1954 – Robin Roberts is lifted in the seventh as the Braves finally knock out the Phillies ace, winning 5 – 1. Roberts had pitched 13 straight complete games against the Braves over three years, with a 12-1 record.

1954 – Robin Roberts is lifted in the seventh as the Braves finally knock out the Phillies ace, winning 5 – 1. Roberts had pitched 13 straight complete games against the Braves over three years, with a 12-1 record.

1954 – Ironically, before he ever reaches the majors, in the midst of his only minor league season, comes Roberto Clemente’s greatest baseball birthday, his 20th, complete with a signature Clemente climax. Some national exposure ensues, courtesy of The Sporting News’s Lloyd McGowan: “Roberto Clemente, rookie Puerto Rican outfielder, turned in the key defensive play that enabled the Royals to edge Toronto, 8 to 7. With two out in the ninth, Clemente uncorked a perfect throw to cut down the Leafs’ potential tying run at the plate and end the game.”

1954 – Ironically, before he ever reaches the majors, in the midst of his only minor league season, comes Roberto Clemente’s greatest baseball birthday, his 20th, complete with a signature Clemente climax. Some national exposure ensues, courtesy of The Sporting News’s Lloyd McGowan: “Roberto Clemente, rookie Puerto Rican outfielder, turned in the key defensive play that enabled the Royals to edge Toronto, 8 to 7. With two out in the ninth, Clemente uncorked a perfect throw to cut down the Leafs’ potential tying run at the plate and end the game.”

The first issue of Sports Illustrated is available at the newsstands. The inaugural cover of the innovative new magazine features a Mark Kauffman photo of Braves slugger Eddie Mathews at bat, Giants catcher Wes Westrum behind the plate, and umpire Augie Donatelli calling balls and strikes in Milwaukee County Stadium.

The first issue of Sports Illustrated is available at the newsstands. The inaugural cover of the innovative new magazine features a Mark Kauffman photo of Braves slugger Eddie Mathews at bat, Giants catcher Wes Westrum behind the plate, and umpire Augie Donatelli calling balls and strikes in Milwaukee County Stadium.

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1954 – In a throwing contest between Jimmy Piersall and Willie Mays before a Red Sox-Giants charity game in Boston, Piersall hurts his arm. He starts the game but leaves midway. He wakes up the following morning with a sore arm that stays with him a year, and he will never throw quite as well again.

1954 – In a throwing contest between Jimmy Piersall and Willie Mays before a Red Sox-Giants charity game in Boston, Piersall hurts his arm. He starts the game but leaves midway. He wakes up the following morning with a sore arm that stays with him a year, and he will never throw quite as well again.

The Orioles lose their 27th consecutive game as the visiting team in Cleveland with a 3-1 nightcap loss to the Indians. The record losing streak on the road against one opponent started on August 13, 1952 when the franchise played as the St. Louis Browns.

The Orioles lose their 27th consecutive game as the visiting team in Cleveland with a 3-1 nightcap loss to the Indians. The record losing streak on the road against one opponent started on August 13, 1952 when the franchise played as the St. Louis Browns.