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Baseball history unpacked, May 2

Last time round the horn, we learned a little about how Billy made it a thousand, the Pittsburgh Alleghenys and New York Highlanders, and other highlights. Today we look at Kerry Wood’s triumphant return from Tommy John surgery, Don Hoak’s strikeout record, and other items of passing interest from the annals of the grand old game.

Today in baseball history:

  • 1876 - At Cincinnati’s Avenue Grounds, Chicago’s Ross Barnes hits the first home run in the history of National League. In addition to his inside-the-park homer, the former National Association superstar also hits a single and a triple, steals two bases, and scores four runs in the White Stocking’s 19-5 victory over the Reds.