Today in MLB History April 18th

1899: John McGraw, only 26, made his managerial debut with the Orioles. He led them to a 5-3 victory over the New York Giants, a team he would later manage for more than 30 years.

1923: The debut of Yankee Stadium is a huge success with an announced attendance of 74,217. Bob Shawkey, aided by Babe Ruth's three-run home run, beats Howard Ehmke and the Red Sox 4-1.....At South Field on Columbia’s campus in New York City, a collegian hurler strikes out seventeen batters to establish a school record, but loses the game due to wildness to Williams, 5-1. The young southpaw’s, whose name is Lou Gehrig, will become better known for his hitting,

1925: Charles Ebbets, Dodgers president, dies on the morning of the opener at Ebbets Field, won by New York 7-1. No N.L. games will be played on the April 21, the day of his funeral. Ed McKeever, the new club president, will catch a cold that turns into pneumonia and die on May 27.

1942: Due to the fear of a Japanese attack, west coast military leaders ask the Pacific Coast League to limit crowds to 3,000 fans.

1945: In his major league debut, one-armed outfielder Pete Gray got one hit in four at-bats in the St. Louis Browns' 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

1946: Jackie Robinson debuts as second baseman for the Montreal Royals (International League) and is the first recognized black to play in organized ball this century. A home run and three singles against Jersey City start off the season in which he will win the IL batting championship at .349.

1947: Dodger scout Burt Shotton is the surprise choice to replace Leo Durocher on the third day of the season. Taken to the stadium in a taxi, Shotton manages the club from the dugout in street clothes, a la Connie Mack.

1950: Sam Jethroe becomes the first black to play for the Boston Braves. He has two hits in his major league debut, including a home run. He will go on to become N.L. Rookie of the Year.....The first opening-night game was held in St. Louis. The Cardinals, behind a complete game byGerry Staley and home runs from Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2.

1951: Mickey Mantle goes 1-for-4 in his first game as Yankee southpaw Ed Lopat two-hits the Red Sox, winning 6-1.

1958: Following a downtown parade in the morning, the Giants-Dodgers game in Los Angeles sets an N.L. single-game record with 78,682 fans in attendance, as the Dodgers prevail 6-5. Hank Sauer hits two home runs for the Giants, including the first at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After he scores what would have been the tying run in the ninth, Giants infielder Jim Davenport is called out for falling to touch third base.

1964: Sandy Koufax fans the side on nine pitches in the third inning, becoming the first pitcher to do it twice, but Cincinnati wins 3-0.

1965: California Angels rookie Rudy May has a no-hitter ruined in the eighth inning of his major league debut by Jake Wood's double. The Angels lift him after nine innings of one-hit ball, and Detroit wins in 13 innings.

1981: Reds pitcher Tom Seaver strikes out Keith Hernandez in the fourth inning of a 10-4 loss to the Cardinals, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to register 3,000 career strikeouts.

1982: The Atlanta Braves defeated the Astros 6-5 in Houston to set a National League record as they won their 11th straight game to start the season.

1986: Despite allowing no hits (and only three fair balls hit) with ten strikeouts in five innings, Texas rookie Bobby Witt is lifted in a game in Milwaukee. Why? Witt walks eight, and throws four wild pitches, allowing two runs. Texas rallies for three runs in the ninth to win 7-5.

1987: Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run, a three-run shot off Pittsburgh's Don Robinson in the top of the ninth inning, to give the Phillies an 8-6 win. Schmidt is the 15th major league player to reach 500 home runs.

1991: New Comiskey Park opens with fanfare and a rout. The Tigers are the stars of the day as Detroit mauls the White Sox 16-0.

2000: During the Angel's 16-10 victory over the Blue Jays, a SkyDome promotion becomes a bit too frank as fans get hit with bits of hot dogs when the wieners fall apart after being shot from the 'Hot Dog Blaster'. Undaunted by the fall out, promoters continue to propel the missiles even though the hot dogs repeatedly splatter the onlookers.