On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 16 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 16 in football at the professional level (especially in 1962 and 2007):

SEPTEMBER 16

  • Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading hoops scorer in school history with 1,044 points) passed for more than 300 yards in each of first three games of the 1984 campaign.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) rushed for 134 yards on 17 carries in a 17-7 win against the New York Giants in 1962 season opener.

  • Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught nine passes in a 37-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2007.

  • Chicago Hornets TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) opened the game's scoring with a six-yard rushing touchdown and threw two TD passes in 35-7 AAFC win against the Baltimore Colts in 1949.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950 NFL debut after leaving AAFC.

  • Kansas City Chiefs LB Napoleon Harris (averaged 4.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg for Northwestern in 1997-98 and 1998-99 under coach Kevin O'Neill) contributed 11 solo tackles, one sack and one interception in a 20-10 setback against the Chicago Bears in 2007.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for three touchdowns in a 34-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1962 season opener.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 38-0 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1973 season opener.

  • Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 33 yards for touchdown in 31-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1966.

  • Baltimore Colts TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas in a 30-27 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1962 season opener.

  • Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) returned a fumble recovery 47 yards for fourth-quarter touchdown in 27-14 AAFC win against the New York Yankees in 1948.

  • New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Lee Grosscup in a 40-14 AFL setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1962.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1973 season opener. Six years later, Staubach threw three TD passes in a 24-20 win against the Chicago Bears in 1979.

  • New England Patriots LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) scored a touchdown on 65-yard interception return in 38-14 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2007.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 16

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering where is the junk-journalism ridicule and accountability for egregious multitude of bed-wetting #MessMedia misfits probably throwing "Let's Go, Brandon!" inflation party with vacation guru Plagiarist Biledumb highlighted by sniffer-in-chief assessing Melania's wardrobe confiscated during Mar-a-lago raid, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former hoopers from multiple different Michigan colleges - Don Lund (Michigan), Jim Northrup (Alma) and Robin Roberts (Michigan State) - supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 16

  • Switch-hitting C Mark Bailey (Southwest Missouri State's top basketball rebounder in 1980-81) homered from both sides of the plate as Houston Astros rookie in 1984 game against the San Diego Padres.

  • Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) established a dubious MLB record (subsequently tied by Todd Helton in 1998) by stranding 12 baserunners in an 18-5 victory against the New York Mets in 1972. Five years earlier, Beckert provided multiple hits for the sixth consecutive contest in 1967.

  • Baltimore Orioles RF Angelo Dagres (averaged 6 ppg for Rhode Island in 1954-55) delivered a hit and scored a run in both ends of 1955 doubleheader sweep against the Washington Senators.

  • Cleveland Indians rookie RF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a first-inning grand slam against the Washington Senators in 1948.

  • St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924), en route to amassing 84 RBI as a leadoff hitter, singled in the contest's only run against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 10th inning in 1930.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Don Erickson Don Erickson (basketball scholarship recipient at Western Illinois as freshman in 1950-51 but signed pro contract before playing single game of hoops) lost his lone MLB decision (10-8 against Chicago Cubs in 1958) when reliever yielded a two-run single to 3B Alvin Dark (hoops letterman with Louisiana State in 1942-43 and Southwestern Louisiana in 1943-44) in top of the 10th inning.

  • New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1922 doubleheader.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the New York Giants in a 1955 game.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) stroked five hits against the Florida Marlins in a 2005 contest.

  • St. Louis Browns RF Don Lund (Michigan starter in 1943-44 and 1944-45) went 4-for-4 in a 3-1 triumph against the Boston Red Sox in 1948.

  • St. Louis Cardinals LF Irv Noren (hooper of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) homered in his third consecutive outing in 1958.

  • Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered in fifth different and final contest during seven-game road trip in 1969. Five years later, Northrup was purchased from the Montreal Expos by the Baltimore Orioles in 1974.

  • In 1954, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) became the first N.L. hurler to reach 20-win plateau five successive seasons since Carl Hubbell in mid-1930s.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) contributed three hits and five RBI in 1920 game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

  • New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) knocked in five runs against the Detroit Tigers in a 1939 game.

  • RHP Dave Sisler (All-Ivy League second-team selection for Princeton's first NCAA Tournament team in 1952) traded with cash by the Washington Senators to the Cincinnati Reds for P Claude Osteen in 1961.

  • RHP Jack Spring (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) won his three starts this month in less than two weeks with the expansion Los Angeles Angels in 1961.

  • New York Mets C John Stephenson (scored 1,361 points for William Carey MS in early 1960s) swatted two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1965 contest.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) permitted his only earned run in final 17 relief appearances of the 1984 campaign.

  • St. Louis Browns SS Bud Thomas (Central Missouri hoops letterman in late 1940s) belted his lone MLB homer (third-inning blast against Philadelphia Athletics in nightcap of 1951 doubleheader).

  • DH Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) jacked a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Chicago White Sox a 9-7 win against the Los Angeles Angels in 2007. It was the 500th of his 612 MLB career clouts.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates rookie LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) hurled his second shutout in an 11-day span in 1963.

  • Minnesota Twins 2B Jay Ward (McKendree IL hooper in 1956-57 before forgoing hoops to concentrate solely on pro baseball) reached base a total of four times with single and three walks in 2-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles in 1964.

  • Boston Red Sox 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) whacked two homers against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1934 twinbill.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in nightcap of a 1924 doubleheader.

  • In 1993, Minnesota Twins DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) singled against the Oakland A's for his 3,000th hit.

  • Homering in his first of three consecutive contests in 2005, San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) went 4-for-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 15 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 15 in football at the professional level (especially in 1963 and 2002):

SEPTEMBER 15

  • Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had the game-winning touchdown reception with 10 seconds remaining in a 31-30 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2013.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) scored three touchdowns - including an 83-yard pass reception and 80-yard rush - while rushing for 162 yards on 15 carries in 37-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963 season opener.

  • Dallas Cowboys PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) converted a then-record seven-of-eight field-goal attempts in 35-32 win against the New York Giants in 2003.

  • Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught six passes for 131 yards - including two touchdowns from Jack Kemp - in a 35-17 AFL setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1963.

  • New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 179 yards in a 16-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 290 yards (48.3 average) in a 21-21 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963 season opener. Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

  • First pro touchdown catch for rookie WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) propelled the Houston Texans to a 30-24 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans in 2013.

  • Chicago Bears rookie PK Bob Jencks (collected 3 points and 12 rebounds in five basketball games for Miami of Ohio in 1960-61) opened game's scoring with a 32-yard field goal in 10-3 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1963 season opener. He also kicked his first of 20 consecutive successful extra points through first six outings.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 96 yards for touchdown in 30-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002.

  • In 1968 season opener, New York Giants DT Bob Lurtsema (averaged 12.5 ppg for Michigan Tech in 1962-63) returned an interception 39 yards in 34-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

  • Indianapolis Colts DB David Macklin (collected 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists for Penn State in 15 basketball games as freshman in 1996-97) returned an interception 30 yards in 21-13 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2002.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers rookie HB Banks McFadden (led Clemson in scoring in each of his three seasons en route to becoming school's first All-American in 1939) had a 17-yard touchdown reception from TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) in 24-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1940 season opener.

  • Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo - one of them for 72 yards - in a 41-37 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008.

  • Carolina Panthers rookie DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 31-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 2002.

  • Washington Redskins E Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) caught three touchdown passes from Sonny Jurgensen in a 38-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1968 season opener.

  • New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) returned a Kurt Warner interception 31 yards for touchdown in 26-21 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2002.

  • Cincinnati Bengals QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) threw two second-half touchdown passes - 58 yards to Bob Trumpy and 54 yards to Warren McVea - in a 24-10 AFL win against the Denver Broncos in 1968.

  • Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had nine pass receptions for 133 yards in a 23-20 AFL win against the Buffalo Bills in 1962.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 15

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering if fossil fool Plagiarist Biledumb and cover girl "Dr." Jill even know the name of their granddaughter from rural Arkansas (let alone hugged) sired by hideous Hunter with stripper as amazing artist dropped her off insurance policy and later strove to substantially reduce child support payments, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Bucknell hoopers Bob Keegan and Christy Mathewson provided noteworthy MLB pitching performances on this date. Ditto ex-Cincinnati hoopers Carl Bouldin and Sandy Koufax. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 15

  • California Angels 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward with Santa Clara's 1970 NCAA playoff basketball team averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) went 5-for-5 against the Minnesota Twins in a 1975 game.

  • Washington Senators RHP Carl Bouldin (All-NCAA Tournament selection for Cincinnati in 1961) posted his first MLB victory with his only complete game (3-1 nod over Chicago White Sox in 1962).

  • California Angels 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) delivered four hits in a 1974 contest against the Chicago White Sox.

  • Detroit Tigers rookie CF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) slugged two homers against the Washington Senators in a 1946 outing.

  • In the opener of a 1946 doubleheader, Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) registered his 25th triumph, a 4-1 verdict over the Chicago White Sox.

  • In 1947, Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) hammered the final of his 331 MLB career homers.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 4-for-4 against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1996 game.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 and contributed two assists in a 6-4 victory against the Chicago Cubs in 1962.

  • Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) tossed his first of back-to-back shutouts in 1953.

  • New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) homered twice against the St. Louis Browns in the opener of a 1945 doubleheader.

  • In 1961, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) set a N.L. single-season record for most strikeouts by a lefthander.

  • Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) supplied first four-hit game in his MLB career (against Washington Senators in 1952).

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s), en route to pacing the A.L. in ERA (2.10), hurled a three-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1940 on day commemorating his career.

  • In 1908, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) defeated the St. Louis Cardinals for 24th straight time.

  • In his MLB debut, Philadelphia Athletics RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke hoops letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) tossed a seven-inning, 2-0 shutout against the Cleveland Indians in nightcap of 1946 doubleheader, outdueling Hall of Famer Bob Feller.

  • St. Louis Cardinals LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) whacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in nightcap of a 1957 twinbill.

  • New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) knocked in five runs in opener of 1910 doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) traded by the Houston Astros to the New York Yankees in 1985.

  • Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) jacked two homers against the Oakland Athletics in a 1968 contest.

  • Oakland Athletics 2B Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) went 3-for-3 for the second successive contest in 1989.

  • After missing three previous seasons while serving in U.S. Navy during WWII, Chicago White Sox RHP Johnny Rigney (top hoops center for St. Thomas MN in mid-1930s) twirled a three-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in nightcap of 1946 doubleheader.

  • 2B Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) delivered a pinch-hit single in the bottom of ninth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to 5-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) homered twice against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1952 outing.

  • Washington Senators LHP Orlin "Buck" Rogers (Virginia hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) lost his lone MLB decision in debut as a starter against the Cleveland Indians in 1935.

  • Milwaukee Brewers LF Ted Savage (Lincoln MO scoring average leader in 1955-56) collected two triples and homer against the Oakland Athletics in a 1970 game.

  • An eighth-inning bloop single by Philadelphia Athletics 1B Dick Siebert (Concordia-St. Paul MN hooper in 1929 and 1930) broke up a no-hit bid by Cleveland Indians P Bob Feller in 1940.

  • Cleveland Indians RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) closed out the 1966 campaign with seven straight quality starts, compiling a 1.61 ERA in that span.

  • Minnesota Twins RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) hurled his first MLB shutout in 1984 (1-0 against original MLB team Texas Rangers).

  • Atlanta Braves rookie LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) won his fourth straight start in 1968, notching a 1.69 ERA in that span.

