Today In Baseball History: April (The Month I Started This Last Year)

CrimsonCowboy

CrimsonCowboy

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April 1st:

1914: Future Hall of Famer Rube Waddell dies at age 37 due to tuberculous.

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

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

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

1970: After ruling the team is bankrupt, Judge Sidney Volinn orders the Seattle Pilots to be sold to businessman Bud Selig. The team then immediately is moved to Milwaukee and will become the Brewers at the start of the season.

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

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

1987: Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden avoids suspension by entering a drug rehab facility.

1989: Bart Giamatti becomes the seventh commissioner of baseball.

1997: In the sixth inning of a 12-5 win over the Mets, the Padres set an Opening Day record by scoring 11 runs.

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

2013: Bryce Harper hits two solo homers to lift the Nationals to a 2-0 win over the Marlins. At age 20, Harper becomes the youngest player to homer twice on Opening Day.
 
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 dies of a heart attack at age 47.

1976: The Orioles trade Don Baylor, Paul Mitchell, and Mike Torrez to the A's for Reggie Jackson, Ken Holtzman, and Bill Van Bommel. Jackson would not report to the Orioles for a month.

1992: The Astros trade Curt Schilling to the Phillies for Jason Grimsley, who would never pitch for Houston.

1995: After an injunction from a U.S. District judge, the owners accept the players unconditional offer to return to work. The strike ends after the first 23 days of the new season are lost and after losing 252 games from 1994.

1996: In the first game under new manager Joe Torre, the Yankees beat the Indians 7-1.

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

2001: Roger Clemens records his 3,509th strikeout, passing Walter Johnson as the A.L.'s all time leader.

2001: Ichiro Suzuki makes his debut with the Mariners, becoming the first Japanese born position player in M.L. history.

2002: The White Sox Jon Rauch, at 6'-11" makes his debut against the Mariners, becoming the tallest pitcher to appear in M.L. history.

2003: In an 8-1 loss to the Twins, the Tigers become the first team in M.L. history to have four pitchers make their M.L. debuts in the same game. The rookie pitchers were starter Jeremy Bonderman and relievers Wilfredo Ledezma, Chris Spurling, and Matt Roney.

2003: At 27 years, 249 days old, Alex Rodriguez becomes the youngest to reach 300 home runs in M.L. history.
 
April 3rd:

1966: Tom Seaver signs with the Mets for a $500,000 bonus after a special draft, which becomes necessary after Seaver's father threatened a lawsuit after Commissioner William Eckert voided Tom's deal with the Braves. Seaver's deal was voided because he played two exhibition games with USC.

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

1985: The Players Association agrees to the owners proposal to expand the League Championship Series' to a best of seven.

1987: The Cubs trade Dennis Eckersley and minor leaguer Dan Rohn to the A's for three minor league players.

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

2000: With a doubleheader sweep over the Clafin Panthers, the Savannah State Tigers extend their winning streak to a NCAA record 42 games.

2005: The Devil Rays Alex Sanchez becomes the first player to be identified as a violator of the new steroid policy and is suspended ten games.

2007: In the Padres 7-0 win over the Giants, Marcus and Brian Giles bat one and two in the order. They become the first brothers to do so since Matty and Jesus Alou for the Giants in 1965.

2009: The Mets and Yankees both play their first game in their new ballparks in New York. In Citi Field, the Mets beat the Red Sox 4-3 while the Yankees defeat the Cubs 7-4 in the new Yankee Stadium.
 
April 4th:

1911: The Most Valuable Player award is introduced. Auto manufacturer Hugh Chalmers sponsors the award.

1948: Before an exhibition game in Orlando, 84 year old A's manager Connie Mack challenges 74 year old Senators owner Clark Griffith to a foot race. The two enter the field in an ambulance before the race, which ends in a tie.

1968: Most teams in MLB announces they will postpone their Opening Day games after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1974: In front of 52,000 fans at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth's record of 714 career home runs.

1988: The Mets set an Opening Day record by hitting six home runs in a 10-6 win over the Expos. Darryl Strawberry and Kevin McReynolds both homer twice.

1994: The Indians Eddie Murray plays in his 2,403rd game at first base, setting a record.

1994: In the Cubs 12-8 loss to the Mets, Tuffy Rhodes becomes the first player to homer in his first three at bats of the season.

1994: The Indians defeat the Mariners in extra innings 4-3 in the first game at Jacobs Field.

