1919 A standing room only crowd attends the first-ever major league game played on a Sunday in Brooklyn. The Ebbets Field contest, in which the Dodgers beat the Braves, 6-2, was made possible when the New York Legislature passed the Sunday Baseball Bill into law.
1939 In his first-ever at-bat in the city of Detroit, Boston rookie Ted Williams becomes the first player to hit a homer which totally clears the right field seats at Briggs Stadium.
The prodigious poke proves to be the difference when the Red Sox edge the Tigers, 7-6.
1944 For the first time in the city's history, blacks are allowed to buy grandstand seats in St. Louis. The Browns and Cardinals are the last major league teams to integrate seating for fans, having restricted the minority to the bleachers in previous years.
1954 The Phillies and Cardinals set a major league record by using total of 42 players in one game. Philadelphia wins the Busch Stadium contest, that includes four future Hall of Famers, in eleven innings, 14-10.
1966 In a 6-1 victory over L.A. at Candlestick Park, Willie Mays becomes the all-time National League home run leader when he strokes his 512th career round-tripper off Dodger starter Claude Osteen. The San Francisco center fielder passes another Giant, breaking the mark established by Mel Ott in 1946.
1970 With his third inning RBI single in the Braves' 5-3 victory over Pittsburgh, Rico Carty establishes an Atlanta team record by getting a hit in his 23rd consecutive game. The 30 year-old left fielder, who hasn't had a hitless game since Opening Day, will win the National League batting title with a .366 average.
1985 Baltimore's Cal Ripken, en route to baseball's all-time mark for consecutive games played, breaks Brooks Robinson's club record when he plays in his 464th consecutive contest. The Orioles shortstop marks the occasion by hitting a double and a home run in the BIrds' 8-6 loss to Minnesota at the Metrodome.
2010
"He brings out the best in his players and exemplifies what the sport of baseball is supposed to be about-- hustle, grit, loyalty and determination." - U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), praising Braves' manager Bobby Cox
At the United States Capitol, Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) present Bobby Cox framed copies of their statements submitted into the Congressional Record on April 20 honoring the Braves' skipper. The 68 year-old skipper has announced he will be retiring at the end of the season, after 51 seasons in professional baseball.