1885 – Detroit C Charlie Bennett hits a grand slam in the 1st inning‚ leading Detroit to an 8 – 3 victory over the New York Giants. Only two other grand slams are hit this year‚ one by Dave Orr (New York) and one by Tom Brown (Pittsburgh).

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1885 – Detroit C Charlie Bennett hits a grand slam in the 1st inning‚ leading Detroit to an 8 – 3 victory over the New York Giants. Only two other grand slams are hit this year‚ one by Dave Orr (New York) and one by Tom Brown (Pittsburgh).

Meriden, ahead 5-3 in the top of the ninth inning, wins the Connecticut State League contest when Hartford forfeits because the team refuses to use a new ball, needed to replace the one that was hit foul into a marsh behind home plate, citing the sphere did not come from a box sealed by the league secretary. The suddenly shortened game also featured the only home run hit that season at the Meriden ballpark, a round-tripper stroked by its captain, future Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack.

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Meriden, ahead 5-3 in the top of the ninth inning, wins the Connecticut State League contest when Hartford forfeits because the team refuses to use a new ball, needed to replace the one that was hit foul into a marsh behind home plate, citing the sphere did not come from a box sealed by the league secretary. The suddenly shortened game also featured the only home run hit that season at the Meriden ballpark, a round-tripper stroked by its captain, future Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack.

In American Association action, Guy Hecker of the Louisville Eclipse pitches complete games to win both ends of a doubleheader. The Youngsville, Pennsylvania native does not walk a single batter as he beats the Brooklyn Atlantics, 5 – 4 and 8 – 2.

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In American Association action, Guy Hecker of the Louisville Eclipse pitches complete games to win both ends of a doubleheader. The Youngsville, Pennsylvania native does not walk a single batter as he beats the Brooklyn Atlantics, 5 – 4 and 8 – 2.

1884 – Dissatisfied with umpire Jack Brennan’s calls, hundreds of fans storm the field at Oriole Park in an American Association game between the Orioles and Louisville Eclipse. One man wielding a large revolver threatens to shoot Brennan if he makes any more bad calls. Police have to be called in to clear the mob, and after the game, which ends in a 4 – 4 tie, Brennan is slugged to the ground by a fan and has to be taken to the Orioles clubhouse, then to OF Jim Clinton’s home for his own protection, before being whisked out of town on the first train.

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On June 12 1884, 1884 – Dissatisfied with umpire Jack Brennan’s calls, hundreds of fans storm the field at Oriole Park in an American Association game between the Orioles and Louisville Eclipse. One man wielding a large revolver threatens to shoot Brennan if he makes any more bad calls. Police have to be called in to clear the mob, and after the game, which…

Taking advantage of a ground rule change which scores balls hit over Chicago’s inviting 180-foot LF fence as home runs (instead of doubles)‚ five players hit round-trippers in the White Stockings’ National League home opener against Detroit‚ winning 15 – 5. Chicago will hit 142 homers – last year they hit 13 – during the 112-game season (more than 90 percent of them at home) to set a record that will last until the 1927 New York Yankees. The rule change appears to be unilaterally made by Cap Anson‚ and the other league owners will squawk to no avail. But the league will set a minimum distance of 210 feet for an outfield fence after the season.

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Taking advantage of a ground rule change which scores balls hit over Chicago’s inviting 180-foot LF fence as home runs (instead of doubles)‚ five players hit round-trippers in the White Stockings’ National League home opener against Detroit‚ winning 15 – 5. Chicago will hit 142 homers – last year they hit 13 – during the 112-game season (more than 90 percent of them at home) to set a record that will last until the 1927 New York Yankees. The rule change appears to be unilaterally made by Cap Anson‚ and the other league owners will squawk to no avail. But the league will set a minimum distance of 210 feet for an outfield fence after the season.