06/07/2026
June 7, 1949 – On this date, the Cleveland Indians defeated the Washington Senators by a score of 13-11 at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium. Larry Doby went 2 for 4, with two home runs, four runs batted in and three runs scored.
The game was mired in controversy, Doby’s second home run came off of relief pitcher Walt Masterson in the fourth inning to tie the game at eight runs apiece. Cleveland’s second baseman Joe Gordon was the next batter. Masterson hit Gordon on the left shoulder and Gordon charged at Masterson with bat in hand.
The benches cleared, but home plate umpire John Stevens managed to keep the fracas from intensifying, until Washington catcher Al Evans got in Gordon’s face and started the melee up again. This time third base umpire Jim Honochick stepped in to restore order.
The tension also caused the crowd to feel agitated. In the sixth inning, Doby smoked a line drive that first base umpire Bill Grieve called foul, the home town crowd roared in displeasure. Fans were so irate that a “quart-sized beer bottle” was thrown in the umpire’s direction.