1986 – At Tiger Stadium, Boston Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans becomes the first player to hit the first pitch on Opening Day for a home run. Jack Morris throws the gopher ball but gets the victory as Detroit edges Boston, 6 – 5, behind two home runs by Kirk Gibson.

ByTom

1986 – At Tiger Stadium, Boston Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans becomes the first player to hit the first pitch on Opening Day for a home run. Jack Morris throws the gopher ball but gets the victory as Detroit edges Boston, 6 – 5, behind two home runs by Kirk Gibson.

Dwight Gooden records most strikeouts

19-year-old phenom Dwight Gooden makes his debut for the New York Mets

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 7, 1984, Davey Johnson wanted ideal conditions for the debut of highly-touted prospect Dwight Gooden, so the Mets manager held off Gooden’s first start until the Mets arrived in the pitcher-friendly Astrodome on April 7, 1984. Not only would Gooden be protected from adverse weather factors but the Astros were expected to draw…

1983 – Major League Baseball, ABC, and NBC agree to terms on a six-year television package worth $1.2 billion. The two TV networks will continue to alternate coverage of the playoffs, World Series, and All-Star Game through the 1989 season with each of the 26 clubs receiving $7 million per year in return. The last package gave each club $1.9 million per annum.

ByTom

1983 – Major League Baseball, ABC, and NBC agree to terms on a six-year television package worth $1.2 billion. The two TV networks will continue to alternate coverage of the playoffs, World Series, and All-Star Game through the 1989 season with each of the 26 clubs receiving $7 million per year in return. The last package gave each club $1.9 million per annum.

Ken Forsch fires no hitter blanking Atlanta 6-0.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1979 Ken Forsch fires no hitter blanking Atlanta 6-0. Bedridden two days before the gem, Forsch needs just 106 pitches, striking out three and walking two. Forsch has a tension-free ninth inning getting Rowland Office, Jerry Royster and Glenn Hubbard on routine grounders. He and his brother Bob become the first brothers to pitch no-hitters. 

CharlieFinley

U.S. Court of Appeals upholds an earlier court decision in support of Commissioner Bowie Kuhn’s voiding of attempted player sales by Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley in June 1976. Finley’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court will be rejected on October 2nd.

ByTom

1978 – The U.S. Court of Appeals upholds an earlier court decision in support of Commissioner Bowie Kuhn’s voiding of attempted player sales by Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley in June 1976. Finley’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court will be rejected on October 2nd.

The Toronto Blue Jays play their first game ever

The Toronto Blue Jays play their first game ever

ByTom

At Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays play their first game ever with a victory against the Chicago White Sox, 9 – 5. In his first major league at-bat Toronto’s Al Woods becomes the first player to pinch-hit a home run on Opening Day and rookie Doug Ault homers twice, in the 1st and 5th innings, off Francisco Barrios. Snowflakes are seen during the game.