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On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 15 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 15 in football at the professional level (especially in 1967):

OCTOBER 15

  • New York Giants E O'Neal Adams (three-year letterman was third-leading scorer in 1941 when Arkansas reached NCAA Tournament national semifinals) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in fourth quarter for decisive score in 14-7 win against the Brooklyn Tigers in 1944.

  • New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 102 yards for touchdown in 31-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961.

  • Los Angeles Rams LB Connor Barwin (Cincinnati hooper in 2006 NCAA Tournament) contributed seven solo tackles in a 27-17 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.

  • Chicago Bears E Connie Mack Berry (All-Southern Conference second-team hoops selection as North Carolina State center in 1937 and 1938) caught two touchdown passes (51 and 15 yards) in a 34-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1944.

  • Dallas Cowboys DE Shante Carver (Arizona State hooper in 1992-93) had two sacks in a 23-9 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1995.

  • New York Giants B Stu Clancy (Holy Cross hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930 was captain as senior) scored a 46-yard rushing touchdown in 56-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. Giants rookie B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) scored two fourth-quarter TDs.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) completed 24-of-37 passes for 364 yards in a 45-31 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1967. Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught nine of Dawson's passes for 134 yards. Five years later, Taylor had 10 receptions in a 23-16 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1972.

  • New York Giants rookie B Scott Eaton (three-year Oregon State letterman averaged 6 ppg and 2.8 rpg) had an 18-yard pass reception in 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967.

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Steve Folsom (Utah hooper in 1980-81) caught a career-high five passes from Steve Walsh in 31-14 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1989.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 35-24 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2012.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 283 yards (47.2 average) in a 20-7 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961.

  • Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for three touchdowns in a 28-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950.

  • Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) had two interceptions in a 10-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1967.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2006.

  • Frankfort Yellow Jackets rookie B Ken Mercer (three-year hoops letterman as Simpson IA forward) rushed for two touchdowns in a 54-0 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1927.

  • Chicago Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns (pass reception and interception return) in a 44-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1939.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 31-28 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2000. Six years later with the Dallas Cowboys, Owens caught three second-half TD passes in a 34-6 win against the Houston Texans in 2006.

  • Cleveland Rams E Steve Pritko (Villanova two-year hoops letterman) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1944.

  • Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in 20-20 tie against the Washington Redskins in 1967.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in a 20-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1961.

  • New York Jets TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) had career-high eight pass receptions - including touchdown in second of three straight games - in a 24-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2017.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught three touchdown passes from Brian Griese in a 44-10 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2000.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1967.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978.

  • New York Jets SS Shafer Suggs (averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg in three-year career, setting Ball State record with nine consecutive field goals without miss and leading Cardinals in rebounding in 1974-75) returned an interception 32 yards for touchdown in 14-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1979.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 15

Extra! Extra! Instead of deriding #Dimorat dupes such as moon/star gazing Cacklin' Commie-la who must have buyer's remorse as mentally-meandering Plagiarist Biledumb's malarkey, including asking DOD volunteers to pick up illegal alien trash, evades answering as many non-ice cream press questions as take-a-hike Brian Laundrie's pallbearer-like parents related to Sgt. "I Know Nothing" Schultz, 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.

Three former college hoopers from Oklahoma schools - Jerry Adair (Oklahoma State), Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State) and Don Kaiser (East Central) - made MLB news on this date. Ditto ex-juco hoopers Patrick Corbin (Mohawk Valley NY), Ken Retzer (Jefferson City MO) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 15

  • 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) selected from the Boston Red Sox (51st pick), INF Billy Harris (UNC Wilmington hooper in mid-1960s) chosen from the Cleveland Indians (36th) and utilityman Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) drafted from the Minnesota Twins (19th) by the Kansas City Royals in 1968 A.L. expansion draft.

  • New York Yankees rookie RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) went the distance, striking out eight Los Angeles Dodgers batters in a 12-2 success, in Game 5 of 1978 World Series.

  • LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) knocked in the tying run with an eighth-inning, pinch-hit double off Hall of Fame P Walter Johnson and scored go-ahead tally as the Pittsburgh Pirates upended the Washington Senators, 9-7, in Game 7 of 1925 World Series.

  • OF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) purchased from the New York Yankees by the Kansas City Athletics in 1956.

  • Washington Nationals LHP Patrick Corbin (hooper for Mohawk Valley Community College NY in 2007-08) fanned 12 opposing batters in five innings in posting a 7-4 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of 2019 NLCS.

  • In 1957, 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Giants for 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s).

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) won decisive Game 7 against the New York Yankees in 1964 World Series.

  • Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) stepped down as Philadelphia Phillies manager to become general manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1981.

  • OF Hinkey Haines (Penn State hoops letterman in 1919-20 and 1920-21) scored the tying run as a pinch-runner in the eighth inning as the New York Yankees came from behind with three tallies to beat the New York Giants, 6-4, and clinch 1923 World Series.

  • RHP Rich Hand (averaged 6.2 ppg for Puget Sound WA in 1967-68) shipped by the California Angels to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974 to complete an earlier deal.

  • Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) fired as Cleveland Indians manager in 1999.

  • Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg in 1961-62 with Texas A&M) supplied a postseason career-high three hits, including a pair of run-producing safeties, against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 5 of 1970 World Series.

  • In 2001 ALDS, OF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) whacked a pinch-hit homer to help the New York Yankees defeat the Oakland A's and become first team ever to capture a best-of-5 series after dropping the first two contests at home.

  • RHP Don Kaiser (one semester on hoops scholarship at East Central OK) traded by the Milwaukee Braves to the Detroit Tigers in 1959.

  • New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) notched three RBI in each of three ALCS games against the Oakland Athletics in 1981.

  • OF Lou Piniella (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Tampa as freshman in 1961-62) selected from the Cleveland Indians by Seattle Pilots as 28th pick in 1968 A.L. expansion draft. Six years later with the New York Yankees, Piniella went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1974 contest. In 1977, he hit safely in his ninth straight postseason game.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) earned save in a 6-4 verdict over the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of 1980 World Series.

  • C Ken Retzer (fourth-leading juco scorer with 184 points for Jefferson City MO in 1953-54) traded by the Washington Senators to Minnesota Twins in 1964.

  • New York Yankees RHP Rollie Sheldon (third-leading scorer as sophomore for Connecticut's 1960 NCAA Tournament team) retired all six St. Louis Cardinals batters he faced in Game 7 of 1964 World Series.

  • A sixth-inning, two-run homer by Cleveland Indians 3B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) proved decisive in a 3-2 win against the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of 1995 ALCS.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 14 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 14 in football at the professional level (especially in 1962 and 1973):

OCTOBER 14

  • Detroit Wolverines E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) opened and completed game's scoring with touchdown receptions in a 35-12 win against the New York Yankees in 1928.

  • Green Bay Packers WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) delivered career highs of 11 pass receptions and 220 receiving yards - including 59-yard touchdown catch from Brett Favre - in a 23-20 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1996.

  • Baltimore Colts DE Ordell Braase (first-team All-NCC pick for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) returned a fumble recovery 10 yards for touchdown in 36-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1962. Colts E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two TD passes from Johnny Unitas.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught 12 passes for 187 yards, including two touchdown receptions from Roman Gabriel, in a 27-24 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973.

  • Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 31-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956.

  • Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught eight passes for 132 yards in a 34-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1962.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) accounted for all of game's scoring with two touchdowns, two field goals and one extra point in a 19-0 win against the Akron Pros in 1923.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught nine passes - including two touchdowns - in a 27-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw six touchdown passes - five in first half - in a 61-14 AAFC win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949. Browns QB Cliff Lewis (Duke hoops letterman in 1945) threw for one TD and rushed for another in second half.

  • Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 56-17 AFL win against the New York Titans in 1962. TE teammate Bob McLeod (all-time leading rebounder for Abilene Christian TX with 1,237 from 1957-58 through 1960-61) also caught two TD passes from Blanda.

  • Carolina Panthers WR Donald Hayes (played in two basketball games for Wisconsin in 1995-96 under coach Dick Bennett) had a career-high seven pass receptions in 27-25 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2001.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie E Norb Hecker (four-sport letterman including hoops with Baldwin-Wallace OH) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Bob Waterfield in 27-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1951.

  • Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1956.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 31-28 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2001.

  • Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw four touchdown passes in a 48-20 win against the Houston Oilers in 1973.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for more than 110 yards in third consecutive game in 1962.

  • Baltimore Ravens WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a kickoff 108 yards for touchdown in 31-29 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2012.

  • Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a fumble recovery 69 yards for touchdown in 20-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two touchdown passes - one for 77 yards - in a 28-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1951.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR John "Red" O'Quinn (scored 91 points for Wake Forest's basketball team in 1947-48 under coach Murray Greason) had a career-long 38-yard pass reception in 37-24 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1951.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had three of his league-high 16 touchdown receptions - including a 52-yarder in overtime to finish with nine catches for 183 yards - in 37-31 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. The next year, Owens caught two TD passes from Garcia in a 28-21 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2002.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had nine pass receptions for 172 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 45-35 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. Three years later, Rison had two TD catches in a 30-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1993.

  • Washington Redskins LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) returned an interception 28 yards for touchdown in 21-3 win against the New York Giants in 1973.

