« Papelbon’s Perfection Pierced, Boston Bows To Blue Jays | Home | MLB Will NOT Authenticate No 715 »
This Day in Baseball History: May 4th
By Administrator | May 4, 2006
In 1871, Bill Lennon became the first catcher in major league history to throw a runner out trying to steal second. The Fort Wayne Kekiongas (NA) backstop accomplished the feat in the seventh inning of the very first major league game ever played.
In 1931, in an effort to put less strain on the Babe Ruth’s leg, The Bambino played first base in a game against Washington… moving Lou Gehrig to right field. The Yankee captain committed an error in the outfield as the Senators beat the Yankees, 7-3.
In 1939, in his first-ever at-bat in the city of Detroit, rookie Ted Williams became the first player to hit a homer which totally cleared the right field seats at Briggs Stadium.
In 1969, Houston set a National League record turning seven double plays in a game against Giants… with first baseman Curt Belfry taking part in all of them.
In 1975, in Candlestick Park at 12:32 pm, Astro Bob Watson scored the major league’s one millionth run… on Milt May’s three-run home run.
In 1976, the Illinois Legislature declared the day to be Rick Monday Day in recognition of his patriotic gesture of saving the American flag from being burned in Los Angeles by two fans.
In 1984, at the Metrodome, David Kingman was awarded a ground rule double when the ball he hit disappears. The Oakland A’s slugger hit a towering fly ball into a drainage hole in the stadium roof… and the ball never returned to the playing field.
Topics: MLB History |
