Eddie Mathews just 1 off Ruth’s pace
August 14, 1953 – In Wrigley Field, Eddie Mathews slammed his 37th home run of the season, putting him one game behind the pace of Babe Ruth in his record-setting year of 1927.
Joe Adcock becomes first player to hit a ball into centerfield bleachers in polo grounds
On April 29, 1953, Joe Adcock of the Milwaukee Braves becomes the first major league player to blast a home run into the center-field bleachers at the Polo Grounds. Adcock’s titanic shot against the New York Giants travels an estimated 475 feet, helping the Braves beat the Giants 3-2. Adcock’s blast was off Jim Hearn…
Mickey Mantle hits what is believed to be the longest home run in the history of Washington’s Griffith Stadium.
On April 17, 1953, Mickey Mantle hits what is believed to be the longest home run in the history of Washington’s Griffith Stadium. The New York Yankees’ slugger blasts a mammoth 565-foot shot against Chuck Stobbs of the Washington Senators. The shot comes in the 5th inning of a 7 – 3 Yankees victory…
Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates becomes the first player to lead the National League in home runs for seven consecutive seasons
On September 27, 1952, Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates becomes the first player to lead the National League in home runs for seven consecutive seasons. Kiner hits his 37th home run of the year, putting him in a season-ending tie with Hank Sauer of the Chicago Cubs…
Johnny Mize pinch-hits a grand slam, giving the Yankees a 5-1 victory over the Senators
At Washington’s Griffith Stadium, Johnny Mize pinch-hits a grand slam, giving the Yankees a 5-1 victory over the Senators. The ‘Big Cat’ has now homered in all fifteen major league ballparks presently in use, with Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis being used as the home for both the Cardinals and Browns.
Hodges sets franchise single season homerun mark
With his second home run of the game, the sixth time he has accomplished the feat this year, Gil Hodges hits his 36th round-tripper to establish a new franchise record for homers in a season. The Dodger first baseman’s seventh-inning three-run blast in the team’s 13-1 rout of Cincinnati at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field surpasses the mark of 35 set by Babe Herman in 1930.
Red Schoendienst hits home runs from both the left and right side of the plate
On July 8, 1951, in the second game of a doubleheader at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, future Hall of Fame second baseman Red Schoendienst hits home runs from both the left and right side of the plate.
Mickey Mantle blasts the first home run of his career in an 8-3 victory
On May 1, 1951, On Mother’s Day at Comiskey Park, Mickey Mantle blasts the first home run of his career off Randy Gumpert in an 8-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox. In the same game, former Negro Leagues star Minnie Minoso becomes the first black player in the history of the White Sox’ franchise. Minoso…
In an exhibition game at the University of Southern California, Mickey Mantle propels a home run estimated at 654 to 660 feet.
1951 – In an exhibition game at the University of Southern California, Mickey Mantle propels a home run estimated at 654 to 660 feet. The shot clears Bovard Field and then goes the width of a practice football field before landing. Mantle has two homers, a bases-loaded triple, and drives in seven runs as the Yankees flunk the Trojans, 15 – 1.
In a late-developing barn burner between bottom feeders, the last place Bucs waste one of the longest home runs of Ralph Kiner’s career by blowing a 9th-inning lead to the next-to-last Reds, giving up 6 runs in the top of the frame. However, displaying great resilience, they come all the way back, scoring six and winning, 10 – 9, as Clyde McCullough lines one off pitcher John Hetki to score Wally Westlake with the game-ending tally. The Post-Gazette’s Jack Hernon recalls fondly the game’s initial eight innings: “It was a good game to watch for eight innings as Ralph Kiner gave Bill Werle a 4 – 2 lead over Ewell Blackwell with a two-run homer in the 5th inning. The ball left the field slightly to the left of the light tower near dead center field and carried far into Schenley Park. It was one of Kiner’s longest homers.” Researcher Bill Jenkinson places it at 480 feet.
In a late-developing barn burner between bottom feeders, the last place Bucs waste one of the longest home runs of Ralph Kiner’s career by blowing a 9th-inning lead to the next-to-last Reds, giving up 6 runs in the top of the frame. However, displaying great resilience, they come all the way back, scoring six and winning, 10 – 9, as Clyde McCullough lines one off pitcher John Hetki to score Wally Westlake with the game-ending tally. The Post-Gazette’s Jack Hernon recalls fondly the game’s initial eight innings: “It was a good game to watch for eight innings as Ralph Kiner gave Bill Werle a 4 – 2 lead over Ewell Blackwell with a two-run homer in the 5th inning. The ball left the field slightly to the left of the light tower near dead center field and carried far into Schenley Park. It was one of Kiner’s longest homers.” Researcher Bill Jenkinson places it at 480 feet.
