On April 22, 1915, Napoleon Lajoie commits five errors in the Philadelphia A’s 7-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The newly acquired second baseman becomes the seventh player to commit that many errors in a game.
On April 22, 1915, the New York Yankees wear their famed pinstripes for the first time. Although they are not the first club to use the vertical stripes, the Yankees become so associated with them that writers will commonly refer to the team as the “Pinstripers.”
On April 22, 1914, future Hall of Famer Babe Ruth makes his pitching debut for the minor league Baltimore Orioles of the International League. The left-handed throwing Ruth allows only six hits in shutting out the Buffalo Bisons, 6-0. At the plate, Ruth picks up two singles in four at-bats.
In Federal League action, the Chicago Chi-Feds host the Kansas City Packers at newly-built Weegham Park, on Chicago’s North Side. With two home runs by Art Wilson, and a five-hitter by Claude Hendrix, the Chi-Feds coast to a 9 – 1 win before a crowd of 21,000. The name of the stadium will change to Cubs Park in time for opening day, 1920, and will be renamed “Wrigley Field” in 1926.
The Boston Doves and Philadelphia Phillies combine for a major-league record fewest at-bats by two teams in a nine-inning game: 48 (25 for the Doves, 23 for the Phils). Boston wins, 3 – 0. The mark will be tied next year and topped in the American League in 1964.
Opening Day at West Side Park in Chicago, in front of 18,000 fans on April 22, 1908. Retired 19th Century Chicago Cubs superstar Cap Anson is on the mound, delivering the traditional ceremonial “first ball” of the season. The Cubs will beat the Reds 7-3 Johnny Evers scores 2 and drives in 2, Chick Fraser…
In the New York Giants home opener, 25,000 fans watch the Brooklyn Superbas take a 2 – 1 lead into the 9th inning against Christy Mathewson. But in the bottom, with Fred Tenney on first base, Mike Donlin hits a walk-off home run to give the Giants a 3 – 2 win.
A new baseball rule puts the umpire in sole charge of all game balls. The home team manager previously had some say as to when a new ball was introduced.
The American League formal Opening Day is played at Columbia Park, with the Philadelphia Athletics winning over the Boston Americans, 6 – 1, before 13,578. Rube Waddellbests Bill Dineen as AL President Ban Johnson presents the 1902 AL Championship pennant to the Athletics.
At American League Park, the New York Highlanders lose their first game to the Washington Senators, 3 – 1, before 11,950 fans. Washington elects to bat first, but the New Yorkers score in the bottom of the opening inning to take a 1 – 0 lead. Each starter gives up six hits with Jack Chesbro, the National League’s top winner last year (28-6) taking the loss. Al Orth, in his second season with Washington, is the winner.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!