Senator Walter Johnson records his fifth Opening Day shutout

Senator Walter Johnson records his fifth Opening Day shutout, beating the A’s at Griffith Stadium, 1-0

ByThis Day in Baseball

Senator right-hander Walter Johnson records his fifth Opening Day shutout, beating the A’s at Griffith Stadium, 1-0. The Philadelphia starter Scott Perry matches zeros with the ‘Big Train’ for a dozen frames until pinch-runner Mike Menosky scores the decisive run for Washington with one out in the bottom of the 13th inning.

walter johnson
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Walter Johnson starts a 56 inning scoreless streak

ByThis Day in Baseball

In a game which features President Woodrow Wilson throwing out the first pitch, Washington’s Walter Johnson gives up an unearned run in the first inning of the home opener, but the ‘Big Train’ will not yield another tally for 56 innings. The Senators beat the team now known as the Yankees, 2-1, switching from the Highlanders, the nickname the team had used since the franchise moved from Baltimore to New York for the 1903 season.

William Howard Taft becomes the first U.S. President to throw out a ceremonial first ball on Opening Day
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William Howard Taft becomes the first U.S. President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day

ByThis Day in Baseball

William Howard Taft becomes the first U.S. President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day. Attending the game in Washington, D.C., President Taft tosses the first ball to future Hall of Famer Walter Johnson, who pitches the first of his 14 Opening Day Washington games, striking out nine, en route to a 3 – 0 one-hit shutout against Eddie Plank and the Philadelphia Athletics. A double by Home Run Baker – caused by right fielder Doc Gessler tripping over a fan who had spilled out of overflow seating – spoils Johnson’s chance at an opening day no-hitter. Gabby Street is the Senators’ catcher, the only opener in which he catches for Johnson.

In the season opener before 25,000 at New York's Hilltop Park, the Boston Red Sox sport laced collars

In the season opener before 25,000 at New York’s Hilltop Park, the Boston Red Sox sport laced collars, the last major league team to wear a collar

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the season opener before 25,000 at New York’s Hilltop Park, the Boston Red Sox sport laced collars, the last major league team to wear a collar. Boston sends the New York Highlanders into extra innings before the game is called at the end of 14 innings with the score, 4 – 4. Ed Cicotte starts for Boston, with Joe Wood relieving in the 8th inning. Hippo Vaughn goes all the way for New York, retiring Boston batters in the 4th and 12th innings on four pitches. He needs just three pitches in the 10th.

Red Ames of the New York Giants pitches a no-hitter for nine innings against the Brooklyn Superbas, loses no hitter and game in 10th

Red Ames of the New York Giants pitches a no-hitter for nine innings against the Brooklyn Superbas, loses no hitter and game in 10th

ByThis Day in Baseball

1909 – Before an Opening Day crowd of 30,000 at the Polo Grounds, Red Ames of the New York Giants pitches a no-hitter for nine innings against the Brooklyn Superbas, but surrenders a hit with one out in the 10th, then loses the game, 3 – 0, in the 13th. The Giants’ outfield has no putouts.

19th Century Chicago Cubs superstar Cap Anson is on the mound, delivering the traditional ceremonial “first ball” of the season

19th Century Chicago Cubs superstar Cap Anson is on the mound, delivering the traditional ceremonial “first ball” of the season

ByThis Day in Baseball

Opening Day at West Side Park in Chicago, in front of 18,000 fans on April 22, 1908. Retired 19th Century Chicago Cubs superstar Cap Anson is on the mound, delivering the traditional ceremonial “first ball” of the season. The Cubs will beat the Reds 7-3 Johnny Evers scores 2 and drives in 2, Chick Fraser…