On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Mark in September 3 MLB Games
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.
Tony Clark and Kenny Lofton, a pair of former hoopers who played for Arizona coach Lute Olson, supplied significant performances with American League teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 3
Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC basketball games in 1991-92 after transferring from Arizona) contributed five RBI against the Atlanta Braves in a 1997 game.
In the midst of hitting safely in all 13 games he played this month, Philadelphia Phillies 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) delivered four safeties in the nightcap of a 1973 twinbill against the New York Mets.
Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) became MLB's first 20-game winner in the 1979 season.
In his final MLB appearance in 1975, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) allowed a pinch-hit grand slam to the Chicago Cubs' Pete LaCock before retiring SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year).
Philadelphia Phillies LHP Lefty Hoerst (four-year hoops letterman for La Salle in late 1930s) hurled his first complete game (4-1 win against Brooklyn Dodgers in nightcap of 1941 doubleheader).
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) lashed three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in the nightcap of a 1945 twinbill.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled his second straight shutout in 1955 (4-0 against Pittsburgh Pirates).
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) tied a MLB record by scoring in his 18th straight game, stole five bases and supplied five hits, including a walk-off homer in the 13th inning, in a 12-11 victory against the Baltimore Orioles in 2000.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke hoops letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) hurled a no-hitter against Washington in 1947.
LF Jimmy Moore (Union TN hoops standout in late 1920s), making his Philadelphia Athletics debut in 1930, collected a double, homer and four RBI in an 11-4 win against the Boston Red Sox.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) fanned 11 St. Louis Cardinals batters en route to an N.L.-leading 148 whiffs in 1945.
Pittsburgh Pirates OF Ted Savage (Lincoln MO scoring average leader in 1955-56) stroked a pinch-hit, three-run homer against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1963 contest.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1933 outing.
San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) whacked two homers against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 2005 game.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Mark in September 2 MLB Games
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.
Multiple Show-Me State colleges - Central Missouri, Drury, Mizzou, Missouri State and Washington University - had former hoopers "show" significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 2 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 2
Bonus baby 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) made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 1958.
1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading scorer in 1945-46) pounded a pinch-hit, two-run homer off RHP Bobby Humphreys (four-year hoops letterman graduated from Hampden-Sydney VA in 1958) to give the California Angels a 6-5 win against the Washington Senators in 1966.
In 1981, RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) toiled 10 innings against the Baltimore Orioles en route to setting a Seattle Mariners record for a starter by pitching 19 straight scoreless innings.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Bill Beckmann (hooper in late 1920s for Washington MO) hurled his second straight shutout in 1939.
INF Bosey Berger (NCAA consensus All-American first-team hoops selection in 1932 for Maryland) combined with Chicago White Sox teammate Mike Kreevich to hit homers as the first two batters in a game for the second time in the 1937 campaign.
New York Mets 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) clobbered two homers against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1969 contest.
After sitting out almost a month because of a broken rib, New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) fell and broke his shoulder in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1955.
Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) won his 12th straight contest for victory No. 24 in the opener of a 1946 twinbill against the New York Yankees.
In 1983, Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) posted his 13th consecutive triumph over the Minnesota Twins when teammate Ken Singleton (played for Hofstra's freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) broke up a scoreless duel with a ninth-inning homer.
Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) accumulated a total of nine hits in back-to-back 1957 twinbills the first two days of the month.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) hurled his 12th shutout in span of 18 starts covering less than three months in 1968.
San Francisco Giants RHP Ed Halicki (NAIA All-American third-team choice in 1971-72 when leading Monmouth in scoring with 21 ppg after setting school single-game rebounding record with 40 previous season) fanned 12 opposing batters for the third game in a three-week span in 1975.
Brooklyn Robins 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive contests in 1930 and 1931) banged out four hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1937 game. Five years later, Hassett duplicated the feat for the New York Yankees against the St. Louis Browns in the nightcap of a 1942 twinbill.
Philadelphia Phillies LHP Lefty Hoerst (four-year hoops letterman for La Salle in late 1930s) yielded only two hits but managed to lose by walking four batters in the eighth inning in 1942.
Washington Senators slugging 1B-OF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) received intentional passes his first three plate appearances, twice leading off an inning, against the Cleveland Indians in a 1970 contest.
Atlanta Braves 1B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg for Texas A&M in 1961-62) homered in both ends of a 1974 doubleheader sweep of the San Diego Padres.
St. Louis Browns SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in a 1916 outing.
Chicago Cubs INF Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) accounted for the game's only run with a ninth-inning homer off the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch in 1986.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie OF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s), en route to a 21-game hitting streak, collected six safeties and eight RBI in a 1940 doubleheader sweep of the New York Giants.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) stroked a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning off Chicago Cubs closer Bruce Sutter in 1979.
New York Yankees rookie RHP Zach Monroe (played hoops briefly for Bradley in 1950-51) hurled his lone MLB complete game, defeating the Boston Red Sox, 6-1, in 1958.
In his first start for the St. Louis Cardinals, RF Irv Noren (hooper of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) stroked three extra-base hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1957 contest.
Atlanta Braves RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) spun his second three-hit shutout in less than a month in 1974.
OF Larry Sheets (All-ODAC hoops selection for Eastern Mennonite VA in 1981-82 and 1982-83) shipped by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Seattle Mariners as part of a conditional deal in 1993.
Boston Red Sox RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) hurled a one-hitter and socked two homers in a 3-0 triumph against the Baltimore Orioles in 1971.
Boston Red Sox RHP Dave Sisler (All-Ivy League second-team selection for Princeton's first NCAA Tournament team in 1952) surrendered back-to-back homers to Hall of Famers Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle in 1958. It was one of 12 times the New York Yankees' duo whack back-to-back round-trippers. They homered in the same game 50 times.
SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers for Drury MO in 1942-43 and 1943-44) drilled a pinch two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-3 win against the New York Giants in 1955.
In the midst of winning his final seven decisions in 1977, Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) tossed a one-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers in the nightcap of a twinbill.
LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points for Benedictine KS from 1955-56 through 1957-58) purchased from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Boston Red Sox in 1972.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) knocked in six runs in an 8-1 victory against the Chicago Cubs in 1953.
St. Louis Browns OF Hal Warnock (Arizona hoops letterman from 1931-32 through 1933-34) contributed a pinch-hit double in his first MLB plate appearance in the nightcap of a 1935 doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.
Boston Braves 3B Chuck Workman (two-time All-MIAA first-five hoops selection was leading scorer when Central Missouri won inaugural NAIA Tournament in 1937) whacked two homers in the opener of a 1945 twinbill against the Philadelphia Phillies.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle September Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves in September football at the professional level:
SEPTEMBER
2: Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (basketball starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 23-17 win against the New York Giants in 1979. . . . Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 29-27 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1979 season opener.
3: Cleveland Browns rookie HB Ara Parseghian (Miami of Ohio hooper in 1946-47 and 1947-48) caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 19-14 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) registered three pass receptions for 113 yards in a 24-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1978. . . . Arizona Cardinals DL Mao Tosi (averaged 4.1 ppg and 5.5 rpg with Idaho in 1997-98) had a career-high seven solo tackles in 21-16 setback against the New York Giants in his NFL debut in 2000 season opener.
4: Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 12 tackles in a 16-7 setback against the New York Giants in 2008. . . . Minnesota Vikings DE James Harris (Temple hooper in 1988-89 under coach John Chaney) scored a touchdown on a 17-yard fumble recovery return in a 16-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1994 season opener. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 14 pass receptions for 193 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Jeff George (one for 69 yards) - in a 31-28 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1994. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw four touchdown passes - including 91-yarder to Tony Dorsett - in a 38-0 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1978 season opener. . . . New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in a 23-3 season-opening win against the Buffalo Bills in 1994.
5: Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw four touchdown passes - three of them in fourth quarter - in a 28-28 tie against the Buffalo Bills in 1949. . . . Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in a 45-28 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) had two third-quarter rushing touchdowns in a 28-28 tie against the Cleveland Browns in 1949. . . . In his NFL debut, Cincinnati Bengals WR Patrick Robinson (starting guard for Tennessee State in 1990-91 when averaging 6.7 ppg and 2.9 apg) returned five punts for 70 yards and three kickoffs for 74 yards in a 27-14 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1993. Robinson finished his rookie campaign with a league-high 43 punt returns. . . . 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 second-quarter touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 49-27 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. . . . Denver Broncos WR Cedric Tillman (averaged 4.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg while serving as part-time starter for Alcorn State in 1990-91) caught a go-ahead touchdown pass from John Elway in 26-20 win against the New York Jets in 1993 season opener.
6: Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1998.
7: New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered three sacks in a 33-3 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1986. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes (57 and 21 yards) in a 21-20 setback against the Houston Texans in 2003. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes - including 81-yarder to Frank Jackson - in a 59-7 win against the Denver Broncos in 1963. . . . TE Demetrius Harris (led Milwaukee in FG% and rebounding as senior in 2012-13) opened the Kansas City Chiefs' scoring with a touchdown reception from Alex Smith in 42-27 win against the defending champion New England Patriots in 2017 season opener. . . . WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) opened the Houston Texans' scoring with a 76-yard touchdown catch in 17-6 win against the Washington Redskins in 2014 season opener. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 win against the Chicago Bears in 1997. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 31-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 361 yards - including three first-half touchdowns - in a 38-3 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2008. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught seven passes for 181 yards in a 24-13 win against the Houston Oilers in 1963. . . . Denver Broncos TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) had a career-high seven pass receptions in a 30-21 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1962. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught three second-quarter touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-24 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2014.
8: New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered three sacks in a 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had nine pass receptions for 108 yards in a 23-10 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2013. . . . Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff George in a 28-27 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 154 yards in an 18-17 setback against the New York Jets in 2013. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 26-20 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2002. The next year, Johnson threw two second-half TD passes in a 17-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2002. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had eight pass receptions for 162 yards in a 28-27 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1997. . . . In 1985 season opener, Oakland Raiders LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 61.7% from floor as Michigan State sophomore in 1970-71) had two sacks in a 31-0 win against the New York Jets. . . . In pro debut, New England Patriots WR Derwin Williams (New Mexico hooper in 1979-80) had NFL-career highs with five pass receptions and 94 receiving yards in a 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985.
9: Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) provided the game's decisive touchdown by returning an interception 32 yards in a 25-20 win against the Houston Oilers in 1967. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 10 passes for 133 yards in a 36-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 2007. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes for 107 yards in a 14-3 win against the Chicago Bears in 2007. . . . Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (led Heidelberg OH in scoring average as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 55-0 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1961 AFL season opener. . . . In 1968 season opener, Kansas City Chiefs DT Ernie Ladd (intended on only playing hoops for Grambling before legendary coach Eddie Robinson got him to play football) intercepted a pass in a 26-21 win against the Houston Oilers. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 312 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 20-17 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2001. . . . Houston Oilers rookie CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned a kickoff 43 yards in a 25-20 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in his pro debut in 1967. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo in a 45-35 win against the New York Giants in 2007. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught five passes for 175 yards - including two touchdowns from Lee Grosscup (80 and 64 yards) - in a 28-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1962. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had five pass receptions for 162 yards in a 16-13 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2007. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 27-24 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1979. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-13 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. . . . Los Angeles Dons rookie E Dick Wilkins (leading scorer for Oregon's all-time winningest team in 1944-45) caught a touchdown pass in each of his first two games in 1949.
