Looking back on his career some 30 years later, Willie Mays will recall being gunned down going from first to third exactly once by Roberto Clemente 

Looking back on his career some 30 years later, Willie Mays will recall being gunned down going from first to third exactly once by Roberto Clemente 

Looking back on his career some 30 years later, Willie Mays will recall being gunned down going from first to third exactly once: “Roberto Clemente threw me out on a bang-bang play at third. I should have remembered what a tremendous arm he had.” If Willie’s memory is correct, this was the play, as witnessed by James K. McGee of the San Francisco Chronicle: “Willie Mays, leading off the 7th, lined a single into left for the Giants’ first hit. When Willie McCovey, the next hitter, bounced a single over Donn Clendenon’s outstretched glove into right field, it appeared the dam had been broken and runs would flow. Then came the key play of the game. Mays rounded second base and slowed down to draw a throw from right fielder Roberto Clemente. Mays, either overestimating his own speed or underestimating the power and accuracy of Clemente’s arm, was thrown out trying to reach third. Maury Wills tagged him as he slid by.”

MLB suspends play due to today’s assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King

Due to today’s assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, most of the major league teams will decide to postpone their Opening Day games until the reverend’s funeral takes place in five days. Surprisingly, the Dodgers, at first, are the notable exception, even though the Phillies, their opponents on April 9th, say they will forfeit rather than play on the national day of mourning.

The Tigers trade left-hander Hank Aguirre to the Dodgers for a player to be named later, minor leaguer Fred Moulder

The Tigers trade left-hander Hank Aguirre to the Dodgers for a player to be named later, minor leaguer Fred Moulder

The Tigers trade left-hander Hank Aguirre to the Dodgers for a player to be named later, minor leaguer Fred Moulder. The All-Star southpaw, better known for being the worst hitter in major league history, will compile a .085 batting average during his 16-year major league career, striking out in an astounding 61% of his 388 at-bats.

1968 – Tony Conigliaro returns to the Boston Red Sox with vision trouble. He will miss the entire season, a consequence of his beaning last year.

1968 – Tony Conigliaro returns to the Boston Red Sox with vision trouble. He will miss the entire season, a consequence of his beaning last year.

1967 – Following a meeting of National League owners, president Warren Giles says the league will not stand in the way of American League expansion to Seattle and Kansas City.

1967 – Following a meeting of National League owners, president Warren Giles says the league will not stand in the way of American League expansion to Seattle and Kansas City.

1967 – The Chicago White Sox announce the team will play nine regular season games in Milwaukee during the 1968 season. Chicago will become the first American League team to play regular season games outside its own city since 1905.

1967 – The Chicago White Sox announce the team will play nine regular season games in Milwaukee during the 1968 season. Chicago will become the first American League team to play regular season games outside its own city since 1905.

The A’s name Bay Area native Joe DiMaggio as the team’s executive vice president and consultant. Oakland owner Charlie Finley uses the ‘Yankee Clipper’ to be a part-time hitting coach and public relations advocate for the club, a job the former superstar will quickly become unhappy with, leaving the organization after just two years in the position.

The A’s name Bay Area native Joe DiMaggio as the team’s executive vice president and consultant. Oakland owner Charlie Finley uses the ‘Yankee Clipper’ to be a part-time hitting coach and public relations advocate for the club, a job the former superstar will quickly become unhappy with, leaving the organization after just two years in the position.