May 1, 1963 - George Thomas (pictured in 1961), 25-year-old outfielder, made history tonight at Chavez Ravine by hitting the first grand-slam Angel home run ever in that ballpark. In doing so, Thomas sparked Los Angeles to its second straight win over the world champion Yankees, 5-3, before 36,937 cheering fans. Only Roger Maris and Brooks Robinson among American League sluggers had hit grand slams at Dodger Stadium until George unloaded his long one tonight. Last season, he had but 4 homers in 181 times at bat after missing half the campaign due to Army duty. The mighty blow in the first inning was served up by the 1962 gopher ball king of the American League, Ralph Terry (3-2), the same Terry who performed so ably in the World Series last October that he was given an automobile as the fall classic’s outstanding player. Terry was tagged for 40 homers last season. Angel Bo Belinsky fanned nine tonight, getting Roger Maris twice on strikes, for his first victory of the season against three defeats. The series closes tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 when Angel Dean Chance faces Bomber ace Whitey Ford.
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