10: Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught nine passes for 127 yards in a 14-10 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979. . . . Buffalo Bills LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in a 19-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2006. . . . Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) opened the game's scoring with a 27-yard touchdown catch in a 17-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 35-30 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught six passes for 100 yards in a 21-20 setback against the New York Jets in 1978. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 23-10 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned an interception 44 yards in a 10-0 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1978. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 13-12 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1990. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-10 win against the Houston Texans in 2006. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers QB Reino Nori (four-year hoops letterman for Northern Illinois in mid-1930s) threw a decisive 60-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of 13-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1937. . . . Buffalo Bills WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Jack Kemp (24 and 27 yards) in a 20-17 win against the New York Jets in 1967. . . . Chicago Cardinals TB Jack Robbins (repeated as All-SWC first-team selection in 1938 for Arkansas) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (46 and 30 yards) in a 21-13 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1939. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes from Brian Griese in a 42-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2000. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 win against the New York Giants in 1978. . . . 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 in a 21-20 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1978. . . . In 1961 season opener, Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 132 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 22-10 win against the Buffalo Bills. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie TE Melvin Tuten (scored seven points in four games for Syracuse in 1994-95 under coach Jim Boeheim) caught a go-ahead touchdown pass in 24-17 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.
11: Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught nine passes for 108 yards in a 23-13 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1983. . . . Houston Oilers TE John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) caught two second-half touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 37-22 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. . . . Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 79 yards for touchdown in 34-7 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2011. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Vince Marrow (averaged 7.4 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Youngstown State in 1988-89) had four pass receptions in a 38-35 win against the New England Patriots in 1994. . . . Detroit Lions TE Ulysses Norris (Georgia hooper in 1975-76) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-26 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1983. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 12 pass receptions - including two touchdowns from Jeff George - in a 31-13 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1994. . . . Detroit Lions DE Reggie Rogers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Washington from 1982-83 through 1984-85) registered a sack in a 17-10 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1988. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston in 2016 season-opening 31-24 win against the Atlanta Falcons. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery 85 yards for a touchdown in a 34-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 2005.
12: New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) provided two interceptions in a 17-13 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught eight passes for 123 yards in a 27-20 win against the Houston Texans in 2004. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 42-13 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1948. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) had nine pass receptions in a 20-3 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2004. . . . Seattle Seahawks TE Ron Howard (averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Seattle from 1971-72 through 1973-74) had a career-high seven pass receptions in a 30-24 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted seven times for 48.9-yard average in 19-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1976. Six years later in another season opener, Jennings punted six times for 53-yard average in 16-14 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1982. . . . Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw for 382 yards in a 41-35 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1999. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 19-17 win against the New York Giants in 1976. . . . Cleveland Rams DB Bill Lund (Case Western OH hooper) returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown in a 55-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. . . . QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 26-of-36 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns - three of them to Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) in his Philadelpia Eagles debut - in a 31-17 win against the New York Giants in 2004. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two touchdown catches in a 37-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1965. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught three touchdown passes in a 38-17 win against the New York Jets in 1976.
13: HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the Philadelphia Eagles' scoring with a rushing touchdown en route to a 24-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942. . . . Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) had four pass receptions for 82 yards in a 31-19 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2015, amassing the most receiving yardage by an Arizona Cardinals TE since mid-November 1989. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (hooper in seven games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught two touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 season opener. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted 11 times for 46.5-yard average in 17-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1981. . . . Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown in a 26-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. . . . In NFL debut, Philadelphia Eagles E Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference crown) opened the game's scoring with a pass reception touchdown in a 17-7 setback against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned a fumble recovery eight yards for a touchdown in a 17-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1981. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 38-10 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2009. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jim Kelly (53 and 24 yards) in a 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1992. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57 caught seven passes for 135 yards in a 17-14 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1964. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) caught #1 draft pick overall Jameis Winston's first two touchdown passes in a 42-14 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2015. . . . Philadelphia Eagles rookie E Len Supulski (Dickinson PA hooper) had a 41-yard pass reception for a touchdown in a 24-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery four yards for a touchdown in a 38-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1999. . . . New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in a 27-10 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992. . . . In 2015 season debut, Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught rookie Marcus Mariota's first NFL touchdown pass (52 yards) in a 42-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
14: In his only NFL start, Los Angeles Rams QB Terry Baker (Oregon State's second-leading scorer with 13.4 ppg for 1963 Final Four team) completed 6 of 12 passes for 72 yards and threw three interceptions in a 23-2 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1963. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 39-38 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2008. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught three touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 30-21 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. . . . New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 118 yards - including two touchdowns from Drew Brees - in a 26-24 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2014. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) passed for 327 yards in a 27-21 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969. . . . Rookie WR James Hardy (started three hoops games for Indiana in 2004-05) put the Buffalo Bills ahead to stay with a fourth-quarter touchdown reception in a 20-16 win against the Jacksonville Jaquars in 2008. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) completed 29-of-44 passes for 334 yards in a 28-14 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1997. Six years later as member of Bucs, Johnson passed for 339 yards in a 12-9 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2003. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 47-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1968. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) had two interceptions in a 21-17 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1969 season opener. . . . Chicago Rockets E Max Morris (Northwestern All-American in 1945 and 1946 when two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection averaged 16.3 ppg) caught a touchdown pass in a 28-20 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1947. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes from John Elway (72 and 38 yards) in a 35-14 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1997. . . . WR Tai Streets (collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for Michigan's NIT titlist in 1997 under coach Steve Fisher) opened the San Francisco 49ers' scoring with a 16-yard touchdown catch from Jeff Garcia in 27-24 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2003. . . . In 1969 season opener, Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in a 27-9 win against the San Diego Chargers. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 28-20 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1947. . . . E Al Vandeweghe (William & Mary hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) scored the Buffalo Bisons' lone touchdown with a 97-yard return of a fumble recovery in a 21-10 setback against the New York Yankees in 1946.
