affiliated with the Cleveland Indians. A few minor league teams are directly owned by their Major League parent club, such as the Springfield Cardinals, owned by the St. Louis Cardinals, and all of the Atlanta Braves' affiliates except the Lynchburg Hillcats. Minor League teams that are owned directly by the Major League Club do not have PDCs with each other and are not part of the reaffiliation shuffles that occur every other year.
Today, 19 affiliated minor baseball leagues operate with 243 member clubs in large, medium, and small towns, as well as the suburbs of major cities, across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. Several more independent leagues operate in the United States and Canada. here's some photos of some Minor League ballparks...some are identified, some not and even a couple of MLB parks made it to the photos.

There…everything you didn’t want to know about Minor League Baseball.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=mino...6zLsPJsQSnUQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=643

 

[67RedSox]

It was on this date in 1891 the Major League team in Washington, then known as the Statesmen open their new National Park before a crowd of 4‚365 as Boston wins‚ 6-0. This site at 7th Street and Georgia Avenue‚ N.W.‚ will serve ML Baseball in the nation's capital through 1961‚ except for one 4-year period (1900-1903). Initially hewn from a forest‚ in this first year of play the field is surrounded by overhanging trees that cause many drives that would have been homers to rebound back onto the playing field. The original park had a capacity of 6,500. Professional baseball in Washington, DC dates back to the 1870s when baseball was played at ballparks known as Swampoodle Grounds, Athletic Park and Capitol Grounds but this site in its various forms over the years is where HOF players like Walter Johnson, Sam Rice, Goose Goslin, Joe Cronin and even Harmon Killebrew would call home. It was also the site of the longest HR ever hit by Mickey Mantle in 1954.
After the 1899 season the Washington baseball team was contracted, but two years later, the Western League's Kansas City franchise moved to Washington, DC and became charter members of the American League. The American League Washington Senators made their debut in on April 29, 1901 at American League Park. Two seasons later they moved to National Park, which was renamed American League Baseball Park II. For eight seasons the Senators played at American League Baseball Park II, a small wooden 10,000 seat ballpark. A ninth season here would have began in 1911, however, a fire ignited by a blowtorch on March 17, 1911 destroyed the ballpark. In its place a new ballpark, built of steel and concrete, was erected in just three weeks. On April 12, 1911, the new ballpark, named National Park, was partially completed as the Senators hosted the Boston Red Sox. For almost four months work continued on the ballpark when the team was out of town. It was completed on July 24, 1911 with a seating capacity of 27,410. A double decked grandstand extended from behind homeplate to the first and third bases. The lower grandstand stretched to each foul pole and bleachers stretched from left field to centerfield.
In 1920 National Park was renamed Griffith Stadium after the owner of the Senators, Clark Griffith. The same year, the stadium was expanded for the only time during its existence as the grandstand was double decked to both the left and right field foul poles. The new second deck of Griffith Stadium did not connect to the original grandstand because the original stands were graded differently. This addition increased the seating capacity to over 30,000.
Griffith Stadium changed little throughout the rest of its life. Not only was it one of the smallest ballparks in baseball, but one of the hardest ballparks to hit a homerun at. Original dimensions were 407'-L, 421'-C and 320'-R with a 30 foot high fence stretching from the right field foul pole to center field that included the scoreboard. The fence in centerfield jutted into the playing field because the team was unable to purchase five houses and a large tree when the ballpark was constructed. Dimensions at Griffith Stadium were shortened slightly in 1956 when a 6 foot high fence was added in front of the left field fence shortening the distance to 388 feet. The bullpens were located in right centerfield and the first night game at Griffith Stadium was on May 28, 1941. Griffith Stadium had one unique feature that no other stadium had, a Presidential box. A special luxury box was constructed next to the first base dugout for the President of the United States. Every President, starting with William Howard Taft in 1910 until John F. Kennedy in 1961 threw a ceremonial first pitch at Griffith Stadium.
The demise of Griffith Stadium began in the 1950s. When the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore in 1954 part of the Senators fan base instantly became Orioles fans and stopped attending games at Griffith Stadium. A year later Clark Griffith died and his nephew/adoptive son, Calvin Griffith, became majority owner of the team. By 1958 he began looking to relocate the team to cities including Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis and Toronto. In October 1960 Griffith announced that the Senators were moving to Minneapolis's, Metropolitan Stadium and becoming the Twins, even though a new stadium was under construction in Washington, DC. Although the Senators left after the 1960 season, Major League Baseball awarded Washington, DC an expansion franchise that began playing in 1961. The new Washington Senators played at Griffith Stadium for one season in 1961 before moving again, this time to the new D.C. Stadium. The last baseball game played at Griffith Stadium was on September 21, 1961 as 1,500 fans watched the old Senators, the Minnesota Twins, defeat the new Senators.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=grif...pedia.org%2Fwiki%2FGriffith_Stadium;1489;1100

https://www.google.ca/search?q=grif...g;http%3A%2F%2Fgriffithstadium.com%2F;490;348

It was on this date in 1900, at the request of club owners in Cincinnati and New York‚ that the NL bans umpire Tim Hurst‚ considered the most colorful‚ cantankerous ump‚ from working in cities whose club owners "object to having a man of that type associated with their grounds‚ where ladies and gentlemen watch the games."

https://www.google.ca/search?q=tim+...torical-Archival-Photographs%2Fpage15;742;630

It was on this date in 1926 in the last of his 14 Opening Day starts‚ Walter Johnson takes on A's knuckleballer Eddie Rommel in baseball's greatest Opening-Day pitchers' duel‚ a 15-inning battle won by the Senators 1-0. Johnson gives up 6 hits‚ fans 12‚ and allows no runner past 1B in a game he considers his greatest. Rommel allows 9 hits will fanning 5. Bucky Harris singles and scores the lone run‚ coming home after a Goose Goslin double and a Joe Harris single.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=walt...special-exhibition%2Fopening-day-2014;600;438

