This Weekend in Baseball History

April 2nd. 1972: One of the saddest days in New York baseball, as Mets manager Gil Hodges dies of massive heart attack just after completing a round of golf in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was just 48.

April 2nd, 1996: After their season opener was pushed back a day by snowy weather, the Yankees beat the Indians 7-1. In an indication of things to come, Derek Jeter blasts a home run (he'd go on to win rookie of the year honors), in the club's first victory under manager Joe Torre.

April 2nd, 1997: Tino Martinez blasts three home runs in his first three times up as the Yankees crush the Mariners 16-2 at the Kingdome. He adds a bases-loaded walk and a single in a seven-RBI day.

April 2nd, 2001: Roger Clemens whiffs Joe Randa in the 9th inning of the Yankees' season-opening 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals and passes Walter Johnson as the American League's alltime strikeout leader. Randa was Clemens'  3509th victim and fifth of the game.

April 2nd, 2003: Alex Rodriguez's 300th career home run comes off Ramon Ortiz of the Angels at Edison Field in Anaheim. At age 27 and 249 days, A-Rod passes Jimmy Foxx as the youngest player  to reach that milestone.

April 3rd, 1966: USC pitcher Tom Seaver is awarded to the Mets in a special lottery after his previous deal with the Braves was voided due to a rules violation.

April 3rd, 1985: Owners and players agree to expand the League Championship Series from five to seven games.

April 3rd, 1989: The Mets beat the Cardinals 8-4 at Shea Stadium. Its their 11th consecutive win in a home opener and 18th in 20 years.

April 3rd, 1989: Ken Griffey, Junior makes his major league debut with the Mariners. He doubles in his first at bat of a 3-2 loss to the A's.

April 3rd, 1994: Baseball's first Sunday night season opener (televised by ESPN) is held at Riverfront Stadium, where the Cardinals beat the Reds 6-4. With temperatures in the 30s, the games draws an historic low of just over 32,000.

April 3rd, 2009: The Yankees and Mets each open their new ballparks with exhibition games. The double debut in the Big Apple is a success for both home teams. The Bronx Bombers smack three homers to beat the Cubs, 7-4, while the Mets edge the Red Sox 4-3.

April 4th, 1974: Henry Aaron ties Babe Ruth! Home run #714 comes off Jack Billingham of the Reds at Riverfront Stadium. Ironically it was the only Opening Game homer of Aaron's storied career.

April 4th, 1988: George Bell of the Blue Jays becomes the first player ever to hit three home runs on opening day. All three come against Bret Saberhagen in a 5-3 win over the Royals in Kansas City.

April 4th, 1988: The Mets set a club record with six home runs. Darryl Strawberry and Kevin McReynolds each hit a pair and are joined in the home run derby by Lenny Dykstra and Kevin Elster as the Mets open their season with a 10-6 win over the Expos in Montreal.

April 4th, 1989: The Yankees spoil the Twins Opening Day game by winning, 4–2. 45-year-old Tommy John, pitching in his 26th season, allows the Twins two run in seven innings of work, to defeat Frank Viola. Roberto Kelly goes 4-for-4 for New York, including the game's only homer.

April 4th, 1994: The Indians open Jacobs Field with a 4 - 3 victory over the Mariners. Eddie Murray hits Cleveland's first homer in its new ballpark.

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