On May 2, 1960, Birmingham and Memphis set a Southern League record by hitting 11 home runs in one game. With Russwood Park unavailable due to a fire, a temporary park proves especially inviting for home runs. Six of the home runs clear the right-field fence, which is only 204 feet from home plate.
Frank Robinson of the Cincinnati Redlegs hits for the cycle, in a 16 – 4 rout of the Dodgers.
At Wrigley Field, the New York Giants (25) and Chicago Cubs (23) set a major league record with 48 players on the field in a 17-inning marathon finally won by the visiting Giants, 6 – 5. The two teams combine to intentionally walk 11 batters, also a record, with the Cubs contributing seven of the free passes. Losing pitcher Jim Brosnan chips in with four walks, all intentional. Cubs third baseman Don Hoak is not one of the strollers, as he sets a National League record with six strikeouts, all against different pitchers, while Ernie Banks, Willie Mays and Wes Westrum are twice walked intentionally. Whitey Lockman starts in left field, switches to first base, returns to LF, and finishes at 1B. Ex-Giant Monte Irvinis 0 for 5 against five pitchers. The game is six minutes shy of the 5:19 record set by the Dodgers-Bees in 20 innings in 1940.
At Ebbets Field, Carl Furillo hits his sixth home run of the season with Jackie Robinson on base in the 12th inning to give the Brooklyn Dodgers a 2 – 0 victory over the Milwaukee Braves. Carl Erskine wins his fourth game in a row, beating Gene Conley, as both pitchers post complete games.
On May 2, 1954, Now you know why they call Stan Musial Stan the Man. No other hitter in major league history ever hit five home runs in one day. Only nine days ago Musial was bumping along at .250. gripped by the same slump that tortured him| last spring. Now he is hitting .400…
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Carlos Bernier hits three consecutive triples in a 12 – 4 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Bernier adds a single and a stolen base as Ralph Kiner and Jim Greengrass match home runs. In a stretch of 11 at bats, Bernier will hit four triples, two doubles, and two singles.
As a pinch hitter, Lou Limmer goes deep off Tigers’ right-hander Saul Rogovin in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 3-3, in the A’s eventual 5-3 extra-inning loss at Briggs Stadium. The at-bat marks the first time in major league history that a Jewish batter faces a Jewish pitcher with a Jewish catcher (Joe Ginsberg) behind the plate.
In his first major league start, Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers shuts out the Cincinnati Reds, 3 – 0.
At Shibe Park The Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson is tagged out by Phillies’ third baseman Ralph Caballero on May 2, 1948. Brooklyn beats the Phillies 9-6 and Robinson goes 3-5 with a triple and homerun. Full Box Score
At Cleveland Stadium, Bob Feller fires his second one-hitter in 10 days, stopping the Boston Red Sox, 2 – 0, while striking out 10. Johnny Pesky has the only hit for Boston. Joe Gordon’s home run off Dave Ferriss is the only run Feller needs.
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