Cubs historical sleuthing: The very first MLB game in Houston

Bleed Cubbie Blue writer Al Yellon examines a historical photograph from April 11, 1962, depicting the very first Major League Baseball game played in Houston. The image captures Houston Colt .45s pitcher Bobby Shantz throwing the franchise's inaugural pitch to Chicago Cubs leadoff hitter Lou Brock. Yellon challenges readers to sleuth why the stadium scoreboard listed Brock's batting average as .353 prior to his first regular-season plate appearance.

Yellon suggests the scoreboard figure likely represented Brock's spring training batting average, noting records indicate Brock hit safely in 18 consecutive spring exhibition games that year. Houston went on to defeat the Cubs 11-2 in that Opening Day matchup behind a complete game from Shantz, as Chicago subsequently endured a franchise-worst 59-103 season.