 – Aerial view showing Wrigley Field at pre-game ceremony. An American flag being supported by four lines of people can be seen below the diamond. A group of people stand in rows to the left of the flag while the lower levels of the stadium are visibly full.](https://thisdayinbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/086004D8-2E18-413F-99A3-40084938704A.jpeg)
Wrigley Field, ca.1940. A baseball diamond sits in the center of the image underneath a shadow from the stadium surrounding it. An American flag being supported by four lines of people can be seen below the diamond. A group of people stand in rows to the left of the flag while the lower levels of…
On April 23, 1940, flooding of the Ohio River causes cancellation of today’s game between the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals at Crosley Field. Weather forecasters predict that the flood’s waters will reach as high as eight feet at the ballpark. The next day’s game will also be postponed.
On May 16, 1939, Four years after the Senior Circuit began playing evening tilts the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Athletics play the first night game in American League history. A gathering of 15,109 fans watches the contest at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, which becomes the third major league park to feature lights. The cold weather halved…
In Cincinnati, the Cardinals beat the Reds, 8-6, in nine innings at Crosley Field. The final out of the two-and-a-half-hour contest is recorded at 12:02 a.m., making it the first time a major league game has been completed after midnight.
On June 6, 1937, Woody English of the Brooklyn Dodgers takes advantage one of baseball’s most difficult promotional opportunities. English wins a free suit of clothes when he hits the famous “Abe Stark” clothing advertisement sign, with a line drive off Johnny Vander Meer, the sign was located just below the scoreboard at Ebbets…
1937 – In Cincinnati, OH, the worst flood in the city’s history inundates Crosley Field, covering home plate with as much as 21 feet of cold water. The lower grandstand is completely covered. Reds pitchers Gene Schott and Lee Grissom row a boat out from the center field wall and the resulting photo appears across the country. Fortunately, with the season two months away, Opening Day will be unaffected.
At Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field, Ival Goodman hits an unusual home run when his fifth-inning fly ball lands and stays on top of the scoreboard in right field. With the perched ball considered in play, the three Dodger outfielders watch the Reds’ right fielder round the bases for an easy inside-the park round-tripper in their 7-2 loss to Cincinnati.
On May 24, 1935, the first night game in major league history is played at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. 25,000+ fans showed up and On the initiative of Larry MacPhail, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt pushes a button in the White House, the ballpark is illuminated. After a festive pre-game ceremony, the Reds defeat the Philadelphia…
1934 – Tom Yawkey decides to eliminate advertising on fences at Fenway Park.
An early afternoon five-hour blaze destroys much of Fenway Park’s newly-constructed concrete and steel left-field grandstand and center-field bleachers, that were built to replace the wooden structures in the 22 year-old ballpark. Tom Yawkey, the Red Sox’s new owner, will have construction crews work overtime to rebuild the team’s home in time for the season opener against Washington on April 17.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!