1920 – In a spring training match between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Robins, a sweeping inside curve ball throw by Dodgers pitcher Jeff Pfeffer hits Chick Fewster, striking the Yankees’ shortstop behind the ear and flattening him. Fewster revives 10 minutes later but soon loses the ability to speak. Taken to the hospital with a skull fracture and a blood clot on his brain, Fewster will recover slowly and return to play in mid-season.

ByTom

1920 – In a spring training match between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Robins, a sweeping inside curve ball throw by Dodgers pitcher Jeff Pfeffer hits Chick Fewster, striking the Yankees’ shortstop behind the ear and flattening him. Fewster revives 10 minutes later but soon loses the ability to speak. Taken to the hospital with a skull fracture and a blood clot on his brain, Fewster will recover slowly and return to play in mid-season.

Babe Ruth pitches four innings against the Brooklyn Robins, allowing just one hit, before giving way to a group of inept Boston Red Sox relievers. Brooklyn wins, 11 – 2, and reigns as “Hot Springs Champs.”

Babe Ruth pitches four innings against the Brooklyn Robins, allowing just one hit, before giving way to a group of inept Boston Red Sox relievers. Brooklyn wins, 11 – 2, and reigns as “Hot Springs Champs.”

ByTom

Babe Ruth pitches four innings against the Brooklyn Robins, allowing just one hit, before giving way to a group of inept Boston Red Sox relievers. Brooklyn wins, 11 – 2, and reigns as “Hot Springs Champs.”

Manager John McGraw is signed by the New York Giants to a five-year contract for $40,000 a year plus bonuses. The contract makes him the highest-paid figure in major league baseball.

ByTom

Manager John McGraw is signed by the New York Giants to a five-year contract for $40,000 a year plus bonuses. The contract makes him the highest-paid figure in major league baseball.

An unsigned Tris Speaker arrives at the Boston Red Sox training camp in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in time for an exhibition game. Speaker goes 4 for 4 with a home run and a triple.

An unsigned Tris Speaker arrives at the Boston Red Sox training camp in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in time for an exhibition game. Speaker goes 4 for 4 with a home run and a triple.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1916 – An unsigned Tris Speaker arrives at the Boston Red Sox training camp in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in time for an exhibition game. Speaker goes 4 for 4 with a home run and a triple.

Babe Ruth makes his first start of his professional career defeats the world champion Philadelphia Athletics, 6-2

Babe Ruth makes his first start of his professional career defeats the world champion Philadelphia Athletics, 6-2

ByThis Day in Baseball

Babe Ruth makes his first start of his professional career when he defeats the world champion Philadelphia Athletics, 6-2, in an exhibition game played in Wilmington, N.C. The 19 year-old Red Sox rookie left-hander had faced 29 batters in relief, allowing just six hits to earn a spot in manager Jack Dunn’s rotation.

1910 – The Chalmers Auto Company of Detroit agrees to award a new car to the player who owns the highest batting average at season’s end. Nap Lajoie will win a disputed batting title over Ty Cobb in a controversial finish, but Chalmers will award cars to both players in an effort to save face.

ByTom

1910 – The Chalmers Auto Company of Detroit agrees to award a new car to the player who owns the highest batting average at season’s end. Nap Lajoie will win a disputed batting title over Ty Cobb in a controversial finish, but Chalmers will award cars to both players in an effort to save face.

1893 – The Louisville Colonels National League club is forced to transfer its only three Sunday games because the suburb of Parkland, in which the Colonels’ new ballpark is located, does not permit Sunday play.

ByTom

1893 – The Louisville Colonels National League club is forced to transfer its only three Sunday games because the suburb of Parkland, in which the Colonels’ new ballpark is located, does not permit Sunday play.

1891 – Albert Spalding retires from active participation in the affairs of the Chicago Colts club and the National League. James A. Hart will assume the club presidency.

ByTom

1891 – Albert Spalding retires from active participation in the affairs of the Chicago Colts club and the National League. James A. Hart will assume the club presidency.

1888 – The St. Louis Browns of the American Association open the training season with an exhibition game versus the St. Louis Whites, a new Western Association team. Among the 10 cities in the W.A., four also host major league clubs

ByTom

1888 – The St. Louis Browns of the American Association open the training season with an exhibition game versus the St. Louis Whites, a new Western Association team. Among the 10 cities in the W.A., four also host major league clubs

1885 – A new rule is adopted stating that the pitcher must “do all his throwing to bases before he has taken his stride as if to pitch ball.”

ByTom

1885 – A new rule is adopted stating that the pitcher must “do all his throwing to bases before he has taken his stride as if to pitch ball.”