  • Chicago White Sox rookie 3B Billy Sullivan Jr. (Portland hoops letterman in 1927-28) supplied four hits against the Boston Red Sox in a 1931 outing.

  • Montreal Expos 2B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with Southern California in 1963-64) stroked four hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1969 contest.

  • Kansas City Royals C John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) went 4-for-4 in a 7-6 win against the Oakland Athletics in opener of 1977 twinbill.

  • Washington Senators LHP Eddie Wineapple (averaged 13.9 ppg with Providence in 1928-29) made his lone MLB appearance, toiling four innings in the opener of a 1929 doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.

  • Cleveland Indians rookie RF Ab Wright (Oklahoma A&M hoops letterman in 1928-29) contributed four hits and four against the Washington Senators in opener of a 1935 twinbill.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 14 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 14 in football at the professional level (especially in 1969 and 2014):

SEPTEMBER 14

  • In his only NFL start, Los Angeles Rams QB Terry Baker (Oregon State's second-leading scorer with 13.4 ppg for 1963 Final Four team) completed 6-of-12 passes for 72 yards and threw three interceptions in a 23-2 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1963 season opener.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 39-38 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2008.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught three touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 30-21 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2014.

  • New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 118 yards - including two touchdowns from Drew Brees - in a 26-24 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2014.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) passed for 327 yards in a 27-21 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969 AFL season opener.

  • Rookie WR James Hardy (started three hoops games for Indiana in 2004-05) put the Buffalo Bills ahead to stay with a fourth-quarter touchdown reception in 20-16 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) completed 29-of-44 passes for 334 yards in a 28-14 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1997. Six years later as member of Bucs, Johnson passed for 339 yards in a 12-9 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2003.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 47-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1968 season opener.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) supplied a career-long 63-yard touchdown reception in 41-10 setback against the Washington Redskins in 2014.

  • Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) had two interceptions in a 21-17 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1969 AFL season opener.

  • Chicago Rockets E Max Morris (Northwestern All-American in 1945 and 1946 when two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection averaged 16.3 ppg) caught a touchdown pass in 28-20 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1947 AAFC game. Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three second-half TD passes.

  • Miami Dolphins SE Karl Noonan (member of Iowa's basketball squad in 1963-64) contributed career-highs of seven pass receptions and 104 receiving yards in a 24-10 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1968 AFL season opener.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes from John Elway (72 and 38 yards) in a 35-14 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1997.

  • WR Tai Streets (collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for Michigan's NIT titlist in 1997 under coach Steve Fisher) opened the San Francisco 49ers' scoring with a 16-yard touchdown catch from Jeff Garcia in 27-24 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2003.

  • In 1969 AFL season opener, Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in a 27-9 win against the San Diego Chargers.

  • E Al Vandeweghe (William & Mary hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) scored the Buffalo Bisons' lone touchdown with a 97-yard return of fumble recovery in 21-10 setback against the New York Yankees in 1946 AAFC contest.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 14

Extra! Extra! It's a Love Story! Instead of dwelling on whether warden-like way Vogue vixens (Puppeteer "Dr." Jill and propagandist Ka-ringe Binder) plus fellow hard-core handlers such as Susan #DirtyRice and Easter Bunny push Plagiarist Biledumb around resembling "Whisperer's" version of Oval Office bumper cars reeking of elder abuse, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Big Apple college hoopers Ralph Branca (NYU), Hank Greenberg (NYU) and Andy Karl (Manhattan) supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ex-Duke hoopers Chubby Dean and Dick Groat and ex-San Diego State hoopers Tony Gwynn and Graig Nettles also made MLB news on this date. Groat was joined by fellow All-American Eddie O'Brien (Seattle) in generating headlines for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 14

  • New York Yankees RHP Rich Beck (listed on Gonzaga's basketball roster in 1961-62) fanned eight batters and walked none while allowing one earned run in his seven-inning debut against the Washington Senators in 1965.

  • St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1937 contest.

  • Showing no indication of 20-year-old jitters in a pennant race, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) hurled a 5-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946.

  • Seattle Mariners CF Mickey Brantley (averaged 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 5.4 apg for Columbia-Greene Community College SC in 1979-80) went 5-for-6 with three homers and seven RBI in an 11-8 setback against the Cleveland Indians in 1987.

  • New York Yankees rookie LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) collected two homers and five RBI against the Detroit Tigers in a 1954 game. Four years later with the Kansas City Athletics, Cerv clubbed a homer in both ends of 1958 doubleheader against the Yankees.

  • Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) contributed three extra-base hits and four RBI against the St. Louis Browns in a 1932 game.

  • Philadelphia Athletics LHP Chubby Dean (reserve guard for Duke in 1936) made his MLB pitching debut as the ex-1B hurled three innings of scoreless relief against the St. Louis Browns in 1937.

  • Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) provided four hits against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1947 twinbill.

  • Boston Red Sox LF Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) contributed seven RBI in a 13-10 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1957.

  • Boston Red Sox RHP Dave Gray (hooper for Weber State in early 1960s when school was junior college) made his lone MLB start in 1964.

  • Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) launched a homer for the fifth consecutive contest and extra-base hit for the 10th straight outing in 1940. Six years later, Greenberg contributed two homers and seven RBI in a 7-4 win against the New York Yankees.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) went 4-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants in 1962.

  • Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) smacked a pinch-hit grand slam in an 8-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1979.

  • In 1996, San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-Western Athletic Conference second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81 who twice led league in assists) registered milestone 2,500th of his 3,141 MLB career hits.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman from 1933 through 1935) collected his sixth save the first half of month in 1945.

  • In the midst of a career-high 12-game hitting streak, Philadelphia Phillies rookie SS Ralph LaPointe (Vermont hoops letterman during WWII) provided three extra-base hits (including his lone MLB homer) in manufacturing four safeties in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second straight day in 1947.

  • Houston Astros CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) collected three hits and three runs in his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds in 1991.

  • St. Louis Cardinals rookie CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) provided his third four-hit game in a four-day span in 1974.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) fanned four Cincinnati Reds batters in 2 1/3 innings but yielded his only earned run in 11 relief appearances during the month in 1960.

  • In 1974, 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered for the New York Yankees in the first inning before brother Jim Nettles homered for the Detroit Tigers in the second. Four years later, Graig Nettles clobbered two homers against the Tigers in a 1978 outing.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates INF/OF Eddie O'Brien (Seattle All-American in 1952-53) took to the mound and hurled a complete-game, 3-1 victory against the Chicago Cubs in opener of 1957 doubleheader.

  • St. Louis Browns CF Ray Pepper (Alabama hoops letterman in 1926-27) provided at least four hits in a game for the fifth consecutive month in 1934.

  • Chicago White Sox rookie RF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) banged out four hits and scored three runs for the second time in a three-game span in 1928.

  • Seattle Mariners RF Leon Roberts (grabbed one rebound in four basketball games for Michigan in 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr) contributed a run-scoring double and grand slam in 7-5 win against the Kansas City Royals in 1979.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) went 5-for-5 (including three extra-base hits) and scored four runs in 1920 outing against the Brooklyn Robins.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) improved his record to 20-2 in 1951 with a 3-1 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Cincinnati Reds OF Ted Tappe (leading scorer in 1949 NJCAA Tournament was Washington State's third-leading scorer following year) smacked a pinch-hit homer in his first MLB at-bat (against Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950).

  • Washington Senators 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1953 contest.

  • Boston Braves rookie C Luke Urban (player-coach for Boston College's hoops squad from 1918-19 through 1920-21) hit safely in his first nine games of the month in 1927.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS), supported by Roberto Clemente's pair of homers, blanked the New York Mets, 6-0, in 1968. It was Veale's second shutout in a week.

  • California Angels RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected two homers and five RBI in a 1990 game against the Seattle Mariners.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 13 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 13 in football at the professional level (especially receivers in 2015):

SEPTEMBER 13

  • Seattle Seahawks TE John Carlson (played in three Notre Dame basketball games in 2003-04 under coach Mike Brey) caught two touchdown passes from QB Matt Hasselbeck in a 28-0 season-opening victory against the St. Louis Rams in 2009.

  • HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the Philadelphia Eagles' scoring with a rushing touchdown en route to 24-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942 season opener. Eagles rookie E Len Supulski (Dickinson PA hooper) had 41-yard pass reception for a touchdown.

  • Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) had four pass receptions for 82 yards in a 31-19 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2015 season opener, amassing the most receiving yardage by an Arizona Cardinals TE since mid-November 1989.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (hooper in seven games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught two touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 season opener. Five years later in his debut with the Arizona Cardinals, Hopkins had 14 pass receptions in a 24-20 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 season opener.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted 11 times for 46.5-yard average in a 17-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1981. Giants DE George Martin (Oregon basketball teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned fumble recovery eight yards for a touchdown.

  • Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown in 26-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964 season opener.

  • In NFL debut, Philadelphia Eagles E Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference crown) opened the game's scoring with a pass reception touchdown in 17-7 setback against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935 season opener.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 38-10 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2009 season opener.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jim Kelly (53 and 24 yards) in a 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1992.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57 caught seven passes for 135 yards in a 17-14 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1964 AFL season opener.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) caught #1 draft pick overall Jameis Winston's first two touchdown passes in a 42-14 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2015 season opener. Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught rookie Marcus Mariota's first NFL TD pass (52 yards).

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned fumble recovery four yards for a touchdown in 38-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1999 season opener.

  • New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in a 27-10 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 13

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering if significant ratings and circulation declines for legacy press pestilence during creepy Plagiarist Biledumb's witless whisperer presidency will spur lamestream #MessMedia misfits (especially CNN Sucks and #MSDNC) to endorse Donald J. Trump's return to salvage their journalistic-junk industry, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Arizona hoopers Hank Leiber and Kenny Lofton supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto ex-PA small-college hoopers Harry Anderson (West Chester), Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) and Gary Peters (Grove City). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 13

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Dale Alexander (starting basketball center in mid-1920s for Milligan TN) delivered four hits in an 11-10 win against the New York Yankees in the opener of 1930 doubleheader.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) provided four hits in a 5-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935.

  • Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) went 5-for-5 against the San Francisco Giants in a 1958 game.

  • Final MLB triumph for RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) was a three-hit shutout with the St. Louis Browns against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1942.

  • California Angels RHP Mike Barlow (Syracuse hooper from 1967-68 through 1969-70) won his third game in six days in 1977, yielding zero earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in that span.

  • RHP Bill Beckmann (Washington MO hooper in late 1920s) posted a clutch victory in his next-to-last MLB appearance and St. Louis Cardinals' debut to help them win 1942 N.L. pennant.

  • Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Andy Benes (played briefly for Evansville in 1985-86 under coach Jim Crews) allowed only one hit in 8 1/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds in 1998. He subsequently hurled a total of 15 scoreless frames in his last two starts of the season.

  • Washington Senators 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) went 4-for-4 in a 7-1 win against his original team (Chicago White Sox) in opener of 1938 doubleheader.

  • In midst of a career-long nine-game hitting streak, Los Angeles Dodgers CF Glenn Burke (averaged 16.3 ppg in six basketball games with Nevada-Reno in 1974-75) contributed four safeties and four RBI in a 1977 outing against the San Diego Padres.

  • RHP Ownie Carroll (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1922) purchased from the New York Yankees by the Cincinnati Reds in 1930.

  • In 1997, San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) reached the 200-hit plateau in a lone season for fifth time in his career.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers C Tom Haller (Illinois backup forward in 1956-57 and 1957-58) smacked a pinch-hit, three-run homer in 10th inning in 5-3 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1970.

