Memorable Moments In Batting Order History

Memorable Moments in Batting Order History

Oct. 7, 1905

The weekly magazine Sporting Life first uses the term "lineup" to describe the order in which batters take their turn at the plate.

April 14, 1914

Boston Braves manager George Stallings (below), coming off a fifth-place finish, decides to try the novel concept of platooning his outfielders. The six primary outfielders combine to hit .259, and the Braves go on to win the World Series.

May 6, 1926

The first use of the term "Murderers' Row," to describe the meat of the Yankees' lineup, is credited to The Sporting News. The '27 team, arguably the best in baseball history with (above, from left) Lou Gehrig, Earle Combs, Tony Lazzeri and Babe Ruth, rolls to a World Series win.

Jan. 22, 1929

The Yankees announce that they'll become the first team to make numbers a permanent feature of their home and road uniforms. New York's regulars are assigned the numbers that corresponded to their spots in the batting order. Thus leadoff man Earle Combs is number 1, Mark Koenig 2, Babe Ruth 3, Lou Gehrig 4, Bob Meusel 5, Tony Lazzeri 6 and Leo Durocher 7, followed by three players who split the catching duties: Johnny Grabowski (8), Benny Bengough (9) and Bill Dickey (10, but changed to 8 when he becomes the full-time starter the next year).

July 9, 1940