Earl Averill of the Cleveland Indians becomes the first American League player to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat 
|

Earl Averill of the Cleveland Indians becomes the first American League player to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat 

ByThis Day in Baseball

Earl Averill of the Cleveland Indians becomes the first American League player to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat when he blasts an 0-and-2 pitch by Detroit Tigers pitcher Earl Whitehill in the Indians’ 5 – 4, 11-inning victory.

1928 – In one of their most important acquisitions ever, Cleveland Indians general manager Billy Evans sends $40,000 and two players to the San Francisco Seals (Pacific Coast League) for outfielder Earl Averill. A future Hall of Famer, Averill will play 11 years in Cleveland.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1928 – In one of their most important acquisitions ever, Cleveland Indians general manager Billy Evans sends $40,000 and two players to the San Francisco Seals (Pacific Coast League) for outfielder Earl Averill. A future Hall of Famer, Averill will play 11 years in Cleveland.

1921 – In his first at bat‚ St. Louis Browns rookie Luke Stuart hits a home run‚ becoming the first American League rookie to accomplish the feat. His 9th-inning blast‚ good for 2 runs‚ comes off no less than Washington’s Walter Johnson. Johnson‚ leading 16 – 3 after his teammates score 7 runs in the 8th‚ cruises home with a 16 – 5 win. Stuart‚ who appeared in one game on July 28th but did not bat‚ will play one more game and then leave the majors with this home run as his only hit. The next AL rookie to connect for a homer on his first at-bat will be Earl Averill in 1929.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1921 – In his first at bat‚ St. Louis Browns rookie Luke Stuart hits a home run‚ becoming the first American League rookie to accomplish the feat. His 9th-inning blast‚ good for 2 runs‚ comes off no less than Washington’s Walter Johnson. Johnson‚ leading 16 – 3 after his teammates score 7 runs in the 8th‚ cruises home with a 16 – 5 win. Stuart‚ who appeared in one game on July 28th but did not bat‚ will play one more game and then leave the majors with this home run as his only hit. The next AL rookie to connect for a homer on his first at-bat will be Earl Averill in 1929.