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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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