Today In Baseball History: April

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 1st:

1914: Hall of Famer Rube Waddell dies at age 37 of tuberculosis.

1939: Hall of Famer Phil Niekro is born in Blaine, Ohio.

1963: The Mets purchase Duke Snider for $40,000.

1964: Indians manager Birdie Tebbets suffers a heart attack. He will be out for three months with George Strickland taking over for him.

1969: After selecting him from the Indians in the expansion draft, the Pilots trade Lou Piniella to the Royals for Steve Whitaker and John Gelna.

1970: Federal Bankruptcy Referee Sidney Volinn orders the Seattle Pilots to be sold to a group led by businessman Bud Selig. The team is immediately moved to Milwaukee and becomes the Brewers.

1982: The Mets trade Lee Mazzili to the Rangers for Ron Darling and Walt Terrell.

1987: The Pirates trade Tony Pena to the Cardinals for Andy Van Slyke, Mike Dunn, and Mike LaValliere.

1987: Dwight Gooden avoids a suspension for substance abuse when he agrees to enter a drug rehab facility.

1989: Bart Giamatti becomes the seventh commissioner of baseball.

1996: After seven pitches of the Expos/Reds game, home plate umpire John McSherry suffers a fatal heart attack. The game would be postponed.

1997: In the sixth inning of the Padres 12-5 win over the Mets, the Padres score 11 runs, setting an Opening Day record for one inning.

2001: The Blue Jays defeat the Rangers 8-1 in the first regular season game played in Puerto Rico.

2006: The White Sox sign Jose Contreras to a three year extension worth $29 million.

2013: In the Nationals 2-0 win over the Marlins, 20 year old Bryce Harper becomes the youngest to homer twice on Opening Day.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 2nd:

1907: Hall of Famer Luke Appling is born in High Point, North Carolina.

1945: Hall of Famer Don Sutton is born in Clio, Alabama.

1972: Mets manager Gil Hodges suffers a fatal heart attack while playing golf. First base coach Yogi Berra will be named manager when the season begins after the strike.

1976: The Orioles trade Don Baylor, Paul Mitchell, And Mike Torrez to the A's for Ken Holtzman, Reggie Jackson, and Bill Van Bommel.

1992: The Astros trade Curt Schilling to the Phillies for Jason Grimsley.

1996: With a 7-1 win over the Indians, Joe Torre records the first of his 1,173 wins as Yankees manager.

1997: The Marlins and Gary Sheffield agree to a six year extension worth $61 million.

2001: Roger Clemens breaks Walter Johnson's AL record of 3,508 strikeouts.

2003: In an 8-1 loss to the Twins, the Tigers become the first team to have four pitchers make their ML debuts in the same game. Jeremy Bonderman makes the start with relievers Wilfredo Ledezma, Chris Spurling, and Matt Roney.

2003: At 27 years, 249 days old, Alex Rodriguez becomes the youngest to record 300 home runs.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 3rd:

1966: After his named is picked from a hat in a special draft, Tom Seaver signs with the Mets for a reported $50,000 bonus. The draft was made necessary after Seaver's father threatened a lawsuit against Commissioner Eckert after his deal with the Braves was voided because signing a pro contract made him ineligible to play in college for USC.

1974: The Indians trade Pedro Guerrero to the Dodgers for Bruce Ellingsen.

1985: The owners proposal to expand the LCS from a best of five to a best of seven is approved by the players.

1987: The Cubs trade Dennis Eckesley and a minor leaguer to the A's for three minor leaguers.

1989: In his first ML at bat, Ken Griffey, Jr. doubles off the A's Dave Stewart.

2002: Barry Bonds jons Eddie Mathews as the only players to being a season wit consecutive two homer games.

2005: The Devil Rays Alex Sanchez is suspended 10 games for a failed drug test, making him the first player to be identified under baseball's new PED policy.

2010: The Blue Jays and Adam Lind agree to a four year deal worth $18 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 4th:

1911: The MVP award is introduced and is sponsored by auto manufacturer Hugh Chalmers.

1968: Most games in the majors are postponed following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

1974: Hank Aaron hits his 714th home run to tie Babe Ruth's all time record.

1988: In the Blue Jays 5-3 win over the Royals, George Bell becomes the first player to hit three time runs on Opening Day.

1994: The Indians defeat the Mariners 4-3 in 11 innings in the first game at Jacobs Field. In the same game for the Indians, Eddie Murray plays in his 2,639th game at first base, setting a record.

