April 16, 1935: Babe Ruth returns to Boston making his debut with the Braves in a 4-2 win over the New York Giants before a crowd of 20,000 fans at Braves Field; Ruth, who is age 40, singled, homered and drove in three runs to lead the Tribe to victory, but he will retire on May 30, 1935, after a three-home run game in Pittsburg against the Pirates. [...]

April 15, 1947: The Braves lose to the Brooklyn Dodgers 5-3 at Ebbets Field as Jackie Robinson makes his major league debut; Robinson, who became the first African-American to play in the major leagues in the 20th century, goes 0-3 but scores the deciding run as the Dodgers win under interim manager Clyde Sukeforth, of Waldoboro, ME. [...]

April 14, 1967: In his major league debut Red Sox left-handed pitcher Billy Rohr holds the Yankees hitless for 8 2/3 innings, aided by a sensational catch by Yaz to start the ninth inning, in the home opener at Yankee Stadium; Elston Howard, who will be traded to Boston late in the 1967 season, spoils the no-hitter with a single, but Rohr hangs on for a shut [...]

April 13, 1997: The Red Sox first mascot, "Wally the Green Monster" is introduced to the crowd at Fenway Park and the traditionalists among fans attending "Kids Opening Day" shower him with boos; the Red Sox beat Seattle 7-1, but Wally would go on to endear himself to even the most cynical Red Sox fans, aided by three World Championships in ten years. [...]

April 12, 1906: Boston Beaneaters outfielder Johnny Bates became the first modern day player to hit a home run in his first at-bat in the major leagues; Bates homered in the second inning against Brooklyn Superbas pitcher Hank McIntire and his blow provided the margin of victory for a 2-0 Boston win. [...]