This must've been a very sad day in Flatbush.
Featured above is an April 18, 1958, AP wirephoto of a lone ballplayer walking the field with his head held down at Ebbets Field. As you know, this date corresponds to the opening week of play for Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, the Brooklyn ballclub moved that winter to warmer digs. They are now known as the Los Angeles Dodgers. The headline used in the papers (as indicated on the reverse of photo) says, "Opening Day in Flatbush -- And Nothing But Silence." Written on the side is the following:
Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers for decades, is spic and span as usual this Spring. But the stands remain empty and desolate and the field bare of players during these opening days of the 1958 season, The Dodgers, new based across the continent in Los Angeles, open their home season today in the huge Los Angeles Coliseum.Photo above grabbed from an eBay auction (link here). Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 the Dodgers sign their newest coach, Babe Ruth, to a contract. He hopes that he'll be installed as manager of the club the following season. As you know, that would not occur. Instead, it becomes clear that he is signed for publicity reasons -- he takes batting practice before the start of each game to guarantee high attendance. In 1988 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Pedro MartÃnez. In 2014 Clayton Kershaw no-hit the Rockies at Dodger Stadium, 8-0. He recorded a career high 15 strike outs, no walks and missed a perfect game when Hanley Ramirez committed an error in the 7th inning. Watch Vin Scully's call here.
- Happy Birthday, Sandy Alomar!