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HOY OPENS SEASON & CAREER WITH SHUTOUT
NEW ST. JOHN’S PITCHER STARTS 1880 OFF RIGHT BY HOLDING MASS. BAY SCORELESS IN BOSTON

BOSTON, MASS. (May 4, 1880) - The legendary Field Manager of St. John’s, Todd Rogers, surprised those gathered at Oceanside Park in Boston when he decided to give highly-touted Greenhorn William Hoy the ball for the team’s Opening Day game at Massachusetts Bay. Hoy then proved why the 24th-year St. John’s skipper is the most successful team leader ever:

The 7x champions of baseball didn’t have the greatest day with their bats, collectively hitting 7/34 (.206) with no Extra-Base Hits. However, they were splendid in the field, with the men behind the Pitcher committing no Errors and turning one Double Play, while Hoy, who was making his league baseball debut, pitched a Shutout:

• StJ P William Hoy: CG SHO (1-0, 0.00), 5 HA, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K, 80 GMSC

The only blemish on Hoy’s afternoon was a Double he allowed to Mass. Bay 2B Arthur Fisher with one out in the bottom of the opening inning. Aside from that it was smooth sailing, and St. John’s had a season-opening victory in Boston.

Mass. Bay P Theobold Knapp was also making his league baseball debut, and he pitched decently in defeat:

• MB P Theobold Knapp: CG L (0-1, 2.00), 7 HA, 6 RA/2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

While Knapp did allow six Runs to St. John’s, seven Mass. Bay fielding mistakes contributed heavily to the visitors’ output.

The series continues tomorrow, with the opening pitch scheduled for 4:15 P.M.