The first major league game on artificial turf is played in the Astrodome – Don Sutton Picks up his first career win

On April 18 , 1966 – At the Astrodome, 21,152 fans came out to see the first major league game played on artificial turf.

Two future Hall-of-Famers face off. 21-year-old rookie Don Sutton stymies Robin Roberts and the Astros for a 6-3 Dodger win, this is Sutton’s first of his career.

Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills singles to center off future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts, becoming the first batter to hit on artificial turf in a major league game. The Astrodome’s new playing surface, called Chemgrass initially by its manufacturer, the Monsanto Company, couldn’t be made quickly enough, so the season begins with the artificial material only on the infield with the outfield remaining painted dirt until July.

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