Baseball from 1900 to 1909 Chronology

American League opener in Cleveland draws 6,500.

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John McGraw & Wilbert Robinson sign with Cardinals

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May 28

In the early morning, the main grandstand of League Park, the Cincinnati Reds' home field at Findlay and Western, burned. The club moved home plate where the right field corner was, built temporary stands and finished the season.

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Jun 05

Pirate first baseman Duff Cooley has only two putouts in a 6-5 defeat to the Phillies.

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Jun 21

Dodgers score 7 in top of 11th to go ahead of Phillies, 20-13, In bottom of 11th Phillies stalls so umpire forfeits game to Dodgers.

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Jul 04

Approximately one thousand people in the crowd of 10,000 fans attending the game at West Side grounds celebrate Independence Day by firing pistols into the air. Chicago beats Philadelphia in 12 innings, 5-4.

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Jul 07

By defeating the Cubs, 11-4, Beaneater hurler Kid Nichols takes only nine seasons to win 300 games. The 30-year old righty will amass 361 victories during his 15-year career and will remain the youngest player ever to accomplish the feat.

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Jul 08

First night baseball, league game (Zanesville at Grand Rapids).

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Jul 13

Phillies beat Pittsburgh 23-8.

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Jul 26

In Brooklyn, sheriff seizes the St. Louis share of gate receipts to reimburse Gus Weyhing, a player released by the Cards claiming to have been cheated out of ten days pay.

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Aug 19

In Western League action, Rube Waddell throws two complete games as Milwaukee sweeps a doubleheader from the White Sox, 2-1 and 1-0. After throwing 17 innings in the first game, the colorful southpaw is coaxed by skipper Connie Mack, who promises him a few days off to go fishing to pitch the night cap, he hurls a five-inning one-hitter.

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Aug 31

Dodgers' Brickyard Kennedy walks 6 straight Phillies.

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Nov 13

Baltimore Orioles (now NY Yankees) enter baseball's American League.

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1901

Jan 24

First games played in baseball's American League.

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Jan 29

The American League drafted a 140-game schedule and declared itself to be a second Major League after the league's one-year agreement with the National League expired.

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Feb 08

It is rumored the NL's leading hitter and the Phillies' top player, Napoleon Lajoie, has jumped to the new AL Philadelphia franchise.

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Feb 27

NL Rules Committee decrees that all fouls are to count as strikes except after two strikes.

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Mar 11

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Baltimore manager John McGraw signed Cherokee Indian Tokohoma, who is really black 2nd baseman Charlie Grant.

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Mar 12

Ground is broken for Boston's first American League ballpark (Huntington Ave Grounds).

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Apr 03

After jumping back to the Giants, Christy Matthewson is accused by Connie Mack of reneging on his Philadelphia contract.

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Apr 22

The Chicago White Sox defeat Cleveland, 8-2, in the first "official" American League game.

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The Detroit Tigers prepared to take to the field for their first official American League game. A standing room only crowd was anticipated at Bennett Park, but unpredictable weather postponed the opening by a day.

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Four games were scheduled to open the brand new American League baseball season. Three of them, however, were rained out. The Chicago White Stockings beat the Cleveland Blues 8-2 before a paid crowd of over 10,000 fans at the Chicago Cricket Club in the only game played. The new league, nicknamed the junior circuit, was made up of teams in Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indpls, Kansas City, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Buffalo, Indpls and, initially, Minneapolis, fell out of the league, with new teams in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and, later, Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, Ft. Worth and Toronto joining the American League.

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On Opening Day at Bennett Park in Detroit, the Tigers tally ten times in the bottom of the ninth to beat Milwaukee, 14-13.

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Erve Beck hit the first home run in the American League.

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After two days of rain at Philadelphia's Columbia Park, 10,547 fans witness Connie Mack's A's make the their American League debut losing to the Senators, 5-1.

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Apr 28

Cleveland's Bock Baker gives up a record 23 singles as Chicago White Sox beat Blues (Cleveland Blues!) 13-1.

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May 01

White Sox Herm McFarland hits the first grand slam in AL history in a game which features the Detroit Tigers committing 12 errors.

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In their long-delayed American League home opener, Boston defeats Philadelphia 12-4

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May 09

Indian hurler Earl Moore holds the White Sox hitless for nine innings before giving up two hits in the tenth inning to lose, 4-2.

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May 15

The first shut out in American League history is recorded as the Washington Senators blank the Boston Americans, 4-0.

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May 23

Scoring nine runs with two outs in the ninth, the Indians defeat the Senators, 14-13.

