On April 11, 1959, Don Drysdale of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits his second Opening Day home run, becoming the only pitcher to hit more than one career homer in opening games. Drysdale’s historic blast doesn’t prevent the Dodgers from losing their game, 6-1, to the Chicago Cubs…
The Yankees trade two minor leaguers along with rookie right-hander Mel Wright to the Cardinals in exchange for 38 year-old right-fielder Enos Slaughter. The future Hall of Fame outfielder will hit only .239 in 79 games during his first tenure with the Bronx Bombers, but Bill Virdon, one of the prospects dealt to the Redbirds, will be named the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1956.
(NY Daily News, Friday, April 11, 1947; written by Hy Turkin) “Jackie Robinson is a Dodger today. Blazing a revolutionary front by admitting the first black player in modern major league history, Dodger president Branch Rickey yesterday purchased Jackie’s contract from his Montreal farm club. .. Since the Dodgers’ main weakness is at first base,…
On April 11, 1928 John McGraw of the Giants and Jack Slattery from the Boston Braves on opening day. the Giants take care of the Braves 5-2, Braves starter Bob Smith takes the loss and proves all the runs for the Braves with a 2 run homer. Edd Roush, Shanty Hogan and Andy Cohen leads…
Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker both start on Opening Day for the A’s. The 8-3 loss to New York at Shibe Park marks the first time the future Hall of Famers have played as teammates in a game.
On April 11, 1917, Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox pitches a three-hitter in shutting down the New York Yankees on Opening Day. Ruth’s performance marks the start of good things to come. He will win 24 games in 1917, while leading the American League with 35 complete games…
Rube Marquard begins a nineteen-game consecutive winning streak by beating the Dodgers, 18-3, in a game which features 13 ground rule doubles hit by the visitors because of the overflow crowd being placed in the outfield and along the foul lines. The future Hall of Fame southpaw’s streak will end in July when the Giants lose to Chicago at the West Side Grounds, 7-2.
Redland Field, the steel and concrete ballpark named to match the team’s moniker and hue, makes its debut with the hometown Reds beating Chicago, 10-6. In 1934, the Cincinnati ballpark will become known as Crosley Field in honor of the team owner Powel Crosley.
On April 11, 1907, Roger Bresnahan of the New York Giants plays the Opening Day game wearing leg guards usually used in cricket-the first shin guards in major league history. The leg guards come in handy, protecting Bresnahan from a fifth-inning foul tip. Other catchers will follow Bresnahan’s lead and wear similar shin guards.
April 11 – The Eastern Association is formed and includes the New York Metropolitans, The Washington Nationals and Brooklyn Atlantics, all teams that have regularly played competitively against National League teams.
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