1999: The Rockies defeat the Padres 8-2 as the season opens in Mexico. It's the first time a regular season had opened outside the U.S. and Canada.

2001: The Red Sox Hideo Nomo pitches a no-hitter in a 3-0 win over the Orioles. It was the earliest in a season that a no-hitter had been pitched.

2003: The Cubs Sammy Sosa becomes the 18th player in M.L. history, first from Latin America, to hit 500 career home runs.

2006: The Padres are rained out at home for the first time since May 12, 1998, a stretch of 635 games.

2012: The Reds and Joey Votto agree to a 12 year deal worth $251.5 million, the longest guaranteed contract in baseball history.
 
April 5th:

1913: 25,000 fans watch an exhibition that marks the first game in Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. The Dodgers beat the Yankees 3-2. Casey Stengel hits the first home run, which was inside-the-park.

1925: Babe Ruth collapses at a railroad station in Asheville, North Carolina. He will be hospitalized and require an operation that will force him out of baseball until May. A writer suggests the episode was caused by a hot dog and soda binge.

1972: For the first time in M.L. history, Opening Day games are delayed. A strike forces the loss of 86 games before a settlement is reached.

1979: Earl Weaver wins his 1,000th game as manager as the Orioles defeat the White Sox 5-3.

1989: The Reds score in the first inning off the Dodgers Orel Hershisher, ending his record streak of 59 consecutive scoreless innings pitched.

1993: In front of 42,334 fans at Joe Robbie Stadium, the Marlins defeat the Dodgers 6-3 in their first game.

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

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

2010: The Red Sox and pitcher Josh Beckett agree to a four year extension worth $68 million.
 
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 retire Roberto Clemente's #21 on Opening Day. Clemente was killed in a plane crash on New Year's Eve trying to send relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

1973: In the Twins 8-3 win over the A's, Tony Oliva becomes the first DH to hit a home run.

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

1993: Jack Morris sets a M.L. record by starting for the 14th straight time on Opening Day. He takes the loss as the Blue Jays are defeated by the Mariners 8-1.

2005: The Nationals defeat the Phillies 7-3 to win their first game since relocating from Montreal.

2009: Ken Griffey Jr ties a record with his eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back in a Mariners uniform.

2012: In a 3-2 loss to the Rangers, the White Sox Adam Dunn ties a record with Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey, Jr. with his eighth Opening Day home run.
 
April 7th:

1873: Hall of Fame manager John McGraw is born in Truxton, New York.

1969: The Senators lose to the Yankees 8-4 in Ted Williams' debut as a manager.

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

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

1973: The Indians sets and A.L. Opening Day record with 74,420 fans in attendance. The record crowd at Cleveland Stadium sees the Indians beat the Tigers 2-1.

1977: In the Blue Jays 9-5 win over the White Sox, Al Wood becomes the first player to hit a pinch-home run on Opening Day. It was also Wood's first M.L. at bat.

1979: Against the Braves, Ken Forsch pitches the earliest no-hitter in M.L. history. The prior year as a member of the Cardinals, Bob Forsch pitched a no-hitter against the Phillies, making them the first brothers to do so in M.L. history.

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

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

1988: In an 8-1 win over the Phillies, Reds rookie third baseman Chris Sabo ties a M.L. record with eleven assists.

2012: The Tigers Octavio Dotel sets a M.L. record by appearing with his 13th team. The pitcher had also appeared with the Mets, Astros, A's, Yankees, Royals, Braves, White Sox, Pirates, Dodgers, Rockies, Blue Jays, and Cardinals.
 
April 8th; A Big Day for the Braves:

1934: In an exhibition between the two Philadelphia teams in Shibe Park, the Phillies beat the A's 8-1 in the first legal baseball game played on a Sunday between two M.L. teams. 15,000 fans were in attendance.

1963: The Tigers claim Denny McLain off waivers from the White Sox.

1966: In Houston's Astrodome, the Dodgers and Astros play the first game on synthetic grass, also known as "Astroturf. The artificial surface was necessary after the roof of the Astrodome had to be painted to reduce glare, which also prevented natural grass from being able to grow.

1969: The Seattle Pilots win their first game, defeating the Angels 4-3.

1970: After Curt Flood refuses to report to the Phillies after being traded from the Cardinals, Philadelphia gets prospect Willie Montanez as partial compensation. Flood took exception of being traded without his consent, which led to his unsuccessful battle challenging baseball's reserve clause.

