4/06 in Yankee History

The red-letter day:

1973: At Fenway Park, the Yankees’ Ron Blomberg becomes the first major league designated hitter.

 

The first ball is thrown out by Ed Folger‚ a Red Sox farm
hand who had his legs amputated last September following a farm
accident.

In the top of the first, Blomberg takes his place in history when
he faces righthander Luis Tiant. Blomberg walks with the bases loaded
and winds up 1-for-3 in the 15-5 loss to Boston. Sox DH Orlando
Cepeda goes 0-for-6‚ but Carlton Fisk strokes two homers‚ one a grand
slam‚ in the 20-hit Boston barrage. 2nd baseman Doug Griffin notches
four hits for Boston‚ who overcome a 3-0 deficit by scoring eight runs
to chase Mel Stottlemyre by the third inning. The Yanks record eight
hits off Tiant‚ five by the Alou brothers, Matty and Felipe.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1973/B04060BOS1973.htm

* * * * *

On other 6ths of April…

2003: Alfonso Soriano and Nick Johnson hit back-to-back homers to start
the game as the Yanks beat Tampa Bay‚ 10-5. Rogers Clemens notches
career victory No. 295.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2003/B04060TBA2003.htm

1982: A foot of snow cancels the Yankees opener with the Rangers at the
Stadium. Tomorrow’s game with Texas and the first two with the White
Sox will also be canceled because of snow and ice. With 2 games snowed
out in Chicago‚ the Red Sox will return tomorrow to Winter Haven‚ FL.

1974: The Yankees open their two-year stay at Shea Stadium before a
crowd of 20‚744. 12-year-old Teddy Kennedy‚ Jr.‚ flanked by his father
and Mayor Abe Beame‚ tosses out the first ball. Missing from the
ceremony is George Steinbrenner‚ indicted two days ago for illegal
campaign contributions. Graig Nettles’ two-run homer in the 4th off the
Indians’ Gaylord Perry opens the scoring and the Yanks score 4 more
times to win‚ 6-1. Charlie Spikes scores the only Cleveland run in the
9th following a triple off starter and winner Mel Stottlemyre. Perry‚
who is warned once for an illegal pitch‚ is the loser today‚ but he
will win his next 15 decisions.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1974/B04060NYA1974.htm