Lou Piniella was the first batter in Kansas City Royals history.

Lou Piniella was the first batter in Kansas City Royals history.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Lou Piniella was the first batter in Kansas City Royals history. On April 8, 1969, he led off the bottom of the first inning against left-hander Tom Hall of the Minnesota Twins and doubled to left field. He finished the season with a team-leading .282 batting average, winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award….

The Pilots make their major league debut, defeating the Angels at Anaheim Stadium, 4-3. Scoring all of their runs in the top of the first inning, Seattle’s leadoff hitter Tommy Harper starts the game with the franchise’s first hit, and then crosses the plate with its first run, when Mike Hegan, the next batter, hits the first homer in team history.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Pilots make their major league debut, defeating the Angels at Anaheim Stadium, 4-3. Scoring all of their runs in the top of the first inning, Seattle’s leadoff hitter Tommy Harper starts the game with the franchise’s first hit, and then crosses the plate with its first run, when Mike Hegan, the next batter, hits the first homer in team history.

With 23,370 fans in attendance, the Padres dedicate Jack Murphy Stadium, which was formerly called San Diego Stadium, posthumously honoring the sports editor and columnist for the San Diego Union, who was responsible for garnering much of the support to bring an expansion team to the southern California city. Visiting Mets broadcaster Bob Murphy continued to refer to the ballpark using his older brother’s name when the multi-purpose venue became known Qualcomm Stadium after the corporation paid $18 million for the naming rights in 1997.

ByTom

With 23,370 fans in attendance, the Padres dedicate Jack Murphy Stadium, which was formerly called San Diego Stadium, posthumously honoring the sports editor and columnist for the San Diego Union, who was responsible for garnering much of the support to bring an expansion team to the southern California city. Visiting Mets broadcaster Bob Murphy continued to refer to the ballpark using his older brother’s name when the multi-purpose venue became known Qualcomm Stadium after the corporation paid $18 million for the naming rights in 1997.

After a long recovery following a 1967 beaning, Tony Conigliaro starts his first game for the Boston Red Sox. His dramatic two-run 10th-inning home run gives the Red Sox a brief lead, and his 12th-inning run wins it, 5 – 4, over the Baltimore Orioles home team.

After a long recovery following a 1967 beaning, Tony Conigliaro starts his first game for the Boston Red Sox. His dramatic two-run 10th-inning home run gives the Red Sox a brief lead, and his 12th-inning run wins it, 5 – 4, over the Baltimore Orioles home team.

ByBaseball

After a long recovery following a 1967 beaning, Tony Conigliaro starts his first game for the Boston Red Sox. His dramatic two-run 10th-inning home run gives the Red Sox a brief lead, and his 12th-inning run wins it, 5 – 4, over the Baltimore Orioles home team.

Mudcat Grant was the starting pitcher for the Montreal Expos on the franchise’s first MLB game on April 8, 1969.

Montreal Expos defeat the New York Mets, 11 – 10 in their inaugural game

ByBaseball

Four expansion teams make their debuts. The Kansas City Royals, Seattle Pilots, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres all win their inaugural games. At Shea Stadium, the Expos defeat the New York Mets, 11 – 10, to keep the Mets winless for openers. Pitcher Dan McGinn hits the Expos’ first home run as the key hit, a three-run home run by Coco Laboy, is given up by Canadian-born Mets relieverRon Taylor.