  • In his pro debut, Oakland Raiders RB Willie Simpson (San Francisco State letterman in 1960 and 1961 as hoops forward) rushed six times for 22 yards in a 23-6 AFL setback against the Denver Broncos in 1962.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 37-31 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1973. Cowboys WR Otto Stowe (collected 12 points and five rebounds in four Iowa State basketball games in 1968-69) had two TD receptions. Six years later, Staubach completed 13-of-18 passes - including three TDs - in a 30-6 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1979.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Morris Stroud Jr. (tallest TE in NFL history averaged 7.2 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 1967-68 when 6-10 junior shot team-high 50.9 FG% from floor for Clark Atlanta GA) opened game's scoring with a touchdown reception from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in 10-10 tie against the Green Bay Packers in 1973.

  • New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 81 yards for touchdown in 28-17 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951.

  • Boston Redskins rookie HB Ted Wright (North Texas State hoops letterman in 1932) scored his lone NFL touchdown with a 59-yard rush in 39-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 14

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering when #MessMedia misfits at CNN Sucks and MSNBC (a/k/a MSDNC), after concluding Plagiarist Biledumb's 20,000 "family biz" emails all dealt with issuing weather reports to hideous Hunter, will exhibit their acute analytical acumen by returning to promoting kinky Cuomo, bozo Beto and anal #Avenaughty as #Dimorat presidential candidates after moon-bat Cacklin' Commie-la returns to gazing at craters with child actors, you can read 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.

Three former college hoopers from Kentucky schools - Steve Hamilton (Morehead State), "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State) and David Justice (Thomas More) - supplied significant MLB postseason competition performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 14

  • RHP Steve Arlin (played two basketball contests for Ohio State in 1964-65 under coach Fred Taylor) selected from the Philadelphia Phillies (57th pick) and RHP Dave Giusti (made 6-of-10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) chosen from the St. Louis Cardinals (3rd) by the San Diego Padres in 1968 N.L. expansion draft.

  • Montreal Expos RHP Ray Burris (Southwestern Oklahoma State basketball player) twirled a shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of 1981 NLCS. Five days later in Game 5, Burris yielded only five hits in eight innings.

  • 1B Donn Clendenon (Morehouse GA hooper) selected from the Pittsburgh Pirates (11th pick) and INF Gary Sutherland (Southern California's fifth-leading scorer in 1963-64 when averaging 7.4 ppg) chosen from the Philadelphia Phillies (8th) by the Montreal Expos in 1968 N.L. expansion draft.

  • Boston Red Sox LHP Ray Collins (Vermont hoops letterman in 1907 and 1908) tossed seven innings of shutout relief in a 5-2 setback against the New York Giants in Game 6 of 1912 World Series.

  • RF Walt French (hoops letterman for Rutgers and Army) struck out as a pinch-hitter but the Philadelphia Athletics rallied for three runs in bottom of ninth inning to edge the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of 1929 World Series.

  • New York Yankees LHP Steve Hamilton (Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) saved Game 6 in 1964 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals after replacing starter Jim Bouton.

  • San Francisco Giants LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 as sophomore in 1977-78 under ETSU coach Sonny Smith) lost decisive Game 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1987 NLCS.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bobby Humphreys (four-year hoops letterman graduated from Hampden-Sydney VA in 1958) hurled a scoreless inning of relief against the New York Yankees in Game 6 of 1964 World Series.

  • SS Billy Hunter (multi-sport athlete for Indiana PA post-WWII) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to St. Louis Browns in 1952.

  • New York Yankees OF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) homered in a 5-0 win against the Seattle Mariners in Game 4 of 2000 ALCS.

  • Toiling on two days rest, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled a three-hit shutout in Game 7 of 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins. Supporting Koufax with a fourth-inning homer was LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52).

  • OF Rusty Kuntz (J.C. hooper for Cuesta CA) supplied a sacrifice fly in the fifth and decisive game for the champion Detroit Tigers in 1984 World Series against the San Diego Padres.

  • LF Hal Lee (Mississippi College hooper in mid-1920s before coaching basketball at Auburn and Louisiana Tech the first half of the 1930s) traded by the Brooklyn Robins to Philadelphia Phillies in 1930.

  • Baltimore Orioles RHP Dave Leonhard (averaged 4.8 ppg with Johns Hopkins MD in 1961-62) hurled a scoreless inning of relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 of 1971 World Series.

  • CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) delivered the game-winning safety in the bottom of the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002 NLCS to send the San Francisco Giants to World Series.

  • In Game 5, New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed his third shutout against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1905 World Series.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) banged out a postseason career-high three hits, including a three-run homer, in a 7-6 decision over the Kansas City Royals in opener of 1980 World Series.

  • New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) singled twice in a seven-run fourth inning in Game 2 of 1981 ALCS against the Oakland A's to become first player ever to collect two safeties in a single frame in LCS competition.

  • In 1981, New York Yankees OF Lou Piniella (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Tampa as freshman in 1961-62) pounded his third homer in last eight A.L. postseason contests.

  • LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1965-66) notched a save in Game 2 of 1973 World Series when the New York Mets outlasted the Oakland A's, 10-7, in 12 innings.

  • 1B-OF Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) purchased from the Brooklyn Dodgers by the Chicago Cubs for $100,000 in 1949.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 13 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 13 in football at the professional level (especially in 1963):

OCTOBER 13

  • Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (center was Tennessee's third-leading scorer with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) had an interception in 52-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1963. Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught nine passes for 110 yards (including four touchdowns). Rookie PK Bob Jencks (collected 3 points and 12 rebounds in five basketball games for Miami of Ohio in 1960-61) kicked a career-high seven extra points.

  • Washington Redskins B Steve Bagarus (Notre Dame hooper in early 1940s) caught two go-ahead touchdown passes (51 and 13 yards) in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1946. Redskins FB Jack Jenkins (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1941 and 1942) opened game's scoring with a rushing touchdown.

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes - including one for 81 yards to Dick Todd - in a 28-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1940.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) scored three touchdowns - including 72-yard pass reception - in a 35-24 win against the New York Giants in 1963.

  • Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 36-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 1946.

  • Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 19-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1946.

  • Denver Broncos DB Charlie Greer (played seven games for Colorado in 1965-66 as sophomore) had two interceptions in a 21-13 AFL win against the New York Jets in 1968.

  • Cincinnati Bengals rookie DE Harry Gunner (J.C. transfer averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Oregon State, playing on NCAA playoff team in 1966) returned an interception 20 yards in 13-3 AFL setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1968.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) scored two touchdowns - including 84-yard run from scrimmage - in a 28-28 tie against the Chicago Bears in 1946.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught nine passes for 114 yards - including two second-quarter touchdowns - in a 31-20 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. TX to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 428 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 24-23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963.

  • Chicago Bears LB-C Eddie Kawal (Illinois hoops letterman in 1930) returned an interception 13 yards for touchdown in 39-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had nine pass receptions in a 28-13 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2002.

  • Green Bay Packers E Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference hoops selection was Michigan's MVP each season and All-American as senior in 1956-57) had a career-high 87 receiving yards on four catches in 37-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1963.

  • Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (52 and 15 yards) in a 42-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1968.

  • San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 21-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1957. WR teammate Clyde Conner (two-time All-CBA second-team selection averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Pacific in 1953-54 and 1954-55) contributed career highs of nine pass receptions and 142 receiving yards.

  • Carolina Panthers rookie DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks and an interception in 14-13 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.

  • Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) threw his second touchdown pass in a three-game span in 1974.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers rookie WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a kickoff 99 yards for touchdown in 34-7 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002.

  • Detroit Lions TE Mikhael Ricks (played three basketball games for Stephen F. Austin in 1995-96) opened game's scoring with a 41-yard touchdown pass reception from Joey Harrington in 31-24 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2002.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes in a 39-34 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1991.

  • Buffalo Bills DE Reggie Rogers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Washington from 1982-83 through 1984-85) registered a sack in 42-6 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1991.

  • Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two touchdown passes to Bobby Mitchell (66 and 35 yards) in a 37-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1963.

  • B Wilbur White (Colorado State hoops letterman from 1932 to 1935) accounted for the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone score with a four-yard touchdown pass in fourth quarter of 10-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1935.

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Rayfield Wright (All-SIAC pick for Fort Valley State GA averaged 17 ppg and 15 rpg as junior and 21 ppg and 17.4 rpg as senior) caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Don Meredith in 34-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1968.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 13

Extra! Extra! Instead of debating if normal traditional Americans have natural immunity to hot-mess socialist #Dimorats and lamestream #MessMedia stemming from grotesque Karl Marx's background as sack-of-excrement journalist, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former hoopers from current Atlantic Coast Conference members - Dave Giusti (Syracuse), Jim Lyttle (Florida State), Eppa Rixey (Virginia), Dave Robertson (North Carolina State) and Tim Stoddard (North Carolina State) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 13

  • Los Angeles Dodgers RF Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff basketball team) smacked a homer off Oakland Athletics P Vida Blue, accounting for game-winning hit in 3-2 triumph in Game 2 of 1974 World Series.

  • Unscored upon in all seven postseason relief appearances covering 9 2/3 innings, Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Dave Giusti (made 6-of-10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) earned a save in Game 4 of 1971 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.

  • 1B Gail Hopkins (averaged 2.5 ppg for Pepperdine in 1963-64) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Kansas City Royals in 1970.

  • 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) fired as San Diego Padres manager in 1981.

  • Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) jacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 6 of 1992 NLCS.

  • OF Jim Lyttle (Florida State free-throw shooting leader in 1965-66 when averaging 12.4 ppg) traded by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox in 1971.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers 1B-OF Len Matuszek (Toledo starter for hoops squad compiling 18-7 record in 1975-76) collected his lone postseason hit, a pinch single against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of 1985 NLCS.

