A Collection of Baseball Firsts

Who hit the first grand slam? Who was the first pinch hitter? Presenting the nine players of Smithsonian’s "They Did It First" All-Star Team

  • By Mark Strauss
  • Smithsonian.com, September 14, 2009
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Frank Owen

(Library of Congress)


First AL Pitcher With Two Complete Game Victories in One Day:
Frank Owen

Nicknamed “Yip” because he hailed from Ypslanti, Michigan, Owen became, on July 1, 1905, the first American League pitcher to have two complete game victories in the same day, a feat unfathomable by modern standards. (The last pitcher to accomplish this was Cleveland’s Dutch Levsen in 1926.) Owen was part of the quartet of talented White Sox pitchers (including Nick Altrock, Ed Walsh and Doc White) who led their team to 77 wins in 1906.

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Comments (5)

What information do you have on the Sugar Beet league?

I have a 1901 fielders glove and a catchers mit can you please tell me a value on these. I also have a baseball picture of the 1901 New York Tigers. Can you please give me a value on these.

Thanks,

Richard Trujillo

I have an 11 X14. Photo of Rube Waddell. He is in a St. Louis Browns uniform.

The photo is signed: Jack- Old Pal Here are I How are you
Geo. E. Waddell

I have been in possession of this item since 1961. The signature has not been authenticated. I would be willing to donate this item to the Smithsonian collection if there should be any interest. If the signature cannot be authenticated, or is a forgery, I would like to have the picture returned to me. Thank you.

Very interesting facts...I am looking to find a photo of my great grandfather Amos Smith Booth, Cincinnati Red Stockings who was the first I believe to have thrown by ladies in the seats to him on the playing field..."large hair-pins" seems he was a handsome man and the first person to be the receipient of large ladies hair pins as sosmething from female admirers?

Hopefully you can help me out with any information to help me collect a photo of this relative?

Thank you for your information on Issue Extras in the Smithonian magazine I subscribe to.

Regards, Judith Hughes
Hampstead N.C

I recently found 2 baseball stamps from the Helmar Turkish cigarette company Factory #7 3rd district. One is player Groom (Washington AM) and the other is player Oldring (Philadelphia AM) wondering what kind of faace value they may have and where I could go to have them appraised. Thank you.



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Jim ORourke Roger Connor Paul Hines Mickey Welch Cap Anson Roger Bresnahan Frank Owen Cy Young Eddie Plank

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