On April 9, 1965, Houston begins playing in the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson joins 47,878 fans for the opening of Harris County Domed Stadium (the Astrodome). In the opening ceremonies, 24 astronauts throw 24 ceremonial first pitches as the Colt .45’s become the Astros. The Houston Astros win an…
April 2, 1965 Besides winning the Heisman Trophy, serving in Vietnam, and leading the Dallas Cowboys to multiple Super Bowls during the ’70s, Roger Staubach also played college baseball on Navy’s varsity team. As a varsity baseball player He lettered in baseball three-straight years (1963-65) as an outfielder and pitcher. In 1963, he…
1965 – In spring training, Bill Mazeroski of the Pittsburgh Pirates suffers a broken bone in his right foot. The injury will sideline the Gold Glove second baseman until May, allowing him to play in only 130 games during the regular season.
At age 38, Chicago Cubs radio announcer Jack Quinlan dies in an auto accident during Cubs spring camp in Arizona. Quinlan was returning from a golf outing.
John Henry (Pop) Lloyd dies in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the age of 80. Considered one of the best black players of the deadball era, Lloyd was a line drive hitter whose extraordinary skills at shortstop drew favorable comparisons to Honus Wagner. From 1906 through 1931 he played for 12 Negro League teams, primary with the New York Lincoln Giants. Lloyd later became a player-manager, and was given the affectionate nickname, “Pop,” by the young players he mentored. Lloyd will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the by Negro Leagues Committee in 1977.
March 17, 1965 Jackie Robinson is hired to be an analyst for ABC’s Major League Baseball Game of the Week telecasts, becoming the first black network broadcaster. ABC provides the first-ever nationwide baseball coverage with weekly Saturday broadcasts on a regional basis. Robinson later worked as a part-time commentator for the Montreal Expos in 1972.
1965 – Detroit Tigers manager Chuck Dressen suffers a mild coronary occlusion. He will be sidelined until May 19th. Meanwhile, coach Bob Swift will be acting manager.
March 6, 1965 – Roberto Clemente’s mother visits her son in the hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as he recovers from a bout with malaria. He will miss a full month of training camp with the disease, which he contracted during the off-season. Clemente will recover to bat .329 in the season but will…
On March 5, 1965, former major league all star John “Pepper” Martin dies at the age of 61. A member of the St. Louis Cardinals’ legendary “Gashouse Gang,” Martin batted .298 over a 13-year career. In 1933, Martin led the National League with 122 runs scored.
1965 – Future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente misses the first day of spring training because of a bout with malaria. The Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder will sit out a full month of training camp with the disease, which he contracted during the off-season. Clemente will recover to bat .329, but will hit only 10 home runs with 65 RBI, his worst totals since 1959.
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