Ted Williams becomes the first major leaguer to homer in four different decades 

Ted Williams becomes the first major leaguer to homer in four different decades 

ByThis Day in Baseball

Ted Williams becomes the first major leaguer to homer in four different decades when he blasts a pitch from Senators’ right-hander Camilo Pascual 500 feet over the center field wall for the only run in the Red Sox’s 10-1 Opening Day loss at Griffith Stadium. In 1939, the then 20 year-old ‘Kid’ hit the first of his 521 career round-trippers, a first-inning two-run shot off Philadelphia’s Bud Thomas at Fenway Park.

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 a 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 a big league game.

Roberto Clemente celebrates opening day with a 410-footer followed by a 445-footer. Unfortunately, this is Forbes Field, so neither of the long drives leaves the park. According to the Uniontown Evening Standard: “Clemente starched the ball all four times he was at the plate… In the 2nd inning Clemente lined a shot off the wall at the 406 mark. In the 5th he lashed a drive to the deepest part of centerfield …” The latter shot is characterized by Pirates beat writer Les Biederman as “one of the longest outs possible at Forbes Field. He chased Vada Pinson to the batting cage in deep center with three on for his 445-foot fly ball that turned into a sacrifice fly.”

ByThis Day in Baseball

Roberto Clemente celebrates opening day with a 410-footer followed by a 445-footer. Unfortunately, this is Forbes Field, so neither of the long drives leaves the park. According to the Uniontown Evening Standard: “Clemente starched the ball all four times he was at the plate… In the 2nd inning Clemente lined a shot off the wall at the 406 mark. In the 5th he lashed a drive to the deepest part of centerfield …” The latter shot is characterized by Pirates beat writer Les Biederman as “one of the longest outs possible at Forbes Field. He chased Vada Pinson to the batting cage in deep center with three on for his 445-foot fly ball that turned into a sacrifice fly.”

With 42,269 fans in attendance, the San Francisco Giants edge the St. Louis Cardinals, 3 – 1, in the first game played at Candlestick Park. Giants pitcher Sam Jones throws a three-hitter, and Cardinals outfielder Leon Wagner hits the first home run in the $15-million stadium. In the 3rd inning, the umpires protest that the foul poles are several inches in fair territory, rather than on the foul lines; the Giants will make the correction after the season.

ByTom

With 42,269 fans in attendance, the San Francisco Giants edge the St. Louis Cardinals, 3 – 1, in the first game played at Candlestick Park. Giants pitcher Sam Jones throws a three-hitter, and Cardinals outfielder Leon Wagner hits the first home run in the $15-million stadium. In the 3rd inning, the umpires protest that the foul poles are several inches in fair territory, rather than on the foul lines; the Giants will make the correction after the season.

Chuck Essegian’s 11th-inning pinch-hit home run beats the Chicago Cubs, 3 – 2

Chuck Essegian’s 11th-inning pinch-hit home run beats the Chicago Cubs, 3 – 2

ByThis Day in Baseball

Chuck Essegian’s 11th-inning pinch-hit home run beats the Chicago Cubs, 3 – 2, before a record Opening Day crowd (67,550) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The home run is Essegian’s third straight as a pinch hitter, including two in the 1959 World Series. Don Drysdale pitches a complete game for the Dodgers, striking out 14 Cubs.