IN THE NEWS: After a 2-year investigation, the Mills Committee, formed on the recommendation of Al Spalding and headed by the former NL president A.G. Mills, declares that baseball was invented by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, NY in 1839. Overwhelming evidence to the contrary is ignored, but the designation makes James Fenimore Cooper's town the most likely site for a Hall of Fame and museum when these establishments are conceived some 30 years later.
IN THE NEWS: The St. Louis clubs play a benefit game, raising $5,000 for the beleaguered Chris Von der Ahe.
IN THE NEWS: At Hilltop Park, Slow Joe Doyle scatters four hits in edging the A's, 1-0 in 12 innings. The first hit is by A's left fielder Topsy Hartsel, who has his nose broken by an errant pitch during pre-game warmups. Nick Carter, making his major-league debut, matches Doyle for 11 innings, but in the 12th, a ground rule double into the crowd, and a single put runners at the corners. A line drive to RF Jack Coombs then scores Red Kleinow with the winner.
Before 17,000 in Philadelphia, Christy Mathewson scatters four Phillies hits and drives in two of the Giants runs. New York wins, 3-1 over George McQuillan.
At Washington, Boston plays their first game under their new nickname "Red Sox."
IN THE NEWS: Pittsburgh's Sam Leever tosses a 3-hit shutout over the Cardinals as Pittsburgh sweeps the 3-game series. But the big news for the Pirates is the signing of Honus Wagner for another year. The star SS ends his holdout and will play on the 19th in a 4-3 loss to the Reds.
IN THE NEWS: At Detroit's Bennett Field, Cleveland scores three runs in the 12th to beat the host Tigers, 9-3. Cobb leads the Tiger attack with three hits and two RBIs.
IN THE NEWS: In Brooklyn's home opener, the Superbas manage six hits against Christy Mathewson and strike out 12 times. Newly acquired 1B Fred Tenney has two hits and a RBI as the Giants win 4-0.
IN THE NEWS: The National Commission reinstates Jake Stahl and Mike Donlin after fining them $100 each for playing with teams outside organized ball in 1907.
IN THE NEWS: "The Father of Baseball," Henry Chadwick, the leading reporter, commentator, scorer, and indefatigable promoter of the game, dies in Brooklyn at age 85.
| SCOREBOARD: APRIL 20, 1908 |
| Boston Red Sox 8, Philadelphia Athletics 1 at Huntington Ave Baseball Grounds |
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| Boston Red Sox 5, Philadelphia Athletics 3 at Huntington Ave Baseball Grounds |
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| Chicago White Sox 7, St. Louis Browns 1 at South Side Park III |
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| Cleveland Indians 6, Detroit Tigers 2 at Bennett Park |
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| New York Yankees 4, Washington Senators 3 at Hilltop Park |
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| New York Giants 4, Brooklyn Dodgers 1 at Washington Park III |
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| Cincinnati Reds 2, Pittsburgh Pirates 1 at Palace of the Fans |
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| Philadelphia Phillies 4, Boston Braves 3 at Baker Bowl |
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| Chicago Cubs 2, St. Louis Cardinals 0 at Robison Field |
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| Compiled by Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.org) |
IN THE NEWS: In the Giants home opener, 25,000 fans watch Brooklyn take a 2-1 lead into the 9th inning against Christy Mathewson. With Fred Tenney on 1B, Mike Donlin, a hold out all of last year, then homers to give the Giants a 3-2 win.
IN THE NEWS: At Boston, Christy Mathewson twirls a one-hitter, walking none, to beat Irv Young, 2-0.
IN THE NEWS: The Braves rally to tie the Giants in the 5th, then score runs in the 10th and 11th to beat Bill Malarkey, 7-6. Winning pitcher Irv Young scores the winning run when former Brave Fred Tenney drops a perfect throw at 1B.
IN THE NEWS: In the 9th inning at Boston, the Braves are tied 2-2 with the Giants. With runners on 1B and 2B, Boston's Frank Bowerman hits a Doc Crandall pitch into the stands, but is credited with only a double in the 3-2 win.