April 13, 1926 Philadelphia Athletics at Washington Senators Play by Play and Box Score - Baseball-Reference.com

On this date in 1939 in an exhibition game against the Dodgers Yankee 1B Lou Gehrig goes deep twice despite apparent muscle loss especially around the shoulders. The home runs will be the last round trippers the ‘Iron Horse’ will ever hit and he will play in only 8 games that season before his career ends.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=lou+...-gallery-1.55578%3FpmSlide%3D1.56401;1200;854

It was on this date in 1954 Hank Aaron makes his ML debut going hitless in 5 trips to the plate in a 9-8 loss to the Redlegs.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=hank...to-collect-great-braves-rookie-cards;728;1050

April 13, 1954 Milwaukee Braves at Cincinnati Redlegs Play by Play and Box Score - Baseball-Reference.com

It was on this date in 1962 that just 12‚447 Mets' fans welcome the return of NL baseball to New York. Sherman Jones drops a 4-3 decision to the Pirates at the Polo Grounds‚ which sparkles after a $350‚000 face-lift.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ny+m...%2FMets-Opening-Day--1962_p_4600.html;700;483

 

[67RedSox]

On this date in 1911 a fire of unknown origin swept through the Polo Grounds horseshoe-shaped grandstand, consuming wood and leaving only steel uprights in place. The gaps between some sections of the stands saved a good portion of the outfield seating and the clubhouse from destruction. Giants owner John T. Brush decided to rebuild the Polo Grounds with concrete and steel, renting Hilltop Park from the Yankees during reconstruction.
Progress was sufficient to allow the stadium to reopen just three months later, June 28, 1911, the date some baseball guides date the structure. As configured, it was the ninth concrete-and-steel stadium in the Majors and fourth in the National League. Unfinished seating areas were rebuilt during the season while the games went on. The new structure stretched in roughly the same semicircle from the left field corner around home plate to the right field corner as prior but was extended into deep right-center field. The surviving wooden bleachers were retained basically as is, with gaps remaining on each side between the new fireproof construction. The Giants rose from the ashes along with their ballpark, winning the National League Pennant that year as well as the following two seasons, 1912 and 1913. The team tried to rename the new structure Brush Stadium in honor of their then-owner John T. Brush, but the name did not stick.
The remaining old bleachers were demolished during the 1923 season when the permanent double-deck was extended around most of the rest of the field and new bleachers and clubhouse were constructed across center field. This construction gave the stadium its familiar bathtub style shape, as well as a new nickname, "The Bathtub."
This version of the ballpark had its share of quirks. The "unofficial" distances (never marked on the wall) down the left and right field lines were 279 and 258 feet respectively, but there was a 21 foot overhang in left field, which often intercepted fly balls which would otherwise have been catchable and turned them into home runs. Contrasting with the short distances down the lines were the 450 distances in deepest left and right center (the gaps), with the base of the straightaway centerfield clubhouse standing 483 feet distant from home plate, up a 58 foot fairway from the grandstand corners on either side of the clubhouse, which were themselves 425 feet from home plate. The famous photo of The catch made by Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series against Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians occurred immediately in front of the "batter's eye", a metal screen atop the grandstand wall directly to the right of the centerfield fairway.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=polo...NDS-FIRE-DAMAGE-PHOTO-%2F301098224800;504;369

https://www.google.ca/search?q=will....mlblogs.com%2Ftag%2Fpolo-grounds%2F;1600;864

https://www.google.ca/search?q=polo...york%2Fpolo-grounds-article-1.362318;1200;709

When you look at the score you will say it was a Cleveland Browns game instead of a St. Louis Browns game but a baseball game it was. It was on this date in 1925 the St. Louis Browns started a season worse than any other team before or since despite scoring 14 runs and knocking out 20 hits when they were defeated 21-14 by the Cleveland Indians who established the ML mark for the most runs scored by one club on Opening Day.

April 14, 1925 Cleveland Indians at St. Louis Browns Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

It was on this date in 1908 Boston adopts the nickname, “Red Sox” dropping the nickname the “Americans”.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1908...956-red-sox-classic-cap-question.html;400;370

It was on this date in 1920 at Shibe Park‚ Babe Ruth makes his Yankee debut‚ lacing two hits‚ but dropping an easy fly in center that allows two runs to score in the 8th. The A's Scott Perry is the beneficiary of Babe's error‚ winning‚ 3-1 over Bob Shawkey.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=Babe...11%2F05%2Fthe-curse-of-the-bambino%2F;515;500

It was on this date in 1954 the transplanted St. Louis Browns now known as the Baltimore Orioles play their first game, under that name, and lose to the Detroit Tigers 3-0. Don larsen takes the Loss.

April 13, 1954 Baltimore Orioles at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score - Baseball-Reference.com

It was on this date in 1955 Elston Howard becomes the first black player to wear the Yankee uniform. He singles in his first at bat‚ against the Red Sox‚ as the Yanks lose‚ 8-4.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=elst...y-in-black-history-april-14-1955.html;628;353

It was on this date in 1964 the Giants purchase Duke Snider from the Mets‚ answering the trivia question: Who played for the Brooklyn and LA Dodgers‚ the Giants‚ and the Mets?

https://www.google.ca/search?q=duke...2%2F28%2Frest-in-peace-duke-snider%2F;640;367

Have you ever noticed the wire fencing atop the 11 foot outfield walls at Wrigley Field and wonder why it’s there. It was on this date in 1970 Ken Holtzman pitches the Cubs to a 5-4 win over the Phillies. At the end of the game‚ hundreds of fans swarm the field‚ many of them climbing over the wall in right field. The melee prompts the Cubs management to install the wire fencing to prevent such acts happening again. It must have been some White Sox fans.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=wrig...ivy-covered-walls-of-wrigley-field%2F;593;459

Hall of Famer, Greg Maddux was born on this date in 1966 and Non-Hall of Famer, Pete Rose, was born on this date in 1941.

