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Ebbets Field
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Ebbets Field from the Chronology
Apr 24, 1998 - The Mets unveil a model of their proposed new stadium. The park‚ patterned after the old Ebbets Field in Brooklyn‚ will have a retractable roof and a retractable field‚ so that it can be used for an assortment of events.
Apr 19, 1996 - The A's have a delayed home opener in the reconstructed Oakland Coliseum‚ though there are no bleachers for the time being. The formerly symmetrical stadium now sports six distinct angles in the outfield‚ much like the old Forbes or Ebbets Field. All the fans tonight are given yellow construction helmets with the A's logo on them. The A's‚ 2-4 in their 6 early games in Las Vegas‚ lose 4-3 to the White Sox when Frank Thomas cracks a 2-run homer in the 8th to give Chicago reliever Matt Karchner his 3rd win.
Apr 9, 1962 - President John F. Kennedy throws out the first ball to open the 1962 baseball season at new District of Columbia Stadium. Despite rain‚ a record Washington crowd of 42‚143 shows up to see Bennie Daniels stop Detroit with a 5-hit‚ 4-1 win in the new park. This is a switch for Daniels‚ who had lost the last games played at both Ebbets Field‚ in 1957‚ and Griffith Stadium‚ last year.
Feb 23, 1960 - Demolition of Ebbets Field begins. Lucy Monroe sings the National Anthem‚ and Roy Campanella is given an urn of dirt from behind home plate.
Sep 27, 1957 - In a desperate move‚ New York City Council President Abe "Hit Sign‚ Win Suit" Stark says the Dodgers should be urged to enlarge and modernize Ebbets Field.
Sep 24, 1957 - In the last game at Ebbets Field‚ 6‚702 fans watch Dodgers lefty Danny McDevitt prevail over the Pirates 2-0. Gil Hodges has the last RBI. Sandy Koufax‚ in relief‚ gets a chance to hit for the 12th time this year and strikes out for the 12th straight time‚ a NL record.
Sep 22, 1957 - Duke Snider's 39th and 40th HRs are the last that will be hit at Ebbets Field. The Duke of Flatbush ties Ralph Kiner's NL mark of hitting at least 40 HRs in 5 consecutive seasons and is the first major leaguer to reach the 40-homer mark without driving in 100 runs: he'll finish with 94‚ Phillie Robin Roberts‚ who has a penchant for throwing HR balls‚ is the loser‚ 7-3.
Jul 11, 1957 - In a 5-4 Dodger win at Ebbets Field‚ a brawl takes place in the 7th when Jim Gilliam is decked by a pitch from Reds pitcher Raul Sanchez. The 2 start trading punches and when Reds 3B Don Hoak rushes over‚ he is felled by Brooklyn's Charlie Neal. The 4 get tossed and Acker‚ who replaces Sanchez‚ then walks Roseboro‚ batting for Gilliam. Snider follows with his 2nd homer of the game. With Gilliam out of the game‚ Gil Hodges plays 2B for the first time in 13 years.
Jun 6, 1957 - Umpires wait in vain for fog-drenched Ebbets Field to clear. With the Dodgers ahead 1-0‚ Cubs LF Bob Speake loses sight of a ?y ball‚ and batter Charlie Neal gets a double. After a delay of an hour and 26 minutes the game is called‚ the first time ever because of fog.
May 23, 1957 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Yanks top the Dodgers‚ 10-7‚ in the Mayor's Trophy game. Al Cicotte allows 2 hits in 6 innings‚ and smacks two himself. Mantle is 4-for-5.
Jan 15, 1957 - The Brooklyn Dodgers extend their 5-year lease on Ebbets Field by signing a new 3-year lease with real estate developer Marvin Kratter‚ who bought the field in 1953.
Oct 30, 1956 - The Dodgers sell Ebbets Field to a real estate group. They agree to stay until 1959‚ with an option to stay until 1961.
Sep 25, 1956 - At Ebbets Field‚ Sal Maglie of the Dodgers no-hits the Phils 5-0 for his 12th win against 4 losses. The win keeps Brooklyn 1?2 game behind the Braves who beat Cincinnati 7-1.
Sep 18, 1956 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Cards Ken Boyer homers with Musial on and 2 out in the 9th to defeat Brooklyn‚ 6-5. The Cards collect just 5 hits‚ including Musial's 350th home run.
Jun 22, 1956 - At Ebbets Field‚ Brooks Lawrence allows just 2 hits as the Reds beat the Dodgers‚ 6-0.
Jun 17, 1956 - In Fred Haney's first games managing the Braves‚ Joe Adcock hits 3 of his NL record 13 Ebbets Field HRs in a doubleheader win over Brooklyn before 34‚394 fans. In the first game‚ his game-winning 9th-inning HR off Ed Roebuck lands on the roof‚ making him the only slugger in history to accomplish this. The ball left the field at the 350-foot mark in LF‚ clearing the 83-foot wall. The Braves win‚ 5-4 and 2-1. Under Grimm's platoon system‚ Adcock started only against lefties‚ and last started June 12. He hit a pinch HR yesterday.
Apr 17, 1956 - Oops. When fans are directed to stand for the National Anthem at Ebbets Field‚ there is a long silence before singer Everett McCooey asks over the loud speaker‚ "who's going to raise the flag?" The flag and the championship flag are then hoisted. It is better than the Opener in 1913 at Ebbets Field when everyone forgot to bring a flag. The Dodgers then lose to the Phils‚ 8-6.
Sep 18, 1955 - In a 7-5 loss to Brooklyn‚ Willie Mays hits his 9th HR of the year at Ebbets Field to tie Joe Adcock's 1954 mark at Ebbets.
Jul 22, 1955 - A day after he collects his 2‚000th hit‚ Pee Wee Reese is given at birthday party at Ebbets Field (his birthday is the 23rd‚ correct‚ though after his career he reveals he shaved a year or 2). Fans are asked to bring something to light up and 33‚000 fans comply. Pee Wee celebrates by collecting two doubles and a single‚ and the Dodgers beat Gene Conley and the Braves‚ 8-4. The 2nd place Braves now trail by 14 1/2 games.
Jun 1, 1955 - At Ebbets Field‚ Duke Snider of the Dodgers hits 3 HRs and just misses a 4th when it bounces off the top of the fence for a double. The Dodgers set a club record with six 4-baggers‚ as Campanella‚ Reese‚ and Robinson add homers to outlast the Braves 11-8.
Sep 26, 1954 - In his 2nd start‚ rookie Brooklyn lefty Karl Spooner shuts out Pittsburgh 1-0 on a Gil Hodges HR in the 8th. He fans 12 for a total of 27 strikeouts in his first 2 ML games‚ establishing a new record. One of his strikeouts in the 9th is against Dusty Rhodes: "Before I went up to hit against him‚ I told the boys I'd kiss every one of them if he struck me out. Just call me Liberace." Gil Hodges' 8th-inning HR‚ his 25th at Ebbets Field (a new club record)‚ gives him 42 for the season‚ tying him with Duke Snider for the most by a Dodger. Hodges also finishes the year with 18 sacrifice flies‚ a ML record that won't be topped the rest of the century.
Sep 21, 1954 - Before an Ebbets Field crowd of 4‚467 the New York Giants top the Dodgers‚ 5-2‚ behind a combined five-hitter by Ruben Gomez and Jim Hearn. Bobby Hofman‚ playing 3B for the injured Thomson‚ hits a first-inning grand slam. In the batting race‚ Mays and Mueller are both 2-for-3‚ while Snider is 1-for-4.
