IN THE NEWS: American Federation of Labor president Samuel Gompers announces that his organization plans to form a baseball players’ union. He feels that with the NL’s reduction to eight teams-and the subsequent loss of income by many players on the four disbanded teams-players might overcome their reservations and join the union.
IN THE NEWS: At the request of club owners in Cincinnati and New York, the NL bans umpire Tim Hurst, considered the most colorful, cantankerous ump, from working in cities whose club owners "object to having a man of that type associated with their grounds, where ladies and gentlemen watch the games."
IN THE NEWS: In the NL opener at Boston, 10,000 fans watch the Phils win 19-17 in 10 innings, the highest scoring season opener in history. Boston scored nine runs, including a major-league record three by pinch hitters, in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game at 17 apiece. At one point, Philadelphia led 16-4. The record of three pinch runners will be matched four times in the 20th century, all in the 9th inning. Buck Freeman and Lave Cross match homers. Al Orth goes all the way for the Phils, while Vic Willis starts for Boston with Kid Nichols in relief.
In the Opener at Cincinnati, Chicago outslugs the Reds, 13-10. Jock Menefee is the winner over Ed Scott.
On Opening Day in Detroit, Charlie Bennett throws out the first ball in the Detroit park named for him, but his presence fails to rouse the Tigers, who fall to the no-hit pitching of Buffalo’s Morris "Doc" Amole, 8-0. In his 2-year NL career, which ended in 1898, Amole compiled a record of 4-10.
IN THE NEWS: The American League entry in Chicago opens with the Chicago White Stockings losing to the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-4. Chicago will win tomorrow, 5-3, behind the pitching of Roger Denzer.
IN THE NEWS: In Cincinnati, Honus Wagner cracks three doubles but the Pirates still lose, 9-8.
IN THE NEWS: The American League opener in Cleveland draws 6,500, a higher mark than the NL team drew there for the entire 1899 season.
The Pirates score seven runs in the 9th inning, but still lose their home opener, 12-11, to the Reds. Cincy scores eight runs off starter Rube Waddell in five innings, and four more off reliever Jack Chesbro. Attendance today is 11,000.
On their way to the Polo Grounds, New York Giants George Davis, Kid Gleason, and Mike Grady spot smoke rising from an apartment building and rush to help with the rescue. Davis climbs a fireman's ladder to rescue a woman who fainted in the heat, and Gleason and Davis help a woman and child down a fire escape. Forty five families are left homeless from the major blaze. Then the trio, with Davis stroking a triple, help the Giants tie Boston 5-5 after nine innings, then rally with a five spot to tie again in the bottom of the 10th.
IN THE NEWS: Brothers Joe, Jim, and Tom Delahanty, playing their 3rd year together with Allentown, open the Atlantic League season by banging out a family total of 11 hits for 20 bases.