Olympian Feats: History of U.S. Men's Basketball From Berlin to Tokyo
July 22nd, 2021 - 19:18
Summary of U.S. Men's Involvement in Olympics
| Year | Site | U.S. Head Coach | Record | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tokyo | Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs | TBD | TBD |
| 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | Mike Krzyzewski, Duke | 8-0 | Gold |
| 2012 | London | Mike Krzyzewski, Duke | 8-0 | Gold |
| 2008 | Beijing | Mike Krzyzewski, Duke | 8-0 | Gold |
| 2004 | Athens | Larry Brown, Detroit Pistons | 5-3 | Bronze |
| 2000 | Melbourne | Rudy Tomjanovich, Houston Rockets | 8-0 | Gold |
| 1996 | Atlanta | Lenny Wilkens, Atlanta Hawks | 8-0 | Gold |
| 1992 | Barcelona | Chuck Daly, New Jersey Nets | 8-0 | Gold |
| 1988 | Seoul | John Thompson Jr., Georgetown | 7-1 | Bronze |
| 1984 | Los Angeles | Bob Knight, Indiana | 8-0 | Gold |
| 1980 | Moscow | Dave Gavitt, Providence | U.S. did not compete | |
| 1976 | Montreal | Dean Smith, North Carolina | 7-0 | Gold |
| 1972 | Munich | Hank Iba, Oklahoma State | 8-1 | Silver |
| 1968 | Mexico City | Hank Iba, Oklahoma State | 9-0 | Gold |
| 1964 | Tokyo | Hank Iba, Oklahoma State | 9-0 | Gold |
| 1960 | Rome | Pete Newell, California | 8-0 | Gold |
| 1956 | Melbourne | Gerald Tucker, Phillips 66ers | 8-0 | Gold |
| 1952 | Helsinki | Warren Womble, Peoria Caterpillars | 8-0 | Gold |
| 1948 | London | Omar Browning, Phillips 66ers | 8-0 | Gold |
| 1936 | Berlin | James Needles, Universal Pictures | 5-0 | Gold |
Genesis of Olympic Basketball Participation
Dr. James Naismith is credited for inventing the game of basketball in 1891, but it wasn't until June, 1932, in Geneva, Switzerland that an international federation was formed to focus solely on basketball. Three years later, the International Basketball Federation (FIBB) was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), helping pave the path for men's basketball to be implemented at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympic Games. The FIBB is the forerunner of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Naismith's protege, Dr. F.C. "Phog" Allen, was the driving force behind the addition of basketball to the Olympic Games. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, he conducted a personal crusade trying to coax Olympic officials to include the sport before it finally paid off.
In 1904, basketball was a new demonstration sport at the Summer Olympics in St. Louis, which also was part of the World's Fair the same year. Hiram College (Ohio), Wheaton College (Illinois) and the University of Latter Day Saints (known today as Brigham Young) were the three college teams invited to compete in what was officially called the "Olympic Collegiate Basketball Championship." Hiram finished the round-robin tournament 2-0 and was declared the champion and awarded the first Olympic gold medal in basketball.
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) was recognized as the organization that would be responsible for United States teams in international competitions when the U.S joined FIBA as a member in 1934. Various committees controlled the selection of the U.S. Olympic teams and coaching staffs. For instance, the Games Committee selected from eight teams at the 1960 Olympics Trials - three AAU squads, the NCAA Tournament champion, an NCAA university all-star team, an NCAA college all-star team, an Armed Forces all-star team, and a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) all-star team.
Just prior to the 1972 Olympics, FIBA revoked its recognition of the AAU and instructed the U.S. to form a new organization containing representation from the numerous basketball outlets in the country. In 1974, the Amateur Basketball Federation of the United States of America (ABAUSA) was formed. ABAUSA changed its name to USA Basketball in October, 1989. Shortly thereafter FIBA modified its rules to allow professional basketball players to participate in international competitions, allowing the National Basketball Association to assemble a series of "Dream Teams".
The U.S. Women's National Team created what it hoped was a blueprint for success by fielding its squad more than a year in advance of the 1996 Olympics, paying players an annual salary of $50,000. The ladies also became a "dream team" of sorts, winning their first 39 exhibition games against U.S. colleges and foreign opponents by an average margin of almost 35 points. The $3 million long-range project enabled the U.S. to assemble a more mature female roster (average age of 27 compared to 21 in the '76 and '80 Olympics). After the formation of the WNBA, professional players also dominated the U.S. women's squad.
Three-time Olympian Dawn Staley carried the flag for the remainder of the U.S. Olympic delegation at the 2004 Opening Ceremonies in Athens. Following is a summary of U.S. involvement in previous Olympiads:
1936
Berlin, Germany (IX)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (5-0); 2. Canada (5-1); 3. Mexico (5-2).
U.S. Coach: James Needles, Universal Pictures (Calif.).
Did You Know?: Each basketball team was limited to seven players per game, which were played on an outdoor tennis court on a surface of clay and sand. A rule banning players taller than 6-2 was rescinded only after the U.S. complained. Forward Frank Lubin, a 1931 UCLA graduate of Lithuanian ancestry, played and coached Lithuania to the 1939 European Cup Tournament title. Lubin, the second-leading scorer for the '36 U.S. squad, scored the game-winning basket for Lithuania against Latvia. Third-leading scorer Francis Johnson was a younger brother of assistant U.S. coach Gene Johnson (Globe Oilers, Kan.). Fourth-leading scorer Sam Balter went on to become a broadcaster for the Mutual Network and sports columnist for the Los Angeles Herald-Express before gaining membership in the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Legendary Kansas coach Phog Allen conceived a plan that had each high school and college withhold one cent from the price of each admission to one game played during the week of February 9-15 to finance the trip to Germany for Dr. James Naismith, the game's inventor. LIU's undefeated team (25-0) coached by Hall of Famer Clair Bee boycotted the Olympic Games. The LIU roster, comprised of sons and grandsons of Jewish and Italian immigrants, decided that if one team member chose not to participate, they all would refuse to compete in Hitler's Berlin.
U.S. Results
U.S. 2, Spain 0*
U.S. 52, Estonia 28
U.S. 56, Philippines 23
U.S. 25, Mexico 10
U.S. 19, Canada 8
*The U.S. was awarded a forfeit victory when its first opponent (Spain) didn't show up because of the Spanish civil war.
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | Affiliation/School | PPG. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Balter | G | Universal Pictures (UCLA) | 8.5 |
| Ralph "Stork" Bishop | C-F | Washington | 2.0 |
| Joe Fortenberry | C | Globe Oilers (Wichita) | 14.5 |
| John Gibbons | G | Globe Oilers (Southwestern KS) | 6.0 |
| Francis Johnson | G | Globe Oilers (Wichita) | 10.0 |
| Carl Knowles | F | Universal Pictures (UCLA) | 3.0 |
| Frank Lubin | F | Universal Pictures (UCLA) | 11.0 |
| Art Mollner | G | Universal Pictures (Los Angeles J.C.) | 2.0 |
| Don Piper | G | Universal Pictures (UCLA) | 2.0 |
| Jack Ragland | G | Globe Oilers (Wichita) | 3.5 |
| Willard Schmidt | C | Globe Oilers (Creighton) | 8.0 |
| Carl Shy | G | Universal Pictures (UCLA) | 5.0 |
| Dwayne Swanson | F | Universal Pictures (Southern California) | 2.0 |
| William Wheatley | F | Globe Oilers (Kansas Wesleyan) | 4.5 |
NOTE: The team was divided into two seven-man units that played one game and then sat out the next contest.
1948
London, England (XIV)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. France (5-2); 3. Brazil (7-1).
U.S. Coach: Omar Browning, Phillips Oilers (Okla.).
Did You Know?: The Phillips Oilers, winners of the national AAU title, defeated Kentucky, the 1948 NCAA champion, in the final game of the U.S. Olympic Trials (53-49). Each of the finalists wound up with five representatives on the U.S. squad. NIT champion St. Louis rejected an invitation to the eight-team Olympic Trials because the school's administration believed the players would miss too much class time. Former Oklahoma A&M All-American guard Jesse "Cab" Renick, one of the U.S. team members from the Oilers, was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973 (1/4 Chickasaw and 1/4 Choctaw). Don Barksdale, a second-team selection in 1946-47, was the first African-American player named to an NCAA consensus All-American squad. Before serving a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, Barksdale's 18-point effort in 1942-43 helped UCLA end USC's 42-game winning streak in their intracity rivalry. In 1946-47, Ralph Beard and Alex Groza were Kentucky sophomores when they became the only set of underclassmen teammates named NCAA consensus first-team All-Americans in the same year since the start of the NCAA Tournament. Ken Rollins, the lone senior among UK coach Adolph Rupp's "Fabulous Five," held standout guard Bob Cousy, the leading scorer for defending champion Holy Cross, to just five points in the 1948 NCAA Tournament semifinals. Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones lettered as a two-way end on three UK football teams coached by the legendary Bear Bryant and lettered three times for the Wildcats' baseball team.
U.S. Results
U.S. 86, Switzerland 21
U.S. 53, Czechoslovakia 28
U.S. 59, Argentina 57
U.S. 66, Egypt 28
U.S. 61, Peru 33
U.S. 63, Uruguay 28
U.S. 71, Mexico 40
U.S. 65, France 21
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | Affiliation/School | PPG. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliff Barker | F | Kentucky | 3.8 |
| Don Barksdale | C | Oakland Bittners (UCLA) | 9.0 |
| Ralph Beard | G | Kentucky | 3.7 |
| Lew Beck | G | Phillips Oilers (Oregon State) | 4.7 |
| Vince Boryla* | G | Denver Nuggets (Notre Dame/Denver) | 5.6 |
| Gordon Carpenter | C-F | Phillips Oilers (Kansas) | 7.0 |
| Alex Groza | C | Kentucky | 11.1 |
| Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones | C-F | Kentucky | 7.2 |
| Bob Kurland | C | Phillips Oilers (Oklahoma A&M) | 9.3 |
| Ray Lumpp | G | New York University | 7.2 |
| R.C. Pitts | F | Phillips Oilers (Arkansas) | 7.8 |
| Jesse "Cab" Renick | G | Phillips Oilers (Oklahoma A&M) | 5.6 |
| R. Jack Robinson | G | Baylor | 2.6 |
| Ken Rollins | G | Kentucky | 4.0 |
*Boryla played two seasons at Notre Dame (1944-45 and 1945-46) and then served in the military for two years before finishing his college career at the University of Denver (1948-49).
1952
Helsinki, Finland (XV)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Soviet Union (6-2); 3. Uruguay (5-3).
U.S. Coach: Warren Womble, Peoria Caterpillars (IL).
Did You Know?: U.S. Olympic team captain Ron Bontemps was a high school (Taylorville, Ill.) and college (Illinois and Beloit, Wis.) teammate of former Massachusetts, Michigan and Iowa State coach Johnny Orr. Their 1944 state high school championship team compiled a 45-0 record. Bontemps averaged a team-high 22 points per game for a Beloit squad that earned a bid to the 1951 NIT after defeating larger schools such as Washington State, Marshall, San Jose State and Loyola of Chicago. Beloit had an enrollment of 1,060 students. Guard Dean Kelley is the only player to have season scoring averages of fewer than 10 points per game in back-to-back years when he was named to the All-NCAA Tournament team (1952 and 1953 with Kansas). Charlie Hoag, one of seven KU players on the U.S. roster, was also a running back and captain of the Jayhawks' 1952 football squad and 26th-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns in 1953.
U.S. Results
U.S. 66, Hungary 48
U.S. 72, Czechoslovakia 47
U.S. 57, Uruguay 44
U.S. 86, USSR 58
U.S. 103, Chile 55
U.S. 57, Brazil 53
U.S. 85, Argentina 76
U.S. 36, USSR 25
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | Affiliation/School | PPG. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ron Bontemps | G | Peoria Caterpillars (Illinois/Beloit WI) | 7.1 |
| Marcus Freiberger | C | Peoria Caterpillars (Oklahoma) | 6.3 |
| Victor "Wayne" Glasgow | G-F | Phillips 66ers (Oklahoma) | 4.5 |
| Charlie Hoag | G-F | Kansas | 2.9 |
| Bill Hougland | G | Kansas | 6.0 |
| John Keller | G-F | Kansas | 1.5 |
| Dean Kelley | G | Kansas | 0.7 |
| Bob Kenney | F | Kansas | 10.9 |
| Bob Kurland | C | Phillips 66ers (Oklahoma A&M) | 9.6 |
| Bill Lienhard | F | Kansas | 4.0 |
| Clyde Lovellette | C-F | Kansas | 14.1 |
| Frank McCabe | F | Peoria Caterpillars (Marquette) | 3.0 |
| Dan Pippin | G | Peoria Caterpillars (Missouri) | 7.0 |
| Howie Williams | G | Peoria Caterpillars (Purdue) | 3.4 |
1956
Melbourne, Australia (XVI)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Soviet Union (5-3); 3. Uruguay (6-2).
U.S. Coach: Gerry Tucker, Phillips 66ers (Okla.).
Did You Know?: The XVIth Olympiad, conducted during the U.S.'s winter time (Nov. 22-Dec. 1) because the seasons are reversed in Australia, delayed Bill Russell's NBA debut. Forward Dick Boushka, named president of Vickers Petroleum Corporation in 1963 at the age of 29, became the ninth president of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and swingman Gib Ford became president of Converse after serving in the Air Force. Coach Gerry Tucker had been an NCAA consensus first-team All-American in 1947 when the 6-4 center was the leading scorer for Oklahoma's NCAA Tournament runner-up. Tucker, an Army veteran from Winfield, Kan., originally attended Kansas State. Carl Cain, who sustained a herniated disc after entering the Army, played sparingly and was almost replaced by alternate Willie Naulls of UCLA. Cain was second-leading scorer and rebounder for Iowa team losing to USF and Russell in 1956 NCAA Tournament championship game.
U.S. Results
U.S. 98, Japan 40
U.S. 101, Thailand 29
U.S. 121, Philippines 53
U.S. 85, Bulgaria 44
U.S. 113, Brazil 51
U.S. 85, USSR 55
U.S. 101, Uruguay 38
U.S. 89, USSR 55
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | Affiliation/School | PPG. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Boushka | F | Wichita Vickers (St. Louis University) | 8.0 |
| Carl Cain | F | Iowa | 1.5 |
| Chuck Darling | C | Phillips 66ers (Iowa) | 9.3 |
| Bill Evans | G | U.S. Armed Forces (Kentucky) | 6.8 |
| Gib Ford | G-F | U.S. Armed Forces (Texas) | 4.9 |
| Burdette Haldorson | F | Phillips 66ers (Colorado) | 8.6 |
| Bill Hougland | F | Phillips 66ers (Kansas) | 5.8 |
| Bob Jeangerard | F | Phillips 66ers (Colorado) | 12.5 |
| K.C. Jones | G | San Francisco | 10.9 |
| Bill Russell | C | San Francisco | 14.1 |
| Ron Tomsic | G | U.S. Armed Forces (Stanford) | 11.1 |
| Jim Walsh | G | Phillips 66ers (Stanford) | 9.1 |
1960
Rome, Italy (XVII)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Soviet Union (6-2); 3. Brazil (6-2).
U.S. Coach: Pete Newell, California.
Did You Know?: Ohio State guard John Havlicek didn't make the cut but eight members of the 12-man U.S. roster in 1960 went on to play at least nine seasons in the NBA. Jay Arnette, one of the four who didn't have a prolonged NBA career (three years with the Cincinnati Royals after a brief minor league baseball career in the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system), was a Texas teammate and Olympic opponent of Albert Almanza, the third-leading scorer for the Mexican team that finished 11th. West Virginia two-time first-team All-America swingman Jerry West was denied an NCAA championship ring in 1959 when California center Darrall Imhoff, West's teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers for four seasons in the mid-1960s, tipped in a basket with 17 seconds remaining. Imhoff's high school coach was Bob Boyd, who went on to guide Southern California and Mississippi State. Allen Kelley and fellow guard Dean Kelley, a 1952 Olympian, are the only set of brothers to play together in two NCAA playoff title games (1952 and 1953 with Kansas). Walt Bellamy, Jerry Lucas' backup center, was named NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 31.6 points and 19 rebounds per game in 1961-62. Lucas, a memory expert and motivational speaker, worked on educational programs while living in Compton, Calif.
U.S. Results
U.S. 88, Italy 54
U.S. 125, Japan 66
U.S. 107, Hungary 63
U.S. 104, Yugoslavia 42
U.S. 108, Uruguay 50
U.S. 81, USSR 57
U.S. 112, Italy 81
U.S. 90, Brazil 63
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | Affiliation/School | PPG. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Arnette | F | Texas | 2.9 |
| Walt Bellamy | C | Indiana | 7.9 |
| Bob Boozer | F | Peoria Caterpillars (Kansas State) | 6.8 |
| Terry Dischinger | F | Purdue | 11.8 |
| Burdette Haldorson | F | Phillips 66ers (Colorado) | 2.9 |
| Darrall Imhoff | C | California | 4.8 |
| Allen Kelley | G | Peoria Caterpillars (Kansas) | 0.8 |
| Lester Lane | G | Wichita Vickers (Oklahoma) | 5.9 |
| Jerry Lucas | F-C | Ohio State | 17.0 |
| Oscar Robertson | F | Cincinnati | 17.0 |
| Adrian "Odie" Smith | G | U.S. Armed Forces (Kentucky) | 10.9 |
| Jerry West | G | West Virginia | 13.8 |
1964
Tokyo, Japan (XVIII)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (9-0); 2. Soviet Union (8-1); 3. Brazil (6-3).
U.S. Coach: Hank Iba, Oklahoma State.
Did You Know?: Former UNC Charlotte coach and NBA standout Jeff Mullins compiled the lowest scoring average on the 12-man U.S. roster despite averaging 24.2 points per game for NCAA runner-up Duke. Mullins, who scored 14 of his 18 points against Puerto Rico in the semifinals, was one of eight major-college roster members to go on and play at least seven seasons in the NBA/ABA. But the squad's leading scorer was from a small college - SE Oklahoma State's Jerry Shipp. Walt Hazzard became the only Final Four Most Outstanding Player (UCLA '64) to later coach his alma mater in the tournament (1-1 playoff record with Bruins in 1987). Larry Brown, who also coached UCLA, became the only mentor to leave an NCAA champion before the next season for another coaching job when he quit Kansas before the start of next NCAA probation-marred campaign to return to the NBA after winning the 1988 title with the Jayhawks. Brown, coach of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, is a former father-in-law of ex-Missouri coach Quin Snyder, a Duke teammate of '92 Olympian Christian Laettner in 1988-89. Joe Caldwell played for Brown in his first two seasons as a pro head coach (ABA's Carolina Cougars in 1972-73 and 1973-74). Princeton's Bill Bradley, a U.S. Senator from New Jersey who ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2000, is probably the most famous politician to play college basketball. Michigan sophomore sensation Cazzie Russell was handicapped by an ankle injury in his bid for a spot on the roster. Dick Davies' brother, Bob, was an All-American for Seton Hall before earning recognition as a first-team all-star in the NBL, BAA and NBA. Dick went on to become Goodyear's vice president of manufacturing.
U.S. Results
U.S. 78, Australia 45
U.S. 77, Finland 51
U.S. 60, Peru 45
U.S. 83, Uruguay 28
U.S. 69, Yugoslavia 61
U.S. 86, Brazil 53
U.S. 116, South Korea 50
U.S. 62, Puerto Rico 42
U.S. 73, USSR 59
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | Affiliation/School | PPG. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim "Bad News" Barnes | C | Texas Western | 8.5 |
| Bill Bradley | G-F | Princeton | 10.1 |
| Larry Brown | G | Goodyear Wingfoots (North Carolina) | 4.1 |
| Joe Caldwell | G-F | Arizona State | 9.0 |
| Mel Counts | C | Oregon State | 6.6 |
| Dick Davies | G | Goodyear Wingfoots (Louisiana State) | 3.4 |
| Walt Hazzard | G-F | UCLA | 3.8 |
| Luke Jackson | F | Pan American TX | 10.0 |
| Pete McCaffrey | F | Goodyear Wingfoots (St. Louis University) | 5.1 |
| Jeff Mullins | G-F | Duke | 2.3 |
| Jerry Shipp | G | Phillips 66ers (Southeastern Oklahoma State) | 12.4 |
| George Wilson | F-C | Chicago Jamaco Saints (Cincinnati) | 5.4 |
1968
Mexico City, Mexico (XIX)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (9-0); 2. Yugoslavia (7-2); 3. Soviet Union (8-1).
U.S. Coach: Hank Iba, Oklahoma State.
Did You Know?: Spencer Haywood, the leading scorer for the U.S. squad, was at that time the youngest player (19) ever to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic basketball team. The U.S. team probably would have featured a different leading scorer and most assuredly would have averaged more than 67 points in its last three games if any or all of the following sophomore scoring sensations had been named to the squad: LSU's Pete Maravich (43.8 ppg), Niagara's Calvin Murphy (38.2) and Purdue's Rick Mount (28.5). Ken Spain was selected as an end by the Detroit Lions in the 16th round of the 1969 NFL draft and also had tryouts with the Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders. Mike Silliman's coach at Army was Bob Knight, who was in charge of the U.S. gold medal-winning squad in 1984. Bill Hosket's father, Wilmer, was named to the third five on College Humor Magazine's All-American team in 1932-33 when he was the fourth-leading scorer in the Big Ten Conference (8 ppg) as a member of Ohio State's league co-champions. Northeast Louisiana's Glynn Saulters scored 30 or more points in 21 college games including a school-record 51 against Nicholls State as a senior.
U.S. Results
U.S. 81, Spain 46
U.S. 93, Senegal 36
U.S. 96, Philippines 75
U.S. 73, Yugoslavia 58
U.S. 95, Panama 60
U.S. 100, Italy 61
U.S. 61, Puerto Rico 56
U.S. 75, Brazil 63
U.S. 65, Yugoslavia 50
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | Affiliation/School | PPG. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Barrett | G | U.S. Armed Forces (West Virginia Tech) | 6.2 |
| John Clawson | G | U.S. Armed Forces (Michigan) | 3.6 |
| Don Dee | F | St. Mary of the Plains KS | 4.7 |
| Calvin Fowler | G | Goodyear Wingfoots (St. Francis PA) | 6.4 |
| Spencer Haywood | C | Trinidad State Junior College CO | 16.1 |
| Bill Hosket | F | Ohio State | 8.6 |
| Jim King | F | Goodyear Wingfoots (Oklahoma State) | 1.8 |
| Glynn Saulters | G | Northeast Louisiana | 5.3 |
| Charlie Scott | F-G | North Carolina | 8.0 |
| Mike Silliman | F | U.S. Armed Forces (Army) | 9.0 |
| Ken Spain | C | Houston | 4.4 |
| Joseph "Jo Jo" White | G | Kansas | 11.7 |
1972
Munich, West Germany (XX)
Medal Winners: 1. Soviet Union (9-0); 2. U.S. (8-1); 3. Cuba (7-2).
