Billy Williams (Trading Card DB)

October 1, 1960: Billy Williams launches first homer of Hall of Fame career

Chicago Cubs rookie Billy Williams helped his team avoid a dubious…
Brooks Robinson (TRADING CARD DB)

September 17, 1955: Brooks Robinson makes his major-league debut with Orioles

It was an inauspicious game. Both the Orioles and the Washington…
Coot Veal (TRADING CARD DB)

April 10, 1961: Washington Senators defeated in first game of expansion era

When the 1960 season ended, Washington Senators fans had good…
Pumpsie Green (NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME LIBRARY)

July 21, 1959: Pumpsie Green makes his debut with Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox had the opportunity to sign Jackie Robinson…
Carlos Paula (THE TOPPS COMPANY)

September 6, 1954: Carlos Paula integrates the Washington Senators

The game appeared to be merely the first in a meaningless,…
Elston Howard (TRADING CARD DB)

April 14, 1955: Elston Howard integrates the Yankees

By the dawn of the 1955 season, the New York Yankees were one…
Carl Yastrzemski (TRADING CARD DB)

April 22, 1959: Carl Yastrzemski contributes to win in first pro game for Raleigh

On his first day as a pro, he was listed in the box score as…

July 17, 1955: Don Bessent completes Dodgers’ debut sweep of Redlegs

“Sometimes it doesn’t pay to get out of bed. The Reds found…
Don Drysdale

April 23, 1956: Don Drysdale beats Phillies in first major-league start

The shivering crowd got the message from the public address announcer…
Ron Santo (TRADING CARD DB)

June 26, 1960: Ron Santo makes auspicious debut for last-place Cubs

In the throes of a nine-game losing streak, the Chicago Cubs…
Harmon Killebrew (TRADING CARD DB)

August 23, 1954: Harmon Killebrew goes 3-for-4 in first start for Senators

Harmon Killebrew’s first major-league start hinted at a career…
1955 Kansas City Athletics yearbook (COURTESY OF STEPHEN V. RICE)

April 12, 1955: Connie Mack, Harry Truman see Athletics win in Kansas City debut

“Getting the American league franchise formerly held by Philadelphia…
1954 Baltimore Orioles program (COURTESY OF THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES)

April 15, 1954: Orioles return to Baltimore after 52 years

The streets of Baltimore were jam-packed with an estimated 350,000…

April 18, 1958: Dodgers make Los Angeles debut in win over rival Giants

“Los Angeles really did it yesterday. It gave its Dodgers the…

August 27, 1955: Teenage Sandy Koufax strikes out 14 in first big-league win

Brooklyn Dodgers skipper Walter “Smoky” Alston was on…

April 10, 1962: Expansion Colt .45s win first game in franchise history

Houston was awarded a National League expansion franchise as…

April 11, 1961: Eli Grba wins first game in Angels franchise history

As 1960 rolled into 1961 and baseball fans began looking forward…