Sep 20, 1954 - The Giants clinch the pennant as Sal Maglie beats the Dodgers 7-1 in the opener of a series with the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Mays has three hits to take over the NL lead with a .344 average. The Giants now get ready for the Indians‚ a team they beat 13 out of 21 times in spring training.
Sep 16, 1954 - In a 9-3 Reds win at Ebbets Field‚ watched by a chilly rain-soaked 522 paying fans‚ Ted Kluszewski belts his 49th homer of the year. Joe Nuxhall wins his 2nd this year at Ebbets Field‚ the only lefty opponent to do so.
Sep 10, 1954 - Braves 1B Joe Adcock's HR against the Dodgers in Ebbets Field breaks the NL mark of 9 HRs hit on the road against one club. Adcock's HR is the Braves only hit‚ as Billy Loes one-hits the Braves 2-1 in a 41?2 inning game halted by rain. NL prexy Warren Giles rules from his home after 2 am. that it is an official game‚ after ump Goetz declined to rule whether the game was official or suspended. The loss ends the Braves 10-game win streak‚ their 3rd 10-game win skein of the year.
Sep 6, 1954 - After losing 10 straight‚ the Pirates sweep the Dodgers in Ebbets Field on "Back the Dodgers Day‚" winning 9-6 in 12 innings and 9-7. It is their first doubleheader sweep of the Dodgers since 1950 and drops Brooklyn to 3rd.
Aug 8, 1954 - The Dodgers score an NL record 13 runs in the 8th off Cincinnati in Ebbets Field to win 20-7. Twelve of the runs are unearned and an NL-record 12 are tallied with two outs and no one on. Gil Hodges gets a triple and a HR in 3 at bats in the inning‚ while Clem Labine‚ who has a career .100 BA‚ walks twice. Jackie Robinson drives in 3 runs with a single as Snider scores from 1B. Campanella‚ Gilliam‚ and Don Hoak all homer for Brooklyn in the game to pin the loss on Karl Drews.
Jul 31, 1954 - Using a borrowed bat‚ Dodger killer Joe Adcock hits 4 HRs‚ off 4 different pitchers‚ and a double for 18 total bases in the Braves' 15-7 victory at Ebbets Field. The 18 total bases is a ML mark (topped by Shawn Green in 2002) and‚ combined with the 7 total bases from the day before‚ gives him a 2-day tally of 25. The 2-game total ties him with Ty Cobb. Adcock scores 5 runs. Joining in on the fun is Eddie Mathews who adds two homers which‚ for those keeping score‚ is a HR record for an infield. Another ML mark is set for extra bases on long hits (40)‚ with the Braves contributing 27.
Jul 26, 1954 - Brooklyn defeats Giant stalwart Sal Maglie in Ebbets Field‚ roughing him up for 6 runs on 11 hits. Since coming into the NL in 1945‚ the "Barber" had recorded 10 straight victories in the Brooklyn ball park.
Jul 8, 1954 - Behind Willie Mays' 29th and 30th HRs‚ good for 5 RBIs‚ the Giants win‚ 11-2‚ complete a 3-game sweep of the Dodgers in Ebbets Field to up their lead in the NL to 61?2 games. Preston Gomez allows 2 unearned runs.
Jun 22, 1954 - At Ebbets Field‚ Bud Podbielan pitches a 2-hitter as the Reds roll by the Dodgers‚ 13-1.
May 26, 1954 - Robin Roberts of the Phils stops a personal 7-game losing streak to the Dodgers at Ebbets Field with an 8-6 win over Brooklyn.
May 14, 1954 - After 12 straight defeats at Ebbets Field‚ stretching over 2 years‚ the Cards finally top the Dodgers‚ 10-1‚ behind Vic Raschi. Homers by Musial and Alston pace the Birds attack.
Oct 2, 1953 - The WS moves to Ebbets Field as Carl Erskine establishes a new Series strikeout record by fanning 14 Yanks‚ including Mickey Mantle and Joe Collins 4 times each. Roy Campanella breaks a 2-2 tie with a game-winning solo HR in the 8th for a 3-2 Brooklyn win
Sep 22, 1953 - The Dodgers tie the record for the most wins in a home park‚ beating Pittsburgh 5-4. They go an incredible 60-17 at Ebbets Field‚ tying the record of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1942. Only the 61 wins of the San Francisco Giants in 1962 in an 81-game home season will surpass the mark. The Dodgers will also lead the majors in scoring for the 3rd straight year: the Red Sox of 2003-05 will be the next team to do that.
Oct 6, 1952 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Yankees even it up for the 3rd time‚ as Raschi and Reynolds combine for a 3-2 win in Brooklyn. Berra's homer ties the game in the 7th and Mickey Mantle's homer in the 8th becomes the winner. At age 20‚ Mickey is the youngest player to hit a homer in the post-season‚ a mark that will stand for 44 years. RF Carl Furillo robs Johnny Mize of a HR in the 9th.
Oct 1, 1952 - In Game 1 of the WS‚ the Dodgers defeat the Yankees 4-2 at Ebbets Field behind relief ace Joe Black‚ who started only 2 games during the season.
Sep 15, 1952 - The Dodgers tie a club record by hitting 5 HRs to defeat the Reds‚ 11-5‚ and stay 3 games ahead of the Giants. Robinson and Snider hit 2 apiece‚ while Hodges hits a solo for his 100th RBI. A crowd of 2‚612 is the smallest at Ebbets Field since 1934.
Sep 3, 1951 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers sweep the Braves‚ winning both games 7-2‚ behind Carl Erskine and Clem Labine. Roy Campanella collects 6 straight hits‚ including his 30th and 31st homers‚ before being stopped. The Dodgers (84-47) lead is six games over the Giants (79-54).
Aug 29, 1951 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers roll to a 13-1 win over the Reds behind Don Newcombe. Gil Hodges drives in 7 runs and hits his 35th and 36th homers to tie Ralph Kiner for the homer lead. He also sets a Dodger club record. Reese has 3 RBIs to run his total to 77.
Aug 24, 1951 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers Ralph Branca outduels Cubs pitcher Paul Minner to win 1-0. Branca strikes out 10 Cubs‚ walks none‚ and gives up 3 hits.
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Aug 23, 1951 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Cards finally beat the Dodgers‚ 4-2. Max Lanier allows 7 hits‚ including Campanella's 27th homer‚ in beating Don Newcombe. Newk won't lose again to the Birds till 1957‚ winning 12 straight.
Aug 13, 1951 - Where's Steve Sax when you need him? At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers offer up one of the odder promotions in "Music Depreciation Night‚" and every fan with a musical instrument is admitted free. 2‚426 fans take advantage of the offer‚ including one with a piano. The Dodgers have a motive in countering the local musicians' union‚ which wants to silence the non-union Sym-Phoney. The Dodgers outplay the Braves‚ 7-6‚ as Gil Hodges belts a 3-run homer in the 8th‚ following an intentional walk to Campanella‚ who had earlier homered.
Jul 5, 1951 - At Ebbets Field‚ Gil Hodges hits his 27th HR of the year to lead the Dodgers to a 8-4 win over the Giants. Andy Pafko also homers‚ off Larry Jansen. Don Newcombe notches his 12th win‚ giving up 7 hits. After sweeping the Giants in the 3-game series‚ Dodger manager Chuck Dressen declares‚ "We knocked 'em out. They won't bother us anymore." The Dodgers now lead the Giants by 7 1?2 games.
