After a 51-year absence, big league ball returns to Baltimore as a crowd of 46,354 watch the Orioles beat the White Sox, 3 – 1, in the first game played at Memorial Stadium. Clint Courtney of the Orioles hits the first major league home run in the ballpark. A Baltimore ownership group, which includes Clarence Mills, Jim Keelty, Jerry Hoffberger and Zanvyl Krieger, bought the former St. Louis Browns and brought the franchise to the Charm City.
On April 13, 1954, future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron makes his major league debut for the Milwaukee Braves. The rookie left fielder goes 0-for-5 in a 9-8 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Another Hall of Famer, third baseman Eddie Mathews, hits a pair of home runs for the Braves. Jim Greengrass of Cincinnati hits four doubles in…
On Opening Day off Chicago hurler Paul Milner, Wally Moon hits a home run in his first major league at-bat. The 24 year-old Cardinal center fielder, who will be selected as the National League’s Rookie of the Year, will also homer in the last at-bat of his freshman season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates open at home for the first time in 61 years and defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4 – 2, before 32,294 spectators. Curt Roberts, the Pirates’ first black player, hits a triple against Robin Roberts in the 1st inning.
On March 14, 1954, future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron makes his first spring training start for the Milwaukee Braves. Aaron, taking advantage of an injury suffered by starting outfielder Bobby Thomson, he raps out three hits, including a home run.in an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox. Aaron will eventually start for the Braves…
Gene Baker, the other half of the Kansas City Monarchs double play duo along with Ernie Banks, joins his former Negro League teammate, making his major league debut with the Cubs. In 1961, the second baseman will be named manager of the minor league Batavia, New York team, becoming the first black manager in organized baseball.
Ernie Banks becomes the first black player to appear in a Cubs’ game. The former Kansas City Monarch infielder, who makes an error and is hitless in three at-bats, will go on to hit 512 home runs, as well as winning the MVP award twice during his 19-year Hall of Fame career.
On June 25, 1953, future Hall of Famer Al Kaline makes his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers. The 18-year-old outfielder comes in for defense, replacing Jim Delsing in center field. Kaline will fly to center field in his first at-bat in the 9th inning off Harry Bryd. Kaline will remain in…
On May 6, 1953, St. Louis Browns pitcher Bobo Holloman, making his first big league start, twirls a 6-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia A’s. Holloman becomes only the third pitcher in history to fire a no-hitter in his initial major league start. Holloman will win only two more games during a brief one-year career, he…
At Shibe Park, the much-heralded Giant rookie Willie Mays makes his major league debut against the Phillies. The 20 year-old outfielder, who hit .477 in 35 games with the Minneapolis Millers before being called up, goes hitless in five trips to the plate, but makes two outstanding defensive plays to contribute to New York’s 8-5 victory.
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