1952 – In a shake-up of the Cleveland Indians, Hank Greenberg stays on as general manager, while Ellis W. Ryan resigns as president after losing a showdown. Mike Wilson, who buys Ryan’s share, will be the Indians’ new president.
The Cleveland Indians’ power hitters dazzle the New York Yankees with a triple steal in the 1st inning as Al Rosen scores, Larry Doby goes to third, and Luke Easter, in his only major-league theft, goes to second.
Art Houtteman, needing to retire just one more batter to author a no-hitter, throws a fastball to Harry Simpson, who rips the pitch for a single, spoiling the right-hander’s chance for immortality. The Tigers’ 13-1 triumph over the Tribe at Briggs Stadium marks the team’s first victory of the season, after dropping eight decisions to start the campaign.
Bob Cain of the St. Louis Browns and Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians each pitch one-hitters, with the Browns prevailing, 1 – 0. This ties a major league record for the fewest hits by two teams in a game (since broken). Bobby Young hits a triple in the 1st inning and scores on an Al Rosen error as the Browns move into first place. The Indians’ only hit is a single by Luke Easter. For Feller, it is the fourth time he’s tossed a one-hitter against the Browns.
On April 2, 1952, New York Giants star Monte Irvin breaks his ankle sliding into third base during an exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians. The injury will force the slugging outfielder to miss most of the 1952 season.
Indian Larry Doby walks five times in a 15-2 drubbing of the Red Sox when Early Wynn picks up his 20th victory. The intimidating right-hander, who will win exactly 300 games in a 23-year big league career, will post 20 or more wins in five of those seasons.
In the bottom of the ninth, Joe DiMaggio scores the winning run on a squeeze bunt by Phil Rizzuto off Cleveland starter Bob Lemon, giving the Yankees a 2-1 walk-off victory. The dramatic win breaks the tie for first place with the Tribe, and the Bronx Bombers will stay in front for the rest of the season.
At Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio’s long triple off Bob Feller scores two runs in the 5th and Allie Reynolds holds on for a 5 – 1 New York win. The Yanks take over first place for good by a margin of .003 points over Cleveland.
Browns rookie Bob Nieman hits two home runs in his first two ML at bats, a record unequaled. They come against Mickey McDermott of the Red Sox, but Boston still wins 9 – 6. Boston has homers by Dom DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Walt Dropo.
After being demoted to the minor leagues six weeks ago, Mickey Mantle returns to the Yankee lineup, going 1-for-4 with a first-inning single off Early Wynn, in the team’s 2-0 victory in Cleveland. The game will mark the first time the future Hall of Fame outfielder will wear the iconic #7 on the back of his uniform jersey; his original #6 was given away during his absence to infielder Bobby Brown, who had worn the numeral in previous seasons.
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