The Mets win their first opener ever at Shea Stadium‚ beating the Expos‚ 4 – 2‚ in 5 innings. Heavy rain and wind cuts the contest short. Tom Seaver is the winner over Carl Morton.

ByBaseball

The Mets win their first opener ever at Shea Stadium‚ beating the Expos‚ 4 – 2‚ in 5 innings. Heavy rain and wind cuts the contest short. Tom Seaver is the winner over Carl Morton.

Mickey Lolich

A delayed President Richard Nixon is unable to throw the ceremonial first pitch in the Senators’ home opener at RFK Stadium. David Eisenhower, his son-in-law and the grandson of the former president, throws out the first pitch prior to Washington’s 5-0 loss to the Tigers.

ByBaseball

A delayed President Richard Nixon is unable to throw the ceremonial first pitch in the Senators’ home opener at RFK Stadium. David Eisenhower, his son-in-law and the grandson of the former president, throws out the first pitch prior to Washington’s 5-0 loss to the Tigers.

In the last home opener at Crosley Field‚ the Reds top the Expos‚ 5 – 1

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the last home opener at Crosley Field‚ the Reds top the Expos‚ 5 – 1‚ behind Jim Merritt. It is the first win for manager Sparky Anderson. The Reds have 3 homers in the 4th‚ when Lee May‚ Bernie Carbo and Bobby Tolan connect. It is Carbo’s first major league hit. Joe Sparma takes the loss.

On the heel of his career season in 1961, Roberto Clemente closes out spring training with a flourish. Clemente, last year’s National League batting champion, leads all Pirates in the spring with 6 home runs, 15 RBI and a .343 average. Saving his best for last, he belts two homers into Frank D. Lawrence Stadium’s distant centerfield bleachers in the final spring scrimmage.

ByBaseball

On the heel of his career season in 1961, Roberto Clemente closes out spring training with a flourish. Clemente, last year’s National League batting champion, leads all Pirates in the spring with 6 home runs, 15 RBI and a .343 average. Saving his best for last, he belts two homers into Frank D. Lawrence Stadium’s distant centerfield bleachers in the final spring scrimmage.

P Bert Blyleven is born in Zeist, Netherlands. His family will move first to Canada, then to the United States while he is still a youngster. Throwing one of the best curveballs in history, he will pitch for 22 seasons, winning 287 games, throwing 60 shutouts and striking out 3701 opponents. A member of World Champion teams in Pittsburgh in 1979 and Minnesota in 1987, he will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 2011, on his 14th try.

ByBaseball

P Bert Blyleven is born in Zeist, Netherlands. His family will move first to Canada, then to the United States while he is still a youngster. Throwing one of the best curveballs in history, he will pitch for 22 seasons, winning 287 games, throwing 60 shutouts and striking out 3701 opponents. A member of World Champion teams in Pittsburgh in 1979 and Minnesota in 1987, he will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 2011, on his 14th try.

A howling windstorm of 50 mph does not deter the Red Sox and Reds from playing an exhibition game in Florence‚ SC, but the weather and the rock-hard infield results in the game being called in the 9th inning when all 54 baseballs have disappeared. “Grounders were actually blown off the ground and over the outfield fences‚” observed Lou Smith in the Cincinnati Enquirer. The score is 18 – 18 when the game ends with both teams covered with grime.

ByBaseball

A howling windstorm of 50 mph does not deter the Red Sox and Reds from playing an exhibition game in Florence‚ SC, but the weather and the rock-hard infield results in the game being called in the 9th inning when all 54 baseballs have disappeared. “Grounders were actually blown off the ground and over the outfield fences‚” observed Lou Smith in the Cincinnati Enquirer. The score is 18 – 18 when the game ends with both teams covered with grime.

The Giants play their first night game‚ a 9 – 1 exhibition win against their Bridgeport farm team in Bridgeport‚ CT. The Giants won’t play a night game at home until 1940.

ByBaseball

The Giants play their first night game‚ a 9 – 1 exhibition win against their Bridgeport farm team in Bridgeport‚ CT. The Giants won’t play a night game at home until 1940.