Sep 30, 1950 - Before 23‚879 at Ebbets Field‚ Brooklyn pulls within one game of the lead‚ as Erv Palica wins 7-3 over the Phillies. The Brooks rout rookie Bob Miller and then Duke Snider and Roy Campanella pound homers off Jim Konstanty. It is the Phillies 5th loss in a row‚ their 8th in 10 games. The red-hot Dodgers have now won 13 of their last 16 games. For the 2nd year in a row‚ the pennant race will come down to the last game. If the Dodgers win tomorrow‚ the race will end in a three-way tie.
Sep 29, 1950 - The Dodgers win a pair from Boston 7-5 and 7-6‚ shaving the idle Phils lead to 2‚ with 2 head-to-head games at Ebbets Field remaining.
Sep 18, 1950 - At Ebbets Field‚ Dodgers Tommy Brown hits 3 HRs in his team's losing effort. He is the 3rd Dodger this year to clout 3 homers in one game. The Cubs Ron Northey hits his 3rd lifetime pinch grand slam-a ML record-to give Chicago a 9-7 win.
Sep 16, 1950 - At Ebbets Field‚ Reds rookie Ted Tappe pinch hits in the 8th and homers in his first major league at bat. The round tripper‚ off Erv Palica‚ helps cement a 6-3 win over Brooklyn. Tappe will hit 4 more homers‚ all as a member of the Cubs.
Aug 31, 1950 - Gil Hodges of the Brooklyn Dodgers hits 4 HRs and a single‚ driving in 9 runs in the Dodgers 19-3 rout of the Boston Braves in Ebbets Field. Hodges' 17 total bases is the most since 1894. Gil's first homer is a 2-run shot off loser Warren Spahn in the 2nd inning‚ then a 3-run homer in the 3rd off Norman Roy‚ another 2-run homer off Bob Hall in the 6th‚ and a 2-run shot off Johnny Antonelli in the 8th. Carl Furillo is on base for each of the home runs. Erskine is the winner of the rout. Hodges had 4 long hits on June 25 last year‚ the first Dodger to twice have 4 extra base hits in a game.
Jul 25, 1950 - After 10 straight losses at Ebbets Field dating back to 1949‚ the Cards win 9-5.
May 30, 1950 - The Dodgers Duke Snider hits 3 consecutive HRs in the 2nd-game‚ 6-4 win of a doubleheader sweep of the Phils at Ebbets Field. His 4th drive hits the top of the RF screen and he is held to a single. Brooklyn wins the a.m. game‚ 7-6 in 10 innings. Konstanty takes the loss in relief of Robin Roberts.
Oct 7, 1949 - The 9th inning decides the 3rd game also. At Ebbets Field‚ with the game tied 1-1‚ the Yanks score 3‚ the Dodgers 2 in the final stanza. Johnny Mize's 2-run pinch single is the big factor followed by Jerry Coleman's run-scoring hit. Roy Campanella and Luis Olmo hit bases-empty HRs in the bottom of the 9th.
Aug 12, 1949 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Braves top the Dodgers‚ 5-3‚ in a game that Brooklyn protests. In the 8th inning‚ Duke Snider belts a drive off the CF screen that Art Gore signals a home run. The Braves point out that‚ according to the ground rules‚ the ball is still in play‚ and Gore sends Snider back to 3B. When Duke is stranded there‚ the Dodgers protest. The protest will be rejected by Ford Frick‚ who censors Gore for the confusion he caused by his "bad judgment and slow thinking."
Jul 24, 1949 - The Cards‚ with Musial hitting for the cycle‚ trounce the Dodgers 14-1. This win gives St. Louis 3 straight victories at Ebbets Field‚ as they take over the lead Brooklyn has held through most of the season.
Jul 16, 1949 - The Reds win for the first time in 9 games at Ebbets Field‚ winning 7-6 in 10 innings. Walker Cooper's 2nd homer of the game‚ a 2-run shot in the 10th off reliever Rex Barney‚ is the margin of victory. Cooper's first homer‚ in the 2nd inning‚ opened the scoring and the Dodgers retaliated in the same frame‚ scoring on a triple steal executed by Robinson‚ Hodges‚ and Cox.
Jul 12, 1949 - The NL commits 5 errors‚ allowing the AL to record an 11-7 triumph in the All-Star Game at Ebbets Field. The contest marks the first appearance of black players-Jackie Robinson‚ Roy Campanella‚ and Don Newcombe in the NL lineup and Larry Doby among the AL stars.
May 28, 1949 - In Don Newcombe's Ebbets Field debut‚ the Dodgers stake him to a 6-0 lead over the Braves. But Boston rallies to tie it at 6 apiece‚ led by Pete Reiser's 8th inning grand slam‚ and wins‚ 7-6.
Apr 19, 1949 - Before a record opening-day crowd of 34‚530 in Brooklyn‚ the Dodgers pay tribute to Jack "Shorty" Laurice‚ the "number one" fan and leader of the Ebbets Field "Sym-phony" band. Laurice died in 1948. The Dodgers then trounce the Giants‚ 10-3‚ in 2 4-run innings. Campanella‚ Robinson‚ and Furillo homer to back Joe Hatten's 10-hitter. Larry Jansen‚ who will serve up a league high 37 homers this year‚ takes the loss.
Jul 26, 1948 - Leo Durocher makes his 1st appearance at Ebbets Field since taking over the Giants‚ but a turnaway crowd is disappointed as the Dodgers lose‚ 13-4. Preacher Roe is the losing pitcher while Sheldon Jones takes the victory.
Oct 3, 1947 - Brooklyn pinch hitter Cookie Lavagetto doubles home 2 runs with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th to break up Floyd Bevens‚ dramatic no-hit bid and give the Dodgers a 3-2 victory over the Yankees in game 4 at Ebbets Field.
Jul 18, 1947 - Ralph Branca takes a no-hitter into the 8th at Ebbets Field before Enos Slaughter's line single breaks it up. Brooklyn beats the Cards‚ 7-0‚ on the 1-hitter.
Jul 14, 1947 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Reds Bud Lively allows just one hit in setting down the Dodgers‚ 9-1. Spider Jorgensen doubles in the 2nd for the only hit.
Jun 6, 1947 - At Ebbets Field‚ the first-place Dodgers win their 5th in a row‚ defeating the Cubs‚ 6-2. Robinson has a single in the first two innings‚ driving home 2 runs.
Jun 4, 1947 - In the 5th inning at Ebbets Field‚ Dodgers OF Pete Reiser crashes into the fence and is knocked unconscious. He still manages to hold onto the long fly by Cully Rickard to help the Dodgers win over Pittsburgh 9-4. In the clubhouse a priest administers the last rites of the Catholic Church to Reiser‚ who will be hospitalized for 10 days.
May 12, 1947 - At Ebbets Field‚ Brooklyn snaps its losing streak‚ beating Boston‚ 8-3. Robinson has a hit and two stolen bases and is leading the NL in scoring with 20 runs.
Apr 22, 1947 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Phils test Robinson by yelling racial slurs and invectives from the dugout. Jackie keeps his cool‚ singles‚ and scores in the 8th inning. Hal Gregg allows just one hit and the Dodgers win‚ 1-0.
