Today in Baseball History: Apr 19

1997 On April 19, 1997, a major league game is played in Hawaii for the first time. The St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres play a doubleheader at Aloha Stadium, with the Cardinals winning both games, 1-0 and 2-1.

1984 On April 19, 1984, the Detroit Tigers suffer their first loss of the season after nine consecutive wins. The Tigers fall to the Kansas City Royals and Bret Saberhagen, who earns his first major league victory.

1981 On April 19, 1981, the Oakland Athletics set a modern day record for the most consecutive wins to start a season. Billy Martin's A's defeat the Seattle Mariners, 6-1, giving them their 11th straight victory. The Atlanta Braves will surpass the mark a year later by opening the season with 13 consecutive wins.

1979 On April 19, 1979, Rich "Goose" Gossage and Cliff Johnson of the New York Yankees brawl in the clubhouse after a 6-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Gossage suffers a sprained ligament in his thumb, which will keep him out of action until July 12. As "punishment" for injuring the team's ace reliever, the Yankees will trade Johnson to the Cleveland Indians later in the summer…

1971 On April 19, 1971, legendary broadcaster Russ Hodges dies from a heart attack at the age of 61. Hodges announced New York and San Francisco Giants games for 22 seasons, after working for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Washington Senators. Hodges was best known for his famed "The Giants win the pennant!" call of Bobby Thomson's home run in 1951.

1966 On April 19, 1966, the California Angels play their first game at Anaheim Stadium. Rick Reichardt hits the first home run for the Angels in the new ballpark, but California loses the game, 3-1, to the Chicago White Sox…

1960 On April 19, 1960, Roger Maris makes his New York Yankees debut. Maris blasts two home runs-part of a four-hit day-against the Boston Red Sox. In 1961, Maris will set a major league record for the most home runs in one season, breaking Babe Ruth's longstanding record…

1949 On April 19, 1949, the New York Yankees unveil a granite monument to Babe Ruth. "Monument Park," located in the deep centerfield region of Yankee Stadium, also includes monuments for Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins.

1945 On April 19, 1945, future Hall of Famer Joe Cronin of the Boston Red Sox breaks his leg running the bases. The injury will influence him to retire as a major league player. Cronin will continue to serve the Red Sox as their manager…