C George Mitterwald has a career day in leading the Cubs to an 18 – 9 win over the Pirates. He goes 4-for-4 with a walk, a double, three homers, and 8 RBI. The next Cub catcher to hit three homers in a game will be Dioner Navarro, in 2013.
4/14/1974: In Atlanta, Reds first baseman Tony Perez homered off Roric Harrison with one on in the first inning. These were the only runs of a two-inning rainout.
1974 – After a number of snowouts, the Expos finally open their season with an epic 11 – 8 win over the Pirates. Trailing 6 – 5 heading in the top of the 9th, Montreal scores three runs off Dave Giusti, but Bob Robertson hits a two-run pinch homer off Chuck Taylor to tie the game with two outs in the bottom of the 9th. The Expos manage to score three runs off a tiring Ramon Hernandez in the 13th, with a double by rookie 2B Jim Cox driving in the go-ahead run. Taylor is still on the mound to pitch the bottom of the 13th, his sixth inning of relief, and he sets down the Bucs in order to earn the win.
On April 9, 1974, San Diego Padres owner Ray Kroc criticizes his team over the public address system-during a game! “Ladies and gentlemen, I suffer with you,” Kroc says. “I’ve never seen such stupid baseball playing in my life.” The announcement occurs during San Diego’s 9-5 loss to the Houston Astros. Coincidentally, the “San Diego Chicken” makes its debut that day.
On April 8, 1974, Atlanta Braves superstar Hank Aaron makes baseball history when he breaks Babe Ruth’s career record for home runs with a blast off Al Downing of the Dodgers.
The New York Yankees defeat the Cleveland Indians, 6 – 1, at Shea Stadium. This is the Yanks’ first game of a two-year period at Shea while Yankee Stadium is being rebuilt. 12-year-old Teddy Kennedy‚ Jr.‚ flanked by his father and Mayor Abe Beame‚ tosses out the first ball. Missing from the ceremony is George Steinbrenner‚ indicted two days earlier for illegal campaign contributions. Graig Nettles’ two-run homer in the 4th off the Indians’ Gaylord Perry opens the scoring and the Yanks score 4 more times to win. Charlie Spikes scores the only Cleveland run in the 9th following a triple off starter and winner Mel Stottlemyre. Perry‚ who is warned once for an illegal pitch‚ is the loser today‚ but he will win his next 15 decisions.
The Royals set a team record for runs‚ rolling over the Twins‚ 23 – 6. The 20th Kansas City run comes on Frank White’s first major league homer.
At Veterans Stadium, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt hits a ninth inning two-run home run off Tug McGraw to beat the Mets on Opening Day, 5-4. The walk-off homer is the first of the league-leading 36 dingers the third baseman will hit this season.
On April 4, 1974, Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron blasts an historic three-run home run against Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jack Billingham on Opening Day. The home run is the 714th of Aaron’s Hall of Fame career, tying him with the legendary Babe Ruth for the most home runs in major league history.
On April 3, 1974, the Los Angeles Dodgers make one of the best trades in franchise history, acquiring minor league infielder-outfielder Pedro Guerrero from the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Bruce Ellingsen. The 17-year-old Guerrero will make his major league debut in 1978 and will compile 100-RBI seasons for the Dodgers in 1982 and ‘83…
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