1999: Marking the first time a season had stared outside the United States or Canada, the Rockies defeat the Padres 8-2 in Mexico.

2001: The Red Sox Hideo Nomo pitches the earliest no-hitter in a season in a 3-0 win over the Orioles.

2003: Sammy Sosa becomes the first Latin player to hit 500 home runs.

2006: A Padres home game is rained out for the first time since May 12, 1998, a span of 635 games.

2012: The Reds and Joey Votto agree to a 12 year deal worth $251 million, the longest guaranteed contract in ML history.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 5th:

1925: Babe Ruth collapses at a railway station in Asheville, North Carolina. The illness, suggested by one writer to be caused by a binge of hot dogs and soda, will cause him to have surgery and be out of action until May.

1934: Red Barber broadcasts his first game, doing so for the Reds on WSAL.

1966: Don Larsen is released by the Orioles. He was the last active player who played for the Browns.

1976: Tom Seaver agrees to a new three year deal with the Mets. The new contract makes him the first player to make $200,000 a season.

1979: With the Orioles 5-3 victory over the White Sox, Earl Weaver records his 1,000th managerial win.

1989: With two outs in the bottom of the first, the Reds Todd Benzinger hits a single that scorers Barry Larkin and ends Orel Hershisher's scoreless innings streak at 59 innings.

1993: The Rockies lose to the Mets 3-0 in their first game.

1993: The Marlins win their first game, defeating the Dodgers 6-3.

1998: After five straight losses, the Diamondbacks defeat the Giants 3-2 for their first victory.

2005: In their first game since moving from Montreal, the Nationals lose to the Phillies 8-4.

2010: The Red Sox and Josh Beckett agree to a four year contract extension worth $68 million.

2015: The Braves trade Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton, Jr. to the Padres for Carlos Quinten, Cameron Maybin, prospects Matt Wisler and Jordan Paroubeck along with the 41st pick in the draft.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 6th:

1903: Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane is born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

1951: Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven is born in Zeist, Netherlands.

1973: The Pirates posthumously retires Roberto Clemente's #21.

1973: The Yankees Ron Bloomberg become the first designated hitter in ML history.

1977: The Mariners loses their first game 7-0 to the Angels.

1993: The Blue Jays Jack Morris sets a ML record by making his 14th straight Opening Day start. He takes the loss in an 8-1 loss to the Mariners.

2005: The Nationals win their first game representing Washington, defeating the Phillies 7-3.

2016: With a 7-0 loss to the Dodgers, the Padres become the first team to be shutout in their first three games of a season.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 7th:

1906: Hall of Famer Satchel Paige is born in Mobile, Alabama.

1969: Ted Williams makes his managerial debut in an 8-4 Senators loss to the Yankees.

1969: In the Dodgers 3-2 win over the Reds, Bill Singer becomes the first reliever to record a save.

1970: The Brewers lose their first game 12-0 to the Angels.

1979: The Astros Ken Forsch pitchers a no-hitter against the Braves.

1984: The Tigers Jack Morris pitches a no-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Braves.

1984: Dwight Gooden makes his ML debut, pitching five innings, allowing three hits and one run, getting the win in the Mets 5-3 win over the Astros.

1987: In a 6-0 win over the Phillies, the Braves Rick Mahler ties a NL record with his third Opening Day shutout.

1988: Playing in his second ML game, Chris Sabo ties a ML record, handling 11 assists in the Reds 8-1 win over the Cardinals.

2012: Octavio Dotel makes his debut with the Tigers, breaking a ML record by appearing with his 13th team. He also played for the Mets, Astros, A's, Yankees, Royals, Braves, White Sox, Pirates, Dodgers, Rockies, Blue Jays, and Cardinals.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 8th:

1946: Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter is born in Hertford, North Carolina.

1963: Pete Rose makes his ML debut, going 0-3 with a walk in the Reds 5-3 win over the Pirates.

1966: The Dodgers and Astros play the first ML game on artificial turf in Houston's Astrodome.

1969: The Pilots defeat the Angels 4-3 in their first game.

1969: The Royals win their first game, defeating the Twins 4-3 in 12 innings.

1970: The Cardinals send prospect Willie Montanez as partial compensation for Curt Flood not reporting to Phillies camp.

1974: In the fourth inning off the Dodgers Al Downing, Hank Aaron hits his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's all time record.