15: Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had the game-winning touchdown reception with 10 seconds remaining in a 31-30 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) scored three touchdowns - including an 83-yard pass reception and 80-yard rush - while rushing for 162 yards on 15 carries in a 37-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught six passes for 131 yards - including two touchdowns from Jack Kemp - in a 35-17 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1963. . . . New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 179 yards in a 16-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 290 yards (48.3 average) in a 21-21 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963 season opener. Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. . . . First pro touchdown catch for rookie WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) propelled the Houston Texans to a 30-24 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans in 2013. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in a 30-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002. . . . In 1968 season opener, New York Giants DT Bob Lurtsema (averaged 12.5 ppg for Michigan Tech in 1962-63) returned an interception 39 yards in a 34-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie HB Banks McFadden (led Clemson in scoring in each of his three seasons en route to becoming school's first All-American in 1939) had a 17-yard touchdown reception from TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) in a 24-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1940. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo - one of them for 72 yards - in a 41-37 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. . . . Carolina Panthers rookie DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 31-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 2002. . . . Washington Redskins E Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) caught three touchdown passes from Sonny Jurgensen in a 38-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1968. . . . Cincinnati Bengals QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) threw two second-half touchdown passes - 58 yards to Bob Trumpy and 54 yards to Warren McVea - in a 24-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 1968. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had nine pass receptions for 133 yards in a 23-20 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1962.
16: Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading hoops scorer in school history with 1,044 points) passed for more than 300 yards in each of first three games of the 1984 campaign. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) rushed for 134 yards on 17 carries in a 17-7 win against the New York Giants in 1962. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught nine passes in a 37-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2007. . . . Chicago Hornets TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) opened the game's scoring with a six-yard rushing touchdown and threw two TD passes in a 35-7 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1949. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for three touchdowns in a 34-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1962. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 38-0 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1973. . . . Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in a 31-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1966. . . . Baltimore Colts TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas in a 30-27 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1962. . . . Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) returned a fumble recovery 47 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown in a 27-14 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Lee Grosscup in a 40-14 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1962. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1973 opener. Six years later, Staubach threw three TD passes in a 24-20 win against the Chicago Bears in 1979. . . . New England Patriots LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) scored a touchdown on 65-yard interception return in 38-14 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2007.
17: 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 - all of them at least 27 yards - in a 38-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1950. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 24-17 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1978. . . . First professional reception and touchdown for New York Titans rookie TE Thurlow Cooper (averaged 10.4 ppg for Maine in 1955-56 after averaging 6.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg previous season) was a 38-yarder in a 28-24 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1960. Cooper caught a TD pass in each of his first three games. . . . Cleveland Browns B Bob Cowan (averaged 1.7 ppg for Indiana in 1942-43) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes (39 and 40 yards) from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 28-7 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948. Graham threw for three TDs. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) scored two touchdowns - including a 72-yard run from scrimmage - in a 41-31 win against the New York Jets in 1961. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted seven times for 52.1-yard average in a 26-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1978. . . . Boston Patriots RB Walt Livingston (two-year hoops letterman for Heidelberg OH averaged 7.4 ppg and 3.9 rpg in 1954-55) opened the game's scoring with a goal-line plunge for a touchdown in 28-24 win against the New York Titans in 1960. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 20-16 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1989. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) had eight pass receptions for 126 yards in 38-31 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1967. . . . Green Bay Packers TE Rich McGeorge (all-league hooper for Elon averaged 13.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg while making 59% of his field-goal attempts) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 26-10 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1972. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) amassed 350 passing yards en route to his second of seven games opening the 2006 campaign with multiple touchdown passes. . . . Houston Oilers rookie CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned two punts for 80 yards in a 20-3 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1967. . . . 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) had three sacks in a 16-13 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. Eleven years later, Peppers had two sacks in a 9-3 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2017. . . . Minnesota Vikings WR Jerry Reichow (Iowa hooper in 1954-55) had three pass receptions for 103 yards in a 37-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 1961. . . . Green Bay Packers E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) opened the game's scoring with an eight-yard touchdown reception in a 7-7 tie against the Boston Redskins in 1933. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown in a 27-24 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. . . . Portsmouth Spartans rookie B Elmer Schaake (Kansas hoops letterman as guard in 1932 and 1933) had a 22-yard touchdown reception in a 21-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1933. . . . First pro touchdown for rookie WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) was a game-winning, 43-yard pass reception from John Elway boosting the Denver Broncos to a 38-31 win against the Washington Redskins in 1995. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 301 yards - including two first-quarter touchdowns - in a 35-24 win against the Washington Redskins in 1967 season opener. . . . St. Louis Cardinals rookie WR Dave Stief (hoop teammate of Portland State All-American Freeman Williams in 1977-78) threw a 43-yard pass to Pat Tilley in a 28-10 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1978. . . . Miami Dolphins QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) completed both of his pass attempts for 51 yards and rushed for an eight-yard touchdown in a 35-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1967. . . . In 1950 season opener, Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (led OCU in scoring with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught three touchdown passes in a 38-14 win against the Baltimore Colts. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had 2 1/2 sacks in a 19-6 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. . . . New England Patriots LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) had two sacks, seven solo tackles and an interception in 28-6 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2006. . . . In 1973 season opener, Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 303 yards (50.5 average) in a 23-7 win against the New York Jets. . . . In the midst of three consecutive contests with an interception, Denver Broncos DB Lonnie Wright (averaged 17.9 ppg from 1963-64 through 1965-66 while pacing Colorado State in scoring all three seasons) had two picks in a 35-21 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1967.
18: Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught two touchdown passes (53 and 40 yards) in a 27-21 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1960. . . . Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-31 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) had two interceptions - returning one of them 41 yards for a touchdown - in a 52-7 win against the New York Giants in 1966. . . . Rookie QB Randy Hedberg (three-time All-NDCAC hooper for Minot State ND from 1975 through 1977) started 1977 season opener for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 13-3. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught 10 passes for 172 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 35-21 setback against the New England Patriots in 2011. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas (83 and 26 yards) in a 38-23 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1966. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in a 20-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 1977. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 23-of-29 passes for 342 yards and five touchdowns - including two in first half to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in a 42-3 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2005. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Evan Moore (Stanford hooper in 2003-04 and 2004-05) had a touchdown reception in his second consecutive contest in 2011. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught nine passes for 133 yards in a 32-10 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1966. . . . DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had an interception in each of the Detroit Lions' first two games in 1966. . . . New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in his second straight game in 1966.
