The season opener between the Astros and Reds is canceled due to the player strike which started on April 1. The work stoppage cancels Opening Day for the for the first time in major league history, with a total of 86 games not played until both sides agree on an increase in pension fund payments with the owners also adding salary arbitration to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The season opener between the Astros and Reds is canceled due to the player strike which started on April 1. The work stoppage cancels Opening Day for the for the first time in major league history, with a total of 86 games not played until both sides agree on an increase in pension fund payments with the owners also adding salary arbitration to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, and Orlando Cepeda all start in an exhibition game. The contest marks the first time the trio of sluggers, sidelined with a variety of injuries over the past two seasons, has appeared together in the Braves lineup since 1970.

Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, and Orlando Cepeda all start in an exhibition game. The contest marks the first time the trio of sluggers, sidelined with a variety of injuries over the past two seasons, has appeared together in the Braves lineup since 1970.

In front of a crowd gathered on the U.S. Capitol steps, Pennsylvania lawmakers Hugh Scott and Richard South Schweiker collect their World Series wager made with their fellow senators from Maryland, Charles Mathias Junior and J. Glenn Beall, Jr. As winners of a bet made on the 1971 Fall Classic between the Orioles and Pirates, the two Keystone State senators victoriously ride elephants as the losers lead and feed the pachyderms peanuts while carrying shovels to clean the street, if necessary.

In front of a crowd gathered on the U.S. Capitol steps, Pennsylvania lawmakers Hugh Scott and Richard South Schweiker collect their World Series wager made with their fellow senators from Maryland, Charles Mathias Junior and J. Glenn Beall, Jr. As winners of a bet made on the 1971 Fall Classic between the Orioles and Pirates, the two Keystone State senators victoriously ride elephants as the losers lead and feed the pachyderms peanuts while carrying shovels to clean the street, if necessary.

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Nelson Briles of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a two-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles for a 4 – 0 victory which gives the Pirates a 3-2 edge in the World Series.

1971 – Nelson Briles of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a two-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles for a 4 – 0 victory which gives the Pirates a 3-2 edge in the World Series.

1971 – The Baltimore Orioles overcome two home runs by Reggie Jackson and one by Sal Bando to complete a sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the American League Championship Series with a 5 – 3 victory.

1971 – The Baltimore Orioles overcome two home runs by Reggie Jackson and one by Sal Bando to complete a sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the American League Championship Series with a 5 – 3 victory.

1971 – Baltimore wins its second straight game in the American League Championship Series, beating the Oakland Athletics, 5 – 1, on four home runs by Boog Powell (two), Brooks Robinson and Elrod Hendricks against Catfish Hunter.

1971 – Baltimore wins its second straight game in the American League Championship Series, beating the Oakland Athletics, 5 – 1, on four home runs by Boog Powell (two), Brooks Robinson and Elrod Hendricks against Catfish Hunter.

Chicago finishes the season by edging the last-place Brewers, 2 – 1, on Bill Melton’s 33rd home run of the year. Melton is the first American League home run leader in Sox history.

Chicago finishes the season by edging the last-place Brewers, 2 – 1, on Bill Melton’s 33rd home run of the year. Melton is the first American League home run leader in Sox history.

Willie Montanez sets the Phillies’ rookie home run record when he strokes a two-run round-tripper off Nelson Briles in the team’s 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh at Veterans Stadium. The freshman first baseman’s 30 homers eclipse the mark established by Dick Allen in 1964.

Willie Montanez sets the Phillies’ rookie home run record when he strokes a two-run round-tripper off Nelson Briles in the team’s 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh at Veterans Stadium. The freshman first baseman’s 30 homers eclipse the mark established by Dick Allen in 1964.

The Giants win the Western division title by one game over the Dodgers, beating the Pirates, 5 – 1. Juan Marichal allow five hits in the win. The Dodgers’ 2 – 1 win over the Padres leaves them short.

The Giants win the Western division title by one game over the Dodgers, beating the Pirates, 5 – 1. Juan Marichal allow five hits in the win. The Dodgers’ 2 – 1 win over the Padres leaves them short.