Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher Billy Rohr makes a memorable debut tossing a near no hitter
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Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher Billy Rohr makes a memorable debut tossing a near no hitter

1967 – Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher Billy Rohr makes a memorable debut by no-hitting the New York Yankees for eight and two-thirds innings. Elston Howard spoils Rohr’s masterpiece with a two-out single in the 9th, but the Red Sox still win, 3 – 0. Despite his impressive debut, Rohr will win only two more games in his major league career.

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Houston gets their first regulation win as the Astros, an eleven-inning 7-6 triumph over the Mets

1965 – Houston gets their first regulation win as the Astros, an eleven-inning 7-6 triumph over the Mets. Al Spangler stole home for the eventual winning run. Ron Brand has a two-run bunt single that refused to roll foul. 

Giants rookie Willie Mays blasts a 13th-inning solo homer

Willie Mays passes Mickey Mantle with his 455th career home run

Willie Mays hits his 455th career home run, a third-inning two-run shot to left field off future Hall of Famer Jim Bunning, in the Giants’ 5-2 victory over the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium. The round-tripper surpasses Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle’s current total, a lead the Say Hey Kid will not again relinquish to his rival center fielder.

Frank Lary tosses a one-hitter on Opening Day, beating the White Sox at Tiger Stadium, 7-0. Chicago’s lone hit comes in the fifth inning when Jim Landis singles off the glove of shortstop Chico Fernandez.

Frank Lary tosses a one-hitter on Opening Day, beating the White Sox at Tiger Stadium, 7-0. Chicago’s lone hit comes in the fifth inning when Jim Landis singles off the glove of shortstop Chico Fernandez.

Andre Rodgers becomes the first Bahamian to play in the major leagues when he grounds into a 6-4 force play facing Bob Friend in the top of the second inning of the Giants’ 9-2 loss in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The 22 year-old shortstop’s roommate and fellow Caribbean, Valmy Thomas, entering the game in the sixth to replace catcher Wes Westrum, also becomes the first native of the Virgin Islands to play in a big league game.

Andre Rodgers becomes the first Bahamian to play in the major leagues when he grounds into a 6-4 force play facing Bob Friend in the top of the second inning of the Giants’ 9-2 loss in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The 22 year-old shortstop’s roommate and fellow Caribbean, Valmy Thomas, entering the game in the sixth to replace catcher Wes Westrum, also becomes the first native of the Virgin Islands to play in a big league game.

Roberto Clemente celebrates opening day with a 410-footer followed by a 445-footer. Unfortunately, this is Forbes Field, so neither of the long drives leaves the park. According to the Uniontown Evening Standard: “Clemente starched the ball all four times he was at the plate… In the 2nd inning Clemente lined a shot off the wall at the 406 mark. In the 5th he lashed a drive to the deepest part of centerfield …” The latter shot is characterized by Pirates beat writer Les Biederman as “one of the longest outs possible at Forbes Field. He chased Vada Pinson to the batting cage in deep center with three on for his 445-foot fly ball that turned into a sacrifice fly.”

Roberto Clemente celebrates opening day with a 410-footer followed by a 445-footer. Unfortunately, this is Forbes Field, so neither of the long drives leaves the park. According to the Uniontown Evening Standard: “Clemente starched the ball all four times he was at the plate… In the 2nd inning Clemente lined a shot off the wall at the 406 mark. In the 5th he lashed a drive to the deepest part of centerfield …” The latter shot is characterized by Pirates beat writer Les Biederman as “one of the longest outs possible at Forbes Field. He chased Vada Pinson to the batting cage in deep center with three on for his 445-foot fly ball that turned into a sacrifice fly.”