19: Buffalo Bills WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) caught two touchdown passes - one of them for 75 yards - in a 49-37 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. . . . WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to give the Chicago Bears a 17-15 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 38-13 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010. . . . Los Angeles Dons E Dale Gentry (averaged 5.3 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in a 48-21 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. . . . Chicago Rockets E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes - one for 76 yards - in a 31-14 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1947. . . . Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes in a 50-21 win against the New York Giants in 1999. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 383 yards - including three touchdowns - in a 34-27 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1976. . . . Washington Redskins QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 426 yards in a 30-27 setback against the Houston Texans in 2010. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 28-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1999. . . . First touchdown for rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference hoops pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) opened the Los Angeles Rams' scoring with a 65-yard pass reception from Bill Munson in a 17-17 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1964. . . . Buffalo Bills rookie QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes - one in each quarter - in a 31-14 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1947. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught three touchdown passes from Bobby Hebert in a 37-30 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1993. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had nine pass receptions for 172 yards in a 30-15 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1965.
20: New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) opened the game's scoring by returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. . . . Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) rushed for two touchdowns - one of them 65 yards - in a 26-3 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1936. . . . Rookie E Harry Burrus (three-year hoops letterman in early 1940s for Hardin-Simmons TX) opened the New York Yankees' scoring by catching a 19-yard touchdown pass in a 17-17 tie against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 21-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1964. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught six passes for 141 yards in a 31-26 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 33-33 tie against the Cleveland Browns in 1964. Two of the TD passes were in the second half to WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56). Six years later with the Houston Oilers, Johnson threw two first-half TD passes in a 19-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Frank Manumaleuga (San Jose State hooper in 1978-79) had two interceptions in a 42-31 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1981. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1964. . . . WR Kitrick Taylor (Washington State hooper in 1984-85 and 1986-87) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre in the fourth quarter to give the Green Bay Packers a 24-23 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie KR David Verser (played five basketball games for Kansas in 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens) returned two kickoffs for 95 yards in a 20-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1981.
21: Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore hoops guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1980. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 38-32 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1997. Six years later with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson threw two second-quarter TD passes in a 31-10 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2003. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 329 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-33 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1975. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw four touchdown passes in a 41-3 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1975. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two touchdowns in a 34-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes from John Elway in a 38-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1997. . . . Dallas Cowboys rookie QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) opened the game's scoring with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Lance Rentzel in a 24-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. . . . 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 12 of his AFL-leading 77 pass receptions in a 41-16 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962. . . . Denver Broncos DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) returned a fumble recovery 51 yards for a touchdown in a 38-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1997.
22: Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had two touchdown receptions in a 27-19 win against the New York Jets in 2014. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) had two long rushing touchdowns - 71 and 62 en route to finishing with 232 yards on 20 carries - in a 41-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963. . . . New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) caught two touchdown passes (45 and 25 yards) in a 42-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) caught three touchdown passes in a 31-27 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 touchdown passes in a 42-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . 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 124 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 28-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1963. . . . New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught nine passes for 134 yards - including two of his NFL-high 16 touchdown receptions from Drew Brees - in a 31-7 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2013. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-0 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1946. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Mississippi backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had three sacks and five tackles in a 38-0 victory against the New York Giants in 2013. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw a 92-yard touchdown pass to Ben Hawkins in a 34-25 setback against the New York Giants in 1968. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1963. Two of the TD passes were in the second half to WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56). Eleven years later with the Denver Broncos, Johnson threw two first-quarter TD passes in a 35-35 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 123 yards on 24 carries in a 31-0 win against the New York Giants in 1963. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 37-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 1968. . . . Baltimore Colts FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) had a career-high five pass receptions in a 20-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1963. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) caught a 71-yard touchdown pass in a 28-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1968. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Kay McFarland (three-year hoops letterman for Colorado State was honorable mention UPI All-Skyline Conference selection in 1961) had a career-long touchdown reception of 43 yards from George Mira in a 35-17 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968. . . . A 29-yard touchdown reception by TE Keith McKeller (starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished second as senior) from Jim Kelly in the fourth quarter gave the Buffalo Bills a 17-10 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 44-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. . . . Chicago Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati letterman in 1936) returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in a 41-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1940. . . . Chicago Bears 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 a fumble recovery 42 yards for a touchdown in a 40-23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught eight passes for 150 yards in a 20-14 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1963. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) accounted for the game's only score with a 16-yard rushing touchdown in 7-0 win against the New York Bulldogs in 1949 season opener. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Mark Brunell (41 and 61 yards) in a 28-25 setback against the New England Patriots in 1996. . . . First NFL reception for Miami Dolphins rookie TE Dion Sims (played one basketball game with Michigan State under coach Tom Izzo in 2009-10) was a game-winning touchdown with 38 seconds remaining in 27-23 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2013. . . . Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 34-2 win against the Denver Broncos in 1968. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Bob Titchenal (San Jose State hoops letterman in 1939) had a 42-yard pass reception for a touchdown in a 32-13 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946.
23: Detroit Lions QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team hoops selection under his father at Arizona was co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1949. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught 11 passes for 113 yards in a 31-24 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2007. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) scored two touchdowns in a 27-24 win against the Detroit Lions in 1949. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted six times for a 46.7-yard average in 17-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984. . . . Philadelphia Eagles DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) returned a fumble recovery 96 yards for a touchdown in a 13-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1974. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-28 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. Cowboys FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) opened the game's scoring with a 29-yard TD pass reception from Eddie LeBaron. . . . Baltimore Colts TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team hoops selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) caught two touchdown passes in a 34-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1962. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-3 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2001. Six years later, McNabb passed for 381 yards - including four first-half TDs - in a 56-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 2007. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) returned two kickoffs for 70 yards in a 10-6 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1996. . . . Frankfort Yellow Jackets B Ken Mercer (three-year hoops letterman as Simpson IA forward) scored two touchdowns in a 19-9 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1928. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had eight pass receptions for 145 yards in a 34-10 win against the Chicago Bears in 2007. . . . St. Louis Cardinals WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught three second-half touchdown passes in a 43-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1960 season opener. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 11 pass receptions in a 19-13 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown reception in a 24-23 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle (69 and 56 yards) in a 29-13 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1962. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught 14 passes for 162 yards - including two touchdowns from Brian Griese - in a 38-17 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers LB George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned an interception 37 yards in a 30-28 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962.
