wally Moon homers in debut
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Wally Moon hits a home run in his first major league at-bat & om Alston becomes the first black player to wear a Cardinals uniform.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On Opening Day off Chicago hurler Paul Milner, Wally Moon hits a home run in his first major league at-bat. The 24 year-old Cardinal center fielder, who will be selected as the National League’s Rookie of the Year, will also homer in the last at-bat of his freshman season.

Tom Alston becomes the first black player to appear in a Cardinals uniform

Tom Alston becomes the first black player to appear in a Cardinals uniform

ByThis Day in Baseball

Seven years after the team had threatened to strike because of the integration of baseball by Jackie Robinson, North Carolina A&T graduate Tom Alston becomes the first black player to appear in a Cardinals uniform. The highly-touted first baseman, acquired from the PCL’s San Diego club in exchange for veteran infielder Dick Sisler and $100,000, pops out to first base in his first major league at-bat.

20-year-old Willie Mays sits in the Minneapolis Millers clubhouse after receiving news that he was being called up to the New York Giants. Mays hit .477 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 35 games with Minneapolis.
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Willie Mays homers in his first game back

ByTom

Willie Mays, who missed nearly two seasons due to military service, homers in his first game back, a sixth-inning blast off Carl Erskine that will prove to be the difference in the Giants’ 4-3 Opening Day victory over Brooklyn. The 22 year-old center fielder’s prodigious poke may have traveled over 600 feet if it had not been impeded by the upper left-field stands at the Polo Grounds.

Cincinnati, in an effort to not be associated with Communists, plays its first game as the Redlegs. The new moniker, which is widely accepted, will be employed for six seasons, before the club reverts back to being known as the Reds, which was a shortened version of the Red Stockings, the team’s original name from 1882 to 1899.

ByTom

Cincinnati, in an effort to not be associated with Communists, plays its first game as the Redlegs. The new moniker, which is widely accepted, will be employed for six seasons, before the club reverts back to being known as the Reds, which was a shortened version of the Red Stockings, the team’s original name from 1882 to 1899.

Curt Roberts, the Pirates’ first black player, hits a triple against Robin Roberts in the 1st inning
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Curt Roberts, the Pirates’ first black player, hits a triple against Robin Roberts in the 1st inning

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Pittsburgh Pirates open at home for the first time in 61 years and defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4 – 2, before 32,294 spectators. Curt Roberts, the Pirates’ first black player, hits a triple against Robin Roberts in the 1st inning.

The brand new Baltimore Orioles open in Detroit and lose, 3 – 0. Don Larsen takes the loss against Steve Gromek. The Tigers start fast and will win 12 of their first 18 games.

The brand new Baltimore Orioles open in Detroit and lose, 3 – 0. Don Larsen takes the loss against Steve Gromek. The Tigers start fast and will win 12 of their first 18 games.

ByBaseball

The brand new Baltimore Orioles open in Detroit and lose, 3 – 0. Don Larsen takes the loss against Steve Gromek. The Tigers start fast and will win 12 of their first 18 games.

The Yankees trade for 38 year old Enos Slaughter, the Cardinals get Bill Virdon in return who will win ROY

The Yankees trade for 38 year old Enos Slaughter, the Cardinals get Bill Virdon in return who will win ROY

ByTom

The Yankees trade two minor leaguers along with rookie right-hander Mel Wright to the Cardinals in exchange for 38 year-old right-fielder Enos Slaughter. The future Hall of Fame outfielder will hit only .239 in 79 games during his first tenure with the Bronx Bombers, but Bill Virdon, one of the prospects dealt to the Redbirds, will be named the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1956.