 

[67RedSox]

On this date in 1918 the AL season opens with Boston's Babe Ruth pitching a 4-hit‚ 7-1‚ victory over the A's‚ his 3rd opening day victory in a row. Red Sox manager Ed Barrow will start Ruth's conversion to slugger by working him into 72 games as OF-1B.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=babe...-1918-red-sox-and-the-2013-version%2F;630;601

If you’re a Giants or Dodgers fan here’s something significant. It was on this date in 1958…on Opening Day… the transplanted New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers play the first Major League game on the West Coast. The California contest sees Ruben Gomez blanking Los Angeles and Don Drysdale at San Francisco's Seals Stadium, 8-0 before 23,448 fans.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=dodg...5-1958-in-which-we-murder-the-bums%2F;666;480

https://www.google.ca/search?q=dodg...als-Stadium-81866%2Fphoto-6014811.php;787;540

Not a Giants or Dodgers fan? How about a Cardinals fan then? On this date in 1959 RH’er Bob Gibson makes his ML debut at LA Memorial Coliseum, tossing the final two innings in the 5-0 loss to the Dodgers. The 23-year old rookie becomes the first future Hall of Fame hurler to give up a home run to the first batter he faces in the major leagues when third baseman Jim Baxes takes him deep in the seventh inning.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bob+...ion.com%2F1959-topps-baseball-cards-2;276;386

It was on this date in 1921 that Pirates right-hander Mose “Chief” YellowHorse makes his ML debut against the Reds at Redland Field. A member of the Pawnees, he is believed by many baseball historians to be the first full-blooded American Indian to play in the Majors. Other Native Americans who played MLB such as Chief Bender, Chief Meyers, and Lou Sockalexis were not believed to have been full-blooded natives.
It was in Pawnee, Oklahoma Territory, that Mose J. YellowHorse was born on January 28, 1898. The Pawnees, rich in religion and mysticism and whose history went back many centuries, were herded into camps in the Oklahoma Territory. Mose developed his pitching arm by throwing stones at small game to help feed the family. He was quick to make friends and had a great sense of humour. Because of his easygoing manner and sense of humor, YellowHorse got along more easily in the white man's world than most other Native Americans. The roles were reversed, however, when he took the mound. He was no longer the oppressed Indian; he was the guy with the hard round sphere that would be hurled at a white batter. On September 26, 1922, for example, YellowHorse was facing Ty Cobb in an exhibition game. Cobb as usual was crowding the plate and according to witnesses was hurling racist remarks at YellowHorse, who shook off four pitches and then sent a fastball that hit Cobb between the eyes.
He was used mainly as a relief pitcher. Spending only two years with Pittsburgh, he had an 8-4 record and then hurt his arm in 1922. YellowHorse's tenure with the Pirates was a time of great expectations for that did not pan out. Injuries and a drinking and carousing problem also inhibited his effectiveness. Still, he was a favorite with the fans, who would often chant, "Put in YellowHorse!" when the starting pitcher began to falter.
Aside from his drilling Cobb between the eyes in an exhibition game, there is nothing notable about his big league career other than that he lived the high life, eventually ruining his baseball career and making his life a living hell.
He loved being the roommate of Rabbitt Maranville, who had introduced him to the liquor that would become his personal demon. Maranville would eventually end his personal struggle with alcohol, but too late to help YellowHorse.
Sent to Sacramento in 1923, YellowHorse approached several ML clubs, but found no takers. His carousing and drinking problems were noted, and teams passed on him. Back in Pawnee, his tribal members were unhappy about his drinking and he became alienated from them. His drinking was destroying his baseball career and his personal life. YellowHorse's life was in free-fall. Drinking heavily and drifting from odd job to odd job, he was a lost soul. From 1927 to 1945 YellowHorse earned just enough to eat and drink. He was lost in his own tribe. His tribal brothers avoided him and talked about him in whispers.
Nevertheless, YellowHorse redeemed his dignity by living a life of atonement to himself and to his people. Since he played just two years in the major leagues, his redemption was not so much one of athleticism as of the soul. He stopped his drinking cold turkey and got a steady job. His people, once alienated from him, accepted him back and he became an elder in the Pawnee tribe. The tribe was always proud of him for his athletic achievements, but now they respected him for his beating drink and gaining steady employment. As an elder of the tribe, YellowHorse lent the wisdom and knowledge he gained from his trials to those who sought him out.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=chie...Ffg.cgi%3FGRid%3D13925436%26page%3Dgr;250;321

Another pitcher, Schoolboy Rowe, made his MLB debut on this date in 1933. The Tigers rookie tosses a six-hitter blanking the White Sox, 3-0. He received his nickname, "Schoolboy," while playing on a men's team as a fifteen-year-old high school student. During his 15-year career, playing also with the Dodgers and Phillies, Rowe would win 158 games. He became a vital member of the Tigers in their World Series years. In their back-to-back World Series seasons Rowe won 24 in 1934 (including an AL record 16 consecutive wins) and 19 games and then in 1940 he led them to the Series again with a record of 16-3. He was a power pitcher with remarkable control.
Schoolboy Rowe became a fan favorite in Detroit. He was known as a superstitious player who carried amulets, talismans, and charms in his pockets, always picked up his glove with his left hand and even talked to the ball.
Rowe was loved particularly by female fans for his good looks and devotion to his high-school sweetheart, Edna Mary Skinner. During a September 13, 1934, nationally broadcast interview on the Eddie Cantor radio show, Rowe asked his fiancee, "How'm I doing, Edna honey?" The line became famous, as Cantor recycled the line over and over on his broadcasts. The incident endeared Schoolboy to women across the country, but led to relentless heckling from fans and opposing players, who enjoyed taunting him with his own words: "How'm I doing, Edna?"

