Gum replaces tootpick for UL Washington

Gum replaces tootpick for UL Washington

March 13, 1981 – UL Washington has swapped his trademark, the ever-present tooth­pick dangling from the mouth, for bubblegum. The Kansas City Royals’ shortstop says it’s not because of any worry about jamming the pointed splinter down his throat, something team trainer Mickey Cobb has worried about “I just got tired of answering all the…

Bob Montgomery becomes the last player to step into the batter’s box without wearing a helmet

When Bob Montgomery takes his final at-bat, he becomes the last player to step into the batter’s box without wearing a helmet. The Red Sox’s backup catcher, who is required to wear a protective plastic liner within his cap, is allowed to be helmetless due to a grandfather clause in Major League Baseball’s edict enacted eight years ago, making the use of helmets mandatory for all batters.

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In their home opener at the Oakland Coliseum, a 2-1 victory over Milwaukee, the A’s use gold-colored bases. This colorful innovation introduced by team owner Charlie O. Finley will quickly be banned by the MLB’s Rules Committee.

In their home opener at the Oakland Coliseum, a 2-1 victory over Milwaukee, the A’s use gold-colored bases. This colorful innovation introduced by team owner Charlie O. Finley will quickly be banned by the MLB’s Rules Committee.

1966 – John Bateman notices his catcher’s mitt is gone from Wrigley Field. Bob Aspromonte and Nate Colbert have also had their gloves stolen. Bateman gets his revenge by smashing two home runs in an 8-5 triumph. Dave Giusti surrenders four home runs but Houston rallies with five runs in the ninth. Carroll Sembera gets his first big league win. 

1966 – John Bateman notices his catcher’s mitt is gone from Wrigley Field. Bob Aspromonte and Nate Colbert have also had their gloves stolen. Bateman gets his revenge by smashing two home runs in an 8-5 triumph. Dave Giusti surrenders four home runs but Houston rallies with five runs in the ninth. Carroll Sembera gets his first big league win. 

U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower officially opens the season by tossing out the first ball at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The ball is the 10 millionth Spalding baseball to be used in major league play.
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U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower officially opens the season by tossing out the first ball at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The ball is the 10 millionth Spalding baseball to be used in major league play.

U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower officially opens the season by tossing out the first ball at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The ball is the 10 millionth Spalding baseball to be used in major league play.

Pirates become the first team to use protective headgear, a precursor to the batting helmet

Pirates become the first team to use protective headgear, a precursor to the batting helmet

At Forbes Field, the Pirates become the first team to use protective headgear, a precursor to the batting helmet, that protects the players’ temples. Branch Rickey’s innovation, worn both at the plate and in the field in the Bucs’ twin bill split with Boston, is a plastic hat with a foam layer attached to the hat band.

A power failure at Forbes Field delays the start of the game with the Dodgers by two hours and the game ends at 1:56AM the latest to date

A power failure at Forbes Field delays the start of the game with the Dodgers by two hours and the game ends at 1:56AM the latest to date

A power failure at Forbes Field delays the start of the game with the Dodgers by two hours. Rain holds up play in the 6th inning by another 36 minutes, pushing the ending to 1:56 a.m., the latest game played to date. Brooklyn has no power problems as Jackie Robinson’s homer helps Da Bums to an 8 – 4 win over Pittsburgh. Of the 24,966 on hand at the start, 10,000 are still present at the end.

1923 – A four-piece bat used by Babe Ruth is banned by American League president Ban Johnson because of the glue used on it. A protest is made against the Browns’ Ken Williams for using a bat with a wooden plug in it. Johnson rules that all bats must be one piece with nothing added except tape extending to 18 inches up the handle.

1923 – A four-piece bat used by Babe Ruth is banned by American League president Ban Johnson because of the glue used on it. A protest is made against the Browns’ Ken Williams for using a bat with a wooden plug in it. Johnson rules that all bats must be one piece with nothing added except tape extending to 18 inches up the handle.

1923 – A four-piece bat used by Babe Ruth is banned by American League president Ban Johnson because of the glue used on it. A protest is made against the Browns’ Ken Williams for using a bat with a wooden plug in it. Johnson rules that all bats must be one piece with nothing added except tape extending to 18 inches up the handle.

Veteran Cincinnati Reds 2B Bid McPhee opens the season wearing a glove for the first time‚ and survives several weeks of good-natured ribbing by opponents. He is the last to convert.

Veteran Cincinnati Reds 2B Bid McPhee opens the season wearing a glove for the first time‚ and survives several weeks of good-natured ribbing by opponents. He is the last to convert.