Apr
On April 20th 1961, former Yankees first baseman and current Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was born in Evansville, Indiana. A six-time All-Star, “Donny Baseball” won nine Gold Gloves, three Silver Slugger Awards, and the ’85 American League MVP.
Apr
78 years ago today, 40-year-old Babe Ruth made his first appearance for the Boston Braves. Before an opening-day crowd of 25,000, Ruth accounted for all of the Braves’ runs in a 4-2 defeat of the New York Giants.
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Apr
On April 11th 1975, Hank Aaron returned to Milwaukee and made his debut as a Brewer in the team’s home opener against the Cleveland Indians. Aaron went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Milwaukee’s 6-2 victory.
Apr
On this day in 1981, Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela started his first major league game, a five-hit, five-strikeout complete game 2-0 win over the visiting Astros. Valenzeula’s ’81 season inspired “Fernandomania” as he started the season 8-0 with a .50 ERA and finished an All-Star and Silver Slugger, the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award winner, and World Series champion.
Apr
29 years ago today, Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Morris no-hit the Chicago White Sox, striking out eight and walking six in a 4-0 win. It was an auspicious start for Detroit, who led the American League East wire-to-wire and won the ’84 World Series 4-1 over the San Diego Padres.
Apr
19 years ago today, Chicago Cubs outfielder Karl “Tuffy” Rhodes became the first National League player to hit three home runs on opening day.
Apr
50 years ago today, the New York Mets purchased the contract of Duke Snider from the Los Angeles Dodgers for $40,000. Snider played one season in New York, during which he played in his eighth All-Star Game. During his 18-year MLB career, Snider batted .295 with 407 home runs and 1,333 RBI in 2,143 games.
Mar
49 years ago today, former Giants standout Will Clark was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. The six-time All-Star was dubbed “Will the Thrill” in high school, where he played both varsity baseball and basketball. A career .303 hitter, Clark twice won the Silver Slugger award for the best hitter at his position, first base.
Mar
50 years ago today, during a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds’ regular second baseman Don Blasingame pulled a groin muscle; his replacement was a 21-year-old named Pete Rose, who debuted with hits in his first two at-bats. During another spring training game against the New York Yankees, Whitey Ford gave him the nickname “Charlie Hustle” after Rose sprinted to first base after drawing a walk.
Mar
On this day in 1953, former Red Sox leftfielder and Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice was born in Anderson, South Carolina. The eight-time All-Star and 1978 American League MVP joined Ty Cobb as one of two players in history to lead the AL in total bases three years in a row.
