July 21, 1947
Frankie Frisch (.316) becomes the first switch-hitter inducted into the Hall of Fame. The ‘Fordham Flash’ is joined by Carl Hubbell, Mickey Cochrane, and Lefty Grove as the newest members to be enshrined at Cooperstown. (Nationalpastime.com)
July 20, 1951
In a game against the Reds with all-star hurler Ewell Blackwell on the mound, the Giants, for the first time, employ their infamous scheme for stealing catcher’s signs using a telescope positioned in the centerfield clubhouse. The ‘Jints’ beat Cincinnati, 11-6, and New York will win 22 of the remaining 27 games at the Polo Grounds overtaking the Dodgers to win National League pennant.
(Nationalpastime.com)
In front of a near-capacity crowd, John McGraw, the last-place team’s third skipper this season, begins his 30-year tenure as the Giants’ manager, playing shortstop in a 5-3 loss to the Phillies at the Polo Grounds. The fiery 29-year-old Mugsy left the fledgling American League Orioles midseason, bringing three key players from Baltimore, first baseman Dan McGann, catcher Roger Bresnahan, and right-hander Joe McGinnity, all of whom started in today’s game.(Nationalpastime.com)
July 17, 1936
Carl Hubbell’s 24-game winning streak (spanning two seasons) begins with a 6-0 victory over the Pirates. ‘King Karl’ will not be defeated until Memorial Day next season. (Nationalpastime.com)
July 16, 1948
Former Dodger manager Leo Durocher becomes the Giants’ manager replacing the popular Mel Ott. Burt Shotton takes ‘The Lip’s’ place in Brooklyn. (Nationalpastime.com)
July 15, 1901
Christy Mathewson becomes the first rookie to throw a no-hitter in baseball history in the modern era. The 20-year old right-hander holds the Cardinals hitless in the Giants 5-0 victory at Robison Field in St. Louis.(Nationalpastime.com)
July 15, 1939
National League president Ford Frick orders two-foot screens affixed inside all foul poles after Billy Jurges of the Giants and umpire George Magerkurth spit at each other after a foul ball call down the left field line is disputed at the Polo Grounds. The American League will soon follow the Senior Circuit lead and will also install foul ball screens.(Nationalpastime.com)
July 10, 1934
At the All-Star Game played in New York’s Polo Grounds, Giants pitcher Carl Hubbell faces a starting lineup comprised of nine eventual Hall of Famers. ‘King Carl’ is up to the unique occurrence in baseball history when he fans Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin, in a row.(Nationalpastime.com)
July 8, 1949
Hank Thompson & Monte Irvin becomes the first African-Americans to play for the Giants. When Thompson faces Dodger right-hander Don Newcombe, it marks the first time a pitcher-batter confrontation takes place between black players in the major leagues.(Nationalpastime.com)
July 8, 1956
In an 11-1 rout of the Pirates at the Polo Grounds, the Giants go deep for a franchise record seven home runs. Willie Mays, Daryl Spencer and Wes Westrum each connect for a pair and Hank Thompson adds another.(Nationalpastime.com)
July 6, 1953
In his first major league start, Al Worthington blanks the Pirates, 6-0. The Giants’ rookie will repeat the feat in his next start blanking the Dodgers to tie a major league mark.(Nationalpastime.com)
July 5, 1945
At the Polo Grounds‚ Giants’ 18-year old rookie Whitey Lockman homers in his first major league at bat. The lefty-swinging center fielder goes deep off George Dockins in the 7-5 loss to the Cardinals.(Nationalpastime.com)