The Elmira Pioneers beat the Springfield Giants, 2 – 1, in 27 innings, a new record (since broken) for Organized Baseball’s longest game. The attendance is 386 fans. Fred Beene picks up the win, pitching the last 12 innings. The game is scoreless for 25 innings, with both teams scoring in the 26th; finally, Elmira, managed by Earl Weaver, breaks through in the 27th.

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The Elmira Pioneers beat the Springfield Giants, 2 – 1, in 27 innings, a new record (since broken) for Organized Baseball’s longest game. The attendance is 386 fans. Fred Beene picks up the win, pitching the last 12 innings. The game is scoreless for 25 innings, with both teams scoring in the 26th; finally, Elmira, managed by Earl Weaver, breaks through in the 27th.

A major league-record streak of 438 chances accepted without an error and 89 straight errorless games by Baltimore 2B Jerry Adair ends with his 8th-inning fumble in a 4 – 3, 15-inning loss to the Tigers.

ByThis Day in Baseball

A major league-record streak of 438 chances accepted without an error and 89 straight errorless games by Baltimore 2B Jerry Adair ends with his 8th-inning fumble in a 4 – 3, 15-inning loss to the Tigers.

1964 – In Cleveland, there are tornado warnings, but New York supplies the damage when Mickey Mantle cracks a three-run homer off Tommy John in the 4th inning to lead the Yanks to a 10 – 3 win.

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1964 – In Cleveland, there are tornado warnings, but New York supplies the damage when Mickey Mantle cracks a three-run homer off Tommy John in the 4th inning to lead the Yanks to a 10 – 3 win.

Pirates LF Willie Stargell’s first major league homer and Cubs P Bob Buhl’s first major league hit in 88 at-bats highlight a 9 – 5 Chicago win over Pittsburgh.

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Pirates LF Willie Stargell’s first major league homer and Cubs P Bob Buhl’s first major league hit in 88 at-bats highlight a 9 – 5 Chicago win over Pittsburgh.

The Braves acquire Chico Fernandez from the Tigers for Lou Johnson and cash, then turn around and swap him to the Mets for Larry Foss.

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The Braves acquire Chico Fernandez from the Tigers for Lou Johnson and cash, then turn around and swap him to the Mets for Larry Foss.

A Stan Musial home run against the Dodgers gives him 1,357 extra-base hits, surpassing Babe Ruth’s major league record. He will get 20 more; his record will later be broken by Hank Aaron. The Cards lose, 11 – 5.

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A Stan Musial home run against the Dodgers gives him 1,357 extra-base hits, surpassing Babe Ruth’s major league record. He will get 20 more; his record will later be broken by Hank Aaron. The Cards lose, 11 – 5.

Tom Seaver Signed Jersey New York Mets -- COA

New York announces that it will be known as the Mets, short for Metropolitans

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 8, 1961, The new National League entry in New York is officially named the “Mets.” Not Metropolitans, just Mets. At a ceremony at the Savoy Hilton, owner Joan Payson swings a bottle of champagne and, after three unsuccessful whacks, turns the job over to a waiter who uses a bottle opener. The “Mets” was the choice among the 10…

The Angels trade P Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv to the Yankees for P Ryne Duren, P Johnny James and OF Lee Thomas. For Cerv, it is his third tour of duty in pinstripes.

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The Angels trade P Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv to the Yankees for P Ryne Duren, P Johnny James and OF Lee Thomas. For Cerv, it is his third tour of duty in pinstripes.

The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. announces the New York National League franchise’s team nickname will be the Mets.

The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. announces the New York National League franchise’s team nickname will be the Mets.

ByTom

The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. announces the New York National League franchise’s team nickname will be the Mets. Other names considered included the Avengers, Burros (a play on the word boroughs), Continentals, Islanders, Jets, Rebels, Skyliners, and the Meadowlarks, which was the first choice of owner Joan Payson.