He finished his pitching career in 1950, with San Diego in the Pacific Coast League but his retirement would be short-lived as he died suddenly, of a heart attack, at age 50 in 1961.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=scho...oddetail.php%3Fprod%3DSchoolboyRoweBW;400;520

Here’s something in this day and age where so many MLB players seem to have misplaced their razors. On this date in 1972…Opening Day in Oakland, A’s outfielder Reggie Jackson becomes the first player in fifty-eight years to wear a mustache during the regular season. The last time facial hair was worn in a ML game was in 1914 when Wally Schang had hair above his lip catching for Philadelphia Athletics.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=regg...on-435-Baseball-Card-Value-Prices.htm;274;386

 

[67RedSox]

The 2013 Gold Glove winner in the NL at 3B in 2013, Nolan Arenado was born on this date in 1991. Happy 23rd.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=nola...com%2F2013%2F10%2Fone-for-nolan.html;1024;681

Also, Happy Birthday to Piggy Ward who was born on this date in 1867. Aside from the nickname he’s remembered for something he shares with Earl Averill (see below)… the MLB record of the most consecutive plate appearances resulting in officially getting on base (through either a walk, a base hit or being hit by a pitch) in MLB history. From June 16 to June 19 in 1893, Ward officially reached base a record 17 times in 17 consecutive plate appearances, getting 8 hits, drawing 8 walks and being hit by a pitch once. Ward also holds the record for the youngest non-pitcher to play in the National League, when he made his debut in 1883 aged 16 years, 1 month and 27 days in 1883 with Philadelphia.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=pigg...www.booksonbaseball.com%2Fpage%2F2%2F;284;587

It was because of the weather that on this date in 1929 the Cleveland Indians became the first MLB team to permanently wear uniform numbers. It’s Opening Day and the Indians wear numbers on the back of their jerseys when they edge Detroit at League Park, 5-4. The Tribe beat the Yankees in becoming the first team to don digits on a regular basis when the Bronx Bombers' contest against Boston is washed out in New York.
The above isn’t the only first for the game. Also on this date in 1929 Indians' rookie center fielder Earl Averill homers on an 0-2 pitch off Tigers' hurler Earl Whitehill to become the first AL player to hit a home run in his first ML at-bat. The 'Earl of Snohomish' will become the first player to accomplish the feat who will be also be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1929...ssed_to_the_nines%2Ftimeline_1929.htm;500;330

https://www.google.ca/search?q=earl...otDetail.aspx%3Finventoryid%3D53006;2400;3000

On this date in 1935 with the band playing Jingle Bells at Boston's Braves Field on a snowy day with near freezing temperatures, Babe Ruth makes his National League debut as he homers and singles off Giants' legend Carl Hubbell and the Braves beat New York, 4-2.

In an attempt to make his dream come true to manage, Babe Ruth came to the Braves in February 1935. He was hired as vice-president and assistant manager, and team owner Emil Fuchs promised Ruth a share of team profits. Ruth was only a shadow of his former self, as years of high living had made a shambles of his conditioning. He couldn't run, and his fielding was so terrible that three of the Braves' pitchers threatened to go on strike if Ruth was in the lineup. A month into the season, Ruth stopped hitting as well. It soon became obvious that Ruth's titles as vice-president and assistant manager were mere window dressing, and that he was only on the team due to the attention he commanded. He also discovered that rather than give him a share of the Braves' profits, Fuchs expected him to invest some of his money in the team.
Seeing a team in utter collapse and realizing he was finished as a player, Ruth retired on June 1, days after he had had what remains one of the most memorable afternoons in baseball history. He clouted what turned out to be the last three home runs of his career in a game at Forbes Field. He'd wanted to quit as early as May 12, but Fuchs wanted him to hang on so he could play in every NL park. Fuchs lost control of the team soon afterward.

April 16, 1935 New York Giants at Boston Braves Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

Connie Ryan played 12 seasons in the Big Leagues from 1942-1954. He was a 2nd baseman and a very good fielder and that probably kept him in the Majors because his bat produced neither HRs ( 56 during the course of his career ) nor a high batting average ( .248 ). The majority of his ML service was in the employ of the Boston Braves in the 1940’s so it’s ironic that this light hitting 2nd baseman who would play only one full season with the Phillies would set an offensive record for them that still stands 60 years later. It was on this date in 1953 he collects 6 hits in a game against the Pirates at Forbes Field…4 singles and 2 doubles and to this day it is the record for the most hits in one game for the Phillies.
If anyone remembers Ryan it isn’t for his single-game hit record with the Phillies or for serving as the interim manager for both the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers but for something he did in a game in 1949. The incident that took place on September 29, 1949 at Braves Field during a meaningless end-of-season Ladies Day game, as rain fell and the skies darkened at Braves Field, Ryan donned a raincoat while waiting to bat in the on-deck circle. Home plate umpire George Barr saw Ryan’s coat and threw him out of the contest for his not-so-subtle suggestion that the game be called. As Ryan later recounted: “They wouldn’t listen to us when we hollered at them from the bench that it was raining too hard to play. They wouldn’t even take a hint when we built a little fire out of programs and newspapers in front of the dugout. I thought I’d try to convince them some other way, that’s all.”

https://www.google.ca/search?q=conn...2Fplayers%2Fplayer.php%3Fp%3Dryanco01;212;300

Bill Stewart was enshrined in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982, 18 years after his death in 1964. He became the NHL's first U.S.-born referee in 1928, and served in that capacity until 1941 excepting his two years (1937–39) as the Chicago BlackHawks coach. He coached the U.S. national hockey team in 1957, posting a 23-3-1 record, but the team was barred by the State Department from participating in the World Championships following the Soviet invasion of Hungary. He accomplished something no other U.S. born NHL Hockey coach had ever done…that is be the coach of a Stanley Cup winning team. On April 12, 1938 Stewart led the Chicago BlackHawks to a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup…they say the hardest Championship to win of the Big 4…Baseball, Hockey, Basketball and Football.
O.K., this is a Baseball thread so how do we work Bill Stewart into it. Well, for 22 seasons Bill Stewart was a Major League umpire and on this date in 1938 just 4 days after capturing the Stanley Cup Stewart is behind the plate for a game in Boston. Stewart wasn’t just another MLB umpire he was considered one of the best. He was an umpire in the NLfrom 1933 to 1954, and officiated in four World Series (1937, 1943, 1948, 1953) and four All-Star Games (1936, 1940, 1948, 1954), calling balls and strikes for the last contest. He also was the home plate umpire for Johnny Vander Meer's second consecutive no-hitter in 1938, and was the crew chief for the 1951 three-game pennant playoff between the NY Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers. He resigned from the NL umpiring staff in January 1955 after not being promoted to league supervisor, a position he claimed had been promised him by commissioner Ford Frick when he had been NL president; new league president Warren Giles instead announced that the position would not be filled. After retiring as an umpire, he continued to work as a scout for the Cleveland Indians and Washington Senators.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bill...F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fbhp%2Fbill-stewart;225;181