  • 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) hit a three-run, first-inning double to spark the New York Yankees to a 3-1 victory against the Oakland A's in the 1981 ALCS opener. Nettles' spectacular defense highlighted a 5-1 triumph for the Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of 1978 World Series. Nettles whacked two homers in Game 4 of 1976 ALCS for the Yankees but they weren't enough to prevent a 7-4 loss against the Kansas City Royals.

  • Philadelphia Phillies LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1912 and 1914) allowed two homers in 6 2/3 innings in a 5-4 defeat against the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of 1915 World Series.

  • New York Giants RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) contributed three safeties in an 8-5 setback against the Chicago White Sox in Game 5 of 1917 World Series.

  • Baltimore Orioles RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) won Game 4 with three scoreless innings of relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 World Series. He also became the only player with a WS RBI in his first big league at-bat by singling in eighth inning.

  • In his final MLB and only World Series at-bat, San Diego Padres OF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) fanned as a pinch-hitter against former teammate (Jack Morris of Detroit Tigers) in Game 4 of 1984 WS.

  • New York Yankees RHP Ralph Terry (juco hooper averaged 22 ppg for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in mid-1950s) yielded dramatic home run to 2B Bill Mazerowski in bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-9 win in decisive Game 7 of 1960 World Series.

  • CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) smacked a two-run single to help the Pittsburgh Pirates outlast the New York Yankees, 10-9, in Game 7 of 1960 World Series.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 12 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 12 in football at the professional level (especially in 2003):

OCTOBER 12

  • Philadelphia Eagles LB Connor Barwin (Cincinnati hooper in 2006 NCAA Tournament) contributed five solo tackles and three of his 14 1/2 sacks in 27-0 win against the New York Giants in 2014.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for three touchdowns in a 35-28 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1958.

  • Chicago Bears QB Young Bussey (Louisiana State hoops letterman in late 1930s) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes for second straight week in 1941.

  • Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for Brigham Young in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had three pass receptions for 102 yards - including a 51-yard touchdown - in 31-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) returned a kickoff 93 yards for touchdown in 26-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952.

  • New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) had two interceptions in a 27-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 1997.

  • In 2015, San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-Mid-American Conference selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) posted career touchdown reception #100 in his first contest following a four-game suspension.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught four passes for 121 yards in a 40-34 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2003.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers B Swede Hagberg (three-year West Virginia hoops letterman in late 1920s) returned an interception 30 yards for touchdown in 32-0 win against the Newark Tornadoes in 1930.

  • Los Angeles Rams B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) scored two touchdowns in a 27-13 win against the Detroit Lions in 1947.

  • New England Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) intercepted two passes in a 17-6 win against the New York Giants in 2003.

  • Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two touchdown receptions in a 28-6 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1958.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught five passes for 134 yards in a 30-10 win against the New England Patriots in 2008.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted for more than 49-yard average for fourth time in a five-game span in 1980.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw four touchdown passes in a 35-13 win against the Washington Redskins in 2003.

  • Rookie TE Teyo Johnson (part-time starting forward for Stanford averaged 4.9 ppg and 3 rpg in 2000-01 and 2001-02) scored the Oakland Raiders' only touchdown with a 10-yard pass reception from Rich Gannon in 13-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2003.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) caught a 59-yard touchdown pass in 24-20 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1941.

  • Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 70 yards for touchdown in 29-28 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2008.

  • New York Yankees rookie B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 19-8 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1927.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 17-3 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1975.

  • Washington Redskins WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) had nine pass receptions in a 33-17 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969.

  • Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-15 AAFC win against the Baltimore Colts in 1947.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 30-10 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1997.

  • New York Giants E Buster Poole (three-year Arkansas hoops letterman was senior captain in 1936-37) scored a touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1941.

  • New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three of his NFL-high 22 touchdown passes in a 29-24 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1950.

  • Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had a go-ahead 48-yard rushing touchdown in 24-13 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1980.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-17 win against the New York Jets in 2014. Thomas had a total of nine TD receptions in his first five games of season.

  • Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 42-28 AAFC setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947.

  • San Francisco 49ers TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) had a career-high seven pass receptions in 27-21 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1969.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 12

Extra! Extra! Is middle-class lass of whatever origin even more dense than Plagiarist "No Joke He's Big Joke" Biledumb? Unless you're wondering if personality-transplant advisers assessing root causes for MIA Border Czar VP's cratering public image are curious about finding "with their own eyes" a legal alien Laughing Hyena hiding in moon crater to try to interpret moon-bat Cacklin' Commie-la spaced-out comments designed exclusively for sinking-ship child actors, 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 college hoopers Bob Gibson (Creighton) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) supplied superb World Series pitching performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 12

  • INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State basketball letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) traded by the New York Mets to the Cleveland Indians in 1966.

  • RHP Marion Fricano (SUNY-Cortland hooper in early 1940s) traded by the Kansas City Athletics to Toronto (International) in 1955.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) won decisive Game 7 against the Boston Red Sox in 1967 World Series. Gibson helped his cause with a homer. Three years earlier, Gibson whiffed 13 batters in a 10-inning, 5-2 win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 of 1964 WS.

  • OF Mark Gilbert (Florida State hooper in 1974-75 under coach Hugh Durham) shipped by the Chicago Cubs to Cincinnati Reds in 1979 as player to be designated stemming from deal made five months earlier.

  • New York Yankees OF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) socked a homer in 10-7 triumph against the Boston Red Sox in opener of 2004 ALCS.

  • In Game 3, New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed his second of three shutouts against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1905 World Series.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) yielded back-to-back homers to LF George Foster and C Johnny Bench to start ninth inning as the Cincinnati Reds came from behind to win, 7-6, and sweep their 1976 NLDS.

  • Detroit Tigers RHP Jeff Robinson (two-time NAIA All-District 3 honoree in early 1980s left Azusa Pacific CA as school's No. 9 all-time scorer) made his lone postseason appearance, hurling 1/3 of an inning against the Minnesota Twins in Game 5 of 1987 ALCS.

  • Toronto Blue Jays DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) walloped a homer but it was in vain as the Oakland A's avoided elimination with 6-2 Game 5 victory in 1992 ALCS.

2024-25 Could Boast Multiple Transfers Earning Multiple-Season A-A Honors

Provocative proliferation of transfers probably will result in the 2024-25 season breaking new ground in premier player profiles. Featuring returning All-Americans Johni Broome (Auburn/originally attended Morehead State), Hunter Dickinson (Kansas/from Michigan), Caleb Love (Arizona/from North Carolina) and Mark Sears (Alabama/from Ohio University), this will likely become the first campaign to finish with more than one multiple-year A-A who began his college career playing for another four-year college prior to transferring.

Kyle Macy, who originally attended Purdue, is the only transfer in this category to become a three-time A-A (Kentucky from 1978 through 1980). Macy is among the following first nine individuals to earn All-American acclaim multiple seasons (from Associated Press/Converse/National Association of Basketball/United Press International/United States Basketball Writers of America) after previously competing with another four-year college:

Multiple-Year All-American Pos. School Multiple-Season All-American Recognition Original Four-Year College
Elgin Baylor C-F Seattle 1957 (USBWA1, AP2, C2, NABC2, UP2) and 1958 (AP1, C1, NABC1, UP1, USBWA1) College of Idaho 55
Charlie Brown G-F Seattle 1958 (C2) and 1959 (C2, UPI3) Indiana 56
Art Bunte C-F Colorado 1955 (NABC3) and 1956 (NABC2) Utah 52-53
Eric "Hank" Gathers F-C Loyola Marymount 1989 (USBWA2, AP3, UPI3) and 1990 (NABC2, USBWA2, AP3) Southern California 86
Tyler Kolek G Marquette 2023 (USBWA2, AP3, NABC3) and 2024 (USBWA1, AP2, NABC2) George Mason 21
Kyle Macy G Kentucky 1978 (UPI3), 1979 (C2, NABC3) and 1980 (AP1, C1, NABC1, UPI1, USBWA1) Purdue 76
James "Scoonie" Penn G Ohio State 1999 (USBWA2, AP3, NABC3) and 2000 (NABC2, USBWA2, AP3) Boston College 96-97
Oscar Tshiebwe C Kentucky 2022 (AP1, NABC1, USBWA1) and 2023 (AP2, NABC2, USBWA2) West Virginia 20-21
Osie "Leon" Wood G Cal State Fullerton 1983 (C1) and 1984 (AP2, NABC2, UPI2, USBWA2) Arizona 80

NOTE: Larry Bird was a three-time All-American for Indiana State from 1977 through 1979 after transferring from Indiana but he never played in a game with the Bob Knight-coached Hoosiers.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 11 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 11 in football at the professional level (especially in 1959 and 1964):

OCTOBER 11

  • New York Giants rookie E O'Neal Adams (three-year hoops letterman was third-leading scorer when Arkansas reached 1941 NCAA Tournament national semifinals) caught two touchdown passes from Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) in a 35-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1942. Leemans finished the game with three TD passes.

  • Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) completed 21-of-27 passes (including three touchdowns) in a 41-19 triumph against the Baltimore Colts in 1981.

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 33-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1942. Rams TB Parker Hall (Ole Miss hoops letterman in 1938) threw two fourth-quarter TD passes.

  • Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) scored three touchdowns - one fumble recovery and two pass receptions - in a 38-17 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1964. Rams rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught a 70-yard TD pass from Roman Gabriel.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) kicked four field goals - one from 50 yards - in a 19-9 win against the Columbus Tigers in 1925.

  • In the midst of five consecutive contests with at least one touchdown reception, Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught five passes for 183 yards in a 48-17 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1964.

  • Baltimore Colts QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father was Arizona hoops co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 16-14 win against the Chicago Bears in 1953.

  • TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) opened the Arizona Cardinals' scoring by catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in 42-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 2015.

  • In his Dallas Cowboys debut, DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had two sacks and four tackles in a 30-6 setback against the New England Patriots in 2015.

  • Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had an 88-yard touchdown reception in 28-21 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1959.

  • QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) had goal-line plunges for both of the Chicago Cardinals' touchdowns in a 23-14 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1959. Cardinals RB Mal Hammack (played four basketball games with Florida in 1954-55) contributed a career-high 92 rushing yards and Redskins rookie DE Art Gob (played two basketball games for Pittsburgh in 1957-58) recorded a safety by tackling Hill in end zone in fourth quarter.

  • B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) scored the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone touchdown with a 12-yard rush in 10-10 tie against the New York Giants in 1936.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959. Eagles rookie WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) returned a punt 58 yards for TD.

  • San Francisco 49ers rookie DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions - returning one of them 41 yards for touchdown - in a 45-14 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1981.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 16-of-21 passes - including three first-half touchdowns - in a 33-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009.

  • Rookie E George Rogge (Iowa hoops letterman in 1929) had a rushing touchdown for the Chicago Cardinals' lone score in 26-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1931.

  • Green Bay Packers rookie CB Quinten Rollins (Miami OH steals leader all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including MAC as senior) intercepted two passes - returning one 45 yards for a touchdown - in 24-10 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2015.

  • In 1987, TE Don Summers (averaged 13.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Oregon Tech in 1980-81) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in fourth quarter to help boost the Green Bay Packers to lead but they eventually bowed to the Detroit Lions, 19-16.

  • Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-27 AFL win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1964.

  • Providence Steam Roller rookie TB Cy Wentworth (New Hampshire hoops letterman in 1922 and 1923) returned a kickoff 92 yards for touchdown in 14-0 win against the New York Giants in 1925.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 11

Extra! Extra! Instead of lamenting misguided #MessMedia misfits, political pestilence and big-tech censorship putting the sick into sycophant as callous #Demonrats condone Hamas via their Odd Squad silence regarding brutality against Israelis, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Two former hoopers from Pennsylvania small colleges - Clyde Barnhart (Shippensburg) and Dick Hall (Swarthmore) - made World Series news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 11 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 11

  • In 1925, Pittsburgh Pirates LF Clyde Barnhart (played basketball for Shippensburg PA predecessor Cumberland Valley State Normal School prior to World War I) went hitless for only time in 11 World Series games.

  • In 1948, SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) doubled for third consecutive World Series contest with the champion Cleveland Indians in Game 6 against the Boston Braves.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers CF Glenn Burke (averaged 16.3 ppg in six basketball games with Nevada-Reno in 1974-75) stroked a sixth-inning single in 1977 World Series opener against the New York Yankees prior to him being pinch-hit for by Manny Mota the next frame (extra-inning victory for Yanks).

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) earned a victory by fanning eight New York Yankees batters in 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief in Game 4 of 1964 World Series.

  • RHP Dave Giusti (made 6-of-10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) traded by the Houston Astros to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968.

  • In 1971, Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 12.8 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 with Swarthmore PA for three Southern Division champions in MASC) earned a save in Game 2 of World Series for second straight season.

  • RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) traded by the New York Giants to the Philadelphia Phillies for P Stu Miller in 1956.

  • INF Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) was the on-deck batter in Japan in 1976 when Sadaharu Oh stroked his 715th homer to pass Babe Ruth's mark. Incredibly, Johnson was also next hitter in April 1974 when Atlanta Braves OF Hank Aaron hammered his 715th round-tripper.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled a four-hit shutout in Game 5 of 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins.

  • Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) whacked a homer but it wasn't enough to prevent 5-3 defeat against the New York Yankees in Game 5 of 1998 ALCS.

  • Rookie RF Bud Metheny (William & Mary hoops letterman from 1935-36 through 1937-38) supplied his lone World Series hit by singling in a 2-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 to help the New York Yankees clinch 1943 title.

  • Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) drove in winning run in bottom of 10th inning in a 4-3 triumph against the Oakland Athletics in Game 4 of 1972 ALCS.

  • Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) smashed a pair of homers against the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of 1999 ALDS.

  • OF Leon Wagner (Tuskegee AL hooper in 1952-53) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with a player to be designated and cash to Toronto (International League) in 1960.

  • INF Jay Ward (McKendree IL hooper in 1956-57 before forgoing hoops to concentrate solely on pro baseball) traded by the Kansas City Athletics to Los Angeles Dodgers in 1961.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 10 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 10 in football at the professional level (especially in 1965):

OCTOBER 10

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943.

  • Chicago Bears rookie HB J.R. Boone (hoop teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) had two second-quarter pass reception touchdowns from Sid Luckman in a 42-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948.

  • Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 31-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954. Graham had three first-half TD passes.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 10 passes in a 35-14 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2004.

  • Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) accounted for all of game's scoring with a rushing touchdown and extra point in 7-0 win against the New York Giants in 1926.

  • In 1934, an 82-yard touchdown run helped Chicago Bears rookie HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee regular in 1931-32) become first NFL player to rush for 1,000 yards or more in single season when finishing with 1,004 (league highs of 8.4 per carry and eight TDs). Bears B Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) opened game's scoring with a six-yard touchdown reception in 28-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers rookie E Hank Foldberg (Army hoops letterman in 1947) returned a blocked field goal 51 yards for touchdown in 30-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1948.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 34-21 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) had two goal-line plunges for touchdowns in a 35-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1965. Eagles LB George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned a fumble recovery 62 yards for TD.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns - including 33- and 45-yarders in first half - in a 23-7 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1964.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had interception and returned six punts a total of 87 yards in 30-0 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1976.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught two touchdown passes in a 36-26 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2010.

  • Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference hoops crown) returned interception 55 yards for a Chicago Bears touchdown in 20-2 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1937.

  • TE Rich McGeorge (all-league hooper for Elon averaged 13.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg while making 59% of his field-goal attempts) had a touchdown reception in his third different game of the Green Bay Packers' first four contests in 1971.

  • Washington Redskins QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 357 yards in a 16-13 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2010.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 97 yards in 20-17 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2004.

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in two seasons in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 34-31 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1999.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught six passes for 141 yards in a 35-13 AFL setback against the New York Jets in 1964.

  • Detroit Lions DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had an interception for second of three consecutive contests in 1965.

  • Providence Steam Roller E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) scored game's lone touchdown with an 18-yard pass reception in 6-0 win against the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1931.

  • Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (SMU hooper for three games in 2015-16 under coach Larry Brown) caught seven passes for 120 yards in a 27-19 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.

  • San Diego Chargers DB Bud Whitehead (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 15 games for Florida State in 1959-60) had three interceptions - returning one 35 yards for touchdown - in a 34-3 AFL win against the Buffalo Bills in 1965.

  • Chicago Bears DB S.J. Whitman (Tulsa hoops letterman in 1949-50) returned an interception 33 yards for touchdown in 28-9 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1954.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 10

Extra! Extra! Instead of encouraging Plagiarist Biledumb to swap useless Odd Squad #Dimorat idiots via hang glider (especially on World Mental Health Day) for hostages or taking physical exam before deciding whether to "pass" on gender you want to select for your passport, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Two former hoopers from Iowa small colleges - Davey Lopes (Iowa Wesleyan) and Paul Splittorff (Morningside) - supplied significant MLB postseason competition performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 10 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 10

  • Texas Rangers RHP Mike Adams (played basketball for Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1996-97) registered the victory in Game 2 of 2011 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers after posting holds in his first four postseason relief appearance that year.

  • OF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) and LHP Jim Mooney (hooper for East Tennessee State) traded by the New York Giants to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1932.

  • Increasing his hitting streak in World Series competition to eight in a row, Philadelphia Athletics SS Jack Barry (hoops letterman for Holy Cross in 1908) banged out two doubles among three safeties against the New York Giants in Game 4 of 1913 World Series.

  • 1B Kevin "Chuck" Connors (scored 32 points in 15 varsity games for Seton Hall in 1941-42 before leaving school for military service) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Chicago Cubs in 1950. Connors, star of the television series The Rifleman, gained critical acclaim playing the role of a slave owner in the TV mini-series Roots (1977).

  • In 1961 N.L. expansion draft, the New York Mets selected 1B Ed Bouchee (Washington State's 1951-52 freshman hoops squad) from the Chicago Cubs (30th pick overall), RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) from the Los Angeles Dodgers (6th), OF John DeMerit (hoops letterman for Wisconsin in 1956-57) from the Milwaukee Braves (20th), OF Jim Hickman (freshman hooper for Ole Miss in 1955-56) from the St. Louis Cardinals (36th), 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) from the Dodgers (14th) and RHP Jay Hook (Northwestern's third-leading scorer with 10.7 ppg as sophomore in 1955-56) from the Cincinnati Reds (39th). The same expansion draft also had the Houston Colt .45s selecting INF Joey Amalfitano (Loyola Marymount hooper in 1952-53) from the San Francisco Giants (38th), 1B-OF Dick Gernert (letterman with Temple in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) from the Reds (31st) and RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia's hoops captain in 1951-52) from the Pittsburgh Pirates (35th).

  • Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72 when Rick Pitino and Al Skinner were members of hoop program) won 1979 World Series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • New York Yankees rookie OF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) made his lone World Series at-bat in 1923 opener against the New York Giants.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) lashed a Game 4 homer in 7-2 win against the Minnesota Twins in 1965 World Series.

