With 42,269 fans in attendance, the San Francisco Giants edge the St. Louis Cardinals, 3 – 1, in the first game played at Candlestick Park. Giants pitcher Sam Jones throws a three-hitter, and Cardinals outfielder Leon Wagner hits the first home run in the $15-million stadium. In the 3rd inning, the umpires protest that the foul poles are several inches in fair territory, rather than on the foul lines; the Giants will make the correction after the season.

ByTom

With 42,269 fans in attendance, the San Francisco Giants edge the St. Louis Cardinals, 3 – 1, in the first game played at Candlestick Park. Giants pitcher Sam Jones throws a three-hitter, and Cardinals outfielder Leon Wagner hits the first home run in the $15-million stadium. In the 3rd inning, the umpires protest that the foul poles are several inches in fair territory, rather than on the foul lines; the Giants will make the correction after the season.

Rumors swirl that legendary manager Leo Durocher would be named the first manager of the new Houston franchise
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Rumors swirl that legendary manager Leo Durocher would be named the first manager of the new Houston franchise

ByThis Day in Baseball

1961 – Rumors swirl that legendary manager Leo Durocher, currently a coach with the Dodgers, would be named the first manager of the new Houston franchise. Reports of phone conversations between Durocher and General Manager Gabe Paul are true but nothing materializes beyond that. Durocher would eventally lead the club in 1972 after several years as skipper of the Cubs.

1960 – Pittsburgh’s defensive wizards Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski, future Hall of Famers both, strut their stuff in a spring scrimmage with Milwaukee. Red Thisted of the Milwaukee Sentinel reports: “Mazeroski, a slim-jim in comparison with the weight he was carrying around a year ago, made Danny Murtaugh look good in the 2nd inning when he skipped far out on the right field grass for a back-handed stab of Eddie Haas’ hopper and got his man… Roberto Clemente robbed Bill Bruton of a triple with a startling grab in right center in the 4th.”

ByThis Day in Baseball

1960 – Pittsburgh’s defensive wizards Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski, future Hall of Famers both, strut their stuff in a spring scrimmage with Milwaukee. Red Thisted of the Milwaukee Sentinel reports: “Mazeroski, a slim-jim in comparison with the weight he was carrying around a year ago, made Danny Murtaugh look good in the 2nd inning when he skipped far out on the right field grass for a back-handed stab of Eddie Haas’ hopper and got his man… Roberto Clemente robbed Bill Bruton of a triple with a startling grab in right center in the 4th.”

Due to political unrest in the area, the Orioles-Reds series scheduled to be played in Havana is moved to Miami. Cincinnati, which has a farm team in Cuba, wanted the exhibition games to stay on the island, but Baltimore’s team president Lee MacPhail feared for his players’ safety.

ByTom

Due to political unrest in the area, the Orioles-Reds series scheduled to be played in Havana is moved to Miami. Cincinnati, which has a farm team in Cuba, wanted the exhibition games to stay on the island, but Baltimore’s team president Lee MacPhail feared for his players’ safety.

1960 – Commissioner Ford Frick says he will not allow the planned Continental League to pool players in the Western Carolinas League, as it would violate existing major-minor league agreements.

ByTom

1960 – Commissioner Ford Frick says he will not allow the planned Continental League to pool players in the Western Carolinas League, as it would violate existing major-minor league agreements.

All-Star catcher Sammy White announces he will retire rather than report to the Cleveland Indians,

ByTom

1960 – All-Star catcher Sammy White announces he will retire rather than report to the Cleveland Indians, where he was traded by the Boston Red Sox. Out in 1960, White will return to play his final two seasons with the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies in 1961 and 1962.