1974: In the fourth inning against the Dodgers Al Downing, Hank Aaron hits his 715th career home run, breaking the record held by Babe Ruth.

1975: Frank Robinson becomes the first black manager in M.L. history. He serves as the Indians player/manager, hitting a home run to help the Indians beat the Yankees 5-3.

1986: In an 8-3 win over the Astros, the Giants Will Clark homers in his first M.L. at bat.

1989: Jim Abbot makes his M.L. debut, taking the loss in the Angels 6-2 defeat to the Mariners. A former member of the U.S. Olympic Team, Abbot pitched without a right hand.

1991: In a 5-4 loss to the Brewers, the Rangers Goose Gossage pitched in relief in a game started by Nolan Ryan, marking the first time in M.L history that a 300 game winner and a pitcher with 300 saves appeared in the same game for the same team.

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

1994: In the 6-0 loss to the Braves, the Dodgers Chan Ho Park appears in relief, making him the first Korean born player to appear in M.L. history.

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

2008: Bill Buckner makes his first appearance at Fenway Park in over a decade, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Red Sox home opener.

2009: After striking out in his first two at bats, Nationals pitcher Daniel Cabreara ties a M.L. record by striking out in 16 straight at bats.

2011: After learning he was being suspended 100 games for his second violation of MLB's drug policy, the Rays Manny Ramirez announces his retirement.

2013: The Rangers Joe Nathan records his 300th save in a 6-5 win over the Rays.
 
April 9th:

1912: In a game shortened due to snow, the Red Sox defeat Harvard 2-0 in the first game played at Fenway Park. 3,000 fans braved the weather to attend the game.

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

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

1947: Commissioner Happy Chandler suspends Dodgers manager Leo Durocher for one year due to conduct detrimental to the game.

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

1965: The Yankees and Astros play an exhibition game in Houston's Astrodome, the first domed sports stadium in history.

1981: Fernando Valenzuela makes his first M.L. start, leading the Dodgers to a 2-0 win over the Astros.

1985: Tom Seaver, making a record 15th Opening Day start, leads the White Sox to a 4-2 win over the Brewers.

1987: Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton become the first 300 game winners to pitch for the same team in the same game. The help the Indians beat the Blue Jays 14-3.

1993: The Rockies defeat the Expos 11-4 for their first win in front of 80,227 fans at Denver's Mile High Stadium. The attendance was a new M.L. record for Opening Day.

1993: In a 3-1 win over the Red Sox, 46-year old Nolan Ryan becomes the oldest pitcher to start and win an Opening Day game.

2000: In a 17-4 win over the Devil Rays, the Indians Jim Thome ties a M.L. record with five strikeouts.

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

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

2009: Just hours after pitching against the A's, the Angels Nick Adenhart is killed in a hit and run crash. Adenhart was 22 years old. The scheduled game between the A's and Angels for later in the evening is postponed.
 
April 10th:

1947: Dodgers President Branch Rickey announces the team has purchased the contract of Jackie Robinson from Montreal.

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

1962: The Dodgers lose 6-3 to the Reds in the first game at Dodger Stadium.

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 Indians 19-9 win over the Red Sox, the two teams combine for a M.L. record 19 runs, with the victors scoring 13 of those.

1981: In his return to Fenway Park, Carlton Fisk hits a game tying three run homer in the eighth inning. The White Sox won the game 5-3 by scoring two runs in the ninth.

1989: In an 8-0 win over the Yankees, the Blue Jays Dave Steib pitches his third one-hitter in four starts.

1989: The Mariners Ken Griffey, Jr. hits his first M.L. home run.

1990: In the Red Sox 4-2 win over the Tigers, Wade Boggs is intentionally walked three times, tying a M.L. record for a nine inning game.

2000: Ken Griffey Jr becomes the youngest player in M.L. history to record 400 home runs.

2003: In the Astros 4-2 win over the Reds, Craig Biggio hits his 31st career leadoff home run, breaking the N.L. record held by Bobby Bonds.

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

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

2012: Per doctors orders to rest after a bad cold, 84-year old Dodgers announcer Vin Scully misses the team's home opener for the first time in 35 years. The last time he missed the Dodgers home opener was in 1977 when he was broadcasting the first round of The Masters.