It was on this date in 1896 at Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl, the Boston Beaneaters ( Braves ) defeat the Phillies, 7-3, in front of 24,500 which is the largest Opening Day crowd in the 19th century.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bake...ofbaseball.com%2Fpast%2FBakerBowl.htm;800;465

 

[67RedSox]

It was on this date in 2010 Rockies' right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez pitches the first No-Hitter in the 18-year history of the franchise. The 4-0 historic victory over Atlanta at Turner Field is saved in the seventh inning with a spectacular catch by center fielder Dexter Fowler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzlJg1JMltg

It was on this date in 2012 throwing seven strong innings in the Rockies' 5-3 victory over San Diego, Jamie Moyer becomes the oldest pitcher to win a ML contest. The 49-year, 150 day old southpaw surpasses Brooklyn's Jack Quinn, who was almost three months younger when he got the victory pitching five frames in relief against St. Louis in 1932.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbQd8NfXi38

In the early days of the Grand Old Game it’s invention was credited to Abner Doubleday, a career United States Army officer and Union general in the American Civil War. He fired the first shot in defense of Fort Sumter, the opening battle of the War, and had a pivotal role in the early fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg. In San Francisco, after the war, he obtained a patent on the cable car railway that still runs there. One of the persistent myths of baseball history is that Doubleday invented the game in 1839, although Doubleday never claimed to have invented baseball. Years after Doubleday’s death in 1893 and after about two decades of controversy, invention of America's "national game" of baseball was attributed to Abner Doubleday by the Mills Commission (1905–1907). Some Baseball historians immediately cried foul and additional research clearly revealed Doubleday was not responsible for either the invention of the Game or the development of the Game as it is played today.
If not Doubleday then who is responsible for the Grand Old Game as we know. I find it interesting that the “inventor” of Baseball is someone who lived almost his entire adult life thousands of miles from the United States, 2,400 miles to be precise. It was on this date in 1820 that the “Father of Baseball”, Alexander Cartwright was born in New York City. As a teenager he worked first as a clerk in a Wall Street, then as a bank clerk and bookseller. While he was doing this he did two other things…he was a volunteer fireman and as firemen often have to find things to do in their idle time Cartwright played bat-and-ball games in the streets of Manhattan with other volunteer firefighters.
Cartwright led the establishment of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club (after the Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company) in 1842. The Knickerbockers played a brand of bat-and-ball game called town ball on a field at 4th Avenue and 27th Streets.
In 1845 Cartwright and a committee from his club drew up rules converting this playground game into a more elaborate and interesting sport to be played by adults. The original 14 rules were somewhat similar to but not identical to the English sport of rounders. Three exceptions devised by Cartwright included the stipulations that the playing field had to be laid out in a diamond-shape rather than a square used in rounders, foul territories were to be introduced for the first time, and the practice of retiring a runner by hitting him with a thrown ball was forbidden. Cartwright is also credited for introducing flat bases at uniform distances, three strikes per batter, and nine players in the outfield.
The first clearly documented match between two baseball clubs under these rules took place on June 19, 1846, at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey. Shortly thereafter the gold rush struck California and like many men of the time Cartwright, then married, headed to California to make his fortune but he didn’t stop in California…he kept heading West until he arrived in Honolulu, Hawai’i then a Kingdom under King David Kalākaua and Queen Emma. Cartwright would spend the rest of his life in Hawaii and is buried there. Cartwright served as the fire chief of Honolulu from 1850 through June 30, 1863. He set up a baseball field on the island of Oahu at Makiki Field, now called Cartwright Field. As advisor to King David Kalākaua and Queen Emma he encouraged the growth of Baseball on the islands until his death on July 12, 1892, a year before the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=alex...com%2Fimage-alexander-cartwright.html;600;800

https://www.google.ca/search?q=elys...-elysian-fields-currier-and-ives.html;900;584

It was on this date in 1869 the Cincinnati Red Stockings defeat the rival Amateurs, 24-15, in Baseball's first professional game. Team captain Harry Wright had put all of his players under contract making the club, that will later be known as the Reds, the first professional team in sports history.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=redl...-the-1869-cincinnati-red-stockings%2F;518;319

During the Dead Ball Era of Baseball, the ‘Blue Laws’ existed which was legislation designed to enforce religious edicts, including the observance of Sunday as a day of worship and thereby preventing Baseball to be played on Sundays. Three were the occasional attempts to get around the ‘Blue Laws’. For example, in 1904 by not charging admission but requiring fans to buy a scorecard, the Brooklyn Superbas ( Dodgers ) play their first Sunday game. On this date in 1912 the NY Giants and the NY Yankees play an exhibition charity game at the Polo Grounds to raise money for the survivors of the Titanic. It’s a Sunday, the Blue Laws are still in existence, so admission cannot be charged to the 14,000 attending. Instead over $9,000 is raised when each individual fan donates the price of an admission ticket to purchase a special program for the event. There are two other significant aspects to this game. The first is it’s the first Sunday game ever played between ML teams at the Coogan's Bluff ballpark and the second is it’s the new-look Yankees, now sporting pinstripes.

