Today in Baseball History: April 20th

1988 On April 20, 1988, the Baltimore Orioles set a major league record by losing their 14th consecutive game to start the season. An 8-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers pushes the O's past the 1904 Washington Senators and the 1920 Detroit Tigers for the worst start in big league history…

1987 On April 20, 1987, the Milwaukee Brewers win their 13th consecutive game to start the season, matching the Atlanta Braves of 1982 for the best start in major league history. Future Hall of Famer Robin Yount drives in the game-winning run in the seventh inning, as the Brewers defeat the Chicago White Sox, 5-4…

1944 On April 20, 1944, Elmer John Gedeon becomes the first major league player to lose his life serving in World War II. The 26-year-old Gedeon, who played briefly as an outfielder for the Washington Senators in 1939, dies when his plane is shot down over St. Pol, France. Gedeon served in the Army Air Corps…

1943 On April 20, 1943, embattled Boston Braves manager Casey Stengel is struck by a taxicab and suffers a broken leg. A local newspaper cruelly nominates the cab driver as "Sportsman of the Year" for knocking Stengel from action for most of the season…

1941 On April 20, 1941, the Brooklyn Dodgers become the first major league team to wear protective headgear. Each player's cap features a special plastic lining designed to fend off the effects of "beanballs."

1939 On April 20, 1939, 20-year-old Ted Williams makes his major league debut in the Boston Red Sox' 2-0 loss to the New York Yankees. Williams strikes out twice, but also blasts a 407-foot double to right-center field. The game marks the only time that Williams and New York"s Lou Gehrig play against each other in the regular season.

1916 On April 20, 1916, the Chicago Cubs play their first game in Weeghman Park, which will be renamed Wrigley Field in 1926. The Cubs defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 7-6, in 11 innings.

1912 On April 20, 1912, the Detroit Tigers christen Navin Field with a 6-5 win over the Cleveland Indians. On the same day, Fenway Park opens in Boston.

1912 On April 20, 1912, the Boston Red Sox play the first game in the history of Fenway Park. The Red Sox open up with an 11-inning, 7-6 win over the New York Highlanders, the predecessors to Boston's arch-rival, the New York Yankees. Tris Speaker delivers the game-winning RBI before a crowd of 27,000 fans.

1910 On April 20, 1910, Addie Joss of the Cleveland Naps pitches his second career no-hitter. A busy Joss helps himself by recording 10 fielding assists during the 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.