ON THIS DAY
May 5, 1946
May 5, 1946
In 1946, the Newark Eagles put forth one of the greatest single seasons in Negro League history. They clinch the Negro National League pennant with a 50-20 (.714) record, outpacing the New York Cubans, Homestead Grays, and Baltimore Elite Giants each by 13.5 games in the standings. Newark finishes the season with a 56-23 (.709) record when all is said and done.
Managed by the long-time catcher and future Hall of Famer Biz Mackey, the Eagles defeat the Kansas City Monarchs from the Negro American League to capture the 1946 Negro League World Series championship, four games to three.
The Newark Eagles also feature fellow future Hall of Famers Monte Irvin, Larry Doby, and right-handed pitcher Leon Day.
On Sunday, May 5, 1946, Day throws a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Stars in the first game of the regular season at Ruppert Stadium, Newark. He joined Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller (Apr. 16, 1940) as the only two major league pitchers to ever hurl no-hitters on Opening Day.
After two years of service and having landed at Utah Beach on D-Day, Leon Day received his honorable discharge from the United States Army in February. In his first game back on the hill, Leon Day faced 29 batters, striking out six and walking three, with two fielding errors behind him. However, no baserunner ever reached second. Larry Doby drives home and scores the only two runs of the game.
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