Baseball Researcher: A Benefit Game for Survivors of the Titanic

On this date in 1951 Mickey Mantle, batting third in the Yankee line-up, grounds out to second base in his first Major League at-bat in a game against the Red Sox. There were 8 future Hall of Famers playing in that game...Mantle, DiMaggio, Berra, Mize, Rizzuto, Williams, Doerr and Boudreau. Two years later to the day, on this date in 1953 Mantle blasts a 'reported' 565-foot homer off southpaw Chuck Stobb in the Yankees' 7-3 victory over Washington at a windy Griffith Stadium.

April 17, 1951 Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

https://www.google.ca/search?q=mant...t.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fmickeymantle.html;400;313

On this date in 1955 Roberto Clemente singles off Dodger pitcher Johnny Podres in his first Major League at-bat. The first of 3,000 he would collect.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=clem...te-164-Baseball-Card-Value-Prices.htm;438;308

It was on this date in 1956 Don Drysdale makes his MLB debut.

April 17, 1956 Philadelphia Phillies at Brooklyn Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score - Baseball-Reference.com

The San Diego Padres and Montreal Expos entered the Major Leagues on the same day in 1969. On this date in 1969, in only the 9th game of the franchise's history, Expos hurler Bill Stoneman, who had never thrown a complete game in the Majors, tosses a No-Hitter defeating the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium, 7-0. It has now been 45 years and 9 days and 7.181 games and counting as the Padres await their first No-Hitter…the only MLB team who has not tossed one.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bill...photogallery%2Fexpos_35%2Fpage_04.jsp;470;325

No-hitters by Major League Baseball franchise | Padres No-Hitters History at NoNoHitters.com

 

[67RedSox]

It was on this date in 1964 that Sandy Koufax does something no other NL pitcher had ever done and only Lefty Grove had accomplished…strike out the on 9 pitches for the second time.

April 18, 1964 Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score - Baseball-Reference.com

56 years ago today, on this date in 1958, the Dodgers play their first home game in Los Angeles at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Following a downtown parade in the morning‚ the Giants-Dodgers game in Los Angeles sets a NL single-game record with 78‚682 fans in attendance ‚ as the Dodgers prevail 6-5. Hank Sauer hits 2 HRs for the Giants‚ including the first at the Coliseum. After Jim Davenport scores what would have been the tying run in the 9th‚ he is called out for failing to touch 3B. Carl Erskine is the winner over Al Worthington with Clem Labine picking up the Save.

April 18, 1958 San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score - Baseball-Reference.com

https://www.google.ca/search?q=open...s_return_to_coliseum%2F%3Fpage%3Dfull;539;399

On this date in 1957, at Detroit‚ Cleveland rookie Roger Maris hits his first ML homer‚ a grand slam in the 11th‚ to pace the Tribe to an 8-3 win over the Tigers. Jack Crimian walks 3 before Maris connects.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=roge...D-INDIANS-GREAT-PHOTO-%2F111290917043;202;300

Bill Sweeney played 3 seasons in the Majors between 1928-1931. He was a 1st baseman, mostly with the Red Sox. After his ML career was over he played another 11 years in the Minors with the final 7 years playing in the Pacific Coast League where he hit at a .300 clip. When he went to the Pacific Coast League in 1936 he went as a player-manager and with the Portland Beavers. Over the course of the next 21 years he would manage in the Pacific Coast League for all but a couple of those seasons mostly in Portland but also with the Los Angeles Angels, Hollywood Stars and Seattle Rainiers. He must have been one dedicated baseball guy because he died virtually with his uniform on. Also, on this date in 1957 he dies in a San Diego hospital following an operation for a perforated stomach ulcer. Sweeney, who was managing Portland took ill during a game the previous night against the Padres but refused to leave the coach's box till the game was over.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bill...84046-gambo-t_wil1-photopack-494.html;450;598

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bill...back-machine-artie-bob-cross-the-line;590;393

On this date in 1925 Charles Ebbetts, the owner and president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, dies of heart failure at the age of 65 prior to a game with the NY Giants. The game goes on as scheduled however on the day of his funeral, three days later, all NL games are scheduled. At the rainy funeral‚ Ed McKeever‚ appointed as the new club president to replace Ebbetts‚ will catch a cold that turns into pneumonia and he dies six days later.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=char...2Fwiki%2FEd_McKeever_(baseball_owner);979;700

It’s a balmy day in New York as Yankee Stadium opens on this date in 1923 with Babe Ruth hitting the park's first home run. The stadium is the first to feature three decks. The debut is a huge success with an announced attendance of 74‚217. Another 25‚000 are turned away. Police arrest two for scalping: one man for trying to sell a $1.10 grandstand ticket for $1.25‚ while another tries to get $1.50.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1923...-yankees-top-20-opening-day-moments;2048;1280

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1923...kee-stadium-opening-day-clip-art.html;931;635

On this date in 1906 a devastating earthquake, known as the great 70-second earthquake, resulted from the rupture of over 270 miles of the San Andreas Fault, from San Juan Bautista to Eureka, centered immediately offshore of San Francisco. The quake is estimated to have had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. Water mains ruptured throughout San Francisco, and the fires that followed burned out of control for days, destroying approximately 80% of the city, including almost all the downtown core. The official death toll at the time was 478, although it was officially revised in 2005 to 3,000+. The initial low death toll was concocted by civic, state, and federal officials who felt that reporting the actual numbers would hurt rebuilding and redevelopment efforts, as well as city and national morale.
Another casualty of the quake is Recreation Park‚ home of the pacific Coast League’s San Francisco Seals as well as the League offices. The Seals (9-2) are leading the League. Oakland C Pat Donohue breaks both his legs when he jumps from a hotel window during the quake. The Seals finished the 1906 season playing home games at Freeman's Park in Oakland.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1906...3ASan_francisco_1906_earthquake.jpg;1408;1090

https://www.google.ca/search?q=recr...alballparks.com%2FPCL%2FRecPark2.html;784;493

 

[67RedSox]