  • In 1972, Detroit Tigers 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) socked his 13th career homer off his apparent favorite pitcher - Baltimore Orioles starter Dave McNally.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) smacked two homers against the New York Mets in a 1966 contest.

  • Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) went 4-for-4 against the Atlanta Braves in a 1966 outing.

  • Chicago Cubs CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) went 4-for-4 with four runs, two homers and six RBI against the Boston Braves in a 1939 contest.

  • Washington Senators CF Don Lock (paced Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) secured his fifth two-homer game of the 1964 campaign.

  • In 1992, Cleveland Indians rookie Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) broke the A.L. record for stolen bases by a first-year player with thefts #53 and #54. Lofton went on to finish the campaign with league-high 66 steals and 14 assists by a center fielder.

  • Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) made his first MLB start for the New York Giants in 1900.

  • Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Greasy Neale (hooper graduated in 1915 from West Virginia Wesleyan) had his 12-game hitting streak snapped by the New York Giants in 1916.

  • In 1967, Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (played for Grove City PA in mid-1950s) and Cleveland Indians RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight second-team selection) each tossed 11 shutout innings as starters before the White Sox finally won by scoring in 17th frame.

  • St. Louis Browns RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer two seasons in early 1930s for Mount Morris IL/Manchester IN) provided his eighth multiple-hit game at the plate during 1945 campaign.

  • Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) scored upon for only time in span of 14 relief appearances until his final regular-season outing in 1969. Six years later with the Chicago White Sox, Upshaw permitted an earned run for the only time in his last 11 MLB relief appearances over final two months of the 1975 campaign.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) pounded two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in nightcap of a 1953 doubleheader.

  • Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) made an unassisted double play against the Chicago White Sox in 1953.

  • New York Yankees LF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) walloped a grand slam in 1982. Blast was his 200th of 465 MLB career homers.

  • Grand slam by Seattle Mariners LF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) proved to be the difference in a 5-1 victory against the Anaheim Angels in 2003.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 12 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 12 in football at the professional level (especially in 1976 and 2004):

SEPTEMBER 12

  • Jacksonville Jaguars RDE Lionel Barnes (averaged 4 ppg and 2.6 rpg as part-time starter for Louisiana-Monroe in 1996-97) collected a career-high three solo tackles plus a sack in 13-10 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2004 season opener.

  • New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) provided two interceptions in a 17-13 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999 season opener.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught eight passes for 123 yards in a 27-20 win against the Houston Texans in 2004 season opener.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 42-13 AAFC win against the Buffalo Bills in 1948.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) had nine pass receptions in a 20-3 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2004 season opener. Ravens WR Randy Hymes (averaged 7.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Grambling from 1999-00 through 2001-02) chipped with a career-high five pass receptions.

  • Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven basketball games for Clemson in 2010-11 in coach Brad Brownell's first season with the Tigers) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Kyler Murray in a 38-13 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2021.

  • Seattle Seahawks TE Ron Howard (averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Seattle from 1971-72 through 1973-74) had a career-high seven pass receptions for expansion team in 30-24 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976 season opener.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted seven times for 48.9-yard average in 19-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1976. Six years later in another season opener, Jennings punted six times for 53-yard average in 16-14 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1982.

  • Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw for 382 yards in a 41-35 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1999 season opener.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 19-17 win against the New York Giants in 1976 season opener.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught two touchdown passes in a 24-17 win against the Denver Broncos in 2010 season opener.

  • Cleveland Browns DB Bill Lund (Case Western OH hooper) returned interception 28 yards for a touchdown in 55-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 AAFC.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Chris Manhertz (Canisius' leading rebounder from 2011-12 through 2013-14) caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from rookie QB Trevor Lawrence in 37-21 setback against the Houston Texans in 2021 season opener. It was the first TD pass for Lawrence, the overall first selection in NFL draft.

  • QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 26-of-36 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns - three of them to Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) in his Philadelpia Eagles debut - in a 31-17 win against the New York Giants in 2004 season opener.

  • Cleveland Browns TE Evan Moore (Stanford hooper in 2003-04 and 2004-05 under coach Mike Montgomery) caught three passes for a career-high 87 yards (including game-long 49-yarder) in 17-14 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010 season opener.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two touchdown catches in a 37-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1965 AFL season opener.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught three touchdown passes in a 38-17 win against the New York Jets in 1976 season opener.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 12

Extra! Extra! Instead of mocking #MessMedia misfits (especially press puke from CNN Sucks and #MSDNC) trying to discern whether rooftop-dancing/climate-change hysteria bartender AOC, Master of Disaster Plagiarist Biledumb, Out House propagandist Ka-ringe Binder, romance novelist Stacey Abrams, Cacklin' Kamala, Lov Gov Andrew "Kinky" Cuomo, Michael #Avenaughty, stolen valor Blumenthal, Sick Willie, #ShrillaryRotten, John Edwards, Blasey Fraud, Al Franken, Dr. Fraudci, VA donations diva "Oh! Susanna" Gibson, Al Bore, Katie Hill, Lurch Kerry, Lori Lightweight, #MadMaxine, brother-loving Odd Squad orator Omar, prayerful #NannyPathetic, Adam #SackofSchiff, Schmucky Schumer, T-bone buddy Spartacus, Eliot Spitzer, farting Eric "Chinese Check-her(out)" Swalwell, fake squaw #Liesalot Warren or Anthony Weiner is most credible #Dimorat, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Manhattan hoopers Buddy Hassett and Xavier Rescigno supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto three ex-hoopers from small colleges in Pennsylvania - Al Downing (Muhlenberg), Frank Grube (Lafayette) and Monte Irvin (Lincoln). Former juco hoopers Darrell Evans (Pasadena City CA) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central) each went downtown twice in at least one game on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 12

  • Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) tied MLB single-season mark in 1956 when swatting his 13th homer against a single team (Brooklyn Dodgers).

  • Washington Senators OF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after being runner-up in both categories the previous season) debuted in 1965 with a pinch-hit homer on first pitch to him against the California Angels.

  • Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) posted his second win streak of at least six games en route to leading the A.L. in winning percentage in 1935.

  • Washington Senators RHP Casey Cox (juco recruit averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Cal State Los Angeles in 1961-62) won his fifth straight decision while compiling a 2.21 ERA in four-week span in 1969.

  • Boston Braves rookie 2B Jack Dittmer (played hoops briefly for Iowa in 1949-50), entering a 1952 doubleheader hitting .182, belted a homer in both ends of the twinbill while going 5-for-8 and scoring five runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Al Downing (attended Muhlenberg PA on hoops scholarship but departed before ever playing) tossed a two-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1974.

  • Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1973 game against the San Francisco Giants. The next year as a 1B, Evans homered in both ends of 1974 doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds.

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) toiled 11 innings to beat the Minnesota Twins, 2-1, in 1962.

  • In 1931, Chicago White Sox rookie C Frank Grube (Lafayette starting hoops guard as senior in 1926-27) launched his lone MLB homer.

  • Brooklyn Robins rookie 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive contests in 1930 and 1931) supplied a pair of doubles in both ends of 1936 twinbill split against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 against the New York Mets in a 1964 contest. Four years later as a 1B with the Washington Senators, Howard homered twice against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1968 outing.

  • Extending his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games in a row, New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) provided three hits in each contest of a 1952 doubleheader split with the Cincinnati Reds.

  • Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) homered twice against the Houston Astros in a 1992 game.

  • Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) drilled two homers against the New York Yankees in a 1971 contest.

  • Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1940 outing.

  • Minnesota Twins RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) posted a shutout against the Kansas City Royals en route to winning 14 of his last 16 decisions of the 1969 campaign.

  • RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western hoops letterman in 1929-30) awarded on waivers from the Philadelphia Athletics to the Detroit Tigers in 1939.

  • LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) shipped by the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres in 1983 to complete an earlier deal.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates rookie RHP Xavier Rescigno (Manhattan hooper in 1932 and 1933) registered his lone MLB shutout (four-hitter against Cincinnati Reds in nightcap of 1943 doubleheader).

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) tallied his seventh save in less than a month in 1976.

  • Cleveland Indians 3B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) jacked two taters in a 1996 game against the California Angels.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) launched two homers and triple among his four hits in a 1924 game against his original team (Chicago Cubs).

  • Chicago Cubs RHP Jim Willis (Northwestern State hoops letterman in 1944-45 and from 1947-48 through 1949-50) tossed back-to-back complete-game victories in 1953.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 11 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 11 in football at the professional level (especially in 1983 and 1994):

SEPTEMBER 11

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught nine passes for 108 yards in a 23-13 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1983.

  • Houston Oilers TE John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) caught two second-half touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 37-22 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1960 season opener in AFL's inaugural campaign.

  • Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 79 yards for touchdown in 34-7 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2011 season opener.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Vince Marrow (averaged 7.4 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Youngstown State in 1988-89) had four pass receptions in a 38-35 win against the New England Patriots in 1994.

  • Detroit Lions TE Ulysses Norris (Georgia hooper in 1975-76) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-26 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1983.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 12 pass receptions - including two touchdowns from Jeff George - in a 31-13 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1994.

  • Detroit Lions DE Reggie Rogers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Washington from 1982-83 through 1984-85) registered a sack in a 17-10 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1988.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston in 2016 season-opening 31-24 win against the Atlanta Falcons.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery 85 yards for touchdown in 34-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 2005 season opener.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 11

Extra! Extra! Instead of watching series of delusional #Dimorat experts at stealing valor on a sacred day (9/11) and discussing F-Biden yard signs/football-game chants from those individuals for whom petty and old 9/11 ceremony no-show Plagiarist Biledumb has more animosity than Taliban thugs and summer-of-love rioters, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Texas college hoopers Len Goldstein (Texas Wesleyan), Dutch Meyer (TCU), Wally Moon (Texas A&M) and Carl Reynolds (Southwestern) made MLB headlines on this date. Ditto ex-NYU hoopers Ralph Branca and Hank Greenberg plus ex-CA community college hoopers Darrell Evans and Bob Oliver. Several former small-college hoopers from Illinois also made MLB news on this date - Geoff Hartlieb (Quincy), Champ Summers (SIUE) and Evar Swanson (Knox). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 11 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 11

  • Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) suffered a broken hand, ending his 1954 season.

  • St. Louis Browns RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) fired his second five-hit shutout in a 10-day span in 1940.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) banged out four hits for the second time in a seven-game span in 1919.

  • Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) went 5-for-5 with four RBI in a 17-2 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936.

  • Although only 21 years old, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) notched his 20th victory in 1947.

  • Baltimore Orioles rookie OF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) provided four hits for the second time in a five-game span in 1973.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average at least 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) homered twice in a 5-4 triumph against the Boston Red Sox in 1952.

  • Cleveland Indians 3B Frank Ellerbe (Wofford hooper after transferring from Sewanee TN) whacked a pinch-hit, grand slam in top of ninth inning of 12-7 win against the St. Louis Browns in opener of 1924 twinbill.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club that won 1967 state community college crown) went 4-for-4 in a 1984 contest against the Baltimore Orioles.

  • Boston Braves 1B Kerby Farrell (key hooper for couple of strong Freed-Hardeman TN squads in mid-1930s) supplied four hits against the New York Giants in a 13-inning game in 1943.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Jim Gleeson (captain and all-conference honoree graduated in 1933 from Rockhurst MO) stroked three doubles in an 8-5 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the opener of a 1940 doubleheader.