U.S. Coach: Hank Iba, Oklahoma State.
Did You Know?: A 62-game Olympic winning streak for the U.S. ended in the most controversial game in
international basketball history. Three seconds were put back on the clock on two separate occasions in the final before the Soviet's Aleksander Belov received a length-of-the-court pass between two American players and converted a game-winning layup. UCLA's Bill Walton became a post-defeat whipping boy in some quarters for not playing for the team. Swen Nater, Walton's backup with the Bruins, made the Olympic roster but quit during three-a-day workouts at Pearl Harbor. Iba, the only individual to coach three different U.S. Olympic squads, had seven of his former Oklahoma A&M players eventually coach teams into the NCAA playoffs: John Floyd (Texas A&M), Jack Hartman (Kansas State), Don Haskins (Texas-El Paso), Moe Iba (Nebraska), Bud Millikan (Maryland), Doyle Parrack (Oklahoma City) and Eddie Sutton (Creighton/Arkansas/Kentucky/Oklahoma State). Tom McMillen became co-chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness under Bill Clinton after serving as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland. The U.S., which trailed the USSR by eight points with less than six minutes left, led only once, 49-48, on Doug Collins' two free throws with three seconds remaining. Collins is the only former NCAA consensus All-American and Olympian to have a son participate in an NCAA Tournament championship game (guard Chris Collins of Duke '94).
U.S. Results
U.S. 66, Czechoslovakia 35
U.S. 81, Australia 55
U.S. 67, Cuba 48
U.S. 61, Brazil 54
U.S. 96, Egypt 31
U.S. 72, Spain 56
U.S. 99, Japan 33
U.S. 68, Italy 38
USSR 51, U.S. 50
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | Affiliation/School | PPG. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Bantom | F | St. Joseph's | 7.7 |
| Jim Brewer | F-C | Minnesota | 7.6 |
| Tom Burleson | C | North Carolina State | 3.4 |
| Doug Collins | G | Illinois State | 7.3 |
| Kenny Davis | G | Marathon Oil (Georgetown College KY) | 1.8 |
| Jim Forbes | F | Texas-El Paso | 5.1 |
| Tom Henderson | G | San Jacinto Junior College TX | 9.2 |
| Bobby Jones | F | North Carolina | 4.1 |
| Dwight Jones | C | Houston | 9.2 |
| Kevin Joyce | G | South Carolina | 5.3 |
| Tom McMillen | F | Maryland | 6.8 |
| Ed Ratleff | F-G | Long Beach State | 6.4 |
1976
Montreal, Canada (XXI)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (7-0); 2. Yugoslavia (5-2); 3. Soviet Union (5-2).
U.S. Men's Coach: Dean Smith, North Carolina.
Did You Know?: Seven members of the 12-man U.S. roster were from coach Dean Smith's conference, including four from his school (North Carolina), although the Atlantic Coast Conference didn't notch a victory in the 1976 NCAA Tournament. One of the non-ACC players (at the time) was Notre Dame forward Adrian Dantley, who managed the highest-ever scoring average for a U.S. player in a single Olympiad (19.3 points per game). Ernie Grunfeld (New York Knicks) and Mitch Kupchak (Los Angeles Lakers) went on to become general managers for NBA franchises while Quinn Buckner became an NBA head coach (Dallas Mavericks). Buckner was selected by the Washington Redskins in 14th round of 1976 NFL draft as a defensive back.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 106, Italy 86
U.S. 95, Puerto Rico 94
U.S. 112, Yugoslavia 93
U.S. 2, Egypt 0*
U.S. 81, Czechoslovakia 76
U.S. 95, Canada 77
U.S. 95, Yugoslavia 74
*The U.S. was awarded a forfeit victory when Egypt withdrew for political reasons.
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | School | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tate Armstrong | G | Duke | 2.7 | 0.4 |
| Quinn Buckner | G | Indiana | 7.3 | 3.0 |
| Kenny Carr | F | North Carolina State | 6.8 | 3.2 |
| Adrian Dantley | F | Notre Dame | 19.3 | 5.7 |
| Walter Davis | F-G | North Carolina | 4.3 | 1.7 |
| Phil Ford | G | North Carolina | 11.3 | 2.2 |
| Ernie Grunfeld | F | Tennessee | 3.5 | 0.7 |
| Phil Hubbard | F | Michigan | 4.7 | 3.8 |
| Mitch Kupchak | C | North Carolina | 12.5 | 5.7 |
| Tom LaGarde | C | North Carolina | 6.7 | 1.8 |
| Scott May | F | Indiana | 16.7 | 6.2 |
| Steve Sheppard | F-G | Maryland | 1.5 | 1.0 |
1980
Moscow, Soviet Union (XXII)
Medal Winners: 1. Yugoslavia (8-0); 2. Italy (5-3); 3. Soviet Union (6-2).
U.S. Men's Coach: Dave Gavitt, Providence.
Did You Know?: Argentina, Canada, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico all qualified for the Olympics along with the U.S., but they boycotted the Moscow Games in protest of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Each of the 12 U.S. team members became NBA first-round draft choices. A key member of the gold-medal winning Yugoslavian team was Kresimir Cosic, who led Brigham Young in scoring in 1971-72 (22.3 ppg) and 1972-73 (20.2 ppg) before becoming Deputy Ambassador to the United States for Croatia. Cosic died of cancer in May, 1995, at the age of 46. Playmaker Isiah Thomas went on to spark Indiana to 1981 NCAA Tournament title as Final Four Most Outstanding Player and assemble a prolific pro career but wasn't named to the 1992 "Dream Team."
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | School | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Aguirre | F | DePaul | 11.3 | 5.0 |
| Rolando Blackman | G-F | Kansas State | 8.0 | 4.7 |
| Sam Bowie | C | Kentucky | 11.8 | 6.9 |
| Michael Brooks | F | La Salle | 13.2 | 6.0 |
| Bill Hanzlik | G | Notre Dame | 1.8 | 1.0 |
| Alton Lister | C | Arizona State | 1.7 | 1.0 |
| Rodney McCray | F | Louisville | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| Isiah Thomas | G | Indiana | 9.5 | 2.0 |
| Darnell Valentine | G | Kansas | 5.7 | 2.0 |
| Danny Vranes | F | Utah | 6.8 | 2.8 |
| Charles "Buck" Williams | F | Maryland | 4.9 | 4.0 |
| Al Wood | F-G | North Carolina | 10.0 | 2.9 |
NOTE: Statistics are for six games (5-1 record) in the "Gold Medal Series" in various U.S. cities against NBA All-Star teams.
1984
Los Angeles, California, USA (XXIII)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Spain (6-2); 3. Yugoslavia (7-1).
U.S. Men's Coach: Bob Knight, Indiana.
Did You Know?: Political repercussions persisted as the Soviet bloc countries boycotted the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Holy Cross coach Jack Donohue, who guided the Canadian National Team to a fourth-place finish, previously piloted Power Memorial Academy in New York to a 163-30 record, including 71 consecutive victories with center Lew Alcindor manning the middle for him. Chris Mullin and Sam Perkins became teammates with the Indiana Pacers in 1998-99 after Vern Fleming and Wayman Tisdale were teammates with the same franchise for four seasons in the late 1980s. Steve Alford coached against Knight in the Big Ten Conference after becoming Iowa's bench boss. NBA all-time assists and steals leader John Stockton was cut in favor of Leon Wood, who became an NBA referee after his playing career.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 97, China 49
U.S. 89, Canada 68
U.S. 104, Uruguay 68
U.S. 120, France 62
U.S. 101, Spain 68
U.S. 78, F.R. Germany 67
U.S. 78, Canada 59
U.S. 96, Spain 65
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | School | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Alford | G | Indiana | 10.3 | 3.3 |
| Patrick Ewing | C | Georgetown | 11.0 | 5.6 |
| Vern Fleming | G | Georgia | 7.7 | 2.7 |
| Michael Jordan | G-F | North Carolina | 17.1 | 3.0 |
| Joe Kleine | C | Arkansas | 3.4 | 2.0 |
| Jon Koncak | C | Southern Methodist | 3.3 | 2.4 |
| Chris Mullin | G-F | St. John's | 11.6 | 2.5 |
| Sam Perkins | F-C | North Carolina | 8.1 | 5.4 |
| Alvin Robertson | G | Arkansas | 7.8 | 2.8 |
| Wayman Tisdale | F | Oklahoma | 8.6 | 6.4 |
| Jeff Turner | F | Vanderbilt | 1.6 | 2.1 |
| Osie "Leon" Wood | G | Cal State Fullerton | 5.9 | 2.0 |
1988
Seoul, South Korea (XXIV)
Medal Winners: 1. Soviet Union (7-1); 2. Yugoslavia (6-2); 3. U.S. (7-1).
U.S. Men's Coach: John Thompson Jr., Georgetown.
Did You Know?: Hersey Hawkins, the team's top outside threat, was sidelined because of an injury when the U.S. sustained a semifinal loss to the USSR in the first Olympic matchup between the superpowers since the controversial 1972 final in Munich. Guard Charles E. Smith, Thompson's star player for Georgetown, was the only member of the 12-man Olympic squad undrafted by an NBA team. Smith subsequently served prison time for vehicular homicide and later was found shot in the upper body in Bowie, Md., in a house where a significant amount of cocaine and evidence of a gambling operation were found. In the fall of 2003, Willie Anderson reportedly lost almost all of the $1.75 million he was to receive from a deferred 10-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs to the IRS and three women who said he did not pay child support. Dan Majerle (Grand Canyon) and Danny Manning (Tulsa and Wake Forest) went on to become NCAA Division I head coaches.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 97, Spain 53
U.S. 76, Canada 70
U.S. 102, Brazil 87
U.S. 108, China 57
U.S. 102, Egypt 35
U.S. 94, Puerto Rico 57
USSR 82, U.S. 76
U.S. 78, Australia 49
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | School | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Anderson | G | Georgia | 5.0 | 1.9 |
| Stacey Augmon | F | UNLV | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Vernell "Bimbo" Coles | G | Virginia Tech | 7.1 | 1.8 |
| Jeff Grayer | F-G | Iowa State | 6.9 | 3.4 |
| Hersey Hawkins | G | Bradley | 8.8 | 1.0 |
| Dan Majerle | F-G | Central Michigan | 14.1 | 4.8 |
| Danny Manning | F | Kansas | 11.4 | 6.0 |
| J.R. Reid | F-C | North Carolina | 6.0 | 3.3 |
| Mitch Richmond | G-F | Kansas State | 8.9 | 3.4 |
| David Robinson | C | Navy | 12.8 | 6.8 |
| Charles D. Smith | F | Pittsburgh | 7.8 | 4.1 |
| Charles E. Smith | G | Georgetown | 8.6 | 1.3 |
1992
Barcelona, Spain (XXV)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Croatia (6-2); 3. Lithuania (6-2).
U.S. Men's Coach: Chuck Daly, New Jersey Nets.
Did You Know?: "Dream Team I," winning its eight games by an average of 43.8 points, was assembled after international rules, which previously prevented only NBA players from being eligible for Olympic basketball, were changed by the FIBA membership on April 7, 1989, by virtue of a 56-13 vote in favor of "open competition." Three University of Houston products participated in the 1992 Games - David Diaz (Venezuela), Clyde Drexler (U.S.) and Carl Herrera (Venezuela) and a fourth, Rolando Ferreira, was cut by the Brazilian squad just prior to the competition.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 116, Angola 48
U.S. 103, Croatia 70
U.S. 111, Germany 68
U.S. 127, Brazil 83
U.S. 122, Spain 81
U.S. 115, Puerto Rico 77
U.S. 127, Lithuania 76
U.S. 117, Croatia 85
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | NBA Team (Major College) | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Barkley | F | Phoenix Suns (Auburn) | 18.0 | 4.1 |
| Larry Bird | F | Boston Celtics (Indiana State) | 8.4 | 3.8 |
| Clyde Drexler | G | Portland Trail Blazers (Houston) | 10.5 | 3.0 |
| Patrick Ewing | C | New York Knicks (Georgetown) | 9.5 | 5.3 |
| Earvin "Magic" Johnson | G | Los Angeles Lakers (Michigan State) | 8.0 | 2.3 |
| Michael Jordan | G | Chicago Bulls (North Carolina) | 14.9 | 2.4 |
| Christian Laettner* | F | Duke | 4.8 | 2.5 |
| Karl Malone | F | Utah Jazz (Louisiana Tech) | 13.0 | 5.3 |
| Chris Mullin | F-G | Golden State Warriors (St. John's) | 12.9 | 1.6 |
| Scottie Pippen | F | Chicago Bulls (Central Arkansas) | 9.0 | 2.1 |
| David Robinson | C | San Antonio Spurs (Navy) | 9.0 | 4.1 |
| John Stockton | G | Utah Jazz (Gonzaga) | 2.8 | 0.3 |
*Selected in first round of NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
1996
Atlanta, Georgia, USA (XXVI)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Yugoslavia (7-1); 3. Lithuania (5-3).
U.S. Men's Coach: Lenny Wilkens, Atlanta Hawks.
Did You Know?: Dream Team III averaged fewer points per game during the Olympics (101.8) than the U.S. women's squad (102.4). David Robinson, the first three-time U.S. Olympian in men's basketball, became the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. in Olympic competition (subsequently broken). Reggie Miller's sister, Cheryl, was the leading scorer for the 1984 U.S. women's squad.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 96, Argentina 68
U.S. 87, Angola 54
U.S. 104, Lithuania 82
U.S. 133, China 70
U.S. 102, Croatia 71
U.S. 98, Brazil 75
U.S. 101, Australia 73
U.S. 95, Yugoslavia 69
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | NBA Team (Four-Year College) | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Barkley | F | Phoenix Suns (Auburn) | 12.4 | 6.6 |
| Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway | G | Orlando Magic (Memphis State) | 9.0 | 2.8 |
| Grant Hill | F-G | Detroit Pistons (Duke) | 9.7 | 2.8 |
| Karl Malone | F | Utah Jazz (Louisiana Tech) | 8.4 | 4.5 |
| Reggie Miller | G | Indiana Pacers (UCLA) | 11.4 | 1.0 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | C | Houston Rockets (University of Houston) | 4.7 | 3.4 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | C | Orlando Magic (Louisiana State) | 9.3 | 5.3 |
| Gary Payton | G | Seattle Sonics (Oregon State) | 5.1 | 3.1 |
| Scottie Pippen | F | Chicago Bulls (Central Arkansas) | 11.0 | 3.9 |
| Mitch Richmond | G | Sacramento Kings (Kansas State) | 9.6 | 1.6 |
| David Robinson | C | San Antonio Spurs (Navy) | 12.0 | 4.6 |
| John Stockton | G | Utah Jazz (Gonzaga) | 3.8 | 0.8 |
2000
Sydney, Australia (XXVII)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. France (4-4); 3. Lithuania (5-3).
U.S. Men's Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich, Houston Rockets.
Did You Know?: Grant Hill and Gary Payton were members of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team. Hill (three times with Duke) and Vince Carter (twice with North Carolina) were the only members of the 12-man squad to have participated in the NCAA Final Four. Payton was involved in a trade for Ray Allen midway through the 2002-03 season. Assistant coach Larry Brown played for the 1964 U.S. squad that included eventual Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Bradley. Lithuania forced the U.S. into its two closest margins (nine and two) since NBA players began competing in 1992.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 119, China 72
U.S. 93, Italy 61
U.S. 85, Lithuania 76
U.S. 102, New Zealand 56
U.S. 106, France 94
U.S. 85, Russia 70
U.S. 85, Lithuania 83
U.S. 85, France 75
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | NBA Team (Four-Year College) | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shareef Abdur-Rahim | F | Vancouver Grizzlies (California) | 6.4 | 3.3 |
| Ray Allen | G | Milwaukee Bucks (Connecticut) | 9.8 | 1.9 |
| Vin Baker | F | Seattle Sonics (Hartford) | 8.0 | 3.0 |
| Vince Carter | F-G | Toronto Raptors (North Carolina) | 14.8 | 3.6 |
| Kevin Garnett | F | Minnesota Timberwolves (N/A) | 10.8 | 9.1 |
| Tim Hardaway | G | Miami Heat (Texas-El Paso) | 5.5 | 1.4 |
| Allan Houston | G | New York Knicks (Tennessee) | 8.0 | 1.9 |
| Jason Kidd | G | Phoenix Suns (California) | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Antonio McDyess | F-C | Denver Nuggets (Alabama) | 7.6 | 5.9 |
| Alonzo Mourning | C | Miami Heat (Georgetown) | 10.2 | 4.2 |
| Gary Payton | G | Seattle Sonics (Oregon State) | 5.5 | 2.1 |
| Steve Smith | G | Portland Trail Blazers (Michigan State) | 6.1 | 2.4 |
2004
Athens, Greece (XXVIII)
Medal Winners: 1. Argentina (6-2); 2. Italy (5-3); 3. U.S. (5-3).
U.S. Men's Coach: Larry Brown, Detroit Pistons.
Did You Know?: Following a slew of withdrawals and rejected invitations, the U.S. roster included only Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson from the star-studded squad that won the Tournament of the Americas the previous summer. Mike Bibby, Jason Kidd, Karl Malone, Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal were named to the team, but withdrew because of injuries or personal reasons. After 24 consecutive victories, the pros incurred their first Olympic defeat (worst in U.S. history) when Puerto Rico jumped to a 22-point, first-half cushion en route to a 92-73 opening-round decision. The U.S. also lost to Lithuania before failing to overcome a 16-point, third-quarter deficit in a semifinal defeat against Argentina. U.S. star Tim Duncan, playing less than half of the game because of foul problems, scored only 10 points while San Antonio Spurs teammate Manu Ginobili poured in 29 for Argentina. The average age of the U.S. roster was 23.6, with nine of the players attending college two or fewer years. Despite hitting seven of eight three-pointers down the stretch in a bronze-medal game victory over Lithuania, the U.S. shot a meager 31.4% from beyond the arc over eight games.
U.S. Men's Results
Puerto Rico 92, U.S. 73
U.S. 77, Greece 71
U.S. 88, Australia 79
Lithuania 94, U.S. 90
U.S. 89, Angola 53
U.S. 102, Spain 94
Argentina 89, U.S. 81
U.S. 104, Lithuania 96
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | NBA Team (Four-Year College) | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmelo Anthony | F | Denver Nuggets (Syracuse) | 2.4 | 1.6 |
| Carlos Boozer | F-C | Cleveland Cavaliers/Utah Jazz (Duke) | 7.6 | 6.1 |
| Tim Duncan | F-C | San Antonio Spurs (Wake Forest) | 12.9 | 9.1 |
| Allen Iverson | G | Philadelphia 76ers (Georgetown) | 13.8 | 1.6 |
| LeBron James | G-F | Cleveland Cavaliers (N/A) | 5.4 | 1.0 |
| Richard Jefferson | G-F | New Jersey Nets (Arizona) | 6.8 | 2.8 |
| Stephon Marbury | G | New York Knicks (Georgia Tech) | 10.5 | 1.3 |
| Shawn Marion | F | Phoenix Suns (UNLV) | 9.9 | 5.9 |
| Lamar Odom | F | Miami Heat (Rhode Island) | 9.3 | 5.8 |
| Emeka Okafor | F-C | Charlotte Bobcats (Connecticut) | 0.0 | 1.5 |
| Amare Stoudemire | F | Phoenix Suns (N/A) | 2.8 | 1.8 |
| Dwyane Wade | G-F | Miami Heat (Marquette) | 7.3 | 1.9 |
2008
Beijing, China (XXIX)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Spain (6-2); 3. Argentina (6-2).
U.S. Men's Coach: Mike Krzyzweski, Duke.
Did You Know?: The "Redeem Team" captured the American's first gold medal in a major international
competition in eight years (since the 2000 Sydney Olympics). Dwyane Wade finished as the leading scorer for the U.S. with 16 ppg after scoring a team-high 27 points in the gold medal game against defending world champion Spain, which trailed by only two points early in the fourth quarter.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 101, China 70
U.S. 97, Angola 76
U.S. 92, Greece 69
U.S. 119, Spain 82
U.S. 106, Germany 57
U.S. 116, Australia 85
U.S. 101, Argentina 81
U.S. 118, Spain 107
U.S. Men's Roster and Statistics
| Player | Pos. | NBA Team (Four-Year College) | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmelo Anthony | F | Denver Nuggets (Syracuse) | 11.5 | 4.3 |
| Carlos Boozer | F | Utah Jazz (Duke) | 3.3 | 1.9 |
| Chris Bosh | F-C | Toronto Raptors (Georgia Tech) | 9.1 | 6.1 |
| Kobe Bryant | F | Los Angeles Lakers (N/A) | 15.0 | 2.8 |
| Dwight Howard | C | Orlando Magic (N/A) | 10.9 | 5.8 |
| LeBron James | G-F | Cleveland Cavaliers (N/A) | 15.5 | 5.3 |
| Jason Kidd | G | Dallas Mavericks (California) | 1.6 | 2.6 |
| Chris Paul | G | New Orleans Hornets (Wake Forest) | 8.0 | 3.6 |
| Tayshaun Prince | F | Detroit Pistons (Kentucky) | 4.3 | 1.9 |
| Michael Redd | G | Milwaukee Bucks (Ohio State) | 3.1 | 1.1 |
| Dwyane Wade | G | Miami Heat (Marquette) | 16.0 | 4.0 |
| Deron Williams | G | Utah Jazz (Illinois) | 8.0 | 2.3 |
2012
London, England (XXX)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Spain (5-3); 3. Russia (6-2).
U.S. Men's Coach: Mike Krzyzweski, Duke.
Did You Know?: The 12-man roster and three alternates had been undergraduate selections in the NBA draft. Deron Williams is the only roster member with as many as three seasons of college experience. Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Chris Paul were playing for different NBA teams than when they competed for the 2008 U.S. squad. Anthony and James joined David Robinson as three-time U.S. hoop Olympians. Anthony Davis replaced Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers/Oklahoma) on roster after Griffin incurred a knee injury. Margin of victory over Nigeria (83) was highest in Olympic history when Anthony scored a U.S.-record 37 points in only 14 minutes. James passed Michael Jordan on the all-time Olympic scoring list for Team USA while Kevin Durant passed Spencer Haywood for most points in a single Olympiad.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 98, France 71
U.S. 110, Tunisia 63
U.S. 156, Nigeria 73
U.S. 99, Lithuania 94
U.S. 126, Argentina 97
U.S. 119, Australia 86
U.S. 109, Argentina 83
U.S. 107, Spain 100
U.S. Men's Roster
| Player | Pos. | NBA Team (Four-Year College) | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmelo Anthony | F | New York Knicks (Syracuse) | 16.3 | 4.8 |
| Kobe Bryant | F | Los Angeles Lakers (N/A) | 12.1 | 1.8 |
| Tyson Chandler | C | New York Knicks (N/A) | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Anthony Davis | C | New Orleans Hornets (Kentucky) | 3.7 | 2.7 |
| Kevin Durant | F | Oklahoma City Thunder (Texas) | 19.5 | 5.8 |
| James Harden | G | Oklahoma City Thunder (Arizona State) | 5.5 | 0.6 |
| Andre Iguodala | F | Philadelphia 76ers (Arizona) | 4.3 | 2.8 |
| LeBron James | G-F | Miami Heat (N/A) | 13.3 | 5.6 |
| Kevin Love | F | Minnesota Timberwolves (UCLA) | 11.6 | 7.6 |
| Chris Paul | G | Los Angeles Clippers (Wake Forest) | 8.3 | 2.5 |
| Russell Westbrook | G | Oklahoma City Thunder (UCLA) | 8.5 | 1.6 |
| Deron Williams | G | New Jersey Nets (Illinois) | 9.0 | 1.5 |
2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (XXXI)
Medal Winners: 1. U.S. (8-0); 2. Serbia (4-4); 3. Spain (5-3).