2013: The Red Sox sellout streak ends when 30,863 fans watch them lose to the Orioles 8-5. The streak of 820 regular season and postseason sellout streak started on May 15, 2003 was the longest in professional sports history.
 
April 11th:

1907: At the Polo Grounds, some of the Giants fans, growing tired of the team's performance, start throwing snowballs on the field. After one hits him, home plate umpire Bill Klem forfeits the game to Philadelphia.

1912: Rube Marquard leads the Giants to a 18-3 victory over the Dodgers, starting a winning streak for him that would go 19 games.

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

1954: The Cardinals trade Enos Slaughter to the Yankees for rookie pitcher Mel Wright and two minor leaguers.

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

1961: Making his M.L. debut, Carl Yastrzemski singles in the Red Sox 5-2 loss to the A's.

1962: The Mets lose to the Cardinals 11-4 in their first game.

1990: Mark Langston and Mike Witt combine to pitch a no-hitter in a 1-0 Angels win over the Mariners.

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

1996: The Braves lose 2-1 to the Padres, ending Greg Maddux's 18-game road winning streak.

2006: Yankee Stadium P.A. announcer Bob Sheppard misses his first home opener since 1951 after suffering a broken hip.
 
April 12th:

1909: The A's beat the Red Sox 8-1 in the first game at Philadelphia's Shibe Park.

1931: Future Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy makes his debut as the Yankees skipper.

1935: Lou Gehrig is named the fifth captain in Yankees history.

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

1965: The Astros lose to the Phillies 2-0 in the first regular season game played indoors in M.L. history at the Astrodome.

1966: The Braves lose 3-2 in 13 innings in their first game at Atlanta.

1972: The owners agree to additional salary arbitration and a $500,000 increase in pension payment, ending the first players strike in baseball history. The 13-day strike costs 86 games.

1988: After an 0-6 start to the season, 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 ties an A.L. record with four balks.

1990: Brett Butler walks five times in the Giants 13-4 win over the Braves.

2002: Barry Bonds hits his 574th career home run, passing Harmon Killebrew for sixth on the all time list.

2004: Barry Bonds hits his 660th career 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.

2010: The Twins defeat the Red Sox 5-2 in the first game at Target Field.
 
April 13th:

1939: In a 14-12 exhibition loss to the Dodgers in Norfolk, Virginia, Lou Gehrig hits the final home run of his career.

1953: The Braves, in their first game since relocating from Boston to Milwaukee, defeat the Reds 2-0 in Cincinnati.

1954: In the Giants 4-3 win over the Dodgers, Willie Mays homers in his first game back after missing the prior two seasons due to military service.

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

1963: Pete Rose triples off the Pirates Bob Friend for his first M.L. hit.\

1970: In their home opening 2-1 win over the Brewers, the A's use gold colored bases. The MLB Rules Committee quickly banned the use of colored bases afterwards

1984: Pete Rose collects his 4,000th M.L. hit.

1993: In the Cardinals 9-7 win over the Dodgers, Lee Smith collects his 358th save, passing Jeff Reardon as the all-time leader.

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

2009: Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas collapses in the broadcast booth at Nationals Park. He died shortly after at a nearby hospital at age 73.

2011: The Braves Chipper Jones joins Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray as the only switch-hitters in M.L. history to record 1,500 RBIs.
 
April 14th:

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

1911: A fire destroys much of the Polo Grounds. The Giants play home games at the Highlanders home stadium , Hilltop Park, for six weeks until temporary stands are completed.

1911: Hall of Famer Addie Joss dies at 31 years old from tuberculosis meningitis.

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

1925: The Indians set an Opening Day record for runs scored in a 21-4 win over the Browns.

1925: WGN broadcasts its first game in the Cubs 8-2 win over the Pirates.

1931: At 47 years old, the Brooklyn Robins Jack Quinn becomes the oldest pitcher to start on Opening Day. He gets the loss in their 7-4 defeat to the Braves.

1941: Pete Rose is born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1960: After a 9-2 loss to the Reds on Opening Day, Phillies manager Eddie Sawyer resigns. Gene Mauch, who was managing the Red Sox AAA team in Minneapolis, is named as Sawyer's replacement.

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

1968: By striking out eight Dodgers in a 3-0 Pirates win, 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 Expos defeat the Cardinals 8-7 in Montreal's Jarry Park.

1993: The Cardinals Lee Smith sets a N.L. record with his 301st save. The day before, he set the M.L. record with his 358th career save.