Apr 10, 1947 - During the 6th inning of the Dodgers-Royals exhibition game at Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers announce that they have purchased the contract of Jackie Roosevelt Robinson from Montreal and that "he will report immediately." Rickey says after the game that he reached a definite decision just five minutes before he made the announcement.
Oct 3, 1946 - The St. Louis Cardinals wallop the Brooklyn Dodgers 8-4 at Ebbets Field to win the NL playoffs 2-0 and advance to the WS. Erv Dusak and Enos Slaughter lead the attack‚ while winning pitcher Murry Dickson adds a triple. Dickson allows just two hits till the last inning‚ before the Dodgers score three runs off him. Harry Brecheen strikes out two batters with the bases full to end it. Joe Hatten is the loser.
Sep 15, 1946 - After dropping the opener 4-3 in 10 innings‚ the Brooklyn Dodgers are stinging the Chicago Cubs‚ 2-0‚ at the end of the 5th inning when a swarm of gnats descends upon Ebbets Field and causes the game to be called off early. The Dodgers take the win away as Kirby Higbe allows just one hit‚ a second inning safety by Mickey Livingston.
Sep 11, 1946 - The Reds and Dodgers set a ML record by playing the longest scoreless tie game in history‚ 19 innings‚ at Ebbets Field‚ before darkness ends it. The previous record was 18 innings‚ set in 1909. The Reds' Johnny Vander Meer pitches the first 15 innings‚ striking out 14‚ with Harry Gumbert pitching 4 innings. For Brooklyn‚ Hal Gregg pitches the first 10 innings‚ followed by Hugh Casey (5 innings)‚ Art Herring (3 innings)‚ and Hank Behrman (1 inning) Later‚ the Dodgers will win the playoff‚ 5-3.
Jul 2, 1946 - The Dodgers win their 7th straight‚ beating the Phils‚ 3-2‚ at Ebbets Field‚ while the Cardinals are dropping their 4th in a row. The Reds beat St. Louis‚ 7-5‚ with all the Cincy runs unearned. Brooklyn now leads St. Louis by 7 1/2 games.
Jun 22, 1946 - At Ebbets Field‚ the second-place Cards deal a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers‚ whittling Brooklyn's lead to 1 1/2 games over the Cards. Howie Pollet and Rex Barney each pitch six scoreless innings‚ but the Redbirds send 11 batters to the plate in the 7th and five flutter across. The final is 5-1.
May 30, 1946 - In a play that anticipates a scene in The Natural by Brooklyn-native Bernard Malamud‚ the Braves' Bama Rowell smashes a double in the 7-run 2nd inning of the second game of a doubleheader at Ebbets Field. The ball shatters the Bulova clock high atop the right-field scoreboard at 4:25 P.M.‚ showering glass down on the Dodgers' RF Dixie Walker. An hour later the clock stops. The Braves win 10-8 after being shut out 5-0 by Kirby Higbe in the opener.
May 23, 1946 - Police sit along the dugouts of both clubs at Ebbets Field after yesterday's brawl but that doesn't stop a pregame fight between the Dodgers Dixie Walker and the Cubs Lenny Merullo. The first place Dodgers again win‚ 2-1‚ in 11 innings. The pregame fight will cost 5 players $650‚ plus suspensions for Walker‚ Merullo and Cubs coach Smith. Galan gets tossed in the 4th and Durocher in the 9th.
May 22, 1946 - With the score tied 1-1 in the 10th inning at Ebbets Field‚ Cubs SS Len Merullo and Dodger 2B Eddie Stanky start punching each other‚ precipitating a brawl between the 2 teams. Claude Passeau rips off Leo Durocher's jersey before calm is restored. The Dodgers win 2-1 in 13 innings‚ collecting 11 hits off Johnny Schmidt‚ who goes the distance. Joe Hatten gives up 4 hits in 12 innings‚ with Higbe pitching the last round.
Apr 25, 1946 - Leo Durocher is acquitted of assaulting a baseball fan‚ John Christian‚ under the grandstands at Ebbets Field on June 8‚ 1945. Christian will admit that he received $6‚750 from the Dodgers for his injuries.
Apr 23, 1946 - Ed Head of the Brooklyn Dodgers tosses a no-hitter at the Braves‚ beating Boston's Mort Cooper‚ 5-0‚ before 30‚287 at Ebbets Field. It is Head's first ML appearance since his return from the military. He last pitched in the ML in July 9‚ 1944‚ when the Pirates knocked him out in 2 innings. Head was a left-handed pitcher until 1935 when he broke his pitching arm and he was forced to pitch right-handed.
Apr 18, 1946 - Before an Opening Day crowd of 29‚825 at Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers celebrate their homecoming with an 8-1 win over the Giants. Vic Lombardi is the winner‚ losing his shutout in the 9th. The Bums score 5 in the 3rd and 2 in the 5th when they steal 4 bases with Reiser stealing 2B and home.
Aug 20, 1945 - At the age of 17‚ SS Tommy Brown of the Brooklyn Dodgers is the youngest player to hit a ML HR. Brown belts his homer off Pirates southpaw Preacher Roe into the upper LF section at Ebbets Field. Seven Dodger errors make it easy for Pittsburgh to win‚ 11-1.
Aug 18, 1945 - Scheduled demonstrations at the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field to end segregation in organized baseball are called off.
Jun 9, 1945 - Following an 8-7 win over the Phils‚ Brooklyn manager Leo Durocher is arrested on a complaint by a fan that Durocher allegedly using brass knuckles‚ slugged him after an Ebbets Field cop hit him and broke his jaw‚ then pinned back his arms. The fan‚ John Christian‚ had been loudly berating the Dodgers and‚ after the 6th inning‚ the policeman was escorting the fan beneath the stands when the incident occurred. The case will come to trial next April and the all-male jury will take just 38 minutes to find the policeman and Durocher not guilty. In a separate settlement of a civil suit before the trial‚ Durocher paid Christian $6‚750.
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May 23, 1944 - Wartime restrictions are eased‚ and Ebbets Field is the scene of the first night game in metro New York since 1941. The Giants Bill Voiselle loses a 2-1‚ 9th-inning lead because an apparent last-out ?y ball is dropped by CF Johnny Rucker when Charles Mead runs into him. Two runners score and the Dodgers win 3-2. In other cities‚ there was no restriction on night play‚ but games could be interrupted at any time by test blackouts.
Apr 24, 1943 - Pitcher Al Gerheauser makes his major league debut as the Phillies' Opening Day pitcher‚ starting at Ebbets Field against the Dodgers. Brooklyn pounds him for 7 hits and 5 runs in 4 innings on their way to an 11-4 win. Gerheauser is the last rookie to debut as an Opening Day starter.
Apr 22, 1943 - Despite going 4-for-4 in a 5-2 win at Ebbets Field‚ the Giants' Mel Ott declares the new baseballs hit like overripe grapefruits. Reds slugger Frank McCormick adds‚ "It was like hitting a piece of cement."
Sep 11, 1942 - At Ebbets Field‚ Mort Cooper‚ wearing Coaker Triplett's #20 uniform‚ scatters 3 hits to shut out the Dodgers 3-0‚ and become the year's first 20-game winner. The shutout is his 8th of the year. The Cardinals‚ now just a game in back of Brooklyn‚ order World Series tickets to be printed.
