In New York, Cyclone Joe Williams, pitching for the Lincoln Giants, no-hits the Brooklyn Royal Giants, 1 – 0, defeating one of his fiercest rivals, Cannonball Dick Redding

ByBaseball

In New York, Cyclone Joe Williams, pitching for the Lincoln Giants, no-hits the Brooklyn Royal Giants, 1 – 0, defeating one of his fiercest rivals, Cannonball Dick Redding

At the Baker Bowl, Joe Oeschger of the Philadelphia Phillies and Burleigh Grimes of the Brooklyn Robins pitch complete games in a 9 – 9, 20-inning tie. Both teams score three runs in the 19th inning. Oeschger gives up 22 hits and walks five, while Grimes allows 15 hits and walks five.

At the Baker Bowl, Joe Oeschger of the Philadelphia Phillies and Burleigh Grimes of the Brooklyn Robins pitch complete games in a 9 – 9, 20-inning tie. Both teams score three runs in the 19th inning. Oeschger gives up 22 hits and walks five, while Grimes allows 15 hits and walks five.

ByTom

1919 – At the Baker Bowl, Joe Oeschger of the Philadelphia Phillies and Burleigh Grimes of the Brooklyn Robins pitch complete games in a 9 – 9, 20-inning tie. Both teams score three runs in the 19th inning. Oeschger gives up 22 hits and walks five, while Grimes allows 15 hits and walks five.

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.

Frank Ping beats ostrich in a spaghetti-eating contest!

Frank Ping beats ostrich in a spaghetti-eating contest!

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 3, 1919, one of the most bizarre off-the-field incidents in baseball history takes place in Jacksonville, Florida. New York Yankees outfielder Frank “Ping” Bodie competes against an ostrich named “Percy” in a spaghetti-eating contest! Ping wins the competition when Percy passes out after his 11th plate of pasta.

With major league spring training again delayed in an attempt to cut down expenses, the Cardinals open training in St. Louis at Washington University’s Francis Field.

With major league spring training again delayed in an attempt to cut down expenses, the Cardinals open training in St. Louis at Washington University’s Francis Field.

ByTom

1919 – With major league spring training again delayed in an attempt to cut down expenses, the Cardinals open training in St. Louis at Washington University’s Francis Field.

The Boston Red Sox, minus holdouts Carl Mays and Babe Ruth, sail from New York aboard the USS Arapahoe

The Boston Red Sox, minus holdouts Carl Mays and Babe Ruth, sail from New York aboard the USS Arapahoe

ByTom

1919 – The Boston Red Sox, minus holdouts Carl Mays and Babe Ruth, sail from New York aboard the USS Arapahoe. The trip to spring training is stormy and most of the players will be seasick. Ruth will sign on the 21st in New York and leave that night for Florida. Mays, unsigned, will join Ruth and the Sox in Tampa.

1919 – New York Giants manager John McGraw sells left-handed pitcher Slim Sallee to the Cincinnati Reds, but the team will buy him back next year.

ByTom

1919 – New York Giants manager John McGraw sells left-handed pitcher Slim Sallee to the Cincinnati Reds, but the team will buy him back next year.