1962 - President John F. Kennedy throws out the first ball to open the 1962 baseball season at new District of Columbia Stadium. Despite rain, a record Washington crowd of 42,143 shows up to see the Senators stop Detroit with a 4 - 1 victory.
1974 - San Diego Padres owner Ray Kroc criticizes his club over the public address system-during a game! "Ladies and gentlemen, I suffer with you," Kroc says. "I've never seen such stupid baseball playing in my life."
In this photo, the San Diego Chicken tries to make out with Ray Kroc as either Ronald McDonald or notorious serial killer, John Wayne Gacy, stalks from over the Chicken's shoulder... Scary.
1981 - In Opening Day, Dodgers rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, in replacement of injured starter Jerry Reuss, shuts out the visiting Astros 2 - 0, on five hits, in his first major league start. Valenzuela goes on to win the NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards that year.
Happy Birthday to ESPN baseball guru, Peter Gammons.
