MAY 30, 1921
The Eddie Grant Memorial, built in memory of a former Giants player killed in World War I, is dedicated at the Polo Grounds. The five-foot high monument is located at the base of the clubhouse wall in center field.(Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 29, 1916
The Giants beat the Braves in Boston, 3-0, for their 17th consecutive road win. Christy Mathewson gets the victory. (Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 29, 1928
At Ebbets Field, Bill Terry hits for the cycle to pace the Giants to a 12-5 victory over the Robins (Dodgers). The New York first baseman is the first player in major league history to include a grand slam as part of the cycle. (Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 28, 1951
After starting his career 0-for-12, Giants rookie Willie Mays gets his first hit, a 450-foot homer off Braves left-hander Warren Spahn.
(Nationalpastime.com)
May 28, 1957,
National League owners voted unanimously to allow the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers to move to San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, at the mid-season owner’s meeting. For the move to take place, both teams had to move together and both had to notify MLB prior to October 1, 1957. The Giants would formally announce their intention to leave for San Francisco on August 19, 1957. “Stay Team Stay” a slogan the fans came to use, fell on deaf ears. The NY Giants would soon be no more.
(Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 27, 1904
Giants’ infielder Dennis McGann steals five bases to establish a major league record. The 32-year old Kentucky native’s thievery helps New York beat Brooklyn at the Polo Grounds, 3-1.
(Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 27, 1937
Carl Hubbell, working two innings in relief, wins his 24th consecutive game when the Giants beat Cincinnati, 3-2. Mel Ott’s ninth-inning home run proves to be the difference in the Crosley Field contest.(Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 27, 1951
A large ad appears in the Minnesota Sunday Times asking the local fans for their continued support of the Millers despite the promotion of the team’s phenom to the major leagues. Giants owner Horace Stoneham explains Willie Mays’ performance, .477 batting average and hitting safely in 33 of 35 games, has warranted the young outfielder’s move to the Polo Grounds in New York. (Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 26, 1929
Giants’ Pat Crawford and Lies Bell of the Braves both hit grand slams in the same game in pinch-hitting appearances. New York beats Boston in the Polo Grounds contest, 15-8. (Nationalpastime.com)
May 25, 1951
At Shibe Park, the much-heralded Giant rookie Willie Mays makes his major league debut against the Phillies. The 20-year old outfielder, who hit .477 in 35 games with the Minneapolis Millers before being called up, goes hitless in five trips to the plate, but makes two outstanding defensive plays to contribute to New York’s 8-5 victory.
(Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 24, 1940
In the first night game played at the Polo Grounds, the hometown Giants beat Boston, 8-1. The Manhattan ballpark’s $125,000 lighting system works well allowing the 22,260 patrons attending the game to follow the nocturnal contest without any difficulties.
(Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 23, 1890
A National League record is established when the Giants and the Pittsburgh Alleghenys combine to steal seventeen bases in a single game. New York will win the Polo Grounds contest, 17-10.
(Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 18, 1942
Night games in New York are banned for the duration of WW II, leaving fans in the dark about the status of the All-Star game scheduled to be played at the Polo Grounds on the evening of Monday, July 6. The prohibition of nighttime tilts, announced by NYC Police Commissioner Lewis J.Valentine, will change the starting times for 28 contests involving the Dodgers and Giants. (The first night game at Yankee Stadium will be played in 1946)(Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 14, 1920
The Giants inform the Yankees, tenants since 1913, their lease to play at the Polo Grounds will not be renewed at the end of the season. There is speculation the National League team, who later will decide to continue sharing their home until the Yankees’ new stadium is completed in 1923, may have been reacting to the team’s recent acquisition of Babe Ruth.
(Nationalpastime.com)