U.S. Men's Coach: Mike Krzyzweski, Duke.
Did You Know?: Carmelo Anthony, the first American to be selected to four Olympic basketball teams, passed LeBron James as Team USA's all-time leading scorer. TMZ reported that a group of players, staying on a 500-foot cruise ship (Silver Cloud with 196 cabins), "accidentally" visited a famed brothel.
U.S. Men's Results
U.S. 119, China 62
U.S. 113, Venezuela 69
U.S. 98, Australia 88
U.S. 94, Serbia 91
U.S. 100, France 97
U.S. 105, Argentina 78
U.S. 82, Spain 76
U.S. 96, Serbia 66
U.S. Men's Roster
| Player | Pos. | NBA Team (Four-Year College) | PPG. | RPG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmelo Anthony | F | New York Knicks (Syracuse) | 12.1 | 5.3 |
| Harrison Barnes | F | Golden State Warriors (North Carolina) | 4.3 | 1.8 |
| Jimmy Butler | G | Chicago Bulls (Marquette) | 5.6 | 2.5 |
| DeMarcus Cousins | F | Sacramento Kings (Kentucky) | 9.1 | 5.8 |
| DeMar DeRozan | G | Toronto Raptors (Southern California) | 6.6 | 1.4 |
| Kevin Durant | F | Oklahoma City Thunder (Texas) | 19.4 | 5.0 |
| Paul George | F | Indiana Pacers (Fresno State) | 11.3 | 4.5 |
| Draymond Green | F | Golden State Warriors (Michigan State) | 1.9 | 2.1 |
| Kyrie Irving | G | Cleveland Cavaliers (Duke) | 11.4 | 2.5 |
| DeAndre Jordan | C | Los Angeles Clippers (Texas A&M) | 7.4 | 6.1 |
| Kyle Lowry | G | Toronto Raptors (Villanova) | 5.0 | 3.3 |
| Klay Thompson | G | Golden State Warriors (Washington State) | 9.9 | 2.5 |
U.S. Men's All-Time Olympic Games Roster
| Player | College | Olympic Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Shareef Abdur-Rahim | California | 2000 |
| Bam Adebayo | Kentucky | 2021 |
| Mark Aguirre | DePaul | 1980 |
| Steve Alford | Indiana | 1984 |
| Ray Allen | Connecticut | 2000 |
| Willie Anderson | Georgia | 1988 |
| Carmelo Anthony | Syracuse | 2004, 2008, 2012 & 2016 |
| Tate Armstrong | Duke | 1976 |
| Jay Arnette | Texas | 1960 |
| Stacey Augmon | UNLV | 1988 |
| Vin Baker | Hartford | 2000 |
| Sam Balter* | UCLA | 1936 |
| Mike Bantom | St. Joseph's | 1972 |
| Cliff Barker | Kentucky | 1948 |
| Charles Barkley | Auburn | 1992 & 1996 |
| Don Barksdale* | UCLA | 1948 |
| Jim "Bad News" Barnes | Texas Western | 1964 |
| Harrison Barnes | North Carolina | 2016 |
| Mike Barrett* | West Virginia Tech | 1968 |
| Ralph Beard | Kentucky | 1948 |
| Lew Beck* | Oregon State | 1948 |
| Walt Bellamy | Indiana | 1960 |
| Larry Bird | Indiana State | 1992 |
| Ralph "Stork" Bishop | Washington | 1936 |
| Rolando Blackman | Kansas State | 1980 |
| Ron Bontemps | Illinois/Beloit (Wis.) | 1962 |
| Devin Booker | Kentucky | 2021 |
| Bob Boozer* | Kansas State | 1960 |
| Carlos Boozer | Duke | 2004 & 2008 |
| Vince Boryla* | Notre Dame/Denver | 1948 |
| Chris Bosh | Georgia Tech | 2008 |
| Dick Boushka* | St. Louis | 1956 |
| Sam Bowie | Kentucky | 1980 |
| Bill Bradley | Princeton | 1964 |
| Jim Brewer | Minnesota | 1972 |
| Michael Brooks | La Salle | 1980 |
| Larry Brown* | North Carolina | 1964 |
| Kobe Bryant | N/A | 2008 & 2012 |
| Quinn Buckner | Indiana | 1976 |
| Tom Burleson | North Carolina State | 1972 |
| Jimmy Butler | Marquette | 2016 |
| Carl Cain | Iowa | 1956 |
| Joe Caldwell | Arizona State | 1964 |
| Gordon Carpenter* | Kansas | 1948 |
| Kenny Carr | North Carolina State | 1976 |
| Vince Carter | North Carolina | 2000 |
| Tyson Chandler | N/A | 2012 |
| John Clawson* | Michigan | 1968 |
| Vernell "Bimbo" Coles | Virginia Tech | 1988 |
| Doug Collins | Illinois State | 1972 |
| Mel Counts | Oregon State | 1964 |
| DeMarcus Cousins | Kentucky | 2016 |
| Adrian Dantley | Notre Dame | 1976 |
| Chuck Darling* | Iowa | 1956 |
| Dick Davies* | Louisiana State | 1964 |
| Anthony Davis | Kentucky | 2012 |
| Kenny Davis* | Georgetown College (Ky.) | 1972 |
| Walter Davis | North Carolina | 1976 |
| Don Dee | St. Mary of the Plains (Kan.) | 1968 |
| DeMar DeRozan | Southern California | 2016 |
| Terry Dischinger | Purdue | 1960 |
| Clyde Drexler | Houston | 1992 |
| Tim Duncan | Wake Forest | 2004 |
| Kevin Durant | Texas | 2012, 2016 & 2021 |
| Bill Evans* | Kentucky | 1956 |
| Patrick Ewing | Georgetown | 1984 & 1992 |
| Vern Fleming | Georgia | 1984 |
| Jim Forbes | Texas-El Paso | 1972 |
| Gilbert "Gib" Ford* | Texas | 1956 |
| Phil Ford | North Carolina | 1976 |
| Joe Fortenberry* | Wichita State | 1936 |
| Calvin Fowler* | St. Francis (Pa.) | 1968 |
| Marcus Freiberger* | Oklahoma | 1952 |
| Kevin Garnett | N/A | 2000 |
| Paul George | Fresno State | 2016 |
| John Gibbons* | Southwestern College (Kan.) | 1936 |
| Wayne Glasgow* | Oklahoma | 1952 |
| Jerami Grant | Syracuse | 2021 |
| Jeff Grayer | Iowa State | 1988 |
| Draymond Green | Michigan State | 2016 & 2021 |
| Alex Groza | Kentucky | 1948 |
| Ernie Grunfeld | Tennessee | 1976 |
| Burdette Haldorson* | Colorado | 1956 & 1960 |
| Bill Hanzlik | Notre Dame | 1980 |
| Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway | Memphis State | 1996 |
| Tim Hardaway | Texas-El Paso | 2000 |
| James Harden | Arizona State | 2012 |
| Hersey Hawkins | Bradley | 1988 |
| Spencer Haywood | Trinidad State J.C. (Colo.) | 1968 |
| Walt Hazzard | UCLA | 1964 |
| Tom Henderson | San Jacinto J.C. (Tex.) | 1972 |
| Grant Hill | Duke | 1996 |
| Charles Hoag | Kansas | 1952 |
| Jrue Holiday | UCLA | 2021 |
| Bill Hosket | Ohio State | 1968 |
| Bill Hougland* | Kansas | 1952 & 1956 |
| Allan Houston | Tennessee | 2000 |
| Dwight Howard | N/A | 2008 |
| Phil Hubbard | Michigan | 1976 |
| Andre Iguodala | Arizona | 2012 |
| Darrall Imhoff | California | 1960 |
| Kyrie Irving | Duke | 2016 |
| Allen Iverson | Georgetown | 2004 |
| Luke Jackson | Pan American (Tex.) | 1964 |
| LeBron James | N/A | 2004, 2008 & 2012 |
| Bob Jeangerard* | Colorado | 1956 |
| Richard Jefferson | Arizona | 2004 |
| Francis Johnson* | Wichita State | 1936 |
| Earvin "Magic" Johnson | Michigan State | 1992 |
| Keldon Johnson | Kentucky | 2021 |
| Bobby Jones | North Carolina | 1972 |
| Dwight Jones | Houston | 1972 |
| K.C. Jones | San Francisco | 1956 |
| Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones | Kentucky | 1948 |
| DeAndre Jordan | Texas A&M | 2016 |
| Michael Jordan | North Carolina | 1984 & 1992 |
| Kevin Joyce | South Carolina | 1972 |
| John Keller | Kansas | 1952 |
| Allen Kelley* | Kansas | 1960 |
| Dean Kelley | Kansas | 1952 |
| Bob Kenney | Kansas | 1952 |
| Jason Kidd | California | 2000 & 2008 |
| Jimmy King* | Oklahoma State | 1968 |
| Joe Kleine | Arkansas | 1984 |
| Carl Knowles* | UCLA | 1936 |
| Jon Koncak | Southern Methodist | 1984 |
| Mitch Kupchak | North Carolina | 1976 |
| Bob Kurland* | Oklahoma State | 1948 & 1952 |
| Christian Laettner | Duke | 1992 |
| Tom LaGarde | North Carolina | 1976 |
| Lester Lane* | Oklahoma | 1960 |
| Zach LaVine | UCLA | 2021 |
| Bill Lienhard | Kansas | 1952 |
| Damian Lillard | Weber State | 2021 |
| Alton Lister | Arizona State | 1980 |
| Kevin Love | UCLA | 2012 |
| Clyde Lovellette | Kansas | 1952 |
| Kyle Lowry | Villanova | 2016 |
| Frank Lubin* | UCLA | 1936 |
| Jerry Lucas | Ohio State | 1960 |
| Ray Lumpp | New York University | 1948 |
| Dan Majerle | Central Michigan | 1988 |
| Karl Malone | Louisiana Tech | 1992 & 1996 |
| Danny Manning | Kansas | 1988 |
| Stephon Marbury | Georgia Tech | 2004 |
| Shawn Marion | UNLV | 2004 |
| Scott May | Indiana | 1976 |
| Frank McCabe* | Marquette | 1952 |
| Pete McCaffrey* | St. Louis | 1964 |
| Rodney McCray | Louisville | 1980 |
| Antonio McDyess | Alabama | 2000 |
| JaVale McGee | Nevada | 2021 |
| Tom McMillen | Maryland | 1972 |
| Khris Middleton | Texas A&M | 2021 |
| Reggie Miller | UCLA | 1996 |
| Art Moliner* | Los Angeles J.C. | 1936 |
| Alonzo Mourning | Georgetown | 2000 |
| Chris Mullin | St. John's | 1984 & 1992 |
| Jeff Mullins | Duke | 1964 |
| Lamar Odom | Rhode Island | 2004 |
| Emeka Okafor | Connecticut | 2004 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston | 1996 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | Louisiana State | 1996 |
| Chris Paul | Wake Forest | 2008 & 2012 |
| Gary Payton | Oregon State | 1996 & 2000 |
| Sam Perkins | North Carolina | 1984 |
| Don Piper* | UCLA | 1936 |
| Scottie Pippen | Central Arkansas | 1992 & 1996 |
| Dan Pippin* | Missouri | 1952 |
| R.C. Pitts* | Arkansas | 1948 |
| Tayshaun Prince | Kentucky | 2008 |
| Jack Ragland* | Wichita State | 1936 |
| Ed Ratleff | Long Beach State | 1972 |
| Michael Redd | Ohio State | 2008 |
| J.R. Reid | North Carolina | 1988 |
| Jesse "Cab" Renick* | Oklahoma State | 1948 |
| Mitch Richmond | Kansas State | 1988 & 1996 |
| Alvin Robertson | Arkansas | 1984 |
| Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati | 1960 |
| David Robinson | Navy | 1988, 1992 & 1996 |
| Jack Robinson | Baylor | 1948 |
| Ken Rollins | Kentucky | 1948 |
| Bill Russell | San Francisco | 1956 |
| Glynn Saulters | Northeast Louisiana | 1968 |
| Willard Schmidt* | Creighton | 1936 |
| Charlie Scott | North Carolina | 1968 |
| Steve Sheppard | Maryland | 1976 |
| Jerry Shipp* | Southeastern Oklahoma State | 1964 |
| Carl Shy* | UCLA | 1936 |
| Mike Silliman | Army | 1968 |
| Adrian "Odie" Smith* | Kentucky | 1960 |
| Charles D. Smith | Pittsburgh | 1988 |
| Charles E. Smith | Georgetown | 1988 |
| Steve Smith | Michigan State | 2000 |
| Ken Spain | Houston | 1968 |
| John Stockton | Gonzaga | 1992 & 1996 |
| Amare Stoudemire | N/A | 2004 |
| Dwayne Swanson* | Southern California | 1936 |
| Jayson Tatum | Duke | 2021 |
| Isiah Thomas | Indiana | 1980 |
| Klay Thompson | Washington State | 2016 |
| Wayman Tisdale | Oklahoma | 1984 |
| Ron Tomsic* | Stanford | 1956 |
| Jeff Turner | Vanderbilt | 1984 |
| Darnell Valentine | Kansas | 1980 |
| Danny Vranes | Utah | 1980 |
| Dwyane Wade | Marquette | 2004 & 2008 |
| Jim Walsh* | Stanford | 1956 |
| Jerry West | West Virginia | 1960 |
| Russell Westbrook | UCLA | 2012 |
| William Wheatley* | Kansas Wesleyan | 1936 |
| Joseph "Jo Jo" White | Kansas | 1968 |
| Charles "Buck" Williams | Maryland | 1980 |
| Deron Williams | Illinois | 2008 & 2012 |
| Howie Williams* | Purdue | 1952 |
| George Wilson* | Cincinnati | 1964 |
| Al Wood | North Carolina | 1980 |
| Osie "Leon" Wood | Cal State Fullerton | 1984 |
*Played for an armed services or independent team when named an Olympian.
Schools With Most Different U.S. Basketball Olympians: 14 - Kentucky; 13 - North Carolina; 12 - Kansas; 12 - UCLA; 7 - Duke; 5 - Indiana and Oklahoma; 4 - Georgetown and Houston.
Major Schools Never to Have a Men's U.S. Basketball Olympian: Boston College, Brigham Young, Clemson, Dayton, Florida, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi, Mississippi State, New Mexico, Northwestern, Oregon, Providence, Seton Hall, Temple, Texas Christian, Texas Tech, Tulane, Tulsa, Virginia, Western Kentucky, Xavier.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 22 MLB Contests
July 22nd, 2021 - 8:36
Extra! Extra! Instead of debating if CNN illegal analyst Jeffrey Toobin and incorrigible colleagues would feel better about Justice Breyer if Supreme was "ready to mingle" in "most distrusted name in news" Zoom call with pretentious perv and his pet snake, 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 SEC hoopers Joe Adcock (Louisiana State), Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State) and Riggs Stephenson (Alabama) 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 July 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 22
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) homered in both ends of a 1956 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) chipped in with four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1970 game.
St. Louis Browns C Benny Bengough (Niagara hoops letterman from 1916-17 through 1918-19) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators in a 1931 contest.
In the midst of six straight victories, RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville NC hooper first half of 1960s) belted a two-run homer to power the Pittsburgh Pirates to 3-2 win against the Atlanta Braves in nightcap of 1979 twinbill.
Usually a reliever, Cincinnati Reds RHP Joe Black (Morgan State hooper in mid-1940s) toiled 10 frames as starter in eventual 14-inning defeat for them against the New York Giants in 1955.
1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) purchased from the Washington Senators by the Chicago Cubs in 1940.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) hit for the cycle against the Washington Senators in a 1932 outing.
Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) had his 15-game hitting streak snapped by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1939.
Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) posted his second eight-game winning streak in the 1945 campaign.
A two-run, 13th-inning homer by Boston Red Sox rookie 1B Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) proved to be the difference in a 4-2 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1952.
RHP Dallas Green (Delaware's runner-up in scoring and rebounding In 1954-55) purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the New York Mets in 1966. Green was returned to Philly three weeks later.
In 1999, Cleveland Indians manager Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) accidentally handed in an incorrect lineup card against the Toronto Blue Jays, forcing the Tribe to forfeit the DH and bat their pitcher in the seventh spot in the batting order.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered in both ends of a 1953 doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs.
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) smashed a pinch homer in the 11th inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) delivered four hits against the Washington Senators in a 1955 game.
Chicago Cubs 3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) whacked two homers against the San Francisco Giants in a 1989 contest.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dave Leonhard (averaged 4.8 ppg for Johns Hopkins MD in 1961-62) tossed a five-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals in 1971.
CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Chicago Cubs in 2003. Nine years earlier, Lofton pilfered four bases with the Cleveland Indians against the Chicago White Sox in a 1994 contest.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie 2B Moon Mullen (backup guard for Oregon's legendary "Tall Firs" team winning inaugural NCAA tourney in 1939) manufactured four safeties in a 1944 outing against the Cincinnati Reds.
In the midst of closing out the month with eight saves in as many appearances, Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Jeff Shaw (freshman guard for Rio Grande OH hoops squad compiling 31-5 record and reaching second round of 1985 NAIA Tournament) allowed a run for the only time in a span of 17 games in 1998.
Baltimore Orioles RF Larry Sheets (All-ODAC hoops selection in 1981-82 and 1982-83 with Eastern Mennonite VA) contributed four RBI in the second of back-to-back games with three hits against the Chicago White Sox in 1987.
Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) won his eighth decision in a row in 1976.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1927, including two of his N.L.-high 46 doubles. Three years later, Stephenson raised his 1930 batting average to .391 by extending a career-high hitting streak to 16 in a row.
Cleveland Indians 3B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) whacked three taters in a 1994 game against the Chicago White Sox.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 as center for Benedictine KS) went 5-for-9 at the plate as a switch-hitter in back-to-back complete-game victories against the Milwaukee Braves and St. Louis Cardinals in 1964.
Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) drew three walks in both ends of a 1951 doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 21 MLB Contests
July 21st, 2021 - 7:19
Extra! Extra! Instead of assessing allegiance to marriage vows (must have inadvertently pressed CTRL-ALT-Delete) by self-absorbed Big Tech "adulterer/lecturer dudes" Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Eric Schmidt (Google), 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 major-college hoopers Frankie Frisch (Fordham), Bob Gibson (Creighton), Hank Greenberg (NYU), Robin Roberts (Michigan State) and Jackie Robinson (UCLA) supplied significant MLB performances on this date en route to becoming Hall of Famers. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 21
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year basketball letterman for Allegheny PA) contributed four safeties for the second time during a career-high 27-game hitting streak in 1968.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup hooper and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) tossed a six-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1978.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) homered in both ends of a 1930 doubleheader split against the Brooklyn Robins.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) smacked his fourth homer in a span of nine starts in 1972. The round-tripper accounted for decisive run in a 2-1 verdict over the Atlanta Braves to earn his 11th consecutive triumph.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) went 4-for-4, including three extra-base hits, against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1934 contest.
RHP Kevin Gryboski (backup hooper for Wilkes PA in 1991-92 and 1992-93) traded by the Atlanta Braves to Texas Rangers in 2005.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for Swarthmore PA Southern Division champions in Middle Atlantic States Conference) fanned three of four Minnesota Twins batters he faced in his 11th straight scoreless relief appearances in 1962.
Brooklyn Dodgers INF-OF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) hammered a game-winning, three-run homer in the ninth inning of a 9-8 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a 1930 doubleheader. Hendrick's decisive blast was one of four pinch-hit round-trippers during the twinbill (two for each team).
In 2003, Toronto Blue Jays LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection paced Washington State in rebounding four straight seasons from 1992-93 through 1995-96) hurled his first MLB shutout (against New York Yankees).
Chicago White Sox RHP Bart Johnson (averaged 30.5 ppg for Brigham Young's freshman squad in 1967-68) tossed his second shutout of the month in 1976, winning sixth of last seven starts.
Cleveland Indians RHP Dutch Levsen (Iowa State hoops letterman in 1918-19) hurled the second of back-to-back shutouts in 1926.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) went 5-for-5 in a 7-4 win against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.
2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS where he was an All-CIC selection with 1968 NAIA Tournament team) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Houston Astros in 1986.
Philadelphia Phillies RF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after finishing as Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season), pinch-hitting for Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70), manufactured the game-winning hit with a bases-loaded triple in a 9-6 verdict over the San Francisco Giants in 1977.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lindy McDaniel (freshman team hooper for Oklahoma in 1954-55) banged out four hits at the plate, including a pair of doubles, in 11-2 pounding of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1957.
In his first MLB start, Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six games as 6-6 freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) blanked the Chicago White Sox, 2-0, in 1990.
In the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, New York Yankees RF Bud Metheny (hoops letterman for William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Browns in a 1943 game. Two years later, Metheny homered in a 12-3 romp over the Chicago White Sox in 1945.
Pittsburgh Pirates bonus-baby rookie SS Eddie O'Brien (third-team All-American selection as Seattle senior in 1952-53 when finishing second in nation in field-goal percentage) went 3-for-4 in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak in 1953.
Philadelphia Athletics RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western hoops letterman in 1929-30) posted his second complete-game victory in less than a month in 1939.
In the midst of 11 consecutive scoreless relief appearances in 1963, Boston Red Sox RHP Dick Radatz (center on Michigan State's freshman hoops squad in 1955-56) improved his won-loss record to 12-1.
In 1960, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) hurled his third career one-hitter.
Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1951 outing.
Chicago Cubs C El Tappe (two-time All-Pioneer Conference first-team selection scored 921 points for Quincy College IL from 1946-47 through 1949-50) contributed a career-high three hits in 1960 game against the Cincinnati Reds.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 20 MLB Contests
July 20th, 2021 - 7:19
Extra! Extra! Instead of politicizing pandemic by employing knock-on-wood strategy thwarting probe regarding origin of bat coronavirus via leak from notorious Wuhan lab with data-functioning links to Chinese military, 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 Fordham hoopers Frankie Frisch and Babe Young had outstanding offensive outputs in National League games on this date. Ex-Wisconsin hoopers Harvey Kuenn and Stu Locklin also made MLB news on this date as did ex-PA small-college hoopers Charlie Gelbert (Lebanon Valley), Kevin Gryboski (Wilkes), Monte Irvin (Lincoln) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 20
Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Bill Beckmann (Washington MO hooper in late 1920s) went 3-for-3 from the plate against the Cleveland Indians en route to going 6-for-8 in his last three starts of the month in 1939.
