Today in Baseball History, April 17th
1869
The Cincinnati Red Stockings defeat the rival Amateurs, 24-15, in baseball's first professional game. Team captain Harry Wright had put all of his players under contract, making the club, that will later be known as the Reds, the first pro team in sports history.
1904
By not charging admission but requiring fans to buy a scorecard, the Brooklyn Superbas are able to play their first Sunday game. The strategy is an attempt to circumvent the existing blue laws, legislation designed to enforce religious edicts, including the observance of Sunday as a day of worship.
1925
Babe Ruth undergoes an operation for an intestinal abscess at St. Vincent's Hospital, where he will remained for six weeks. The 30 year-old Yankee outfielder will miss the first forty games of the season due to his "bellyache heard 'round the world", a popular misconception that blamed the consumption of an abundance of hot dogs and soda for his illness.
1951
For the first time, in a career that will span more than half of a century, Bob Sheppard announces the Yankees' lineup. The legendary public address announcer's introduction of the Bronx Bombers will include the memorable names of Mickey Mantle (playing his first game in pinstripes), Phil Rizzuto and Yogi Berra, but the first player's name off the lips of the 'Voice of God' will be DiMaggio – Dom DiMaggio, the leadoff batter for the visiting Red Sox.
1956
Luis Aparicio, Don Drysdale and Frank Robinson play in their first major league games, respectively, for the White Sox, Dodgers and Reds. It marks the first time that three future Hall of Famers have debuted on the same day.
1960
In a trade of fan favorites, the Tigers swap Harvey Kuenn for Indians slugger Rocky Colavito. Detroit gets the better of the deal as their new outfielder will put together four consecutive outstanding seasons in the Motor City as their former fly chaser will last only one season in Cleveland (thus began the "Curse of Colavito"—Auggie).
1976
At Wrigley Field, Mike Schmidt hits four home runs in one game, including the game winner, when the Phillies come back from an 11-run deficit to beat the Cubs in ten innings, 18-16. The Phillies' slugging third baseman is the first National Leaguer, third overall, to hit the homers consecutively.
2010
Rockies' right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez pitches the first no-hitter in the 18-year history of the franchise. The 4-0 historic victory over Atlanta at Turner Field is saved in the seventh inning with a spectacular catch by center fielder Dexter Fowler.
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Incredible day in history
