On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 23 MLB Games

October 23rd, 2018 - 7:22

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former college hoopers Jack Coombs (Colby ME) and Bruce Hurst (Dixie UT J.C.) hurled complete-game victories in MLB World Series competition on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 23

  • In Game 5 of the 1910 World Series, Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (basketball captain and starting center for Colby ME) tossed his third complete-game victory against the Chicago Cubs.

  • Boston Red Sox LHP Bruce Hurst (J.C. hooper for Dixie UT in mid-1970s) notched a 4-2 complete-game victory against the New York Mets in Game 5 of the 1986 World Series.

  • Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hired as Los Angeles Dodgers manager in 1998.

  • Kansas City Royals LF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) contributed a pinch-hit double against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the 1985 World Series.

  • Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) replaced by Bob Watson as New York Yankees general manager in 1995.

  • INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons for UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, paving the way for MLB integration.

  • OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 1962-63 and 1963-64 with LIU-C.W. Post) purchased from the Cleveland Indians by the Washington Senators in 1970.