Tony Conigliaro's First Home Run At Fenway

Tony Congliaro homers in his first Fenway at-bat.

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Ted Williams Hits Final Home Run

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Tuffy Rhodes Three Home Runs On Opening Day

On April 4, 1994 Tuffy Rhodes of the Chicago Cubs became the first National Leaguer to hit three home runs on Opening Day.  He accomplished the task against New York Mets ace Dwight Gooden. Rhodes only hit 10 other home runs in his 590 career at-bats. Finishing his major league career with 13 home runs and 44 RBI.

Rhodes would enjoy a stellar career in Japanese baseball where he hit 464 home runs including tying Sadaharu Oh’s season record of 55 home runs (since broken by Wladimir Balentein in 2013 with 60). He also drove in 1269 runs.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

The Big Red Machine: Tony Perez "Big Dog"

Tony Perez broke into the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds in 1964, but it wasn’t until 1967 that his power started to show. It was a season that he would hit 26 home runs with 102 RBI. His career would see 9 more seasons of 20+ home runs, and the first of 7 seasons of 100+ RBI.

He was a seven time all-star, and won back to World Series Championship with the Big Red Machine in 1975-1976. His career hitting line was .279/.341/.463 with 379 home runs and 1,652 RBI. In 2000, Perez was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, and the Reds have retired his #24.

Perez would have productive seasons with the Montreal Expos, and Boston Red Sox. He would make a brief stop with the Philadelphia Phillies before retiring with the Reds in a second stint with the team.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Knuckleball Pitcher Wilbur Wood

Wilbur Wood struggled early in his career with the Boston Red Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates. After being traded to the Chicago White Sox, he took Hoyt Wilhem’s advice to rely on his knuckleball. It would launch his career. In 1968, he set a then major league record of 88 appearances.

In 1971, Wood was moved to the starting rotation, and delivered with four consecutive 20 game win seasons. He would lead the American League in wins in 1972-73, and was an American League all-star in 1971-1972, and 1974.  His career was derailed in 1976, when a line drive from the bat of Ron LeFlore shattered his left kneecap. After returning from his injury in 1977, he wasn’t as effective with his knuckleball, and retired after the 1978 season. He finished his career with a 164-156 won-loss record, and an ERA of 3.24.

Chicago Cubs: Tinker to Evers to Chance

Between 1902 and 1912 the trio of Joe Tinker shortstop, Johnny Evers second base, and Frank Chance. The trio were elected by the veterans committee in 1946 to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  During their time with the Cubs, they won 1907-1908 World Series, and four National League pennants. The only two World Series championship in Chicago Cubs history mastering the Detroit Tigers in both series.

 Franklin Pierce Adams of the New York Evening Post made the trio famous by penning the poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon." It was originally titled "That Double Play Again" when it was published on July 12, 1910. The poem launched the trio into baseball immortality

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It is well documented that Evers and Tinker didn't speak to each other after September 14, 1905. Evers took a cab to the ballpark leaving Tinker in the hotel lobby, and they ended up having a fist fight on the field. 

Frank Chance managed the Cubs from 1905-1912, and afterwards managed both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. He was a lifetime .296 hitter and twice led the National League in stolen bases.  Tinker would be a player-manager for the Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. He only hit .262 in his career.  Johnny Evers would hit .270 over the course of his long career. In era of high batting averages, the trio were helped by the famous poem.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

New York Yankees Catcher Elston Howard

Elston "Ellie" Howard was one of the best catchers in storied history of the New York Yankees. Following in the footsteps of a the great Yogi Berra. In his career with the Yankees, he would be on four World Series champion teams. His career started in the Negro Leagues with the famed Kansas City Monarchs under Buck O'Neill.  Where he would be the roommate of a future member of the baseball Hall of Fame, a kid named Ernie Banks. In 1950, he was signed by the New York Yankees. Howard was signed as an outfielder, and it wasn't until the spring training of 1954.

In 1955, he made his debut with the Yankees.  He would spend his first three seasons playing between outfield, and serving as the backup catcher. In his first season, he hit .290/.336/.477 slash line with 10 home runs, with 43 RBI, in 305 plate appearances. On April 14, 1955, he became the first black player to wear the uniform of the New York Yankees. 

During the course of his career, he was a 12 time all-star in as a member of the New York Yankees. 1963 was his best season, he hit 28 home runs with 85 RBI, and a slash line of .287/.342/.528. He would be named Most Valuable Player in the American League, and becoming the first black player to win the award in the junior circuit. He also was the Gold Glove award winner that season, and would capture the award again in 1964. 

He finished his playing career with the Boston Red Sox. After his playing days, he would return to the Yankees as a coach for two seasons, and being a part of the staff on the World Series champions in 1977 and 1978. Tragically Howard would die at the young age of 51 of heart failure after being diagnosed with myocarditis. His #32 was retired by the Yankees. 

The Cleveland Indians Lou Boudreau

When the Cleveland Indians last won the World Series in 1948, Lou Boudreau was the starting shortstop, and manager. He also won the American League batting title. That season he would hit 18 home runs and drive in 106 runs, a career high. In 676 plate appearances he struck out only nine times. He finished with a slash line of .355/.453/.534, and was the American League MVP.