Aug 23, 1942 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers sweep 2 from their cross-town rivals. In the first game‚ the Giants took a 4-2 lead in the 10th on Johnny Mize's 2-run HR‚ only to see Dolf Camilli hit reliever Harry Feldman's 1st pitch for a grand slam and give Dem Bums a 6-4 win. The 2nd game‚ the Dodgers score 2 in the 5th to take a 7-5 lead in a game halted by darkness. The Dodgers now lead St. Louis by 7 1/2 games.
Jul 29, 1942 - Outhit by the Cards 9 to 6‚ the Dodgers win 4-3 behind Whit Wyatt at Ebbets Field. Mort Cooper is the loser‚ dropping the Cards eight games behind the Dodgers The game ends at 9:14‚ the first major league contest to be stopped because of the Army's dim-out rule. There is one out in the home half of the 7th when the game is stopped.
Jun 18, 1942 - Another brawl between the Cards and the Dodgers at Ebbets Field leads to ejection and fines for Joe Medwick and Frank Crespi. Medwick's spikes high slide into Marion at 2B precipitated the brawl. The Dodgers win 5-2 when Larry French doubles in 2 runs in the 8th with 2 out and keeps on running till he's tagged out at 3B. The time of the out is 9:03 with the rule that no inning can start after 9:05. Brooklyn leads the NL lead is 7 1?2 games.
Jun 15, 1942 - In a rare twi-light game at Ebbets Field‚ Claude Passeau and the Cubs stop the Dodgers‚ 6-0 before a crowd of 15‚159.
Jun 1, 1942 - Army-Navy relief games by each team are publicized war efforts by organized baseball. The game at Ebbets Field contributes $60‚000 from a crowd of 43‚000‚ but the Phillies' game at Shibe Park draws only 2‚000 fans and $3‚000.
May 8, 1942 - At Ebbets Field‚ in the first twilight game in 24 years‚ the Dodgers top the Giants 7-6 with Dolph Camilli's 7th inning home run onto Bedford Avenue the big blow. With more than 24‚000 fans on hand‚ nearly $60‚000 is raised for the Navy Relief Fund‚ as all the proceeds are donated. Everyone‚ including the ball players and umps‚ pay their way into the park. The Dodgers also debut a celebrated rookie-Gladys Gooding‚ who plays the "Victory Calliope"‚ the second organ played in ML stadiums. Gooding was discovered by Larry MacPhail at a hockey game at Madison Square Garden. Besides the Rangers‚ Gladys later is the organist for the Knickerbockers‚ and will write the Dodgers' theme song "Follow the Dodgers." Gooding will play for the Dodgers until 1958 when the team moves west.
Apr 17, 1942 - At the home opener at Ebbets Field‚ newly marrieds Pee Wee Reese and Pete Reiser are greeted in their first at-bats by a trumpet-playing fan who serenades them with "Here Comes The Bride." The Dodgers beat the Phils 7-1.
Sep 28, 1941 - A jubilant crowd at Ebbets Field watches as the Dodgers beat the Phillies 5-1‚ handing the Phils their 111th loss‚ a club record. For Brooklyn‚ it is their club-record 100th win. The crowd sets a new season attendance record at 1‚215‚253.
Aug 27, 1941 - In a night game at Ebbets Field‚ Kirby Higbe outpitches the Reds Johnny Vander Meer to win‚ 4-2. Higbe walks and singles his 1st 2 at bats‚ giving him 9-for-10 in his last 3 games. With 2 outs in the 4th‚ Ernie Lombardi swipes 2nd: it is his first steal‚ or attempted steal‚ since August 10‚ 1937‚ when he also stole against the Dodgers Mickey Owens.
Aug 24, 1941 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers split with the Cardinals‚ losing the opener 7-3‚ then taking the nitecap‚ 3-2. The split leaves the Cards 1 1/2 games in back of the Dodgers. In game 2‚ with darkness setting in pitcher Whit Wyatt drives home the winner with one out in the 9th off young Howie Pollet. The games are enlivened by the music of a pickup band‚ that generates a good response from the crowd. The musicians will come to be call the Dodger Sym-phony.
Aug 20, 1941 - Larry MacPhail stages a fashion show before a Ladies Day crowd at Ebbets Field. Such promotions‚ as well as the Dodgers pennant race‚ will push the home gate to over one million fans. The Dodgers also pick up Larry French for the waiver price of $7‚500. The Cubs consider the amiable lefty over the hill after he hurt his thumb and slipped to 5-14.
Aug 19, 1941 - Pittsburgh Pirates manager Frankie Frisch is ejected (and fined $50) by umpire Jocko Conlan from the 2nd game of a doubleheader when he appears on the field with an umbrella to protest the playing conditions at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. The rainy argument is later portrayed in a famous oil painting by Norman Rockwell. The Dodgers sweep‚ winning 9-0 and 6-2‚ behind Curt Davis and Hugh Casey.
Apr 13, 1941 - In the final pre-season tune-up game with Brooklyn‚ the Yankees win their 3rd in a row at Ebbets Field‚ 3-0‚ on Sunday afternoon. The Dodgers had come into the series with an 11-game winning streak‚ including 4 with the Yanks on the way North.
Sep 16, 1940 - After the Dodgers lose to the Reds‚ 4-3 in ten innings‚ a rhubarb at Ebbets Field results in a suspension and fine for Leo Durocher for "inciting a riot." Perhaps better known from the game is the photo showing an obese Brooklyn fan astride George Magerkurth‚ pummeling the veteran umpire.
Sep 11, 1940 - At Ebbets Field‚ Dizzy Dean makes a triumphant return to the Cubs‚ setting down the Dodgers‚ 3-2‚ in game 2. Reiser homers in the 7th against Diz‚ now pitching sidearm. The Cubs win the opener‚ 8-5.
Jun 18, 1940 - Joe Medwick‚ in the Dodger lineup for 6 days after his trade from the Cardinals‚ is beaned by St. Louis P Bob Bowman at Ebbets Field in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. Allegedly‚ Medwick had been tipped off by 3B coach Chuck Dressen‚ who had stolen the sign‚ to expect a curve. The Cards win their 6th straight in 11 innings 7-5‚ as Bowman is escorted from the park by policemen. Hospitalized‚ Medwick will return to the lineup after several days‚ but he is never again a major power hitter. Larry MacPhail wants Bowman banned for life. The night before‚ Bowman allegedly got into an argument with Medwick and Leo Durocher in a hotel elevator.
Jun 16, 1940 - The Reds manage just two hits off Wyatt but beat the Dodgers‚ 1-0‚ at Ebbets Field. Lonny Frey's unusual home run in the 9th settles the game: Frey's hit strikes the top of the RF wall‚ bounces straight up‚ and settles on a ledge on top of the wall next to the scoreboard.
Aug 26, 1939 - The first ML telecast of a game occurs at Ebbets Field as the Reds play the Dodgers in a doubleheader. Red Barber broadcasts the game over W2XBS‚ the 2 referring to the number of sets able to view the game: one is in the press box‚ while the other‚ at the RCA Pavilion in Rockefeller Center‚ attracts a huge crowd. The Dodgers win the first game 5-2‚ and the Reds take the 2nd 6-1‚ behind Bucky Walters 2-hitter.
Jul 9, 1939 - The Giants beat the Dodgers 14-8 at Ebbets Field‚ even though Zeke Bonura grounds into his ML record 5th double play in two consecutive games. He grounded into 3 in yesterday's nitecap.
