1989 – Jim Deshaies goes the distance with a four-hitter as Houston trips the Cubs, 3-1.Gerald Young and Billy Hatcher execute a double steal for the game’s first run, with Young crossing the plate.
Ken Griffey Jr., the youngest player in the majors, hits his first career homer on the first pitch he ever sees at his home ballpark, the Kingdome. The 19 year-old, son of the Reds outfielder with the same name, takes White Sox’s Eric King’s pitch deep on his father’s 39th birthday.
At Yankee Stadium, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dave Stieb throws a one-hit, 8 – 0 shutout against New York, giving him three one-hitters in his last four starts dating back to the previous September.
On a frigid Sunday afternoon, Rick Sutcliffe adds to the wind chill, striking out 11 batters in the Cubs’ 8-3 win over Pittsburgh. Despite a temperature of 33 degrees, along with a stiff breeze making it feel like eight above, 11,387 fans brave the elements to watch the right-hander’s complete-game effort at Wrigley Field.
Rickey Henderson of the New York Yankees gets his his 800th career stolen base in a 4 – 3 New York loss to the Cleveland Indians.
On April 8, 1989, One-handed pitcher Jim Abbott makes his major league debut for the California Angels. Born without a right hand, Abbott bypassed the minors completely after starring at the University of Michigan, heading directly to the Angels’ starting rotation. He lasts only four and two-thirds innings in a 7 – 0 loss to the Seattle Mariners, but will finish his rookie season with…
In the Royals’ 3 – 2 win over the Blue Jays‚ Kansas City batters combine for just 20 at bats. This is one shy of the major league record for fewest at bats‚ which Baltimore set on September 12‚ 1964‚ versus Kansas City. Toronto allows 8 walks‚ makes 3 double plays‚ and KC has a sacrifice and 2 sacrifice flies.
At Riverfront Stadium, Dodgers’ hurler Orel Hershiser’s scoreless-inning streak ends at 59. With two outs in the bottom of the first, Todd Benzinger’s single scores Barry Larkin, who had been picked off after getting a base hit to lead off the game, but was safe on the ‘Bulldog’s’ throwing error.
Barbara Bush, wife of the 41st president of the United States becomes the first First Lady to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a major league game. George’s spouse and the mother of George W., the managing general partner of the Rangers, does the honors on Opening Day at Arlington Stadium before Texas’ 4-0 victory over Detroit.
On Opening Day, Tommy John ties a record by playing in 26 seasons. The Yankee veteran hurler beats the Twins, 4-2, for his 287th win, putting him 19th overall in career wins.
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