St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year basketball letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out three hits in both ends of a 1937 doubleheader against the New York Yankees.
Minnesota Twins 3B John Castino (medical redshirt for Rollins FL in 1973-74 under coach Ed Jucker) accounted for decisive run with solo homer in top of seventh inning of 5-4 victory against the Boston Red Sox in 1980.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) collected five RBI, including a decisive three-run homer in the seventh inning, in an 8-5 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966.
Boston Red Sox LF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) scored four runs in an 8-7 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1952.
St. Louis Cardinals 3B Jake Flowers (member of Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" hoops squad in 1923) furnished five hits in a 16-5 romp over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932.
3B Gene Freese (captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament hoops team for West Liberty WV) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Houston Astros for P Jim Mahoney and cash in 1966.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) contributed six RBI against the Brooklyn Robins in a 1930 game.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of last three seasons in late 1920s for Lebanon Valley PA) delivered four hits against the Brooklyn Robins in a 1930 contest. Two years later, Gelbert collected three safeties, three runs and three RBI against the same opponent to trigger a career-high 12-game hitting streak in 1932.
Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) went 4-for-4 in a 3-1 victory against the New York Yankees in 1940.
Atlanta Braves RHP Kevin Gryboski (backup hooper for Wilkes PA in 1991-92 and 1992-93) notched his eighth scoreless relief outing in first eight appearances of month in 2003.
Toronto Blue Jays 2B Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) smacked two homers in a 1987 game against the Texas Rangers.
In a 1956 contest, Chicago Cubs LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) mashed two homers against his original team (New York Giants).
San Francisco Giants OF Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) contributed four hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1964 game.
OF Stu Locklin (played one basketball game for Wisconsin in 1947-48 under coach Bud Foster) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Boston Red Sox in 1958.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) provided five hits in a 6-5 win against the Minnesota Twins in 1996.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) logged three doubles in a 4-3 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955.
RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) traded by the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Reds in 1916.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six games as a 6-6 freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals in 1993.
LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg from 1977-78 through 1979-80) bowed against the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2, for his lone setback in first 11 decisions with the San Diego Padres in 1988.
Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Evar Swanson (played all five positions for Knox IL) went 6-for-9 in a 1929 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.
In 1955, Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) whacked a key three-run pinch homer for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 4-3 win against a Milwaukee Braves squad featuring second baseman Hank Aaron.
Cincinnati Reds 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) homered in both ends of a 1947 twinbill for the third time this month.
Resume Building: Job Titles Aren't Always Linked to Executive Remuneration
July 19th, 2021 - 8:27
Assistant coaches for NBA teams and power-conference members frequently are paid significantly more than head coaches for mid-major colleges. David Patrick reportedly doubled his salary last year when forsaking head-coaching responsibilities with UC Riverside to become chief assistant at Arkansas. Damon Stoudamire departed Pacific to join the following alphabetical list of NCAA Division I head coaches who had years remaining on their contract when they departed to become an assistant for a power-conference member or NBA franchise:
| Head-to-Assistant Coach | Mid-Major College (Tenure) | Power-League Member/NBA Team |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Betts Jr. | South Carolina State (2003-04 through 2005-06) | Oklahoma |
| Donny Daniels | Cal State Fullerton (2000-01 through 2002-03) | UCLA |
| Dean Demopoulos | Missouri-Kansas City (2000-01) | Seattle Sonics |
| Orlando Early | Louisiana-Monroe (2005-06 through 2009-10) | South Carolina |
| Dane Fife | IPFW (2005-06 through 2010-11) | Michigan State |
| Kevin McKenna | Indiana State (2007-08 through 2009-10) | Oregon |
| Jack Murphy | Northern Arizona (2012-13 through 2018-19) | Arizona |
| Bill Musselman | South Alabama (1995-96 and 1996-97) | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Dave Odom | East Carolina (1979-80 through 1981-82) | Virginia |
| Chris Ogden | Texas-Arlington (2018-19 through 2020-21) | Texas |
| Kevin O'Neill | Northwestern (1997-98 through 1999-00) | New York Knicks |
| Matt Painter | Southern Illinois (2003-04) | Purdue |
| David Patrick | UC Riverside (2018-19 and 2019-20) | Arkansas |
| Robert "Buzz" Peterson | Coastal Carolina (2005-06 and 2006-07) | Charlotte Bobcats |
| Kenneth "Doc" Sadler | Southern Mississippi (2014-15 through 2018-19) | Nebraska |
| Heath Schroyer | UT Martin (2014-15 and 2015-16) | North Carolina State |
| Damon Stoudamire | Pacific (2016-17 through 2020-21) | Boston Celtics |
| Rodney Terry | Texas-El Paso (2018-19 through 2020-21) | Texas |
| Ralph Willard | Holy Cross (1999-00 through 2008-09) | Louisville |
| Brent "Buzz" Williams | New Orleans (2006-07) | Marquette |
NOTE: Painter and Williams were head-coaches-in-waiting.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 19 MLB Contests
July 19th, 2021 - 8:25
Extra! Extra! Instead of shooting-from-the-hip studying film deciding whether Out House propagandist Jen "Circle Change" Sock-it-to-me would be ace of #Dimorat DC Swamp know-it-all "pitching" staff including #AudacityofHype (lefty overlord Barry Hussein Obama), DF-funding Dr. Anthony Fraud-ci, contemptible party/issue-changer Charlie Crist and Softball sorcerer Chrissy Matthews, 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 games as MLB center fielders on this date. Ditto Ivy Leaguers Bill Almon (Brown), Tony Lupien (Harvard), Red Rolfe (Dartmouth) and Chris Young (Princeton) making MLB news along with Louisiana State's Joe Adcock, who homered twice in a game in each league. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 19
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) went 4-for-4 with two homers and eight RBI against the New York Giants in a 1956 game. Eight years later with the Los Angeles Angels in 1964, Adcock homered twice in a 4-0 victory against the Minnesota Twins in the nightcap of a twinbill.
New York Mets SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) amassed four hits and scored four runs in a 13-3 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1980.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) contributed three hits in both ends of a 1942 doubleheader sweep against the Boston Red Sox.
Washington Senators SS Tim Cullen (starting guard for Santa Clara in 1962-63 when averaging 10 ppg and 3.4 rpg) collected four hits in a 4-2 victory against the Detroit Tigers in 1967.
Boston Braves rookie 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50), entering the game hitting .150, erupted for three safeties and five RBI in a 6-2 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1952.
Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame C Rick Ferrell (Guilford NC hooper in mid-1920s) launched a homer off his brother (Wes Ferrell of Cleveland Indians) in 1933. Wes, who whacked a round-tripper in the same inning (fourth), finished his career with 38 HRs in 548 games while Rick had 28 in 1,884 contests.
Houston Astros reliever Buddy Harris (Philadelphia Textile hoops letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67) posted his lone MLB victory (against Philadelphia Phillies in 1971).
Cincinnati Reds LHP Bill Henry (hoops letterman for Houston's 1947 NAIA Tournament team featuring co-captain Guy Lewis) allowed his only earned run in final 22 relief appearances of 1964 season in which he posted a microscopic 0.87 ERA.
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) whacked two homers against the Milwaukee Braves in a 1963 contest.
Chicago White Sox C Duane Josephson (Northern Iowa scoring leader in 1962-63 and 1963-64 under coach Norm Stewart) went 4-for-4 in a 6-3 success against the Baltimore Orioles in the nightcap of a 1970 doubleheader.
LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) started a second straight game for the last-place Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958. Koufax was lifted after walking four batters in the first inning the previous day.
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) knocked in five runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1938 game.
Washington Senators CF Don Lock (Wichita State field-goal percentage leader in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) went 4-for-4 with two homers and five RBI against the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a 1964 doubleheader.
Chicago White Sox CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) lashed a leadoff homer for the second straight game against the Kansas City Royals in 2002.
Boston Red Sox 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard hoops captain in 1938-39) tripled in both ends of a 1942 twinbill against the Cleveland Indians.
Washington Senators RF Danny Moeller (Millikin IL hoops captain in 1905-06) stole second, third and home in the opening inning before doubling and tripling later in the game against the Cleveland Indians in 1915.
LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s) whacked a 13th-inning pinch-hit homer to give the Chicago White Sox a 3-2 win against the Kansas City Athletics in 1964. Circuit clout was one of three for Peters in a two-week span with at least one runner on base.
Detroit Tigers DH Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) knocked in five runs with two extra-base hits in a 1991 assignment against the Kansas City Royals.
Atlanta Braves RF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice while averaging 5.6 ppg and 3.1 apg from 1986-87 through 1989-90) scored four runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1998 outing.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 1942.
OF Ted Savage (Lincoln MO scoring average leader in 1955-56) knocked in the game-winning run in the 11th inning as the Cincinnati Reds overcame a 9-0 deficit to edge the Houston Astros, 10-9, in 1969.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) hurled a 12-hit shutout against the Cincinnati Reds in 1934. The whitewash was Schumacher's ninth straight winning decision.
New York Yankees 1B-OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State's back-to-back NAIA Tournament hoops titlists in 1952 and 1953) notched his second five-hit game of the month in 1958 (against Kansas City Athletics).
In the midst of a career-high 17-game hitting streak, Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) provided four safeties in a 1978 contest against the Chicago White Sox.
New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) stroked a decisive ninth-inning, bases-loaded double in the ninth inning after previously providing two homers in a 13-11 triumph against the Cleveland Indians in 1960.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in a 1926 game.
Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) smacked two homers for second time in a three-game span in 2000. The next year, he swatted a pair of round-trippers in 2001 contest against the Chicago White Sox.
In the midst of a 15-game hitting streak in 1962, St. Louis Cardinals LF-1B Bill White (two-year hooper for Hiram OH in early 1950s) supplied multiple safeties in his fifth consecutive contest.
In 1977, San Diego Padres LF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) went 2-for-2, including a two-run single off Sparky Lyle, in Winfield's first of 12 consecutive All-Star Game appearances.
Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) homered twice in a 5-4 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1956.
San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) earned his fifth straight victory, surrendering only two hits in seven innings of a 1-0 verdict over the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 18 MLB Contests
July 18th, 2021 - 8:05
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering if anti-health NAACP/PTA "leader" in Virginia should be introduced to Nutrisystem and/or Marie Osmond's "uncomfortable" weighty commercials, 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 NYU hoopers Ralph Branca and Sam Mele supplied significant MLB achievements on this date. Ditto ex-Ohio State hoopers Steve Arlin and Frank Howard in N.L. outings plus ex-Toledo hoopers Chuck Harmon and Pinky Pittenger as MLB infielders. Eventual ACC members Boston College (Luke Urban), Florida State (Jim Lyttle), Notre Dame (Cy Williams) and Virginia (Eppa Rixey) also had ex-hoopers make MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 18
RHP Mike Adams (played basketball for Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1996-97) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the San Diego Padres in 2006.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) delivered four hits and four RBI in a 9-8 loss against the Cincinnati Reds in 1934. The next year, Allen stroked three doubles in an 11-3 defeat against the Chicago Cubs in 1935.
San Diego Padres RHP Steve Arlin (played two basketball games for Ohio State in 1964-65 under coach Fred Taylor) supplied his fifth complete-game start yielding fewer than three hits in a one-month span in 1972.
Cincinnati Reds CF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1948 doubleheader. It was Baumholtz's third consecutive contest with at least three safeties.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) hurled a one-hitter in a 7-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1947.
New York Yankees LHP Al Downing (attended Muhlenberg PA on hoops scholarship but left before ever playing), in the midst of posting six straight triumphs, toiled 10 innings in a no-decision outing against the Cleveland Indians in 1964.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) delivered his fifth consecutive two-hit game in 1970.
Los Angeles Dodgers C-OF Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) broke up a no-hit bid by Luke Walker of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a ninth-inning homer in the nightcap of a 1971 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) smacked two homers but they were in vain in an 8-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1930.
All-time hits leader Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds hit the only grand slam of his career with the homer yielded in 1964 by Philadelphia Phillies RHP Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55).
Cincinnati Reds rookie 3B Chuck Harmon (second-leading scorer for Toledo in 1946-47 and 1947-48) stroked four hits against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1954 doubleheader.
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) hammered two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1962 game (including decisive blast in top of ninth inning).
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) collected four hits and five RBI against the Atlanta Braves in a 1967 contest.
OF Jim Lyttle (led Florida State in free-throw shooting in 1965-66 when he averaged 12.4 ppg) purchased from the Chicago White Sox by the Montreal Expos in 1975.
OF Les Mann (Springfield MA hooper in 1913 and 1914) awarded on waivers to the New York Giants from the Boston Braves in 1927.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) blanked the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-0, in the nightcap of a 1913 doubleheader but his record string of 68 walkless innings came to a halt.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six times as freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) tossed a two-hit shutout against the Texas Rangers in 1992.
LF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) managed the only hit for the Baltimore Orioles against Boston Red Sox P Russ Kemmerer in the opener of a 1954 twinbill.
Boston Red Sox SS Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in the nightcap of a 1927 doubleheader. Thirteen years later as a Washington Senators 2B, Myer went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in 1940.
Boston Red Sox 2B Pinky Pittenger (set Toledo's single-game scoring record with 49 points in 1918-19) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1923 twinbill.
Boston Braves RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer two seasons in early 1930s for Mount Morris IL/Manchester IN) went 3-for-3 at the plate including a two-run double in 10-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1912 and 1914) fired his second shutout in less than a week en route to a N.L. leading four whitewashes in 1924.
After speaking out against racial discrimination testifying in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee, Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) scored twice, once on a steal of home in the sixth inning, in a 3-0 triumph against the Chicago Cubs in 1949.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (multiple-sport athlete for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) allowed fewer than two earned runs in his seventh straight start in 1933.
Kansas City Athletics 1B Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament hoops titles in 1952 and 1953) smashed two homers against the Boston Red Sox in a 1963 game.
In the midst of a career-high 10-game hitting streak in a one-week span in 1955 (including three twinbills), Philadelphia Phillies SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers in 1942-43 and 1943-44 for Drury MO) whacked a homer for the third time in a four-game stretch.
C Luke Urban (player-coach for Boston College's hoops squad from 1918-19 through 1920-21) purchased from Toledo (American Association) by the Boston Braves in 1927.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) went 3-for-4 in each end of a twinbill sweep of the Chicago Cubs in 1961. White tied Ty Cobb's 49-year-old record of 14 hits in back-to-back doubleheaders. Three years later, White went 4-for-4 with three extra-base safeties against the New York Mets in a 1964 outing.
The Philadelphia Phillies lost, 7-6, to the Chicago Cubs in 1925 despite grand slam by RF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) in bottom of 10th inning.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Jim Wilson (hoops letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) fired his second shutout in a 13-day span in 1955.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 17 MLB Contests
July 17th, 2021 - 8:06
Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether overwrought Out House reality czars collaborating with Big Tech to "misinformation" censor free-speech posts is citadel of systemic stupidity or their definition of a return to normalcy, 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.
Multiple hoopers for current or former major universities - Joe Adcock (Louisiana State), Bruce Bochte (Santa Clara), Zeke Bonura (Loyola LA) and Tony Clark (San Diego State) - made news as MLB first basemen on this date. Ditto ex-small college hooper Bill White (Hiram OH). Joining Adcock and Bonura among ex-LA school hoopers generating MLB headlines was George Stone (Louisiana Tech). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 17
Cincinnati Reds LF Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) went 4-for-4, scored four runs and threw out a runner at home plate in the ninth inning in a 9-8 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1951 twinbill. Four years later as a Milwaukee Braves 1B in 1955, Adcock pounded two homers in an 8-7 win against the New York Giants in the lidlifter of a doubleheader.
San Diego Padres RHP Steve Arlin (played two basketball games for Ohio State in 1964-65 under coach Fred Taylor) spun his third shutout covering four starts in less than three weeks in 1973.
Texas Rangers RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup hooper and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) fired a three-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in 1974.
Seattle Mariners 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 when averaging 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) contributed a pinch-hit single for the A.L. in front of his hometown fans in the 1979 All-Star Game.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) extended his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games in 1936.
Seattle Mariners CF Mickey Brantley (averaged 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 5.4 apg for Columbia-Greene Community College SC in 1979-80) banged out four hits in a 7-4 setback against the Cleveland Indians in 1988.
1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in Western Athletic Conference games in 1991-92) traded by the San Diego Padres to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) smacked three extra-base hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1928 game.
After tossing 5 1/3 innings of one-hit relief, New York Yankees LHP Steve Hamilton (All-OVC selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) won his first seven decisions in 1964.
Legendary Babe Ruth drew his 2,000th career base on balls in 1934 at Cleveland off RHP Oral Hildebrand (All-American hooper for Butler in 1928-29 and 1929-30).
Cleveland Indians OF Chuck Hinton (played multiple sports for Shaw NC) hammered three homers and a triple in a 1966 doubleheader sweep of the Detroit Tigers.
Washington Senators LF Don Lock (Wichita State field-goal percentage leader in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) homered in his first MLB game in the opener of a 1962 twinbill against the Chicago White Sox.
In 1934, New York Giants RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) broke a 1-1 stalemate with seventh-inning grand-slam homer off Chicago Cubs All-Star Lon Warneke in 5-3 win.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Rip Repulski (occasional hoops starter for St. Cloud State MN in 1946-47) ripped two homers in opener of 1955 doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 1964, Baltimore Orioles RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) hurled a 5-0 shutout against the Detroit Tigers despite yielding 11 hits.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a 1953 twinbill.
In the midst of four straight complete-game victories, Washington Senators rookie RHP Dave Stenhouse (three-time All-Yankee Conference hoops selection for Rhode Island from 1952-53 through 1954-55) spun a three-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox in 1962.
In the midst of winning five straight starts in 1971, Atlanta Braves LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) tossed his second shutout in three weeks.
Detroit Tigers C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) knocked in five runs against the Boston Red Sox in a 1939 contest.
Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) collected two homers and seven RBI in 2009 game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Boston Red Sox 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) became the first A.L. player to hit four consecutive doubles in one game (opener of 1935 doubleheader against Cleveland Indians).
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year Hiram OH hooper in early 1950s) went 8-for-10 in a 1961 twinbill sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 16 MLB Contests
July 16th, 2021 - 9:03
Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether Plagiarist Bi-dumb's competent State Department failed to promptly and forcefully support Cuban uprising against Communist regime and created Afghan departure debacle or took their cues from rooftop-dancing bartender AOC and Marxist-dominated BLM (Louis Farrakhan fumigation disguised as scholarship), 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.
Jerry Lumpe (New York Yankees) and Norm Siebern (Kansas City Athletics) - hoop teammates for Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament titlist - provided significant American League performances on this date against the Detroit Tigers. Ditto Darrell Evans and Irv Noren for separate CA community college champions at Pasadena City. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 16
Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) collected two homers and five RBI against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1950 twinbill. Eleven years later as a Milwaukee Braves 1B in a 1961 game, Adcock swatted two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Clyde Barnhart (hooper for Shippensburg PA predecessor Cumberland Valley State Normal School prior to World War I) provided four hits, including three doubles, against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1927 doubleheader.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) stretched his hitting streak to 21 games with a decisive 12th-inning double in a 4-3 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1968. Three years later in a 1971 contest, Beckert banged out four hits against the Phillies.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) contributed at least three hits for the fifth time in a seven-game span in 1925.
CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees in 1942 although he never played for the Yanks.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) tallied four hits against the New York Giants in the midst of four consecutive contests with at least three safeties in 1929.
Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first hooper to average 20 points for single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) delivered two more hits, giving him an A.L. record-tying 15 safeties over a four-game span in 1952.
Atlanta Braves 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1989 game against the New York Mets.
Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (hoops letterman for Rutgers and Army) furnished four hits against the St. Louis Browns in the nightcap of a 1926 doubleheader.
After 16 scoreless innings, New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) stroked a bases-loaded triple to ignite a 7-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1920.
San Francisco Giants RHP Ed Halicki (NAIA All-American third-team choice in 1971-72 when leading Monmouth in scoring with 21 ppg after setting school single-game rebounding record with 40 previous season) hurled back-to-back shutouts in a six-day span in 1976.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) amassed four hits and four RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1968 game.
Cleveland Indians rookie RHP Rich Hand (averaged 6.2 ppg for Puget Sound WA in 1967-68) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals in 1970.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) collected two homers and five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1953 contest.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hospitalized in 2000 after experiencing dizziness as a result of an irregular heartbeat.
California Angels LF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) launched a pair of two-run homers against the Cleveland Indians in a 1974 outing.
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) logged three extra-base hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1935 game.
A three-run homer by 3B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament hoops championship team) gave the New York Yankees a 3-2 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1958.
New York Yankees RF Irv Noren (hooper of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) went 4-for-4, including game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, against the Baltimore Orioles in 1954.
Kansas City Athletics 1B Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in the nightcap of a 1961 doubleheader.
Chicago Cubs SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers in 1942-43 and 1943-44 for Drury MO) homered in each end of a 1950 twinbill sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Boston Braves OF Ab Wright (Oklahoma A&M hoops letterman in 1928-29) whacked a three-run, pinch-hit homer against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the nightcap of a 1944 doubleheader.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 15 MLB Contests
July 15th, 2021 - 7:56
Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether show-boating Screamin' A. Stiff should be apologizing to ESPCN (Extra Sensitive Politically Correct Network) viewers and listeners every single day for racially-insensitive prism and remarks (must have been 2012 Olympic team top rebounder Kevin Love's fault USA squad lost to Nigeria and roster incurred COVID casualties), 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 Swarthmore PA hoopers George Earnshaw and Jack Ogden made news as National League pitchers on this date. Ex-Eastern Michigan hoopers Bill Crouch and Jim Snyder also made MLB news on this date. Former Evansville hooper Andy Benes owned the New York Mets the first half of July in 1994 as ace for the San Diego Padres. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 15
En route to leading N.L. in strikeouts, San Diego Padres RHP Andy Benes (joined Evansville's shorthanded basketball squad in 1985-86 under coach Jim Crews) fanned 14 batters and permitted only two hits in eight innings against the New York Mets in nightcap of 1994 twinbill. Twelve days earlier, Benes whiffed 13 batters in tossing a one-hit shutout against the Mets.
In 1939, a disputed home run down the LF foul line into the upper deck at the Polo Grounds by Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman including basketball with Mississippi College in early 1930s) hastened the advent of "fair" pole screens.
RHP Bill Crouch (Eastern Michigan hoops captain in 1927-28) hurled the first 10 frames for the St. Louis Cardinals in their 16-inning, 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1941.
Boston Braves SS Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for hoops Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) went 4-for-4 in a 3-2 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946.
Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (first Connecticut's hooper to average 20 points for single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) tied a MLB record with 12 consecutive hits before his streak was snapped in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators in 1952.
RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1922) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936.
Chicago Cubs 3B Howard Freigau (hooper for Ohio Wesleyan) had his 21-game hitting streak snapped by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1925.
Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) collected two homers and five RBI in a 7-5 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1952.
In 1967, a line drive by Pittsburgh Pirates RF Roberto Clemente broke the leg of St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57). But Gibson returned from the injury to lead the Cards to the World Series championship.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman from 1933 through 1935) registered the lone complete game in his MLB career in a 3-1 defeat against the Cincinnati Reds in 1945.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) hurled a no-hitter against St. Louis with a 5-0 win in 1901. Twelve years later, he used only 70 pitches to outduel Cincinnati Reds P Three Finger Brown, 4-2, extending Mathewson's streak of innings without issuing a walk to 61.
St. Louis Cardinals RF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) smacked two triples in the nightcap of a 1956 twinbill against the Philadelphia Phillies.
1B Cotton Nash (three-time All-American averaged 22.7 ppg and 12.3 rpg in Kentucky career from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Minnesota Twins in 1969.
Cincinnati Reds RHP Jack Ogden (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1918) hurled a five-hit shutout against the Boston Braves in 1931.
In 1963, Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper from 1955-57) fanned 13 Baltimore Orioles batters while hurling a one-hitter - third-inning single by Robin Roberts (one of Michigan State's top three scorers from 1944-45 through 1946-47) - in the first of back-to-back shutouts for Peters, who was in midst of winning 11 straight decisions.
OF Leon Roberts (grabbed one rebound in four basketball games for Michigan in 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr) was sold by the Texas Rangers to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1982.
1B-OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State's back-to-back NAIA Tournament hoops titlists in 1952 and 1953) purchased from the San Francisco Giants by the Boston Red Sox in 1967.
In 1997, the Montreal Expos announced the retirement of closer Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77).
Minnesota Twins 2B Jim Snyder (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1951-52) jacked his lone MLB homer (against Washington Senators in 1964).
Montreal Expos rookie LF Mike Stenhouse (averaged 4.1 ppg for Harvard in 1977-78) smacked a homer in back-to-back games against the Cincinnati Reds in 1984.
C John Stephenson (scored 1,361 points for William Carey MS in early 1960s) hit a pinch two-run homer in the ninth inning to carry the California Angels to a 4-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie RF Kite Thomas (averaged 5.1 ppg for Kansas State in 1946-47) supplied a career-high three hits, including a double and homer, in the opener of a 1952 doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns.
Boston Red Sox 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) amassed four hits and four runs in the opener of a 1934 twinbill against the St. Louis Browns.
A three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning by RF Chuck Workman (All-MIAA first-five selection for Central Missouri State as sophomore and junior in mid-1930s) proved to be the difference as the Boston Braves beat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 6-3, in 1944.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 14 MLB Contests
July 14th, 2021 - 7:51
Extra! Extra! Instead of mocking laughable Texas "we-shall-overcome (COVID-19)" legislators/fugitives fleeing on mask-free, beer-drinking filibuster private-jet flight to DC ostensibly for private singing lessons and care packages while on free vacation (coupled with $1,000-plus each week in per diem while photo freaks fail to exercise duty to vote), 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.
Chicago Cubs teammates and ex-Mississippi hoopers Jim Hickman and Don Kessinger helped propel the National League to victory in 1970 All-Star Game on this date. Former Illinois hoopers Lou Boudreau and Tom Haller made significant American League news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 14
Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading basketball scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out five extra-base hits - four doubles and a homer - but it wasn't enough to prevent an 11-10 defeat in the opening game of a 1946 doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, which got three homers for eight RBI from Hall of Fame OF Ted Williams.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana in mid-1940s) went 9-for-11 in a three-game series against opponent (New York Giants) trading him to the Cards a month earlier.
Boston Red Sox C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1929 and 1930) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Browns in a 1937 game.
Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) stroked five singles in an 8-2 win over the New York Yankees in 1952.
Boston Red Sox C Rick Ferrell (forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) amassed four hits and four runs against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 1935 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Jake Flowers (member of Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" hoops squad in 1923) went 4-for-4 in a 3-2 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-Western Athletic Conference second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) extended his hitting streak to 19 games with three safeties against the San Francisco Giants in a 1977 contest, raising his batting average to .402.
In a MLB first, Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) was the Detroit Tigers' catcher in 1972 when his brother, Bill, umpired behind the plate.
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 2-for-2 to help the N.L. edge the A.L., 5-4, in 12 innings in the 1970 All-Star Game. Cubbies teammate Jim Hickman (freshman hooper for Ole Miss in 1955-56) drove in Pete Rose with a single to center field as part of the famous play where Rose Barreled into catcher Ray Fosse at home plate to score winning run in bottom of 12th.
St. Louis Browns LHP Ernie Koob (Western Michigan hoops letterman in 1914) hurled a 17-inning shutout in a scoreless tie against the Boston Red Sox in 1916.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1941 game.
In 1935, Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) hurled his second of back-to-back shutouts.
Kansas City Athletics 1B Irv Noren (hooper of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) launched two homers against the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.
RHP Curly Ogden (Swarthmore PA hoops center in 1919, 1920 and 1922) tossed his third shutout in first seven starts with the Washington Senators in 1924.
New York Yankees LF Lou Piniella (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg with Tampa as freshman in 1961-62) provided three extra-base hits (two doubles/one homer) in a 7-6 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1978.
Chicago Cubs INF Paul Popovich (teammate of Jerry West for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) delivered a game-winning, pinch single in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 9-8 triumph against the Atlanta Braves in 1972.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1912 and 1914) fired a six-hit shutout against Brooklyn amid a streak of eight straight wins en route to a N.L.-high 25 triumphs in 1922.
New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) socked his second pinch-hit grand slam of the 1957 season.
Chicago Cubs RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) earned the victory in the 1987 All-Star Game with three innings of scoreless relief for the N.L.
Chicago White Sox LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) scored upon for the only time in a 16-game span through the end of the month in 2006.
Boston Red Sox LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points for Benedictine KS from 1955-56 through 1957-58) notched his fourth straight save in 1973.
RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) walloped two homers for the California Angels in an 8-7 triumph against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990.
San Francisco Giants RF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) knocked in five runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 2007 game.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 13 MLB Contests
July 13th, 2021 - 8:27
Extra! Extra! Instead of debating why BLM rioters secure bail from woke celebs and left-wing politicians while once-proud FBI probes J6 trespasser's unconstructed U.S. Capitol Lego set (1,032 pieces probably pilfered from #NannyPathetic's prayer closet), 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 Andy Karl provided significant performances in National League games on this date. Ditto ex-Louisiana State hoopers Joe Adcock and Alvin Dark. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 13
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) clobbered two homers, including a grand slam, in a 1956 doubleheader sweep of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Stretching his hitting streak to 18 games, Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) supplied a decisive single in the 11th inning of 2-1 victory against the New York Mets in 1968.
In 1964, RHP Carl Bouldin (starting guard and co-captain for Cincinnati's 1961 NCAA champion) traded with 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) by the Washington Senators to the Chicago White Sox for 1B Joe Cunningham and a player to be designated (P Frank Kreutzer). But Bouldin never pitched for the White Sox.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) started the 1948 All-Star Game for the N.L. but surrendered a second-inning homer to Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (starter for Illinois in 1939-40) as the A.L. rallied to prevail, 5-2. Seven years later in 1955, Evers was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Cleveland Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) clobbered two homers against the Houston Colt .45s in a 1963 game.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) collected four hits against the Chicago White Sox in a 1927 contest.
In the 1954 All-Star Game, Milwaukee Braves RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) yielded a pinch-hit, game-tying homer to Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) in the bottom of the eighth inning for the A.L. before Conley was charged with two more runs for the N.L. and incurred an 11-9 setback. Chicago White Sox RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell hoops letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) surrendered a two-run, pinch homer by Cincinnati Reds CF Gus Bell in the top of the eighth.
Chicago Cubs 3B Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana in mid-1940s) went 4-for-4 in the opener of a 1958 twinbill against the Philadelphia Phillies.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) contributed four hits in a 12-10 win against the Brooklyn Robins in 1926.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Jake Flowers (member of Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" hoops squad in 1923) contributed three extra-base hits and four RBI in a 12-5 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1931.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) earned a save with two innings of scoreless relief for the N.L. in the 1965 All-Star Game. Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) hurled two scoreless innings for the A.L.
In 1972, Texas Rangers RHP Rich Hand (averaged 6.2 ppg for Puget Sound WA in 1967-68) hurled a six-hit shutout against his original team (Cleveland Indians). In his next start five days later, Hand allowed only one run in 10 innings against the Baltimore Orioles.
Boston Braves 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) went 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a 1939 doubleheader.
RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman from 1933 through 1935), the N.L. leader in appearances (67) and saves (15) in 1945, registered one of his saves in an 11-9 win for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the resumption of a previously-suspended contest.
New York Yankees RF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) knocked in five runs against the St. Louis Browns in the nightcap of a 1940 twinbill.
In 1962, Chicago Cubs rookie RHP Cal Koonce (hoops standout for Campbell in 1960 and 1961 when North Carolina-based school was junior college) hurled a one-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds to give him eight victories in his first 10 decisions.
In a 1974 outing, California Angels LF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) went 4-for-4, including three extra-base hits, against his original team (Boston Red Sox).
Kansas City Athletics 2B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship hoops team) provided at least three hits for the fifth time in a nine-game span in 1962. Lumpe assembled a career-high 20-game hitting streak later in the campaign.
In his first at-bat with the Montreal Expos, OF Jim Lyttle (led Florida State in free-throw shooting in 1965-66 when he averaged 12.4 ppg) slugged a pinch-hit homer against the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a 1973 doubleheader.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed an 11-hit shutout in a 4-0 verdict against the Cincinnati Reds in 1907.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lindy McDaniel (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) hurled a scoreless ninth inning for the N.L. in a 6-0 win against the A.L. in the second 1960 All-Star Game.
San Diego Padres RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) outdueled his brother, Phil Niekro of the Atlanta Braves, 1-0, in 1969.
Kansas City Royals LF Lou Piniella (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Tampa as freshman in 1961-62) provided multiple hits in his fifth consecutive contest in 1969.
Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Dick Radatz (center on Michigan State's freshman hoops squad in 1955-56) concluded tossing a two-day total of 12 innings of relief in registering back-to-back victories against the Kansas City Athletics in 1962.
Boston Red Sox RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as a Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) had a no-hitter with one out in the ninth inning against the Oakland A's in 1979 before yielding a safety to Rickey Henderson.
New York Giants RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) registered three safeties in both ends of a 1916 doubleheader split against the Cincinnati Reds.
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) socked two homers against the Minnesota Twins in a 1978 contest.
Cleveland Indians rookie 3B Freddy Spurgeon (Kalamazoo MI hooper in 1921-22) supplied four hits against the Boston Red Sox in a 1925 game.
New York Giants C Wes Westrum (hooper for Bemidji State MN one season before serving in military during WWII) whacked a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1951 contest.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper for Hiram OH in early 1950s) banged out three hits in both ends of a 1964 doubleheader sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago Cubs CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1917 twinbill.
San Diego Padres RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) homered in both ends of a 1979 doubleheader against the Montreal Expos.
Glancing at the Stars: Ex-College Cagers Excelling in MLB All-Star Contests
July 13th, 2021 - 7:58
When compared to NBA and NFL physical specimens, there is a tendency to undervalue baseball players as versatile athletes. But that viewpoint shouldn't prevail. In deference to this year's festivities in Denver, following is a ranking of the top 10 former college hoopers who performed best as non-pitchers in MLB All-Star Games:
| Rank | MLB All-Star | MLB Team(s) | Pos. | All-Star Season(s) | College Played Hoops | MLB All-Star Game Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dave Winfield | Padres/Yankees | OF | 1977 through 1988 | Minnesota | Eight-time starter went 13-for-36 (.361) with seven doubles and five RBI in 12 games. |
| 2. | Frankie Frisch | Cardinals | INF | 1933 through 1935 | Fordham | Two-time starter went 4-for-7 (.571) with two HRs and four runs scored in three games. |
| 3. | Jackie Robinson | Dodgers | INF-OF | 1949 through 1954 | UCLA | Five-time starter went 6-for-18 (.333) with two doubles, one homer, four RBI and seven runs scored in seven games. |
| 4. | Kenny Lofton | Indians/Braves | OF | 1994 through 1999 | Arizona | Four-time starter went 5-for-14 (.357) with two RBI and five stolen bases in six games. |
| 5. | Joe Adcock | Braves | 1B | 1960 | Louisiana State | Starter went 3-for-5 (.600) in two games. |
| 6. | Davey Lopes | Dodgers | 2B | 1978 through 1981 | Iowa Wesleyan | Three-time starter went 2-for-5 (.400) with one RBI in four games. |
| 7. | Red Rolfe | Yankees | 3B | 1937 through 1940 | Dartmouth | Two-time starter went 3-for-8 (.375) with a triple and two RBI in four games. |
| 8. | Dick Groat | Pirates/Cardinals | SS | 1959-60-62-63-64 | Duke | Four-time starter went 5-for-15 (.333) with one double and five RBI in eight games. |
| 9. | Gil Hodges | Dodgers | 1B | 1949 through 1955 and 1957 | St. Joseph's IN/Oakland City IN | Starter in 1951 went 4-for-12 (.333) with one homer and three runs scored in six games (DNP in 1950 and 1952). |
| 10. | Lou Boudreau | Indians | SS | 1940-41-42-43-44-47-48 | Illinois | Three-time starter went 4-for-12 (.333) with one HR in eight games. |
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 12 MLB Contests
July 12th, 2021 - 7:22
Extra! Extra! Instead of contemplating what in heaven "compliant" Kansas does behind closed doors for a sport (men's basketball) that really matters since Wilt the Stilt was seduced to leave Philly seven decades before latest wretched football follies, 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.
Oklahoma freshman hoops squad teammates Eddie Fisher and Lindy McDaniel made news as MLB pitchers on this date. Former Minnesota hoopers Jerry Kindall and Dave Winfield also 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 July 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 12
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) collected four hits, four RBI and three runs scores in a 13-2 beating of the Boston Red Sox in 1935.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University basketball player in early 1920s) contributed three extra-base hits against the St. Louis Browns in a 1930 game.
In the 1955 All-Star Game in Milwaukee, Braves RHP Gene Conley (All-Pacific Coast Conference first-team selection led the North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) struck out the side in the top of the 12th inning, earning the victory (6-5) when Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals homered in the bottom of the frame.
In 1949, Cleveland Indians OF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) and Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) are among the first four black players in an All-Star Game.
California Angels RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) yielded his only run in 11 relief appearances during the month in 1972.
San Diego Padres OF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) stroked a two-run double in the third inning and scored the winning tally in the bottom of the 10th in an 8-7 success for the N.L. in the 1994 All-Star Game.
Chicago White Sox rookie 3B Irv Jeffries (posted team-high scoring average of 11.5 ppg for Kentucky in 1927-28) contributed his third three-hit outing in less than seven weeks in 1934.
In 1957, Chicago Cubs rookie 3B Jerry Kindall (averaged 6.9 ppg for Minnesota as junior in 1955-56) clubbed two homers off Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47). Two years earlier, Roberts started his fifth All-Star Game for the N.L. in a six-year span.
Montreal Expos 2B-RF Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) logged four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1985 contest.
Only MLB RBI for Minnesota Twins C Tom Lundstedt (collected three points and three rebounds in four basketball games in 1968-69 as Michigan teammate of Rudy Tomjanovich under coach Johnny Orr) was a two-out, pinch-hit single in top of 16th inning before the New York Yankees rallied for two runs in bottom of frame to win, 8-7, in 1975 marathon.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (All-SWC first-team basketball selection with Baylor as sophomore and senior in early 1920s) supplied his third three-hit game in span of a month in 1928.
In 1905, Chicago's Three Fingered Brown hurled a two-hitter as he notched the first of nine consecutive victories over Hall of Fame New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century).
RHP Lindy McDaniel (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) traded by the San Francisco Giants to the New York Yankees for RHP Bill Monbouquette in 1968.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six times as freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) won his sixth straight decision before losing seven in a row in 1996.
Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) manufactured four hits against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a 1931 twinbill.
Philadelphia Athletics 1B Ossie Orwoll (hooper for Luther IA in first half of 1920s) collected five hits and scored four runs in 1929 doubleheader sweep of the St. Louis Browns.
Pittsburgh Pirates RF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) delivered a decisive two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1992 game.
Chicago White Sox RF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) went 7-for-10 in a 1930 doubleheader split against the New York Yankees. Two days later, he banged out four additional hits in the opener of a twinbill against the Yanks.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) put the A.L. down in order as a N.L. reliever in the ninth inning of the 1949 All-Star Game. Dodgers 2B teammate Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) scored three runs for the N.L.
An eighth-inning single by Philadelphia Athletics 1B Dick Siebert (hooper for Concordia-St. Paul in 1929 and 1930) deprived Cleveland Indians P Bob Feller of a no-hitter 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) tossed two innings of hitless relief for the A.L. in 1966 All-Star Game.
LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) traded by the Chicago White Sox with cash to the Boston Red Sox in 2013.
San Diego Padres rookie OF Will Venable (All-Ivy League first-team selection as a junior and second-team choice as a senior averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) notched his first MLB four-hit game and chipped in with four runs scored (against San Francisco Giants in 2009).
RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader when named All-Evergreen Conference in 1958-59 and 1959-60) posted initial win with Cincinnati Reds in 1970 after they incurred defeats in each of his first 16 appearances with them.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) doubled and scored the eventual decisive run for A.L. in a 2-1 verdict over N.L. in 1988 All-Star Game. It was Winfield's last of 12 straight All-Star appearances.
All Inclusive: MLB All-Stars Who Played Basketball For Four-Year College
July 11th, 2021 - 18:15
The 2021 MLB All-Star Game was supposed to have been played in Atlanta but festivities were shifted to Denver when the insufferable cancel-culture crowd took advantage of spineless executives fancying themselves as voting experts. Execs weren't nearly as courageous as four former college basketball players - Rick Ferrell (Guilford NC), Frankie Frisch (Fordham), Oral Hildebrand (Butler) and Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY) - appearing in the inaugural major league baseball All-Star Game in 1933 and at least one ex-college hooper participating in every All-Star extravaganza through the remainder of the 20th Century.
An annual average of seven former college hoopsters were MLB All-Stars the first half of the 1950s (including Hall of Famers Monte Irvin, Robin Roberts and Jackie Robinson). That's a higher figure that the total number of ex-college hoopers competing at the MLB level the past several seasons. In an era of specialization, fewer and fewer individuals are opening themselves up to learning its more difficult to earn a spot on a MLB 40-man roster than a college hoops roster. Evidence of the recent reduction of dual-sport athletes is exhibited by the fact pitchers Chris Young (2007) and Matt Thornton (2010) are the only players in this unique category since outfielder Randy Winn (2002).