He would spend 15 seasons in the major leagues, 13 seasons with the Cleveland Indians and part of two seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Boudreau managed the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics, and Chicago Cubs. He would go on to serve as play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs.

In 1970, the eight time all-star was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The same year the Cleveland Indians retired his #5. Boudreau died in 2001. 

Kenny Griffey, Jr. Hits Number 200

May 21, 1996. Ken Griffey, jr., becomes the eighth youngest hitter to hit 200 home runs. He accomplishes the feat at Fenway Park in Boston. Of the seven players that hit 200 home run mark, six are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Red Sox-Yankees Bench Clearing Brawl

May 20, 1976. A collision at the plate between Lou Pinella of the Yankees and Carlton Fisk of the Red Sox sparks a bench clearing brawl. Red Sox pitcher Bill "The Spaceman Lee" suffers a separated shoulder while fighting with Craig Nettles. It will be an injury that will hamper him during the rest of his career.

Jon Lester No-Hits Kansas City Royals

May 19, 2008.  At Fenway Park, Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox no-hits the Kansas City Royals 7-0. The 24-year old southpaw is only the third lefty in a Boston uniform to hurl a no-hitter at Fenway Park. Catcher Jason Varitek enters Major League Baseball's record books by being the first catcher to catch four no-hitters.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Nomar Garciaparra Two Grand Slam Game

May 10, 1999. Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra hits two grand slams in the same game in a 12-4 rout over the Seattle Mariners. Garciapparra adds a two-run homer for a ten RBI game. He becomes the first American League player since 1975 to accomplish the feat.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Babe Ruth Hits First Home Run

May 6, 1915. Boston Red Sox pitcher Babe Ruth hits his first career home run off Jack Warhop of the New York Yankees. Ruth has three hits in the game. Two weeks later, he will hit his second career home run, and Jack Warhop is the hurler in that contest as well.

Chris Davis Earns Pitching Win

May 6, 2012. Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis earns a win in his first pitching appearance. Darnell McDonald an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox takes the loss in the 17-inning affair. Adam Jones three-run homer provides the margin of victory. It is the first time since 1902 that two position players figure in a decision in the same game.

Ryan Braun's Hits Three Home Runs

April 30, 2012, Milwauke Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun hits three home runs and triple accounting for 15 total bases. Braun knocks in six runs, and it is the first time since Freddie Lynn of the Red Sox did it in 1975 that a player hits three home runs, and a triple in the same season. The Brewers win the game at Petco Park 8-3.

John Smoltz Registers 3,000th Strikeout

On this day in baseball history Atlanta Braves right-hander John Smoltz becomes the 16th pitcher in MLB history to register 3,000 strikeouts. During the course of his career, he would finish with a won-loss record of 213-155 with 154 saves, and an ERA of 3.33. He would register a total of 3,084 strikeouts for his career. He pitched for the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals. His #29 has been retired by the Atlanta Braves. He won the 1996 Cy Young Award, 1997 Silver Slugger Award, and an 8 time All-Star. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

2007 Red Sox Hit Four Straight Homers

April 22, 2007, New York Yankees pitcher Chase Wright became the second pitcher in baseball history to surrender four straight home runs. In the third inning of the game Wright gave up home runs to Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell,  and Jason Varitek. The Red Sox won the game, and Wright was sent down to the minor leagues. Wright would be called up to pitch one game in September his last Major League appearance. His career record of 2-0 with 7.20 ERA.

The Chicago Cubs Acquisition of Ferguson Jenkins

On this day April 21, 1966. The Chicago Cubs send pitchers Larry Jackson, and Bob Buhl to the Philadelphia Phillies in return for future Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, outfielder-first baseman John Herrnstein, and outfielder Adolfo Phillips. Jackson and Buhl would combine to go 47-53 for the rest of their careers. Starting in 1967, Jenkins would win 20 plus games a season for six consecutive seasons. He would finish with a record of 284-226 with an ERA of 3.34, striking out 3,192. He was a three time All-Star selection, and won the 1971 Cy Young Award.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers. His #31 has been retired by  the Chicago Cubs, where he ended his career in 1983.

Tom Seaver Tribute

April 20, 1967. The New York Mets Tom Seaver earns his first major league baseball victory beating the Chicago Cubs 6-1 at Shea Stadium. Seaver would earn another 310 major league wins in his Hall of Fame career. He will finish career 311-205 with an ERA of 2.86, and fanned 3,640 major league hitters.  During his career, he will hurl for the Mets, Reds, White Sox, and Red Sox. He was a 12 time All-Star, won the Cy Young Award three times, pitched a no-hitter, and 1967 National League Rookie of the Year. He was a member of the 1969 World Series Champion New York Mets. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. His #41 has been retired by the New York Mets.

Andre Dawson Hits 400th Home Run

April 15, 1993. Playing for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park,  Andre "The Hawk" Dawson launched his 400th career home run. In his career he would be an eight time All-Star, 8-time Gold Glove winner, 4 time Silver Slugger winner, 1987 MVP, and was 1977 Rookie of the Year in the National League. In 2010, The Hawk was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.