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Jun 09

NY Giants get record 31 hits to beat Cin Reds 25-13.

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Jun 21

Harley "Doc" Parker is pummeled for 26 hits and 21 runs (both National League records which still stand) in his only Cincinnati Reds outing.

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Jul 12

At Boston's Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds, Cy Young of the Americans seven-hits the A's, 5-3, to win his 300th game. The 34-year old will win an additional 211 games to establish an amazing major league record of 511 career victories.

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Jul 15

New York Giant Christy Mathewson tosses a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals, one of two in his Hall of Fame career.

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Aug 05

Burt Hart punches John Haskell and will be banned for life as a result his assault on the umpire. The Oriole first baseman plays only 58 games in his major league career.

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Aug 10

White Sox Frank Isbell of the Chicago White Sox strands eleven runners on the base paths to set an AL record.

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Sep 05

The National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues was formed in Chicago. It became the first organized baseball league.

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Sep 23

Against Cincinnati, the Dodgers score a total 25 runs breaking a team record

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Nov 05

Ban Johnson and Charles Comiskey lease Sportsman's Park for five years for an AL team. Two weeks later it is announced the Milwaukee franchise will be moved to St. Louis.

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Dec 03

Milwaukee is dropped from the American League & replaced by St Louis Browns.

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1902

Mar 02

Jimmy Collins, leaves Boston Beaneaters (National League) club to manage American League's new Boston Somersets.

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Mar 27

The Chicago Daily News becomes first-known entity to pen "Cubs" nickname as team moniker.

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Apr 17

Opening Day, some 10,000 spectators crowded into the park and watched the Reds lose to the Chicago Cubs, 6-1. The ballpark sported a fabulous new iron and concrete grandstand, replacing the charred ruins from a fire in 1900, nicknamed the "Palace of the Fans," seated 3000.

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Professional baseball gets its start in Durham, North Carolina as the Tobacconists (renamed the Bulls 11 years later) played an exhibition game against Trinity College (now Duke University). The Bulls, except for 1971-80, when minor league baseball didn't exist in the city, will continue play in Durham until the present day.

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Erwin Harvey becomes first Cleveland ballplayer (Cleveland Bronchos) to have six hits in one game.

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In his his major league debut, Cleveland Bronchos hurler, Addie Joss pitches a one-hitter beating the hometown Browns, 3-0.

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May 16

2 deaf-mutes face each other for first time as Dummy Hoy leads off for the Reds against Dummy Taylor of the Giants, Reds win 5-3.

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May 24

Cleveland's Bill Bradley is first American League-er to hit a homerun in 4 consecutive games, not duplicated until Babe Ruth does it June 25, 1918.

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Jun 15

Justin Clark of Corsicana, TX minors hits 8 home runs in 1 game.

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Jul 02

John J McGraw becomes manager of NY Giants (stays for 30 years).

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Jul 17

Baltimore (AL) (later the NY Highlanders, later the NY Yankees) didn't have enough men to field their team.

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Jul 19

Manager John McGraw, in his Giant debut, loses to the Phillies, 5-3. The Giants will finish in last place.

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Aug 18

The first unassisted triple play in baseball is made by Harry O'Hagen.

Aug 21

Joe McGinnity of the National League Baltimore Orioles is thrown out of the league for punching and spitting at an ump. Due his popularity, 'Iron Man Mike' will be quickly reinstated.

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Sep 15

The Chicago Cubs trio of Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance records its first double play in 6-3 win vs. the Cincinnati Reds.

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Sep 20

The White Sox first no-hitter in franchise history is tossed by Jim 'Nixey' Callagan as he defeats Tigers, 2-0.

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Dec 09

American League announces purchase of grounds for a stadium in New York.

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1903

Jan 09

Baseball's National & American Leagues make peace.

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Jan 09

Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchase the defunct Baltimore franchise of the American League for $18,000 and then move the team to Manhattan.

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Feb 09

Baseball's National & American Leagues make peace.

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Feb 09

Frank Farrell & Bill Devery purchase AL Baltimore franchise for $18,000 & move it to New York City NY (Yankees).

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Feb 20

Nick Young remains as NL president as AG Spalding ends challenge.

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Feb 28

Pittsburgh owner Barney Dreyfuss and James Potter lead a syndicate to buy the Phillies from John Rogers and A. J. Reach for $170,000. It will be another seven years before owning more than one team is prohibited.

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Mar 01

The rules committee sets the height of the pitcher's mound (box) to a maxium of fifteen inches.

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Mar 07

The Giants trade last season's part-time manager Heinie Smith to Detroit for second baseman Kid Gleason. Gleason is immediately sent to the Phillies.

