Ralph Kiner of the Pirates hits his second grand slam in three days – and the eighth of his career – and adds a three-run homer to drives in seven runs as the Pirates beat Brooklyn, 10 – 5.
Ralph Kiner hits his second grand slam in three games. It is the future Hall of Famer’s eighth career bases-full homer.
In Washington‚ The Senators double the Indians‚ 10-5‚ overcoming two homeruns by Tribe rookie Al Rosen‚ his 1st two in the ML. Connie Marrero serves up the homers. Washington wins in the 7th on Gil Coan’s grand slam off Bob Lemon hit into the new LF stands at Griffith Stadium. The temporary stands in left and left-center were put up to take advantage of the Senators’ new power hitters‚ but they will come down in two days. Coan is the only Nat to reach the stands but nine visitors hit homers there prompting the take down. The stands hold 854 customers but no one sits there while the stands are up.
At Braves Field, in the second of two games, the Boston Braves and Philadelphia Phillies start the match in daylight and finish under the lights, a first in the majors. The Phillies win, 6 – 5. Johnny Sain hurls the Braves to a 4 – 3 victory in the opener.
Sam Jethroe, former Cleveland Buckeyes star of the Negro American League, becomes the first black player for the Braves. The 33 year-old highly-touted prospect, who will lead the majors with 35 stolen bases, will be named the National League’s Rookie of the Year.
At Fenway Park, Commissioner Happy Chandler gives Ted Williams his American League MVP Award, and then Governor Paul Dever tosses out the first ball. To the delight of 31,822 fans, Boston rips New York Yankees starter Allie Reynolds with a five-run 4th inning to drive him from the game and take a 9 – 0 lead. But the Yankees score four runs in the 6th off Mel Parnell and then, down 10 – 4, unload for nine runs in the 8th. Billy Martin becomes the first player in major league history to get two base hits in one inning in his first game. He doubles against Parnell in his first at-bat in the 8th inning, and then singles off Al Papai. Walt Masterson gives up Tommy Henrich’s second triple of the game before giving way to four more Boston pitchers. Boo Ferriss, pitching in his last game, allows the last two runs in the 9th inning as the Yankees chalk up a 15 – 10 victory, the biggest blown lead the Red Sox have ever had at Fenway Park; on June 4, 1989, they’ll blow a 10-run lead at home. Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Vern Stephens, and Bobby Doerreach have three hits. Don Johnson is the winning pitcher, his last victory for New York, with Joe Page pitching a perfect 8th and 9th innings in relief.
Vin Scully calls the first game of his illustrious 67-year career with the Dodgers, detailing Brooklyn’s 9-1 defeat to the Phillies on Opening Day at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park. The 22-year old broadcaster, who will be awarded the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award by Bud Selig in 2014, will become the team’s primary announcer just three seasons later.
Considered a well-guarded secret, Mel Parnell reveals he pitched all but three of his 39 games for Boston last season with a sore elbow. The 27 year-old ‘Dusty’ finished the season 25-7 with a 2.77 ERA for the second-place Red Sox.
Ted Williams shares a laugh with Roy Campanella and Duke Snider at a preseason game in MiamiTed Williams shares a laugh with Roy Campanella and Duke Snider at a preseason game in Miami
1950 – James Rodney Richard is born in Vienna, LA. Arguably the most intimidating pitcher in Astros history, Richard compiles a 107-71 record with 19 shutouts and 1,493 strikeouts in his ten seasons in Houston (1971-1980).
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