A record opening day crowd of 53,563 at Briggs Stadium sees the Detroit Tigers chalk up their third straight win, 6 – 5, against the Chicago White Sox. Recently-acquired Rocky Colavito blasts a home run in his first at-bat with Detroit, and Eddie Yost adds a home run in the 5th inning.

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A record opening day crowd of 53,563 at Briggs Stadium sees the Detroit Tigers chalk up their third straight win, 6 – 5, against the Chicago White Sox. Recently-acquired Rocky Colavito blasts a home run in his first at-bat with Detroit, and Eddie Yost adds a home run in the 5th inning.

Washington Senators outfielder Bob Allison is voted the American League Rookie of the Year. Allison led all major league rookies with 30 home runs and 85 RBI. Cleveland Indians pitcher Jim Perry, who posted a 12-10 record with a 2.65 ERA, is a distant second.

Washington Senators outfielder Bob Allison is voted the American League Rookie of the Year. Allison led all major league rookies with 30 home runs and 85 RBI. Cleveland Indians pitcher Jim Perry, who posted a 12-10 record with a 2.65 ERA, is a distant second.

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Washington Senators outfielder Bob Allison is voted the American League Rookie of the Year. Allison led all major league rookies with 30 home runs and 85 RBI. Cleveland Indians pitcher Jim Perry, who posted a 12-10 record with a 2.65 ERA, is a distant second.

Willie McCovey wins 1959 National League Rookie of the Year

Willie McCovey wins 1959 National League Rookie of the Year

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1959 – San Francisco Giants slugger Willie McCovey is selected as the National League Rookie of the Year, after hitting .354 with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in just 52 games. McCovey gets all 24 votes to make him the second Giants player in a row to win the award unanimously. Teammate Orlando Cepeda ran away with the award in 1958.

Branch Rickey launches another effort to form a third major league, the Continental League. Rickey says that Buffalo, Montreal, Atlanta and Dallas-Ft. Worth are still in the running for the remaining two franchises.

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Branch Rickey launches another effort to form a third major league, the Continental League. Rickey says that Buffalo, Montreal, Atlanta and Dallas-Ft. Worth are still in the running for the remaining two franchises.

The Players Association approves two All-Star Games in 1960, to be held at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium and New York’s Yankee Stadium. The players would like to have them played within four days of each other.

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The Players Association approves two All-Star Games in 1960, to be held at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium and New York’s Yankee Stadium. The players would like to have them played within four days of each other.

Fred Haney, stating he wants to spend more time with his family, resigns as the Braves manager and will be replaced by Chuck Dressen. During his three-and-a-half year tenure in the Milwaukee dugout, the 64 year-old embattled skipper compiled a 341-231 (.596) record, resulting into two second-place finishes, two pennants, and a World Championship.

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Fred Haney, stating he wants to spend more time with his family, resigns as the Braves manager and will be replaced by Chuck Dressen. During his three-and-a-half year tenure in the Milwaukee dugout, the 64 year-old embattled skipper compiled a 341-231 (.596) record, resulting into two second-place finishes, two pennants, and a World Championship.

1959 – In one of the National League’s frequent tight races, the Braves and Dodgers finish in a tie (86-68), with the Giants a close 3rd (83-71). The Dodgers beat Chicago, 7 – 1, while the Braves beat the Phillies, 5 – 2. The Giants drop 2 to the Cardinals, to finish with 7 losses in their final 8 games.

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1959 – In one of the National League’s frequent tight races, the Braves and Dodgers finish in a tie (86-68), with the Giants a close 3rd (83-71). The Dodgers beat Chicago, 7 – 1, while the Braves beat the Phillies, 5 – 2. The Giants drop 2 to the Cardinals, to finish with 7 losses in their final 8 games.

Sam Jones holds the Cardinals hitless for seven innings but loses official no hitter

Sam Jones holds the Cardinals hitless for seven innings but loses official no hitter

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Sam Jones holds the Cardinals hitless for seven innings before the game, with two outs in the top of the eighth, is called. Although ‘Toothpick’ loses his bid for an ‘official’ no-hitter due to the rain-shortened game, the Giants’ right-hander gets his career-high 21st win of the season with the Giants’ 4-0 victory over the Redbirds at Busch Stadium.