On April 15, 1967, Gary Nolan made his major league debut at the age of 18 and by pitching seven innings during a 7-3 win over the Astros at Crosley Field. The Reds number one draft choice in 1966, Nolan was pitching for Oroville High School in Calofornia a year earlier. Mature beyond his years, Nolan…
The 1965 Alaska Goldpanners. The only notable player is Dan Frisella who played in the majors from 1967-76, mostly with the Mets and Braves. Sadly his life was cut short on New Years Day 1977 at age 31. Dan is second from the right side.
1958 – Major League Baseball comes to California as the transplanted Giants and Dodgers play the first game on the Pacific Coast. The Californian contest at San Francisco’s Seals Stadium sees Ruben Gómez blanking Los Angeles and Don Drysdale. Daryl Spencer hits the first home run and Orlando Cepeda also homers in the Giants’ 8 – 0 victory in front of 23,448 fans.
On April 15, 1958, the San Francisco Giants host the first West Coast game in major league history. The Giants defeat the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in front of 23,448 fans at Seals Stadium. Orlando Cepeda and Daryl Spencer hit home runs in the Giants’ 8-0 win…
U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower officially opens the season by tossing out the first ball at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The ball is the 10 millionth Spalding baseball to be used in major league play.
On April 15, 1954, Hank Aaron collects the first hit of his major league career. The Milwaukee Braves’ rookie goes 2-for-5 in a 7-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
After a 51-year absence, big league ball returns to Baltimore as a crowd of 46,354 watch the Orioles beat the White Sox, 3 – 1, in the first game played at Memorial Stadium. Clint Courtney of the Orioles hits the first major league home run in the ballpark. A Baltimore ownership group, which includes Clarence Mills, Jim Keelty, Jerry Hoffberger and Zanvyl Krieger, bought the former St. Louis Browns and brought the franchise to the Charm City.
1947 – 28-year-old Jackie Robinson makes a historic debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African-American to play major league baseball in the 20th century. Robinson goes 0 for 3 in his debut, but scores the deciding run in a 5 – 3 victory over the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. He handles 11 chances at first base, a new position for him. Coach Clyde Sukeforth, interim manager and the man credited with first scouting Robinson, guides the Dodgers to two victories before stepping down. Robinson is the first black player to appear in the majors since 1884.
On April 15, 1946, Mel Ott hits the 511th – and final – home run of his career. The 37-year-old slugger connects against Oscar Judd of the Philadelphia Phillies. Ott’s milestone blast lifts the New York Giants to an 8-4 victory at the Polo Grounds…
At Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis, Hiram “Hi” Bithorn becomes the first Puerto Rican to play in major league baseball. The Cubs right-handed pitcher from Santurce makes a relief appearance in the 4 – 2 loss to the Cardinals.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!