May 8, 1939 - At Ebbets Field‚ Cards veteran Pepper Martin breaks up a pitching duel between Brooklyn's Red Evans and Bob Weiland by swiping home in the 6th inning. Martin's two-out steal is the only run of the game as the Cards win‚ 1-0.
Mar 22, 1939 - Pete Reiser‚ 0-for-3 yesterday against the Yankees‚ starts his 2nd spring training game for the Dodgers. He homers in his first at bat against the Cardinals‚ and follows with a walk and 2 singles. He will have 10 straight hits before striking out 3 times against the Yankees Orel Hildebrand on the 28th. When Jack Haley relieves Hildebrand‚ Reiser hits a HR off him. Reiser will go north with Brooklyn and play in an April 15th exhibition against the Yankees in Ebbets Field before being farmed out to Elmira.
Aug 2, 1938 - Larry MacPhail has official baseballs dyed dandelion yellow‚ and they are used in the first game of a doubleheader between the Dodgers and Cardinals at Ebbets Field. The Dodgers win 6-2‚ but Johnny Mize hits one of Freddie Fitzsimmons' knuckleballs for the first "yellow" HR. Fat Freddie complains that the dye comes off and the balls are too slick. The Dodgers will use up their yellow balls in 3 more games in 1939 (Cards over Dodgers‚ 12-0 and 5-2; Dodgers over Cubs‚ 10-4). In the 2nd game today‚ a white ball is used and the Dodgers tattoo that for a 9-3 win. Yellow balls were used in an August 1928 game between Milwaukee and Louisville.
Jun 15, 1938 - Johnny Vander Meer stuns baseball by pitching his 2nd successive no-hitter‚ defeating the Dodgers and Max Butcher‚ 6-0. Brooklyn plays the first night game ever at Ebbets Field. In front of 38‚748 fans‚ including spectators Babe Ruth and several hundred fans from Vandy's home town of Midland Park‚ NJ. Vandy strikes out 7 and walks 8‚ including three one-out walks in the 9th. A force out at home on a grounder by Ernie Koy and a ?y ball by Leo Durocher ends the game. In a pregame event‚ Koy‚ with a 10-yard start but running in his Reds' uniform‚ beats Olympic champion Jesse Owens in the 100-yard dash.
May 22, 1938 - The Dodgers announce contracts to install lights at Ebbets Field. The first night game will be played there on June 15th.
Oct 1, 1937 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers make the off-season look a little better by topping the Giants 7-4 and end their 14-game losing streak. Only once before has Brooklyn lost as many as 14 games in a row.
Aug 27, 1937 - At Ebbets Field‚ Fred Frankhouse of the Dodgers loses his chance to pitch a full no-hitter when rain stops the game with 2 out in the 8th; the hitless Reds lose 5-0.
Aug 20, 1937 - At Ebbets Field‚ Fred Frankhouse of the Dodgers loses his chance to pitch a full no-hitter when rain stops the game with 2 out in the 8th; the hitless Reds lose 5-0.
Jun 6, 1937 - The Reds Alex Kampouris hits a bases loaded HR to pace the Reds to a 9-2 win. Rookie Johnny Vander Meer is the winner. One of baseball's rarest feats takes place when Woody English of the Dodgers wins a suit by hitting a double off the sign of clothier Abe Stark at the base of the Ebbets Field scoreboard.
Apr 20, 1937 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Giants lose 4-3 to the rival Dodgers. Dick Bartell‚ who scrapped with Mungo last year‚ takes the first Mungo pitch for a strike. When Rowdy Richard turns to protest the call with umpire Reardon‚ he is hit in the face with an overripe tomato. Mungo wins over Hal Schumacher.
Jul 27, 1936 - Under rainy conditions at Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers thrill a crowd of 485 by routing Cy Blanton and beating the Pirates for the 3rd straight time‚ 6-3. Fred Frankhouse has only one bad inning-the 3rd in which the Bucs make all their runs on 6 hits-in winning his 6th against 8 losses. Frankhouse has 5 assists while SS Frey has none.
Jul 23, 1936 - Before a paying crowd of 1‚932 at Ebbets Field‚ Joe Stripp bangs a 9th-inning double to give the Dodgers a 6-5 win over the Cubs.
May 12, 1936 - After the Dodgers beat Dizzy Dean‚ 5-2‚ at Ebbets Field‚ Cardinal captain Leo Durocher and Casey Stengel agree to meet under the stands and the Dodger manager gets a cut lip in a brief fight. The fight was the result of much bickering about calls during the game and some pre-game bantering.
Sep 28, 1935 - Before a paid crowd of 174 fans at Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers win their 6th in a row‚ beating the Phils‚ 12-2. Junior Frey is 2-for-5 with a three-run HR before turning the shortstop job over to Rod Dedeaux‚ making his ML debut. Rod will play just 2 games but will make his mark as a college coach.
May 30, 1934 - A record crowd of 41‚000 jam Ebbets Field for a doubleheader with the Giants. New York manager Bill Terry‚ who earlier in the year had wisecracked‚ "Brooklyn? Are they still in the league?" proved correct. New York sweeps both games‚ 5-2 and 8-6‚ to raise their season record to 6-0 vs. the Dodgers. New York will move into 1st place the following week. Giants SS Travis Jackson has only one chance in 18 innings.
Sep 29, 1933 - Before a crowd of just 200 at Ebbets Field‚ the Braves down the Dodgers 4-1. The game is a playoff of Thursday's 2-2 tie in ten innings‚ and the Braves score four unearned runs to hand Walter Beck his 20th loss of the year.
Aug 25, 1933 - In the first of 2 games at Ebbets Field‚ Sam Leslie singles in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th to give the Dodgers a 4-3 win over the Reds. The hit comes off Red Lucas‚ who bats 7th in the lineup‚ collecting 2 hits. Suffering from a charley horse‚ (as noted by David Vincent) Dodger 2B Tony Cuccinello sits out for the first time since July‚ 1930 (when he was playing for the Reds)‚ ending a consecutive playing streak of more than 500 games -the exact number isn't known. Tony's was the longest active streak in the NL. Hack Wilson replaces Cuccinello at 2B for the doubleheader‚ and makes two errors in the game 2‚ also a 4-3 Brooklyn win. Boom Boom Beck and Ownie Carroll are the winning pitchers.
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May 14, 1933 - With rain pelting down at Ebbets Field‚ Hack Wilson pounds a 9th inning pinch grand slam‚ the first in Dodger history‚ to beat the Phils Ad Liska‚ 8-6. The homer is inside-the-park‚ just the 3rd pinch inside-the-park grand homer in history‚ and the first since 1910.
Sep 27, 1931 - The most desperately contested battle for individual honors takes place in the race for the NL batting title. Chick Hafey‚ who reported late due to a contract dispute‚ goes into the final doubleheader with the Reds batting .353‚ 4 points over Bill Terry‚ last year's champ. Hafey gets only 2 hits in 8 times at bat to drop to .349. Bill Terry's Giants are playing archenemy Brooklyn at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn‚ in their last game as the Robins‚ wins 12-3‚ behind Clark. Terry gets only one hit in 4 times at bat. The title goes to Hafey‚ who batted .3488 to Terry's .3486. Jim Bottomley‚ Hafey's Cardinal teammate‚ goes 4-for-8 and finishes at .3481. The Cards win 6-2 and 5-3‚ to win 20 of 22 with the Reds.