  • Cincinnati Reds 1B Lon Goldstein (Texas Wesleyan hoops standout in late 1930s) singled as a pinch-hitter in his first MLB plate appearance in 1943 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was Goldstein's lone MLB safety.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) secured four hits against the Washington Senators in a 1935 outing.

  • San Francisco Giants All-Star LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 as a sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith) fanned 14 Houston Astros in a 1983 game.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Geoff Hartlieb (averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Quincy IL in 2012-13 before transferring to Lindenwood MO to concentrate on baseball) yielded only two hits during stretch of six straight scoreless relief appearances totaling 7 1/3 innings in 2020.

  • Brooklyn Robins CF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1928 twinbill.

  • New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) contributed his fifth steal of home during the 1951 campaign.

  • Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (played for Binghamton in 1948-49) contributed four hits for the second time in three games in 1955.

  • New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed shutouts in 1906 and 1909.

  • CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) scampered all the way home from first base after an errant pickoff attempt for the decisive run, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 25-inning, 4-3 win at New York in 1974. The marathon was the longest game to a decision in MLB history, lasting 7 hours 4 minutes.

  • Detroit Tigers 2B Dutch Meyer (Texas Christian hoops letterman in 1934-35 and 1935-36) manufactured two doubles among his four hits in a 5-4 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1941.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) delivered two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a 1959 twinbill. Moon also homered in his next three contests.

  • Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 and scored four runs against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1932 doubleheader.

  • New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) cracked two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1975 outing.

  • Utilityman Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) traded by the California Angels to Baltimore Orioles for a player to be designated and cash in 1974.

  • Cincinnati Reds 2B Pinky Pittenger (set Toledo's single-game scoring standard with 49 points in 1918-19) went 6-for-8, including his lone MLB homer, and scored five runs against the Boston Braves in a 1927 twinbill.

  • Chicago Cubs INF Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) pounded a grand slam in a 7-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971.

  • Chicago White Sox rookie RF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in a 1928 game against the Detroit Tigers.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) hurled a three-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1959, ending rookie 1B Willie McCovey's 22-game hitting streak.

  • A pinch-hit, three-run homer in the 12th inning by OF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) powered the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1976.

  • OF Evar Swanson (played all five positions for Knox IL when it was known as Lombard College) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago White Sox for two players to be designated in 1932.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) stroked three doubles against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1920 game. Three years later, Williams homered twice against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1923 contest.

  • San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) doubled in his fifth consecutive outing with multiple hits in 2005.

Let's Roll: 22nd Anniversary of 9/11 Beams Bright on Ex-Wheaton Hooper

Authentic patriots are wondering how much stranderer-in-chief Plagiarist Biledumb, incapable of doing more than photo op, could possibly sully solemn scenes at Ground Zero, Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., more than his programmed presence during 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks two years ago after he gave a version of Schindler's List to businesslike-and-professional "Tally-bon" savages in throes of abandoning Americans/allies/Christians in Afghanistan. Ditto petty politicians and race hustlers seeking to reimagine "defunding" sacrificial police. Law enforcement has forgotten more about dignity than they know and cops haven't forgotten much. Anyone with functioning brain knows law and order rank-and-file personnel despise neurotic Biledumb, the ultimate lying dog-faced pony soldier/whisperer, and are more fond of Donald Trump.

Rather than wasting time dwelling on trying to find Biledumb's heirloom record player for kids at night, Bozo Beto fantasizing about running over anyone with car who doesn't accept his buyout turning over weapon, Bernie Sanders' rape-fantasy essay and Russian honeymoon, New York Slimes' hearsay smearing of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, reprobate kneeling knucklehead NFL/NBA social scholars, a Russian in every closet with #TheDonald ties, inane "Some People Did Something (including with brother?)" Odd Squad of #Dimorat Congresswomen, Kamala "Laughing at Retarded Slur" Harris funding bail for rotten-to-the-core rioters, dismantling statues, cockroach hurricane looters or rogue woke joke blowhard Gen. Milley, focus instead on college hoops having a contemplative connection to a sacred day (9/11). Oracle Corp account manager Todd Beamer, who collected 24 points and 12 rebounds as a sophomore guard for Wheaton (Ill.) in 1988-89, was traveling from New Jersey to California on United Airlines Flight 93 for a business meeting on September 11, 2001, when he was instrumental in leading a takeover by 40 passengers from radical Islamic terrorists, forcing the plane down in Pennsylvania countryside about 80 miles SE of Pittsburgh.

Beamer died the same morning as former Columbia hooper Tyler Ugolyn (1997-98 and 1998-99), an investment analyst for Fred Alger Management on the 93rd floor of first tower hit by terrorists at the World Trade Center; Kevin Crotty (averaged 1.7 ppg for Dartmouth in 1977-78), a Lehman Brothers bond trader on the 104th floor of Two World Trade Center; Tom Crotty (Marist hooper from 1977-78 through 1980-81 just before school moved up to DI level), a managing director with Sandler O'Neill; Albany's 1989-90 assists leader Stephen "Zipper" Mulderry, a 33-year-old VP for the investment and brokerage firm of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods on 89th floor of South Tower; Cantor-Fitzgerald bond trader Dan Trant on 104th floor of North Tower (final pick in 10th round of 1984 NBA draft by Boston Celtics after career scoring average of 15.4 ppg with Clark MA); 1982-83 ECAC Player of the Year Tim O'Brien (24.4 ppg with Hartwick NY), a broker for Cantor-Fitzgerald on 105th floor of North Tower; Cantor-Fitzgerald VP Steve Hagis (Fairfield center in 1987-88 and 1989-90), and newly-named Cantor-Fitzgerald partner Todd Isaac (played for Holy Cross in 1991-92 under coach George Blaney). Joe Quinn was a guard at Army that fateful day when his older brother (Jimmy) died while working as Cantor-Fitzgerald stock trader along with colleagues Billy Minardi (Iona coach Rick Pitino's brother-in-law) and Martin Niederer (played for Vermont in 1995-96 under coach Tom Brennan). Carmine Calzonetti, a guard for three NCAA tourney teams at St. John's in the late 1960s, worked for Cantor-Fitzgerald on the 105th floor before leaving the firm 18 months prior to the attack.

Marcel Ten Berge, another ex-DI hooper, escaped the second tower. Ten Berge, who averaged 2.4 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Northern Arizona from 1993-94 through 1995-96, was with a contingent from his company for training sessions. Californian Ten Berge was in Morgan Stanley's main lobby when United Airlines Flight 175 slammed into the building before he rushed down the stairs amid heavy smoke. While no Goldman Sachs employees died that day from the assault, managing partner Randy Frankel (end-of-bench reserve for Hofstra's 1976 NCAA playoff team) was caught in the rubble in his executive role years before becoming minority owner of the MLB's Tampa Bay Rays. In the aftermath of the attacks, Goldman Sachs benefited from the government's determination to avoid losing jobs in lower Manhattan. Constructing a new headquarters cater-cornered to where the WTC previously stood qualified the firm to sell $1 billion of tax-free Liberty Bonds and secure about $49 million of job-grant funds, tax exemptions and energy discounts.

Captain William Harry Thompson, father of former DI hoopers Michael Thompson (Drexel's top scorer in 1990-91 and 1991-92) and Rahsaan Thompson (Maine last half of 1990s), was a veteran officer in the NY Unified Court System and an instructor in the court officers' academy. He didn't have to be a first responder but went beyond the call of duty by sprinting a half-mile to Ground Zero, where he died rescuing people. Three former College of Staten Island players (Terrance Aiken, Scott Davidson and Tom Hannafin) perished during the terrorist attacks. Aiken had just started a computer consulting job on the 97th floor of World Trade Center Tower I while Davidson and Hannafin were NYC firefighters. Another ex-hooper perishing that fateful day was Jimmy Riches, a Manhattan product who contributed 100 three-pointers for Belmont Abbey NC in the early 1990s. The Engine Company 4 firefighter reportedly was last observed exiting the WTC when, as he reached the lobby, a female fell behind him. He reportedly stopped to put the woman on his shoulder and never was seen again.

Beamer and courageous cohorts, knowing their lives were in peril, are credited with foiling hijackers bent on crashing the Boeing 757 into a second target in Washington, D.C., 20 minutes away (possibly the Capitol or White House). Beamer recited the 23rd Psalm with a GTE/Verizon supervisor over the plane's in-flight telephone before imploring her via a heart-felt promise she would call his family. "I don't think we're going to get out of this thing," he told her. "I'm going to have to go out on faith." The phone line was still open when the operator heard him say following a gut-wrenching passenger vote: "Are you guys ready? Let's roll."

Beamer's bravery is a stark contrast to the Washington waffling exhibited by vacation-obsessed and impeachment-inspired Congressmen, who still have not held sufficient number of the human debris in Libya and in U.S. accountable for additional 9/11 terrorism in Libya in 2012. Why didn't they interview State Department stooges involved in silencing contractors? And now we're supposed to trust them amid the Syria and Iranian shenanigans. The stonewalling Obama Administration featuring #DirtyRice as unmasked propagandist - either grossly incompetent or purposefully in "crude and disgusting" fraud - dealt with a terrorist assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi by shamelessly standing in front of caskets at an airport hangar (plus the White House press corps, the U.N. and national politically-oriented shows such as Meet the Depressed) offering an orchestrated al-Qaeda on-the-run narrative claiming the nondescript video was responsible for the murder of the American ambassador and three other Americans. Their most despicable act was regurgitating the same outrageous ruse face-to-face to grieving family members.

How authentic or outright evil were those narcissistic embraces from Big Balls Biden and fellow fatal finaglers? Any miserable elitist who irrationally emphasized a movie lie in one-on-one conversations with mourners doesn't possess the dignity worthy of setting foot on White House grounds with a pooper scooper. Did you watch the disgusting displays by top State Department officials trying to deflect criticism during Congressional testimony concerning Benghazi? Their warped accountability equivalency for four murders was four relatively brief employee reassignments.

Incredibly, a Navy SEAL among the deceased violated stand-down orders to help save numerous individuals at the death-trap embassy and then fought the terrorists for 7 1/2 hours while his pleas for backup at a nearby annex were ignored by government officials real-time watching events unfold. Weeks and months later, the evasive apologist-in-chief and cowardly cronies were still striving to supply a cogent response to their deflect-and-deny sacrificial-lamb inaction all for the sake of propping up progressive policies as pathetic as pap embraced by know-it-all ex-NYC mayor Michael "Big Gulp" Bloomberg and subsequent #Dimorat clueless clowns Bill duh Blasio and Eric Adams.

Where's a photograph of the vaunted Obama Team deliberating at least 7 1/2 minutes or even 7 1/2 seconds during the Benghazi attack? Was Mr. Teleprompter even there at all to provide any input possibly "sending in the cavalry"? Bracing for a cross-country campaign trip, did malingerer "That's Not What We Do" go to bed while brave Americans were savaged or is it indeed "an irrelevant fact" less important than raising funds in Las Vegas? If not, then be transparent enough to at least conduct a stand-up, man-up press conference detailing what you did do during the "acting stupidly" stand-down. The Sgt. Schultz "I know nothing!" ploy is as misguided as leftist community-organizing complicity in targeted attacks on law enforcement. Odds are he was tone deaf comparable to conducting five-year anniversary bank-default debacle of an event during the Navy Yard massacre in Building 197. If you can't be out campaigning to raise $197,000 or $197 million, then at least try to raise 197 political points.

