After six tries, the defending world champion A’s finally win their first series of the season when they beat Cleveland, 3-2. Although Darold Knowles blows the save, costing Catfish Hunter his first win of the year, Oakland, who had split the first two games with the Tribe, tallies in the bottom of the ninth for a walk-off victory.
Designated hitter Ron Lolich, Mickey’s cousin, hits the third of his four career home runs, a two-out walk-off grand slam, giving the Indians an 8-7 comeback victory. Boston had scored three runs in the top of the ninth to break a 4-4 deadlock.
1973 – Four months after his death, Pittsburgh Pirates great Roberto Clemente is inducted into the Hall of Fame in a special election. The Pirates outfielder was tragically killed when a cargo plane crashes during a relief effort to bring supplies to victims of the Nicaraguan earthquake on New Years Eve.
In the top of the 11th inning in San Francisco’s 4-3 victory over Atlanta at Candlestick Park, Dave Rader completes an unusual unassisted double play for a catcher. After catching an attempted sacrifice bunt which is popped up with Braves runners on first and second base, the Giants’ backstop races to second base and steps on the bag before Sonny Jackson, who had headed toward third on contact, can get back.
On April 10, 1973, the first game in the history of Royals Stadium is played. John Mayberry homers in Kansas City’s 12-1 rout of Texas. A crowd of 39,476 attend the chilly game at the state-of-the-art ballpark, which features water fountains beyond the outfield fence. The ballpark, which will be renamed Kauffman Stadium…
The Indians break their Opening Day American League attendance record when a crowd of 74,420 watches Gaylord Perry go the distance in the Tribe’s 2-1 victory over Detroit at Cleveland Stadium. The previous mark had been set by the team in 1948 in the season opener against St. Louis.
On April 6, 1973 at Wrigley Field on opening day Tony Larussa appeared in his only one game for the Chicago Cubs. He was used as a pinch runner for Ron Santo in the ninth inning after a Glenn Beckett walk, Mike Marshall will enter the game and walk 2 of next 4 batters the…
1973 – Cesar Cedeno doubles home Tommy Helms with the winning run in the 13th for a 2-1 Opening Day triumph in Atlanta. It was Cedeno’s third extra-base hit of the game. Jim Wynn’s homer tied it in the sixth.
On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees becomes the first designated hitter in major league history. In his first plate appearance, Blomberg walks with the bases loaded. He will end up with one hit in three at-bats as the Yankees lose to the Boston Red Sox, 15-5.
At Baltimore‚ Dave McNally fires a three-hitter as the Orioles roll over the Brewers‚ 10 – 0. Don Baylor has three doubles‚ a homer‚ and 4 RBIs‚ while Brooks Robinson bangs two homers for 4 RBIs.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!