Four franchises - Braves, Cardinals, Cubs and Giants - have had eight different ex-college hoopers become a MLB All-Star. Arizona, Illinois, San Diego State and Texas A&M each had three former hoopers go on to become MLB All-Stars. Reliever Lee Smith (Northwestern State) is the only MLB All-Star for as many as four different franchises after playing NCAA Division I hoops. Following is an alphabetical list of MLB All-Star selections who played varsity basketball as a varsity regular for a four-year college:
| All-Star | MLB Team(s) | Pos. | All-Star Season(s) | Hoops College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Adcock | Milwaukee Braves | 1B | 1960 | Louisiana State |
| George Altman | Chicago Cubs | OF | 1961 and 1962 | Tennessee State |
| Glenn Beckert | Chicago Cubs | 2B | 1969 through 1972 | Allegheny PA |
| R.C. "Beau" Bell | St. Louis Browns | OF | 1937 | Texas A&M |
| Bruce Bochte | Seattle Mariners | 1B | 1979 | Santa Clara |
| Frank Bolling | Milwaukee Braves | 2B | 1961 and 1962 | Spring Hill AL |
| Lou Boudreau* | Cleveland Indians | SS | 1940-41-42-43-44-47-48 | Illinois |
| Ralph Branca | Brooklyn Dodgers | P | 1947 through 1949 | New York University |
| Al Bumbry | Baltimore Orioles | OF | 1980 | Virginia State |
| Bob Cerv | Kansas City Athletics | LF | 1958 | Nebraska |
| Tony Clark | Detroit Tigers | 1B | 2001 | Arizona/San Diego State |
| Mickey Cochrane* | Detroit Tigers | C | 1934 and 1935 | Boston University |
| Gene Conley | Milwaukee Braves/Philadelphia Phillies | P | 1954-55-59 | Washington State |
| George Crowe | Cincinnati Reds | 1B | 1958 | Indiana Central |
| Alvin Dark | New York Giants | SS | 1951-52-54 | LSU/Southwestern Louisiana |
| Larry Doby | Cleveland Indians | OF | 1949 through 1955 | Virginia Union |
| Walt Dropo | Boston Red Sox | 1B | 1950 | Connecticut |
| Hoot Evers | Detroit Tigers | OF | 1948 and 1950 | Illinois |
| Rick Ferrell* | Boston Red Sox/Washington Senators | C | 1933 through 1938 and 1944 | Guilford NC |
| Boo Ferriss | Boston Red Sox | P | 1946 | Mississippi State |
| Frankie Frisch* | St. Louis Cardinals | INF | 1933 through 1935 | Fordham |
| Bob Gibson* | St. Louis Cardinals | P | 1962-65-66-67-68-69-70-72 | Creighton |
| Dick Groat | Pittsburgh Pirates/St. Louis Cardinals | SS | 1959-60-62-63-64 | Duke |
| Wayne Gross | Oakland Athletics | 3B | 1977 | Cal Poly Pomona |
| Tony Gwynn* | San Diego Padres | OF | 1984 through 1999 (except for 1988) | San Diego State |
| Tom Haller | San Francisco Giants/Los Angeles Dodgers | C | 1966 through 1968 | Illinois |
| Atlee Hammaker | San Francisco Giants | P | 1983 | East Tennessee State |
| Mike Hargrove | Texas Rangers | OF-1B | 1975 | Northwestern Oklahoma State |
| Jim Hearn | New York Giants | P | 1952 | Georgia Tech |
| Bill Henry | Cincinnati Reds | P | 1960 | Houston |
| Oral Hildebrand | Cleveland Indians | P | 1933 | Butler |
| Chuck Hinton | Washington Senators | OF | 1964 | Shaw NC |
| Gil Hodges | Brooklyn Dodgers | 1B | 1949 through 1955 and 1957 | St. Joseph's IN/Oakland City IN |
| Frank Howard | Washington Senators | OF | 1968 through 1971 | Ohio State |
| Billy Hunter | St. Louis Browns | SS | 1953 | Indiana PA |
| Monte Irvin* | New York Giants | OF | 1952 | Lincoln PA |
| Davey Johnson | Baltimore Orioles/Atlanta Braves | 2B | 1968-69-70-73 | Texas A&M |
| Duane Josephson | Chicago White Sox | C | 1968 | Northern Iowa |
| David Justice | Atlanta Braves/Cleveland Indians | OF | 1993-94-97 | Thomas More KY |
| Bob Keegan | Chicago White Sox | P | 1954 | Bucknell |
| Charlie Keller | New York Yankees | OF | 1940-41-43-46-47 | Maryland |
| Don Kessinger | Chicago Cubs | SS | 1968-69-70-71-72-74 | Mississippi |
| Jim Konstanty | Philadelphia Phillies | P | 1950 | Syracuse |
| Vance Law | Chicago Cubs | 3B | 1988 | Brigham Young |
| Thornton Lee | Chicago White Sox | P | 1941 and 1945 | Cal Poly |
| Hank Leiber | New York Giants/Chicago Cubs | OF | 1938-40-41 | Arizona |
| Dave Lemanczyk | Toronto Blue Jays | P | 1979 | Hartwick NY |
| Danny Litwhiler | Philadelphia Phillies | OF | 1942 | Bloomsburg PA |
| Kenny Lofton | Cleveland Indians/Atlanta Braves | OF | 1994 through 1999 | Arizona |
| Johnny Logan | Milwaukee Braves | SS | 1955-57-58-59 | Binghamton |
| Davey Lopes | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2B | 1978 through 1981 | Iowa Wesleyan/Washburn KS |
| Jerry Lumpe | Detroit Tigers | 2B | 1964 | Southwest Missouri State |
| Ted Lyons* | Chicago White Sox | P | 1939 | Baylor |
| Bake McBride | St. Louis Cardinals | OF | 1976 | Westminster MO |
| Wally Moon | St. Louis Cardinals/Los Angeles Dodgers | OF | 1957 and 1959 | Texas A&M |
| Buddy Myer | Washington Senators | 2B | 1935 and 1937 | Mississippi State |
| Graig Nettles | New York Yankees/San Diego Padres | 3B | 1975-77-78-79-80-85 | San Diego State |
| Bill Nicholson | Chicago Cubs | RF | 1940-41-43-44 | Washington College MD |
| Joe Niekro | Houston Astros | P | 1979 | West Liberty WV |
| Claude Passeau | Chicago Cubs | P | 1941-42-43-45-46 | Millsaps MS |
| Gary Peters | Chicago White Sox | P | 1964 and 1967 | Grove City PA |
| Lou Piniella | Kansas City Royals | OF | 1972 | Tampa |
| Ron Reed | Atlanta Braves | P | 1968 | Notre Dame |
| Rip Repulski | St. Louis Cardinals | OF | 1956 | St. Cloud State MN |
| Robin Roberts* | Philadelphia Phillies | P | 1950 through 1956 | Michigan State |
| Jackie Robinson* | Brooklyn Dodgers | INF-OF | 1949 through 1954 | UCLA |
| Preacher Roe | Brooklyn Dodgers | P | 1949 through 1952 | Harding AR |
| Red Rolfe | New York Yankees | 3B | 1937 through 1940 | Dartmouth |
| Marius Russo | New York Yankees | P | 1941 | Long Island |
| Richie Scheinblum | Kansas City Royals | OF | 1972 | LIU-C.W. Post NY |
| Hal Schumacher | New York Giants | P | 1933 and 1935 | St. Lawrence NY |
| Don Schwall | Boston Red Sox | P | 1961 | Oklahoma |
| Jeff Shaw | Los Angeles Dodgers | P | 1998 and 2001 | Rio Grande OH |
| Norm Siebern | Kansas City Athletics | 1B | 1962 through 1964 | Southwest Missouri State |
| Dick Siebert | Philadelphia Athletics | 1B | 1943 | Concordia-St. Paul MN |
| Sonny Siebert | Cleveland Indians/Boston Red Sox | P | 1966 and 1971 | Missouri |
| Lee Smith* | Chicago Cubs/St. Louis Cardinals/Baltimore Orioles/California Angels | P | 1983-87-91-92-93-94-95 | Northwestern State |
| Dave Stenhouse | Washington Senators | P | 1962 | Rhode Island |
| Matt Thornton | Chicago White Sox | P | 2010 | Grand Valley State MI |
| Bob Veale | Pittsburgh Pirates | P | 1965 and 1966 | Benedictine KS |
| Wes Westrum | New York Giants | C | 1952 and 1953 | Bemidji State MN |
| Bill White | St. Louis Cardinals | 1B | 1959-60-61-63-64 | Hiram OH |
| Sammy White | Boston Red Sox | C | 1953 | Washington |
| Dave Winfield* | San Diego Padres/New York Yankees | OF | 1977 through 1988 | Minnesota |
| Randy Winn | Tampa Bay Devil Rays | OF | 2002 | Santa Clara |
| Eddie Yost | Washington Senators | 3B | 1952 | New York University |
| Chris Young | San Diego Padres | P | 2007 | Princeton |
*Baseball Hall of Famers.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 11 MLB Contests
July 11th, 2021 - 8:24
Extra! Extra! Instead of becoming nauseous discussing destroying of America by taking down historical statutes and desecrating the flag while self-absorbed leftist leeches teach CRT, climate-change crap and masturbation to masked toddlers, you have time to read news all 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 (Yankees) and Tony Gwynn (Padres) each hit two homers in a MLB game on this date. Former MI small-college hoopers Jim Command (Ferris State) and Jim Northrup (Alma) went deep in a big way, too, on this date. Multiple ex-IL college hoopers - Hoot Evers (Illinois), Ernie Krueger (Lake Forest), Ray Rippelmeyer (SIU) and Evar Swanson (Knox) - also made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 11 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 11
1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) provided two hits for the N.L. in the first 1960 All-Star Game. Two days later in the second All-Star Game, Adcock singled and scored when Milwaukee Braves teammate Eddie Mathews homered in the second inning for the N.L.'s first two runs en route to a 6-0 win against the A.L.
Chicago Cubs OF George Altman (hooper appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Tournament with Tennessee State) slugged an eight-inning, pinch-hit homer for the N.L. in the first of two All-Star Games in 1961.
In the midst of a career-high 18-game hitting streak, Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg in 1950-51 with Spring Hill AL) went 4-for-4 against the Boston Red Sox in a 1957 game.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) belted two homers and drove in five runs in a 10-2 win against the Boston Red Sox in nightcap of 1935 doubleheader.
New York Yankees 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) cracked two homers for the second time in an eight-game span in 2004.
Philadelphia Phillies 3B Jim Command (Ferris State MI single-season scoring record holder at that time with 344 points in 1946-47) cracked a grand slam off the Brooklyn Dodgers' Carl Erskine in opener of a 1954 twinbill. Blast was his lone MLB homer.
Cleveland Indians OF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) and New York OF Mickey Mantle each propelled blasts in the 500-foot range to the RF upper deck at Yankee Stadium in a 1953 contest.
Boston Red Sox 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first hooper to average 20 points in single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) smacked a triple off Brooklyn Dodgers P Don Newcombe in the 1950 All-Star Game.
In 1948, Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) notched eight straight multiple-hit games with at least one RBI in each contest.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) tossed two innings of scoreless relief for the N.L. in the 1967 All-Star Game.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) socked two homers against the Colorado Rockies in a 1997 game.
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 Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1954 twinbill.
New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1954 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) fanned two of the three batters he faced in putting the A.L. down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning of the 1950 All-Star Game. Phillies teammate Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) was the starting pitcher for the N.L.
Chicago Cubs RHP Cal Koonce (hoops standout for Campbell in 1960 and 1961 when North Carolina-based school was junior college) hurled a six-hit shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a 1965 doubleheader.
Cincinnati Reds C Ernie Krueger (hoops captain for Lake Forest IL) contributed a career-high four hits against the Boston Braves in the opener of a 1925 twinbill.
OF Don Lock (Wichita State field-goal percentage leader in 1956-57 and 1957-58) traded by the New York Yankees to the Washington Senators for 1B Dale Long in 1962.
New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) went 5-for-5 with five RBI in a 1913 game against the Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hoops guard for two years in mid-1930s) notched five RBI against the Boston Braves in the opener of a 1940 doubleheader.
Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) batted leadoff in 1973 when smacking two homers and driving in eight runs in a 14-2 triumph against the Texas Rangers.
Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s) tossed three perfect innings of relief for the A.L., including fanning all-time N.L. standouts Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda and Dick Allen in a span of five batters, in 1967 All-Star Game.
RHP Ray Rippelmeyer (led Southern Illinois in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore in 1952-53 before transferring and becoming two-time All-MIAA first-team selection by pacing Southeast Missouri State in scoring in 1953-54 and 1954-55) returned by the Washington Senators to the Cincinnati Reds in 1962 (earlier rule 5 draft selection).
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) registered three extra-base hits against the St. Louis Browns in a 1940 contest.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) went hitless for the only contest in a 12-game starting span in mid-season of 1934.
Chicago White Sox RF Evar Swanson (played all five hoop positions for Knox IL) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 16 in a row.
Boston Braves rookie C Luke Urban (player-coach for Boston College's hoops squad from 1918-19 through 1920-21) knotted the score with a pinch-hit, two-run single in the bottom of ninth inning before scoring winning tally two batters later in 6-5 nod over the Chicago Cubs in opener of 1927 twinbill.
Hoop Dreams to Field of Dreams: Ex-College Hoopers Chosen in MLB Draft
July 10th, 2021 - 18:39
Swingman Pat Connaughton, a two-time runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Notre Dame, was the most notable college basketball player selected seven years ago in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft. Connaughton, a pitcher, was picked in the fourth round by the Baltimore Orioles (121st choice overall) before losing his lone decision in the New York-Penn League (Class A). Concentrating on professional hoops the past six seasons as a backup shooting guard with the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks, it is highly unlikely he will become Baltimore's next Big Ben. Connaughton's Organized Ball career faded as he became a three-point specialist for the Bucks' 2021 NBA Finals champion, let alone because of the accuracy he exhibited in ceremonial first pitch at Brewers game where his wayward mid-90s mph fastball reminded observers of wild St. Louis Cardinals lefty Rick Ankiel.
In an era of increased specialization, the Orioles selected former Louisiana State hooper Ben McDonald with the first pick in 1989 draft. McDonald, a part-time starter as a freshman forward under coach Dale Brown in 1986-87, went on to pitch in the starting rotation for the Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers for nine years from 1989 through 1997 before becoming an analyst for ESPN's CWS coverage. Connaughton isn't the first UND hoop standout to pitch at the professional level. Ron Reed, the Irish's top rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65, compiled a 146-140 MLB record in 19 seasons from 1966 through 1984 and Bob Arnzen, who averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.5 rpg from 1966-67 through 1968-69, posted a 6-8 minor-league mark in the Montreal Expos' farm system in three years (1969-71-72).
Infielder-outfielder C.J. Henry, the 17th pick overall in the 2005 draft, hit an anemic .222 in four low-minors seasons in the New York Yankees' farm system before the brother of Kansas standout Xavier Henry averaged 3.1 ppg in 13 contests with the Jayhawks in 2009-10. But North Carolina State's Andrew Brackman, who pitched briefly for the Yankees in 2011, is the only DI basketball regular in the 21st Century to become a major leaguer after being selected in the opening round of the amateur draft. Brackman was chosen ahead of supplemental first-rounders Todd Frazier and Justin Jackson. Other notable players picked that year include Brandon Belt (11th round), Zack Cozart (2nd), Lucas Duda (7th), Freddie Freeman (2nd), Matt Harvey (3rd/did not sign), Greg Holland (10th), Craig Kimbrel (33rd/did not sign), Corey Kluber (4th), Jonathan Lucroy (3rd), Anthony Rizzo (6th), Chris Sale (21st/did not sign), Giancarlo Stanton (2nd) and Jordan Zimmerman (2nd).
Numerous universities have featured versatile athletes who played college basketball before going on to major league baseball careers. Connecticut's Scott Burrell, a three-time All-Big East Conference choice under Huskies coach Jim Calhoun, was the first athlete to become a first-round draft pick of two major sports organizations (MLB and NBA). The first-round selection of the Seattle Mariners in 1989 and fifth-round choice by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990 never reached as high as Double A, compiling a 2-6 Class A pitching record in 14 starts in the Blue Jays' farm system 1990 and 1991. Burrell, a first-round pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1993, averaged 6.9 ppg and 3.5 rpg with four different NBA franchises in eight seasons from 1993-94 through 2000-01. Michael Jordan trash-talked Burrell when they were teammates with the Chicago Bulls, but it would have been interesting to see if MJ could hit him any better than he did against obscure Southern League hurlers.
In 1989, Burrell was picked ahead of supplemental first-rounder Todd Jones plus the following eventual MLB hurlers: Jerry Dipoto (3rd round), Alan Embree (5th), Scott Erickson (4th), Sterling Hitchcock (9th), Trevor Hoffman (11th), Curt Leskanie (8th), Denny Neagle (3rd), Paul Quantrill (6th), Pat Rapp (15th), Shane Reynolds (3rd), Russ Springer (7th), Mike Trombley (14th) and Tim Worrell (20th). In 1990, Burrell was chosen before eventual MLB pitchers Jason Bere (36th round), Eddie Guardado (21st), Mike Hampton (6th), Dave Mlicki (17th), Troy Percival (6th), Andy Pettitte (22nd), Rick White (15th) and Mike Williams (14th).
Former NCAA Division I hoopers Dave Winfield and Bill Almon were MLB teammates the last six seasons of the 1970s after becoming first-round draft choices by the San Diego Padres in back-to-back years. On the eve of 2021 selection process, following is an alphabetical list of major leaguers who were first-round choices in the amateur baseball draft after playing varsity college basketball:
| First-Round Choice | Position | College(s) | MLB Team Selector | Pick Overall | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Almon | SS | Brown | San Diego Padres | 1st | 1974 |
| Andy Benes | RHP | Evansville | San Diego Padres | 1st | 1988 |
| Andrew Brackman | RHP | North Carolina State | New York Yankees | 30th | 2007 |
| Tony Clark | 1B | Arizona/San Diego State | Detroit Tigers | 2nd | 1990 |
| Cameron Drew | OF | New Haven CT | Houston Astros | 12th | 1985 |
| Atlee Hammaker | LHP | East Tennessee State | Kansas City Royals | 21st | 1979 |
| Rich Hand | RHP | Puget Sound WA | Cleveland Indians | 1st | 1969** |
| Jim Lyttle | OF | Florida State | New York Yankees | 10th | 1966 |
| Ben McDonald | RHP | Louisiana State | Baltimore Orioles | 1st | 1989 |
| Dennis Rasmussen | LHP | Creighton | California Angels | 17th | 1980 |
| Jeff Shaw | RHP | Rio Grande OH | Cleveland Indians | 1st | 1986** |
| *Mike Stenhouse | OF-1B | Harvard | Oakland Athletics | 26th | 1979 |
| Matt Thornton | LHP | Grand Valley State MI | Seattle Mariners | 22nd | 1998 |
| Dave Winfield | OF | Minnesota | San Diego Padres | 4th | 1973 |
| John Young | 1B | Chapman CA | Detroit Tigers | 16th | 1969** |
*Did not sign that year.
**January draft/secondary phase.
NOTES: 1B-OF Rick Leach (13th pick in 1979 by Detroit Tigers) was a JV hooper for Michigan and OF Ken Singleton (3rd selection in 1967 by New York Mets) was a freshman hooper for Hofstra. . . . Rasmussen and Stenhouse were compensation for signings of free-agent pitchers Nolan Ryan and Steve Renko, respectively.
The inaugural MLB draft in 1965 included 11 individuals who competed for colleges currently at the NCAA Division I level before they reached the majors - Graig Nettles (San Diego State/4th round), Bob Chlupsa (Manhattan/6th), Ken Szotkiewicz (Georgia Southern/10th), Steve Arlin (Ohio State/16th), Paul Edmondson (Cal State Northridge/21st), Rick Austin (Washington State freshmen team/22nd out of H.S.), Steve Renko (Kansas/24th), Paul Reuschel (Western Illinois/26th), Rich Hacker (Southern Illinois freshman team/39th out of H.S.), Dick Such (Elon/40th) and Bob Gebhard (Iowa/44th). Oregon State hoops All-American Jim Jarvis wasn't picked in first MLB draft, but hit .288 as 2B with three minor-league clubs in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system in 1966. Research to date reveals that at least one MLB selection in every June draft from 1965 through 1998 played college basketball. Brigham Young had three versatile athletes in this category in the 1970s (Danny Ainge, Doug Howard and Vance Law). Believe it or not, Washington State forward Mark Hendrickson, a two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference basketball selection, was chosen in six straight MLB drafts from 1992 through 1997. Unlike Connaughton ever reaching a MLB field as real player, following is an alphabetical list of former MLB non-first round choices in regular amateur draft who wound up as major leaguers after playing varsity hoops for a college currently or formerly at the NCAA DI level:
| College Hooper/MLB Player | Pos. | Current/Former DI University | MLB Draft Summary for Non-First Round Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Ainge | INF-OF | Brigham Young | 15th round by Toronto Blue Jays out of high school in 1977 |
| Steve Arlin | RHP | Ohio State | 23rd round by Detroit Tigers in 1965 and 1st round by Philadelphia Phillies in 1966 June Draft-Secondary Phase |
| Rick Austin | LHP | Washington State | 22nd round by Detroit Tigers out of high school in 1965, 7th round by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1967 June secondary phase, 3rd round by St. Louis Cardinals in 1968 January secondary phase and 1st round by Cleveland Indians in 1968 June secondary phase |
| Mark Bailey | C | SW Missouri State | 6th round by Houston Astros in 1982 |
| Frank Baker | INF | Southern Mississippi | 2nd round by New York Yankees in 1967 |
| Mike Barlow | RHP | Syracuse | 26th round by Baltimore Orioles in 1969 and 4th by Los Angeles Dodgers in January secondary phase in 1970 |
| Chris Beasley | RHP | Arizona State | 6th round by Chicago White Sox in 1982, 27th round by California Angels in 1983 and 9th round by Cleveland Indians in 1984 |
| Jim Beattie | RHP | Dartmouth | 4th round by New York Yankees in 1975 |
| Jerry Bell | RHP | Belmont | 2nd round by Seattle Pilots in 1969 |
| Rob Belloir | SS | Mercer | 8th round by Cleveland Indians in 1969 |
| Bruce Bochte | 1B-OF | Santa Clara | 2nd round by California Angels in 1972 |
| Bob Chlupsa | RHP | Manhattan | 6th round by Philadelphia Phillies in 1965, 2nd round by St. Louis Cardinals in 1966 secondary phase, 5th round by Cardinals in 1967 secondary phase |
| Marty Clary | RHP | Northwestern | 3rd round by Atlanta Braves in 1983 |
| Vince Colbert | RHP | East Carolina | 11th round by Cleveland Indians in 1968 |
| Paul Edmondson | RHP | Cal State Northridge | 21st round by Chicago White Sox in 1965 |
| Joe Ferguson | C-OF | Pacific | 8th round by Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968 |
| Dan Fife | RHP | Michigan | 21st round by Detroit Tigers out of high school in 1967 and 2nd round by Tigers in 1971 secondary phase |
| Dave Frost | RHP | Stanford | 18th round by Chicago White Sox in 1974 |
| Rich Gale | RHP | New Hampshire | 5th round by Kansas City Royals in 1975 |
| Amir Garrett | LHP | St. John's | 22nd round by Cincinnati Reds out of high school in 2011 |
| Bob Gebhard | RHP | Iowa | 44th round by Minnesota Twins in 1965 |
| Jim Geddes | RHP | Ohio State | 6th round by Chicago White Sox in 1970 |
| Mark Gilbert | OF | Florida State | 14th round by Chicago Cubs in 1978 |
| Tony Gwynn | OF | San Diego State | 3rd round by San Diego Padres in 1981 |
| Rich Hacker | SS | Southern Illinois | 39th round by St. Louis Cardinals in 1965 out of high school and 8th round by New York Mets in 1967 |
| Ed Halicki | RHP | Monmouth | 38th round by St. Louis Cardinals out of high school in 1968 and 24th round by San Francisco Giants in 1972 |
| James "Billy" Harris | INF | UNC Wilmington | 62nd round by Houston Astros in 1965 and 27th round by Cleveland Indians in 1966 |
| Paul Hartzell | RHP | Lehigh | 10th round by California Angels in 1975 |
| Mark Hendrickson | LHP | Washington State | 13th round by Atlanta Braves out of high school in 1992, 21st round by San Diego Padres in 1993, 32nd round by Braves in 1994, 16th round by Detroit Tigers in 1995, 19th round by Texas Rangers in 1996 and 20th round by Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 |
| Gary Holle | 1B | Siena | 13th round by Milwaukee Brewers in 1976 |
| Doug Howard | 1B-OF | Brigham Young | 8th round by California Angels in 1970 |
| Keith Kessinger | SS | Mississippi | 36th round by Baltimore Orioles in 1989 |
| Art Kusnyer | C | Kent State | 37th round by Chicago White Sox in 1966 |
| Vance Law | INF | Brigham Young | 39th round by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1978 |
| Kenny Lofton | CF | Arizona | 17th round by Houston Astros in 1988 |
| Terrell Lowery | OF | Loyola Marymount | 2nd round by Texas Rangers in 1991 |
| Tom Lundstedt | C | Michigan | 65th round by Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school in 1967 and 1st round by Chicago Cubs in 1970 secondary phase |
| Len Matuszek | OF-1B | Toledo | 5th round by Philadelphia Phillies in 1976 |
| Ryan Minor | 3B | Oklahoma | 15th round by Baltimore Orioles out of high school in 1992, 7th round by New York Mets in 1995 and 33rd round by Orioles in 1996 |
| Lyle Mouton | OF | Louisiana State | 54th round by Kansas City Royals in 1990 and 5th round by New York Yankees in 1991 |
| Gary Neibauer | RHP | Nebraska | 8th round by Cleveland Indians in 1966 and 2nd round by Atlanta Braves in 1966 secondary phase |
| Graig Nettles | 3B | San Diego State | 4th round by Minnesota Twins in 1965 |
| Tim Nordbrook | INF | Loyola New Orleans | 9th round by Baltimore Orioles in 1970 |
| Curtis Pride | OF | William & Mary | 10th round by New York Mets out of high school in 1986 |
| Steve Renko | RHP | Kansas | 24th round by New York Mets in 1965 |
| Paul Reuschel | RHP | Western Illinois | 26th round by Cincinnati Reds out of high school in 1965, 3rd round by Washington Senators in 1967 secondary phase and 4th round by Chicago Cubs in 1968 secondary phase |
| Lee Smith | RHP | Northwestern State | 2nd round by Chicago Cubs out of high school in 1975 |
| Mike Smithson | RHP | Tennessee | 5th round by Boston Red Sox in 1976 |
| Rob Sperring | INF | Pacific | 5th round by Chicago Cubs in 1971 |
| Tim Stoddard | RHP | North Carolina State | 25th round by Texas Rangers in 1974 and 2nd round by Chicago White Sox in 1975 secondary phase |
| George Stone | LHP | Louisiana Tech | 5th round by Atlanta Braves in 1966 |
| Dick Such | RHP | Elon | 40th round by New York Yankees in 1965 and 8th round by Washington Senators in 1966 secondary phase |
| Ken Szotkiewicz | SS | Georgia Southern | 10th round by Philadelphia Phillies out of high school in 1965, 1st round by Minnesota Twins in 1967 secondary phase and 1st round by Detroit Tigers in 1968 secondary phase |
| Will Venable | OF | Princeton | 15th round by Baltimore Orioles in 2004 and 7th round by San Diego Padres in 2005 |
| Joe Vitko III | RHP | St. Francis PA | 38th round by New York Mets in 1988 out of high school and 24th round by Mets in 1989 |
| John Wathan | C | San Diego | 1st round by Kansas City Royals in January regular phase in 1971 |
| Desi Wilson | 1B | Fairleigh Dickinson | 15th round by Boston Red Sox out of high school in 1987, 87th round by Houston Astros in 1989 and 30th round by Texas Rangers in 1991 |
| Randy Winn | OF | Santa Clara | 3rd round by Florida Marlins in 1995 |
| Chris Young | RHP | Princeton | 3rd round by Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000 |
NOTE: Pitcher Clair "Bart" Johnson, leading scorer for Brigham Young's 1967-68 freshman squad, was 3rd-round pick by St. Louis Cardinals in 1967 out of high school and 1st-round selection by Chicago White Sox in 1968 June secondary phase.
