Roberto Clemente

Don Bessent’s quick pitch vs. Roberto Clemente’s ends in a 7th-inning double, which drives the final nail in the coffin

ByTom

1957 – Don Bessent’s quick pitch vs. Roberto Clemente’s quick wrists? No contest. The Bucs’ 7 – 1 trouncing of Brooklyn knocks the “Bums” out of first place and pulls Pittsburgh out of the cellar while Clemente’s 7th-inning double, which drives the final nail in the 7 – 1 coffin, results from Bessent’s ill-advised attempt to quick-pitch the whippet-wristed Roberto, as he will later recall.

johnny-temple

major leagues adopt a new rule that prohibits baserunners from interfering with batted balls in the field of play

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 25, 1957, the major leagues adopt a new rule that prohibits baserunners from interfering with batted balls in the field of play. The rule is adopted in reaction to recent actions by several Cincinnati Reds baserunners. Earlier in the week, Don Hoak and Johnny Temple had intentionally interfered with batted balls as a way of preventing double plays.

John Kennedy becomes the first black to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, making them the last National League team to integrate.

John Kennedy becomes the first black to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, making them the last National League team to integrate.

ByThis Day in Baseball

John Kennedy becomes the first black to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, making them the last National League team to integrate. Kennedy pinch runs for Solly Hemus in the 5 – 1 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. He will play only briefly in five games, two at third base, and will go hitless.

Hoak sparks new rules about interferance

Hoak sparks new rules about interferance

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 21, 1957, Don Hoak of the Cincinnati Red Legs unwittingly brings about a change in the rules. Leading off second base, Hoak intentionally interferes with an apparent double play grounder. Hoak is called out, but the batter is safe. A new rule will result: if a runner willfully interferes with a batted ball, both the runner and the batter will be called out.

Cincinnati Reds secondbaseman Johnny Temple in a game against the Braves allows a groundball by Gus Bell hit him to prevent a double play.

Cincinnati Reds secondbaseman Johnny Temple in a game against the Braves allows a groundball by Gus Bell hit him to prevent a double play.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 20 1957 – Cincinnati Reds secondbaseman Johnny Temple in a game against the Braves allows a groundball by Gus Bell hit him to prevent a double play. The next day the Reds pulled off the same play. A new rule will come into play immediately calling for runners interference and umpires can award a double play if a batter intentionally interfers with a ball.

Luis Arroyo hits 8th and Bill Mazeroski 9th for the Pirates. It will be 51 years before another Pirate pitcher hits 8th when Paul Maholm does so in 2008. Manager Bobby Bragan had batted the pitcher 7th 20 games in a row in August-September of 1956.

Luis Arroyo hits 8th and Bill Mazeroski 9th for the Pirates. It will be 51 years before another Pirate pitcher hits 8th when Paul Maholm does so in 2008. Manager Bobby Bragan had batted the pitcher 7th 20 games in a row in August-September of 1956.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Luis Arroyo hits 8th and Bill Mazeroski 9th for the Pirates. It will be 51 years before another Pirate pitcher hits 8th when Paul Maholm does so in 2008. Manager Bobby Bragan had batted the pitcher 7th 20 games in a row in August-September of 1956.

Roger Maris hits a game-winning, grand-slam home run in the top of the 11th inning against Detroit

Roger Maris hits a game-winning, grand-slam home run in the top of the 11th inning against Detroit

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Briggs Stadium, Roger Maris hits a game-winning, grand-slam home run in the top of the 11th inning against Detroit in the Indians’ second game of the season. In his major league debut two days ago, the 22 year-old rookie outfielder went 3-for-5 in the Tribe’s 3-2 loss to Chicago at Cleveland Stadium.

Andre Rodgers becomes the first Bahamian to play in the major leagues when he grounds into a 6-4 force play facing Bob Friend in the top of the second inning of the Giants’ 9-2 loss in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The 22 year-old shortstop’s roommate and fellow Caribbean, Valmy Thomas, entering the game in the sixth to replace catcher Wes Westrum, also becomes the first native of the Virgin Islands to play in big league game.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Andre Rodgers becomes the first Bahamian to play in the major leagues when he grounds into a 6-4 force play facing Bob Friend in the top of the second inning of the Giants’ 9-2 loss in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The 22 year-old shortstop’s roommate and fellow Caribbean, Valmy Thomas, entering the game in the sixth to replace catcher Wes Westrum, also becomes the first native of the Virgin Islands to play in big league game.