Tuffy Rhodes hits 3 straight on opening day
|

Tuffy Rhodes hits 3 straight on opening day

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 4, 1994, journeyman outfielder Karl “Tuffy” Rhodes of the Chicago Cubs blasts three home runs on Opening Day. Victimizing New York Mets right-hander Dwight Gooden, Rhodes becomes the first player in history to hit home runs in his first three at-bats of the season. In spite of Rhodes’ unexpected home run barrage, the Cubs lose the game, 12-8…

A total of 56,706 fans attend Opening Day, making it the largest crowd ever at new Yankee Stadium. The Bronx Bombers do not disappoint the throng when Jimmy Key beats Kevin Brown and the Rangers, 5-3.

ByThis Day in Baseball

A total of 56,706 fans attend Opening Day, making it the largest crowd ever at new Yankee Stadium. The Bronx Bombers do not disappoint the throng when Jimmy Key beats Kevin Brown and the Rangers, 5-3.

At Riverfront Stadium, in a game that is not embraced by the local fans or Cincinnati owner Marge Schott, the new season begins with the first Sunday night opener ever played in major league history. On a frigid Easter Sunday evening, the Cardinals beat the Reds in the controversial contest, 6-4, in front of the smallest opening day crowd in the ballpark’s 24-year history.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Riverfront Stadium, in a game that is not embraced by the local fans or Cincinnati owner Marge Schott, the new season begins with the first Sunday night opener ever played in major league history. On a frigid Easter Sunday evening, the Cardinals beat the Reds in the controversial contest, 6-4, in front of the smallest opening day crowd in the ballpark’s 24-year history.

the Astros and Rangers spar in a two-game series at the Astrodome as part of their in-state rivalry

ByThis Day in Baseball

1994 – Both teams train in Florida, yet the Astros and Rangers spar in a two-game series at the Astrodome as part of their in-state rivalry. Tony Eusebio is the hero in a 6-5 victory, driving in Luis Gonzalez with an eighth-inning double. Astro nemesis Will Clark delivers the game-winner for the Rangers the following day. It’s the first Dome visit for new Houston manager Terry Collins. Afterwards, both teams fly back to Florida. 

The Atlanta Braves release All-Star outfielder Ron Gant, who broke his leg in a motorcycle accident over the winter

The Atlanta Braves release All-Star outfielder Ron Gant, who broke his leg in a motorcycle accident over the winter

ByThis Day in Baseball

1994 – The Atlanta Braves release All-Star outfielder Ron Gant, who broke his leg in a motorcycle accident over the winter. Gant will sign as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds on June 21st.

Michael Jordan
|

Michael Jordan comes to bat for the first time in a Chicago White Sox uniform

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 4, 1994 —  Michael Jordan comes to bat for the first time in a Chicago White Sox uniform. Playing in a spring training game, Jordan taps back to Texas Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver, who tags out the former National Basketball Association star. Jordan will eventually give up baseball after one season in the…

Veterans Committee elects Phil Rizzuto and Leo Durocher to the Hall of Fame
|

Veterans Committee elects Phil Rizzuto and Leo Durocher to the Hall of Fame

ByThis Day in Baseball

After a long campaign by Yankee fans, including owner George Steinbrenner, the Veterans Committee elects Phil Rizzuto to the Hall of Fame, along with the posthumous selection of Leo Durocher. The former infielder and current television broadcaster’s enshrinement causes much debate, given the borderline career stats became especially important to his supporters when Pee Wee Reese, a similar-styled shortstop of the rival crosstown Brooklyn Dodgers, was inducted in 1984.