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Mar 12

The New York franchise is approved as a member of the American League. The team will play in a hastily constructed, all-wood park at 168th Street and Broadway. Because the site is one of the highest spots in Manhattan, the club will be known as the "Highlanders" and their home field "Hilltop Park."

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Mar 22

New York Highlanders (Yankees) tickets first go on sale.

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Apr 20

On Opening Day, before 8,376 fans at Huntington Ave Baseball Grounds, the Americans defeat the A's in the morning game of Patriot's Day twin bill, 9�4.Connie Mack's Athletics win the matinee match-up featuring two future Hall of Fame hurlers, 10�7, as 27,658 spectators enjoy watching starters Eddie Plank and Cy Young oppose one another.

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Apr 20

New York Highlanders play their first game, with Jack Chesbro losing 3-1 to Al Orth & Washington Nationals.

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Apr 22

In the first game of franchise history, the New York Highlanders (later to be renamed Yankees) lose their opener at Washington, 3-1 with Jack Chesbro taking the loss.

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Apr 23

The Highlanders record the first win in franchise history, a 7-2 decision at Washington. Harry Howell recorded the win.

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Apr 27

First Highlander (Yankee) shut-out, Philadelphia A's win 6-0.

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Apr 30

New York Highlanders (later Yankees) win their home opener at Hilltop Park (168th St. and Broadway), Jack Chesbro beats the Senators 6-2.

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May 06

Chicago White Sox commit 12 errors against Detroit Tigers.

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May 17

Due to Sunday restrictions in Cleveland, a major league game is played in Columbus, Ohio with the 'hometown' Indians defeating the NY Highlanders, 9-2.

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Jun 02

Pirates win a triple header from the Dodgers.

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Jun 16

First Highlander (Yankee) shut-out victory 1-0 over White Sox.

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Jun 25

Yanks & White Sox end deadlocked at 6-6 in 18.

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Aug 16

Tigers play a home game in Toledo Ohio, Yanks win 12-8.

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Aug 19

Phillies suffer record 9th straight posponed game.

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Aug 26

The Phillies walk 17 Dodgers in a game.

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Aug 31

Joe McGinnity wins his 3rd doubleheader of the month.

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Sep 07

A year before the first subway is completed, the Brooklyn Superbas, later to be known as the Dodgers play their cross-town rivals in a two stadium, same day doubleheader. The first game played in Washington Park begins at 10:30 am with 9,300 fans watching the visiting Giants win the opener, 6-4 and later that afternoon in front of 23,623 fans at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan, Brooklyn wins the second game, 3-0.

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Sep 14

In an afternoon game called because of unusual darkness, Giants' pitcher Leon Ames, making his major league debut, tosses a five inning no-hitter against the Cardinals.

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Sep 18

Phillie's Chick Fraser no-hits Chic Cubs, 10-0.

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Oct 01

Cy Young played in his (and everyone else�s) first World Series baseball game. The game was held in Boston between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Pilgrims (now the Red Sox). Cy and Boston lost the game; the score was Pittsburgh 7, Boston 3; however, Boston came back to win the series, five games to three.

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Oct 13

In Game 8 of the first World Series, Boston defeats Pittsburgh, 3-0 to take baseball's first ever world championship five games to three.

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1904

Mar 02

"Official Playing Rules of Professional Base Ball Clubs" adopted.

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Mar 10

New York Giant players flee Mobile, Alabama when a judge issues an arrest warrant after a local umpire is beaten unconscious during an exhibition game.

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Apr 17

Not charging admission but requiring fans to buy a scorecard, the Brooklyn Superbas are able to play their first Sunday game in spite of the Blue Laws.

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Apr 21

Ty Cobb makes his pro debut for Augusta (South Atlantic League).

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Yankees pitcher Jack Chesbro wins the first of his record 41 victories he'll record this season.

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Ty Cobb, making his pro baseball debut at the age of seventeen, homers and doubles for Augusta in the South Atlantic League.

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May 05

Red Sox pitcher Cy Young tosses the first perfect game in the AL defeating Rube Waddell and the Philadelphia A's, 3-0. It is the first perfect game in the majors since 1893 when the distance between the mound and plate was changed from 45 feet to 60 feet, six inches.

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May 11

After 23-innings of pitching no-hit baseball, Cy Young's streak ends. The stretch includes six innings today, two innings April 25, six on April 30, and the perfect game against the A's on May 5.

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May 27

National League record of 5 stolen bases in a game (Dennis McGann, New York Giants).

