The Los Angeles Angels play the first game in franchise history, defeating a strong Baltimore Orioles team, 7 – 2. For the Angels, Ted Kluszewski hits two home runs and Eli Grba pitches a complete game.
On April 10, 1961, In the last opener ever to be played at Griffith Stadium, the Washington Senators play the first game in franchise history. Rookie President John F. Kennedy throws out the longest and hardest thrown ceremonial first pitch in history as the ball sails over the heads of the players lined up in…
Bill Bruton, in both the first and the sixth inning of the nightcap of a twin bill at County Stadium, hits a three-run triple. The Braves center fielder’s pair of three-baggers with the bases loaded contributes to the team’s 11-5 victory over St. Louis.
VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA Vintage Baseball Memorabilia April 18, 1958 – In his 2nd major league game‚ Vada Pinson‚ 19 (Total Baseball will list Pinson’s birth year as 1938: Macmillan and Bill James Abstract will list it as 1936) belts a grand slam in the 3rd inning off Ron Kline to account for all the Reds…
On June 5, 1957, Brooklyn Dodgers right-hander Don Drysdale pitches the first shutout of his brilliant career. Drysdale handcuffs the Chicago Cubs, 3-0. Drysdale will pitch a total of 49 shutouts in 14 major league seasons.
Vic Power becomes the first modern major leaguer to hit both a leadoff and walkoff home run in the same game. The A’s first baseman, who went deep off Hal Brown leading off the game, ends the contest in the 10th frame with a round-tripper off the right-hander, giving Kansas City a 3-2 victory over Baltimore.
Rookie Danny Kravitz will accumulate 10 home runs during his five-year major league career, but he’ll never top this, his first – a walk-off grand slam. It transforms a 3-run deficit into a 6 – 5 victory over Philly for Pittsburgh. It also launches the perennial cellar dwellers on a 16 and 6 tear that will land them, briefly, in first place before the bubble bursts and they revert to type, gradually wending their way back down to the cellar by season’s end.
On April 28, 1956, Cincinnati Reds rookie Frank Robinson hits the first home run of his Hall of Fame career. The 20-year-old Robinson connects against Paul Minner of the Chicago Cubs, helping the Reds to a 9-1 victory. Robinson will hit 586 home runs during his major league career, ranking him fourth on the all-time list…
On April 23, 1956 – manager Walt Alston (left) enjoys a victory smile with 19-year-old rookie pitcher Don Drysdale after the young right-hander won his first major league game as starting hurler against the Phillies, The Dodgers dumped the Phillies, 6-1. Drysdale pitched a complete game striking out 9, including the side in the first…
Sandy Koufax, in his second big league start, two-hits the Reds at Ebbets Field, 7-0. The 19 year-old bonus baby, displaying the dominance that he will feature during the 1960’s, goes the distance, striking out 14 Cincinnati batters.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!