1924 — The Brooklyn Robins option shortstop Moe Berg to the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association with the intent to teach him to play third base. Berg initially considers retiring from baseball to become a teacher of foreign languages, but decides to report to the minor leagues.

1952 — Boston Red Sox shortstop Alan Richter, who balks at being sent to Louisville of the American Association where he had been a two-time All-Star, accepts a transfer to the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League. Richter points out that he had been sent to Louisville the previous year “to learn to hit.” He batted .321 for the Colonels.

1993 — Mike Saipe pitches a one-hitter to lead the University of San Diego to a 2-0 victory over defending national champion Pepperdine in a West Coast Conference game.

2000 — Gabe Kapler becomes the first player to hit home runs in his first two at-bats as a Ranger, helping Texas beat the Chicago White Sox 10-4. Kapler also adds an RBI single. Game summary

2003 — Jimmie Reese is selected to the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. Reese hit .311 for the 1934 Los Angeles Angels, widely believed to be the best minor-league team ever assembled.

2017 — Joc Pederson hits a grand slam and finishes with five RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the San Diego Padres 14-3 on Opening Day. Game summary

2018 — Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun hit back-to-back home runs with two out in the ninth inning to rally the Milwaukee Brewers past the Cardinals 5-4. St. Louis had opened the game with consecutive home runs by Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham. Game summary

Birthday

Dick Conger, 1921 — Made his major-league debut in a relief role for the Tigers and earned an extra-inning win against the White Sox. Conger was traded to Pittsburgh at the end of the 1940 season, spent most of the following two years in the Pirates’ farm system, then was traded to the Phillies. Finished with 3-7 record in 19 games over four seasons.

MLB debuts

Ian Kinsler, 2006 — Starting second baseman goes 1-for-2 with a walk in Rangers’ 7-3 loss to Red Sox.

Nate Freiman, 2013 — Starting first baseman goes 2-for-3 with RBI single in first at-bat in A’s 6-2 win over Mariners.

In memoriam

Aaron Stern, Reds owner, 1920 (age 66)

Recent transactions (2025)

Washington Nationals assigned C C.J. Stubbs to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators.

Cincinnati Reds assigned C Andy Yerzy to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts.

Seattle Mariners assigned RHP Charlie Beilenson to the High-A Everett AquaSox from the Single-A Modesto Nuts.

New York Yankees assigned RHP Harrison Cohen to the Double-A Somerset Patriots from the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades.

Triple-A Memphis Redbirds (St.Louis Cardinals) placed LHP Rob Kaminsky on the 7-day injured list.

New York Yankees assigned RHP Eric Reyzelman to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from the Double-A Somerset Patriots.

San Diego Padres assigned RHP Josh Mallitz to the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps from the Single-A Lake Elsinore Storm.

Items based on the author’s “Day by Day in Jewish Sports History” (KTAV 2008)