“Robbing a Pirate: Willie Mays of the Giants, with his back to the diamond, takes Dick Rand’s long drive on cinder path between bleachers in centerfield.” So reads the caption accompanying John Orris’s New York Times photo capturing Mays’ spectacular grab. “Willie was going toward the Eddie Grant monument between the clubhouse stairways,” writes Roscoe McGowen, “when he gloved Rand’s long drive – nearly 470 feet from the plate.” The actual distance is probably closer to 430 feet, but it is still a prodigious poke and a tremendous run, especially given Mays’ shallow positioning against the light-hitting Rand. Frank Thomas hits three home runs on the day for the Pirates, who sweep the doubleheader, 10 – 6 and 8 – 1.

“Robbing a Pirate: Willie Mays of the Giants, with his back to the diamond, takes Dick Rand’s long drive on cinder path between bleachers in centerfield.” So reads the caption accompanying John Orris’s New York Times photo capturing Mays’ spectacular grab. “Willie was going toward the Eddie Grant monument between the clubhouse stairways,” writes Roscoe McGowen, “when he gloved Rand’s long drive – nearly 470 feet from the plate.” The actual distance is probably closer to 430 feet, but it is still a prodigious poke and a tremendous run, especially given Mays’ shallow positioning against the light-hitting Rand. Frank Thomas hits three home runs on the day for the Pirates, who sweep the doubleheader, 10 – 6 and 8 – 1.

ByBaseball

“Robbing a Pirate: Willie Mays of the Giants, with his back to the diamond, takes Dick Rand’s long drive on cinder path between bleachers in centerfield.” So reads the caption accompanying John Orris’s New York Times photo capturing Mays’ spectacular grab. “Willie was going toward the Eddie Grant monument between the clubhouse stairways,” writes Roscoe McGowen, “when he gloved Rand’s long drive – nearly 470 feet from the plate.” The actual distance is probably closer to 430 feet, but it is still a prodigious poke and a tremendous run, especially given Mays’ shallow positioning against the light-hitting Rand. Frank Thomas hits three home runs on the day for the Pirates, who sweep the doubleheader, 10 – 6 and 8 – 1.

The Dodgers set a major league mark for the most consecutive games with a home run by a team with a least one round-tripper in their 24 contests. Brooklyn starter Preacher Roe hits the record-breaking homer with a third-inning blast in the team’s 9-5 victory over Pittsburgh at Forbes Field.

ByTom

The Dodgers set a major league mark for the most consecutive games with a home run by a team with a least one round-tripper in their 24 contests. Brooklyn starter Preacher Roe hits the record-breaking homer with a third-inning blast in the team’s 9-5 victory over Pittsburgh at Forbes Field.

The Browns, with their 6-3 loss to the Indians at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis, set a major league record, losing their 20th consecutive home game. The non-winning streak dates back to June 3.

ByTom

The Browns, with their 6-3 loss to the Indians at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis, set a major league record, losing their 20th consecutive home game. The non-winning streak dates back to June 3.

At Fenway Park, the Yankees lose to the Red Sox, 10 – 4, with the Sox being led by Clyde Vollmer’s grand slam in the 1st inning. Vollmer had a two-run triple in yesterday’s 6 – 2 win over the Yankees.

ByBaseball

At Fenway Park, the Yankees lose to the Red Sox, 10 – 4, with the Sox being led by Clyde Vollmer’s grand slam in the 1st inning. Vollmer had a two-run triple in yesterday’s 6 – 2 win over the Yankees.

Cleveland Indians sign Negro Leagues legend Satchel Paige to a contract, making him the oldest rookie in major league history.

Cleveland Indians sign Negro Leagues legend Satchel Paige to a contract, making him the oldest rookie in major league history.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 7, 1948 The Indians stun the baseball world by signing Satchel Paige, veteran Negro League pitcher. The move is ridiculed by some as a Bill Veeck publicity stunt, and J.G. Taylor Spink in The Sporting News editorializes, “Veeck has gone too far in his quest for publicity. To sign a hurler at Paige’s…

Military all-star team lead by Bob Feller loses, 5 – 0 to American League stars
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Military all-star team lead by Bob Feller loses, 5 – 0 to American League stars

ByThis Day in Baseball

A military all-star team that includes Bob Feller, Cecil Travis, Sam Chapman, Benny McCoy, Johnny Sturm and Frankie Pytlak loses, 5 – 0, to American League stars in a game at Cleveland in front of more than 60,000 fans. Jim Bagby wins against his Indian teammate Feller. Military relief receives $160,000.