New York City, Sunday, April 17, 1912.
In what was an unscheduled exhibition, and a rare Sunday game, The New York Giants and New York Highlanders (before they were officially named the Yankees) played a game at the Polo Grounds to raise money for survivors of the HMS Titanic, which sank just a few days earlier. This was also the very first Sunday game between Major League teams at the legendary ballpark.
A huge crowd turned out to the old ballfield on Coogan’s Bluff to see the Giants wallop the visiting Yanks, 11-2. Over $9,000 (then a very large sum of money), was raised in the effort from fans buying a special game program in lieu of a ticket.
104 years later, Major League Baseball’s various philanthropic and community efforts continue, though it’s interesting to trace such endeavors back over a century in the past.
Source: http://www.nationalpastime.com