1975: Frank Robinson makes his debut as Indians manager, becoming the first African American to hold such a position. As player/manager, he homes in his first at bat, leading to a 5-3 win over the Yankees.

1989: Angels pitcher and Olympic hero Jim Abbott, born without a right hand, makes his ML debut in a 6-2 loss to the Mariners.

1994: The Braves Kent Mercker pitches a no-hitter in a 6-0 win over the Dodgers.


2004: The Padres defeat the Giants 4-3 in ten innings in the first game at Petco Park.

2008: For the first time since the 1986 World Series, Bill Buckner returns to Fenway Park. Buckner, who's infamous error helped the Red Sox lose to the Mets, receives a standing ovation from the fans.

2010: The Brewers and Yovani Gallardo agree to a five year deal worth $30.1 million.

2011: Afte being informed that he faces a 100 game suspension for a second drug test, the Rays Manny Ramirez retires.

2016: The Rockies Trevor Story becomes the first player in ML history to homer six times in the first four games of a season.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 9th:

1912: In an exhibition, the Red Sox defeat Harvard 2-0 in the first game played At Fenway Park. Barely more than 3,000 fans showed up in snowy weather to watch the game.

1913: The Dodgers lose to the Phillies 1-0 in the first game at Ebbets Field.

1916: The Red Sox trade Tris Speaker to the Indians for Sam Jones, Fred Thomas, and $55,000.

1947: Commissioner Happy Chandler suspends Dodgers manager Leo Durocher for one year for conduct detrimental to baseball, including association with known gamblers.

1959: In a 9-2 loss to the Senators, the Orioles become the first team to turn a triple play on opening day.

1964: The Cardinals trade Jimmie Coker and Gary Kolb to the Braves for Bob Uecker.

1981: Fernando Valenzuela makes his first ML start, pitching a shutout on five hits in the Dodgers 2-0 win over the Astros.

1985: In his ML record 15th opening day start, Tom Seaver gets the win for the White Sox, 4-2 over the Brewers.

1993: At 46 years old, Nolan Ryan becomes the oldest pitcher to start and win an opening day game, leading the Rangers to a 3-1 victory over the Red Sox.

2001: The Pirates lose to the Reds 8-2 in the first game at PNC Park.

2001: Hall of Famer Willie Stargell dies at age 61.

2009: Hours after pitching a shutout against the A's, Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart is killed in a hit and run accident at the age of 22.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 10th:

1947: The Dodgers purchase the contract of Jackie Robinson from AAA Montreal.

1962: The Colt .45's defeat the Cubs 11-2 in their first game.

1971: The Phillies defeat the Expos 4-1 in the first game at Veterans Stadium.

1973: The Royals defeat the Rangers 12-1 in the first game at Royals Stadium.

1977: In the eighth inning of the Red Sox 19-9 win over the Indians, the two teams set a record for combined runs in an inning. The Indians score 13 runs with the Red Sox scoring six.

1981: In his return to Fenway, Carlton Fisk ties the game with a three run homer. The White Sox would score two in the ninth to win 5-3.

2000: At age 30, Ken Griffey Jr. becomes the youngest player in ML history to reach 400 home runs.

2003: Craig Biggio hits his 31st leadoff home run, breaking the NL record held by Bobby Bonds.

2006: The Red Sox and David Ortiz agree to a four year contract extension worth $52 million.

2012: The Marlins suspend manager Ozzie Guillen five games after he praised Fidel Castro in a magazine interview.

2015: Mark Buehrle wins his 200th game in the Blue Jays 12-5 victory over the Orioles.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 11th:

1912: The Giants beat the Dodgers 18-3, starting a 19 game winning streak for pitcher Rubr Marquard.

1912: The Reds defeat the Cubs 10-6 in the first game at Redland Field, which was renamed Crosley Field in 1934.

1953: Hall of Famer Kid Nichols dies at the age of 83.

1961: The Angels defeat the Orioles 7-2 in their first game.

1961: In the Red Sox 5-2 loss to the A's, Carl Yastrzemski makes his ML debut, recording a single, the first of his 3,419 career hits.

1962: The Mets lose to the Cardinals 11-4 in their first game, the first of 120 losses in their inaugural season.

1994: The Rangers lose to the Brewers 4-3 in the first game at The Ballpark in Arlington.

