On a cold and dreary day at Griffith Stadium, President Herbert Hoover throws out the first ball and then stays for the entire game, watching the A’s beat the hometown Senators, 13-4. The loss spoils the managerial debut of Washington legend Walter Johnson.

ByTom

On a cold and dreary day at Griffith Stadium, President Herbert Hoover throws out the first ball and then stays for the entire game, watching the A’s beat the hometown Senators, 13-4. The loss spoils the managerial debut of Washington legend Walter Johnson.

Don Elston Stats & Facts

Don Elston Stats & Facts

ByTom

Don Elston Positions: Pitcher Bats: R Throws: R Height: 72 Weight: 165 Born: Saturday, April 06, 1929 in Campbellstown, OH USA Died: 1 2 1995 in Evanston, IL USA Debut: 9/17/1953 Last Game: 10/2/1964 Full Name: Donald Ray Elston Don Elston If a Chicago Cubs skipper picked up the bullpen phone during the late ’50s…

1929 – The Chicago White Sox send veteran outfielder Bibb Falk to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for catcher Chick Autry. Falk will hit over .300 in each of his three years with Cleveland.

ByTom

1929 – The Chicago White Sox send veteran outfielder Bibb Falk to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for catcher Chick Autry. Falk will hit over .300 in each of his three years with Cleveland.

1929 – The Boston Red Sox announce they will play Sunday games (allowed for the first time in Boston) at Braves Field, because Fenway Park is located too close to a church.

ByTom

1929 – The Boston Red Sox announce they will play Sunday games (allowed for the first time in Boston) at Braves Field, because Fenway Park is located too close to a church.

The New York Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms

The New York Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms

ByTom

1929 – The New York Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms, becoming the first baseball team to start continuous use of the numbers. The first numbers are based on positions in the batting order; thus, Babe Ruth will wear number 3 and Lou Gehrig number 4. In a few weeks, the Cleveland Indians announce that they, too, will put numbers on the uniforms. By 1931, all American League teams will use them. It will be 1933 before all National League players are numbered.

Cool Papa Bell, playing for Cienfuegos, becomes the first slugger to connect for three home runs in a single game during Cuban professional play

ByTom

January 1, 1929 Cool Papa Bell, playing for Cienfuegos, becomes the first slugger to connect for three home runs in a single game during Cuban professional play. A Negro Leaguer and future Hall of Fame member, Bell accomplishes his feat at Aida Park during the 15 – 11 slugfest victory over Habana. All three are…

Cool Papa Bell
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Cool Papa Bell hits 3 homeruns in one game

ByTom

1929 – Cool Papa Bell, playing for Cienfuegos, becomes the first slugger to connect for three home runs in a single game during Cuban professional play. A Negro Leaguer and future Hall of Fame member, Bell accomplishes his feat at Aida Park during the 15 – 11 slugfest victory over Habana. All three are inside-the-park efforts. Oscar Levis, Cliff Bell and Martin Dihigo surrender the homers. Satchel Paige once quip about Bell , “he could…

National League President John Heydler’s designated hitter idea gets the backing of John McGraw, but the American League is against it.
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National League President John Heydler’s designated hitter idea gets the backing of John McGraw, but the American League is against it.

ByTom

National League President John Heydler’s designated hitter idea gets the backing of John McGraw, but the American League is against it.

At a joint meeting, a rule is changed that ends the practice of minor league teams selling star prospects to friendly Major League clubs for high prices, then getting the players back, forcing another ML club to pay the reputed price for the player. Other changes ban the signing of players under the age of 17 and set a $7,500 price tag on any first-year player.

ByTom

At a joint meeting, a rule is changed that ends the practice of minor league teams selling star prospects to friendly Major League clubs for high prices, then getting the players back, forcing another ML club to pay the reputed price for the player. Other changes ban the signing of players under the age of 17 and set a $7,500 price tag on any first-year player.