The first five MLB drafts from 1965 through 1969 had multiple small-college hoopers chosen before they reached the majors (as high as fourth round in 1969 during five-year span of regular phase). Following is an alphabetical list of former MLB non-first round draft choices who wound up as major leaguers after playing varsity hoops for a small college:
| Small-College Hooper/MLB Player | Pos. | Non-DI School | MLB Draft Summary for Non-First Round Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Biittner | OF-1B | Buena Vista IA | 10th round by Washington Senators in 1968 |
| Al Bumbry | OF | Virginia State | 11th round by Baltimore Orioles in 1968 |
| Ray Burris | RHP | Southwestern Oklahoma State | 17th round by Chicago Cubs in 1972 |
| Ben Callahan | RHP | Catawba NC | 31st round by New York Yankees in 1980 |
| John Castino | INF | Rollins FL | 3rd round by Minnesota Twins in 1976 |
| Tom Dettore | RHP | Juniata PA | 26th round by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1965 out of high school, 9th round by Pirates in 1967 secondary phase and 3rd round by Pirates in 1968 secondary phase |
| Ron Diorio | RHP | New Haven CT | 16th round by Philadelphia Phillies in 1969 |
| Darcy Fast | LHP | Warner Pacific OR | 7th round by New York Yankees in 1965 out of high school and 6th round by Chicago Cubs in 1967 |
| Wayne Gross | 3B | Cal Poly Pomona | 9th round by Oakland Athletics in 1973 |
| Kevin Gryboski | RHP | Wilkes PA | 16th round by Cincinnati Reds in 1994 and 16th round by Seattle Mariners in 1995 |
| Mike Hargrove | 1B | Northwestern Oklahoma State | 25th round by Texas Rangers in 1972 |
| Walter "Buddy" Harris | RHP | Philadelphia Textile | 13th round by Atlanta Braves in 1966 out of high school and 1st round by Houston Astros in 1968 secondary phase |
| Geoff Hartlieb | RHP | Quincy IL | 37th round by New York Mets in 2015 and 29th round by Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 after transferring to Lindenwood MO |
| Bob Hegman | INF | St. Cloud State MN | 15th round by Kansas City Royals in 1980 |
| Lynn Jones | OF | Thiel PA | 10th round by Cincinnati Reds in 1974 |
| David Justice | OF | Thomas More KY | 4th round by Atlanta Braves in 1985 |
| Dave Lemanczyk | RHP | Hartwick NY | 16th round by Detroit Tigers in 1972 |
| Davey Lopes | 2B | Washburn KS | 8th round by San Francisco Giants in 1967 and 2nd round by Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968 secondary phase |
| Arnold "Bake" McBride | OF | Westminster MO | 37th round by St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 |
| Jim McKee | RHP | Otterbein OH | 4th round by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969 |
| Dan Monzon | INF | Buena Vista IA | 25th round by Houston Astros in 1966 and 2nd round by Minnesota Twins in 1967 secondary phase |
| Joe Niekro | RHP | West Liberty State WV | 7th round by Cleveland Indians in 1966 and 3rd round by Chicago Cubs in 1966 secondary phase |
| Billy North | CF | Central Washington | 12th round by Chicago Cubs in 1969 |
| Willie Prall | LHP | Upsala NJ | 3rd round by San Francisco Giants in 1971 |
| Jeff Robinson | RHP | Azusa Pacific CA | 14th round by Detroit Tigers in 1982 and 2nd round by San Francisco Giants in 1983 |
| Bill Sampen | RHP | MacMurray IL | 12th round by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1985 |
| Jeff Shaver | RHP | SUNY-Fredonia | 22nd round by Oakland Athletics in 1985 |
| Larry Sheets | DH-OF | Eastern Mennonite VA | 2nd round by Baltimore Orioles in 1978 |
| Robert "Roe" Skidmore | 1B-OF | Millikin IL | 47th round by Atlanta Braves in 1966 |
| Paul Splittorff | LHP | Morningside IA | 25th round by Kansas City Royals in 1968 |
| Eric Stults | LHP | Bethel IN | 15th round by Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002 |
| Jim Todd | RHP | Millersville PA | 10th round by Chicago Cubs in 1969 |
Major-college basketball All-Americans selected in MLB draft but never playing Organized Ball or reaching the majors included Alabama's Charles Cleveland (RHP picked in 34th round by Kansas City Royals in 1971 out of high school ahead of 35th-round choice Tom Hume); Virginia Tech's Dell Curry (RHP picked in 37th round by Texas Rangers in 1982 out of high school and 14th round by Baltimore Orioles in 1985 ahead of 15th-round choice Rich DeLucia, 18th-rounder Dennis Cook, 22nd-rounder John Smoltz, 23rd-rounder Scott Kamieniecki, 23rd-rounder Donn Pall, 30th-rounder Chris Nabholz and 36th-rounder Jim Abbott); California's Kevin Johnson (SS picked in 23rd round by Oakland Athletics in 1986 ahead of 27th-round choice John Olerud); Duke's Trajan Langdon (3B picked in 6th round by San Diego Padres in 1994 out of high school ahead of seventh-round choice Russ Branyan, seventh-rounder Geoff Blum, eighth-rounder Ronnie Belliard, 10th-rounder Wes Helms, 11th-rounder Donnie Sadler, 11th-rounder Bubba Trammell, 12th-rounder Wendell Magee, 13th-rounder Ryan Freel, 15th-rounder Daryle Ward, 19th-rounder Placido Polanco, 20th-rounder Dustan Mohr, 20th-rounder J.D. Drew, 25th-rounder Mike Young, 26th-rounder Corey Koskie and 28th-rounder Dave Roberts); North Carolina's Eric Montross (RHP picked in 62nd round by Chicago Cubs in 1994 ahead of 68th-round choice Juan "J.C." Romero and 70th-rounder Jose Santiago); Missouri's Anthony Peeler (LHP picked in 41st round by Texas Rangers in 1988 out of high school ahead of 41st-round choice Chad Ogea and 44th-rounder Scott Erickson); Holy Cross' Ronnie Perry Jr. (INF picked in 12th round by Boston Red Sox in 1979 ahead of 19th-round choice Don Mattingly and 3rd round by Chicago White Sox in 1980 ahead of 3rd-round choice Danny Tartabull, 8th-rounder Eric Davis and 16th-rounder Jim Eisenreich), and Long Beach State's Ed Ratleff (RHP picked in 6th round by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969 out of high school ahead of 8th-round choice Glenn Abbott, 15th-rounder Jim Slaton, 20th-rounder Dick Ruthven and 25th-rounder Andy Hassler).
In the same category are NCAA playoff coaches Paul Cormier (RHP was picked in 25th round by Detroit Tigers in 1972 ahead of 38th-round choice Bob Shirley); Mitch Henderson (OF was picked in 29th round by New York Yankees in 1994 out of high school ahead of 38th-round choice Eric Byrnes, 43rd-rounder Julio Lugo, 49th-rounder Jason Michaels, 54th-rounder Chris Woodward, 57th-rounder Joe Nelson, 61st-rounder Morgan Ensberg and 71st-rounder Johnny Estrada); Lon Kruger (RHP was picked in 12th round by Houston Astros in 1970 out of high school ahead of 18th-round choice Dale Murray, 19th-rounder Pat Zachry, 29th-rounder John Denny, 30th-rounder Doc Medich and 32nd-rounder Mike Krukow plus 21st round by St. Louis Cardinals in 1974 ahead of 22nd-round choice Dave Rozema, 25th-rounder Tim Stoddard, 28th-rounder Sammy Stewart, 30th-rounder Al Holland and 36th-rounder Eric Show), plus Tom Penders (INF-OF was picked in 8th round by Cleveland Indians in 1968 January Regular Phase).
Shatterproof: Loud and Proud NCAA Marks Never to Be Duplicated (#1)
July 10th, 2021 - 18:14
Nothing is more amazing in NCAA men's basketball history than UCLA's 88-game winning streak. The string ended at Notre Dame, 71-70, on January 19, 1974, when guard Dwight Clay's fall-away jump shot from the right baseline with 29 seconds remaining climaxed a 12-0 spurt in the last three minutes for the Irish.
Bruins All-American center Bill Walton, who had injured his back two weeks earlier, hadn't played in 12 days but still went 12 for 13 from the floor. UCLA coach John Wooden, believing his squad was more prepared, didn't like to call timeouts and five consecutive turnovers by his team let UND back into the game.
UCLA compiled a 149-2 record at Pauley Pavilion under Wooden, but its streak of Pacific-8 Conference victories ended at 50 when the Bruins bowed at Oregon State, 61-57. It was OSU's lone victory over UCLA in a 26-game stretch of their series from 1967 through 1979. The Bruins then succumbed at Oregon, 56-51, to give them back-to-back defeats for the first time since 1966. They seemed to be afflicted somewhat by the dreaded disease known as "senioritis" in coaching circles.
"When you have the same group for three years, they're a little more difficult to work with. They don't mean to be, but they are," Wooden said of the Walton Gang. "I can't find fault with my team, but I failed to motivate them. And I'm not talking about won-lost record. In many games we won, I didn't think we displayed intensity and didn't play up to our potential."
The last undefeated squad was Indiana in 1975-76. These days, it's almost inconceivable a men's basketball program could go 2 1/2 consecutive seasons without a loss. What are other untouchable team and individual standards of excellence that will be almost impossible to duplicate, let alone exceed? Records were made to be broken, but perhaps not always in our lifetime. UCLA dominates the most illustrious of the following assessment of the 10 records most likely never to be broken:
1. UCLA's 88-game winning streak (under coach John Wooden from January 30, 1971, to January 19, 1974).
UCLA sandwiched 88 consecutive victories between January defeats at Notre Dame (89-82 in 1971 and 71-70 in 1974). The streak began inauspiciously when five of the first eight triumphs were by fewer than five points. Then, the Bruins went ballistic and finished the streak with an average margin of victory of 23.4 points, including an NCAA single-season record of 30.3 in 1971-72.
They won 49 home games by 29.6 points per game, 25 road games by 23.4 ppg and 14 neutral contests by 13.6 ppg. Here is a further breakdown of UCLA's winning margins during the streak: 0-10 points - 17 games; 11-20 points - 25 games; 21-30 points - 20 games; 31-40 points - 17 games; 41-50 points - four games, and more than 50 points - five games.
Twelve different UCLA players led the Bruins in scoring during the following streak, including 45 times by All-American center Bill Walton. He joined Larry Farmer, Sidney Wicks and Keith Wilkes as the only players pacing UCLA in scoring on at least four occasions in any six-game span during the lengthy winning streak. Wilkes, not Walton, was their top point producer in last four triumphs during streak. Women's basketball doesn't boast anywhere close to the parity exhibited in the men's game. Following is a men's mark that never will be toppled in a transient era for players:
*Neutral court games.
2. Frank Selvy's 100-point game (for Furman vs. Newberry on Feb. 13, 1954).
3. UCLA's 38-game winning streak in NCAA Tournament (under coach John Wooden from 1964 to 1974).
10. Bill Chambers' 51 rebounds in a single game (for William & Mary vs. Virginia on Feb. 14, 1953.).
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 10 MLB Contests
July 10th, 2021 - 11:48
Extra! Extra! Instead of shaking head in disgust over government manipulation as lame as Britney Spears' dad while failing to identify federal officer who shot unarmed Ashli Babbitt on J6 (ask Schmucky Schumer who tried to bully Supreme Court justices), 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 Fordham hoopers Frankie Frisch and Babe Young furnished significant MLB performances on this date. Another New York college ex-hooper making MLB news on this date was Ralph Branca (NYU). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 10 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 10
Chicago White Sox 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's top three basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) stroked four hits against the Boston Red Sox in the nightcap of a 1966 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) knocked in five runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1958 game.
RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44), hampered by an off-season pelvic injury, awarded on waivers from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Detroit Tigers in 1953.
Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college hoops crown) homered twice in a 4-2 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) scored three runs, one on a homer off Lefty Gomez, in the 1934 All-Star Game.
Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Lee Handley (Bradley hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) had a 17-game hitting streak snapped by the Chicago Cubs in 1937.
In 1963, Philadelphia Phillies OF-1B Mickey Harrington (leading scorer and rebounder for Southern Mississippi as senior in 1954-55) made his lone MLB appearance as a pinch-runner (for Roy Sievers against San Francisco Giants).
RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) awarded on waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Giants in 1950. Hearn went on to lead the N.L. that season in shutouts (five) and ERA (2.49).
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hammered a two-run homer in 1951 All-Star Game.
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie 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) furnished five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1960 contest.
Detroit Tigers RF Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) had his career-high 22-game hitting streak snapped by the Kansas City Athletics in 1959.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) logged four hits and four RBI against the Minnesota Twins in a 1994 game.
OF Jim Lyttle (led Florida State in free-throw shooting in 1965-66 when he averaged 12.4 ppg) purchased from the Kansas City Royals by the Montreal Expos in 1973.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) extended his streak of consecutive innings without a free pass to 52 but had his nine-game winning streak end with a 3-2 setback against the Chicago Cubs in 1913.
In 1970, Cincinnati Reds SS Woody Woodward went yard off Atlanta Braves RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) for Woodward's only homer in a nine-year N.L. career (684 of 880 games/1,672 of 2,187 at-bats). They were teammates with the Braves during Reed's first three MLB seasons.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s), supported by three hits from OF Hank Leiber (played basketball for Arizona in 1931), notched his 11th straight complete-game victory with a 10-3 verdict over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. Three years later, Leiber launched two homers against the Boston Braves in a 1938 contest.
Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing likewise for Nicholls State in 1964-65) cracked a game-tying, pinch two-run homer for the Detroit Tigers in bottom of ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins in 1979.
New York Yankees LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg from 1995-96 through 1997-98 with Grand Valley State MI) had his streak of 19 straight relief appearances without yielding an earned run come to a halt against the Cleveland Indians in 2014.
San Diego Padres RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) homered twice against the New York Mets in a 1974 game. Three years later, Winfield whacked a pair of round-trippers in a 5-4 triumph against the Los Angles Dodgers in the nightcap of a 1977 doubleheader.
Cincinnati Reds 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) homered in both ends of a 1947 twinbill for the second time in less than week.
San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) incurred the loss for the N.L. in the 2007 All-Star Game. Young yielded the first inside-the-park homer in All-Star Game history (Ichiro Suzuki in fifth inning).
Shatterproof: Loud and Proud NCAA Marks Never to Be Duplicated (#2)
July 10th, 2021 - 11:41
What are the school and individual records that will never come close to being matched, let along exceeded? CollegeHoopedia.com has designated the ultimate team and individual standards of excellence. Records were made to be broken, but perhaps not always in our lifetime. Following is #2 in the countdown of most illustrious NCAA DI achievements:
2. Frank Selvy's 100-point major-college game (for Furman vs. Newberry on February 13, 1954).
Selvy scored 100 points vs. Newberry (S.C.) on his way to becoming the first three-year player to reach 2,000 points, finishing with 2,538. Selvy (41.7 ppg) and Furman teammate Darrell Floyd (24.3) combined for 66 points per game during the season and are the highest-scoring duo in major-college history. Selvy, a senior, scored 50 or more in seven games en route to becoming the first player to score 1,000 points in a single season (1,209) and average 30 or more for a career (32.5 ppg). Floyd succeeded his teammate as the nation's leading scorer with 35.9 ppg in 1954-55.
Making Selvy's 100-point outburst even more amazing was the fact his mother, watching her son play for the initial time, was among several hundred fans from his hometown of Corbin, Ky., who made the trip to Greenville, S.C., to watch the game. An early indication that something special was in the offing came less than three minutes into the game when Newberry's Bobby Bailey, who helped hold Selvy to a season-low 25 points two weeks earlier, fouled out.
Selvy's last three field goals in a 41-of-66 shooting performance from the floor came in game's closing 30 seconds and the crowning moment was his final basket. "It (the 100-point game) was something that was just meant to be," Selvy said. "My last basket was from past half-court just before the final buzzer."
He played every minute of every game during his senior season. Following is the box score for Selvy's 100-point outburst:
| FURMAN (149) | FG | FT-A | PTS. |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.D. Bennett | 0 | 1-1 | 1 |
| Darrell Floyd | 12 | 1-1 | 25 |
| Fred Fraley | 3 | 0-2 | 6 |
| Bob Poole | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Bob Thomas | 5 | 1-1 | 11 |
| Al Kyber | 0 | 0-2 | 0 |
| Charles Ruth | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Brock Gordon | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Frank Selvy | 41-66 | 18-22 | 100 |
| Kenny Deardorff | 1 | 1-1 | 3 |
| Sylvester Wright | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Harry Jones | 0 | 1-1 | 1 |
| Joe Gilreath | 1 | 0-0 | 2 |
| TOTALS | 63 | 23-31 | 149 |
| NEWBERRY (95) | FG | FT-A | PTS. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boland | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Warner | 2 | 0-4 | 4 |
| Leitner | 6 | 4-7 | 16 |
| Bailey | 0 | 1-2 | 1 |
| Blanko | 14 | 7-10 | 35 |
| Cone | 1 | 0-0 | 2 |
| Roth | 0 | 3-4 | 3 |
| McKlven | 1 | 0-0 | 2 |
| Davis | 13 | 6-7 | 32 |
| TOTALS | 37 | 21-34 | 95 |
Halftime: Furman 77-44.
3. UCLA's 38-game winning streak in NCAA Tournament (under coach John Wooden from 1964 to 1974).
10. Bill Chambers' 51 rebounds in a single game (for William & Mary vs. Virginia on Feb. 14, 1953.).
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 9 MLB Contests
July 9th, 2021 - 7:28
Extra! Extra! Instead of mocking #MessMedia miscreants on CNN ("Most Distrusted Name in News") and MSNBC ("Hosts Paying Their Taxes Matters") who promoted prison-bound creepy porn lawyer #Avenaughty as presidential timber, 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 small-college hoopers from Pennsylvania - Clyde Barnhart (Shippensburg predecessor Cumberland Valley State), Charlie Gelbert (Lebanon Valley) and Monte Irvin (Lincoln) - made MLB news on this date. Ditto ex-Illinois hoopers Lou Boudreau and Tom Haller, ex-North Carolina State hoopers Roger Craig and Tim Stoddard plus ex-Washington State hoopers Ed Bouchee and Gene Conley. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 9 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 9
Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox. The whitewash was one of four complete-game wins for Auker during the month in 1938.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Clyde Barnhart (hooper for Shippensburg PA predecessor Cumberland Valley State Normal School prior to World War I) banged out four hits in a 12-3 win against the New York Giants in opener of 1925 doubleheader.
Chicago Cubs 1B Ed Bouchee (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) homered in both ends of a 1961 twinbill sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) went 2-for-2 in the 1941 All-Star Game.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) hurled his second shutout in a nine-day span in 1959.
California Angels OF Billy Cowan (co-captain of Utah's 1960 NCAA hoops playoff team) tied a MLB record in 1971 by fanning six times against the Oakland A's in longest shutout in A.L. history (1-0 in 20 innings).
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) relieved in the third inning and hurled 11 scoreless frames en route to a 4-3 win against the Milwaukee Braves in 1959.
Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (hoops letterman for Rutgers and Army) furnished four hits against the Chicago White Sox in 1926.
INF Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of his last three seasons with Lebanon Valley PA in late 1920s) awarded on waivers from the Cincinnati Reds to Detroit Tigers in 1937.
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) was part of the St. Louis Cardinals' entire N.L. starting infield in the 1963 All-Star Game, including 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s), 2B Julian Javier and 3B Ken Boyer.
Detroit Tigers C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) provided a double, triple and decisive ninth-inning homer against the Chicago White Sox in a 1972 outing.
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) awarded off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates to New York Mets in 2021.
New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) hammered two homers at the Polo Grounds in a 10-2 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955.
Washington Senators 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) tied a MLB record with seven strikeouts in a doubleheader split with the Boston Red Sox in 1965. Two years later, Howard hammered two homers against the Cleveland Indians in opener of a 1967 twinbill.
New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 1954.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) delivered three extra-base hits and five RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1977 game.
New York Yankees RF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) opened the scoring with a two-run homer off Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) in the first inning as the A.L. blitzed the N.L., 12-0, in the 1946 All-Star Game.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) contributed two hits and two stolen bases for the A.L. in 1996 All-Star Game.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) blanked the Philadelphia Athletics, 7-0, in the opener of a 1932 twinbill, snapping Hall of Famer Lefty Grove's 11-game winning streak.
OF-1B Len Matuszek (starter for Toledo's 18-7 team in 1975-76) traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Los Angeles Dodgers for OF Al Oliver in 1985.
In the midst of a 22-game hitting streak in 1953, Chicago White Sox RF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) homered in each contest of a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers.
OF Lyle Mouton (starter in Louisiana State's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to Cleveland Indians in 2003.
Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered in both ends of a 1972 doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals.
Philadelphia Athletics LHP Ossie Orwoll (Luther IA hooper first half of 1920s) earned a save with 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief against the Cleveland Indians in 1928. Orwoll also went 3-for-3 at the plate including a three-run double.
Atlanta Braves RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) got the first two outs in the ninth inning, including whiffing Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62), to help the N.L. blank A.L., 1-0, in 1968 All-Star Game.
New York Yankees rookie RHP Steve Roser (Clarkson NY hoops center in late 1930s before bypassing senior season) registered the lone complete game of his MLB career (8-2 win against Detroit Tigers in nightcap of 1944 doubleheader).
New York Yankees rookie RHP Rollie Sheldon (third-leading scorer as sophomore for Connecticut's 1960 NCAA Tournament team) tossed the second of back-to-back shutouts in 1961.
RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) traded by the San Diego Padres to the New York Yankees for P Ed Whitson in 1986.
Detroit Tigers C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) banged out three hits in both ends of a 1939 twinbill against the Chicago White Sox.
