On June 25, 1953, future Hall of Famer Al Kaline makes his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers. The 18-year-old outfielder comes in for defense, replacing Jim Delsing in center field. Kaline will fly to center field in his first at-bat in the 9th inning off Harry Bryd. Kaline will remain in…
On May 6, 1953, St. Louis Browns pitcher Bobo Holloman, making his first big league start, twirls a 6-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia A’s. Holloman becomes only the third pitcher in history to fire a no-hitter in his initial major league start. Holloman will win only two more games during a brief one-year career, he…
1952 – Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Harry Byrd, who won 15 games and posted and a 3.31 ERA, is selected American League Rookie of the Year by BBWAA voters. Byrd will be the last Athletics player to win the Award until Jose Canseco in 1986.
1952 – The Baseball Writers Association of America name Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Bobby Shantz the American League Most Valuable Player. Shantz posted a 24-7 record with 152 strikeouts and a 2.48 ERA during the regular season and also claimed the honor of being The Sporting News American League Pitcher of the Year.
In another of Bill Veeck’s legendary public relations stunts, “Fans Managers’ Night,” the Browns defeat the Athletics, 5 – 3. The Browns’ coaches hold up placards for 1115 fans, who vote “yes” or “no” on the options given them. Manager Zack Taylor sits in a box behind the dugout with two fans who monitor the voting. Adding to the festivities is Max Patkin, the clown prince of baseball, who coaches at first base for several innings. Sherm Lollar voted in to start behind the plate instead of Matt Batts, has three hits including a homer, and Hank Arft, also voted in, knocks home two. Gus Zernial’s 28th home run accounts for all the A’s runs. When the stunt was announced on August 15, A’s GM Art Ehlers bitterly denounced it as “farcical.”
1951 – The Philadelphia Athletics win their first game at Fenway Park since September 12, 1948, beating Mel Parnell and the Boston Red Sox, 6 – 3. Making it sweeter is besting Parnell, winner of 10 straight over Philadelphia. The Athletics break a 3 – 3 tie in the 8th inning with three runs to make Alex Kellner the winner, just the third left-handed pitcher since 1948 to go the distance in Fenway.
Baseball is the only game you can watch on the radio. Join the community today and listen to hundreds of broadcasts from baseball’s golden age.” Sign Up or learn more [mepr-login-form use_redirect=”true”] On October 18, 1950 — After spending a half of a century managing in the major leagues, Connie Mack retires as manager…
For the second consecutive year, the Red Sox sweep the home season series with the A’s. The winning streak at Fenway now extends to 22 wins without a loss against Philadelphia.
The Red Sox advance to within a half-game of the second-place Yankees by walloping the A’s, 8 – 3 and 11 – 3. All the Boston runs in the opener are unearned. In game two, a 7-run second inning allows Walt Masterson to win. Dom DiMaggio steals his 15th: his 15 stolen bases will lead the American League, the lowest league-leading total in history.
1950 – In the American League’s first Ladies Night Game, the Red Sox top the A’s, 10 – 6, at Fenway Park. It is the 19th straight loss for the A’s at Fenway Park, stretching back to a win on September 12, 1948. Bobby Doerrhits a first-inning grand slam off lefty Joe Murray in his major-league debut.