May 24, 1935 – A landmark event occurred at the ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio. President Franklin D. Roosevelt flicked the switch ceremoniously from the Nation’s Capitol and the lights went on for a Major League baseball game for the first time in history!
Despite the neigh-sayers, National League President Ford Frick embraced the technology in a speech while in attendance saying, “One game of course, but the players were not handicapped in any way that I could see and I believe we will have more of it in 1936.”
Very prophetic words indeed as look at the amount of night baseball games played in this era of the sport. The Reds held on to win it 2-1 over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies in front of a crowd of over 20,000. According to a post on OfftheBenchBaseball.com, there are twice as many MLB night games played nowadays as there are daytime versions.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Winning with Purpose: Proven Football Betting Strategies That Deliver Real Results
Smart soccer betting is no longer about luck—it’s about strategy, insight, and timing. Many
Relive The 1980 Philadelphia Eagles Season (NFC Champions)
Before we get to the 1980 season, let’s take a look at some team
Discussing the 1975 NFC Championship Game
On January 4, 1976, the Cinderella Dallas Cowboys traveled to the Los Angeles Memorial
Free Hit: 3 Teams with Big Odds that Can Compete in the NBA this Season
As the 2024/25 NBA season gets underway, it’s not exactly a secret that the
Memorable Moments in Manchester Derbies: Best Goals and Saves
There are few more intense rivalries on the English schedule than Manchester United vs.
The Clint Longley Game (Thanksgiving 1974)
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, my friend Dave DePaola and I have a
Breaking Barriers: 5 Pioneering Trainers of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby, often called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports,” is not
The Historical Impact of the Champions League on Modern Betting Trends
The UEFA Champions League has captivated soccer fans worldwide and transformed the landscape of