Sep 27, 1931 - In a scheduled doubleheader at Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers beat the Giants 12-3 in the opener. The nitecap‚ called on account of darkness after three innings with no score‚ will turn out to be the final contest between managers Wilbert Robinson and John McGraw‚ one-time friends and business partners‚ but now bitter enemies. McGraw has the edge‚ 197-190‚ with 5 ties.
Jun 25, 1931 - At Ebbets Field‚ Dazzy Vance retires the first 18 Cardinal batsmen before George Watkins leads off the 6th with a bunt single. Jim Bottomley singles Watkins to 3rd and then when Vance tosses over to 1B‚ Watkins swipes home. Vance allows just 3 hits‚ but loses‚ 1-0‚ to Cards rookie Paul Derringer.
Sep 27, 1930 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Robins and Braves divide a pair‚ with Brooklyn taking the opener‚ 8-2‚ behind Dazzy Vance. Vance fans 12. Almost overlooked in game 2 is Wally Berger's 38th HR for the Braves‚ as Boston tops Brooklyn 7-1. It is a record for rookies and still stands as an NL record.
Sep 17, 1930 - Flint Rhem‚ missing for 24 hours‚ returns to the Cardinals' hotel with an improbable story that he was kidnapped by gamblers‚ taken to New Jersey‚ and forced to drink bootleg whiskey. With Rhem unfit‚ Syl Johnson starts. The Cards rally to win 5-3 and take a game lead over Brooklyn at Ebbets Field. For the 2nd straight game‚ Andy High hits a pinch double‚ this time in the 9th to drive in 2 runs. Years later Rhem sets the record straight‚ saying he went to a small party‚ had several drinks and woke up the next morning in his hotel "sicker than I have been in my life." When Branch Rickey showed up the following day with some newspapermen‚ Rhem was still sick. "'Shad‚' Rickey asked me. 'What's the matter with you? I guess someone kidnapped you.'" Rhem said‚ "Those writers outside the door took that little conversation and built up the story."
Sep 16, 1930 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Cards (82-60) and Dodgers (84-60) square off before 30‚000. Cards P Bill Hallahan retires the first 20 batters‚ before he fumbles a grounder. A single in the 8th spoils his no-hitter. The Cards finally score in the 10th on a single by Taylor Douthit after Andy High hits a pinch double and hold on for a dramatic 1-0 win over starter Dazzy Vance. [As a leadoff batter‚ Douthit will knock in record 84 runs‚ a mark that Dom DiMaggio will tie in 1948.] The victory gives the Cards 1st place by a percentage point over the Brooklyn‚ losers for the first time in 12 games‚ their longest win streak in franchise history. The Cubs are in 3rd‚ just 1 1/2 out.
Sep 12, 1930 - Brooklyn C Al Lopez drives one over the head of Cincinnati LF Bob Meusel‚ and the ball bounces into the bleachers at Ebbets Field. It will be the ML's last recorded bounce HR‚ as the NL rules after the season that such a hit will henceforth be a double. The AL had made the change after the 1929 season. Brooklyn wins‚ 7-3‚ for their 8th straight win; the Reds go the other way recording their 8th straight loss.
Aug 31, 1930 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers also roll up a football-like score when they tally 23 hits‚ including round trippers by Babe Herman‚ Glenn Wright‚ and Rube Bressler‚ to stomp the Phils 14-3.
Jul 16, 1930 - At a packed doubleheader in Ebbets Field‚ the Cubs Pat Malone stops the Dodgers 6-4 in the opener. The 2nd game is a free-for-all that features Brooklyn's Del Bissonette trying to stretch a triple and being tagged out at home by Gabby Hartnett. Bissonette is knocked unconscious and leaves on a stretcher. Dodger P Dolf Luque‚ despite being hit by a pitch from Charlie Root‚ defeats the Cubs 5-3.
Jun 4, 1930 - First-place Brooklyn makes 8 errors‚ losing to Pittsburgh at Ebbets Field‚ 12-6.
May 30, 1930 - With 2 on base in game one‚ Del Bissonette‚ Brooklyn 1B‚ hits the ball over the RF screen at Ebbets Field‚ but baserunner Babe Herman‚ "the Headless Horseman of Ebbets Field‚" stops to watch and is passed by Bissonette‚ reducing the HR to a single. Despite this‚ the Robins win a pair of games from the Phillies‚ 11-1 and 11-9 and take first place. Unfazed‚ Herman will pull off the move again on September 15th. In the nitecap‚ Bissonette collects 5 hits‚ including a homer. Chuck Klein homers in each game for the Phils to bring his total to 13.
Sep 9, 1928 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Robins come from behind to edge the Giants‚ 3-2‚ behind Dazzy Vance. Harvey Hendrick dinks a 2-run homer in the 8th‚ off Larry Benton‚ to tie‚ and Jake Flowers singles with 2 out in the 9th to drive home the winner. The ecstatic fans respond by covering the field with straw hats.
Jul 31, 1928 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Robins come from behind to beat the Reds‚ 3-2. With two RBIs from Jake Flowers‚ Dazzy Vance is victorious over "the toiling citizens of the American Rhine (NY Times)."
May 29, 1928 - At Ebbets Field‚ Bill Terry hits for the cycle to lead the Giants to a 12-5 win over Brooklyn.
Jul 4, 1927 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Giants twice clip the Robins‚ winning 4-3 in 11 innings‚ then taking the nitecap‚ 9-4. George Harper's single off Jim Elliot brings home the winning run in the opener: Rogers Hornsby thought he had clouted the winning homer when he lofts a drive over the flagpole on the RF line‚ but after completing his trot around the bases‚ finds out it was called foul. Rajah hits a 3-run homer in the nitecap as Burleigh Grimes coasts home with a victory.
May 20, 1927 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Cubs top the Dodgers‚ 7-5‚ behind Tony Kauffmann. Fans interrupt the game with a shower of bottles after a disputed call by umpire Pete McLaughlin. Babe Herman has a pair of homers for Brooklyn‚ but costs his team 2 runs with a errant throw.
Aug 15, 1926 - Three runners on third! The Braves are at Ebbets Field with Brooklyn's Hank DeBerry on 3B‚ Dazzy Vance on 2B‚ and Chick Fewster on 1B‚ when Babe Herman drives a vicious liner against the RF wall that caroms back towards the second baseman‚ Doc Gautreau. DeBerry scores‚ but Vance initially holds up‚ then rounds 3B headed for home. Fewster stops at 3B. Gautreau throws home and traps Vance‚ who heads back to 3B. Herman slides into 3B joining the crowd‚ as Fewster steps off. Herman is ruled out for passing a base runner. Fewster‚ thinking he's out‚ too‚ walks off with Babe‚ and gets tagged out. Vance‚ still on 3B‚ later admits it was his fault. Poor Herman‚ who thought he had a triple but merely doubles into a double play‚ gets the blame. With all that‚ the Robins sweep a pair from the Braves‚ winning 4-1 and 11-3.
Jul 7, 1925 - Rabbit Maranville leads the Cubs to 10-5 win over Brooklyn at Ebbets Field‚ with veteran Wilbur Cooper the winner over Tiny Osborne. Celebrating his first victory that evening‚ Maranville gets into a fight with a cab driver.