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May 30

Frank Chance gets hit by pitch 5 times in a doubleheader.

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Jun 11

After pitching nine and a third innings of no-hit baseball, Cub hurler Bob Wicker settles for a 1-0, twelve inning one-hit victory over the Giants.

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Jun 21

Boston Herald tells of Red Sox trade "Dougherty as a Yankee," first known reference to NY club as Yankees (became Yankees in 1913)

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Aug 17

Red Sox hurler Jesse Tennehill no-hits the White Sox, 6-0.

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Sep 09

Boston Herald again refers to NY baseball club as Yankees, when it reports "Yankees take 2," Yankee name not official till 1913.

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Sep 15

Beating the Braves, 3-2, Giant hurler George Wiltse runs his career record to 12-0. 'Hooks' dozen consecutive victories establishes the record for the most wins at the start of a career for a starter.

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Sep 27

Cleveland's right-handed pitcher Bob Rhoads holds Boston hitless until Chick Stahl singles with two outs in the ninth.

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Sep 30

White Sox pitcher Doc White pitches his fifth shutout in eighteen days. The southpaw pitches six of his season total of seven shutouts in September.

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Oct 02

White Sox Doc White's streak of 45.0 consecutive scoreless innings is snapped by the NY Highlanders in Chicago.

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Oct 07

New York Highlander Happy Jack Chesbro defeats Boston, 3-2 to notch his 41st victory of the season.

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Oct 10

Yanks 2 games out play first place Red Sox on final day doubleheader game winner Chesbro loses the 1st game & chance at pennant.

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1905

Jan 16

Baseball outfielder Frank Huelsman traded for 6th time in 8 months.

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Washington Senators execute a triple-play & beat New York Yankees 4-3.

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Cubs Jack McCarthy becomes only major league player to throw out 3 runners at the plate in 1 game, all were ends of a double play.

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May 17

Waseda University of Tokyo defeats Los Angeles High School 5-3 in baseball.

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May 29

Dodger hurler Elmer Stricklett introduces the spitball helping Brooklyn to beat the Giants, 4-3.

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Jun 13

Giants' hurler Christy Mathewson pitches his second career no-hitter defeating the Cubs, 1-0.

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Jul 01

The Chicago Cubs win 13-5 vs. Reds in Frank Chance's first official game as manager.

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Jul 04

With the A's scoring two runs in the 20th inning, Rube Waddell beats Cy Young and the Red Sox, 4-2 with each hurler pitching a complete game.

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Jul 05

NY Giants 18 game win streak ends as Phillies win in 10th.

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Jul 22

Phila Athletic's Weldon Henley no-hits St Louis Browns, 6-0

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Aug 15

Phila A's Rube Waddell no-hits St Louis Browns, 2-0 in 5 innings.

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Aug 24

In Philadelphia, the Cubs defeat the Phillies in 20 innings, 2-1; Ed Reulbach goes the distance for Chicago.

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Aug 30

Making his major league debut, Ty Cobb doubles off Highlander's Jack Chesbro in a 5-3 Tiger victory.

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Sep 05

Big Ed Walsh pitched two complete-game victories for Chicago�s White Sox. Big Ed single-handedly beat Boston 10-5 and 3-1.

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Sep 06

Big Ed Walsh pitched two complete-game victories for Chicago�s White Sox. Big Ed single-handedly beat Boston 10-5 and 3-1.

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Sep 08

Pitts Pirates strand NL record 18 men on base & lose to Reds 8-3.

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Sep 23

Tigers' rookie Ty Cobb hits his first career HR, an inside-the parker, but Washington beats Detroit, 8-5.

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Sep 27

Boston Pilgrim Bill Dinneen pitches the season's fourth no-hitter beating the White Sox, 2-0.

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Oct 09

Christy Matthewson blanks Philadelphia in Game 1 of the World Series, 3-0. The NY ace will blank the A's twice more as the Giants sweep the Fall Classic.

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Oct 14

NY Giants beats Phila A's, 4 games to 1 in 2nd World Series, Giant's Christy Mathewson's 3rd straight world series shutout.

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Dec 23

Thirty-eight year old A's third baseman Lave Cross is sold to the Senators.

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1906

Jan 20

Henry Mathewson signs with the Giants, but his performance will not remind anyone of his more talented brother, Christy.

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Mar 06

Cubs sign 3rd baseman Harry Steinfeldt to complete Tinker-Evers-Chance.

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Apr 12

Johnny Bates of the Boston Braves hits a home run in his first major league at bat.

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Apr 22

New rule puts umpire in sole charge of all game balls.

