In the first game of what will become one of baseball’s fiercest rivalries, the Pilgrims beat the Highlanders at Boston’s Huntington Avenue Grounds, 6-2. The teams will change their names, but the intense competition between the Red Sox and Yankees will become legendary.

ByTom

In the first game of what will become one of baseball’s fiercest rivalries, the Pilgrims beat the Highlanders at Boston’s Huntington Avenue Grounds, 6-2. The teams will change their names, but the intense competition between the Red Sox and Yankees will become legendary.

At American League Park, the New York Highlanders lose their first game to the Washington Senators, 3 – 1, before 11,950 fans. Washington elects to bat first, but the New Yorkers score in the bottom of the opening inning to take a 1 – 0 lead. Each starter gives up six hits with Jack Chesbro, the National League’s top winner last year (28-6) taking the loss. Al Orth, in his second season with Washington, is the winner.

ByBaseball

At American League Park, the New York Highlanders lose their first game to the Washington Senators, 3 – 1, before 11,950 fans. Washington elects to bat first, but the New Yorkers score in the bottom of the opening inning to take a 1 – 0 lead. Each starter gives up six hits with Jack Chesbro, the National League’s top winner last year (28-6) taking the loss. Al Orth, in his second season with Washington, is the winner.

1903 – A syndicate headed by Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss and James Potter buys the Philadelphia Phillies from John Rogers and A. J. Reach for $170,000. It will be another seven years before ownership interest in more than one team is prohibited.

ByTom

1903 – A syndicate headed by Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss and James Potter buys the Philadelphia Phillies from John Rogers and A. J. Reach for $170,000. It will be another seven years before ownership interest in more than one team is prohibited.

Frank Farrell and Bill Devery pay $18,000 for the Baltimore franchise The team, logically, will be called the New York Highlanders.

Frank Farrell and Bill Devery pay $18,000 for the Baltimore franchise The team, logically, will be called the New York Highlanders.

ByTom

Despite attempts by John T. Brush and Andrew Freedman to use their political influence to prevent the American League from finding suitable grounds in New York, league President Ban Johnson, aided by baseball writer Joe Vila, finds backers. Johnson also finds a ballpark site at 165th Street and Broadway. Frank Farrell and Bill Devery pay $18,000 for the Baltimore franchise and will build a wooden grandstand seating 15,000 on the highest point of Manhattan. The team, logically, will be called the New York Highlanders.

Hilltop park

Baltimore’s defunct American League franchise is sold to Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $18,000 and will be relocated to New York to begin the season. The Manhattan team, who will play at Hilltop Park located in the northern part of the island borough, will be first known as the Highlanders before being officially renamed the Yankees in 1913.

ByTom

Baltimore’s defunct American League franchise is sold to Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $18,000 and will be relocated to New York to begin the season. The Manhattan team, who will play at Hilltop Park located in the northern part of the island borough, will be first known as the Highlanders before being officially renamed the Yankees in 1913.

John A. Hillerich is issued a patent which devises a method of hardening the surface of a bat, improving the wood’s ability to drive a baseball and to preserve the material from checking, chipping, or splintering on its surface from exposure to the sun or the weather. The name “Louisville Slugger” had become the Kentuckian’s business registered trademark in 1894.

ByTom

John A. Hillerich is issued a patent which devises a method of hardening the surface of a bat, improving the wood’s ability to drive a baseball and to preserve the material from checking, chipping, or splintering on its surface from exposure to the sun or the weather. The name “Louisville Slugger” had become the Kentuckian’s business registered trademark in 1894.

The American League announces purchase of grounds for a stadium in New York, and the next day the National League declares its readiness to make peace.

The American League announces purchase of grounds for a stadium in New York, and the next day the National League declares its readiness to make peace.

ByTom

1902 – The American League announces purchase of grounds for a stadium in New York, and the next day the National League declares its readiness to make peace.

On the last day of the season, the Browns and the White Sox decide to use an assortment of seven infielders and outfielders on the mound instead of relying on their pitching staffs. Chicago’s flychaser Sam Mertes earns the victory, and the Browns’ left fielder Jesse Burkett takes the loss in the Pale Hose’s 10-4 victory at Sportsman’s Park, making it the last time the winning and losing pitchers were both position players in the same game until 2012, when Chris Davis of the Orioles and Darnell McDonald of the Red Sox also accomplished the feat in Baltimore’s 17-inning victory at Fenway Park.

ByBaseball

On the last day of the season, the Browns and the White Sox decide to use an assortment of seven infielders and outfielders on the mound instead of relying on their pitching staffs. Chicago’s flychaser Sam Mertes earns the victory, and the Browns’ left fielder Jesse Burkett takes the loss in the Pale Hose’s 10-4 victory at Sportsman’s Park, making it the last time the winning and losing pitchers were both position players in the same game until 2012, when Chris Davis of the Orioles and Darnell McDonald of the Red Sox also accomplished the feat in Baltimore’s 17-inning victory at Fenway Park.