April 22, 1920 saw eight games schedule but just six played in the major leagues. Runs were plentiful as two games saw fourteen runs scored as the Yankees beat the Athletics 8-6 in the New York home opener, and Indians downed the Browns 11-3 in St. Louis. At the low end were two seven-run games, the Cubs winning at home 4-3 over the Reds in eleven innings, and the Phillies beating the Dodgers 4-3 in Philadelphia. Former Brooklyn outfielder Casey Stengel figured prominently in the win.

The best offensive games of the day goes to Tim Hendryx of the Red Sox and Joe Jackson of the White Sox. Both collected four hits in five plate appearances. Hendryx added a walk, while Jackson double twice.

Hendryx played parts of eight seasons in the majors, mostly as a reserve. I find that strange given his .372 career OBP. It’s not clear from his biography why he didn’t play more, but there always seemed to be someone blocking him. He was on the Red Sox in 1920 as the replacement for Babe Ruth. He finished his career in the Pacific Coast League, which at the time was an outstanding minor league.

Lee Meadows of the Phillies and Pete Alexander of the Cubs take home pitcher of the day honors. Meadows pitched a complete game five hitter, allowing three runs, two earned, while striking out eight with three walks. Alexander lasted eleven innings, giving up three runs, all earned. He struck out seven and walked four. None of the starters that day allowed a home run, and five of them completed games.

Meadows was in the beginning of his peak years, a peak which last a long time. At seasonal age 24 in 1919 he produced a 3.9 rWAR season. He would produce good to great rWAR number through 1927, with an off year in 1926.

Buck Weaver led the majors in batting average at the end of the day, going 8 for 15 to start the season. Pete Alexander led the majors in strikeouts, with 18 in 26 innings.