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Baseball’s First Night Game: May 24, 1935
This week marks a historic event in baseball history: the eighty-ninth anniversary of the first night game. It was played between the Reds and Phillies at Crosley Field on a chilly night before 20, 422 fans on Friday, May 24, 1935. The Reds won the game, 2-1.
At the White House, President Roosevelt pushed a gold telegraph key during the Crosley Field pregame ceremonies, sending an electric signal to Lee MacPhail at a table near first base who then flipped a switch to light up the stadium for the game’s 8:30 start. The game was originally scheduled for the previous day, but was postponed due to rain.
The game itself turned out to be a rather dull affair. It was played in a quick 1:35, with only ten hits between the two teams and only one extra base hit: a double by the Reds Billy Myers off Phillies pitcher Joe Bowman.
The Phillies and Red were also-rans in 1935. Under manager Jimmie Wilson, the Phils finished in seventh place with a 64-89-3 record; while the Reds, led by manager Charlie Dressen, were almost as bad, finishing sixth, at 68-85-1. Looking through the lineups for the two teams that night, the most notable player for the Phillies was first baseman Dolph Camilli; while for the Reds it was starting and winning pitcher Paul Derringer, who hurled a complete game 2-1 victory for the Reds.
Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem was at the plate that night, while on the basepaths were Ziggy Sears and Babe Pinelli.
Gary Livacari
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Love the photo of MacPhail including the famous Crosley Field leftfield incline. I think the first Cubs night game was also postphoned due to rain..
Yes it was, in 1988. I remember the game.
Living near Chicago I am sure you have many memories of Wrigley Field. I was first there in 1962 to see the Pirates. Saw Clemente and Banks that fine day. I married a girl who is a Cubs fan so every chance we get we stop in at Wrigley. We were there for the All-Star game in 1990 and it rained that night also. I got Tony Gwynn to autograph our tickets, big thrill, nice guy. During the game my wife was conversing repeatedly with the lady next to her and I was a little irked because I thought she ought to pay attention to the game more. Later in the game the NL catcher got hurt and the lady and her son-in-law left their seats. Wife told me it was catcher Mike Scioscia mother and brother-in-law and they were going to the locker room. I asked if they were talking baseball, “sort of she said, talked mostly about hauling the kids to their sports activities and sitting through the games.” (we have two boys). Got the tickets through an Alderman from Chicago. Again, love this site.
Thanks Kevin, great story! I love the personal stuff like this!