Washington defeats Pittsburgh, 14 – 9, in a beanball battle. Senators pitcher Win Mercer hits three Pittsburgh batters while Pirate Pink Hawley plunks three Washington batters in a disastrous 11-run 7th inning, tying a mark he set on July 4, 1894. Hawley retires in 1900 after only nine seasons with a still-standing National League record of 195 hit batters. All told, eight batters are plunked in the contest, a National League-record five by Hawley. The five Washington batters hit by pitches ties the NL mark and won’t be matched till July 2, 1969.

ByBaseball

Washington defeats Pittsburgh, 14 – 9, in a beanball battle. Senators pitcher Win Mercer hits three Pittsburgh batters while Pirate Pink Hawley plunks three Washington batters in a disastrous 11-run 7th inning, tying a mark he set on July 4, 1894. Hawley retires in 1900 after only nine seasons with a still-standing National League record of 195 hit batters. All told, eight batters are plunked in the contest, a National League-record five by Hawley. The five Washington batters hit by pitches ties the NL mark and won’t be matched till July 2, 1969.

The St. Louis Browns dismiss manager Harry Diddlebock for intoxication. Player Arlie Latham and owner Chris Von der Ahe manage two games apiece before Von der Ahe settles on Roger Connor.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The St. Louis Browns dismiss manager Harry Diddlebock for intoxication. Player Arlie Latham and owner Chris Von der Ahe manage two games apiece before Von der Ahe settles on Roger Connor.

In the top of the 9th inning, Philadelphia’s Billy Nash starts to argue with the umpire over a called strike. Clark Griffith throws a pitch in the midst of the argument which nicks Nash’s bat, resulting in a double play. Griffith’s quick thinking helps the Chicago Colts take a 5 – 3 victory.

ByBaseball

In the top of the 9th inning, Philadelphia’s Billy Nash starts to argue with the umpire over a called strike. Clark Griffith throws a pitch in the midst of the argument which nicks Nash’s bat, resulting in a double play. Griffith’s quick thinking helps the Chicago Colts take a 5 – 3 victory.

With an overflow crowd of 17,231 at West Side Grounds, the umpire rules that any ball hit into the crowd is a ground rule triple. The Chicago Colts take advantage and crack nine triples, including three by Bill Dahlen, to crush the St. Louis Browns, 16 – 7.

ByBaseball

With an overflow crowd of 17,231 at West Side Grounds, the umpire rules that any ball hit into the crowd is a ground rule triple. The Chicago Colts take advantage and crack nine triples, including three by Bill Dahlen, to crush the St. Louis Browns, 16 – 7.

Veteran Cincinnati Reds 2B Bid McPhee opens the season wearing a glove for the first time‚ and survives several weeks of good-natured ribbing by opponents. He is the last to convert.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Veteran Cincinnati Reds 2B Bid McPhee opens the season wearing a glove for the first time‚ and survives several weeks of good-natured ribbing by opponents. He is the last to convert.

Bill Dahlen

A Chicago, IL sportswriter quoted in the New York Clipper notes that “Bill Dahlen is one of the few now in the National League who came blood new from a punky little league and became a good thing at first jump.” Indeed, Dahlen will eventually accumulate 2,460 hits and a .272 average over a 21-year major league career.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1896 – A Chicago, IL sportswriter quoted in the New York Clipper notes that “Bill Dahlen is one of the few now in the National League who came blood new from a punky little league and became a good thing at first jump.” Indeed, Dahlen will eventually accumulate 2,460 hits and a .272 average over a 21-year major league career.

1896 – Western League president Ban Johnson asserts that “the Western League has passed the stage where it should be considered a minor league – it is a first-class organization, and should have the consideration that such an organization warrants.” Four years later Johnson will act upon this belief, taking the first steps toward moving the WL – renamed the American League in 1900 – to major league status.

ByTom

1896 – Western League president Ban Johnson asserts that “the Western League has passed the stage where it should be considered a minor league – it is a first-class organization, and should have the consideration that such an organization warrants.” Four years later Johnson will act upon this belief, taking the first steps toward moving the WL – renamed the American League in 1900 – to major league status.

The National League adopts changes in the National Agreement

ByTom

1896 – The National League adopts changes in the National Agreement. The minor leagues are divided into six classifications based on population, and new draft fees are instituted. The league also forbids players from deliberately soiling baseballs, and declares that “a ball cutting the corners of the home plate, and being requisite height, must be called a strike.” It also empowers umpires to eject players.

New York City Parks Commissioner Samuel McMillan announces a plan to cut a street through the Polo Grounds 

New York City Parks Commissioner Samuel McMillan announces a plan to cut a street through the Polo Grounds 

ByTom

1896 – New York City Parks Commissioner Samuel McMillan announces a plan to cut a street through the Polo Grounds leading to the Speedway, a new privately-constructed horse track. The street is never built.