New York City Mayor Robert Wagner appoints Charles J. Mylod as chairman and R. E. Blum and C. A. Allen as members of the newly-created Brooklyn Sports Center Authority. He reveals plans for a 50,000-seat stadium bounded by Warren Street and Fourth, Flatbush and Fifth Avenues. Robert Moses prefers a different Brooklyn site.

Under cloudy skies, former first baseman/outfielder Hank Greenberg and infielder Joe Cronin, currently serving as general managers for the Tigers and Red Sox, respectively, are inducted into the Hall of Fame as more than 8,500 fans witness the impressive ceremony. The former Detroit slugger becomes the first Jewish player to enshrined in Cooperstown.

1956 – The Hall of Fame announces special rules governing elections. Writers should vote every two years, alternating with the Veterans Committee; because of criticism, this will revert back in 1962. To be eligible, players must have been retired for five years.

Roberto Clemente saddles 13-and-0 Brooks Lawrence with his first defeat of the season as he powers Pittsburgh to a come-from-behind win over Cincinnati. Coming to bat in the 9th with two on, one out and the Bucs down by two, Clemente turns around the second pitch from Lawrence and deposits it into Crosley Field’s right-centerfield bleachers. The newly acquired 4 – 3 margin is now entrusted to Elroy Face, working his second inning of relief. Face makes it look easy, fanning Frank Robinson and Ed Bailey, then coaxing a game-ending grounder from pinch-hitter Smoky Burgess to pick up the win.

Red Sox pitchers Tom Brewer and Bob Porterfield sweep the Athletics, 10 – 0 and 4 – 0.

Wally Burnette of the Kansas City A’s shuts out the Washington Senators, 8 – 0, in his first start.

Hank Aaron of the Milwaukee Braves hits in the second game of a doubleheader sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Braves winning, 3 – 2 and 4 – 1. This is the start of a 25-game hitting streak for Aaron, the longest of the season.

The BBWAA, by a narrow margin of 14-12, votes to establish the Cy Young Award to honor the major leagues’ most outstanding pitcher. Commissioner Ford Frick initiated the idea because he felt hurlers were not recognized in the MVP voting, but ironically the first recipient of the Cy Young Award, Dodger Don Newcombe, will also win the Most Valuable Player Award.

The Giants connect for a team-record seven home runs in a 11 – 1 home win over the Pirates. Willie Mays, Daryl Spencer and Wes Westrum each connect for 2. Hank Thompson, Westrum, and Spencer hit consecutive homers in the 4th inning.

Boston’s Ted Williams becomes the 12th player to drive in 1,500 runs when he hits a single in the second game of a doubleheader against the Orioles. The Red Sox sweep, winning 9 – 0 and 8 – 4.