At Cleveland’s Kennard Street Park, the newly transplanted Blues, who played in Indianapolis last season, lose their season opener to the Providence Grays, 15-4. The game marks the managerial debut of 23 year-old right-hander Jim McCormick, the youngest skipper in major league history.

ByTom

At Cleveland’s Kennard Street Park, the newly transplanted Blues, who played in Indianapolis last season, lose their season opener to the Providence Grays, 15-4. The game marks the managerial debut of 23 year-old right-hander Jim McCormick, the youngest skipper in major league history.

Providence Grays sold fifteen cent tickets to a centerfield section called the “bull pen.”

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 4, 1879, the Providence Grays sold fifteen cent tickets to a centerfield section called the “bull pen.” Admission at that price could be purchased starting during the fifth inning and the section sold out daily.

Miller Huggins is born in Cincinnati, Ohio

Miller Huggins is born in Cincinnati, Ohio

ByTom

1879 – Miller Huggins is born in Cincinnati, Ohio. A second baseman adept at getting on base, Huggins will lead the National League in walks four times, score 100 or more runs three times, and regularly collect 30 or more stolen bases and an on-base percentage near .400. He will start as a player-manager with the St. Louis Cardinals before heading to the New York Yankees in 1918. Huggins will lead the Yankees to six American League pennants and three World Series titles, and his “Murderers’ Row” club, which will win 110 games before sweeping the 1927 World Series, will be considered one of the greatest teams in history. Huggins will be selected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1964.

The Northwestern League, considered the first minor league circuit in baseball history, is organized in Rockford, Illinois. The fledgling organization, which includes teams from Davenport, Omaha, Dubuque, and Rockford, will be defunct before the season ends as a result of lacking a fixed schedule and paying the players more than their counterparts rival National League.

ByBaseball

On January 2, 1879 The Northwestern League, considered the first minor league circuit in baseball history, is organized in Rockford, Illinois. The fledgling organization, which includes teams from Davenport, Omaha, Dubuque, and Rockford, will be defunct before the season ends as a result of lacking a fixed schedule and paying the players more than their…