Sparky Lyle becomes the first reliever to come into a game with a signature entrance song when the Yankee Stadium

Sparky Lyle becomes the first reliever to come into a game with a signature entrance song when the Yankee Stadium

ByThis Day in Baseball

Sparky Lyle becomes the first reliever to come into a game with a signature entrance song when the Yankee Stadium PA system plays Pomp and Circumstance as the closer approaches the mound. Although the southpaw secures the last out of the team’s 3-2�victory over�Milwaukee,�the�New York�relief pitcher feels�the song, selected by PR man Marty Appel to signify the end of the game much as the Edward Elgar’s march signals the end of an�academic accomplishment, adds more pressure to his closer role and asks the public relations department to put the tradition on hold.

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1972 – After the infamous eight-player trade that sent Joe Morgan to Cincinnati, Houston wins the first head-to-head matchup with the Reds, 8-4. Tommy Helms, part of the deal, homers off Don Gullett to spark the attack. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1972 – After the infamous eight-player trade that sent Joe Morgan to Cincinnati, Houston wins the first head-to-head matchup with the Reds, 8-4. Tommy Helms, part of the deal, homers off Don Gullett to spark the attack. 

Don Sutton beats the Reds 3-1 on opening day
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Don Sutton beats the Reds 3-1 on opening day

ByTom

On April 15, 1972 at Riverfront Stadium, on opening day Future Hall of Famer Don Sutton faces off against the Cincinnati Reds and Jack Billingham. Sutton beats the Reds 3-1, the only blemish on the day was Dennis Menke who homers. Frank Robinson drives in a run and Duke Simms homers for the visitors.@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Sponsor…

Jackson sports mustache – first player since 1913

Jackson sports mustache – first player since 1913

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 15, 1972, Reggie Jackson of the Oakland A’s becomes the first major leaguer to sport a mustache since Wally Schang of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1914. Jackson starts a trend with the A’s, as owner Charlie Finley eventually encourages all of his players to grow mustaches. By the end of the season, the World Champion A’s will become known as the “Mustache Gang.”