Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, and Orlando Cepeda all start in an exhibition game. The contest marks the first time the trio of sluggers, sidelined with a variety of injuries over the past two seasons, has appeared together in the Braves lineup since 1970.
On April 2, 1972, New York Mets manager Gil Hodges collapses just minutes after completing a round of golf in West Palm Beach, Florida, and dies of a heart attack. The popular Hodges dies just two days before his 48th birthday. Hodges had guided the Mets to their “miraculous” World Series championship in 1969.
1971 – Dome fans are treated to a 15-inning exhibition “tripleheader” between the Astros, Yankees and Twins. Houston nips New York, 2-1, in the first five-inning game and later tops Minnesota, 5-3, in the finale. In between, the Twins down the Yankees, 4-1.
1968 – Tony Conigliaro returns to the Boston Red Sox with vision trouble. He will miss the entire season, a consequence of his beaning last year.
April 2, 1965 Besides winning the Heisman Trophy, serving in Vietnam, and leading the Dallas Cowboys to multiple Super Bowls during the ’70s, Roger Staubach also played college baseball on Navy’s varsity team. As a varsity baseball player He lettered in baseball three-straight years (1963-65) as an outfielder and pitcher. In 1963, he…
1963 – Colt .45s trade outfielder Manny Mota to Pittsburgh for outfielder Howie Goss, who lasts one season. Mota torments Houston pitchers for the next twenty years.
1963 – The Houston Colt .45s send young Manny Mota to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a prospect and cash. For five years, Mota will be a solid fourth outfielder for the Pirates and an outstanding pinch hitter.
On April 2, 1962, the Minnesota Twins acquire first baseman Vic Power and pitcher Dick Stigman from the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Pedro Ramos. Power will bat .290 with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs for the Twins in 1962.
April 2, 1960, Philadelphia Phillies OF Wally Post beats Milwaukee Braves OF Hank Aaron on the syndicated tv show, Home Run Derby. Post hits 7 HR to Aaron’s 4 HR. Wally will be defeated the following week by Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Dick Stuart (11-9 HR in 10 “innings”).
On April 2, 1952, New York Giants star Monte Irvin breaks his ankle sliding into third base during an exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians. The injury will force the slugging outfielder to miss most of the 1952 season.
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