Today in Baseball History: April 21st

1972 On April 21, 1972, the Texas Rangers play the first home game in franchise history. Veteran slugger Frank Howard hits the first home run at Arlington Stadium, as the Rangers post a 7-6 win over California. The Rangers, formerly the Washington Senators, had moved to Texas after the 1971 season.

1971 On April 21, 1971, Willie Stargell hits three home runs, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 10-2 win over the Atlanta Braves. Stargell, who hit three home runs in a game only 11 days earlier, will set a record for the most home runs in April.

1966 On April 21, 1966, the Chicago Cubs make one of the best trades in franchise history, acquiring future Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins from the Philadelphia Phillies in a five-player deal. The Cubs surrender pitchers Bob Buhl and Larry Jackson for Jenkins, outfielder Adolpho Phillips, and first baseman John Herrnstein. Jenkins, who had made his major league debut in 1965, will win 20 games for the Cubs in 1967.

1963 On April 21, 1963, minor league slugger Rico Carty hits two home runs in one at-bat-but only one counts. Playing in the Northwest League, the Yakima catcher hits a home run, but the blast is negated because time had been called. Carty, a future major league star, proceeds to hit a "legitimate" home run later in the at-bat.

1957 On April 21, 1957, a power failure stops a major league game for the first time in history. The night game between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium is halted after five innings.

1957 On April 21, 1957, Don Hoak of the Cincinnati Red Legs unwittingly brings about a change in the rules. Leading off second base, Hoak intentionally interferes with an apparent double play grounder. Hoak is called out, but the batter is safe. A new rule will result: if a runner willfully interferes with a batted ball, both the runner and the batter will be called out.

1955 On April 21, 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers win their 10th straight game, setting a major league record for most consecutive wins to start a season. The Dodgers earn the record with a 14-2 drubbing of Robin Roberts and the Philadelphia Phillies.

1934 On April 21, 1934, Washington Senators catcher Moe Berg sets an American League record by playing in his 117th consecutive game without an error. Berg, a backup catcher who plays sparingly for Washington, started the streak three seasons earlier.

1912 On April 21, 1912, the New York Giants and New York Yankees stage an exhibition game to benefit survivors of the R.M.S. Titanic. The Giants win the game, 11-2.