a rematch of last year’s World Series at Wrigley Field the New York Giants beat the Cleveland Indians again, 7 – 3. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1955 – While the Chicago Cubs are in Arizona beating their Los Angeles farm team, 7 – 0, major league baseball is played at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. In a rematch of last year’s World Series, the New York Giants beat the Cleveland Indians again, 7 – 3. Willie Mays and Dusty Rhodes hit home runs for New York, while Ralph Kiner’s 9th-inning homer is the first score for Cleveland. A crowd of 24,434 is on hand.

The Chicago Cubs win a doubleheader from the Cincinnati Reds, by scores of 7 – 6 and 7 – 2. In the first game, Cubs first baseman Dee Fondy hits one of his team’s four homers and then scores the game-winning run with a two-out, two-strike steal of home in the 9th inning. Fondy’s teammates Ransom Jackson, Ralph Kiner and Hank Sauer also homer, Kiner and Sauer back-to-back.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Chicago Cubs win a doubleheader from the Cincinnati Reds, by scores of 7 – 6 and 7 – 2. In the first game, Cubs first baseman Dee Fondy hits one of his team’s four homers and then scores the game-winning run with a two-out, two-strike steal of home in the 9th inning. Fondy’s teammates Ransom Jackson, Ralph Kiner and Hank Sauer also homer, Kiner and Sauer back-to-back.

Major league player representatives Ralph Kiner (National League) and Allie Reynolds (American League) hire labor leader John Norman Lewis at $15,000 per annum to give legal advice to players in their negotiations with the owners.
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Major league player representatives Ralph Kiner (National League) and Allie Reynolds (American League) hire labor leader John Norman Lewis at $15,000 per annum to give legal advice to players in their negotiations with the owners.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1953 – Major league player representatives Ralph Kiner (National League) and Allie Reynolds (American League) hire labor leader John Norman Lewis at $15,000 per annum to give legal advice to players in their negotiations with the owners.

Pittsburgh Pirates trade future Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner in 10 player deal

Pittsburgh Pirates trade future Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner in 10 player deal

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 4, 1953, After batting practice at Forbes Field, the Pirates and Cubs announce a shocking trade. Pittsburgh sends slugger Ralph Kiner‚ along with C Joe Garagiola‚ P Howie Pollet‚ and OF Catfish Metkovich to Chicago for C Toby Atwell‚ P Bob Schultz‚ 1B Preston Ward‚ 3B George Freese‚ OF Bob Addis‚ OF Gene Hermanski‚ and $150‚000. The Pirates defeat the Cubs‚ 6 – 1‚ with Kiner getting a double in four…

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.

ByThis Day in Baseball

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.

Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates becomes the first player to lead the National League in home runs for seven consecutive seasons
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Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates becomes the first player to lead the National League in home runs for seven consecutive seasons

ByThis Day in Baseball

On September 27, 1952, Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates becomes the first player to lead the National League in home runs for seven consecutive seasons. Kiner hits his 37th home run of the year, putting him in a season-ending tie with Hank Sauer of the Chicago Cubs…

Pirates become the first team to use protective headgear, a precursor to the batting helmet

Pirates become the first team to use protective headgear, a precursor to the batting helmet

ByBaseball

At Forbes Field, the Pirates become the first team to use protective headgear, a precursor to the batting helmet, that protects the players’ temples. Branch Rickey’s innovation, worn both at the plate and in the field in the Bucs’ twin bill split with Boston, is a plastic hat with a foam layer attached to the hat band.

Willie Mays

The Giants move to an 8 – 1 lead after five inning over the Pirates behind two homers by Willie Mays. But George Spencer wilts in the heat and gives up homers to Frank Thomas – his first in the majors – and pinch hitter Gus Bell. After Pete Castiglione and Bill Rigney match homers, Ralph Kiner powers one in the 9th inning to give Pittsburgh a 10 – 9 victory. For Kiner, it is his 37th.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Giants move to an 8 – 1 lead after five inning over the Pirates behind two homers by Willie Mays. But George Spencer wilts in the heat and gives up homers to Frank Thomas – his first in the majors – and pinch hitter Gus Bell. After Pete Castiglione and Bill Rigney match homers, Ralph Kiner powers one in the 9th inning to give Pittsburgh a 10 – 9 victory. For Kiner, it is his 37th.