Lou Chiozza

Louis Peo Chiozza

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 172 lb.
• Debut April 17, 1934
• Final Game July 17, 1939
• Born May 17, 1910 in Tallulah, LA USA
• Died February 28, 1971 in Memphis, TN USA

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Biographical Information

Lou Chiozza was the first major league baseball player to come to bat in a night baseball game, grounding out to Billy Myers of the Cincinnati Reds on May 24, 1935. Baseball changed dramatically that night with the introduction of Major League Baseball under the lights. President Franklin Roosevelt threw the switch from the White House six hundred miles away from Crosley Field for the historic first Major League night game. It featured the Reds against the Chiozza's Philadelphia Phillies.

The brother of Dino Chiozza, Lou spent six seasons in the big leagues, batting .304/.357/.382 as a rookie with the Phillies in 1934. Originally a second baseman, he was gradually transitioned to a center fielder by the Phils. He put together a solid .294/.346/.379 line in 144 games as an outfielder in 1936, then was dealt to the New York Giants for George Scharein and cash in the ensuing off-season. When he fell to .232/.266/.294 in 117 games in 1937, he was cooked, playing two more seasons as a bench player.