Before the Brooklyn 9 officially started to call themselves the Dodgers in 1932 they went by a variety of nicknames dating back to their first game in 1884. They were known as the Atlantics, Grays, Bridegrooms, Grooms, Superbas and Robins. They weren’t always a National League team either. For their first six seasons they played in the American Association then a sister Major League to the National League. In 1889 the Bridegrooms won the American Association championship and played the NY Giants in the 1889 World Series, a precursor to the Modern-Day World Series. The Giants won the best-of-eleven series 6 games to 3. The Dodgers must have taken the attitude…”if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” as they then joined the National League for the 1890 season. It was on this date in 1890 the Brooklyn Bridegrooms play their first National League game and lose to the Beaneaters (Braves) at Boston's South End Grounds, 15-9.
Incidentally, the largest Opening Day crowd in the National League was 6,311 in Cincinnati.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1890...a.com%2FTeamPhotos%2F1890Dodgers.html;600;433

Welcome to the Majors…no need to be nervous! Words that fell on deaf ears as far as 29 year old Bob Ewing ( not the Dallas, Ewings ). It was on this date in 1902 he makes his ML debut and ties a NL record by walking 7 batters in one inning. 87 years later in 1989 the Montreal Expos and Los Angeles Dodgers play a 22 inning game without a single base on balls, and yes, thereby set the Major League record for longest game (by number of innings) without a walk by a team.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bob+...showthread.php%3F21166-The-Early-Days;640;465

Here’s one for you…wonder if it would happen today? On this date in 1930 a line drive by the Cards Jim Bottomley is botched by Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson who allows the ball to bound into the crowd. Nevertheless‚ umpire Charles Evans makes an out call‚ stating that the fans made too much noise and verbally interfered with the play. The Cards protest the ruling‚ but NL Prexy John Heydler backs up Evans' interpretation on the call.


It was on this date in 1949, on Opening Day, the Yankees unveil a monument in centerfield honouring the legendary Babe Ruth, eight months after his death. The "Bambino' joins Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins, who were also awarded posthumously with cenotaphs, the team's highest honor of all.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ruth...Yankee-Stadium-I-(1923-1973)%2Fpage19;589;480

He would hit 512 HRs in his career, tied with Ernie Banks and it was on this date in 1952 that Eddie Mathews hits his first in Philadelphia’s Connie Mack Stadium.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=eddi...on%2520braves%2Fboston%2520braves.htm;400;504

On this date in 1960, Opening Day at Fenway Park, Roger Maris plays his first game in a Yankee uniform. How does he do? Not bad…as the Yankees lead-off hitter he raps 4 hits including 2 HRs…just a sign of things to come.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=roge...-in-new-york-yankees-history-419.html;408;271

 

[67RedSox]

102 years ago today saw two MLB ballparks open…one is still around and the other, despite its obstructed views, is regrettably gone.
It was on this date in 1912 the ballpark we knew either as Briggs Stadium / Tiger Stadium opened…then as Navin Field. It would serve the Tigers well for 87 years and the Tigers would celebrate winning two World Series there, the first in 1935 versus the Cubs and the last in 1984 against the Padres. When first built it had a capacity of about 23,000 but would expand to over 52,000 by 1937.
Also, a little further east, Fenway Park opened on this date in 1912 and is still going strong. There have been a number of changes made to Fenway over the years but its capacity has remained almost the same from 35,000-37,000.
The intimate configurations of both stadiums, both conducive to high-scoring games featuring home runs, prompted baseball writers to refer to them as "bandboxes" or "cigar boxes" (a reference to the similarly intimate Baker Bowl).
The cost of constructing both Tiger Stadium and Fenway Park in those days was probably slightly lower than the cost of building them today. The bill for Tiger Stadium was $300,000.00 and Fenway was a whopping $650,000.00.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=open...A%2F%2Fwww.squidoo.com%2Ftigerstadium;450;373

https://www.google.ca/search?q=tige...y.com%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D1715408;1024;681

https://www.google.ca/search?q=fenw...blogspot.com%2F2012%2F04%2F1912.html;1024;749

https://www.google.ca/search?q=fenw...-about-the-next-pitch-luis-tiant%2F;1536;1024

Four years later, on this date in 1916 the Chicago Cubs play their first game at Weeghman Park. Today we know it as Wrigley Field, a name it didn’t take on until 1926. It was built in 1914 for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales. It was built at a cost of $250,000.00 and although Wrigley Field has been the home of the Cubs since 1916, it has yet to see the Cubs win a World Series, even though it has hosted several…1929, 1932, 1935, 1938, and 1945, the last time the Cubs appeared in a World Series. Wrigley Field follows the jewel box design of ballparks that was popular in the early part of the 20th century. The two recessed wall areas, or "wells", located both in left and right field, give those areas a little more length than if the wall were to follow the contour from center field. It is also in those wells, when cross winds are blowing, that balls have a habit of bouncing in all sorts of interesting directions. In 1927 an upper deck was added, and in 1937, Bill Veeck, the son of the club president, planted ivy vines against the outfield walls.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=weeg...ordpress.com%2Ftag%2Fweeghman-park%2F;600;446

It was on this date in 1939 the Red Sox show off their prize rookie Ted Williams, in his first ML game, before 30‚278 in the opener in New York‚ delayed two days because of rain. After striking out twice‚ Williams collects a double off Red Ruffing‚ who wins 2-0. Gehrig makes an error‚ goes hitless‚ and lines into two double plays in the only game featuring the two great sluggers. Other notables in what will become a historic box score include Joe DiMaggio‚ Bill Dickey‚ Jimmie Foxx‚ Joe Cronin‚ Bobby Doerr‚ Red Rolfe‚ and losing pitcher Lefty Grove. The Yanks score their first run on a homer by Dickey and their 2nd tally on an error by Jimmy Foxx. Boston has baserunners in each inning‚ but Ruffing tosses just the 2nd opening day shut out in Yankee history. Four umpires work the game including 3B ump George Pipgras‚ the starting pitcher for the Yankees in the 1929 Opener; his opponent for the Red Sox that day was Red Ruffing.

