On April 11, 1975, Hank Aaron returns to Milwaukee as a member of the Brewers. A crowd of 48,160 fans watches Aaron drive in a run in the Brewers’ 6-2 win over the Cleveland Indians. Aaron had starred for the Milwaukee Braves before the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966.
On April 8, 1975, future Hall of Famer Frank Robinson makes his debut as major league baseball’s first black manager. Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson, throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a crowd of 56,204. As the player-manager of the Cleveland Indians, Frank Robinson homers in his first at-bat, helping the Tribe to a 5-3 win over the New York Yankees…
On April 5, 1975, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquire outfielder Bill Robinson from the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Wayne Simpson. The journeyman outfielder, a disappointment during his early years with the New York Yankees, will develop into a key player for the Pirates and will help them win the World Championship in 1979, when he hits 24 home runs…
Mel Stottlemyre, suffering from a torn rotator cuff, is given his unconditional release by the Yankees. The team’s future pitching coach compiled a 164-139 record and a 2.97 ERA, tossing 152 complete games that include 40 shutouts.
On March 21, 1975, Hall of Fame outfielder Joe “Ducky” Medwick dies in Saint Petersburg, Florida at the age of 63. As one of the feared hitters on the famed “Gashouse Gang,” Medwick clubbed 205 home runs and batted .324 over a 17-year career. Medwick gained election to the Hall of Fame in 1968. …
On March 15, 1975, the Los Angeles Dodgers sign future Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. The former San Francisco Giants’ star will make only two appearances with the Dodgers before retiring.
1975 – Former Boston Red Sox star Tony Conigliaro begins a comeback attempt by signing a contract with Triple-A Pawtucket, Boston’s top affiliate in the International League. “Tony C” will make the Red Sox major league roster, but will hit only .123 in 57 at-bats before deciding to retire.
The Mets purchase slugger Dave Kingman from the Giants. The 26 year-old first baseman/outfielder was drafted by San Francisco as the team’s first pick in the initial round of the secondary phase of the 1970 amateur draft.
Baltimore Orioles trade first baseman Boog Powell
1975 – Billy Herman, Earl Averill and Bucky Harris are selected for the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. Herman was a ten-time All-Star second baseman who batted .304 in 15 seasons and played in four World Series. Averill batted .299 or better in nine of his first ten seasons and finished as a .318 career hitter. Harris managed the Washington Senators to two pennants in his first two seasons as a player-manager and was a career .274 hitter.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!