  • RHP Clyde King (started two basketball games for North Carolina in December 1944 under coach Ben Carnevale traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds in 1952.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers C Ernie Krueger (Lake Forest IL hoops captain graduated in 1915) collected his only World Series hit (against Cleveland Indians in Game 5 in 1920).

  • OF Joe Lahoud (hoops letterman for New Haven CT in mid-1960s) traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers in a 10-player swap in 1971.

  • Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) reached base five times with three hits and two walks against the Seattle Mariners in opener of 1995 ALCS.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as All-Iowa Conference freshman selection in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS where he was an All-CIC choice for 1968 NAIA Tournament team) collected two homers and five RBI in an 11-5 triumph against the New York Yankees in Game 1 of 1978 World Series.

  • In decisive Game 7, Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) tossed his second five-hit win in 1939 World Series in City Series against the Cubs.

  • Boston Braves RF Les Mann (Springfield MA hooper in 1913 and 1914) drove in only run of opening game of 1914 World Series with RBI single off Eddie Plank of the Philadelphia Athletics in top of ninth inning.

  • Houston Astros RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) hurled 10 shutout innings in winning his first postseason game (against Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of 1980 NLCS).

  • Los Angeles Dodgers CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stroked a pinch two-run double in 1978 World Series opener against the New York Yankees. North contributed only one more hit in 24 other career at-bats in WS competition.

  • Breaking up a scoreless duel in Game 7 of 1968 World Series, Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) stroked a decisive seventh-inning triple off St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57). Gibson won his previous seven WS starts.

  • Washington Senators RHP Curly Ogden (Swarthmore PA hoops center in 1919, 1920 and 1922) started Game 7 of 1924 World Series as a decoy to get Bill Terry out of the New York Giants' lineup.

  • New York Giants RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) contributed three safeties (including a triple) in 2-0 win against the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of 1917 World Series.

  • New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling a 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) hurled a complete game and knocked in decisive run with double in a 2-1 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of 1943 World Series.

  • 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) smashed a grand slam to help the New York Yankees win Game 7 of 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

  • Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) won Game 2 of 1976 ALCS with 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the New York Yankees.

  • Philadelphia Athletics SS Dib Williams (Hendrix AR hooper in mid-1920s) delivered his third two-hit outing of 1931 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 9 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 9 in football at the professional level (especially in 1949):

OCTOBER 9

  • New England Patriots TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) caught three touchdown passes from Tom Brady in a 33-13 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2016.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 168 yards on 29 carries in a 24-19 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965.

  • In his only game as an NFL quarterback, rookie Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman) threw two interceptions after Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Terry Bradshaw had four passes picked off in a 27-10 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1977. Oilers CB Greg Stemrick (played in two basketball games for Colorado State in 1973-74) returned a fumble recovery for touchdown and had an interception.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 56-28 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1949.

  • Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) scored two touchdowns in a 31-16 win against the Chicago Bears in 1949.

  • Buffalo Bills rookie E Jim Lukens (Washington & Lee VA hoops letterman) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in a 42-28 AAFC setback against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949.

  • An 18-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter by E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) gave the San Francisco 49ers a 14-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960.

  • New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two second-quarter touchdown catches in a 27-21 AFL setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960.

  • Green Bay Packers LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) had an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1966.

  • Green Bay Packers E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) opened game's scoring with a touchdown on blocked punt return in 15-10 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1932.

  • Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) - 28 and 76 yards - in a 45-35 setback against the New York Giants in 1949.

  • Rookie B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) accounted for the Pittsburgh Pirates' lone score with a 50-yard touchdown pass in 17-7 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938.

  • San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 20-19 win against the Chicago Bears in 1955.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State hoops letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-14 win against the New York Giants in 1943. Rookie E Tom Miller (three-year hoops letterman for Hampden-Sydney VA in late 1930s and early 1940s) caught go-ahead TD pass from Zimmerman.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 9

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering how much longer insufferable Odd Squad #Dimorat members can have any Congressional sway after long-term support for Hamas-dominated Palestinians, 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 college hoopers Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) hurled World Series shutouts on this date. Joining Mathewson among ex-hoopers from Pennsylvania colleges making WS news on this date were Monte Irvin (Lincoln), Red Murray (Lock Haven) and Dave Ricketts (Duquesne). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 9 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 9

  • C Benny Bengough (Niagara basketball letterman from 1916-17 through 1918-19) secured a hit for third straight 1928 World Series game to help the New York Yankees sweep the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • Boston Red Sox LHP Ray Collins (Vermont hoops letterman in 1907 and 1908) started Game 2 of 1912 World Series against the New York Giants when they tied, 6-6, in a contest called after 11 innings.

  • Before a crowd of 81,897, CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) contributed first homer of 1948 World Series to spark the Cleveland Indians to a 2-1 victory against the Boston Braves in Game 4.

  • Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) hurled a 4-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of 1946 World Series.

  • Cincinnati Reds RHP Ken Hunt (freshman hooper for Brigham Young in 1957-58) hurled a hitless ninth inning of relief in 13-5 Game 5 defeat against the New York Yankees in 1961 World Series, closing out frame by fanning Elston Howard.

  • New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) provided his fourth multiple-hit outing in first five World Series games in 1951 against the New York Yankees.

  • New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) contributed two hits, two runs and two RBI in a 7-3 win against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of 1937 World Series.

  • In the first World Series utilizing a seven-game format, New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) blanked the Philadelphia Athletics, 3-0, in opener of all-shutout 1905 World Series. Mathewson also tossed whitewashes in Game 3 and Game 5.

  • New York Giants OF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) banged out two extra-base hits among his three safeties in a 6-6 tie against the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of 1912 World Series.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates SS Paul Popovich (teammate of Jerry West for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) hit safely in all three 1974 NLCS games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

  • Despite yielding only one earned run in 9 2/3 innings in two starts against the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer in early 1930s for Mount Morris IL) lost his lone World Series decision (3-1 in Game 6 in 1944).

  • Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) went 3-for-3, including two extra-base hits, and scored decisive run in a 3-2 triumph against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of 1992 NLCS.

  • St. Louis Cardinals C Dave Ricketts (three-year starter led Duquesne in scoring senior season with 17.9 ppg in 1956-57) registered his lone World Series hit with a pinch single off Detroit Tigers P Denny McLain in Game 6 in 1968.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) hit safely in all three of 1931 World Series games he started against the Philadelphia Athletics.

  • Boston Red Sox RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) hurled 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in Game 4 of 1988 ALCS against the Oakland Athletics.

  • Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) clobbered two homers against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of 1998 ALCS.

  • CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) stroked a two-run single propelling the Pittsburgh Pirates to 3-2 triumph against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of 1960 World Series.

  • Washington Senators LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) hurled a complete-game, 2-1 win against the New York Giants in Game 6 of 1924 World Series. Zachary also won Game 2.

Do As I Did and As I Say: Steve Alford Only Active Coach in Rare Category

"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools." - Confucius

Nevada's Steve Alford, an All-American guard for Indiana in 1986 and 1987, is the only active coach to have been an A-A player before coaching an A-A (New Mexico's Darington Hobson in 2010, UCLA's Kyle Anderson in 2013-14 and UCLA's Lonzo Ball in 2016-17). Previously, Indiana native John Wooden was the only All-American player to eventually coach All-Americans for two different universities (Indiana State and UCLA) with neither of them being his alma mater (Purdue). Unbelievably, Wooden had multiple A-As in 10 of his final 12 campaigns guiding the Bruins.

Confucius would say the Hoosier State has sharpened a lot of basketball tools. Indiana's Branch McCracken, the only one of nearly 70 All-Americans who became major-college mentors to compile a higher winning percentage as a coach than as a player, produced 14 A-As with his alma mater. Alford, McCracken and Wooden are among the following alphabetical list of 16 major-college All-Americans who went on to coach at least one major-college A-A:

Coach Alma Mater Year(s) as A-A All-American Player(s) Coached
Steve Alford Indiana 1986 and 1987 New Mexico's Darington Hobson (2010), UCLA's Kyle Anderson (2014) and UCLA's Lonzo Ball (2017)
Henry Bibby UCLA 1972 Southern California's Sam Clancy (2002)
Bob Cousy Holy Cross 1948 through 1950 Boston College's John Austin (1965 and 1966) and Terry Driscoll (1969)
Howie Dallmar Penn 1945 Penn's Ernie Beck (1951 and 1953) and Stanford's Paul Neumann (1959) and Rich Kelley (1975)
Larry Finch Memphis State 1973 Memphis State's Anfernee Hardaway (1993) and Lorenzen Wright (1996)
Tom Gola La Salle 1952 through 1955 La Salle's Larry Cannon (1969)
Jack Gray Texas 1934 and 1935 Texas' John Hargis (1947)
Clem Haskins Western Kentucky 1966 and 1967 Minnesota's Bobby Jackson (1997) and Quincy Lewis (1999)
Juwan Howard Michigan 1994 Michigan's Hunter Dickinson (2021)
Moose Krause Notre Dame 1932 through 1934 Notre Dame's Leo Barnhorst (1949), Leo Klier (1944), Kevin O'Shea (1947 through 1950)
Branch McCracken Indiana 1930 Indiana's Ernie Andres (1939), Walt Bellamy (1960), Archie Dees (1957 and 1958), Bill Garrett (1951), Ralph Hamilton (1947), Marv Huffman (1940), Slick Leonard (1953 and 1954), Bill Menke (1940), Jimmy Rayl (1962 and 1963), Don Schlundt (1953 through 1955), Dick Van Arsdale (1965), Tom Van Arsdale (1965), Lou Watson (1950) and Andy Zimmer (1942)
Jim O'Brien Boston College 1971 Boston College's Bill Curley (1994) and Ohio State's Scoonie Penn (1999 and 2000)
John Oldham Western Kentucky 1949 Tennessee Tech's Jimmy Hagan (1959) and Western Kentucky's Clem Haskins (1966 and 1967) and Jim McDaniels (1970 and 1971)
Harv Schmidt Illinois 1957 Illinois' Dave Scholz (1969)
John Thompson Jr. Providence 1964 Georgetown's Patrick Ewing (1982 through 1985), Sleepy Floyd (1981 and 1982), Allen Iverson (1996), Alonzo Mourning (1989 through 1992), Dikembe Mutombo (1991), Charles Smith (1989) and Reggie Williams (1987)
John Wooden Purdue 1932 Indiana State's Duane Klueh (1948) and UCLA's Lew Alcindor (1967 through 1969), Lucius Allen (1968), Henry Bibby (1972), Keith Erickson (1965), Gail Goodrich (1964 and 1965), John Green (1962), Walt Hazzard (1963 and 1964), Dave Meyers (1975), Willie Naulls (1956), Curtis Rowe (1970 and 1971), George Stanich (1950), Walt Torrence (1959), John Vallely (1970), Bill Walton (1972 through 1974), Mike Warren (1967 and 1968), Richard Washington (1975), Sidney Wicks (1970 and 1971) and Keith Wilkes (1973 and 1974)

