IN THE NEWS: The NL names club owners Arthur Soden, John T. Brush, and James Hart as an interim committee to run the league.
IN THE NEWS: After the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" before infield practice at the Polo Grounds, Christy Mathewson tosses a four-hit shutout over the Phillies. New York wins, 7-0, beating Harry Felix, before a a crowd of 24,000.
According to the NY Evening Telegram, the Superbas also have a band in Brooklyn, and the music is "On a Sunday Afternoon," a curious choice for for a Thursday home opener. Bill Donovan beats Boston.
The Reds open a new ball park called "the Palace of the Fans" and inaugurate the occasion by losing to Chicago, 6-1. Jack Taylor wins his 2nd straight opener.
The Pirates edge St. Louis, 1-0. when Tommy Leach scores in the 3rd inning. Deacon Phillippe, on his way to his 4th 20-game season in a row, is the winner. Going the other way, Stan Yerkes loses his 1st of 20.
IN THE NEWS: Righthander Bob Ewing, 29, makes his ML debut with the Reds, and ties a NL record by walking seven batters in the 4th inning. The Chicago Cubs get five runs on one hit in the inning. Ewing adds another three walks en route to a 9-5 loss.
At Boston's Huntington Avenue Grounds, 15,000 watch Boston defeat Baltimore, 7-6, in the AL Opening Day game. Cy Young is the winner.
IN THE NEWS: In an exhibition match in Chicago, the Milwaukee Brewers top the White Stockings, 3-2. Chuck Comiskey scheduled the tune-up with the American Association squad after the Brewers took three straight from the Cincinnati Reds.
IN THE NEWS: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, reversing a lower court's decision, grants a permanent injunction (effective only in Pennsylvania) barring jumpers Nap Lajoie, Chick Fraser, and Bill Bernhard from playing for the A's, or any team but the Phillies. Not mentioned, but covered by the decision, are: Elmer Flick, Monte Cross, and Bill Duggleby of the A's; Ed Delahanty, Al Orth, Harry Wolverton, and Jack Townsend of Washington; Ed McFarland (White Stockings) and Red Donahue (Browns).
Christy Mathewson gives the Giants their 2nd victory, winning his 2nd by topping Boston, 6-3.
IN THE NEWS: St. Louis Cardinals owner Frank DeHaas Robison offers to put up $10,000 that the Pirates will not repeat as NL champions. Pittsburgh players accept the challenge with a matching pool, and go on to win the pennant by 27 1/2 games.
The White Stockings open the season at home by marching in from the outfield accompanied by Thompson's American Band. After unfurling the AL pennant, the Chicagoans then stop the Detroit Blues, 12-2 behind Nixey Callahan.
Let the injunction wars begin: The Supreme Court of the District of Columbia issues a restraining order returnable May three against the National Baseball League stopping that organization from interfering with the four Washington AL ball players. In Chicago, Charles Comiskey comes to the defense of Eddie McFarland saying the White Stockings just won't play him in Pennsylvania. In St. Louis, lawyers for the NL Cardinals initiate proceedings in the circuit court of St. Louis to restrain Harper, Wallace, and Heidrick from playing with the St. Louis American League team. All three have signed contracts with the Cards. In Philadelphia, President Shibe of the AL Athletics says, according to his lawyers, the Supreme Court ruling applies only to Nap Lajoie and has no reference to any other player.
IN THE NEWS: The Giants lose 8-4 to Boston when RF Jim Delahanty lets a bases loaded single skip by him and three runners score. New York scores three in the bottom of the 9th, but Boston still beats Christy Mathewson.
IN THE NEWS: In his ML debut, Cleveland's Addie Joss hurls a one-hitter against the Browns to win 3-0. The only hit is a scratch single by Jesse Burkett.
Boston and Washington combine for 18 extra base hits, with Boston winning, 10-8.
IN THE NEWS: Cubs rookie lefthanded pitcher Jim St. Vrain, batting righthanded at the urging of manager Selee, grounds to Pittsburgh SS Honus Wagner. But then, the confused St. Vrain runs toward 3B as the astonished Wagner throws him out at 1B. Pittsburgh wins, 2-0, as Deacon Phillippe is the winner. The Pirate infield records all the putouts with 16 made at 1B. The Cubs now return to Chicago for a 25-game homestand.
IN THE NEWS: Outfielder Jimmy Sheckard of the AL Baltimore Orioles jumps the team and returns to the NL, the first American Leaguer to jump to the NL. In his short stay in the AL, Sheckard had been constantly razzed by fans about his contract jumping. White Sox president Comiskey says, We don't want Sheckard in our league. He has broken too many contracts." President Tom Daly of the Ball Players' Protective Association echoes the sentiments. "Our organization is unalterably opposed to such tactics as Sheckard has made use of. I am glad he has gone back to Brooklyn, for while he is a great ball player and a nice fellow personally we do not countenance violating a written contract as he has done. I suppose (Ned) Hanlon scared him into jumping." With Sheckard (and his $1,000 signing bonus gone) Orioles manager John McGraw will play 3B with Kelly moving to CF.
In Chicago, Cleveland's Dummy Taylor shuts out the White Stockings, 2-0. Many of the Cubs players are on hand to watch the former Giant pitcher beat the locals.
IN THE NEWS: Brickyard Kennedy, a member of the Brooklyn Superbas for 10 years, makes his first start as a New York Giant and shuts out his old team, 6-0, on four hits. It will be Brickyard's only win of the year and his only win as a Giant. The loser is John McMakin. The Giants also announce the release of Jim Delahanty, who hit .231 in seven games. He'll reappear in the majors in 1904 and play another 11 years.
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
