Mickey Mantle beats Willie Mays in first homerun derby

Mickey Mantle beats Willie Mays in first homerun derby

ByTom

In the first episode of Home Run Derby ever aired, Mickey Mantle overcomes an 8-2 deficit to beat Giants superstar Willie Mays, 9-8, when he goes deep in the bottom of the ninth at LA’s Wrigley Field. The ‘Say Hey Kid,’ who had hit four homers before the Yankee slugger stepped up to the plate, agrees to double their $500 side bet when he is ahead by five runs in the seventh, enabling his opponent to walk away with both the winning and losing share of the contest.

Ted Williams

U.S. Marines recall Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams for the Korean War

ByThis Day in Baseball

1952 – The U.S. Marines announce they will recall Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams into active duty to serve in the Korean War. Williams will play briefly during the 1952 season but will not return to the Red Sox lineup on a full-time basis until late in 1953. As a pilot in Korea, Williams will fly 39 missions and will survive a crash-landing brought about by enemy fire.

The Giants sign Chinese-Hawaiian infielder William “Buck” Lai, to a major league contract. Lai had been signed by the Phillies in 1918 but never appeared in a game, and since then has played in the minors and for the semipro Brooklyn Bushwicks. Alas, he’ll be on the Giants for a month but never appear in a game.

The Giants sign Chinese-Hawaiian infielder William “Buck” Lai, to a major league contract. Lai had been signed by the Phillies in 1918 but never appeared in a game, and since then has played in the minors and for the semipro Brooklyn Bushwicks. Alas, he’ll be on the Giants for a month but never appear in a game.

ByTom

1928 – The Giants sign Chinese-Hawaiian infielder William “Buck” Lai, to a major league contract. Lai had been signed by the Phillies in 1918 but never appeared in a game, and since then has played in the minors and for the semipro Brooklyn Bushwicks. Alas, he’ll be on the Giants for a month but never appear in a game.

1927 – In a three-way deal, pitcher Burleigh Grimes goes from the Brooklyn Robins to the New York Giants, catcher Butch Henline goes from the Philadelphia Phillies to Brooklyn, and Giants second baseman Fresco Thompson and pitcher Jack Scott wind up with the Phillies.

ByTom

1927 – In a three-way deal, pitcher Burleigh Grimes goes from the Brooklyn Robins to the New York Giants, catcher Butch Henline goes from the Philadelphia Phillies to Brooklyn, and Giants second baseman Fresco Thompson and pitcher Jack Scott wind up with the Phillies.

The National Commission declares University of Michigan senior George Sisler a free agent after a two-year fight. Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss claimed rights to Sisler, who had signed a contract as a minor leaguer but never played pro ball. After graduating, Sisler will sign with the St. Louis Browns, managed by his former college coach, Branch Rickey.

The National Commission declares University of Michigan senior George Sisler a free agent after a two-year fight. Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss claimed rights to Sisler, who had signed a contract as a minor leaguer but never played pro ball. After graduating, Sisler will sign with the St. Louis Browns, managed by his former college coach, Branch Rickey.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1915 – The National Commission declares University of Michigan senior George Sisler a free agent after a two-year fight. Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss claimed rights to Sisler, who had signed a contract as a minor leaguer but never played pro ball. After graduating, Sisler will sign with the St. Louis Browns, managed by his former college coach, Branch Rickey.

Nevin

1908 – The Detroit Tigers name Frank Navin president of the team. The Tigers’ home ballpark, Bennett Park, will be re-named “Navin Field”, which will later become Tiger Stadium.

ByTom

1908 – The Detroit Tigers name Frank Navin president of the team. The Tigers’ home ballpark, Bennett Park, will be re-named “Navin Field”, which will later become Tiger Stadium.

Hilltop park

Baltimore’s defunct American League franchise is sold to Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $18,000 and will be relocated to New York to begin the season. The Manhattan team, who will play at Hilltop Park located in the northern part of the island borough, will be first known as the Highlanders before being officially renamed the Yankees in 1913.

ByTom

Baltimore’s defunct American League franchise is sold to Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $18,000 and will be relocated to New York to begin the season. The Manhattan team, who will play at Hilltop Park located in the northern part of the island borough, will be first known as the Highlanders before being officially renamed the Yankees in 1913.

1894 – Boston Beaneaters catcher Charlie Bennett loses both legs in a horrific train accident. In 1900, the Detroit Wolverines, Bennett’s first team, will name its ballpark Bennett Park in his honor.

ByTom

1894 – Boston Beaneaters catcher Charlie Bennett loses both legs in a horrific train accident. In 1900, the Detroit Wolverines, Bennett’s first team, will name its ballpark Bennett Park in his honor.

Cap Anson is quoted in the New York Clipper as saying that “I don’t care if they can’t field a little bit. In my experience I have found that a man can be taught to almost stop cannon balls, but it is a very difficult task to teach them to line ’em out.”

ByTom

Cap Anson is quoted in the New York Clipper as saying that “I don’t care if they can’t field a little bit. In my experience I have found that a man can be taught to almost stop cannon balls, but it is a very difficult task to teach them to line ’em out.”