Jerry Grote hits a walk-off homer in the 11th inning off Wayne Granger at Shea Stadium. The New York catcher’s game-ending round-tripper accounts for the only run scored in the Mets’ 1-0 victory over Cincinnati.
1971 – Chicago great Ferguson Jenkins is sailing along with a four-hit shutout and a 1-0 lead through eight innings when the Astros win without hitting a ball past the infield. Cesar Cedeno’s scratch hit starts it off. Two walks later, Cedeno bluffs a break for the plate which causes Jenkins to balk home the tying run. Jenkins then misplays Roger Metzger’s botched squeeze bunt for an error as Cesar Geronimo scores the game-winner.
1971 – The Phillies debut in their new $49.5 million Veterans Stadium by beating Montreal, 4 – 1. Don Money of the Phillies connects for the park’s first home run.
On April 9, 1971, the Oakland A’s trade first baseman-outfielder Felipe Alou to the New York Yankees for pitchers Rob Gardner and Ron Klimkowski. In 1972, Alou’s younger brother, Matty, will join him in Yankee pinstripes. The Yankees will acquire him in another deal with the A’s…
1971 – The dismissal of Curt Flood’s suit against Major League Baseball is upheld by a three-judge U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The verdict will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
4/7/1971: Carlos May of the Chicago White Sox homered in the top of the first inning of the second game off Rollie Fingers in Oakland. The blow came with two runners on and one out. May did not touch home plate and was out on appeal.
Before 39‚712 chilled fans in Pittsburgh‚ the Pirates win their Opener‚ 4 – 2‚ over the Phils. Dock Ellis is the winner‚ laying down 3 sacrifice bunts‚ and getting help with 4 Phillie errors.
Before 41‚121 at Chicago‚ Billy Williams clubs a 10th-inning homer off Bob Gibson to give the Cubs a 2 – 1 win over the Cards. Joe Torre’s homer‚ off Fergie Jenkins‚ is the only Cardinal score.
At Houston‚ Claude Osteen allows 4 hits and rookie Bill Buckner’s homer accounts for all the scoring as the Dodgers beat the Astros‚ 2 – 0. Don Wilson takes the loss. Osteen was 6-0 last year against Houston.
At Fenway Park‚ the Red Sox take their second straight Opener against the Yankees‚ winning 3 – 1. Boston’s Ray Culp allows 5 hits in 9 innings in winning over Stan Bahnsen‚ who gives up 2 runs in 7 innings. Reggie Smith has 3 hits and his throw to the plate in the 8th gets the last out.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!