Washington Senators rookie RHP Monte Weaver (hoops center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1930s) went 4-for-5 at the plate as lefthanded swinger, scored three runs and chipped in with five RBI in nightcap of 1932 doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.
Minnesota Twins RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) went 4-for-4 against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1993 in the midst of homering in back-to-back games three times during the month.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays RF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) stroked a double for the A.L. off Los Angeles Dodgers P Eric Gagne in 2002 All-Star Game.
Shatterproof: Loud and Proud NCAA Marks Never to Be Duplicated (#3)
July 9th, 2021 - 7:14
What are the school and individual records that will never come close to being matched, let along exceeded? In ensuing blogs, CollegeHoopedia.com will designate the ultimate team and individual standards of excellence. Records were made to be broken, but perhaps not always in our lifetime. Following is #3 in the countdown of most illustrious NCAA achievements:
3. UCLA's 38-game winning streak in NCAA Tournament (under coach John Wooden from 1964 to 1974).
UCLA's first three outings in this streak were decided by fewer than seven points but the Bruins only had four more decisions in that category in their next 35 playoff assignments. Long Beach State (three), New Mexico State (three) and San Francisco (four) each succumbed at least three times against the Bruins during their streak. USF (eight in 1964) and LBSU (four in 1971) were the only two teams to lead them at halftime during the 38 triumphs. Following is a look at UCLA's NCAA Tournament hit list during the Bruins' wonder years when they won nine national championships from 1964 through 1973 before losing to North Carolina State (80-77 in double overtime) at the 1974 Final Four:
*NCAA Tournament title games.
**Triple overtime.
10. Bill Chambers' 51 rebounds in a single game (for William & Mary vs. Virginia on Feb. 14, 1953.).
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 8 MLB Contests
July 8th, 2021 - 10:51
Extra! Extra! Instead of immersion in confusion stemming from Olympian incongruity allowing testosterone-suppressing transgender weightlifter from New Zealand to participate but not lame-excuse U.S. woman using recreational pot, 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 (Bill Virdon of Drury and Chuck Workman of Central Missouri State), New York (Jack Phillips of Clarkson and Hal Schumacher of St. Lawrence) plus Pennsylvania (Kevin Gryboski of Wilkes and Monte Irvin of Lincoln) supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ex-Louisiana State hoopers Joe Adcock and Alvin Dark also made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 8 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 8
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) whacked two homers against the Chicago Cubs in 1956, igniting streak of five straight outings with a round-tripper.
St. Louis Cardinals C Ferrell Anderson (Kansas hoops letterman in 1936-37 and 1937-38) amassed three hits in a 7-3 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1953.
Chicago Cubs CF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) banged out four hits against the Milwaukee Braves in a 1953 game.
Seattle Mariners RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in 1983.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) smacked two homers against the Boston Red Sox in a 1944 contest.
Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska all-time scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing college career) singled off Hall of Famer Warren Spahn in the opening inning for the A.L. in a 4-3 win against the N.L. in the 1958 All-Star Game. Four years later with the Houston Colt .45s, Cerv smacked the final two homers of his 12-year MLB career (against Cincinnati Reds in 1962).
Jack Coombs (captain and starting hoops center for Colby ME) resigned as manager of the last-place Philadelphia Phillies in 1919.
Boston Braves SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana during World War II) carried off the field on a stretcher after being knocked unconscious by thrown ball in 1949.
Detroit Tigers DH Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college hoops crown) homered twice in a 1987 game against the Oakland Athletics.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished three hits in both ends of a 1934 twinbill split against the Cincinnati Reds.
California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) fired a five-hit shutout against the Seattle Mariners in 1978.
Atlanta Braves RHP Kevin Gryboski (backup hooper for Wilkes PA in 1991-92 and 1992-93) contributed his 11th consecutive relief appearance without allowing an earned run, reducing his ERA to 1.47 through 27 games in 2005.
OF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) stroked a three-run double in the first inning and grand slam in the 11th to carry the New York Giants to a 10-7 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953. Starting RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) failed in a bid to win his 13th straight against the Bucs.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) contributed four hits against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1956 doubleheader.
Boston Red Sox 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard hoops captain in 1938-39) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Browns in a 1943 contest.
Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 4-for-4 against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1961 game.
1B Cotton Nash (three-time All-American averaged 22.7 ppg and 12.3 rpg in Kentucky career from 1961-62 through 1963-64) returned by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Chicago White Sox after trade three months earlier was voided.
Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) yielded a three-run homer to Hall of Fame Boston Red Sox OF Ted Williams as the A.L. notched a dramatic 7-5 victory in the 1941 All-Star Game.
1B Jack Phillips (leading hoops scorer for Clarkson NY in 1942-43) pounded a pinch-hit grand-slam homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to propel the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-6 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1950.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1912 and 1914) won the 16-inning nightcap of a 1924 twinbill, 2-1, at Cincinnati. It triggered a streak of 31 straight scoreless innings for Rixey.
Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped a homer for the N.L. in the 1952 All-Star Game.
Seattle Pilots LHP Garry Roggenburk (Dayton's leading scorer three straight seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62 grabbed school-record 32 rebounds in third varsity contest) hurled his lone MLB complete game (3-1 win against California Angels in 1969).
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) fanned five A.L. batters, including all-time standouts Jimmie Foxx, Joe Cronin and Al Simmons, in four innings of relief for the N.L. in the 1935 All-Star Game.
Pittsburgh Pirates CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) provided five extra-base hits in a 1960 twinbill against the Philadelphia Phillies.
New York Giants C Wes Westrum (hooper for Bemidji State MN one season before serving in military during WWII) and teammate Daryl Spencer twice smacked back-to-back homers in an 11-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1956 game.
Boston Braves 3B Chuck Workman (first-five hoops selection for Central Missouri State on All-MIAA team as sophomore and junior in mid-1930s) cracked a homer in both ends of 1945 doubleheader split against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Shatterproof: Loud and Proud NCAA Marks Never to Be Duplicated (#4)
July 8th, 2021 - 10:45
What are the school and individual records that will never come close to being matched, let along exceeded? In ensuing blogs, CollegeHoopedia.com will designate the ultimate team and individual standards of excellence. Records were made to be broken, but perhaps not always in our lifetime. Following is #4 in the countdown of most illustrious NCAA achievements:
4. Pete Maravich's career scoring average of 44.2 points per game with a total of 28 contests scoring at least 50 points (for Louisiana State from 1967-68 through 1969-70).
"Pistol Pete" set NCAA single-season records for most points (1,381) and highest average (44.5), finishing his career with NCAA career marks for most points (3,667) and highest average (44.2). He also established an NCAA record for most successful free throws in a game when he converted 30 of 31 foul shots at Oregon State. Maravich, who broke Oscar Robertson's NCAA career scoring mark with 13 regular-season games remaining, is the only player in NCAA Division I history to score more than 1,000 points and average over 40 points per game in each of three seasons.
Maravich's statistics would have been even more staggering if there had been a three-point basket at the time. He had 56 games with at least 40 points in his three-year career, including a school- and SEC-record 69 in a 106-104 post-game brawl-marred defeat at Alabama when he was hampered by leg ailments. No other player has had more than 21 games with a minimum of 40. He averaged more than 50 points per game in a 10-game stretch spanning the last three games of 1968-69 and the first seven games of 1969-70. Incredibly, Maravich improved his field-goal accuracy and assists average each year. Combining scoring and assists, Maravich was responsible for a whopping 59.4% of LSU's offense during his career.
Maravich never scored fewer than 30 points in back-to-back games and tallied under 20 just once (17 at Tennessee as a sophomore) in his three varsity seasons. The son of LSU coach Press Maravich was outscored in just one regular-season game by a teammate (22-17 by forward Ralph Jukkola) before Danny Hester outpointed him in two of their three NIT outings together.
Maravich tallied more than 50 points in four outings against both SEC power Kentucky and intrastate independent rival Tulane. The Tigers lost all six times to Kentucky by double-digit margins despite his firepower. Here is a breakdown of how he amassed a 44.1-point career scoring average and modest 28-26 record in 54 games against SEC competition:
| SEC Opponent | Average | High | Low | W-L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 48.8 ppg | 69 | 30 | 4-2 |
| Auburn | 49 ppg | 55 | 44 | 3-3 |
| Florida | 44 ppg | 52 | 32 | 4-2 |
| Georgia | 46 ppg | 58 | 37 | 5-1 |
| Kentucky | 52 ppg | 64 | 44 | 0-6 |
| Mississippi | 42.3 ppg | 53 | 31 | 3-3 |
| Mississippi State | 47.3 ppg | 58 | 33 | 6-0 |
| Tennessee | 23 ppg | 30 | 17 | 1-5 |
| Vanderbilt | 44.7 ppg | 61 | 35 | 2-4 |
NOTE: LSU guard Chris Jackson is the only player to compile single-game scoring outbursts higher than Maravich in SEC competition against Mississippi (55 points), Florida (53) and Tennessee (50).
Best estimates are that Maravich would have averaged eight three-point goals per game if the arc had been around during his college playing days, which would have increased his scoring average to in excess of 50 ppg. Following is a game-by-game summary of Pistol Pete's career showing how his prolific scoring produced so many records prior to missing his final outing because of ankle and hip injuries:
Sophomore (1967-68)/Record: 14-12; 8-10 in SEC
| Date | Opponent | FG-A | FT-A | REB | PTS | LSU-OPP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-2-67 | Tampa | 20-50 | 8-9 | 16 | 48 | 97-81 |
| 12-4-67 | at Texas | 15-34 | 12-16 | 5 | 42 | 87-74 |
| 12-9-67 | Loyola (New Orleans) | 22-43 | 7-11 | 9 | 51 | 90-56 |
| 12-15-67 | at Wisconsin* | 16-40 | 10-13 | 9 | 42 | 94-96 |
| 12-16-67 | Florida State* | 17-41 | 8-10 | 5 | 42 | 100-130 |
| 12-19-67 | Mississippi | 17-34 | 12-13 | 11 | 46 | 81-68 |
| 12-22-67 | Mississippi State | 22-40 | 14-16 | 8 | 58 | 111-87 |
| 12-30-67 | Alabama | 10-30 | 10-11 | 6 | 30 | 81-70 |
| 1-3-68 | Auburn | 20-38 | 15-17 | 9 | 55 | 76-72 |
| 1-6-68 | at Florida | 9-22 | 14-17 | 10 | 32 | 90-97 |
| 1-8-68 | at Georgia | 14-37 | 14-17 | 11 | 42 | 79-76 |
| 1-11-68 | at Tulane | 20-42 | 12-15 | 5 | 52 | 100-91 |
| 1-24-68 | Clemson | 14-29 | 5-6 | 6 | 33 | 104-81 |
| 1-27-68 | Kentucky | 19-51 | 14-17 | 11 | 52 | 95-121 |
| 1-29-68 | Vanderbilt | 22-57 | 10-15 | 6 | 54 | 91-99 |
| 2-3-68 | at Kentucky | 16-38 | 12-15 | 8 | 44 | 96-109 |
| 2-5-68 | Tennessee | 9-34 | 3-3 | 6 | 21 | 67-87 |
| 2-7-68 | at Auburn | 18-47 | 13-13 | 6 | 49 | 69-74 |
| 2-10-68 | Florida (OT) | 17-48 | 13-15 | 7 | 47 | 93-92 |
| 2-12-68 | Georgia | 20-47 | 11-18 | 4 | 51 | 73-78 |
| 2-17-68 | at Alabama | 24-52 | 11-13 | 12 | 59 | 99-89 |
| 2-19-68 | at Mississippi State | 13-38 | 8-12 | 7 | 34 | 94-83 |
| 2-21-68 | Tulane | 21-47 | 13-15 | 5 | 55 | 99-92 |
| 2-24-68 | at Mississippi | 13-26 | 14-16 | 4 | 40 | 85-87 |
| 3-2-68 | at Tennessee | 7-18 | 3-4 | 3 | 17 | 71-74 |
| 3-4-68 | at Vanderbilt | 17-39 | 8-11 | 6 | 42 | 86-115 |
*Milwaukee Classic.
Junior (1968-69)/Record: 13-13; 7-11 in SEC
| Date | Opponent | FG-A | FT-A | REB | PTS | LSU-OPP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-2-68 | at Loyola (New Orleans) | 22-34 | 8-9 | 7 | 52 | 109-82 |
| 12-7-68 | at Clemson | 10-32 | 18-22 | 4 | 38 | 86-85 |
| 12-14-68 | Tulane (2OT) | 20-48 | 15-20 | 7 | 55 | 99-101 |
| 12-18-68 | Florida (OT) | 17-32 | 11-15 | 8 | 45 | 93-89 |
| 12-21-68 | Georgia | 18-33 | 11-16 | 10 | 47 | 98-89 |
| 12-26-68 | Wyoming** | 14-34 | 17-24 | 6 | 45 | 84-78 |
| 12-28-68 | at Oklahoma City** | 19-36 | 2-5 | 8 | 40 | 101-85 |
| 12-30-68 | Duquesne** | 18-36 | 17-21 | 2 | 53 | 94-91 |
| 1-4-69 | at Alabama | 19-49 | 4-4 | 10 | 42 | 82-85 |
| 1-9-69 | at Vanderbilt | 15-30 | 8-13 | 4 | 38 | 92-94 |
| 1-11-69 | at Auburn | 16-41 | 14-18 | 5 | 46 | 71-90 |
| 1-25-69 | Kentucky | 20-48 | 12-14 | 11 | 52 | 96-108 |
| 1-27-69 | Tennessee | 8-18 | 5-8 | 4 | 21 | 68-81 |
| 1-31-69 | Pittsburgh | 13-34 | 14-18 | 8 | 40 | 120-79 |
| 2-1-69 | Mississippi (OT) | 11-33 | 9-13 | 11 | 31 | 81-84 |
| 2-3-69 | Mississippi State | 14-32 | 5-6 | 11 | 33 | 95-71 |
| 2-8-69 | Alabama | 15-30 | 8-12 | 5 | 38 | 81-75 |
| 2-10-69 | at Tulane | 25-51 | 16-20 | 10 | 66 | 94-110 |
| 2-12-69 | at Florida | 14-41 | 22-27 | 6 | 50 | 79-95 |
| 2-15-69 | Auburn | 20-44 | 14-15 | 3 | 54 | 93-81 |
| 2-17-69 | Vanderbilt | 14-33 | 7-8 | 8 | 35 | 83-85 |
| 2-22-69 | at Kentucky | 21-53 | 3-7 | 5 | 45 | 89-103 |
| 2-24-69 | at Tennessee | 8-18 | 4-8 | 3 | 20 | 63-87 |
| 3-1-69 | at Mississippi | 21-39 | 7-11 | 3 | 49 | 76-78 |
| 3-3-69 | at Mississippi State | 20-49 | 15-19 | 4 | 55 | 99-89 |
| 3-8-69 | at Georgia (2OT) | 21-48 | 16-25 | 6 | 58 | 90-80 |
**All-College Tournament at Oklahoma City.
Senior (1969-70)/Record: 22-10; 13-5 in SEC
| Date | Opponent | FG-A | FT-A | REB | PTS | LSU-OPP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-4-69 | Oregon State | 14-32 | 15-19 | 5 | 43 | 94-72 |
| 12-9-69 | Loyola (New Orleans) | 17-36 | 9-10 | 6 | 43 | 100-87 |
| 12-11-69 | Vanderbilt | 26-54 | 9-10 | 10 | 61 | 109-86 |
| 12-13-69 | at Tulane | 17-42 | 12-19 | 4 | 46 | 97-91 |
| 12-18-69 | Southern California | 18-43 | 14-16 | 6 | 50 | 98-101 |
| 12-20-69 | at Clemson | 22-30 | 5-8 | 6 | 49 | 111-103 |
| 12-22-69 | at Oregon State | 9-23 | 30-31 | 1 | 48 | 76-68 |
| 12-23-69 | at UCLA | 14-42 | 10-12 | 4 | 38 | 84-133 |
| 12-29-69 | St. John's*** | 20-44 | 13-16 | 8 | 53 | 80-70 |
| 12-30-69 | Yale*** | 13-28 | 8-11 | 5 | 34 | 94-97 |
| 1-3-70 | Alabama | 22-42 | 11-18 | 7 | 55 | 90-83 |
| 1-10-70 | Auburn | 18-46 | 8-11 | 6 | 44 | 70-79 |
| 1-24-70 | at Kentucky | 21-44 | 13-15 | 5 | 55 | 96-109 |
| 1-26-70 | Tennessee | 12-23 | 5-7 | 4 | 29 | 71-59 |
| 1-31-70 | Mississippi | 21-46 | 11-15 | 5 | 53 | 109-86 |
| 2-2-70 | Mississippi State | 21-40 | 7-9 | 3 | 49 | 109-91 |
| 2-4-70 | at Florida | 20-38 | 12-16 | 9 | 52 | 97-75 |
| 2-7-70 | at Alabama | 26-57 | 17-21 | 5 | 69 | 104-106 |
| 2-9-70 | Tulane | 18-45 | 13-15 | 4 | 49 | 127-114 |
| 2-11-70 | Florida | 16-35 | 6-10 | 3 | 38 | 94-85 |
| 2-14-70 | at Vanderbilt | 14-46 | 10-13 | 5 | 38 | 99-89 |
| 2-16-70 | at Auburn | 18-46 | 10-15 | 8 | 46 | 70-64 |
| 2-18-70 | Georgia | 17-34 | 3-6 | 2 | 37 | 88-86 |
| 2-21-70 | Kentucky | 23-42 | 18-22 | 4 | 64 | 105-121 |
| 2-23-70 | at Tennessee | 10-24 | 10-13 | 7 | 30 | 87-88 |
| 2-28-70 | at Mississippi | 13-43 | 9-14 | 9 | 35 | 103-90 |
| 3-2-70 | at Mississippi State | 22-44 | 11-13 | 5 | 55 | 97-87 |
| 3-7-70 | at Georgia | 16-37 | 9-10 | 3 | 41 | 99-88 |
| 3-15-70 | Georgetown (NIT) | 6-16 | 8-12 | 6 | 20 | 83-80 |
| 3-17-70 | Oklahoma (NIT) | 14-33 | 9-13 | 8 | 37 | 97-94 |
| 3-19-70 | Marquette (NIT) | 4-13 | 12-16 | 1 | 20 | 79-101 |
| 3-21-70 | Army (NIT) | DNP | 68-75 |
***Rainbow Classic at Honolulu.
Career Scoring Site-of-Game Breakdown
| Location (Record) | G. | Pts. | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home (25-12) | 37 | 1667 | 45.1 |
| Neutral (5-3) | 8 | 304 | 38.0 |
| Road (19-19) | 38 | 1696 | 44.6 |
Marks of Ownership
Three different Rhode Island State players in a six-year span set the major-college single-season scoring average record in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Maravich's record of 44.5 ppg in 1969-70 might never be eclipsed. Following is a look at how long players have held the NCAA Division I single-season scoring average standard (through 2017-18):
| Player | School | Years | Record (Season) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hank Luisetti | Stanford | one | 17.1 ppg (1936-37) |
| Chet Jaworski | Rhode Island State | one | 22.6 ppg (1938-39) |
| Stan Modzelewski | Rhode Island State | three | 23.1 ppg (1939-40) |
| George Senesky | St. Joseph's | one | 23.4 ppg (1942-43) |
| Ernie Calverley | Rhode Island State | seven | 26.7 ppg (1943-44) |
| Bill Mlkvy | Temple | two | 29.2 ppg (1950-51) |
| Frank Selvy | Furman | 15 | 41.7 ppg (1953-54) |
| Pete Maravich | Louisiana State | 50 | 44.5 ppg (1969-70) |
10. Bill Chambers' 51 rebounds in a single game (for William & Mary vs. Virginia on Feb. 14, 1953.).
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in July 7 MLB Contests
July 7th, 2021 - 7:55
Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether cancel-culture casualty Rachel Nichols (probably should have changed racial identity and last name to Dolezal) benefitted from "Unguarded" diversity during ex-Washington Compost reporter's forgettable three-year sports gig at CNN (Confused News Network) prior to "Jump" back to belatedly-addressing-issue ESPN (Extra Sensitive Pious Network version of HR Hunger Games), 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 Guilford NC hoopers Rick Ferrell and Tom Zachary made American League news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a July 7 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 7
RHP Mike Adams (Texas A&M-Kingsville hooper in 1996-97) awarded on waivers from the New York Mets to the Cleveland Indians in 2006.
St. Louis Browns C Benny Bengough (Niagara hoops letterman from 1916-17 through 1918-19) banged out four hits in an 8-2 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1932.
Chicago White Sox 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 in 1942-43) collected five RBI in a 1955 game against the Detroit Tigers.
Detroit Tigers OF Hoot Evers (hoops starter for Illinois in 1939-40) went 5-for-5 and scored five runs in a 13-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in 1951.
Boston Red Sox C Rick Ferrell (Guilford NC hoops forward before graduating in 1928) accumulated four hits and five RBI in a 7-6 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in opener of 1935 doubleheader.
Cincinnati Reds 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) homered in both ends of a 1961 twinbill sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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) homered in both ends of a 1957 doubleheader sweep of the New York Giants.
Washington Senators LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 1956-57 and 1957-58) whacked two homers against the Cleveland Indians in 1969. The next year, Howard homered in both ends of a 1970 twinbill against the Indians.
Chicago White Sox RHP Bart Johnson (averaged 30.5 ppg for Brigham Young's freshman squad in 1967-68) hurled a two-hit, complete game against the Detroit Tigers in his season debut, posting first of four consecutive victories.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) went 4-for-4 against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1922 game.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lindy McDaniel (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) extended his streak of consecutive contests without yielding an earned run to 15 in a row in 1962.
Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) blasted two homers against the Boston Red Sox in opener of a 1970 twinbill.
Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Johnny O'Brien (consensus All-American second-team choice as junior and first-team selection as senior averaged 25.8 ppg for Seattle from 1950-51 through 1952-53) went 4-for-4 in a 4-3 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955.
Philadelphia Phillies OF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama hoops guard) ripped two homers in a 7-3 triumph over the Atlanta Braves in 1986. Redus registered a double in each of previous four outings against his original team (Cincinnati Reds).
Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Kansas in 1963-64) went 3-for-3 at the plate, scored two runs and added two RBI in a 6-1 victory against the Houston Astros in 1973.
LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) hit the lone homer in his Organized Baseball career (against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953) as the Brooklyn Dodgers established a N.L. record by homering in 21 consecutive contests.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) ripped a two-run triple off Hall of Fame P Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants in 1937 All-Star Game.
Milwaukee Brewers LF Ted Savage (Lincoln MO scoring average leader in 1955-56) smacked a game-winning, pinch-hit homer off Chicago White Sox P Wilbur Wood in the bottom of 12th inning in 1970.
Cleveland Indians 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) collected three doubles and five RBI in a 27-3 rout of the Boston Red Sox in opener of a 1923 doubleheader.
Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) provided at least three safeties for third time in first seven games of the month in 1950.
LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Washington Senators in 1927.
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