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 8 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 8 in football at the professional level (especially in 1967):

OCTOBER 8

  • In 1933, Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) became the first NFL player to rush for 200 yards in a game (215 yards in 16 carries against New York Giants).

  • Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 35-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1939. Bears rookie HB Bob MacLeod (All-EIL choice for Dartmouth league champions in 1937-38 and 1938-39) caught a 21-yard TD pass and returned interception 41 yards for TD.

  • Baltimore Colts DE Ordell Braase (first-team All-NCC hoops pick for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) returned a fumble recovery nine yards for touchdown in 24-3 win against the Chicago Bears in 1967.

  • New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) returned a blocked punt return 28 yards for touchdown in 22-10 win against the Boston Yanks in 1944.

  • New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 14-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1939.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw five touchdown passes in a 41-0 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1967. Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had two first-half TD catches - one for 71 yards. Dolphins QB Archie Roberts (averaged 2.2 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 14 contests as Columbia junior in 1963-64) played in his lone AFL game, completing 5-of-10 passes.

  • Detroit Lions TE Darren Fells (led UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons while averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford in a 27-24 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2017.

  • Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) caught two touchdown passes from Glenn Dobbs in a 49-28 AAFC win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948.

  • Minnesota Vikings DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 21 yards for touchdown in 34-24 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) passed for 281 yards.

  • Carolina Panthers WR Donald Hayes (played in two basketball games for Wisconsin in 1995-96 under coach Dick Bennett) opened game's scoring with a 43-yard touchdown pass reception from QB Steve Beuerlein in 26-3 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2000.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted five times for 238 yards (47.6 average) in a 21-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1961.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had career-high 11 pass receptions in a 27-20 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2015. It was his third of four consecutive contests with at least eight pass receptions for more than 100 receiving yards. Two years later, Hopkins caught three touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in a 42-34 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (teammate of All-American Jack Stephens averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored four touchdowns - including 54-yard run from scrimmage opening game's scoring - in a 45-7 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1961.

  • Miami Dolphins RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 27-24 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1995.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1950. The next year, Layne threw three TD passes - two to HB Doak Walker (SMU hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) - in a 37-10 win against the New York Yanks in 1951.

  • Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 27-6 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950.

  • Baltimore Ravens WR Vince Mayle (averaged 8 ppg for Shasta CC in 2009-10) opened game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in 30-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2017.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 354 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 38-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2006.

  • Green Bay Packers DE Dan Orlich (Nevada-Reno hoops letterman in 1947-48 and 1948-49) returned a fumble recovery 15 yards for touchdown in 44-31 setback against the New York Yanks in 1950. Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three of his NFL-high 22 TD passes.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught 12 passes for 176 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff Garcia - in a 34-28 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2000.

  • St. Louis Rams rookie LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had 10 solo tackles in a 35-0 win against the Detroit Lions in 2001.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 11 passes for 206 yards - including two touchdowns from Tom Flores - in a 24-10 AFL win against the Boston Patriots in 1965.

  • WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught fourth-quarter touchdown pass from QB John Brodie to give the San Francisco 49ers a 27-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1967.

  • Chicago Cardinals TB Jack Robbins (repeated as All-SWC first-team selection in 1938 for Arkansas) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1939.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had three interceptions in a 21-16 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961.

  • New York Giants QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 45-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1972. Eleven years earlier, WR Tom Osborne (scored 1,291 points for Hastings NE during last half of 1950s) accounted for the Washington Redskins' only TD by catching a pass from Snead in 31-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1961.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-3 win against the New York Giants in 1978.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars WR Cedric Tillman (averaged 4.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg while serving as part-time starter for Alcorn State in 1990-91) opened game's scoring with a touchdown catch from Mark Brunell in 20-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1995.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 8

Extra! Extra! Instead of cursing Plagiarist Biledumb's lame Mr. Magoo-like response to Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel plus DOJ and teacher unions treating ordinary traditional-value parents like crap if they question woke-speak buzzwords/phrases such as CRT, domestic terrorism, cancel culture, cisgender, toxic masculinity and misinformation, 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.

Three former hoopers from Pennsylvania small colleges - George Earnshaw (Swarthmore), Danny Litwhiler (Bloomsburg) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) - supplied significant World Series performances on this date. Ex-hoopers from current Big Ten Conference members Illinois (Tom Haller), Maryland (Charlie Keller) and Minnesota (Dave Winfield) also made news in MLB postseason competition on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 8 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 8

  • INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State basketball letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) scored a run as pinch-runner on Chuck Hiller's seventh-inning grand slam in 7-3 Game 4 triumph in 1962 World Series against the New York Yankees.

  • Detroit Tigers C Mickey Cochrane (five-sport athlete with Boston University first half of 1920s) stroked three singles in a 4-3 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of 1934 World Series.

  • New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hooper for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana in mid-1940s) delivered three doubles against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of 1951 World Series.

  • RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1922), clearly the pitching standout of 1930 World Series, carried the Philadelphia Athletics to a decisive 7-1 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the California Angels in 1968.

  • New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) supplied his fourth multiple-hit game in 1922 World Series to finish with a .471 batting average for champions in five outings against the New York Yankees.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) hurled a five-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of 1967 World Series.

  • San Francisco Giants C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) supplied a go-ahead homer off Whitey Ford in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of 1962 World Series.

  • RHP Oral Hildebrand (All-American hooper for Butler in 1928-29 and 1929-30) hurled four scoreless innings as the New York Yankees' starter in Game 4 of 1939 World Series when they swept the Cincinnati Reds.

  • Boston Red Sox LHP Bruce Hurst (J.C. hooper for Dixie UT in mid-1970s) secured a 9-2 victory against the California Angels in Game 2 of 1986 ALCS.

  • New York Yankees RF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) broke up a scoreless duel with seventh-inning homer en route to 7-4 success against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 4 of 1939 World Series.

  • St. Louis Cardinals LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) delivered a homer and double in 2-0 win against the St. Louis Browns in Game 5 of 1944 World Series.

  • Chicago Cubs CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) supplied four hits against the Florida Marlins in Game 2 of 2003 NLCS.

  • In Game 2, RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) hurled a 10-inning shutout for the New York Giants' lone victory against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1913 World Series.

  • LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) capped off a six-run, fourth-inning eruption with two-run homer as the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched 1959 World Series crown with 9-3 triumph against the Chicago White Sox in Game 6.

  • RHP Roy Parmelee (hoops letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago Cubs in 1936.

  • New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) provided a pair of doubles in 5-1 win against the New York Giants in Game 3 of 1937 World Series.

  • Detroit Tigers C Billy Sullivan Jr. (Portland hoops letterman in 1927-28) scored their only run in decisive Game 7 of 1940 World Series (2-1 setback against Cincinnati Reds).

  • OF Hub Walker (Ole Miss hooper in 1927 and 1929) stroked a pinch-hit double for the Detroit Tigers to fuel a four-run rally in eighth inning of 12-inning, 8-7 setback against the Chicago Cubs in Game Six of 1945 World Series.

  • New York Yankees LF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) delivered a triple among his postseason career-high three hits in 3-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of 1981 ALDS.

  • Kansas City Royals RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) fanned seven Houston Astros batters in four innings of relief in the opener of 2015 ALDS.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 7 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 7 football at the professional level (especially in 2001):

OCTOBER 7

  • Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two touchdowns in a 37-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1956.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) scored two second-quarter touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 35-33 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. Steelers DB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) returned an interception 25 yards for TD.

  • Los Angeles Rams RB Glenn Davis (Army hooper in 1944-45 and 1945-46) scored two second-half touchdowns (one rushing/one receiving) in a 38-23 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1951.

  • Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes for the third consecutive AFL contest in 1962.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) accounted for 27 points with four touchdowns and three extra points in a 60-0 win against the Rochester Jeffersons in 1923.

  • Houston Texans TE Darren Fells (led UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons while averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in 53-32 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019.

  • Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) returned an interception 69 yards for touchdown in 57-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1945.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught eight passes for 129 yards in a 20-6 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2001. Eleven years later with the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez caught 13 passes in a 24-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 2012.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-3 win against the New York Jets in 1973.

  • Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-30 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught nine passes for 151 yards in a 19-16 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. First NFL reception for Cowboys TE Rico Gathers (two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection averaged 8.6 ppg and 8 rpg for Baylor from 2012-13 through 2015-16) was a 32-yard pass from Dak Prescott.

  • RB-K Paul Hornung (teammate of All-American Jack Stephens averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) accounted for all of the Green Bay Packers' scoring by kicking three field goals in a 9-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 1962.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted eight times for 48.9-yard average in a 17-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979.

  • B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) supplied the New York Yankees' lone touchdown with a 15-yard rush in 9-7 setback against the Pottsville Maroons in 1928.

  • San Francisco 49ers B Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) rushed for two touchdowns for the second straight game in 1962.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 51-35 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1979.

  • Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-14 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 21-20 setback against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001.

  • Frankfort Yellow Jackets B Ken Mercer (three-year hoops letterman as Simpson IA forward) threw a fourth-quarter, go-ahead touchdown pass in 10-6 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1928.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Jordan Norwood (collected one rebound and one assist in four basketball games for Penn State in 2006-07) had a career-high nine pass receptions in 41-27 setback against the New York Giants in 2012.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 24-14 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2001.

  • The second of two second-half touchdown catches by WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) gave the Atlanta Falcons a 28-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1990.

  • New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) had two interceptions - returning one 34 yards for touchdown - in a 23-9 win against the Washington Redskins in 2001.

  • Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 20-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1962.

  • Denver Broncos rookie WR Courtland Sutton (collected three points and two rebounds in three SMU basketball games in 2015-16 when Larry Brown was coach) opened game's scoring with a touchdown reception from Case Keenum in 34-16 setback against the New York Jets in 2018.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) recovered a fumble for touchdown in 30-10 win against the New England Patriots in 2001.

  • Buffalo All-Americans E Luke Urban (player-coach for Boston College's hoops squad from 1918-19 through 1920-21) returned an interception for touchdown in 1923 game against the Akron Pros.

  • Tennessee Titans rookie WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught nine passes in a 30-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2012.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 7

Extra! Extra! Mr. Magoo (Plagiarist Biledumb) was asleep at the wheel a year ago while Israel endured terrorist attack from Hamas. Instead of faithfully attending one-small-size-fits-all #Dimorat deity Dr. Fraudci's Church of COVID in government-overreach DC swamp hesitant at the time about whether God-fearing Americans can celebrate Christmas with their extended families but still telling everyone to keep taking jabs, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Two former hoopers from West Virginia small colleges - Greasy Neale (West Virginia Wesleyan) and Joe Niekro (West Liberty) - supplied significant postseason competition performances for National League teams on this date. Former All-Western Athletic Conference hoopers Tony Gwynn (San Diego State) and Doug Howard (Brigham Young) also made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 7 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 7

  • Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) never had an extra-base hit in 28 World Series at-bats, but the Milwaukee Braves 1B drove in the only run of Game 5 in 1957 with a single off New York Yankees Hall of Fame P Whitey Ford.

  • Detroit Tigers C Mickey Cochrane (five-sport athlete with Boston University first half of 1920s) stroked three singles and scored winning run in bottom of the ninth inning in a 4-3 win against the Chicago Cubs in Game 6 clincher of 1935 World Series.

  • New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) reached base five times with two hits and three walks against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of 1921 World Series.

  • Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected three doubles in an 8-4 win against the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of 1945 World Series.

  • In 2001, Hall of Fame OF Tony Gwynn (All-Western Athletic Conference second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) played final game of his 20-year career for the San Diego Padres. Seventeen years earlier, Gwynn's two-run double put the Padres ahead to stay in a 6-3 triumph against the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of 1984 NLCS.

  • In Game 7, Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) went hitless again against the New York Yankees and finished 0-for-21 in 1952 World Series.

  • 1B-OF Doug Howard (All-Western Athletic Conference second-team selection with Brigham Young in 1968-69 and 1969-70) shipped by the California Angels to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete an earlier deal in 1974.

  • New York Yankees RF Charlie Keller (three-year hoops letterman with Maryland from 1934-35 through 1936-37) clobbered two homers in a 7-3 win at Cincinnati in Game 3 of 1939 World Series.

  • Kansas City Royals DH Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) scored two runs in a 6-2 victory against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of 1977 ALCS.

  • Chicago White Sox 3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for BYU from 1974-75 through 1976-77) knocked in his lone postseason run (against Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of 1983 ALCS).

  • Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) died of tuberculosis in 1925 at the age of 45.

  • Philadelphia Phillies OF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) sent Game 4 into extra innings with a pinch homer before they bowed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-3, in 1978 NLCS.

  • Cincinnati Reds RF Greasy Neale (hooper graduated in 1915 from West Virginia Wesleyan) went 3-for-4 for the second time in the first six games of 1919 World Series against the Chicago White Sox.

  • Houston Astros RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) hurled eight shutout innings in a 1-0 triumph against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of 1981 NLDS.

  • Cleveland Indians rookie LHP Joe Shaute (hooper for Mansfield PA in early 1920s) toiled 11 innings or hurled complete game for eighth time in a little more than a month at conclusion of 1923 campaign.

  • RHP Al Shealy (Newberry College SC hooper in early 1920s) selected from St. Paul (American Association) by the Chicago Cubs in 1929 Rule 5 draft.

  • Cincinnati Reds 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) hit safely in first six games of 1940 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

  • RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) fanned nine opposing batters in 6 2/3 innings to notch the San Diego Padres' only victory in 2006 NLCS (3-1 against St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3).

  • New York Yankees LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) hurled a complete-game, 7-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of 1928 World Series.

Israeli Basketball Blows Up Much of Middle East Like Pagers/Walkie-Talkies

As Israel mourns the one-year mark after Hamas' horrific terrorist attack, nation can take its mind off despair and increased anti-semitism by focusing on basketball superiority. How few quality basketball players originated from majority of Middle East and Arab League (Afghanistan/Algeria/Bahrain/Egypt/Iran/Iraq/Jordan/Kuwait/Lebanon/Libya/Morocco/Oman/Palestine/Qatar/Saudi Arabia/Somalia/Syria/Yemen)? Meanwhile, Connecticut (bolstered by Big East Conference honorees Nadav Henefeld and Doron Sheffer) has been the biggest beneficiary from the following long list of premier Israelis playing for NCAA Division I universities:

Israeli Player Pos. DI School(s) College Statistics
David Adler G South Florida Averaged 4.7 ppg in 1996-97.
Danny Allouche G Missouri/Northwestern Averaged 4.3 ppg in 1995-96 and 2.8 ppg in 1996-97 with Mizzou before transferring to Northwestern and averaging 2.8 ppg in 1998-99.
Ben Altiot F-C Bryant Averaged 5 ppg and 2.6 rpg as a freshman in 2011-12.
Lior Arditti G Boston College Averaged 9.3 ppg in 1989-90 and 4.5 ppg in 1990-91.
Moshe "Mickey" Berkovich G UNLV Averaged 2.5 ppg in 1975-76. His son, Niv, played for Marquette in 2004-05.
Gadi Buch F Fairleigh Dickinson Averaged 4.3 ppg and 2 rpg from 2002-03 through 2004-05.
Nir Cohen F-C San Diego J.C. recruit averaged 9.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Shot a team-high 53.2% from the floor as a senior.
Shey Cohen F Niagara J.C. recruit averaged 3.1 ppg and 2.7 rpg from 1999-00 through 2001-02.
Ido Flaisher C Hawaii Averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.1 rpg in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Raziel Hayun F Manhattan Averaged 3.4 ppg in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Nadav Henefeld F Connecticut Big East Conference Rookie of the Year in 1989-90 when he led the league in steals (3.7 spg) while also averaging 11.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg.
Tom Kaplan F Monmouth Averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg for the Hawks' 2004 NCAA playoff team.
Tomer Karni G Marist Led the Red Foxes in assists with 85 to go along with 5.3 ppg in 1995-96 before returning to his native country to play professionally.
Shahar Lazar G Gardner-Webb New Mexico State redshirt transfer averaged 3.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg in 2023-24.
Karam Mashour G-F Morehead State UNLV transfer averaged 10.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg in 2014-15.
Gal Mekel G Wichita State Averaged 4 ppg as a freshman in 2006-07 and 9.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg and team-high 3.7 apg as a sophomore in 2007-08.
Michael Moshkovitz F Penn Juco recruit averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Ofri Navey F West Virginia Averaged 2.6 ppg and 2.5 rpg as a freshman in 2023-24.
Izik Ohanon F Saint Louis Part-time starter averaged 4.9 ppg and 3.2 rpg as a sophomore in 2002-03, 7.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg as a junior in 2003-04 and 11.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg with a team-high 52.7% shooting from the floor as a senior in 2004-05.
Doron Sheffer G Connecticut Big East Conference Freshman of the Year in 1993-94 when he averaged 11.9 ppg and 4.8 apg while leading the Huskies in steals. He was an All-Big East second-team selection the next season and became an All-American in 1995-96 when averaging 16 ppg and 6.1 apg.
Israel Sheinfeld C Wright State Averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg as a freshman in 1998-99, 17 ppg with team highs of 7.7 rpg and 54.3% field-goal shooting as a sophomore in 1999-2000, and 14.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg with a team high of 59.4 field-goal shooting as a junior in 2000-01 before turning pro early.
Haim Shimonovich F-C Hawaii Averaged 6.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg from 2000-01 through 2003-04. Led the Rainbows in rebounding as a sophomore and junior.
Yaniv Simpson G Monmouth Averaged 8.5 ppg and hit all 16 of his free-throw attempts as a sophomore in 2007-08 and 7.7 ppg with team-high 53 three-pointers as a junior in 2008-09.
Amit Tamir C California Averaged 9.9 ppg and 3.5 rpg and shot 82.9% from the free-throw line as a freshman in 2001-02 before becoming an All-Pacific-10 Conference selection as a sophomore when he averaged 14.9 ppg and 6.5 rpg. Contributed 12.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg as a junior in 2003-04.
Mushon Ya'akosi F Fordham Averaged 5.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg from 2002-03 through 2004-05.
Jovan Zelenbaba G Northwestern State Averaged 4.7 ppg and 2 rpg from 2019-20 through 2022-23.
Guy Zenou F Towson Averaged 5.2 ppg and 2.4 rpg as a freshman in 1998-99.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 6 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 6 football at the professional level (especially in 1963):

OCTOBER 6

  • Boston Redskins RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) contributed an 85-yard kickoff return for touchdown against the New York Giants in 1935. Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 TD passes in second quarter to B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) in a 20-12 win.

