While reading  the various obituaries about  former ballplayer and Cleveland broadcaster Mike Hegan, I kept thinking they omitted  one of the great trivia questions; in 1973 who was the last player that made the final out in the original Yankee Stadium?   Mike Hegan a fly ball to CF.HEGAN-obit-web-articleLarge

Mike Hegan, left, and his father, Jim, at spring training in 1962 Associated Press

I checked off the box (really a dot) on WordPress to email me once a week, because my goal is to blog once a week. What was I thinking?????

Yesterday being the first day of 2014, and with winter storm Hercules (do we need winter storm names) heading towards the Northeast my thoughts turned to spring training…

 

1932 In Philadelphia, Lou Gehrig becomes the first player in the twentieth century to blast four home runs in one game, and barely misses hitting a fifth. The Yankees hammer out a major league record with 50 total bases in a 20-13 slugfest with Philadelphia.
  Citing poor health, the Giants announce the resignation of long time skipper, John McGraw. During his thirty-two year tenure, the fiery manager won three World Series and nine National League pennants, including a record four consecutive flags.
 

Tony Lazzeri blasts a grand slam to complete his natural cycle, with his four hits being accomplished in sequential order; single, double, triple, home run. This rare and amazing feat is overshadowed by Yankee teammate Lou Gehrig hitting four home runs in the same game, and the announcement of long-time Giants manager John McGraw’s retirement on the same day.

(Nationalpastime.com)

 

1941 Prior to the first major league game played at night in Washington, D.C., Senator legend Walter Johnson throws a strike through a beam of light triggering a switch that illuminates Griffith Stadium. On the field, things are not as bright for the home team when it suffers its tenth consecutive setback, a 6-5 loss to the Yankees.
1946

General Electric president Charles E. Wilson throws out the ceremonial first pitch in the first night game played at Yankee Stadium. In front of 49,917 fans, Washington beats the Bronx Bombers, 2-1, when Dutch Leonard goes the distance throwing a six-hitter to improve his spotless record to 5-0.

Mariano Rivera Call Strike-3 For Save 602

0n this day 2011, Yankee closer Mariano Rivera becomes the first pitcher to appear in 1,000 games for the same team. The 41-year old Panamanian right-hander, who has compiled 572 saves and 75 wins during his 17 seasons with the Bronx Bombers, is closing in on the all-time saves record established by Trevor Hoffman with 601.
(from nationalpastime.com)

Mickey Mantle

Photography by Ozzie Sweet for the the cover of Sport magazine 1960. Copyright Paul Plaine Ballpark Prints

Fifty years ago today, Mickey Mantle once again just barely misses becoming the first player to hit a home run out of Yankee Stadium. The monstrous walk-off blast off A’s hurler Bill Fischer, which gives the Yankees a 8-7 victory, hits just a few feet below the decorative facade down the right-field line. (nationalpastime.com)