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May 01

Striking out 11 batters while walking three, Phillie hurler John Lush no-hits the Dodgers, 1-0 .

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In a game against Boston, A's pitcher Chief Bender hits two home runs after being asked by Philadelphia manager Connie Mack to replace an outfielder in the sixth inning.

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May 14

Flagpole at the White Sox ballpark breaks during pennant-raising.

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May 15

NY Giants' George Wiltse strikes out 4 batters in the 5th inning.

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May 17

Rube Waddell's no-hitter is broken up by Ty Cobb's bunt single.

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May 25

After 20 straight wins, Boston Pilgrims lose to Chicago White Sox 3-0.

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Jun 02

The Chicago Cubs Cubs acquire Cincinnati's Orval Overall, who goes 12-3 down stretch to lead Cubs to NL pennant.

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Jun 07

Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity give up 11 first inning runs allowing the Cubs to rout the Giants, 19-0.

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Jul 02

Yanks win by forfeit, for their first time.

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Jul 20

At St. Louis, Brooklyn hurler Mal Eason no-hits against the Cardinals, 2-0. The 'Kid' was the losing pitcher when Johnny Lush pitch a no-hitter against the Superbas in May.

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Jul 22

Without a single assist registered by his Reds teammates, Bob Ewing beats the Phillies, 10-3.

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Jul 28

Yankees turn triple-play, beat Cleveland 6-4.

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Aug 01

After pitching 10.2 innings of no-hit ball, Dodger Harry McIntire yields a single to Pirate Claude Ritchey. McIntire loses the game in the 13th on an unearned run, 1-0.

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Aug 02

Defeating the Red Red Sox, 3-0, the White Sox begin an American League record 19-game winning streak. The 'Hitless Wonders' streak will only be tied by the 1947 NY Yankees.

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Aug 06

The Red Sox are shut out for the fourth consecutive time establishing a new American League record.

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Aug 13

After pitching 1727 consecutive complete innings, including fifteen games in relief, Cub pitcher Jack Taylor's streak comes to an end as the Brooklyn Superbas knock him out of the game in the third inning.

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Aug 23

The White Sox, en route to the American League flag, beat the Senators for their 19th consecutive win.

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Aug 24

Cincinatti Red John Weimer no-hits Dodgers, 1-0 in 7 inning game.

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Aug 30

Hal Chase became first Yankee to hit 3 triples in a game.

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Sep 01

Pitcher Jack Coombs of the American League�s Philadelphia Athletics went 24 innings. For the record, the A�s defeated the Boston Red Sox.

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Sep 03

Yanks win 2nd game on a forfeit over A's; 2nd forfeit win.

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Sep 21

Yankee first baseman Hal Chase's 22 put-outs ties record.

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Sep 24

St Louis Card Stony McGlynn no-hits Dodgers, 1-1 in 7 inning game.

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Sep 26

Pitts Lefty Leifield no-hits Phillies, 8-0 in 6 inning game.

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Sep 26

After setting a major league record of being shutout for 48 consecutive innings, the A's finally score a run thanks to Harry Davis' two-run double. The Mackmen, however, still lose to Cleveland, 5-3.

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Oct 04

Setting a major league mark, the Cubs win their 116th game completing the season with an astounding .763 winning percentage.

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Oct 05

Henry Mathewson (NY Giants) walks 14 men.

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Oct 14

The White Sox, known as baseball's 'hitless wonders' complete their unbelievable World Series upset of the their powerful crosstown rivals beating the Cubs, 8-3 at South Side Park; the Cubs had won a record 116 regular season games.

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Dec 13

The A's sell Andy Coakley, a twenty-game winner in 1905, to the Reds. Coakley will later enjoy a thirty-seven year career as the baseball coach for Columbia University.

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Dec 26

In an effort to prevent hitters from rubbing out chalk lines, NL ump Hank O'Day suggests white rubber strips be used to mark out the batter's box.

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1907

Mar 04

A $52,000 judgment is awarded to Baltimore due to Brooklyn's failure to pay the agreed sum of $40,000 for the franchise.

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Mar 06

Phillies' owner A.J. Reach and John Rogers are acquitted of damages resulting from the 1903 ballpark disaster.

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Mar 16

After watching Ty Cobb quarrel with a black groundskeeper and with teammate Charlie Schmidt, Tiger manager Hugh Jennings tries to deal him to the Indians for outfielder Elmer Flick; Tribe's manager Napoleon Lajoie turns down the deal for the 'Geogia Peach'.

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Apr 11

New York Giant Roger Bresnahan becomes the first catcher to wear shin guards.

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