Special Sub-Topic: I'm First! Click Here To Play: I'm First!

What player was the FIRST to ever be ejected for throwing a spitball?

Nels Potter. Potter while pitching for the Browns was ejected on July 20, 1944, in a game against the Yankees. I think that he was Perry's idol.

What team was the FIRST to have their names put on the back of their jerseys?

White Sox. The infamous owner of the White Sox, Bill Veeck did another first when he put the names on in 1960. Btw, he also unveiled the 'exploding' scoreboard at Comiskey Park in the same year.

In which of these years did the sacrifice fly rule become official in the Majors?

1954. The sacrifice fly rule does not charge a batter with an at-bat statistic. 1954 was the 3rd time in baseball that it was reinstated.

What pitcher was the FIRST to give up 46 home runs in a season?

Robin Roberts. He did this in 1956 while pitching for the Phillies. As of the end of the 2000 season, he holds the all-time career record of 502 homers.

What pitcher was the FIRST to start 20 games and complete all of those 20 games?

Ted Lyons. With a weak pitching staff behind him, Lyons did this in 1942.

Who was the FIRST player to quit baseball instead of being sent to the Minor League?

Joe Tepsic. Tepsic was the Dodger's bonus baby in 1946. When he stung the Dodgers with his terrible play and they wanted to send him to the Minors, he quit! This happened in 1947.

What team owner was the FIRST to honor fans with a Fan Appreciation Day numerous times per year, where the fans received free gifts?

Bill Veeck. In 1948 as a result of their night watchman Joe Early who came to Veeck with this question. Veeck created the 'Fan Day', and started with Early as he received an outhouse and a back-firing Model T in front of 26,000 fans.

When did 'warning tracks' FIRST appear in baseball as required by the rules?

1950's. This was the next to last major outfield requirement for safety reasons as of the end of the 2000 season. The last rule implementation was for padded fences.

In what year did the American League FIRST require batting helmets?

1957. Although many players had worn them voluntarily, the League mandated the use in 1957.

The FIRST most famous recognized line by a play-by-play announcer was in 1951 when Bobby Thomson hit the game winning home run for the Giants. Who was it that repeatedly screamed, 'The Giants win the pennant, The Giants win the pennant, The Giants.............'?

Russ Hodges. The line that went down for eternity was made by the Giants announcer in 1951 against the Dodgers.