Portraying the murderous attack in Benghazi, Libya, 11 years ago as if it occurred in the same war as the Battle of the Bulge, it might have been old news to "stylistic" ex-Out House spokesperson Jay Blarney while the ex-TIME magazine Washington chief did his best zero-credibility imitation of Joseph Goebbels with a "hope and change (the topic)" routine hiding behind a phony scandal. Many of the same propagandists such as Jenny Sock-it-to-me got back in power in Biledumb Administration. A classic example of the blame game and absence of accountability occurred when the feds were more concerned with detaining some obscure producer of an anti-Islamic film making light of the prophet Mohammed and DOJ threatened undercover FBI informant with jail regarding uranium collusion scandal. At least the dereliction-of-duty dunderheads didn't pull out the workplace-violence or man-made disaster card again during this convenient-truth process.

Infected by pop culture, reality shows, Al Bore's global-warming/climate-change hoax, socialism sewage, acronym mafia (BLM/CDC/CNN/CRT/LGBTQ/MSNBC/WHO) and thrills going up noxious fake-newscasters legs, the average shallow American dwells on Confederate statues, Angelina Jolie's mammary glands, the Kardashians' cans, #ShrillaryRotten's incessant excuses, Melania's stilettos before DOJ "panty" raid of her wardrobe at Mar-a-lago (perhaps for "sniffing" party with hideous Hunter's creepy dad while on another beach vacation), forlorn Amanda Knox's knife collection, Hollyweird and Gitmo hunger strikers but can't spell Benghazi or even know which continent it's located. When not exploiting children as human shields for an assortment of altruistic motives, our previous POTUS didn't mind hiding behind Her Thighness' pants suit via a YouTube film fabrication as her State Department lawyer told witnesses not to speak to House investigators. If you had a family member in dire straits pleading for assistance, would you rather summon support from brave Barry, Plagiarist Bile-dumb, #ShrillaryRotten's truly deplorable hubris, Susan #DirtyRice, more scared Blinken than brave thinkin' State Department, anal Antifa anarchists or Tyrone Woods?

The major TV networks and two principal liberal rags (New York Slimes and Washington Compost) refused to give coverage to a Fox News report acknowledging the Obama Administration denied aid multiple times to Americans attacked and murdered by terrorists in Benghazi on September 11 of all days. If they withheld evidence (such as emails from the National Security Advisor's office telling a counter-terrorism unit to stand down), they're as corrupt in a cover-up as the administration's self-righteous Siskel & Ebert wannabees more concerned with monitoring content of "Bible-clinger" prayers, doctoring talking points, collective salvation promotion and muzzling Benghazi survivors (forced to sign non-disclosure agreements) than transparency with the public.

Why didn't the lapdog media do its job and press the Benghazi issue providing accountable answers to the many questions accruing about what precisely occurred in the Celebrity-in-Chief's chamber? Why does the vast majority of establishment media remain so disinterested in pursuing the litany of "jaw-dropping" misstatements and dissembling regarding what was known before and after the Benghazi horror while face-slapping Obama refers to incident as "conspiracy theory" on campaign trail?

What really happened during #ShrillaryRotten's sordid State Department regime? In an effort to help the buffoonish media shine the light of truth on the Benghazi bungling and scrubbed-a-dozen-times talking points, following are basic "who/what/when/why/where" questions for which the public still deserves answers via the president's acolytes:
* Who changed the original talking points and concocted "the (fanciful) spontaneous reaction" to a YouTube video explanation for the attack (framed before the final two deaths) and did the same individual help orchestrate a coordinated response at various venues in the days and weeks immediately following said attack?
* What portion of the entire 7 1/2 hours of the attack did POTUS himself spend in the Situation Room and was he directly involved with multiple "stand-down" orders while the attacks were in place? Perhaps he was too busy playing Spades again with body man Reggie Love. Hopefully, Barry wasn't sidetracked again by fantasizing or sending weird correspondence to former girlfriend.
* When precisely did previous POTUS and/or his national security staff first become aware that an attack was underway at the Benghazi compound? What happened at WH meeting with "key national security principals" the day before the attack? Was gathering as unseemly as J5 session only two weeks before Donald Trump's inauguration?
* Why was the Obama Administration's response so lax despite an unmanned drone providing real-time live video feed of the scene?
* Where is evidence of the "Betray Us" administration's responses to repeated pleas to strengthen security for Americans in Libya, not only from the State Department security chief and man on the ground in charge of security, but from the ambassador?

Did previous POTUS and his administration, amid their color-coordinated red line and yellow streak, do everything humanly possible before and during the attack to protect and help these heroes? The Drone Ranger could also have been asked what did give-me-a-break trusted "comrade" Clinton mean when the former Secretary of State callously said during testimony: "What difference does it make?" Insofar as she wasn't interviewed by the less-than-thorough accountability review board, the difference could be a little honesty with the country's citizens vs. cover-up deception with much of the misguided media serving as corrupt accomplices. In a twisted version of Obama "care," the #MessMedia seemed as careless in unearthing authentic autopsy results for a virtually defenseless Ambassador Stevens as the administration was in resolutely rendering justice to the incorrigible Islamic perpetrators.

The "buck" couldn't find any place to stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue during O-bum-a's reign. Amid trying to discern his State Department protocol during an attack, there was a preposterous assertion from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that "assets couldn't get there (Benghazi) in time." Did pandering Panetta also commiserate with an omniscient Eleanor regarding upper-brass orders to save Americans? How did he know with such authority the length of "time" the siege would take as they fought for their lives? Maybe he was too busy on other travel-time matters planning his next cross-country commute home to California at tax-payer expense on military jets. Did this leech-filled me-myself-and-I Obummer leadership just cut their losses and "run" (let them die) rather than risk additional casualties?

The mangy media seems to serve as little more than the Praetorian Guard for liberal lunacy smearing whistle-blowers crestfallen over the "abandoned" murders of innocent colleagues. Clinton's credibility should be in shambles, but the press pays lip service to taking her to task, allowing #QueenofDenial to weigh in with alleged expertise on Syria on the anniversary of the Benghazi bungling. But if you've got a moral compass at all on 9/11, ignore the hypocrites such as Shady Sanford (Is he in Appalachia or Argentina?) and invest your time, emotion, energy and devotion elsewhere. It's a time to "roll" with the families of Beamer and his courageous cohorts; not shill for #ShrillaryRotten and her contemptible "what-difference-does-it-make" cowardice. Do you aspire to affiliate with #MAGA "shining city on a hill" or unmask the "it-takes-a-village-idiot" crowd promoting climate-change claptrap from Al Bore-inspired Washington Compost that #TheDonald was complicit in humans creating more destructive hurricanes and fires?

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 10 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 10 in football at the professional level (especially in 1978):

SEPTEMBER 10

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught nine passes for 127 yards in a 14-10 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979 en route to becoming Philly's all-time receiving leader.

  • Buffalo Bills LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in a 19-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2006 season opener.

  • Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) opened the AAFC game's scoring with a 27-yard touchdown catch in 17-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948.

  • Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 35-30 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught six passes for 100 yards in a 21-20 setback against the New York Jets in 1978. Jets SS Shafer Suggs (averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg in three-year career, setting Ball State record with nine consecutive field goals without miss and leading Cardinals in rebounding in 1974-75) returned an interception 32 yards.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 23-10 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006 season opener.

  • San Diego Chargers SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) intercepted two passes in a 14-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1995.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (played in eight Texas-El Paso basketball games in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) scored two third-quarter touchdowns (one rushing/one receiving) in a 38-20 win against the Chicago Bears in 2023.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned an interception 44 yards in 10-0 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1978.

  • San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 13-12 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1990 season opener.

  • QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97), the Philadelphia Eagles' all-time passing leader, passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-10 win against the Houston Texans in 2006 season opener.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers QB Reino Nori (four-year hoops letterman for Northern Illinois in mid-1930s) threw a decisive 60-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of 13-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1937.

  • Buffalo Bills WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Jack Kemp (24 and 27 yards) in a 20-17 win against the New York Jets in 1967 AFL season opener.

  • Chicago Cardinals TB Jack Robbins (repeated as All-SWC first-team selection in 1938 for Arkansas) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (46 and 30 yards) in a 21-13 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1939 season opener.

  • WR Rod Smith (Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore swingman in 1990-91), the Denver Broncos' all-time receiving leader, caught two touchdown passes from Brian Griese in a 42-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2000.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 win against the New York Giants in 1978.

  • In 1961 AFL season opener, Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 132 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 22-10 win against the Buffalo Bills.

  • Cincinnati Bengals rookie TE Melvin Tuten (scored seven points in four games for Syracuse in 1994-95 under coach Jim Boeheim) caught a go-ahead touchdown pass in 24-17 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 10

Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether unprincipled Plagiarist Biledumb fleeing previous uniting stance for maligning MAGA masses by declaring war on 75 million Americans resembles stranderer-in-chief abandoning Americans/allies/Christians in Afghanistan while his allies in Martha's Vineyard "support" illegal ailens via National Guard, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

A couple of small-college hoopers from Missouri - Guy Curtright (Northeast Missouri State) and Bake McBride (Westminster) - supplied significant hitting headlines as MLB outfielders on this date. Ex-hoops All-American Frank Howard (Ohio State) hammered noteworthy homers 12 years apart on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 10 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 10

  • In 1954, Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) broke a N.L. record by hitting his ninth homer on the road against a lone opponent (Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field).

  • Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) contributed five RBI against the San Francisco Giants in the midst of a 20-game hitting streak in 1966.

  • Milwaukee Brewers RHP Jim Colborn (attended Whittier CA in mid-1960s before studying for master's at Edinburgh where becoming All-Scotland in basketball) went the distance against the Detroit Tigers for his 19th triumph in 1973.

  • Chicago White Sox CF Guy Curtright (two-time All-MIAA hoops selection led Northeast Missouri State in scoring each of four seasons in early 1930s) collected three extra-base hits against the Washington Senators in a 1945 contest.

  • Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1940-41) registered his 21st victory, stroked two doubles and scored three runs in 1945 outing against the Detroit Tigers.

  • New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) went 6-for-6 before grounding out in a 22-1 romp over the Boston Braves in the opener of a 1924 doubleheader.

  • INF Ben Geraghty (Villanova hoops letterman from 1933-34 through 1935-36) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Washington Senators in 1937.

  • In his first MLB game, Los Angeles Dodgers LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) homered off Hall of Fame Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47). Howard fanned at least once in each of last seven contests of his 1958 rookie campaign. Twelve years later as 1B for the Washington Senators, he hammered two homers in a game against the Cleveland Indians in 1970.

  • Atlanta Braves 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) put a jolt into one against the San Francisco Giants for his 40th homer in 1973.

  • Cleveland Indians LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) knocked in five runs against the Chicago White Sox in a 1999 outing.

  • Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) stroked four hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1954 game.

  • California Angels RF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) amassed five RBI against the Kansas City Royals in a 1974 contest.

  • Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) accumulated four hits and six RBI in a 13-5 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) supplied his second four-hit start in a row in 1980.

  • Career-high 10-game hitting streak for New York Yankees SS Gene Michael (led Kent State in scoring with 14 ppg in 1957-58) ended in 1969 when the Washington Senators' Dick Bosman hurled a two-hitter.

  • Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 1972.

  • New York Yankees RF Lou Piniella (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg with Tampa as freshman in 1961-62) provided multiple safeties in each contest of a four-game set against rival Boston Red Sox in 1978.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) provided three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1990 game.

