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)
MAY 8, 1929 Giants’ hurler Carl Hubbell becomes the first left-hander in 13 seasons to throw a no-hitter when he beats the Pirates, 11-0. The 26-year old southpaw, in only his second season in the majors, will post an 18-6 record for the third-place club. (Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 6, 1937 Dodgers and Giants fans attending afternoon ball games at both the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field are thrilled to have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Hindenberg when it appears over New York nearing the end of its maiden voyage of the season from Germany. A few hours later, the majestic German zeppelin will explode on a landing strip in Lakehurst, N.J. killing 36 of its passengers. (Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 2, 1928 With the bases loaded and two out in the ninth inning, Giants’ manager John McGraw orders that Dodger rookie Del Bissonette be intentionally walked with the bases loaded by Larry Benton, forcing home a run. The strategy works when Harry Riconda strikes out giving New York a 2-1 victory in the Polo Grounds contest. (Nationalpastime.com)
MAY 2, 1956 During a game in which 48 players see action, Chicago’s third baseman Don Hoak strikes out a record six times against six different New York pitchers. The Giants outlast the Cubs in the 17-inning Wrigley Field marathon, 6-5. (Nationalpastime.com)
APRIL 30, 1944 In the first game of a doubleheader split, first baseman Phil Weintraub gets 11 RBIs, and player-manager Mel Ott scores six runs drawing five walks in the Giants’ 26-8 rout of the Dodgers.(Nationalpastime.com)
APRIL 29, 1922 The Giants hit four inside-the-park home runs at Braves Field in their 15-4 rout of Boston. George Kelly hits a pair with Ross Youngs and Dave Bancroft accounting for the other two 360-foot dashes around the bases. (Nationalpastime.com)
APRIL 25, 1937 Cliff Melton becomes to first rookie to fan at least 10 batters in his major league debut, finishing with 13 strikeouts in a complete-game loss to the Braves at the Polo Grounds. The 25-year old southpaw, who loses the contest due to the Giants poor defense in the ninth inning, will hold the rookie record for K’s in his debut until Dodger freshman Karl Spooner whiffs 15 batters in his first major league start in 1954.(Nationalpastime.com)
APRIL 24, 1947 Johnny Mize homers three times against Johnny Sain in the Giants’ 6-2 victory over the Braves at the Polo Grounds. The ‘Big Cat’ becomes the first major leaguer to hit three home runs in one game five different times. (Nationalpastime.com)
APRIL 23, 1952 Giant hurler Hoyt Wilhelm homers in his first major league at-bat. In his second big league appearance at the plate two days later he will hit a three-bagger, but during the next 21 years, covering a span 1070 games, the knuckle-balling hurler will never triple or homer again.(Nationalpastime.com)
APRIL 18, 1952 On Opening Day in Brooklyn, Willie Mays is knocked unconscious when he smashes into the Ebbets Field wall after chasing pinch hitter Bob Morgan’s seventh-inning, two-out base-loaded line drive into the gap in left field. All three Dodgers base runners cross the plate, but do not score when the motionless Giants center fielder comes to his feet and jogs into the dugout, apparently unhurt, having held onto the ball after making an amazing catch for the third out to end the inning.(Nationalpastime.com)
APRIL 18, 1955 In his first major league appearance, 25-year old Pirates reliever Al Grunwald, getting just one batter out, gives up a single to Don Mueller‚ a double to Monte Irvin‚ a triple to Willie Mays‚ and a homer to Whitey Lockman. The Giants fourth- inning ‘cycle’ contributes to an eight-run frame in the eventual 12-3 victory over Pittsburgh at the Polo Grounds.(Nationalpastime.com)