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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Cy Young

(Library of Congress)


First, and Only, 500 Game Winner: Cy Young

On July 19, 1910, Cleveland pitcher Cy Young won his 500th game—a record that remains unsurpassed. (He retired with 511 wins, almost 100 more than any other pitcher in history.) While playing for Boston in 1903, he won two games in the first modern World Series to help his team win the championship. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937. In 1956, one year after his death, major-league baseball honored his memory by establishing the Cy Young Award, which is bestowed annually upon the best pitchers in the game.

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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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