  • C Nate Smith (hoops letterman for Tennessee State in 1953-54 and 1954-55) purchased from the Los Angeles Dodgers by the Baltimore Orioles in 1962.

  • San Diego Padres LHP Eric Stults (played for 1999 NAIA D-II Tournament hoops runner-up and 2000 NCCAA Tournament titlist with Bethel IN) won his fifth straight decision in 2012.

  • LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) won his debut as a Boston Red Sox reliever in 1972.

  • Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) coaxed multiple walks for the 17th time in a 38-game span en route to leading A.L. with 141 bases on balls in 1950. Five years later, he was issued a total of nine free passes in two-game set against the Kansas City Athletics in 1955.

  • Boston Braves LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates en route to winning five of his last six decisions in 1930.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 9 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 9 in football at the professional level (especially in 2007):

SEPTEMBER 9

  • Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) provided the game's decisive touchdown by returning an interception 32 yards in 25-20 win against the Houston Oilers in 1967 AFL season opener. Oilers rookie CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned a kickoff 43 yards in his pro debut.

  • Denver Broncos E Don Carothers (averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Bradley from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two passes for 25 yards from QB Frank Tripucka in a 13-10 win against the Boston Patriots in 1960 on grand-opening day for AFL competition.

  • Washington Redskins PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) converted all four of his field-goal attempts in a 40-32 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2012 season opener.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 10 passes for 133 yards in a 36-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 2007 season opener.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes for 107 yards in a 14-3 win against the Chicago Bears in 2007 season opener.

  • Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (led Heidelberg OH in scoring average as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 55-0 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1961 AFL season opener.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught two touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in a 30-28 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2019 season opener.

  • Washington Redskins TE Jimmie Johnson (averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Howard University in 1988-89) caught a touchdown pass from QB Mark Rypien in each of first two games of 1991 season.

  • In 1968 AFL season opener, Kansas City Chiefs DT Ernie Ladd (intended on only playing hoops for Grambling before legendary coach Eddie Robinson got him to play football) intercepted a pass in 26-21 win against the Houston Oilers.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 312 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 20-17 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2001 season opener.

  • Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo in a 45-35 win against the New York Giants in 2007 season opener.

  • New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught five passes for 175 yards - including two touchdowns from Lee Grosscup (80 and 64 yards) - in a 28-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1962 AFL season opener.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had five pass receptions for 162 yards in a 16-13 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2007 season opener.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 27-24 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1979.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-13 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1979.

  • Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (SMU hooper for three games in 2015-16 under coach Larry Brown) caught seven passes for 120 yards in a 24-16 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2019 season opener.

  • Los Angeles Dons rookie E Dick Wilkins (leading scorer for Oregon's all-time winningest team in 1944-45) caught a touchdown pass in each of his first two AAFC games in 1949.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 9

Extra! Extra! She was more lucid propagandist than Out House successor Ka-ringe "Binder Babe" Jean-Pierre, but media misfit Jenny Sock-it-to-me might generate even lower #MSDNC viewer ratings with her "circle back" programming than fellow former Plagiarist Biledumb/Cacklin' Kamala flak Symone Sanders (Isn't it racist Psaki got prime-time slot over Sanders?). Rather than debating topic, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Two former hoopers from Kentucky small colleges - "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State) and David Justice (Thomas More) - made hitting headlines as National League outfielders on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 9 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 9

  • Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ray Benge (multi-year hoops letterman for Sam Houston State first half of 1920s) hurled a two-hit shutout against the Cincinnati Reds in opener of 1934 twinbill.

  • Chicago Cubs 1B Larry Biittner (runner-up in basketball scoring and rebounding in 1966-67 for Buena Vista IA) stroked four hits in a 15-2 romp over the Philadelphia Phillies in 1979.

  • San Francisco Giants INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State hoops letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) drove in the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning triple in 9-6 win against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in 1961.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RF Dan Costello (Mount St. Mary's hooper from 1910-11 through 1913-14) went 3-for-3 against the Chicago Cubs in a 1914 game.

  • SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana during World War II) accounted for all of the New York Giants' offense with two homers in 2-0 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 as teammate Sal Maglie hurled a MLB-tying fourth straight shutout.

  • In the midst of a career-high 11-game hitting streak, Washington Senators 3B Frank Ellerbe (Wofford hooper after transferring from Sewanee TN) knocked in decisive run with a double in top of 12th inning of 6-5 triumph against St. Louis Browns in opener of 1920 doubleheader.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers RF Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs for Pacific) launched a three-run homer, which was the game-winning hit in 5-3 win against the San Diego Padres in 1973.

  • Brooklyn Robins 2B Jake Flowers (member of Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" hoops squad in 1923) knocked in winning run in the ninth inning in a 3-2 victory against the New York Giants in 1928.

  • Chicago Cubs 3B Howard Freigau (Ohio Wesleyan hooper) supplied four safeties, including three extra-base hits, in a 9-7 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925.

  • LHP Steve Hamilton (Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) awarded on waivers from the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox in 1970.

  • St. Louis Cardinals rookie 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) supplied three hits for the third time in an 11-game span in 1980.

  • In 1964, Los Angeles Dodgers 1B-OF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered his eighth homer in 20 at-bats against San Francisco Giants P Bob Hendley, including four in a row the previous year (not in same game).

  • RHP Bobby Humphreys (four-year hoops letterman graduated from Hampden-Sydney VA in 1958) won his second game in relief in four days to help the St. Louis Cardinals advance toward 1964 N.L. pennant.

  • Toronto Blue Jays 3B Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) delivered a decisive two-run homer in bottom of eighth inning of 5-3 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1985.

  • Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) amassed two homers and five RBI against the San Francisco Giants in a 1991 contest.

  • In 1965, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled his fourth no-hitter in as many years. It was a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs, who yielded a lone safety but incurred their second one-hit setback this season against L.A. LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary HBCU coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) secured the game's only hit and scored the lone run.

  • Minnesota Twins rookie RF Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 1968.

  • INF Tim Nordbrook (Loyola LA hoops letterman in 1968-69) purchased from the Baltimore Orioles by the California Angels in 1976.

  • California Angels 3B Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) provided two hits for the eighth time in their first nine games of the month in 1973.

  • Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Dick Radatz (center on Michigan State's freshman hoops squad in 1955-56) tossed nine innings of relief in registering a victory against the New York Yankees in 1962. Outing was his 12th relief appearance of season toiling at least three frames.

  • RHP John Stuper (two-time all-conference junior college hooper in mid-1970s for Butler County PA) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Cincinnati Reds in 1984.

  • Detroit Tigers 2B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with Southern California in 1963-64) provided four hits against the New York Yankees in a 1975 outing.

  • Chicago White Sox RF Evar Swanson (played all five positions for Knox IL) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1934 doubleheader.

  • Detroit Tigers rookie SS Coot Veal (averaged team-high 10.9 ppg as Auburn sophomore in 1951-52 before transferring to Mercer) scored three runs in the first of five two-hit outings in a seven-game span in 1958.

  • Kansas City Athletics 1B-OF Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) walloped three homers in a row against the Baltimore Orioles in 1958 game.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) whacked homers in his first two at-bats but they weren't enough to prevent a 12-6 reversal against the Brooklyn Robins in 1926.

  • New York Giants 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) blasted two homers in a 1941 contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 8 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 8 in football at the professional level (especially ex-Florida State hoopers Brad Johnson and Tommy Polley in 2002 season openers):

SEPTEMBER 8

  • Buffalo Bills WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) caught 10 passes for 112 yards - including four touchdown receptions from Jim Kelly (two in second quarter/two in fourth quarter) - in a 52-34 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1991.

  • New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered three sacks in a 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985 season opener.

  • Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had nine pass receptions for 108 yards in a 23-10 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2013 season opener.

  • Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff George in a 28-27 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997. Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had eight pass receptions for 162 yards.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 154 yards in an 18-17 setback against the New York Jets in 2013 season opener.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 26-20 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2002 season opener. The next year, Johnson threw two second-half TD passes in a season-opening 17-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2002 season opener.

  • St. Louis Rams LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had nine solo tackles in a 23-16 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2002 season opener.

  • In 1985 season opener, Oakland Raiders LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 61.7% from floor as Michigan State sophomore in 1970-71) had two sacks in a 31-0 win against the New York Jets.

  • In pro debut, New England Patriots WR Derwin Williams (New Mexico hooper in 1979-80) had NFL-career highs with five pass receptions and 94 receiving yards in a season-opening 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 8

Extra! Extra! Instead of mocking intellectual constipation of #Dimorat numbskulls spearheaded by petty Plagiarist Biledumb "laser focused" on mask hysteria, walking across border, climate-change cabal, equating patriotism with racism and allowing ex-Gitmo detainees to flourish in Afghan government while remainder of them avoid trials but not anyone linked to opponent Donald Trump, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former San Diego State hoopers Tony Clark and Tony Gwynn supplied significant National League hitting performances on this date. Ditto ex-NYU hoopers Hank Greenberg and Eddie Yost in the American League. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 8 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 8

  • New York Yankees RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top basketball rebounder in 1974-75 when he was selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) secured a 13-2 win in 1978 when the Boston Red Sox committed seven errors.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ray Benge (multi-year hoops letterman for Sam Houston State first half of 1920s) hurled a three-hit shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1932. He was in the midst of six complete-game victories in less than two months.

  • Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) collected four hits and scored four runs against the Chicago White Sox in a 1942 game.

  • Oakland Athletics CF Glenn Burke (averaged 16.3 ppg in six basketball games with Nevada-Reno in 1974-75) went 3-for-3 in a 1978 contest against the Texas Rangers.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in Western Athletic Conference games in 1991-92 after transferring from Arizona) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1999. Six years later with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Clark collected two homers and five RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 2005 outing.

  • First MLB start for Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Bill Crouch (Eastern Michigan hoops captain in 1927-28) was a complete-game victory, 11-2, against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1939. Crouch closed out the month with two more complete-game wins.

  • After hitting only one homer in his first 269 MLB games, St. Louis Browns C Rick Ferrell (played forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) smacked a round-tripper in back-to-back contests against the Detroit Tigers in 1931.

  • New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1923 game.

  • Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) contributed five RBI against the New York Yankees in a 1945 contest. Eight years earlier, Greenberg belted two dingers in the nightcap of a 1937 twinbill against the Cleveland Indians.

  • Baltimore Orioles 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) walloped two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1984 outing.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-Western Athletic Conference second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) supplied five hits in a 16-inning setback against the San Francisco Giants in 1992.

  • Cleveland Indians RHP Oral Hildebrand (Butler hoops All-American in 1928-29 and 1929-30) won his MLB debut with 3 1/3 innings of two-hit relief against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a 1931 doubleheader.

  • In 1973, Detroit Tigers DH Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered his final of 382 MLB career homers.

  • Washington Senators 2B Morley Jennings (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1911) fanned all three MLB plate appearances in his lone start in a 1913 game against the New York Yankees.

  • Chicago White Sox 1B Deacon Jones (leading scorer for Ithaca College NY midway through 1953-54) stroked a pinch-hit single in his first MLB at-bat in 1962 (against the Washington Senators).

  • San Francisco Giants RHP Frank Linzy (listed on Oklahoma State's freshman hoops roster in 1959-60) allowed his only earned run in final 15 relief appearances of the 1968 campaign (in fifth inning of work in 11th frame against World Series-bound St. Louis Cardinals).

  • Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) went 4-for-4 against the Minnesota Twins in a 1993 game.

  • Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) handled 11 chances for the Philadelphia Phillies in a 5-3 victory at Chicago in 1978, tying the N.L. mark for right fielders.