1999: The Devil Rays Jose Canseco hits his 400th career home run.

2001: A M.L. record is set with ten games being decided by one run. Six of those in the A.L. with the other five in the N.L.

2004: In a 5-1 victory over the Devil Rays, the Yankees Mike Mussina records his 200th win.
 
April 15th:

1915: After being known as the Naps since 1903, Cleveland plays their first game as the Indians.

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

1954: Baseball returns to Baltimore after a 51 year absence. In their first game in front of 46,354 fans, the Orioles beat the White Sox 3-1 at Memorial Stadium.

1958: The Dodgers and Giants play their first game in California, with San Francisco winning the game 8-0 at Seals Stadium.

1959: The Cardinals Bob Gibson makes his M.L. debut, pitching the last two inning in a 5-0 loss to the Dodgers.

1976: In front of 52,613 fans, the newly renovated Yankee Stadium opens with the Yankees beating the Twins 11-4.

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

2005: In the first game in Washington, D.C. since the Senators final game on September 30, 1971, the Nationals defeat the Diamondbacks 5-3 at RFK Stadium.

2005: A fan at Fenway Park is ejected after appearing to take a swipe at the Yankees Gary Sheffield, who responds with a shove, making a fist, and exchanging words. MLB would investigate the incident.
 
April 17th:

1820: Widely considered the "father of baseball", Alexander Cartwright is born in New York City. He is given credit for the idea of three strikes for an out and three outs for a half inning. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1938.

1869: The Cincinnati Red Stockings defeat the Amateurs 24-15 in the first ever professional baseball game. Captain Harry Wright put all players under contract, making the Red Stockings (later renamed the Reds) as the first pro sports team.

1892: The Reds defeat the Browns in St. Louis 5-1 in the first Sunday game in N.L. history.

1925: Babe Ruth undergoes surgery for an intestinal abscess. The operation forces him to miss the first 40 games of the season.

1929: In a 5AM ceremony to avoid crowds, Babe Ruth marries his second wife, Claire Hodgson. His first wife, Julia Woodford, died the prior January in a house fire.

1934: Red Barber calls his first M.L. game for the Reds. Before broadcasting the Reds 6-0 loss to the Cubs, the future Hall of Famer had never attended a M.L. game in person.

1951: In a 5-0 Yankees win over the Red Sox, Mickey Mantle goes 1-4 with a RBI single in his M.L. debut. Also in that game at Yankee Stadium, legendary P.A. announcer Bob Sheppard works his first game.

1955: In his first M.L. at bat, Roberto Clemente singles against the Dodgers Johnny Podres.

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

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 their first game at Oakland-Alamedia Coliseum.

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

1976: The Phillies Mike Schmidt hits four home runs, including the game winner, to help Philadelphia rally from an eleven run deficit to beat the Cubs 18-16 at Wrigley Field.

1976: The Yankees name catcher Thurman Munson captain.

1988: After a N.L. record ten straight losses to start the season, the Braves get their first win of the season, defeating the Dodgers 3-1.

2001: Barry Bonds hits his 500th career home run.

2009: The Mets Gary Sheffield hits his 500th career home run.

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

2012: Pitching seven strong innings in the Rockies 5-3 victory over the Giants, 49-year old Jamie Moyer becomes the oldest pitcher in M.L. history to win a game.
 
April 18th:

1899: At age 26, John McGraw makes his M.L. managerial debut, leading the Orioles to a 5-3 win over the team who he will manager later, the Giants.

1923: Yankee Stadium opens with 72,000 fans in attendance. Babe Ruth hits a two run homer to lead the Yankees to a 4-1 win over the Red Sox.

1923: As a pitcher for Columbia, Lou Gehrig strikes out 17 batters, but wildness costs him in a 5-1 loss to Williams.

1939: Red Barber broadcasts his first Dodgers game, a 7-3 loss to the Giants.

1947: Burt Shotton is named by team president Branch Rickey to manage the Dodgers, replacing Leo Durocher who was suspended by Commissioner Happy Chandler due to acts "unbecoming of a major league manager".

1950: The Cardinals defeat the Pirates at Sportsman's Park 4-2 in the first Opening Day game to be played at night.

1958: The Dodgers beat the Giants 6-5 in front of a N.L. record 78,672 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

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

1981: In the International League, the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings began what would be the longest game in professional baseball history. The game would be suspended at 4:07 AM after 32 innings and tied 2-2. The game would be finished later in the season.

