Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore.
3 - 23 - 1 - 4
May 1, 1884 - The Toledo Blue Stockings made history by signing catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker. It doesn't sound that bifg of a deal until one know that Walker was African-American and is hailed to be the first black man to play major league baseball. The predecessor of the American League, the American Association, in an effort to compete with the well establshed National League, added the Blue Stockings which was a minor league team that hired Walker in 1883 to play in their conference of baseball teams. Declaring themselves a Major League, the Blue Stockings with Moses Walker behind the plate took the field against the Louisville Eclipse. Moses had graduated from the University of Michigan after transferring from Oberlin College. Walker did not wear gloves and protection as was commong pratice in that era of baseball. Unfortunately this was a contributing factor to the injuries that would prematurely end his career.
May 1, 1901 - Chicago White Sox outfielder Herm McFarland hit the first Grand Slam home Run in American League history. The four run shot lead to a Sox 19-9 win at home against the Detroit Tigers, of course it didn't help matters when the visitors also committed 12 errors.
May 1, 1906 - Philadelphia Athletics pitcher John Lush threw a no-hit shutout against the Brooklyn Superbas, 6-0.
May 1, 1920 - The Bambino, slugger Babe Ruth, Number 3 of the New York Yankees hit his first bomb over the wall for the club.
