St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mike O’Neill hits the first pinch grand slam ever in the majors, against the Boston Beaneaters. He also becomes the first pitcher in the National League to hit a grand slam in the 20th century. The hurler’s ninth-inning blast off Beaneater Togie Pittinger proves to be the difference in the Redbirds’ 11-9 victory over Boston at South End Grounds.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mike O’Neill hits the first pinch grand slam ever in the majors, against the Boston Beaneaters. He also becomes the first pitcher in the National League to hit a grand slam in the 20th century. The hurler’s ninth-inning blast off Beaneater Togie Pittinger proves to be the difference in the Redbirds’ 11-9 victory over Boston at South End Grounds.

Cleveland third baseman Bill Bradley becomes the first player in the American League to hit a home run in each of four consecutive games, a record not matched until Babe Ruth does it on June 25, 1918.

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Cleveland third baseman Bill Bradley becomes the first player in the American League to hit a home run in each of four consecutive games, a record not matched until Babe Ruth does it on June 25, 1918.

Charles Somers gives Nap Lajoie $28K

Charles Somers gives Nap Lajoie $28K

ByThis Day in Baseball

Cleveland financier Charles Somers‚ who is also the president of the Boston club‚ meets with Nap Lajoie in Philadelphia and guarantees him a 4-year contract at $7‚000 per year no matter what the legal outcome of his case. Lajoie has played one game‚ then sat in the stands. In 1903‚ Cleveland fans will vote to rename the club the Naps in honor of Lajoie.

Giants star George Van Haltren, age 36, snaps a small bone near his right ankle while stealing second base. Van Haltren is done for the season, and will play only 80 more big league games.

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Giants star George Van Haltren, age 36, snaps a small bone near his right ankle while stealing second base. Van Haltren is done for the season, and will play only 80 more big league games.

1902 – At Pittsburgh, the Giants top the leading Pirates, 5 – 2, with Christy Mathewson winning in relief. Matty takes over for Dummy Taylor in the 7th, allows a tying run to score, then scores the winning run himself in the 8th.

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1902 – At Pittsburgh, the Giants top the leading Pirates, 5 – 2, with Christy Mathewson winning in relief. Matty takes over for Dummy Taylor in the 7th, allows a tying run to score, then scores the winning run himself in the 8th.

Bill Duggleby, the first league jumper to return to the Phillies, loses 2 – 1, to St. Louis. Returnee Chick Fraser will win his first start on May 23rd, 5 – 2 over Chicago. Harry Wolverton will return after 59 games with the Washington Senators. All others will remain with their new teams. Of all those that the rival Athletics acquired, only Monte Crossstays.

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Bill Duggleby, the first league jumper to return to the Phillies, loses 2 – 1, to St. Louis. Returnee Chick Fraser will win his first start on May 23rd, 5 – 2 over Chicago. Harry Wolverton will return after 59 games with the Washington Senators. All others will remain with their new teams. Of all those that the rival Athletics acquired, only Monte Crossstays.

The Chicago Orphans again top the Giants, winning 10 – 4. Chicago manager Frank Selee comments that the distance from the pitcher’s mound to the plate looks short. Horace Fogel, the Giants manager, measures the distance and finds the lane is 15 inches short. New York protests and it is upheld on June 3rd. The two games are ordered replayed.

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The Chicago Orphans again top the Giants, winning 10 – 4. Chicago manager Frank Selee comments that the distance from the pitcher’s mound to the plate looks short. Horace Fogel, the Giants manager, measures the distance and finds the lane is 15 inches short. New York protests and it is upheld on June 3rd. The two games are ordered replayed.

1902 – Professional baseball gets its start in Durham, North Carolina as the Durham Tobacconists (who will be renamed the Bulls 11 years later) play an exhibition game against Trinity College (now Duke University). The Bulls, except for 1971-1980, when minor league baseball didn’t exist in the city, will continue to play in Durham until the present day.

ByTom

1902 – Professional baseball gets its start in Durham, North Carolina as the Durham Tobacconists (who will be renamed the Bulls 11 years later) play an exhibition game against Trinity College (now Duke University). The Bulls, except for 1971-1980, when minor league baseball didn’t exist in the city, will continue to play in Durham until the present day.

Behind the pitching of Harry Howell, the New York Highlanders win their first major league game, 7 – 2, over the Washington Senators.

Behind the pitching of Harry Howell, the New York Highlanders win their first major league game, 7 – 2, over the Washington Senators.

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Behind the pitching of Harry Howell, the New York Highlanders win their first major league game, 7 – 2, over the Washington Senators.