This Day In Baseball April 12

Debuts, Milestones, No Hitters, Rule Changes, Events, Birthdays, Deaths, and more on This Day In Baseball.  

Events for April 12

1906 – Johnny Bates of the Boston Beaneaters becomes the first modern player to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat, when he connects in the 2nd inning against Brooklyn Superbas pitcher Harry McIntire. Pitcher Irv Young allows only one hit, a double by Harry Lumley, as Boston beats Brooklyn, 2 – 0.

At Brooklyn’s Washington Park, Boston Beaneater rookie Johnny Bates becomes the first modern player to homer in his first major league at-bat. The 23 year-old outfielder connects off Harry McIntire in the top of the second inning in the team’s 2-0 Opening Day victory over the Superbas.

1909 – With Christy Mathewson sidelined with diphtheria, Red Ames pitches the opener for the New York Giants, a 3 – 2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at the Baker Bowl.

The 61-year history of Shibe Park begins with the A’s defeating the Red Sox, 8-1. The Philadelphia stadium, which will be renamed to honor Connie Mack in 1953, is the first concrete and steel ballpark in major league history.

1912 – The Chicago Cubs’ famed double play combination of Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance makes its final appearance together in an Opening Day game. The triumvirate of shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers and first baseman Frank Chance will be broken up at the end of the season.

Frank Chance

Chicago Cubs’ famed double play combination of “Tinker to Evers to Chance” makes its final appearance together in a major league game

1916 – The Cleveland Indians acquire outfielder Tris Speaker from the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Sad Sam Jones, minor league infielder Fred Thomas, and $55,000 cash. This season, Speaker will lead the American League in batting (.386), slugging (.502), on-base percentage (.470), hits (211), doubles (41), and total bases (287).

Tris Speaker

Cleveland Indians acquire Tris Speaker

The Giants start the season on the road with a 5-4 loss to Philadelphia at the Baker Bowl. The game marks the debut of New York’s new purple plaid uniforms, fortunately, a trend that will last only a year.

4/12/1917 – In the top of the fourth, Lew McCarty pinch hit for the pitcher in the number nine spot in the order and tripled to drive in two runs as part of a six-run inning. In the bottom of the inning, he stayed in the game as the catcher replacing Bill Rariden who was hitting in the eighth spot. This was not a real “double switch,” so the new pitcher should have batted in the number eight slot. In the sixth, McCarty hit out-of- order in the number eight position and singled. Boston pointed this out to the home plate umpire, and Slim Sallee, the new pitcher who should have been batting was called out.

1922 – There are no playing managers in the National League for the first time since 1900. Long considered an economic necessity, the dual role is no longer essential. It will be 1930 before the American League has a year with all bench managers.

1928 – St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander opens his 18th season by shutting out the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5 – 0.

Birthdays

Coming Soon

Death 

Coming Soon

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