- 1890 - Opening Day in the National League . At West Side Park in Cincinnati , the Chicago Colts spoiled the official opening of the new park by beating the Reds , 4–3, with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. This was the first professional game ended in "sudden death," as the old rules required that the full inning be played out even if the team batting last was already ahead.
- 1898 - The Board of Discipline of the National Baseball League adopted a set of rules to suppress rowdy ball playing. John T. Brush said the resolution, which he proposed, "has worked like a charm."
- 1939 - At Comiskey Park , the White Sox defeated the Cubs and Dizzy Dean , 4–1, in an exhibition game to benefit Monty Stratton . The former pitcher, who lost his leg in an off-season hunting accident, tried to pitch in the game and received a new car and nearly $30,000 as a result of the contest.
- 1975 - Hank Aaron collected four Hits and two RBI in the Brewers ’ 17–3 win over Detroit . This brings his career RBI total to 2,211, breaking Babe Ruth 's published record of 2,209. On February 3, 1976, the Records Committee will revise Ruth's total to 2,204. In actuality, Aaron set the record with 2,205 on April 18, 1975.
- 1984 - Dwight Gooden became the first teenager to Strike Out a least ten players since Bert Blyleven accomplished the feat in 1970. The Mets 19-year old phenom, who will set a major league rookie record with 276 strikeouts, will have a total 15 double-digit strikeout games this year.
- 1991 :
- --- Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics surpassed Lou Brock as MLB career Stolen Base leader with his 939th steal in the 7–4 victory over the New York Yankees . Henderson broke the record in the fourth inning, when he stole Third Base against Catcher Matt Nokes .
- --- Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers pitched his seventh No-hitter of his major league career. The 44-year-old Ryan, who defeats the Toronto Blue Jays , 3–0, became the oldest pitcher to hurl a no-hit game. His masterpiece included 16 Strikeout s and only two Walks . It is also the 209th time he has stroke out 10 or more in a game, and the 26th time putting 15 or more down on strikes.
- ---At County Stadium , the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago White Sox in a six-hour, five-minute, 19-inning contest, the longest in American League history since the same two clubs played 25 innings on May 8, 1984. Willie Randolph hit the winning RBI in the 19th.
- 1995 - MLB owners and the Umpires Association reached an agreement on a five-year contract, ending the lockout. Regular umpires will return to work on May 3.
- 1863 - Frank Foreman , pitcher (d. 1957 )
- 1885 - George McQuillan , pitcher (d. 1940 )
- 1896 - Heinie Meine , pitcher (d. 1968 )
- 1917 - Johnny Berardino , infielder (d. 1996 )
- 1919 - Al Zarilla , All-Star outfielder (d. 1996 )
- 1948 - Von Joshua , outfielder
- 1954 - Roy Lee Jackson , pitcher
- 1960 - Charlie O'Brien , catcher
- 1964 - José Lind , infielder
- 1966 - Armando Reynoso , pitcher
- 1973 - Rich Butler , outfielder
- 1979 - Brandon Claussen , pitcher
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