Don Mueller hits for the cycle in the team’s 13-7 victory over the Pirates at the Polo Grounds

Don Mueller hits for the cycle in the team’s 13-7 victory over the Pirates at the Polo Grounds

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the first game of a doubleheader, Giants right fielder Don Mueller hits for the cycle in the team’s 13-7 victory over the Pirates at the Polo Grounds. ‘Mandrake the Magician,’ who homers in his final at-bat to complete the deed, will be the only major leaguer to accomplish the feat this season.

In the opening game of the World Series, the first all-black outfield in major league history makes its appearance

In the opening game of the World Series, the first all-black outfield in major league history makes its appearance

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the opening game of the World Series, the first all-black outfield in major league history makes its appearance when Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, and Hank Thompson take the field for the Giants at Yankee Stadium. Leo Durocher, in a curious move, replaces the previously injured outfielder Don Mueller in right field with Hank Thompson, a third baseman by trade, and uses veteran outfielder Bobby Thomson at the hot corner.

1951 Willie Mays tagged out at the plate by Roy Campanella

Don Mueller hits two more home runs, giving him five in two days, to tie a major league mark

ByBaseball

Don Mueller hits two more home runs, giving him five in two days, to tie a major league mark. His second homer, again off Phil Haugstad, comes a minute after he learns he is a new father. Bobby Thomson adds his 25th homer and Jim Hearn beats the Dodgers, 11 – 2. After Mueller’s second homer, Haugstad decks Thomson and hits Willie Mays with a pitch, evoking a warning from umpire Al Barlick. Barlick had earlier thumbed Ralph Branca and Dick Williams in the 5th inning, Don Newcombe in the 6th when he objected to a call, and Jackie Robinson and rookie Clem Labine. Chuck Dressen then clears his bench to avoid any more thumbings. The Giants move to five games behind Brooklyn.