24: New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) had two interceptions off Bobby Layne in a 17-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1961. . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught eight passes for three touchdowns in a 30-28 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1944. . . . New York Giants TE Al Dixon (Iowa State hooper in 1975-76 and 1976-77) opened the game's scoring with a 29-yard touchdown catch from Joe Pisarcik in a 27-10 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1978. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman) returned an interception 65 yards in a 15-9 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1978. . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (hoops letterman for Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1940-41 and 1941-42) scored two touchdowns - one rushing and one on 50-yard interception return - in a 42-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1944. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 23-22 win against the Denver Broncos in 2000. . . . Rookie LB Tom Greenfield (Arizona hoops letterman in 1937 and 1938) recovered a fumble for a touchdown to complete the Green Bay Packers' scoring in a 21-16 win against the Chicago Bears in 1939. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 279 yards (46.5 average) in a 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1961. . . . Seattle Seahawks TE Ron Howard (averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Seattle from 1971-72 through 1973-74) supplied a fourth-quarter go-ahead touchdown with a four-yard pass from Jim Zorn in a 28-16 win against the Detroit Lions in 1978. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars rookie WR Willie Jackson (started five hoop games for Florida in 1989-90) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Mark Brunell in a 24-14 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1995. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas hoops letterman in early 1940s) caught two touchdown passes in a 21-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948 season opener. HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) opened Philly's scoring with a 69-yard pass reception for TD. . . . In 1960 season opener, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes - one in each quarter - in a 35-28 win against the Dallas Cowboys. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2000. Six years later, McNabb threw two first-quarter TD passes in a 38-24 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2006. . . . New York Giants DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown in a 42-30 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2006. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 41-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2000. . . . A fourth-quarter 45-yard field goal by Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) boosted the Chicago Bears to a 13-13 tie with the Los Angeles Rams in 1972. . . . St. Louis Cardinals WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 20-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1961. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 303 yards in a 26-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1979. . . . 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 11 of his AFL-leading 100 pass receptions in a 35-28 setback against the New York Titans in 1961. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 277 yards (46.2 average) in a 20-14 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1972. . . . Minnesota Vikings E A.D. Williams (Pacific hoops letterman in mid-1950s) had career highs of four pass receptions and 78 yards in a 21-7 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961.
25: Minnesota Vikings LB Matt Blair (played in 1970 NJCAA Tournament for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M hoops team finishing in seventh place) scored a 49-yard touchdown on a lateral in a 24-20 win against the Chicago Bears in 1978. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) rushed for 153 yards on 24 carries in a 41-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960. . . . Washington Redskins E John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) caught two touchdown passes from Eddie LeBaron in a 27-17 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1955. Five years later with the Houston Oilers, Carson caught eight passes in a 14-13 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw five touchdown passes in a 43-24 win against the Boston Patriots in 1966. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored two first-half touchdowns in a 24-13 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 34-28 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1966. . . . New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 126 yards on 12 carries in a 19-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1994. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught eight passes for 121 yards in a 30-24 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1983. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 17-0 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1949. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 365 yards - including two third-quarter touchdowns - in a 23-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2005. . . . Rookie TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) had a fourth-quarter touchdown catch from Tom Flores to boost the Oakland Raiders to a 14-13 win against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-17 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1949. Six years later with the Cleveland Browns, Ratterman threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 27-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1955. . . . Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in a 28-10 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1966. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Don Samuel (appeared in 1947 NCAA Tournament for Oregon State) rushed for a 31-yard touchdown in a 28-7 win against the New York Giants in 1949. . . . 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 35-17 win against the New York Giants in 1966.
26: New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg while shooting 51.9% from floor for Western Oregon in 2004-05 and 2005-06) caught three passes for a career-high 88 receiving yards in 29-10 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2010. . . . Detroit Lions rookie FB Bill Bowman (fouled out with four points in only basketball game with William & Mary in 1953-54) returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in a 48-23 win against the Chicago Bears in 1954. . . . QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) accounted for all of the Pittsburgh Steelers' scoring with three touchdown passes in a 21-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1954. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1947. The next year, Graham threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 21-10 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948. . . . 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 309 yards, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns, in a 30-20 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2004. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 310 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-13 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1965. WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught seven of the passes for 198 yards including three of them for TDs. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) completed 23-of-32 passes for 309 yards in a 30-3 win against the New York Giants in 1971. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 17-7 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1959. . . . Chicago Cardinals B Ike Mahoney (Creighton hooper in early 1920s) opened the game's scoring with a 70-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery return in a 15-0 win against the Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1926. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 356 yards - including two first-half touchdowns - in a 30-13 win against the Detroit Lions in 2004. . . . St. Louis Rams TE Fendi Onobun (averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg while shooting 58.7% from floor with Arizona from 2005-06 through 2008-09 under coaches Lute Olson and Kevin O'Neill) had both of his NFL pass receptions in a 30-16 win against the Washington Redskins in 2010. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed for 151 yards, had a touchdown catch and threw for another TD in a 30-27 win against the New England Patriots in 1977. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Dave Smith (averaged 15.6 ppg and 11.6 rpg while shooting 51.1% from floor for Indiana PA in 1968-69 and 1969-70) had career highs of eight pass receptions and 162 yards in a 21-10 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971. . . . Chicago Bears TE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) had two second-half touchdown catches in a 45-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1948. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 339 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 30-27 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1976. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1947. . . . Detroit Lions HB Doak Walker (SMU hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns (70-yard punt return and 3-yard rush) in a 48-23 win against the Chicago Bears in 1954. . . . Arizona Cardinals DE Peppi Zellner (averaged 10.3 ppg and team-high 9.1 rpg for Fort Valley State GA in 1997-98) had two sacks in a 6-3 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2004.
