At Crosley Field, Braves P Vern Bickford pitches a two-hitter, but Ewell Blackwell bests him by allowing one hit, as the Reds win, 1 – 0. Connie Ryan’s 6th-inning hit is the first off Bickford, and Johnny Pramesa’s homer in the 7th is the other. The only Boston hit is a 5th-inning double by Bob Elliott. The Reds tie the National League record (set in 1911) for nine innings by going to bat just 24 times.

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At Crosley Field, Braves P Vern Bickford pitches a two-hitter, but Ewell Blackwell bests him by allowing one hit, as the Reds win, 1 – 0. Connie Ryan’s 6th-inning hit is the first off Bickford, and Johnny Pramesa’s homer in the 7th is the other. The only Boston hit is a 5th-inning double by Bob Elliott. The Reds tie the National League record (set in 1911) for nine innings by going to bat just 24 times.

Bobby Shantz, A’s lefty, wins his first game of the season, stopping the White Sox, 9 – 4, on 12 hits. Ferris Fain and Eddie Joost hit consecutive homers for the A’s.

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Bobby Shantz, A’s lefty, wins his first game of the season, stopping the White Sox, 9 – 4, on 12 hits. Ferris Fain and Eddie Joost hit consecutive homers for the A’s.

The Philadelphia Athletics and the Washington Senators play the first home Opening Day night game in American League history. Washington wins, 6 – 1, behind the solid pitching of 40-year-old Connie Marrero as his batterymate Mickey Grasso hits a home run.

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The Philadelphia Athletics and the Washington Senators play the first home Opening Day night game in American League history. Washington wins, 6 – 1, behind the solid pitching of 40-year-old Connie Marrero as his batterymate Mickey Grasso hits a home run.

P Bert Blyleven is born in Zeist, Netherlands. His family will move first to Canada, then to the United States while he is still a youngster. Throwing one of the best curveballs in history, he will pitch for 22 seasons, winning 287 games, throwing 60 shutouts and striking out 3701 opponents. A member of World Champion teams in Pittsburgh in 1979 and Minnesota in 1987, he will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 2011, on his 14th try.

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P Bert Blyleven is born in Zeist, Netherlands. His family will move first to Canada, then to the United States while he is still a youngster. Throwing one of the best curveballs in history, he will pitch for 22 seasons, winning 287 games, throwing 60 shutouts and striking out 3701 opponents. A member of World Champion teams in Pittsburgh in 1979 and Minnesota in 1987, he will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 2011, on his 14th try.

The Baseball Writers Association of America selects New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the American League MVP

The Baseball Writers Association of America selects New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the American League MVP

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The Baseball Writers Association of America selects New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the American League MVP. He posted a .324 batting average with 200 hits and 125 runs, but drove in just 66 runs. Rizzuto, who receives 16 of 23 first-place votes, easily outpoints runner-ups Billy Goodman of the Boston Red Sox and teammate Yogi Berra.

After five seasons at the helm, Eddie Dyer, who will be eventually replaced by Marty Marion, resigns as the manager of the Cardinals. The former St. Louis skipper won a World Championship as a rookie pilot with the Redbirds in 1946, compiling an outstanding 446-325 (.578) record during his post-war tenure with the club that never included a losing season.

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After five seasons at the helm, Eddie Dyer, who will be eventually replaced by Marty Marion, resigns as the manager of the Cardinals. The former St. Louis skipper won a World Championship as a rookie pilot with the Redbirds in 1946, compiling an outstanding 446-325 (.578) record during his post-war tenure with the club that never included a losing season.