Baseball Historian April 9, 1962

Playing in a shinny new $20 million stadium in D. C., the Washington Senators beat the visiting Detroit Tigers 4-1 behind pitcher Bernie Daniels five hitter. Bob Johnson whacked a two-run homer for the winning Senators. President John F. Kennedy throws out the ceremonial first pitch.

April 10, 1962... the Houston Colt .45s, one of the National League's two new teams make their debut before an Opening Day crowd of 25,271 and beat the Chicago Cubs 11-2. Roman Mejias leads the Colt .45s with a pair of three-run homers. Teammate Hal W. Smith also homers. Ernie Banks homers for the Cubs off starter and winner Bobby Schantz.

April 10, 1962... The Los Angeles Dodgers inaugurate their new ballpark at Chavez Ravine before 52,564. The Cincinnati Reds win on a three-year homer in the seventh inning by outfielder Wall Post. The game was tied at 3-3 before Post connected off starter and loser Johnny Podres. The Dodgers had played four years in the LA Coliseum.

April 11, 1962... the New York Mets make their major League debut in St. Louis. The Cardinals score early And often, toppling the Mets 11-4. The winning Pitcher is Larry Jackson... the loser Roger Craig. Gil Hodges and Charlie Neal homer for the Mets.

April 13, 1962... The Mets open at home before just 12,447 fans. The Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Mets 4-3. The winning pitcher is Tom Sturdivant. Pirates' rookie Willie Stargell homers.

April 13, 1962... at Wrigley Field in Chicago, legend Stan Musial scored his 1,860 career run, breaking the National League record set by Hall of Famer Mel Ott. The Cardinals win the game 7-4.

April 18, 1962... at Wrigley Field in Chicago the Cubs' Ernie Banks powers a shot out of the ballpark in the 10th inning to give the Cubs a 3-2 win over the Houston Colt .45s. Dick Ellsworth is the winning pitcher. It was Ernie Banks' 300th career homer.

April 24, 1962... again at Wrigley Field in Chicago... this time the hero is Dodgers' pitcher Sandy Koufax. He ties a major league record by striking out 18 Cubs in a 10-2 win. Koufax had fanned 18 in a game back in 1959.