Babe Ruth Retires

June 2, 1935 - Babe Ruth announces his retirement as a player at age 40.

June 2, 1941 - New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig dies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at age 37 in New York. From that time on, the illness is known primarily as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
June 2, 1942 - Red Sox star Ted Williams enlists as a Navy aviator. He will finish the season with his team, as will many other players who enlist or await draft. Among A.L. regulars of 1941 who are now in the service: Johnny Rigney, Joe Grace, Johnny Berardino, Cecil Travis, Bob Feller, Pat Mullin, Buddy Lewis, Sam Chapman, and Johnny Sturm.

June 2, 1958 - Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford fans six in a row to tie an A.L. record as he shuts out the White Sox 3-0.

June 2, 1987 - The Mariners select Cincinnati high schooler Ken Griffey, Jr., the son of Braves outfielder Ken Griffey, with the first overall pick in the free-agent draft.

June 2, 1990 - Seattle's Randy Johnson, at six feet ten inches the tallest pitcher in major-league history, pitches the first Mariners' no-hitter, a 2-0 win over the Tigers. He walks six and strikes out eight.

Cincinnati Reds Host First Night Game in 1935

May 24, 1902 - Cleveland third baseman Bill Bradley is the A.L.'s first player to hit a home run in each of four consecutive games, a record not matched until Babe Ruth does it June 25, 1918.

May 24, 1928 - In the first game of a doubleheader in Philadelphia, a record 12 future Hall of Famers take the field in the Yankees 9-7 victory over the A's. This number does not include non-playing Hall of Famers Herb Pennock and Stan Coveleski, managers Miller Huggins and Connie Mack, nor umpire Tom Connally.

May 24, 1930 - Babe Ruth homers in both games of a doubleheader, giving him nine long balls in one week.

May 24, 1935 - The Cincinnati Reds host the Philadelphia Phillies in the first major league night game, winning 2-1. On the initiative of Larry MacPhail, President Franklin D. Roosevelt throws the switch at the White House to turn on the lights. The Reds will play seven night games, one each against the other N.L. teams. Ben Chapman is on base seven times in the game, a major league record, on two doubles and five walks.

May 24, 1940 - The Cleveland Indians edge the St. Louis Browns 3-2 in the first night game at Sportsman's Park before 24,827. Bob Feller beats Eldon Auker and adds a home run as well.

May 24, 1946 - Joe McCarthy quits as Yankees manager Bill Dickey replaces him.

May 24, 1979 - Billy Martin issues a public apology to Reno sportswriter Ray Hagar, with whom he brawled last November. Hagar had filed suit for assault, leading to an out-of-court settlement.
May 24, 1984 - Detroit (35-5) beats California 5-1 for its 17th consecutive win on the road, breaking the A.L. record set by the 1912 Senators, and tying the major league mark set by the 1916 Giants. The Tigers will finally lose tomorrow in Seattle 7-3.

May 24, 1989 - Yankees reliever Lee Guetterman gives up five runs in the ninth inning of New York's 11-4 loss to California, ending his consecutive scoreless inning streak at 30 2/3. It is the longest season-opening streak in the majors since Harry Brecheen's in 1948, and the longest season-opening streak ever by a reliever.

Babe Ruth Hits His First HR Gaylord Perry Reaches 300 Wins

1915 - As a pitcher for Boston, Babe Ruth had three hits, including his first major league home run when he connected off Jack Warhop of the New York Yankees at the Polo Grounds.

1953 - Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns pitched a 6-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Athletics in his first major league start. He never pitched another complete game in the majors.

1982 - Gaylord Perry of the Seattle Mariners became the 15th major league pitcher with 300 victories when he defeated the New York Yankees 7-3 at the Kingdome.

Monument Erected To Babe Ruth

April 19, 1949 The New York Yankees unveil a granite monument to Babe Ruth in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park.

April 19, 1997 The first Major League game is played in Hawaii between the Padres and Cardinals and Aloha Stadium.

Happy Birthday to Zach Duke, Joe Mauer and Curtis Thigpen all born on April 19, 1983.

April 18 Mike Schmidt Hits His 500th Home Run

April 18, 1966 the first game is played on AstroTurf at the Astrodome as the Dodgers defeat the Astros 6-3.

April 18, 1987 Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run

April 18, 1923 the first Major League game is played in Yankee Stadium as Babe Ruth gets his first Yankee Stadium home run

April 18, 1991 the first Major League game is played at the new Comisky Park.

New York Yankees Become First Team To Put Number On Uniform

On April 16, 1929 the New York Yankees became the first team to permanently feature numbers on the backs of their uniforms, allowing fans and broadcasters to more easily identify the players.

On April 16, 1935 Babe Ruth made his National League debut for the Boston Braves at the age of 40 and hit a single and a home run off Giants pitcher Carl Hubbell.

On April 16, 1948 super station WGN-TV televises a Major League game for the first time.

Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth's Home Run Record on April 8, 1974

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves broke Babe Ruth's home run record when he hit his 715th at Fulton County Stadium against Al Downing of the L.A. Dodgers on April 8, 1974.