April 20, 1939 Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

Joe Gedeon was a second baseman in the Majors for the Washington Senators, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Browns. He was an above-average defensive player, leading all American League second basemen in assists once (1918) and fielding percentage twice (1918 and 1919). In 1920, he led the AL in sacrifice hits with 48; this total is still a Browns/Orioles single season record. Unfortunately, Gedeon - who was a friend of Black Sox conspirator Swede Risberg - was present during a meeting with gamblers, as they were discussing the plot to fix the 1919 World Series. He was later called as a witness in the trial. On November 3, 1921, Gedeon was banned for life from organized baseball for "having guilty knowledge" of the Black Sox Scandal by Judge Landis. It was on this date in 1944, 26 year old Elmer Gedeon‚ a part-time outfielder with the Senators in 1939‚ is killed when his plane is shot down over France. Gedeon's baseball career was cut short when he was drafted by the United States Army in early 1941. He trained as a bomber pilot, and was decorated for bravery after his plane crashed on a training flight in 1942. He is the first of two ML’ers killed in the war. Gedeon was the nephew Joe Gedeon.
On April 20, 1944, Gedeon piloted one of 36 B-26's that left Boreham in the late afternoon to attack a V-1 "buzz bomb" site being constructed at Esquerdes, a village in the Pas-de-Calais near Saint-Omer. Led by Capt. Darrell Lindsey, it was the group's thirteenth mission. Attacking after dusk from 12,000 feet, the group encountered intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, and Gedeon's plane was hit by flak below the cockpit just after bombing. Gedeon's co-pilot, his clothes on fire, was able to parachute from the bomber as it plunged towards the ground, but Gedeon and five other crew members were killed. Gedeon was initially reported as missing in action and it was not until May 1945 that his family received word that his grave had been located in a small British army cemetery at Saint-Pol, France. Gedeon's body was later returned to the United States, and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Of the 500-plus ML players who served in the military in WW II, Gedeon and Harry Mink O'Neill of the Philadelphia Athletics, killed at Iwo Jima, were the only Major League Baseball players killed in World War II, both at age 27. The two have become symbols of "baseball's sacrifice" in the war effort. As the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum proclaims: "Ballplayers, like every other American citizen, understand the importance of giving one's self for their country."

https://www.google.ca/search?q=elme...n.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FElmer_Gedeon;220;233

https://www.google.ca/search?q=b-26...cecrashes39-45.net%2Fb26-marauder.php;640;335

https://www.google.ca/search?q=elme...logspot.com%2F2010_05_01_archive.html;593;399

 

[67RedSox]

I see where the first player to hit a Grand Slam in their first Major League at-bat was, naturally, a pitcher. It was on this date in 1898 that Frosty Bill Duggleby, of the Philadelphia Phillies, accomplished the feat. He hit it off of NY Giants pitcher, Cy Seymour, who won 25 games that season. It must have turned Seymour off pitching though because he soon traded the pitching mound to playing in the outfield. In 1905 he won the NL Batting Crown with a .377 BA and 219 basehits. A position player finally matched Duggleby’s feat 107 years later…Jeremy Hermida turned the trick in 2005. Kevin Kouzmanoff and Daniel Nava have since done it as well. Post-1900 Duggleby holds the Phillies team record for hit batsmen for a career (81).

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bill...Ffg.cgi%3Fpage%3Dgr%26GRid%3D11697797;250;338

From 1927 to 1949 Ad Liska played professional baseball. He was a pitcher and five of those years were spent at the Major League level, 1929-1933 where he won 17 games but pitched mostly out of the bullpen. He was a submarine pitcher, not by choice, but because he was injured in a boyhood accident and was unable to throw overhand. However when his ML career ended he excelled with Portland in the Pacific Coast League from 1936-1949 winning 198 games there and 248 overall in the Minor Leagues. It was on this date in 1946 he tosses a No-Hitter against Hollywood 13 years removed from the Majors and just shy of age 40. He is a member of the Pacific Coast League’s Hall of Fame.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ad+l...onloncollection.com%2Fad-liska-2.html;640;800

It was on this date in 1961 the Minnesota Twins play their first game at home, Metropolitan Stadium. The Twins, formerly known as the Washington Senators before moving to Minnesota lose their first home game to the 'new' expansion Washington Senators, 5-3 in front of a crowd of 24,606 at Metropolitan Stadium. The club's move to the North Star State will attract 1,256,723 fans, third best in the American League, and far better than their last season in the nation's capital, where the team drew only 743,404 fans, the worst gate in the League.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=metr....com%2Fpast%2FMetropolitanStadium.htm;454;275

https://www.google.ca/search?q=metr...s-lose-to-twins-soriano-homers-again;1006;704

If you’re familiar with college baseball in Texas you may know the former home ballpark of the Longhorns in Austin…Clark Field. It was used by the baseball Longhorns for 46 years from 1928 to 1974. It is considered one of the most novel ballparks ever conceived thanks to its location. There was a limestone cliff in the outfield that created havoc for outfielders and made baseball games exciting. The cliff was between 12 – 30 feet high and ran from left-center to center field that made playing the outfield adventurous. The cliff could only be accessed via a goat path in the left-centerfield. Centerfield was nicknamed "Billy Goat Hill." There was a scoreboard on top of the hill in the field in front of the fence that could cause even more weird bounces for outfielders. Clearly, this gave the Longhorns a home field advantage over visiting teams. For example, the Longhorns could easily get an inside-the-park home run when a ball was hit in the direction of the cliff because the opposing outfielders were perplexed by its caroms and how to make plays by using the cliff. Longhorn outfielders could typically hold batters to a double or triple because of their familiarity with the cliff. Half of the team's outfielders purportedly chose to play on top while the other half chose to play in front of the cliff. According to legend, Lou Gehrig hit a towering 550-foot (170 m) home run over "Billy Goat Hill" and the 40-foot high fence in centerfield during a 1930 exhibition game.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=clar...%2Fshowthread.php%3F15639-Clark-Field;473;312