  • Green Bay Packers WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) returned a kickoff 90 yards for touchdown in 37-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 1996.

  • Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 28 yards for touchdown in 17-14 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1974.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes in a 28-7 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1963.

  • Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) had one of his league-high seven pass reception touchdowns - 82 yards from Paul Christman - in a 34-17 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1946.

  • Oakland Raiders rookie TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Hostetler in a 34-13 win against the New York Jets in 1996.

  • Capping off four consecutive contests with at least 100 receiving yards, New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 135 yards in a 26-18 win against the Chicago Bears in 2013.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) returned an interception 85 yards for touchdown in 21-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1946.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-35 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2003.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three second-half touchdown passes to WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) in a 56-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1963.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for four of his league-high 16 touchdowns in a 34-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2019.

  • Dallas Cowboys DE Ed "Too Tall" Jones (backup center averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had 2 1/2 sacks in a 30-29 win against the New York Giants in 1985.

  • New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 38-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1968.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1956.

  • Miami Dolphins rookie RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) rushed once for 10 yards and had career highs of six pass receptions and 86 receiving yards in a 22-15 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1996.

  • San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 23-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957.

  • Posting a career-high 117 rushing yards, a nine-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to 13-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1974.

  • New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 11 passes for 162 yards in a 43-14 AFL setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962.

  • Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored two touchdowns (68-yard rush and 35-yard pass reception) in a 49-25 win against the Boston Yanks in 1946.

  • New England Patriots WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett in a 42-3 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1974.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught five passes for 130 yards in a 34-13 win against the New England Patriots in 1997.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 36-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1975.

  • Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (SMU hooper for three games in 2015-16 under coach Larry Brown) secured a career-long 70-yard touchdown reception from QB Joe Flacco in 20-13 win against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019.

  • Washington Redskins rookie HB Ed Sutton (seven games for North Carolina as sophomore in 1954-55) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 37-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1957.

  • Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 142 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 50-34 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1963.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught nine passes for 122 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Peyton Manning - in a 51-48 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 6

Extra! Extra! Rather than cursing hideous happy-hooker honcho Hunter's demented Delaware beach-shuffling daddy telling God-fearing parents how to raise their kids via suspect jabs, Dr. Fraudci multiple masks, vocabulary-teaching phonographs, scam artistry, sky-is-falling climate-change culture, creepy hair sniffing, big-guy skinny dipping in view of female Secret Service agents, $5.5 trillion-equals-zero math, et al, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Two former small-college hoopers from Pennsylvania - George Earnshaw (Swarthmore) and Joe Ostrowski (Scranton) - supplied significant World Series pitching performances for American League teams on this date. Ditto small-school hoopers from Louisiana - Lee Smith (Northwestern State) and Cecil Upshaw (Centenary) - as relievers in Championship Series competition. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 6 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 6

  • Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) went the distance in whipping the St. Louis Cardinals, 10-4, in Game 4 of the 1934 World Series.

  • Philadelphia Phillies rookie LHP Stan Baumgartner (hooper for University of Chicago's Big Ten Conference champion in 1913-14) closed out the 1914 campaign with a seven-inning shutout against the New York Giants.

  • Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in a 1929 game.

  • St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) collided with a teammate in Game 4 and was sidelined for the remainder of the 1926 World Series against the New York Yankees.

  • New York Giants RHP Louis Drucke (Texas Christian hoops letterman in 1909) went 6-for-11 at the plate and scored six runs in his last four starts of 1910 campaign.

  • RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1922) squared the 1931 World Series with a two-hit, 3-0 shutout for the Philadelphia Athletics against the St. Louis Cardinals. The previous year, Earnshaw combined Hall of Famer Lefty Grove for a three-hit shutout against the Cardinals in Game 5 of 1930 World Series.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) hurled a five-hitter in 10-1 triumph against the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of 1968 World Series.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoops scholarship in late 1920s) accumulated two doubles among his four hits in a 10-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of 1934 World Series. Six years later, Greenberg's three-run homer opened the scoring in an 8-0 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 5 of the 1940 WS.

  • 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) whacked a three-run homer to power the Oakland Athletics to a 4-0 triumph against the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the 1981 ALDS.

  • In 2001, San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-Western Athletic Conference second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81 who twice led league in assists) registered the final of his 3,141 MLB career hits (double against the Colorado Rockies).

  • Despite walking eight batters, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) won his only World Series start (6-2 against New York Yankees in Game 3 in 1951).

  • LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) outdueled fellow lefthander Whitey Ford as the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the 1963 World Series from the New York Yankees. 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) contributed both of L.A.'s safeties off Ford, including a long homer in the fifth inning.

  • Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) fired as Los Angeles Dodgers manager in 2000.

  • Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) doubled home the tying run in the bottom of the 10th inning and scored on Eddie Mathews' game-winning homer in a 7-5 decision over the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1957 World Series. Yankees 3B Jerry Lumpe (hooper in 1952 NAIA Tournament final for Southwest Missouri State's championship team) hit safely in third consecutive WS outing.

  • Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) secured his first two of 260 MLB victories by winning both ends of a 1923 doubleheader in relief against the Cleveland Indians.

  • Billy Martin (Georgetown's runner-up in scoring as sophomore in 1910-11) appeared in his only MLB game, starting at SS for the Boston Braves in nightcap of 1914 twinbill.

  • St. Louis Cardinals LHP Jim Mooney (hooper for East Tennessee State) hurled one inning of scoreless relief in Game 4 against the Detroit Tigers in the 1934 World Series.

  • RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) posted his 20th triumph of the 1980 season (7-1 against Los Angeles Dodgers in one-game playoff) to propel the Houston Astros to postseason competition for the first time since the franchise started in 1962.

  • New York Yankees LHP Joe Ostrowski (led Scranton PA in scoring with 15.1 ppg in 1942-43) tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Game 3 of 1951 World Series against the New York Giants.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers OF Rip Repulski (part-time hoops starter for St. Cloud State MN) received an intentional walk in Game 5 in his only at-bat in the 1959 World Series against the Chicago White Sox.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) tossed a shutout against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the 1949 World Series. The contest's only RBI was supplied by 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948), who drove in 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41).

  • New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) registered his fourth multiple-hit game in the 1936 World Series against the New York Giants. Rolfe hit .400 in six contests.

  • Closer Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) lost Game 4 with the Chicago Cubs in the 1984 NLCS and Game 2 with the Boston Red Sox in the 1988 ALCS.

  • Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leader in scoring average with 15.4 ppg as junior in 1962-63) relieved in each of the first three games against the New York Mets in the 1969 NLCS.

  • Washington Senators RHP Monte Weaver (hoops center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1920s) toiled 10 1/3 innings before losing, 2-1, against the New York Giants in Game 4 of the 1933 World Series.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 5 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 5 in football at the professional level (especially in 2014):

OCTOBER 5

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged #2-scorer 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 and 11.3 as junior) rushed for three touchdowns - one of them for 59 yards - in a 45-12 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1958. Five years later, Brown rushed for 175 yards on 21 carries in a 35-23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963.

  • Chicago Cardinals rookie TB Johnny Clement (Southern Methodist hoops letterman in 1940) threw a 76-yard touchdown pass in 14-13 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1941. Six years later with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Clement threw two TD passes in a 27-26 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1947.

  • Chicago Bears QB Jack Concannon (grabbed one rebound in one Boston College basketball contest in 1961-62) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-24 setback against the New York Giants in 1969. The next year, he threw two TD passes totaling 80 yards to Dick Gordon in a 28-14 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1970.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) kicked a 40-yard field goal for game's only score in 3-0 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1924.

  • Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (Maryland-Eastern Shore hooper) returned a kickoff 92 yards for touchdown in 21-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1969.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 31-0 win against the New York Jets in 2014.

  • Rookie E Dale Gentry (averaged 5.3 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) opened the Los Angeles Dons' scoring with a blocked punt return for touchdown in 21-9 AAFC win against the Chicago Rockets in 1946.

  • Boston Patriots rookie WR Art Graham (collected one point and three rebounds in two basketball games with Boston College in 1961-62) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-24 setback against the New York Jets in 1963.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-17 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1980.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught eight passes for 144 yards in a 37-31 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2014.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted five times for 54-yard average in a 24-3 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1980.

  • New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 36-17 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1969.

  • TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened the San Francisco 49ers' scoring with a 24-yard touchdown pass reception in 20-3 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1975.

  • Buffalo Bills rookie QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-25 AAFC win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1947.

  • Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Gary Danielson in a 43-28 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1980.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 41-20 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2014.

  • Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 29-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2014.

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