1982: With a 6-5 victory over the Astros, the Braves set a N.L. record with 11 straight wins to start the season.

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

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

2001: After a 4-10 start to the season, the Devil Rays replace manager Larry Rothschild with Hal McRae.

2002: After a 3-12 start, the Brewers fire manager Davey Lopes with Jerry Royster.

2007: The White Sox Mark Buehrle pitches a no-hitter in a 6-0 win over the Rangers.
 
April 19th:

1890: The Brooklyn Bridegrooms (later the Dodgers) lose their first N.L. 15-9 to the Boston Beaneaters (later the Braves).

1900: The Phillies defeat the Braves 19-17 in ten innings to set a record for runs scored on Opening Day. The Braves scored nine runs in the ninth inning to send the game to extras.

1949: Before their Opening Day game, a centerfield monument honoring Babe Ruth is unveiled at Yankee Stadium.

1979: After a 6-3 loss to the Orioles, Yankee teammates Goose Gossage and Cliff Johnson fight in the clubhouse. Gossage suffered a sprained thumb ligament that will keep him out of action until mid-July. Johnson would be traded to the Indians for Don Hood because of the fight.

1987: The Brewers score five in the ninth to beat the Rangers 6-4 and set an A.L. record with 12 straight wins to start the season.

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

1999: Cal Ripken, Jr. goes on the disabled list for the first time in his 19 year career due to a sore back.
 
April 20th:

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

1912: In the first game at Fenway Park, the Red Sox defeat the Highlanders 7-6 in eleven innings.

1912: The Tigers defeat the Indians 6-5 in the first game at Navin Field, which would later be renamed Tiger Stadium.

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

1937: In the Tigers 4-3 win over the Indians, Gee Walker becomes the only player in M.L. history to hit for the cycle on Opening Day.

1955: In a 9-5 over the Cubs, the Braves Humberto Robinson becomes the first Panama-born player to appear in the major leagues.

1967: Tom Seaver gets his first M.L. win in the Mets 6-1 victory over the Cubs.

1973: Four months after his death, Roberto Clemente, in a special election, is voted into the Hall of Fame.

1982: With a 4-2 victory over the Reds, the Braves set a new M.L. record with their 12th straight win to start the season.

1988: The Orioles set a new M.L. record with their 14th straight loss to start the season, falling 8-6 to the Brewers.

1997: In the second of a doubleheader against the Mets, the Cubs end their N.L. record losing streak to start the season at 14 games with a 4-3 win.

2006: In a 7-2 win over the Padres, the Mets Julio Franco, at age 47, becomes the oldest player in M.L. history to hit a home run.

2008: Frank Thomas is released by the Blue Jays.

2011: Due to the inability of Frank McCourt to run the team, Commissioner Bud Selig announces that MLB will take control of the Dodgers.

2013: The Red Sox play their first game since the Boston Marathon bombing. In a pregame ceremony to honor first responders, David Ortiz tells the crowd, "This is our ________ city and nobody is going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong." In the game against the Royals, Neil Diamond leads the singing of the traditional Fenway Park song "Sweet Caroline".
 
April 21st:

1898: Against the Giants, Philadelphia Nationals pitcher Bill Duggleby hits a grand slam in his first M.L. at bat. The only other one to do so in M.L. history was the Marlins Jeremy Hermida in 2005.

1904: Ty Cobb makes his professional debut, playing for Augusta of the South Atlantic League.

1925: No games are played in the N.L. in honor of the funeral for Dodgers owner Charles Ebbets.

1948: Leo Durocher returns as Dodgers manager. He was suspended for the 1947 season for actions that Commissioner Chandler said were detrimental to baseball.

1961: The Twins play their first game, losing to the new Washington Senators 5-3. The original Senators franchise left Washington for Minnesota for the 1961 season.

1972: The Rangers defeat the Angels 7-3 in their first game at Arlington.

1994: In a 10-6 win over the Twins, the Indians Eddie Murray breaks Mickey Mantle's record by homering from both sides of the plate for the 11th time in his career.

2012: The White Sox Phillip Humber pitches a perfect game in a 4-0 win over the Mariners.

2014: In a 6-5 win over the Reds, the Pirates Ike Davis becomes the first player to hit a grand slam for two teams in a month. Before being traded to the Pirates, he hit a walk-off slam in the ninth inning for the Mets to also beat the Reds.
 
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