Boston Red Sox become the last team to debut a black player when Elijah “Pumpsie” Green appears in a game as a pinch-runner and shortstop
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Boston Red Sox become the last team to debut a black player when Elijah “Pumpsie” Green appears in a game as a pinch-runner and shortstop

On July 21, 1959, the Boston Red Sox become the last team to debut a black player when Elijah “Pumpsie” Green appears in a game as a pinch-runner for Vic Wertz and shortstop. Green’s debut with Boston comes 12 years after Jackie Robinson’s historic debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In an interview with the Red Sox released…

At the age of 39, Early Wynn of the Chicago White Sox pitches a one-hit shutout, strikes out 14, and hits a double and home run for a 1 – 0 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Comiskey Park.

At the age of 39, Early Wynn of the Chicago White Sox pitches a one-hit shutout, strikes out 14, and hits a double and home run for a 1 – 0 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Comiskey Park.

At the age of 39, Early Wynn of the Chicago White Sox pitches a one-hit shutout, strikes out 14, and hits a double and home run for a 1 – 0 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Comiskey Park.

Red Sox outfielder, going 7-for-11 to end the season, Ted Williams becomes the first 40 year-old to lead the league in hitting and wins his sixth and final batting title. The ‘Splendid Splinter’s’ .328 batting average beats out his teammate Pete Runnels, who goes 0-for-4 today and ends up the campaign with a .322 mark.

Red Sox outfielder, going 7-for-11 to end the season, Ted Williams becomes the first 40 year-old to lead the league in hitting and wins his sixth and final batting title. The ‘Splendid Splinter’s’ .328 batting average beats out his teammate Pete Runnels, who goes 0-for-4 today and ends up the campaign with a .322 mark.

1958 – The Red Sox drill a 9 – 5 win over Washington as Pete Runnels and Ted Williams each have three hits, but Ted has two less at bats to move ahead in the batting race. The two sluggers hit back-to-back home runs in the 4th, off John Romonosky.

1958 – The Red Sox drill a 9 – 5 win over Washington as Pete Runnels and Ted Williams each have three hits, but Ted has two less at bats to move ahead in the batting race. The two sluggers hit back-to-back home runs in the 4th, off John Romonosky.

Ted Williams, after striking out looking with two aboard to end the 3rd inning flings his bat aside in a fit of anger

Ted Williams, after striking out looking with two aboard to end the 3rd inning flings his bat aside in a fit of anger

At Fenway Park, the Red Sox complete a three-game sweep of the Senators, all by 2 – 0 shutouts pitched, respectively, by Tom Brewer, Frank Sullivan and Ike Delock. Today’s win, however, is marred when Ted Williams, after striking out looking with two aboard to end the 3rd inning (and less than 2 months after having incurred his second spitting-related fine in less than 2 years), flings his bat aside in a fit of anger. Unfortunately, the intended flip along the ground gains some unwanted elevation, flying into the stands and striking, of all people, Boston GM Joe Cronin’s 69-year-old housekeeper, Gladys Heffernan, in the head. “I didn’t mean to throw the bat that way,” explains the distraught Williams. “I started to flip it along the ground but the sticky stuff on my hands stuck to it and it left my hands on the fly instead. I was sick.” Mercifully Heffernan is not badly hurt, but Williams is greeted with a thunderous chorus of catcalls when he takes the field in the 4th. Cronin, for his part, hastily announces a 1-year contract extension for manager Mike Higgins in what is widely regarded as an attempt to distract attention from Ted’s near-tragic tantrum. Nonetheless, American League President Will Harridge will impose a modest $50-dollar fine for the incident.

ted williams 17th grandslam

Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox blasts his 17th career grand slam

On July 29, 1958, At Briggs Stadium, Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox blasts his 17th career grand slam off future hall of farmer Jim Bunning. The home run places Williams in a second-place tie with Babe Ruth on the all-time grand slam list behind Lou Gehrig, who had 23. Williams also adds a…

Boston Red Sox Star Ted Williams stares down White Sox pitcher Dick Donovan in the third inning during a game at Comiskey Park on July 25, 1958. Sherm Lollar is behind the plate and the home plate umpire is Bill Summers. Donovan will record a rare strikeout of the “Splendid Splinter” as the White Sox will be victorious by a 4-0 score.

White Sox Top Red Sox 4-0

Boston Red Sox Star Ted Williams stares down White Sox pitcher Dick Donovan in the third inning during a game at Comiskey Park on July 25, 1958. Sherm Lollar is behind the plate and the home plate umpire is Bill Summers. Donovan will record a rare strikeout of the “Splendid Splinter” as the White Sox…