NIGHT BASEBALL &
JACKIE ROBINSON ...
The first night game at Fenway Park
June 13, 1947 ... The Red Sox inaugurated night baseball at Fenway Park last night in a fashion pleasing to Bostonians when they tipped over the White Sox, 5-3, before a bear capacity gathering of 34,510. Had Abner Doubleday witnesses certain portions of the performance
he might not have recognized the game he started.
The Red Sox, picked up a half game on the leading Detroit Tigers, had a big fifth inning when they came up with five runs on a combination of walks, errors and infield hits. It was the Red Sox’ fourth straight win. The home forces made only eight
hits off a parade of Chisox pitchers, while the Pale Hose were blasting 13 off Dave Ferriss and Bob Klinger, 11 of them off Ferriss. Dave was credited with his fifth victory of the year. The game was punctuated with heated discussions, three errors for Chicago and no extra base hits
for the Red Sox. Jack Wallasea, Chicago left fielder, protested a decision in the fifth inning and received an early trip to the showers.
The Sox’ rally overcame a previous two-run lead held by the visitors and one in the fifth. Chicago added one in the third and one in the fifth. Chicago added one in the sixth but was halted thereafter. Ted Williams came to bat with the bases loaded in
the big fifth and ran out a vital infield single to the first baseman playing back of the grass that drove in two runs and tied the game. Frank Papish, starter for the Chicago team, was charged with the loss. He had not allowed a run in 31 2-3 innings previous to the Boston fifth.
As early as 6 o’clock crowds formed long lines to be sure and see this No. 1 arc tilt. … You couldn’t get breathing space in the park. … The brilliance of the new lights startled the capacity throng. … Pertinent data of the lighting system says they
make Fenway one of the two best lighted ball parks in the world. It is equaled only by the Yankee Stadium.
