On October 2, 1908, Addie Joss of the Cleveland Naps pitched a perfect game against the Chicago White Sox. Joss’s performance was the fourth perfect game in Major League Baseball history, and the second in American League history. Joss pitched in front of a crowd of 10,598 at League Park, in Cleveland, Ohio.
On May 12, 1910, Athletics right-hander Chief Bender threw a 4-0 no-hitter at Shibe Park against the Cleveland Naps (Indians). Bender issued just one walk, spoiling his shot at a perfect game.
The home plate umpire for the game was Bill Dinneen, who tossed a no-hit game of his own against the White Sox while playing with the Pilgrims (Red Sox) on September 27, 1905. This performance by Chief Bender made Dinneen the only person in big league history to both throw a no-hitter and call one as an umpire. Dinneen served as home plate umpire for five total no-hitters in his career as an umpire.
On September 27, 1914, Cleveland’s Nap Lajoie became just the third player in baseball history to reach 3,000 hits, joining Cap Anson and Honus Wagner. His 3,000th hit was a double off New York’s Marty McHale as the Indians won 5-3 at League Park.
Babe Ruth made his major league debut on July 11, 1914, taking the mound for the Red Sox against the Indians. The Boston Red Sox just purchased nineteen-year-old Ruth’s contract the day before from the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched seven innings in the game to lead the Sox to a 4-3 victory.
Best known for his unconventional name, Ten Million was a minor league baseball player who played for several teams in the Northwestern League prior to World War I. Born on October 14, 1889 in Mount Vernon, Washington, Million’s paternal grandmother wanted her grandson to have a name that stood out. Suffices to say that she succeeded. Million attended Broadway High School, where he graduated in 1908, then went on to attend the University of Washington. While at UW, Million was captain of the baseball team.
Million, an outfielder, played for the Victoria Bees in the Cleveland Naps (now the Indians) organization in 1911, though he never made it to the majors due to a knee injury. From 1912 to 1914, Million played for the Tacoma Tigers under Hall of Fame pitcher Joe McGinnity. Million also played with the Sioux City, Moose Jaw, Victoria, and Spokane teams within the Northwestern League. Much of his career was spent at the Class B level, and Million finished with a .257 batting average for his career.
His knee injury ended his career at the age of 25, and when his playing days were done, Million did a brief tour in the Army before moving to Seattle, where he could live close to home. He worked for the city as a claims adjuster before taking on a job working at the local Spalding Sporting Goods store. While working at the store, Million met his future wife, Christine. During his downtime, Million refereed in games for various high school sports.
Million later became a salesman for the Ford Auto Company. When Ford produced its 10 millionth car in the 1920s, the vehicle was shipped to Seattle in order that Ten Million could be the one to sell it. Unsurprisingly, the story made the papers, as a Seattle newspaper ran an article with a photo covering the event.
Ten Million died on June 18, 1964.