27: In his NFL debut, New York Giants rookie E O'Neal Adams (three-year Arkansas hoops letterman was third-leading scorer in 1941 when Razorbacks lost against Washington State in NCAA Tournament national semifinals) returned an interception 66 yards for the decisive score in a 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1942. . . . Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) provided the go-ahead score with a 68-yard rushing touchdown in a 14-3 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1936. . . . Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoops title in 1943) caught five passes for 143 yards in a 38-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1953 season opener. . . . New York Giants E Glenn Campbell (Emporia State KS hooper) opened the game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown catch in 14-6 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1931. E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) had Providence's lone TD with a blocked punt return. . . . Frankfort Yellow Jackets rookie B Clyde Crabtree (Florida hoops letterman in 1928 and 1929) rushed for the game's only touchdown in a 7-3 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1930. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) capped off the game's scoring with a 21-yard touchdown catch in a 35-14 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. . . . New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) had two interceptions - including one for a touchdown - in a 34-16 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1998. . . . Detroit Lions E Chuck Hanneman (three-year Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in mid-1930s) caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38), tying the score in a 14-14 result with the Chicago Cardinals in 1941. . . . Chicago Cardinals QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 49-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1959. . . . Philadelphia Eagles FB Bert Johnson (played one hoops game in 1934-35 under legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp) had a 65-yard touchdown reception in a 35-14 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. . . . Washington Redskins DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had two interceptions in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 26 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown in a 21-14 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1981. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-22 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1953. . . . Chicago Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) scored two touchdowns (39-yard rush and 35-yard fumble recovery return) in a 44-28 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1942. . . . B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) had the New York Giants' lone touchdown with a 59-yard scamper following a lateral in 10-7 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1936. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 10 pass receptions for 177 yards - including three touchdowns - in a 41-31 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1992. . . . 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 eight pass receptions for 149 yards in a 38-17 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1964. . . . In 1942 season opener, New York Giants E Will Walls (starting forward for TCU for three years from 1935 through 1937) opened the game's scoring with a 50-yard pass reception touchdown in a 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins. . . . In 1953 season opener, San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 31-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
28: Rookie E Neill Armstrong (played one hoops game under legendary Oklahoma A&M coach Hank Iba in 1944) caught a 29-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for the Philadelphia Eagles' final score in a 45-42 win against the Washington Redskins in 1947. Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw five touchdown passes - three of them at least 36 yards. Redskins B Dick Poillon (Canisius hooper in early 1940s) caught a 57-yard TD pass from Baugh. In his NFL debut as E, teammate Hugh Taylor (led OCU in scoring with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught three TD passes from Baugh and amassed 212 yards receiving. . . . Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing hoops briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had nine pass receptions for a career-high 134 yards in a 38-17 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2014. . . . San Francisco 49ers HB J.R. Boone (hoops teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Frankie Albert in a 17-3 win against the Detroit Lions in 1952. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 48-3 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1968. Two years later, Dawson threw four TD passes in a 44-24 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1970. . . . Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught five passes for 106 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff George - in a 35-17 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1997. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) rushed for two touchdowns in a 31-25 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952. . . . Philadelphia Eagles E Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) opened the game's scoring with an 84-yard touchdown reception in a 31-25 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1952. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) caught a touchdown pass in all four quarters from Norm Van Brocklin in a 54-14 win against the New York Yanks in 1951. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-19 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997. . . . Minnesota 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 449 yards and seven touchdowns - including 83 and 42 yards to Gene Washington - in a 52-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1969. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 31-16 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1986. . . . WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) scored the New York Giants' first touchdown by catching a 26-yard pass from Charlie Conerly in 24-6 win against the Dallas Texans in 1952 season opener. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 335 yards - including five touchdowns (four to Ben Hawkins) - in a 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes - including game winner in overtime - in a 37-31 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 278 yards (46.3 average) in a 21-17 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1969. . . . Staten Island Stapletons B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) threw two touchdown passes in a 21-0 win against the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1930.
29: DE Doug Atkins (center was Tennessee's third-leading scorer with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) concluded the Chicago Bears' scoring by recording a safety in a 37-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1963. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had 10 pass receptions for 91 yards in 17-6 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013. . . . Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) supplied the go-ahead score with a touchdown catch in a 20-10 win against the New York Yankees 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 10 passes for 136 yards in a 30-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. . . . Cincinnati Bengals DT Oliver Gibson (Notre Dame hooper in 1990-91) had an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught seven passes for 140 yards - including three touchdowns from Trent Green - in a 48-30 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2002. Eleven years later with the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez caught 12 passes for 149 yards - including two TDs - in a 30-23 setback against the New England Patriots in 2013. . . . New York Giants rookie Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted six times for a 48-yard average in 14-6 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1974. . . . 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 touchdown passes in a 35-7 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002. . . . Chicago Bears E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 23-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates 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) returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in a 52-25 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2002. . . . Philadelphia Eagles DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown in a 30-10 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1974. . . . RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) accounted for the Cleveland Browns' only touchdown with a 55-yard halfback pass in a 29-7 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 44-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1950. . . . In his pro debut, Detroit Lions E Ivan Schottel (three-year hoops letterman for Northwest Missouri State from 1940 through 1942) caught a 70-yard touchdown pass in 34-14 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1946. . . . 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 169 yards in a 14-10 win against the Boston Patriots in 1963. . . . Buffalo Bisons E Al Vandeweghe (William & Mary hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) scored a touchdown on an eight-yard pass reception in a 21-21 tie against the Los Angeles Dons in 1946. . . . New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in a 41-23 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1991. . . . Detroit Lions B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had a 20-yard rushing touchdown for the game's lone score in a 6-0 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1940.
