Mel Ott of the New York Giants hits the first National League home run of the season, the 464th of his career.

On April 19, 1944 — At the Polo Grounds, Mel Ott of the New York Giants hits the first National League home run of the season off Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves in the bottom of the first, his 464th of his career, held up as all the runs the Giants would need behind the pitching of Ewald Pyle.  3,900 fans saw the Pyle go the distance allowing just 4 hits, 1 run and striking out 5. Giants defeat the Boston Braves, 2 – 1. Ernie Lombardi would record the only other hit for the Giants.

The game time was a swift one hour and forty-four minutes.

At this time in history only Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Lou Gehrig had more career homeruns than Mel Ott.


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Sources:

Baseball Reference April 19

SABR Games Project

National Pastime April 19

Hall of Fame

Retro Sheet