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- ⚾ Dale goes LONG sets HR mark
⚾ Dale goes LONG sets HR mark
Long sets the NL homerun mark that still stands today
May 19, 1956, Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Dale Long's eighth-inning Forbes Field's two-run homerun against Chicago cubs reliver Jim Davis is the first in a string of eight consecutive games in which the Pirates' first baseman will homer. The Adam, MA native's major league mark will also be accomplished by Don Mattingly (Yankees, 1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners, 1993).
Dale Long: Power, Perseverance, and a Place in Baseball History
Dale Long’s path to the majors was anything but conventional. Born in Springfield, Missouri, and raised in Adams, Massachusetts, he turned down an offer to play football for the Green Bay Packers, instead pursuing a baseball career that spanned over two decades. His professional journey began in 1944 with a wartime appearance for the Milwaukee Brewers, but it would take six more years and five different organizations before he made his MLB debut in 1951.
A left-handed first baseman with surprising versatility, Long’s early years were a grind. He even tried catching during spring training at the urging of Branch Rickey—an experiment that briefly resurfaced in 1958 when Long became the first lefty to catch in a major league game since 1902. But his real breakthrough came in 1955 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he hit .291 with 79 RBIs and led the league with 13 triples.
Long etched his name into the record books in 1956 by hitting home runs in eight consecutive games—a feat unmatched in the National League to this day. That All-Star season saw him post career highs in homers (27) and RBIs (91). He later played for the Cubs, Giants, Yankees, and Senators, collecting 132 home runs and earning a World Series ring with the 1962 Yankees.
His final MLB appearance came in 1963, followed by a brief stint as a minor league umpire. Dale Long’s career was defined by perseverance and historic moments, capped by his legendary home run streak and contributions to championship teams. A .267 lifetime hitter, he remains one of baseball’s most unique and underrated sluggers.
Today’s line up: Click to Listen
May 19, 1963 New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers
This Week in Baseball May 19, 1984
Did you know?
May 19, 1918 Babe and wife Helen spent the day in the sun at Revere Beach, north of Boston. It was a happy day of eating picnic sandwiches, drinking beer and swimming on a full stomach. That night Babe developed a terrible fever of 104, complaining of aches, chills, and a painful throat. Along with millions of Americans that Spring, he had caught the flu. Babe showed up at Fenway the next day expecting to play but was wisely sent home. His symptoms worsened due to his doctor's mistreatment of his throat and he wound up in Massachusetts General for several days. Rumors spread that Babe was on his deathbed. He recovered and was well enough to hit 11 home runs in May and June. In October, Babe was back home in Baltimore only to once again contract the Spanish Flu which he defeated with less incident than his case from earlier in the year.
TRIVIA:
Who was the first National League Third Baseman to win the BBWAA Most Valuable Award?
Hint: #1 He won the award the season after being traded away by a team that came to regret it for decades.
Hint: Answer below
May 19, 1933 -- For the first time in major league history, brothers on opposite teams hit home runs in the same game. Boston Red Sox catcher Rick Ferrell homers off his brother Wes Ferrell in the 2nd inning, but the Cleveland Indians pitcher returns the favor as he homers in the 3rd on a pitch called by his sibling. It is the only time that the Ferrell brothers homer in the same game. Listen to the story!
May 19, 1959, At Memorial Stadium, pitcher Billy O’Dell of the Baltimore Orioles hits a 120-foot home run against Billy Pierce of the Chicago White Sox. O’Dell’s “drive” hits the foul line and bounces over the head of right fielder Al Smith, allowing O’Dell to circle the bases. Thanks to O’Dell’s two-run, inside-the-park home run, the Orioles win the game, 2-1. Listen to the story!
May 19, 1962, At Dodger Stadium, Stan Musial broke Honus Wagner’s record for most hits in National League history. The St. Louis Cardinals’ legend singles against Ron Perranoski of the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking the 3,431st hit of his Hall of Fame career. Listen to the story!
May 19, 1968, Frank Howard’s home run streak comes to an end. The Washington Senators’ slugger had hit 10 home runs over the last six games, establishing a new major league record. Listen to the story!
May 19, 1970, the lawsuit filed by former St. Louis Cardinals star Curt Flood against Major League Baseball begins its hearing in federal court. Judge Irving Ben Cooper presides over the case, which will result in the upholding of baseball’s reserve clause. Listen to the story!
May 19, 1976 -- At Tiger Stadium, Carl Yastrzemski passes Boston legend Ted Williams for the most games played in a Red Sox uniform. Yaz makes the historic day memorable by going 4-for-4, including three home runs, in the team's 9-2 victory in the Motor City. Listen to the story!
May 19, 1981, Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jim Bibby narrowly misses pitching his second career no-hitter when he fires a one-hitter against the Atlanta Braves. The massive right-hander allows a leadoff single to Terry Harper before retiring the next 27 batters in a row. Bibby helps himself by hitting two doubles with one run and one RBI. Phil Niekro is the loser. In 1973, Bibby pitched a no-hitter for the Texas Rangers against the Oakland Athletics. Listen to the story!
May 19, 1984 At Busch Stadium Joining the club in St. Louis, Reds' rookie Eric Davis makes his major league debut, grounding out to short as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning of the Reds' 9-1 loss to the Cardinals vs Joaquin Andujar. When Cincinnati forgets to pack an extra road uniform, the 22 year-old rookie needs to wear a numberless jersey.Listen to the story!
Quote of the day:
I'm a human being I'm not a piece of property. I am not a consignment of goods.
Curt Flood
Milestones
Birthdays:Highlights: Curt Simmons | Debuts:Notable: Ray Sadecki |
Final Games:Highlights: Art Ditmar | Passings:Notable: Jim Tobin |
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