This Day In Baseball History

Wikipedia.org Even though this episode is about Hank Greenberg the Pittsburgh Pirate, it seemed only right to post a picture of Hank Greenberg the Detroit Tiger, the team where he spent the bulk of his career. On April 15, 1947 Greenberg recorded the only RBI in a 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs. Click the link to hear how much money Greenberg gave up to serve his country during war time. April 15th is also Jackie Robinson Day to commemorate the day he made his Major League debut in 1947. This Day in Baseball History does not wish to look past this event by any means, however we plan to feature Robinson multiple times later this season, including Thursday April 18th. And his number 42 number will be used later this week as part of another story.

sportsmemorabiliamuseum.com Have you ever wondered what baseball would be like with a third major league? It actually has happened before, in 1914 when the Federal League joined the American and National Leagues. Click the link to hear the story.

bleacherreport.com Joe McCarthy never played in the big leagues, but he spent a lifetime managing there. On April 12, 1931 McCarthy made his New York Yankees managerial debut after departing from the Chicago Cubs. McCarthy managed from 1926 to 1950. Click the link to hear more of his story.

psacardfacts.com Carl Yastrzemski made his Major League Baseball debut on April 11, 1961. Despite attending Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship, Yaz ended up having a remarkable professional baseball career. The 18-time all-star played his entire career with the Boston Red Sox. Click the link to hear more of his story.

wikipedia.org Craig Biggio, the Houston Astros best ever all-around position player was also great at getting on base in a variety of ways. On April 10th, 2003 Biggio hit his 31st career leadoff home run. That number still today places Biggio third on the all-time list for most career leadoff long balls.

On April 9, 1965 the first exhibition game was played at the Harris County Domed Stadium, before the start of the season on April 10th. Click the audio link to hear what all went on that day and enjoy the youtube video as well as it explains just how grand this Stadium was in 1965.

sabr.org Denny McLain may have at times been over-the-top and outspoken to the point of turning off some fans ability to like him, but he won ball games. At least early on in his career anyway. He won 131 big league games, click the link to hear more of his story.

allposters.com In 1930, Babe Ruth made $80,000 which was five-thousand more than President Hoover. However, towards the end of his career his pay declined as his production declined. So, in 1934 Ruth signed an agreement to do a radio show for an additional source of income. Click the link to hear the story.

sabr.org On April 4, 1974 Hank Aaron hit home run number 714 on the road in Cincinnati. The Atlanta Braves benched Aaron in one game of the three game set against the Reds so that he could potential break the all-time home run record at home...which he would do a few days later.

todayifoundout.com Jackie Mitchell is perhaps the best well known female baseball player, but because she was female she wasn't allowed to play for long. And when she did play; despite being very talented, most considered her a sideshow to the actual contest.

Picture courtesy of hardballtimes.com Lou Piniella has spent a lifetime in baseball, playing for four teams and managing five teams. As a manager he won 1,835 games. He had a twenty-year career as a player. Click the audio link to hear some of the history of Lou Piniella.

sportsecyclopedia.com On October 12, 1972 the Oakland A's defeated the Detroit Tigers in game 5 of the ALCS to make its first of three consecutive World Series appearances.

wikipedia.org On October 11, 1964 St. Louis Cardinals Ken Boyer hit just the second National League grand slam in World Series history.

mlb.com The main feature of the final show for 2012 is pitcher Bob Gibson. I would like to thank each of you for taking an interest in the program. We will be back with some major improvements by next season.

sportsillustrated.com On October 2, 1954 the New York Giants completed a four game World Series sweep of the Cleveland Indians. The Indians won an American League record 111 regular season games in 1954 and were favored against the Giants. The series did not return to Cleveland after that until 1995.