Today in MLB History, April 2nd

1931: Chattanooga Lookouts' pitcher Jackie Mitchell, a seventeen-year old girl, strikes out a good-natured Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig on six pitches in an exhibition game.

1952: In Denver, Giant's Monte Irvin breaks his ankle sliding into third during an exhibition game against the Indians.

1962: The Indians trade first baseman Vic Power and pitcher Dick Stigman to Twins for pitcher Pedro Ramos

1984: For the first time in ten years, the Mets lose on Opening Day bowing to the Reds, 8-1.

1995 Having the first 23 days of this season canceled and 252 games of the last season lost, the owners accept the players' March 31 unconditional offer to return to work. The players' decision to return to work is made after a U.S. District judge issues an injunction restoring terms and conditions of the expired agreement. Teams will play 144-game schedules.

1996: Due to renovations in the coliseum, the A's played their season opener in Las Vegas losing to the Blue Jays 9-6 in front of only 7,296 fans at Cashman Field.....Tiger first baseman Cecil Fielder steals the first base of his eleven-year career. The swipe of second comes in the 1,097th game 'Big Daddy's' has played in the majors establishing the longest duration a player has ever gone without a stolen base.

1997: For the first time in major league history, the salary of one player is more than the payroll of an entire team. The White Sox will pay Albert Belle $10 million for the season which is $928,333 more than the entire Pirate payroll.

2001: On Opening Day, Yankee fireballer Roger Clemens becomes the all-time AL career strike out leader passing Walter Johnson as he Ks Royals Joe Randa for his 3,509 Junior circuit victim. Passing the 'Big Train, the 'Rocket' now takes over the seventh spot in major league history.....For the first time in major league history, a Japanese-born position player participates in a regular-season major league game. Ichiro Suzuki, hitless in his first three at-bats, singles in the seventh inning to ignite a two-run rally and bunts for a hit in the eighth in his Mariner debut at Safeco Field.

2002: In his major league debut, 6’-11” hurler Jon Rauch of the White Sox pitches a perfect 1.1 innings in a 7-4 loss to the Mariners at Safeco Field, the Louisville, Kentucky native, who was member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, becomes tallest pitcher to appear in a big league game.

2003 Mike Bordick's record streak for games and chances without an error by a shortstop ends as Yankee outfielder Bubba Trammell's third inning grounder tips off his glove. After converting a fielder's choice in the first inning he misplays his second chance of the game establishing 544 chances and 110 consecutive games without an error a new major league mark for shortstops.....According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Tigers become the first major league team to have four pitchers make their big league debuts during the same game. Starter 20-year Jeremy Bonderman, who gave up gives up six runs on nine hits in four innings, is followed by rookies Wilfredo Ledezma, Chris Spurling and Matt Roney in the 8-1 loss the Minnesota Twins.....Todd Zeile homers in first at-bat as a Yankee becoming the only major leaguer to hit a home run for ten different teams. In addition to homering with the Bronx Bomber, the infielder has also gone deep for the Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies, Orioles, Dodgers, Marlins, Rangers, Mets, and Rockies.