Hank Aaron hits his 399th and 400th home runs to lead the Atlanta Braves to a victory, 8 – 1

Hank Aaron hits his 399th and 400th home runs to lead the Atlanta Braves to a victory, 8 – 1

ByThis Day in Baseball

1966 – At Connie Mack Stadium, Hank Aaron hits his 399th and 400th home runs to lead the Atlanta Braves to a victory, 8 – 1, over the Philadelphia Phillies. The first shot is off starter Ray Culp in the 1st inning, and number 400 comes in the 9th, off Bo Belinsky.

The California Angels play their first game at Anaheim Stadium. Rick Reichardt of the Angels hits the first home run in the new ballpark, but California loses the game, 3 – 1, to the Chicago White Sox.

The California Angels play their first game at Anaheim Stadium. Rick Reichardt of the Angels hits the first home run in the new ballpark, but California loses the game, 3 – 1, to the Chicago White Sox.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1966 – The California Angels play their first game at Anaheim Stadium. Rick Reichardt of the Angels hits the first home run in the new ballpark, but California loses the game, 3 – 1, to the Chicago White Sox.

The first major league game on artificial turf is played in the Astrodome – Don Sutton Picks up his first career win
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The first major league game on artificial turf is played in the Astrodome – Don Sutton Picks up his first career win

ByThis Day in Baseball

1966 – The first major league game on artificial turf is played in the Astrodome. Two future Hall-of-Famers face off. 21-year-old rookie Don Sutton stymies Robin Roberts and the Astros for a 6-3 Dodger win, the first of his career. The infield was carpeted with the Monsanto product Judge Roy Hofheinz dubbed “Astroturf”. The outfield and foul grounds were still dirt but had the zippered sod installed after the homestand.

At Fenway Park, Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson hit back-to-back home runs in the 1st inning off Dave Morehead, to lead the Baltimore Orioles to an 8 – 1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Jim Palmer pitches a five-hit complete game and helps himself by hitting a homer in the 2nd.

ByBaseball

At Fenway Park, Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson hit back-to-back home runs in the 1st inning off Dave Morehead, to lead the Baltimore Orioles to an 8 – 1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Jim Palmer pitches a five-hit complete game and helps himself by hitting a homer in the 2nd.

Fulton County Staduim opening day
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Before a crowd of 50,671 at Fulton County Stadium, the Braves play their first game in Atlanta after moving from Milwaukee. Joe Torre hits two home runs for the Braves, but Willie Stargell spoils the occasion with a two-run homer in the 13th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3 – 2 victory.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1966 – Before a crowd of 50,671 at Fulton County Stadium, the Braves play their first game in Atlanta after moving from Milwaukee. Joe Torre hits two home runs for the Braves, but Willie Stargell spoils the occasion with a two-run homer in the 13th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3 – 2 victory.

On Opening Day, Jim Lonborg’s 13th-inning balk plates Bob Johnson with the deciding run in Baltimore’s 5-4 victory. The Red Sox reliever miscue on the mound occurs with two outs and the bases loaded at Fenway Park.

ByTom

On Opening Day, Jim Lonborg’s 13th-inning balk plates Bob Johnson with the deciding run in Baltimore’s 5-4 victory. The Red Sox reliever miscue on the mound occurs with two outs and the bases loaded at Fenway Park.

At the Astrodome, the Astros and Dodgers play baseball’s first game on synthetic grass. Thanks to the Monsanto chemical company, who proposed using an experimental playing surface of nylon grass, the plan to play on an all-dirt field, necessitated by the need to paint the dome’s glass panes to reduce the glare which prevented natural grass from growing, was alleviated by the use of ‘AstroTurf.’

ByTom

At the Astrodome, the Astros and Dodgers play baseball’s first game on synthetic grass. Thanks to the Monsanto chemical company, who proposed using an experimental playing surface of nylon grass, the plan to play on an all-dirt field, necessitated by the need to paint the dome’s glass panes to reduce the glare which prevented natural grass from growing, was alleviated by the use of ‘AstroTurf.’

Autographed Don Larsen Photograph - Houston Astros 8x10

Don Larsen, the last active major leaguer who played for the Browns, is released by the Orioles

ByThis Day in Baseball

Don Larsen, the last active major leaguer who played for the Browns, is released by the Orioles. As a rookie in 1953, the Michigan City, Indiana native posted a 7-12 record for the hapless franchise, which lost 100 games in its final season in St. Louis.

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A tornado rips through the Astros’ spring training home in Cocoa, FL

ByThis Day in Baseball

1966 – A tornado rips through the Astros’ spring training home in Cocoa, FL. Three light towers are toppled, one crashing into the grandstand. The scoreboard has vanished. The batting cages are ruined. That day’s exhibition game with Kansas City is cancelled.