1996: With a 2-1 Braves loss to the Padres in San Diego, Greg Maddux's record streak of 18 straight road wins comes to an end.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 12th:

1909: Shibe Park, the majors first steel and concrete ballpark, plays its first game, with the hometown Philadelphia A's defeating the Red Sox 8-1.

1931: In Joe McCarthy's first game as manager, the Yankees defeat the Red Sox 6-3.

1955: In their first game at Kansas City, the A's defeat the Tigers 6-2.

1960: The Giants defeat the Cardinals 3-1 in the first game at Candlestick Park.

1965: In the Astrodome, the Astros lose to the Phillies 2-0 in the first regular season game in ML history played indoors.

1966: In the first game at Atlanta, the Braves lose in 13 innings to the Pirates 3-2. Willie Stargell's home run was the difference in the game.

1972: The first players strike ends when the owners agree to add salary arbitration in the new CBA as well as a $500,000 increase in pension fund payments. During the 13 day strike, 86 games were lost.

1988: After an 0-6 start, the Orioles fire manager Cal Ripken Sr. and replace him with Frank Robinson.

1988: In the Rangers 4-1 loss to the Tigers, Bobby Witt tied an AL record by committing four balks.

1992: Despite being no-hit in the first of a doubleheader against the Red Sox, the Indians win 2-1. In the nightcap, they manage just two hits off Roger Clemens, setting a ML record for the fewest hits in a doubleheader.

2004: Barry Bonds hits his 660th home run, tying his godfather Willie Mays for third on the all time list.

2004: The Phillies lose to the Reds 4-1 in the first game at Citizens Bank Park.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 13th:

1939: In an exhibition against the Dodgers in Norfolk, Virginia, Lou Gehrig hits the last two home runs he would ever hit.

1953: In their first game representing Milwaukee, the Braves beat the Reds 2-0.

1954: As to not be possibly associated with Communists, Cincinnati plays their first game as the Redlegs. The would go back to Reds six years later.

1962: The Mets lose their first home game 4-3 to the Pirates at the Polo Grounds.

1963: A triple off the Pirates Bob Friend was the first of Pete Rose's 4,256 career hits.

1970: In their home opener against the Brewers, the A's used gold colored bases. In innovation introduced by owner Charley Finley would quickly be banned by MLB.

1984: Pete Rose records his 4,000th career hit.

1987: The Padres become the first team in ML history to have their first three hitters hit home runs. Marvell Wynne, Tony Gwynn, and John Kurk hit the trio of home runs.

1993: In the Cardinals 9-7 win over the Dodgers, Lee Smith records his 358th save, passing the ML record held by Jeff Reardon.

2004: Barry Bonds hits his 661st career home run, passing Willie Mays for third on the all time list.

2009: Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas collapses in the booth at Nationals Park in Washington and dies at an area hospital. He was 73 years old.

2011: In the Braves 5-1 loss to the Marlins, Chipper Jones joins Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray as the only switch hitters in ML history to record 1,500 RBIs.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 14th:

1910: Before the Senators 3-0 win over the A's, William Howard Taft becomes the first president to throw a ceremonial first pitch.

1911: Hall of Famer Addie Joss dies of tuberculosis and meningitis at age 31.

1922: Hall of Famer Cap Anson dies at age 69.

1925: WGN broadcasts the first fully live regular season game in ML history. Quin Ryan broadcasts the game from atop the Wrigley Field roof. The Cubs defeated the Pirates 8-2.

1941: All time hits leader Pete Rose is born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1953: The Braves defeat the Cardinals 3-2 in the first game played in Milwaukee.

1966: Hall of Famer Greg Maddux is born in San Angelo, Texas.

1968: In the Pirates 3-0 win over the Dodgers, Jim Bunning becomes the first pitcher since Cy Young to record 1,000 strikeouts in both leagues.

1969: In the first regular season game played outside the United States, the hometown Expos defeat the Cardinals 8-7 in Montreal's Jarry Park.

1993: The Cardinals Lee Smith breaks the NL record with his 301st save in the Senior Circuit.

1999: Jose Canseco records his 400th home run.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 15th:

1915: After being known as the Naps, after player/manager Nap LaJoie, Cleveland's AL team plays its first game known as the Indians. The name change comes after he his sold to the A's after a feud with manager Joe Birmingham.

1947: Jackie Robinson makes his debut with the Dodgers, breaking baseball's color barrier. He goes 0-3 with a run scored in a 5-3 win over the Braves.

1954: The Orioles beat the White Sox 3-1 in their first game at Baltimore.

