For the first time in club history, the A’s wear numbers on their uniforms. Connie Mack, the owner and manager of the team, believed the sale of scorecards would suffer because players could be identified by their jerseys.
1938 – Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians pitches the first of 12 career one-hitters, beating the St. Louis Browns, 9 – 0.The only St. Louis hit in the League Park contest is a sixth-inning bunt laid down by backstop Bill Sullivan, who is called safe by rookie ump Ed Rommell on a very close play at first base.
1937 – Gee Walker hits for the cycle on Opening Day to lead the Tigers to a 4 – 3 victory over Cleveland. Walker hits the cycle in reverse order: home run, triple, double and single.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Al Simmons makes an unassisted double play against the St. Louis Browns.
At the Polo Grounds, umpire Charlie Pfirman officiates in his 1,700th consecutive National League game, as Carl Hubbell leads the New York Giants to a 1 – 0 victory over Fred Frankhouse the Boston Braves.
1932 – The New York Yankees draw the largest paid attendance, 55,452, for any Yankee Stadium opener. Babe Ruth homers as Lefty Gomez beats Lefty Grove in the 8 – 3 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics.
April 20, 1930 – In today’s issue of the Chicago Tribune‚ writer Irwin Howe names his all-time all-star team based on his 42 years of observing baseball: Babe Ruth‚ RF; Tris Speaker‚ CF; Ty Cobb‚ LF; Cap Anson‚ 1B; Eddie Collins‚ 2B; Honus Wagner‚ SS; Pie Traynor‚ 3B; Ray Schalk‚ C; Cy Young‚…
The Indians spoil the White Sox debut at the newly-expanded Comiskey Park, edging the Pale Hose, 5-4. The new upper deck in the outfield allows 23,200 additional fans to enjoy the game.
1920 – Player Manager Gavvy Cravath of the Philadelphia Phillies inserts himself as a pinch hitter and beats the New York Giants with a three-run home run, 3 – 0. It is his last homerun of his career
April 20 1916 – The Chicago Cubs play their first game in the newly-built Federal League Weeghman Park, which will be renamed “Wrigley Field” in 1926 in honor of William Wrigley, who gained full ownership of the team seven seasons ago. The stadium, minus the upper deck added later, seats 14,000, but 20,000 fans are on hand. Greeting fans on the…
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