1965 – At a cost of $20,000, the original Astrodome ceiling is painted because the sun’s glare makes fielding fly balls hazardous. This will cause the grass to die and spur the introduction of artificial turf next season.
1964 – Bob Bruce ties a major-league record by striking out the side on nine pitches in the eighth inning against the Cardinals. It happens in a 6-1 loss to Bob Gibson. Bruce fans Bill White, Charley Jones and Ken Boyer in perfect order. The next inning, after a leadoff single, Bruce KOs Tim McCarver, Julian Javier and Gibson for good measure.
April 19, 1963: At the Polo Grounds, with Roger Craig on the mound, Henry Aaron belts his 300th career home run in an 8-1 victory over the Mets.
Willie Mays becomes the all-time National League right-handed home run leader when he connects for his 371st career round-tripper, a fourth-inning solo shot off Chicago’s Larry Jackson in the Giants’ 5-1 victory at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco center fielder surpasses Gil Hodges, who established the mark last season.
At Comiskey Park, Bill Veeck employs eight Little People to work in the stands during the White Sox home opener against Washington. The Chicago owner’s hiring decision is a response to complaints that fans sitting in the box seats couldn’t see over the vendors.
A record Opening Day crowd at Chicago’s Comiskey Park enthusiastically greets their American League champs, and the patrons warmly welcome the return of Minnie Minoso to the team after his three-year exile to Cleveland. The 34 year-old outfielder doesn’t disappoint the South Side fans when, in addition to hitting a grand slam in the fourth, he blasts a ninth inning walk-off home run, giving the White Sox a 10-9 victory over Kansas City.
Making his debut in pinstripes, Roger Maris goes 4-for-5 batting leadoff in the Yankees lineup. The right-fielder’s 11 total bases, including two home runs and a double, contribute to the Bronx Bombers’ Opening Day 8-4 victory over Boston at Fenway Park.
Apr 19, 1952 – At Shibe Park, 20 year old Eddie Mathews of the Boston Braves hits his first homerun‚ off Ken Heintzelman of the Phillies, Mathews shot was a 3 run homerun in the 8th inning. It shrunk the Phillies’ lead to 7-6, the Braves will score 3 in the 9th to win 9-7….
1950 – Sid Gordon of the Boston Braves hits the first National League grand slam of the season, as Boston beats the New York Giants, 10 – 6, at the Polo Grounds. There will be 35 grand slams in the league and 68 in all this year. Both are records but both will later be topped.
In front of 53,000 fans on Opening Day, Johnny Groth hits home runs in two of his first three at bats at Tiger Stadium. The 22 year-old rookie’s performance enables Hal Newhowser and Detroit to beat Chicago, 5-1.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!