What’s Happening in Baseball Today

The First Pitch: April 27, 2024

It’s a partial weekend off for us, as we’re taking a break from the news and best hitter/pitcher picks for the past day—but we are continuing with our on-this-dates and birthdays below. We’ll be back at full strength on Monday the 29th.

It Was Whatever-Something Years Ago Today

1902: During a 2-0 loss to the Pirates, 18-year-old rookie Cubs pitcher Jim St. Vrain hits a ground ball to shortstop Honus Wagner, and is so startled by making contact that he starts running toward the bag—the one at third base. A less-confused Wagner throws the ball to first to retire St. Vrain. In his one and only season in the majors, St. Vrain will get three hits in 31 at-bats. 

1930: In a game against the Browns at St. Louis, White Sox first baseman Bud Clancy witnesses the entire game from his position without having to make either an assist or putout. It’s the first time such an occurrence has happened in the 20th Century, and it will only be equaled later on three other occasions. 

1971: Hank Aaron becomes baseball’s third player to hit 600 home runs, reaching the milestone for the Braves against San Francisco. The Giants win it in 10 innings, 6-5, on an RBI single by Willie Mays—the second player, after Babe Ruth and before Aaron, to reach 600. 

1981: Oakland manager Billy Martin—always one for technicalities—believes the Seattle Kingdome batter’s box is a little too big when the A’s visit, and asks the umpires to break out the ruler. They’ll prove Martin right; it’s seven feet, not the customary six. The A’s win, 7-4, and afterward the Mariners’ groundskeeper admits he was expanding the box under orders from manager Maury Wills—who is suspended for two games as a result.

You Say It’s Your Birthday

Texas infielder Corey Seager is 30; Oakland third baseman J.D. Davis is 31; 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter is 49; 2000s third baseman Pedro Feliz is 49; 14-year utility player Frank Catalanotto is 50; 1980s Toronto first baseman Willie Upshaw is 67. Born on this date is Hall-of-Fame outfielder Enos Slaughter (1916), 1920s hitting titan Rogers Hornsby (1896) and two-time league leader in triples Hi Myers (1889). Born on this date is 157-game winner Red Lucas (1902),

Shameless Link of the Day

We have a new entry in our prestigious Ballparks section! Check out the intriguing background, architecture, history and future of New York’s Citi Field, home of the Mets since 2009.

To Whom It May Concern

We are proud of what we have built at This Great Game, but we also admit it is not perfect. Occasionally, fans from all walks of life check in and point out errors, and we are grateful to these external editors. Our site is all the better because of you.

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