April 19 is a memorable date in Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers history, and it involves the franchise’s time playing under the Bridegrooms name, Roy Campanella reaching a milestone and Orel Hershiser tying a dubious MLB record late into his career.
Prior to becoming the Brooklyn Dodgers, the franchise was known as the Bridegrooms for two seasons — 1889 and 1890. That came after playing just as the Brooklyn team of the American Association for five years.
The franchise went back to the standalone Brooklyn name from 1891-1894, then became the Brooklyn Grooms for three seasons before a decade as the Superbas, and the first incorporation of Dodgers came in 1911.
Dodgers history: April 19
First National League game
On April 19, 1890, the Bridegrooms made their National League debut against the Boston Beaneaters, who later became the Braves in 1912.
Ernie Koy
Then in 1938, Ernie Koy hit a home run in his first at-bat. Koy played parts of three seasons with Brooklyn and finished with 36 home runs in his Major League career.
Roy Campanella
Also on this day in Dodgers history, Campanella reached 1,000 career hits with a double against the Phillies. Campanella’s milestone occurred in a 5-4 extra-innings win at Roosevelt Stadium, which was the first game ever played in New Jersey.
Campanella finished with 1,422 hits over his 18-year career with Brooklyn.
Orel Hershiser
In the final season of his career, Hershiser tied an MLB record by hitting four batters in one game. Hershiser gave up seven runs and lasted just 1.1 innings against the Houston Astros.
Richard Hidalgo took the brunt of the wildness, as he was hit by a pitch three times. Two of those were by Hershiser and the third came from Matt Herges.
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