  • Cleveland Indians 2B Dutch Meyer (Texas Christian hoops letterman in 1934-35 and 1935-36) delivered three safeties for the second time in three contests during a career-high 16-game hitting streak in 1945.

  • Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) fired as Chicago Cubs manager in 1987.

  • New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) stole three bases in the opener of a 1909 doubleheader against the Brooklyn Superbas.

  • Kansas City Royals 1B Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) went 4-for-4 with three runs scored against the California Angels in 1970.

  • First MLB homer for rookie LF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) catapulted the Chicago White Sox to a 4-3 win against the Washington Senators in 1927. Five years later as a RF with the Senators, he went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in a 1932 game against the St. Louis Browns.

  • Baltimore Orioles LF Ken Singleton (played for Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) went 4-for-4 against the Boston Red Sox in a 1979 outing.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) whacked a decisive grand slam in 8-4 triumph against the Brooklyn Robins in 1926.

  • Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) contributed three extra-base hits (two doubles and one triple) in opener of 1948 twinbill against the Philadelphia Athletics.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 7 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 7 in football at the professional level (especially defensive performances by Don Blackmon and Ronnie Lott in 1986 season openers):

SEPTEMBER 7

  • New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered three sacks in a 33-3 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1986 season opener.

  • Tennessee Titans rookie WR Tyrone Calico (played one basketball game for Middle Tennessee State in 1998-99) scored team's first touchdown in 2003 on an 11-yard pass reception from QB Steve McNair in 25-20 season-opening win against the Oakland Raiders.

  • Miami Dolphins rookie WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes (57 and 21 yards) in a 21-20 setback against the Houston Texans in 2003 season opener.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes - including 81-yarder to Frank Jackson - in a 59-7 win against the Denver Broncos in 1963.

  • TE Demetrius Harris (led Milwaukee in FG% and rebounding as senior in 2012-13) opened the Kansas City Chiefs' scoring with a touchdown reception from Alex Smith in 42-27 win against the defending champion New England Patriots in 2017 season opener.

  • SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) opened the San Diego Chargers' scoring by recovering a fumble in end zone for touchdown in 20-6 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1997.

  • WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) opened the Houston Texans' scoring with a 76-yard touchdown catch in 17-6 win against the Washington Redskins in 2014 season opener.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 win against the Chicago Bears in 1997.

  • San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 31-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986 season opener.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 361 yards - including three first-half touchdowns - in a 38-3 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2008 season opener.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught seven passes for 181 yards in a 24-13 win against the Houston Oilers in 1963 AFL season opener.

  • Denver Broncos TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) had a career-high seven pass receptions in 30-21 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1962 AFL season opener.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Robert Royal (collected 10 points and six rebounds in five Louisiana State basketball games in 2000-01) registered a career-high six pass receptions in 2008 season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught three second-quarter touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-24 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2014 season opener.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 7

Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether first week in January should be remembered politically more for alleged coordinated "Insurrection Day" or unmasking #Demonrats orchestrating Obama Administration meeting in 2017 when indifferent Plagiarist Biledumb was involved with #DirtyRice of Domestic Policy and FBI in weaponizing Logan Act to entrap Gen. Michael Flynn, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Four former Big Ten Conference hoopers - Sammy Esposito (Indiana), Hoot Evers (Illinois), Johnny Gee (Michigan) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota) - made MLB news on this date. Ditto ex-NYU hoopers Hank Greenberg and Eddie Yost with outstanding offensive performances in the American League. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 7 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 7

  • In 1966, California Angels 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) jacked his final of 336 MLB homers.

  • Igniting a streak of nine consecutive contests with at least one RBI, LF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after being runner-up in both categories previous season) drove in all of the Minnesota Twins' runs with two homers in a 7-6 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in opener of 1970 doubleheader.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ray Benge (multi-year hoops letterman for Sam Houston State first half of 1920s) hurled a complete game without yielding an earned run against the Boston Braves for the second time the first week of month in 1928.

  • Seattle Mariners LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) went 4-for-4 in a 5-2 victory against the Kansas City Royals in 1982.

  • Baltimore Orioles LF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Cleveland Indians in a 1981 game.

  • Detroit Tigers C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) went 6-for-7 and scored five runs in a 1935 doubleheader sweep of his original team (Philadelphia Athletics).

  • Ending a personal six-game losing streak, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs in 1960.

  • Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) supplied a pair of homers in a 6-0 verdict over the Baltimore Orioles in 1955.

  • Boston Red Sox 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 in 1942-43) homered twice in a 10-8 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1950.

  • Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg as Indiana hoops starter in 1951-52) started in place of Chicago White Sox 2B Nellie Fox in 1960, ending Fox's consecutive-game streak at 798.

  • Detroit Tigers LF Hoot Evers (hoops starter for Illinois in 1939-40) went for the cycle, adding another triple, and amassing six RBI in a 13-13, 10-inning tie with the Cleveland Indians in 1950.

  • New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished six hits in a 1921 doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.

  • Rookie LHP Johnny Gee (Michigan captain was Big Ten Conference's sixth-leading scorer in 1936-37) didn't allow an earned run in eight innings in his MLB debut but committed one of eight errors by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 7-3 setback against the Philadelphia Phillies in opener of 1939 twinbill.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected three extra-base hits, including two homers (199th and 200th of his career), against the Cleveland Indians in a 1939 contest.

  • New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) had a 12-game winning streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped in 1953.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1958 outing.

  • New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) ripped a 500-foot homer in a 7-3 nod over the Boston Braves in 1951.

  • Kansas City Royals RF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) contributed his fourth three-hit game in less than a month in 1984.

  • Philadelphia Phillies rookie 2B Moon Mullen (backup guard for Oregon's legendary "Tall Firs" team winning inaugural NCAA tourney in 1939) stroked four singles in a 7-5 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944 game.

  • Minnesota Twins rookie RF Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) smacked two homers against the Detroit Tigers in 1968. Six years later as a New York Yankees 3B, Nettles homered in both ends of a 1974 doubleheader against the Tigers. In 1981, whacked two round-trippers for the Yanks in a contest against the Milwaukee Brewers.

  • Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 5-for-5 with two homers in a 3-2, 11-inning victory against the Washington Senators in 1971.

  • St. Louis Browns RHP Jim Park (hooper for Kentucky in 1911-12 and 1913-14) won his MLB debut in 1915 when he didn't allow an earned run in 11 innings of a 4-1 win against the Cleveland Indians.

  • New York Giants rookie RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) hurled his second straight four-hit, complete-game triumph in 1931.

  • OF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) was purchased from Minneapolis (American Association) by the Chicago Cubs in 1937.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) walked six Philadelphia Phillies batters but raised his record to 19-2 in 1951 with an 11-6 decision over RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47).

  • LHP Garry Roggenburk (led Dayton in scoring all three seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62 and grabbed school-record 32 rebounds in third varsity game en route to pacing Flyers in rebounding first two years) purchased from the Minnesota Twins by the Boston Red Sox in 1966.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) homered in both ends of a 1921 twinbill against the New York Giants.

  • New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) got hung up in a rundown between third base and home plate following a pitchout but escaped to score decisive run in 3-2 triumph against the Oakland A's in 1985.

  • Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) reached base nine times (five hits and four walks) in a 1953 doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics. Six years later with the Detroit Tigers, Yost homered twice in opener of 1959 twinbill against the Cleveland Indians.

  • New York Giants 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) blasted a grand slam in a 4-1 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940.

  • San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) retired the first 23 Milwaukee Brewers batters en route to a two-hitter in 2008. It was Young's lone MLB complete game.

Double Dipping: How Many DI All-Conference Hoopers Transitioned to NFL?

Will Mo Alie-Cox (Indianapolis Colts) or George Fant (Houston Texans after contract expired with New York Jets) become the eighth major-university athlete to achieve NFL Pro Bowl status after earning all-league acclaim as a college hooper? Cox (Virginia Commonwealth) and Fant (Western Kentucky) are the only players in this category since fellow mid-major hoopers Darren Fells (UC Irvine) and Joe Reitz (Western Michigan) in 2008. Fant and Reitz are among 12 individuals earning all-conference acclaim at least three times before competing in the NFL. The only one of the group to be a four-time all-league choice is Kansas' Otto Schnellbacher in the 1940s before leading NFL with 11 interceptions in 1951 for the New York Giants.

It was a far different era at the start of national postseason competition when at least four versatile players were named all-league hoopers each year from 1936 through 1939 prior to entering the NFL. The Big Ten Conference hasn't contributed an athlete in this category in more than 50 years but boasted eight different such individuals from 1936 through 1969 including All-Americans Otto Graham (Northwestern), Vern Huffman (Indiana), Ron Kramer (Michigan) and Max Morris (Northwestern). Pacific's Clyde Conner and John Thomas - All-CBA second-team selections in 1954-55 for WCC forerunner - went on to become San Francisco 49er teammates for six seasons from 1958 through 1963. In deference to the start of a new pro football campaign, following is an alphabetical list of all-conference basketball players from DI leagues who wound up competing in the AAFC and NFL:

Multi-Sport Athlete NFL Position/Team(s) Major College Basketball All-Conference Honors
Mo Alie-Cox TE (Indianapolis Colts) Virginia Commonwealth Atlantic 10 (3rd team in 2016)
Ermal Allen DB (Cleveland Browns) Kentucky SEC (1st in 1942)
Connie Mack Berry E (Detroit Lions/Green Bay Packers/Cleveland Rams/Chicago Bears/Chicago Rockets) North Carolina State Southern (2nd in 1937 and 1938)
Chuck Carney OL (Columbus Panhandles) Illinois Big Ten (1st in 1920 and 1922)
Rick Casares FB (Chicago Bears/Washington Redskins/Miami Dolphins) Florida SEC (2nd in 1952 and 1953)
Sam Clancy DE (Seattle Seahawks/Cleveland Browns/Indianapolis Colts) Pittsburgh Eastern 8 (1st in 1979 and 1981/2nd in 1980)
Paul Collins QB (Chicago Cardinals) Missouri Big Six (1st in 1944)
Clyde Conner SE (San Francisco 49ers) Pacific CBA/predecessor to WCC (2nd in 1954 and 1955)
Milan Creighton E (Chicago Cardinals) Arkansas SWC (2nd in 1930)
Fred W. Enke QB (Detroit Lions/Philadelphia Eagles/Baltimore Colts) Arizona Border (1st from 1946 through 1948)
Ray Evans TB (Pittsburgh Steelers) Kansas Big Seven (1st in 1942 and 1943)
George Fant OT (Seattle Seahawks/New York Jets/Houston Texans) Western Kentucky Sun Belt (3rd in 2013 and 2014)/C-USA (2nd in 2015)
Darren Fells TE (Arizona Cardinals/Detroit Lions/Cleveland Browns/Houston Texans/Tampa Bay Buccaneers) UC Irvine Big West (2nd in 2008)
Antonio Gates TE (San Diego & Los Angeles Chargers) Kent State Mid-American (2nd in 2002/1st in 2003)
Pete Gent E (Dallas Cowboys) Michigan State Big Ten (3rd in 1962 and 1963/2nd in 1964)
Dale Gentry E (Los Angeles Dons) Washington State PCC (2nd in 1941)
Andrew Glover TE (Los Angeles & Oakland Chargers/Minnesota Vikings/New Orleans Saints) Grambling SWAC (2nd in 1991)
Otto Graham QB (Cleveland Browns) Northwestern Big Nine (2nd in 1942/1st in 1943)
Tom Greenfield C-LB (Green Bay Packers) Arizona Border (2nd in 1938)
Howard "Red" Hickey E (Pittsburgh Steelers/Cleveland & Los Angeles Rams) Arkansas SWC (2nd in 1939 and 1940/1st in 1941)
Percy Howard WR (Dallas Cowboys) Austin Peay Ohio Valley (1975)
Jim Lee Howell E (New York Giants) Arkansas SWC (1st in 1936)
Vern Huffman QB-B (Detroit Lions) Indiana Big Ten (1st in 1936/2nd in 1937)
Ken Johnson OL (Cincinnati Bengals) Indiana Big Ten (2nd in 1969)
Ron Kramer E (Green Bay Packers/Detroit Lions) Michigan Big Ten (2nd in 1955 and 1956/1st in 1957)
Dave Logan WR (Cleveland Browns/Denver Broncos) Colorado Big Eight (2nd in 1974)
Lamar Lundy DE (Los Angeles Rams) Purdue Big Ten (3rd in 1957)
Bob MacLeod B (Chicago Bears) Dartmouth EIBL (2nd in 1938/1st in 1939)
Riley Matheson LB-G (Cleveland & Los Angeles Rams/San Francisco 49ers) Texas-El Paso Border (1st in 1939)
Mickey McCarty TE (Kansas City Chiefs) Texas Christian SWC (1st in 1967 and 1968)
Banks McFadden B (Brooklyn Dodgers) Clemson Southern (1st from 1938 through 1940)
Glen "Max" Morris E (Chicago Rockets/Brooklyn Dodgers) Northwestern Big Nine (1st in 1945 and 1946)
Fran Murray B-E (Philadelphia Eagles) Penn EIBL (1st in 1936 and 1937)
Ernie Nevers FB (Duluth Eskimos/Chicago Cardinals) Stanford PCC (2nd in 1925)
Joe Reitz OG (Indianapolis Colts) Western Michigan Mid-American (2nd in 2006 and 2007/1st in 2008)
Jack Robbins QB (Chicago Cardinals) Arkansas SWC (1st in 1937 and 1938)
Larry Robinson RB (Dallas Cowboys) Tennessee SEC (3rd in 1973)
Stan Rome WR (Kansas City Chiefs) Clemson ACC (2nd in 1977)
Kent "Rip" Ryan HB (Detroit Lions) Utah State Mountain States (1st in 1935 and 1936)
Frank Sachse B (Brooklyn Dodgers & Tigers/Boston & Brooklyn Yanks & Tigers) Texas Tech Border (2nd in 1938)
Saint "S.T." Saffold WR (Cincinnati Bengals) San Jose State WCAC (2nd in 1964/1st in 1965 and 1966)
Otto Schnellbacher DB (New York Yankees & Giants) Kansas Big Six/Big Seven (1st in 1943 and from 1946 through 1948)
John Thomas OL (San Francisco 49ers) Pacific CBA/predecessor to WCC (1st in 1956 and 2nd in 1955)
Al Vandeweghe E (Buffalo Bisons) William & Mary Southern (1st in 1942)
Byron "Whizzer" White RB (Pittsburgh Pirates/Detroit Lions) Colorado Rocky Mountain/Mountain States (3rd in 1936/1st in 1937 and 1938)
Ron Widby P (Dallas Cowboys/Green Bay Packers) Tennessee SEC (2nd in 1965 and 1966/1st in 1967)
Dick Wilkins E (Los Angeles Dons/Dallas Texans/New York Giants) Oregon PCC (1st in 1946/2nd in 1948)

NOTE: Casares, Gates, Graham, Kramer, Lundy, Schnellbacher and Widby became NFL Pro Bowlers.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 6 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball player Brad Johnson making a name for himself on September 6 in football at the professional level:

SEPTEMBER 6

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72) opened game's scoring with a 33-yard touchdown reception in 26-10 win against the Washington Redskins in 1981 season opener.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1998 season opener.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 6

Extra! Extra! Instead of triggering storm clouds reminiscent of tornado (word isn't said any longer according to scholarly divider-in-chief Plagiarist Biledumb) debating contrast where #PlannedMurderhood's bloodthirsty my body-my choice abortions (of innocent babies with autonomously beating hearts) differ from vaccinations for our bodies is some buffoonish bureaucrat's choice, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Several former hoopers from North Carolina colleges - Vince Colbert (East Carolina), Dick Groat (Duke) and Don Padgett (Lenoir-Rhyne) - made MLB news on this date. Ex-jucos like Colbert (Eastern Utah) doing likewise included Garth Iorg (College of the Redwoods CA), Ken Retzer (Jefferson City MO), Carl Reynolds (Lon Morris TX) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 6 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 6

  • RHP Andy Benes (briefly played basketball for Evansville in 1985-86) defeated his brother, Alan, when the St. Louis Cardinals erupted for 11 third-inning runs in an 11-2 nod over the Chicago Cubs in 2002.

  • Chicago White Sox CF Ken Berry (freshman hooper for Wichita in 1959-60) went 3-for-3 (including double and homer) before scoring his third run, the game-winning tally off a wild pitch in bottom of ninth inning of 4-3 nod over the California Angels in nightcap of 1965 doubleheader.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) collected four hits and four runs against the Chicago Cubs in a 1919 game.

  • In the midst of five two-hit outings in a seven-game span in 1964, rookie 2B Ron Campbell (Tennessee Wesleyan hooper) connected for his lone MLB homer (off Ray Sadecki of eventual World Series winner St. Louis Cardinals).

  • Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) clobbered a two-run homer in the 10th inning in 3-1 verdict over the Boston Red Sox, giving Lefty Grove his 25th triumph in 1930.

  • RHP Vince Colbert (averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg for East Carolina in 1966-67 and 1967-68) didn't allow a run in eight innings of a 1-0 triumph against the Baltimore Orioles in nightcap of doubleheader. Colbert supplied two complete-game victories the remainder of month to finish as the Cleveland Indians' only winning hurler (7-6) with 10 or more starts in 1971.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) provided three extra-base hits and four RBI against the San Francisco Giants in a 1978 contest.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) suffered a broken wrist in 1960.

  • Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) whacked two homers against the Chicago White Sox in a 1983 game.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) supplied four hits in a 1986 game against the Houston Astros.

  • Washington Senators 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered two homers among his five hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1970 contest.

  • Toronto Blue Jays 3B Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) smacked a three-run double in the top of ninth inning in a 4-0 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1986.

  • New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) knocked in five runs against the Detroit Tigers in opener of a 1945 twinbill.

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) knocked in the decisive run with a triple as he reached the 20-win plateau in 1930 with 2-1 decision over the Cleveland Indians, snapping Wes Ferrell's 13-game winning streak.

  • New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) fanned 14 Brooklyn batters in a 6-2 triumph in 1906.

  • Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) fired as New York Yankees manager in 1981 despite winning the first-half pennant.

  • New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, two doubles and two RBI in a 1910 outing against the Boston Doves.

  • In 1968, Minnesota Twins rookie RF Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) whacked his first of 390 MLB career homers. The round-tripper, off 31-game winner Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers, ignited a power surge of five dingers for him in a four-game span.

  • Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) belted two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1947 game.

  • St. Louis Cardinals rookie RF Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 with Lenoir-Rhyne NC excelled in multiple sports) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1937 twinbill to trigger 12-game hitting streak.

  • C Ken Retzer (fourth-leading juco scorer with 184 points for Jefferson City MO in 1953-54) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Washington Senators in 1961.

  • Chicago White Sox LF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) went 4-for-4 in the opener of a 1930 doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.

  • In the midst of closing out the 1952 campaign with eight consecutive complete-game wins, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) went the distance in a 17-inning, 7-6 victory against the Boston Braves in 1952.

  • In 1948, Boston Braves Hall of Fame LHP Warren Spahn twice picked off Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41).

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) won his 10th straight decision in 1953.

  • Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in 2006 game against the Boston Red Sox.

  • Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) fired as Pittsburgh Pirates manager in 1973. Virdon is replaced by Danny Murtaugh, who assumed control of the club for fourth and final time.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 5-for-5 and scored four runs against the New York Giants in nightcap of a 1924 twinbill.

Double Majors: Prolonged Drought for Hoop All-Americans Competing in NFL

America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys, warrants recognition as the last NFL franchise to give versatile college basketball All-Americans (Utah State's Cornell Green and Tennessee's Ron Widby in mid-1970s) an opportunity to labor as authentic NFL players.

Versatile athletes are becoming an endangered species although Rico Gathers, Baylor's all-time leading rebounder (fourth in nation as junior in 2014-15), was retained by the Cowboys as fourth tight end several years ago to avoid losing him to waivers. Promptly after Labor Day is when majority of college basketball annuals hit the newsstands about same time NFL regular season kicks off into high gear. In an era of specialization, the odds are staggering against any of the projected college hoop All-Americans in the magazines enjoying a genuine AAFC/NFL career such as the following alphabetical list of seven well-rounded athletes including two from Utah State:

Hoops All-American College Hoops Position (A-A Year) Summary of NFL Career
Otto Graham Northwestern F (1943 and 1944) Five-time All-Pro QB played 10 seasons (1946 through 1955) with the Cleveland Browns and led team to championship game each year (All-America Football Conference from 1946 through 1949 and NFL from 1950 through 1955). Fourth pick overall in 1944 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.
Cornell Green Utah State F (1962) Five-time Pro Bowler intercepted 34 passes in 13 years as a DB with the Dallas Cowboys (1962 through 1974).
Vern Huffman Indiana G (1936) QB-DB passed for 484 yards and rushed for 368 yards with the Detroit Lions in 1937 and 1938. Third-round selection in 1937 NFL draft (27th pick overall).
Ron Kramer Michigan C (1957) WR for 10 seasons (1957 and 1959 through 1967) with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. First-round draft choice caught 229 passes for 3,272 yards and 16 TDs. Pro Bowl selection in 1963.
Banks McFadden Clemson C (1939) Selected by the Brooklyn Dodgers in the first round (third pick overall) of the 1940 NFL draft. Finished fourth in rushing in the NFL in his only pro season, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Glen "Max" Morris Northwestern C-F (1945 and 1946) End caught 53 passes for 677 yards and two touchdowns with the AAFC's Chicago Rockets and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1946 through 1948. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in 26th round of 1947 NFL draft.
Kent "Rip" Ryan Utah State F-C (1936) Halfback with the Detroit Lions for three seasons from 1938 through 1940.
Ron Widby Tennessee F (1967) Punter appeared in the Pro Bowl following the 1971 campaign. Averaged 42 yards per punt in six seasons (1968 through 1973) with the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. First selection in fourth round of 1967 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints (81st pick overall).

NOTE: Hoop All-Americans selected in the NFL draft but not playing in the league include Kentucky's Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones as an E by the Chicago Bears in 7th round in 1949, San Francisco's K.C. Jones as an E by the Los Angeles Rams in 30th round in 1955, Ohio State's John Havlicek as a WR by the Cleveland Browns in 7th round in 1962, Kentucky's Pat Riley as a FL by the Cowboys in 11th round in 1967, Providence's Jimmy Walker as a WR by the New Orleans Saints as last pick in 17th and final round in 1967, West Virginia's Ron "Fritz" Williams as a DB by the Cowboys in 18th round in 1968, Indiana's Quinn Buckner as a DB by the Washington Redskins in 14th round in 1976 and Louisiana State's Al Green as a DB by the San Diego Chargers in 10th round in 1979.

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