Taking advantage of a ground rule change which scores balls hit over Chicago’s inviting 180-foot LF fence as home runs (instead of doubles)‚ five players hit round-trippers in the White Stockings’ National League home opener against Detroit‚ winning 15 – 5. Chicago will hit 142 homers – last year they hit 13 – during the 112-game season (more than 90 percent of them at home) to set a record that will last until the 1927 New York Yankees. The rule change appears to be unilaterally made by Cap Anson‚ and the other league owners will squawk to no avail. But the league will set a minimum distance of 210 feet for an outfield fence after the season.

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Taking advantage of a ground rule change which scores balls hit over Chicago’s inviting 180-foot LF fence as home runs (instead of doubles)‚ five players hit round-trippers in the White Stockings’ National League home opener against Detroit‚ winning 15 – 5. Chicago will hit 142 homers – last year they hit 13 – during the 112-game season (more than 90 percent of them at home) to set a record that will last until the 1927 New York Yankees. The rule change appears to be unilaterally made by Cap Anson‚ and the other league owners will squawk to no avail. But the league will set a minimum distance of 210 feet for an outfield fence after the season.

With RF Mike Dorgan committing 5 errors‚ New York loses to Providence‚ 19 – 5‚ at the Polo Grounds. The New York Times reports that the game is so bad that “the Siamese Embassy [staff] occupied the stockholder box and showed their knowledge by leaving in the middle of the game.” Charlie Sweeney (8-1) has 4 hits‚ 3 doubles and scores 4 times.

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With RF Mike Dorgan committing 5 errors‚ New York loses to Providence‚ 19 – 5‚ at the Polo Grounds. The New York Times reports that the game is so bad that “the Siamese Embassy [staff] occupied the stockholder box and showed their knowledge by leaving in the middle of the game.” Charlie Sweeney (8-1) has 4 hits‚ 3 doubles and scores 4 times.

After 20 consecutive wins St. Louis (UA) finally falls, 8 – 1, to Boston. The Maroons will finish the season with a .832 winning percentage‚ the highest in major league history.

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After 20 consecutive wins St. Louis (UA) finally falls, 8 – 1, to Boston. The Maroons will finish the season with a .832 winning percentage‚ the highest in major league history.

Against Pittsburgh‚ Philadelphia Athletics P Al Atkinson hits the leadoff batter‚ Ed Swartwood‚ who steals second base‚ takes third base on a putout‚ and scores on a passed ball. But Atkinson sets down the next 27 Alleghenies for a near-perfect‚ no-hit, 10 – 1 win.

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Against Pittsburgh‚ Philadelphia Athletics P Al Atkinson hits the leadoff batter‚ Ed Swartwood‚ who steals second base‚ takes third base on a putout‚ and scores on a passed ball. But Atkinson sets down the next 27 Alleghenies for a near-perfect‚ no-hit, 10 – 1 win.

In a National League contest played at the South End Grounds, Umpire Van Cort infuriates the visiting Detroit Wolverines when he calls their batter out on a third-strike foul tip. Mike Hines, the Beaneaters’ backstop, clearly did not catch the strike three because the ball becomes wedged in his catcher’s mask.

ByTom

In a National League contest played at the South End Grounds, Umpire Van Cort infuriates the visiting Detroit Wolverines when he calls their batter out on a third-strike foul tip. Mike Hines, the Beaneaters’ backstop, clearly did not catch the strike three because the ball becomes wedged in his catcher’s mask.

In American Association action, Toledo Blue Stockings catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker becomes the first black to play in the major leagues during a game against the Louisville Eclipse team.

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In American Association action, Toledo Blue Stockings catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker becomes the first black to play in the major leagues during a game against the Louisville Eclipse team.