On May 15, 1960, Chicago Cubs right-hander Don Cardwell hurls a no-hitter. Cardwell defeats the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0, at Wrigley Field. Cardwell, a recent trade acquisition from the Philadelphia Phillies, The Winston-Salem, NC native becomes the first man to pitch a no-hitter in his first start after being traded.
After being traded from the Phillies, Don Cardwell no-hits the Cardinals in his Cub debut. Thanks to three outstanding defensive catches, including Walt Moryn’s game-ending grab, the Winston-Salem, NC native becomes the first pitcher to keep the opponents hitless in a first start after being traded.
On May 10, 1960, Baltimore Orioles catcher Joe Ginsberg ties a major league record set only six days earlier by allowing three passed balls in one inning. With knuckleballing Hoyt Wilhelm on the mound, Ginsberg struggles through a fitful inning, matching the recent record set by teammate Gus Triandos. Dick Williams of the A’s belts a grand slam, as…
Grand slams by Red Sox teammates Vic Wertz and Rip Repulski at Fenway Park give Boston a 9 – 7 win over Chicago. The National League veteran Repulski’s 8th-inning shot off Don Ferrarese comes in his first American League at bat.
On May 9, 1960, future San Diego Padres star Tony Gwynn is born in Los Angeles. Gwynn will make his major league debut in 1982, and go on to win eight batting titles, collect 3000 hits, play his entire career in San Diego and make it into the Hall of Fame.
The Sherry boys become the tenth pair of siblings to appear as batterymates in a major league game when Norm replaces John Roseboro behind the plate in the top of the eighth to catch Larry, who is starting his first inning in relief. The Norm will hit a two-out home run in the bottom of the 11th inning, assuring his brother of a victory in the Dodgers’ 3-2 walk-off win over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.
On May 2, 1960, Birmingham and Memphis set a Southern League record by hitting 11 home runs in one game. With Russwood Park unavailable due to a fire, a temporary park proves especially inviting for home runs. Six of the home runs clear the right-field fence, which is only 204 feet from home plate.
A record opening day crowd of 53,563 at Briggs Stadium sees the Detroit Tigers chalk up their third straight win, 6 – 5, against the Chicago White Sox. Recently-acquired Rocky Colavito blasts a home run in his first at-bat with Detroit, and Eddie Yost adds a home run in the 5th inning.
A record Opening Day crowd at Chicago’s Comiskey Park enthusiastically greets their American League champs, and the patrons warmly welcome the return of Minnie Minoso to the team after his three-year exile to Cleveland. The 34 year-old outfielder doesn’t disappoint the South Side fans when, in addition to hitting a grand slam in the fourth, he blasts a ninth inning walk-off home run, giving the White Sox a 10-9 victory over Kansas City.
Making his debut in pinstripes, Roger Maris goes 4-for-5 batting leadoff in the Yankees lineup. The right-fielder’s 11 total bases, including two home runs and a double, contribute to the Bronx Bombers’ Opening Day 8-4 victory over Boston at Fenway Park.
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