Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers hits three home runs in Briggs Stadium, including a pair in the 6th inning, to drive in six runs. The Tigers rout the A’s, 16 – 0, behind Steve Gromek’s strong pitching.

ByBaseball

Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers hits three home runs in Briggs Stadium, including a pair in the 6th inning, to drive in six runs. The Tigers rout the A’s, 16 – 0, behind Steve Gromek’s strong pitching.

At County Stadium, utility man Nino Escalera becomes the first black player to appear in a Cincinnati uniform. A native of Puerto Rico, Escalera pinch-hits a single in the Redlegs’ 5 – 1 loss to the Milwaukee Braves. In the 7th inning, another black rookie, Chuck Harmon, follows him, pinch-hitting for Corky Valentine and pops out. Escalera, who will bat .159 and collect 11 hits in his only major league season, will eventually become a scout for the Oakland Athletics.

ByBaseball

At County Stadium, utility man Nino Escalera becomes the first black player to appear in a Cincinnati uniform. A native of Puerto Rico, Escalera pinch-hits a single in the Redlegs’ 5 – 1 loss to the Milwaukee Braves. In the 7th inning, another black rookie, Chuck Harmon, follows him, pinch-hitting for Corky Valentine and pops out. Escalera, who will bat .159 and collect 11 hits in his only major league season, will eventually become a scout for the Oakland Athletics.

Mickey Mantle hits longest homerun in Griffith Stadium

Mickey Mantle hits what is believed to be the longest home run in the history of Washington’s Griffith Stadium.

ByThis Day in Baseball

  On April 17, 1953, Mickey Mantle hits what is believed to be the longest home run in the history of Washington’s Griffith Stadium. The New York Yankees’ slugger blasts a mammoth 565-foot shot against Chuck Stobbs of the Washington Senators. The shot comes in the 5th inning of a 7 – 3 Yankees victory…

Mickey Mantle makes his major league debut for the New York Yankees

Mickey Mantle makes his major league debut for the New York Yankees

ByThis Day in Baseball

    On April 17, 1951, future Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle makes his major league debut for the New York Yankees. Mantle picks up one hit in two official at-bats, as the Yankees defeat the rival Boston Red Sox, 6-1, behind the pitching of Eddie Lopat. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Other Resources & Links   [et_pb_signup provider=”getresponse”…

The Philadelphia Athletics and the Washington Senators play the first home Opening Day night game in American League history. Washington wins, 6 – 1, behind the solid pitching of 40-year-old Connie Marrero as his batterymate Mickey Grasso hits a home run.

ByBaseball

The Philadelphia Athletics and the Washington Senators play the first home Opening Day night game in American League history. Washington wins, 6 – 1, behind the solid pitching of 40-year-old Connie Marrero as his batterymate Mickey Grasso hits a home run.

Golf great Sam Snead tees off from home plate and hits the center field scoreboard at Wrigley Field before the Cubs’ home opener.

Golf great Sam Snead tees off from home plate and hits the center field scoreboard at Wrigley Field before the Cubs’ home opener.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Golf great Sam Snead tees off from home plate and hits the center field scoreboard at Wrigley Field before the Cubs’ home opener. The Associated Press reports: “Sammy Snead settled a long-standing argument today over whether a golf ball could be driven from home plate over the towering scoreboard at Wrigley Field. It can, by a golfer like Sam. Wearing street clothes, Snead sent a ball zooming well over the scoreboard with a No. 2 iron after hitting the board with a swing with a No. 4 iron. Snead calculated the carry was 175 yards. The scoreboard rises 89 feet in the air some 50 feet behind the 400-mark on the centerfield wall.”

For the first time, in a career that will span more than half of a century, public address announcer Bob Sheppard announces the Yankees’ lineup. The ‘Voice of God’s introduction of the Bronx Bombers will include the memorable names of Mickey Mantle, playing his first game in pinstripes, Phil Rizzuto, and Yogi Berra, but the first player’s name announced will be DiMaggio – Dom DiMaggio, the leadoff batter for the visiting Red Sox.

For the first time, in a career that will span more than half of a century, public address announcer Bob Sheppard announces the Yankees’ lineup. The ‘Voice of God’s introduction of the Bronx Bombers will include the memorable names of Mickey Mantle, playing his first game in pinstripes, Phil Rizzuto, and Yogi Berra, but the first player’s name announced will be DiMaggio – Dom DiMaggio, the leadoff batter for the visiting Red Sox.

ByTom

For the first time, in a career that will span more than half of a century, public address announcer Bob Sheppard announces the Yankees’ lineup. The ‘Voice of God’s introduction of the Bronx Bombers will include the memorable names of Mickey Mantle, playing his first game in pinstripes, Phil Rizzuto, and Yogi Berra, but the first player’s name announced will be DiMaggio – Dom DiMaggio, the leadoff batter for the visiting Red Sox.

Pete Gray, a one-armed outfielder, plays his major league debut game with the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman’s Park. Gray hits a single off Les Mueller in four at-bats, and handles no chances in the outfield. St. Louis beats the Detroit Tigers, 7 – 1, for their ninth straight Opening Day win, setting a major league record that the 1975-1983 New York Mets will tie. Gray, one of many players recruited to perform during World War II, will hit .218 (51 for 254) in his only major league season.

Pete Gray, a one-armed outfielder, plays his major league debut game with the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman’s Park. Gray hits a single off Les Mueller in four at-bats, and handles no chances in the outfield. St. Louis beats the Detroit Tigers, 7 – 1, for their ninth straight Opening Day win, setting a major league record that the 1975-1983 New York Mets will tie. Gray, one of many players recruited to perform during World War II, will hit .218 (51 for 254) in his only major league season.

ByBaseball

Pete Gray, a one-armed outfielder, plays his major league debut game with the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman’s Park. Gray hits a single off Les Mueller in four at-bats, and handles no chances in the outfield. St. Louis beats the Detroit Tigers, 7 – 1, for their ninth straight Opening Day win, setting a major league record that the 1975-1983 New York Mets will tie. Gray, one of many players recruited to perform during World War II, will hit .218 (51 for 254) in his only major league season.

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4/17/1945: On Opening Day in Cincinnati, Pirates shortstop Frankie Zak reached first on a bunt, which sent teammate Al Lopez to second. Zak then asked for time to tie his shoelace, which was granted by umpire Ziggy Sears. However, Reds pitcher Bucky Walters had begun his pitch, which Jim Russell hit over the right field fence for an apparent three-run homer. The play was not allowed because of the time out. Russell then singled to CF to drive in one run. The eleven-inning contest was won by the home team, 7-6.

ByTom

4/17/1945: On Opening Day in Cincinnati, Pirates shortstop Frankie Zak reached first on a bunt, which sent teammate Al Lopez to second. Zak then asked for time to tie his shoelace, which was granted by umpire Ziggy Sears. However, Reds pitcher Bucky Walters had begun his pitch, which Jim Russell hit over the right field fence for an apparent three-run homer. The play was not allowed because of the time out. Russell then singled to CF to drive in one run. The eleven-inning contest was won by the home team, 7-6.