1958: At Seals Stadium in San Francisco, the Giants beat the Dodgers 8-0 in the teams first game on the West Coast.

1959: In the Cardinals 5-0 loss to the Dodgers, Bob Gibson makes his ML debut. He pitches the finals two innings, allowing a home run to the first batter he faces, Jim Baxes.

1968: The Astros defeat the Mets 1-0 in 24 innings, making it the longest scoreless game in ML history.

1976: After being away for two years due to renovations, the Yankees defeat the Twins 11-4 in their return to Yankee Stadium.

1997: At a ceremony at Shea Stadium attended by Rachel Robinson and President Bill Clinton, Commissioner Bud Selig announces Jackie Robinson's #42 will be retired throughout MLB.

2000: Cal Ripken, Jr. records his 3,000th career hit.

2004: MLB begins the tradition of celebrating Jackie Robinson Day.

2005: The Nationals defeat the Diamondbacks 5-3 in the first game played in Washington DC since September of 1971.

2007: In honor of Jackie Robinson, some players around MLB wear his #42 on their uniforms.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 16th:

1929: In a 5-4 win over the Tigers, the Indians become the first team to wear numbers on the back of their jerseys on a permanent basis.

1935: Babe Ruth makes his NL debut, hitting a home run and a single off Carl Hubbell in the Braves 4-2 win over the Giants.

1938: The Cardinals trade Dizzy Dean to the Cubs for Curt Davis, Clyde Shoun and $200,000.

1940: The Indians Bob Feller pitches a no-hitter on Opening Day in a 1-0 win over the White Sox.

1946: In the Giants 8-4 win over the Phillies, Mel Ott hits the last of his 511 career home runs.

1972: The Cubs Burt Hooten pitches a no-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Phillies.

1975: Juan Marichal makes his final ML appearance, pitching with the Dodgers.

1978: The Cardinals Bob Forsch pitches a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over the Phillies.

1983: Steve Garvey appears in his 1,118th straight game, breaking the NL record held by Billy Williams.

1988: With a 7-4 defeat to the Dodgers, the Braves set a new NL record with their tenth straight loss to start a season.

1997: With a 4-0 loss to the Rockies, the Cubs with an 0-12 record, are off to the worst start in NL history.

1999: With the Rockies 6-4 win over the Padres, Jim Leyland records his 1,000th managerial win.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 17th:

1820: Alexander Cartwright, considered by many to be the father of baseball, is born in New York City. He was given credit for coming up with three strikes for an out and three outs an innings. His contributions to the sport gained him entry into the Hall of Fame in 1938.

1852: Hall of Famer Cap Anson is born in Marshalltown, Iowa.

1869: In the first ever professional baseball game, the Cincinnati Red Stockings defeat the Amateurs 24-15.

1925: Babe Ruth undergoes surgery for an intestinal abscess. He remained at St. Vincent's Hospital for six weeks, missing the first 40 games of the season.

1929: At a 5AM ceremony, Babe Ruth married his second wife, Claire Hodgson.

1934: Red Barber broadcasts his first ML game, a 6-0 Reds loss to the Cubs. Before then, he had never attended a ML game.

1951: Mickey Mantle makes his ML debut, going 1-4 with an RBI single in the Yankees 5-0 win over the Red Sox.

1951: Bob Sheppard works his first game as Yankees PA announcer, starting a run that would last more than 50 years behind the mic at Yankee Stadium.

1955: Roberto Clemente makes his ML debut, hitting s single in his first at bat off the Dodgers Johnny Podres.

1956: For the first time, three future Hall of Famers make their ML debuts. The White Sox Luis Aparaicio, the Dodgers Don Drysdale, and the Reds Frank Robinson makes their debuts.

1964: The Mets lose to the Pirates 4-3 in the first game at Shea Stadium.

1968: The A's lose to the Orioles 4-1 in the first game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

1969: The Expos Bill Stoneman pitches a no-hitter in a 7-0 win over the Phillies.

1976: Mike Schmidt hits four home runs, including the game winner, as the Phillies overcome an 11 run deficit to defeat the Cubs 18-16.

1988. After a NL record ten straight losses to start the season, the Braves defeat the Dodgers 3-1 for their first win of the year.

2001: Barry Bonds hits his 500th home run.

2006: Pedro Martinez records his 200th win as the Mets defeat the Braves 4-3.