Apr 18, 1925 - Charles Ebbets‚ Dodgers president‚ dies on the morning of the opener at Ebbets Field‚ won by New York 7-1 before 25‚000. Both teams wear black arm bands and line up before the game in silent tribute. No NL games will be played on the 21st‚ the day of Ebbets funeral. At the rainy funeral‚ Ed McKeever‚ the new club president‚ will catch a cold that turns into pneumonia. He dies on May 27th. Manager Wilbert Robinson will take on the job of president as well.
Sep 16, 1924 - At Ebbets Field‚ Cards 1B Jim Bottomley's 3 singles‚ a double‚ and 2 HRs produce a ML record 12 RBI in the St. Louis 17-3 win over the pennant-chasing Robins. Willie Sherdel coasts home for the win. Bottomley starts the rampage with a 2-run single in the 1st‚ doubles home a run in the 2nd‚ hits a 4th inning grand slam off Art Decatur‚ and a 2-run HR off Decatur in the 6th. He follows with a 2-run single in the 7th‚ off Tex Wilson‚ and a run-scoring single in the 9th‚ after which he's removed for a pinch runner. Brooklyn manager Wilbert Robinson‚ watching from the dugout‚ set the previous record with the Orioles in 1892.
Sep 7, 1924 - The Giants bring a half-game lead into Ebbets Field. With the park already packed‚ some 7‚000 fans batter down the LF exit gate with a telephone pole and break into the field. The Giants win the thriller‚ 8-7‚ despite 3 Robin runs in the 9th‚ and lead Brooklyn by 1 1/2 games.
Apr 3, 1924 - In Ashville‚ the first game ever played in McCormick Field is a smashing success as the visiting Detroit Tigers beat the Ashville Skylanders‚ 18-14. A sparse crowd of 3199 watches as Harry Heilmann bangs 3 homers‚ two off the top of the LF grandstand. Ty Cobb adds a homer. When the Dodgers leave Ebbets Field‚ the scoreboard will be relocated to McCormick Field.
May 29, 1922 - In the 9th inning at Ebbets Field, pinch hitter Clarence Mitchell, batting for starter Leon Cadore, hits a two-run homer, but the Dodgers come up short, losing to Boston, 5-4. Mitchell’s blast is the first pinch homer by a Dodgers P.
May 14, 1919 - At Brooklyn‚ Hy Myers starts the scoring with a 3rd inning solo shot over the right centerfield wall‚ reportedly the longest homer ever hit at Ebbets Field. The Dodgers score another run and Burleigh Grimes wins‚ 2-0‚ over the Reds‚ the 7th win in a row for Brooklyn over the eventual pennant winners. For Myers it is his only HR at home-he'll hit 4 on the road-as he will lead the league in slugging‚ with a .436 average‚ and RBIs‚ with 73‚ both the lowest top totals in ML history.
Aug 8, 1918 - It is announced that Ebbets Field will become a Government storehouse as soon as the season is over on September 2nd. The Brooklyn team offered the park as a much-needed storage facility for war supplies‚ and it is now expected that other teams will follow suit. The New York Times states that "the turning over of the baseball park means that the major leagues will not attempt to play next season." Washington Park‚ the old Federal League park‚ has already been converted to a government storehouse.
Aug 6, 1918 - At Ebbets Field‚ the first place Cubs keep their lead of 6 1/2 games by beating the Robins 6-3 behind Lefty Tyler. Tyler scatters 9 hits‚ including one by Zack Wheat‚ who stretches his consecutive hitting skein to 25 games.
Aug 5, 1918 - During the Reds batting practice at Ebbets Field‚ fans are treated to an impromptu fight between two Reds‚ 2B Lee Magee and left fielder Earl "Greasy" Neale. Teammates separate the two but the decision is awarded to Neale‚ who will play just 3 innings today. The Reds then turn on the Robins‚ pounding 13 hits for a 5-0 win. Mike Regan is the winner‚ scattering 4 hits. The Reds (43-51) are in 5th place‚ a half-game ahead of Brooklyn.
Aug 22, 1917 - Brooklyn and the Pirates play their 3rd straight extra-inning game in Ebbets Field. The Robins win it 6-5 in 22 innings. Pittsburgh's Carson Bigbee goes to bat 11 times‚ tying a record.
Sep 14, 1916 - Four days after his first appearance‚ Pirate rookie Burleigh Grimes makes his first start‚ against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn breaks a scoreless tie with 2 runs in the 7th‚ after Honus Wagner flubs a DP grounder hit by Casey Stengel. Wagner‚ who ostensibly had told the rookie to have Stengel hit the ball to short‚ reportedly says‚ "Those damn big feet of mine have always been in my way (Okrent & Wulf)." Pittsburgh scores 2 in the 8th to tie but pitcher Larry Cheney hits a run-scoring double in the bottom of the 9th to win it for Brooklyn.
Jun 24, 1916 - The leading Dodgers sweep a doubleheader against the Giants at Ebbets Field‚ winning 6-4 and 5-4. Casey Stengel is the hero in the opener‚ going 3-for-4.
Apr 24, 1915 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Dodgers beat an aging Christy Mathewson‚ 7-5. It's the 6th loss in a row for the Giants.
Apr 18, 1914 - At Ebbets Field‚ Wilbert Robinson leads his Dodgers to a pasting of John McGraw's Giants. Brooklyn racks Christy Mathewson for 10 hits and 9 runs in 7 innings. Zack Wheat leads the way with a 3-run homer while driving home 5 runs.
Apr 29, 1913 - At Ebbets Field‚ New York's Christy Mathewson beats Nap Rucker 6-0 in 13 innings and gives up no walks. He has thrown 22 innings without a pass; he will not walk a batter for 47 innings‚ then will top his own record later in the year. During his 25-11 season‚ Matty will walk 21 and hit none.
Apr 18, 1913 - At Ebbets Field‚ the Phillies edge Brooklyn‚ 1-0 behind Tom Seaton‚ who will lead the NL in wins‚ innings pitched‚ strikeouts and walks. Nap Rucker takes the loss.
Apr 9, 1913 - With league approval‚ the Dodgers play their opener-and first regular-season game at Ebbets Field-a day ahead of the rest of the league. Cold weather keeps the crowd down to about 12‚000‚ and the Phils' knuckleballer Tom Seaton beats Nap Rucker‚ 1-0. Seaton will lead the NL in wins with 27.
Apr 5, 1913 - An exhibition game with the newly christened Yankees opens Ebbets Field; 25‚000 are on hand to watch Nap Rucker beat the American Leaguers‚ 3-2. The first HR is hit by Brooklyn's Casey Stengel‚ who legs out an inside-the-parker in the 1st. Jake Daubert legs out another round tripper in the 2nd. The Yanks suffer a loss when Zack Wheat spikes starting SS Claud Derrick on his throwing hand. Derrick will play just 7 games before New York ships him to Sacramento (PCL).
Oct 5, 1912 - In their last game at Washington Park‚ the Superbas lose to the Giants‚ 1-0. Pat Ragan takes the loss before 10‚000 fans. Brooklyn will open next season at Ebbets Field.
Jul 6, 1912 - In Brooklyn‚ the cornerstone is put in place and construction on Ebbets Field begins.
May 29, 1908 - At Ebbets Field‚ Christy Mathewson rights himself and shuts out Brooklyn for a 1-0 Giants win. Matty gives up 4 hits‚ K's 8‚ in beating Nap Rucker.
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