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
Super Bowl XLIX (New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XLIX, held on February 1, 2015, between the three-time
Adjusting to the NFL Rule Changes in 1978
In 1978, a bunch of new rules geared to improve the passing game showed
Charlie Bidwill’s First Love (Chicago Bluebirds)
It was truly a united front with the involvement of all of the gridiron
Help Select The “All-Time Greatest NBA Centers To Wear Jersey #5”
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a
Help Select The “All-Time Greatest NBA Forwards To Wear Jersey #5”
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a
Help Select The “All-Time Greatest NBA Guards To Wear Jersey #5”
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a
Super Bowl XLVIII (Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XLVIII, held on February 2, 2014, at Metlife Stadium
Help Select The “All-Time Greatest NBA Centers To Wear Jersey #4”
Looking at sports history and reminiscing about legendary players from different eras is a