2010: The Rockies Ubaldo Jimenez pitches a no-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Braves.

2012: At 49 years, 150 days old, Jamie Moyer becomes the oldest pitcher to record a win in the Rockies 5-3 victory over the Padres.

2015: Kris Bryant makes his ML debut, going 0-4 in the Cubs 5-4 loss to the Padres.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 18th:

1899: John McGraw makes his managerial debut in the majors, leading the Orioles to a 5-3 over the Giants, who he would later manage for 30 years. He would win 2,763 games in his 33 years as a manager, ten pennants, three World Series titles, and elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937.

1923: A crowd of 72,000 watch the first game at Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth hits the first home run, a two run shot, helping the Yankees beat the Red Sox 4-1.

1925: Dodgers owner Charles Ebbets dies at age 65.

1947: Team scout Burt Shotton is named to replace Dodgers manager Leo Durocher, who was suspended ten days earlier by Commissioner Happy Chandler for acuts "unbecoming to a major league manager".

1950: At Sportsmans Park in St. Louis, the Cardinals defeat the Pirates 4-2 in the first opening day game played at night.

1950: Vin Scully calls his first game with the Dodgers, broadcasting the team's 9-1 win over the Phillies. It was the first of his career with the Dodgers that spanned 67 years.

1958: In front of a NL record crowd of 78,672 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Dodgers defeat the Giants 6-5 in their first home game on the West Coast.

1960: Ted Williams becomes the first player in ML history to homer in four different decades.

1982: The Braves defeat the Astros 6-5, tying a NL record with their 11th straight win to start a season.

1987: Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run.

1991: The White Sox lose to the Tigers 16-0 in the first game at the new Comiskey Park.

2001: The Devil Rays fire manager Larry Rothschild and replace him with Hal McRae.

2002: The Brewers fire manager Davey Lopes and replace him on an interim basis with bench coach Jerry Royster.

2007: The White Sox Mark Buehrle pitches a no-hitter in a 6-0 win over the Rangers.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 19th:

1890: The Brooklyn Bridegrooms (later the Dodgers) play their first NL game, losing 15-9 to the Boston Beaneaters (later the Braves).

1979: After a 6-3 loss to the Orioles, Yankee teammates Goose Gossage and Cliff Johnson fight in the clubhouse. Gossage suffers a sprained thumb that keeps him out until mid-July while Johnson would be traded to the Indians in June.

1981: With a 6-1 victory over the Mariners, the A's set a ML record with 11 straight opening day wins.

1987: The Brewers rally to beat the Rangers 6-4, setting an AL record with their 12th straight win to start a season.

1997: The Cardinals defeat the Padres 1-0 in the first ML game played in Hawaii.

1999: A sore back forces Cal Ripken Jr. to the disabled list for the first time in his 19 year career.

2002: The Mariners Jeff Cirillo ties the ML record for third basemen with his 99th straight errorless game.

[CrimsonCowboy]

April 20th:

1910: The Indians Addie Joss pitches his second career no-hitter in a 1-0 win over the White Sox.

1912: The Red Sox defeat the Highlanders 7-6 in the first game at Fenway Park.

1912: The Tigers defeat the Indians 6-5 in the first game at Navin Field, later known as Tiger Stadium.

1916: The Cubs defeat the Reds 7-6 in 11 innings at their first game in Weeghman Park, later renamed Wrigley Field.

1939: Ted Williams makes his ML debut, going 1-4 in a 2-0 Red Sox loss to the Yankees.

1944: Former Senators outfielder Elmer Gedeon become the first player to die in action during World War II.

1948: Richie Ashburn makes his ML debut, going 1-5 in the Phillies win over the Braves.

1967: Tom Seaver records his first ML win in the Mets 6-1 victory over the Cubs.

1982: The Braves win their 12th straight game with a 4-2 victory over the Reds, setting a ML record for consecutive wins to start a season.

1988: With an 8-6 loss to the Brewers, the Orioles break the ML record with 14th straight losses to start a season.

2006: In the Mets 7-2 win over the Padres, 47 year old Julio Franco become the oldest player in ML history to hit a home run.

2012: With a 9-4 victory over the Cubs, the Reds became the fifth team in ML history to win 10,000 games, joining the Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, and Braves.

2013: Before a game again the Royals, the Red Sox honor victims and heroes of the Boston Marathon bombing. Late in the game, Neil Diamond surprises the crowd by singing the traditional Fenway song "Sweet Caroline".