TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

June 12, 1939, Cooperstown, New York became the baseball capital of the world. The National Baseball Hall of Fame held its first-ever Induction Ceremony, opening a shrine to the national pastime that fans from around the world still visit today.

Approximately 12,000 fans, national press, and three radio broadcast crews gathered on Main Street at noon, where 25 electees from the first three induction classes were honored with bronze plaques. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis set the tone: "I should like to dedicate this museum to all America. To lovers of good sportsmanship, healthy bodies, keen minds — for those are the principals of baseball."

After a ruffle of drums and taps for the 14 deceased members, the living inductees spoke one by one. Connie Mack, Honus Wagner, Tris Speaker, Napoleon Lajoie, Cy Young, Walter Johnson, George Sisler, Eddie Collins, Grover Cleveland Alexander and Babe Ruth addressed the crowd. Ty Cobb, delayed by illness en route, missed the ceremony entirely. "Called out on strikes, I guess," he later laughed.

Eddie Collins, a Hall of Fame second baseman, was awestruck by the assembled talent: "I'd be glad to be the batboy for such a team as this." Ruth, introduced last and receiving the day's loudest ovation, kept his remarks simple: "I hope some day that some of the young fellows coming into the game will know how it feels to be picked in the Hall of Fame."

That afternoon a four-block parade down a flag-lined Main Street led to Doubleday Field, where Wagner and Collins chose up sides for an all-star exhibition game using the classic hand-over-bat method. Their rosters included future Hall of Famers Dizzy Dean, Mel Ott, Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, Arky Vaughan and Lefty Grove.

Wagner's team won 4-2, but the moment everyone remembered came in the fifth inning. The 44-year-old Ruth emerged from the dugout wearing a uniform from a 1934 Japan tour, stepping in to pinch hit. The crowd roared. Four years retired, the Bambino popped a two-two pitch up the first base line — caught by catcher Art Jorgens. "Everybody yelled 'drop it, drop it,'" recalled one reporter covering the game. Ruth returned to the dugout to a standing ovation anyway.

"I'm too old," Ruth admitted afterward. "I can't hit the floor with my hat."

But his legendary charm was on full display after the game. A 14-year-old fan named Fred St. John asked for a photo. Rather than brush him off, Ruth took a moment to make sure the boy had his finger off the lens and was properly lined up before letting him shoot. "There," Ruth said. "I don't want anybody to take a bad picture of me."

Cooperstown itself had been designated the birthplace of baseball in 1907, based on the Mills Commission's finding that Abner Doubleday devised the first scheme for the game there in 1839. Whether that origin story was accurate mattered little on June 12, 1939. What mattered was that baseball had given itself a permanent home — and the Babe had shown up to help open the door.

June 12, 1939, an awe-inspiring collection of baseball’s greatest stars and legendary figures gathers in Cooperstown, New York for the official dedication of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner and the late Christy Mathewson, all of whom had been elected to the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1936, are honored at the first induction ceremonies. Living members Grover Alexander, Eddie Collins, Napoleon Lajoie, Connie Mack, George Sisler, Tris Speaker and Cy Young also receive their Hall of Fame plaques. The day’s events include a seven-inning All-Star game at Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field. Among the future Hall of Famers to participate in the exhibition game are Jay Hanna “Dizzy” Dean, Robert “Lefty” Grove, Hank Greenberg and Mel Ott.

June 12, 1954 – Milwaukee Braves’ right-hander Jim Wilson beats future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts when he no-hits the Phillies, 2-0. The one hour and forty-three minute contest at County Stadium, the major league’s only no-no this season, is the first for the franchise since the team relocated from Boston following the 1952 season. The 32 year old Wilson was just 4-9 last season.

June 12, 1954 — The Cleveland Indians Bob Feller Gets his 2,500th career strikeout in a 4-3 win over the Red Sox in Boston’s Fenway Park, putting the Indians alone in first place (35-17). They stay there on the way to a then-AL best-ever record of 111-43. Feller finished his career with 2,581 strikeouts, trailing just Walter Johnson — who pitched 2,087 more career innings than Feller — and Cy Young — who pitched 3,529 more career innings than Feller.

June 12, 1961, Hall of Fame owner Bill Veeck sells his interest in the Chicago White Sox to partner Arthur Allyn. The 48-year-old owner decides to leave the game, in part because of health reasons.

June 12, 1967, the Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators play the longest night game in major league history. The 22-inning marathon lasts six hours and 38 minutes before Senators catcher Paul Casanova delivers a game-winning single in the bottom of the 22nd inning.

June 12, 1970, Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches a no-hitter despite giving up eight walks. The talented right-hander shuts down the San Diego Padres, 2-0, with help from Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski, who each make terrific defensive plays. Ellis will later admit to pitching the game under the influence of LSD.

June 12 1975 – 36 year old Oakland Athletics outfielder Billy Williams hits his 400th career home run. He became the 16th player to reach the mark with his 3 run shot. The game also featured Hank Aaron’s first homerun in Milwaukee since Sept 30, 1965 in the Brewers 9-7 win over the A’s. He retired in 1976 with 426 homers and a .290 batting average.

June 12 1983, Charlie Gehringer and Hank Greenberg, recently-elected Hall of Famers, have their uniform numbers retired by the Tigers in a pregame ceremony. The digits #2 and #5, respectively, will join Al Kaline’s #6 (1980) as the only numbers retired in franchise history. Charlie Gehringer and Hank Greenberg, were both recently-elected Hall of Famers

June 12, 1988 – Milwaukee Brewer Centerfielder Robin Yount hits for the cycle‚ leading Milwaukee to a 16-2 rout of the White Sox. Longtime teammate Paul Molitor leaves the game after going 3-3 with a walk in the 6th, Molitor had a double. triple and single. The duo went 7-7 and scored 6 runs, driving in 3 and combined for 16 total bases.

June 12, 1997 At the Ballpark in Texas, the San Francisco Giants defeat the Texas Rangers, 4-3, in the first interleague game in history played in the 126-year history of the sport. San Francisco outfielder Darryl Hamilton picks up the first-ever Interleague hit, and his teammate Glenallen Hill becomes the National League’s first regular season designated hitter.

June 12 2010 During a 10-2 rout of Philadelphia at Fenway Park, Daniel Nava hits a grand slam on the first pitch he sees as a major leaguer. The 27 year-old Red Sox left fielder, recently called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, hits his bases-loaded round-tripper in the second inning off Joe Blanton to become only the second player in big league history to accomplish the feat, joining Kevin Kouzmanoff, who went yard with the bases juiced with Cleveland in 2004. Nava bails out emergency starter Scott Atchison, filling in for Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is placed on the disabled list before the game with a right forearm strain; Manny Delcarmen is the winner over Joe Blanton.

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TRIVIA

TRIVIA: Who was the first black player to hit a home run in a World Series game?

Hint: #1 He was also the first black player to hit a home run for his league in an All-Star game.

Hint: #2 He was the last player to lose a home run to a game being called on account of darkness.

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