Hunt for Mr. October: Ex-College Hoopers Become World Series Standouts
If it was easy, then everyone could do it. Just ask Charles Barkley's golf swing. After playing college hoops for current Division I universities, MLB All-Stars Joe Adcock (LSU/no extra-base hits), Mickey Cochrane (Boston University/.245), Dick Groat (Duke/.204), Davey Johnson (Texas A&M/.192 and homerless), Wally Moon (Texas A&M/.240 with only one extra-base hit), Graig Nettles (San Diego State/.225 and homerless), Jackie Robinson (UCLA/.234) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota/.136 and homerless) struggled at the plate in World Series competition significantly more than they did during the regular season. But at least they didn't get booed by classless DC swamp creatures and parasites at WS similar to President Trump a year ago.
In a view from Flyover Country, exalted Washington's crude crowd ambushing #TheDonald's contingent much like a menacing Mexican drug cartel should be locked out of the World Series for another 86 years or at least confronted by a red-state/right-handed half-a-peace sign. On second thought, it seems earthlings only have about 10 years remaining if you put any wizard stock in what rooftop-dancing bartender #AOC claims concerning climate change. Infected by ultimate charlatans such as deranged DC dunce Adam Schiff-ty (Chairman of the House Lack-of-Intelligence Committee) and pedantic presidential candidate Eric "Let Her Rip" Swalwell, perhaps the locals' warped scorn stemmed from the Russians possibly meddling with a vital voting count again "resisting" the elimination of former White House mouthpiece Sean Spicer from Dancing With the Stars despite his limited fluidity. Don't even get started regarding authenticity of corrupted computer involving #VicePlagiarist's spaced-out offspring.
On the flip side of the success spectrum akin to Bama/LSU "game-of-century" football crowd cheering POTUS, which such versatile athletes thrived in the Fall Classic? The premier pitcher and player overall in this category probably is Bob Gibson (Creighton) while the most regal regular may come from among outfielders Earle Combs (Eastern Kentucky), Tony Gwynn (San Diego State) and Riggs Stephenson (Alabama). Following is an All-Mr. October Team featuring do-everything former varsity basketball players who attended schools that are or were major colleges before excelling in the World Series:
| Position | Ex-College Hooper | DI School | World Series Participation Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Marius Russo | Long Island | Permitted only one earned run in winning both of his Fall Classic complete games with Yankees - 1941 (vs. Dodgers) and 1943 (Cardinals). |
| RHP | Bob Gibson | Creighton | Compiled 7-2 record and 1.89 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 81 innings with Cardinals in 1964 (Yankees), 1967 (Red Sox) and 1968 (Tigers). |
| Reliever | Ron Reed | Notre Dame | Allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in five relief appearances with Phillies in 1980 (Royals) and 1983 (Orioles). |
| C | Tom Haller | Illinois | Hit .286 (4-for-14 including one homer off Hall of Fame P Whitey Ford) with Giants in 1962 (Yankees). |
| 1B | Hank Greenberg | NYU | Hit .318 (27-for-85) with 14 extra-base hits and 22 RBI in 23 games for Tigers in 1934 (Cardinals), 1935 (Cubs), 1940 (Reds) and 1945 (Cubs). |
| 2B | Charles "Buddy" Myer | Mississippi State | Hit .286 (8-for-28) in eight games with Senators in 1925 (Pirates) and 1933 (Giants). |
| 3B | Billy Werber | Duke | Hit .326 (14-for-43) in 11 games with Reds in 1939 (Yankees) and 1940 (Tigers). |
| SS | Alvin Dark | LSU/USL | Hit .323 (21-for-65) in 16 games for Braves (.167) and Giants (.415) in 1948 (Indians), 1951 (Yankees) and 1954 (Indians). |
| LF | Riggs Stephenson | Alabama | Hit .378 (14-for-37) in nine games with Cubs in 1929 (Athletics) and 1932 (Yankees). |
| CF | Earle Combs | Eastern Kentucky | Hit .350 (21-for-60) in 16 games with Yankees in 1926 (Cardinals), 1927 (Pirates), 1928 (Cardinals) and 1932 (Cubs). |
| RF | Tony Gwynn | San Diego State | Hit .371 (13-for-35) in nine games with Padres in 1984 (Tigers) and 1998 (Yankees). |
| Most Overlooked | Davis "Dave" Robertson | North Carolina State | RF hit .500 (11-for-22) in six games with New York Giants in 1917 under manager John McGraw. Robertson's 11 safeties remained a WS record for 36 years. |
| Most Underrated | Charlie Keller | Maryland | OF hit .306 (22-for-72 with 10 extra-base hits) in 19 games with Yankees in 1939 (Reds), 1941 (Dodgers), 1942 (Cardinals) and 1943 (Cardinals). |
| Manager | Walter Alston | Miami (Ohio) | Seven N.L. pennants with Dodgers resulted in four World Series championships (1955-59-63-65). |