30: Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) contributed a 75-yard rushing touchdown against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. . . . Kansas City Chiefs DE Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) intercepted a pass in a 16-3 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1973. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) scored three touchdowns - two rushing/one receiving - in a 30-13 win against the Washington Redskins in 1956. . . . Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1962. . . . 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 two of his NFL-high 16 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 38-17 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2013. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 33-27 setback against the New York Jets in 1979. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 34-23 win against the Denver Broncos in 2002. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 326 yards in a 33-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1973. . . . Washington Redskins DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had two interceptions in a 16-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979. . . . Baltimore Colts TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team hoops selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) had a career-high five pass receptions in a 29-20 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1962. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Bill Mackrides (Nevada-Reno hoops letterman in 1944) opened the game's scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass in a 17-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Ken McAlister (averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.2 rpg for San Francisco from 1978-79 through 1981-82) had 2 1/2 sacks and returned an interception 22 yards in a 10-6 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1984. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 40-18 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2001. . . . Chicago Hornets B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top hoops scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) had a 77-yard touchdown reception in a 42-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1949. . . . A 22-yard touchdown catch by Paul Riblett (Penn hoops letterman in early 1930s) from Chris Cagle (four-year letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) in the fourth quarter gave the Brooklyn Dodgers a 10-6 win against the Boston Redskins in 1934. . . . Dallas Cowboys rookie RB Larry Robinson (All-SEC third-team hoops selection as Tennessee senior in 1972-73) rushed twice for 17 yards in a 45-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. . . . 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 to Bobby Mitchell in a 24-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Mark in September 1 MLB Games
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 Guilford NC hoopers Rick Ferrell and Tom Zachary supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 1
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) swatted two homers against the Chicago Cubs in a 1960 game.
Chicago Cubs LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) supplied four hits against the New York Giants in a 1936 contest.
Baltimore Orioles LF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) banged out four hits against the Kansas City Royals in a 1974 outing.
Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) collected five RBI against the Colorado Rockies in a 2007 game.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Jack Coombs (hoops captain and starting center for Colby ME) went the distance in a 24-inning, 4-1 win against the Washington Senators in 1906. Coombs tossed two more complete-game victories in the next 10 days.
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) manufactured four hits in his second game in a row against the Chicago Cubs in 1953.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50), entering the game with a .180 batting average, started a streak of six consecutive multiple-hit contests in 1954. Dittmer homered in three of the tilts.
Closing in on the conclusion of an 18-year Hall of Fame career, Washington Senators C Rick Ferrell (hoops forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) furnished four hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1947 contest.
In 1976, Baltimore Orioles rookie LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for UMass' freshman squad in 1971-72) registered his first of 167 MLB career victories (six-hit, 7-1 nod over Kansas City Royals).
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) stroked four hits against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1955 outing.
SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) received a bases-loaded walk in the 21st inning to give the San Francisco Giants a 1-0 victory at Cincinnati in 1967.
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) went 4-for-4 against the Houston Astros in a 1968 game.
Detroit Tigers RF Harvey Kuenn (hooper played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) contributed four hits against the Chicago White Sox in a 1959 contest.
Washington Senators SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in a 1918 outing.
In 1931, New York Giants rookie LHP Jim Mooney (played for East Tennessee State) notched his fourth win and second shutout since being summoned from the minors three weeks earlier.
Washington Senators rookie SS Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-5 for the second time in an eight-game span in 1926.
Cincinnati Reds CF Greasy Neale (hooper graduated in 1915 from West Virginia Wesleyan) went 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a 1918 doubleheader.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) yielded five solo homers but the St. Louis Cardinals still were soundly defeated, 12-5, in 1953. Five years earlier, Roe tossed his second of back-to-back shutouts in 1948.
New York Yankees rookie LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) earned a save against the Cleveland Indians in the midst of seven straight complete-game victories to close out the 1939 campaign.
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (played for Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) homered twice against the Seattle Mariners in a 1980 contest.
Cleveland Indians 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) collected two homers and six RBI against the St. Louis Browns in the nightcap of a 1924 twinbill.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) won his sixth game as a reliever in span of a month in 1986.
LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) made relief appearance for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971 when they started what is believed to be the first all-black lineup (including several Latinos) in MLB history (against Philadelphia Phillies).
Pittsburgh Pirates CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) belted a two-out, game-ending grand slam in a 6-4 verdict over the Cincinnati Reds in 1963.
New York Yankees LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC letterman in 1916) yielded his most earned runs of the year (four against Boston Red Sox) en route to a 12-0 worksheet in 1929.
Back in the Day: Ex-College Hoopers Who Became Prominent Football Coaches
Bobby Petrino, after returning to Louisville as the Cardinals' football coach and overseeing the program's entrance into the ACC and Top 20 rankings, is accustomed to controversy such as subject use of timeout and accepting soap-opera challenges (remember departures from the Atlanta Falcons and Arkansas Razorbacks). If new U of L basketball coach Chris Mack doesn't pan out for some reason, Petrino boasts a background making him capable of filling in for Mack reminiscent of two-sport college coaches in the middle of the 20th Century. Petrino, who scored 1,145 points in four years of basketball for Carroll (Mont.) in the early 1980s, was an All-Frontier Conference first-team hoop selection as a senior.
Petrino isn't the first Louisville football coach with a link to college hoops. Frank Camp Jr., the school's all-time winningest coach (118-95-2), was captain of the Transylvania (Ky.) basketball squad before coaching such standouts as Johnny Unitas, Lenny Lyles and Doug Buffone. Petrino is far from being the first marquee college football coach with a college hoops connection. It might not be delivered to you on a "Hog" motorcycle with statuesque blond hanging on tight as new gridiron campaign commences, but he joined the following alphabetical list of versatile ex-college hoopers who guided major universities to multiple major bowl games:
EARL "RED" BLAIK, Miami (Ohio)/Army
College Football Hall of Fame coach, boasting six undefeated teams, compiled a 121-33-10 record at Dartmouth (1934 through 1940) and Army (1941 through 1958). . . . After graduating from Miami, he enrolled at Army and became the first Cadet to compete against Navy in three sports in one season (football, basketball and baseball).
FRANK BROYLES, Georgia Tech
Retired Arkansas athletic director compiled a 149-62-6 record in 20 seasons as head football coach at Missouri (1957) and Arkansas (1958 through 1976). Guided 10 teams to bowl games, winning the AP and UPI national title in 1964. Quarterback was SEC Player of the Year in 1944. Third-round selection by the Chicago Bears in 1946 NFL draft (19th pick overall). He threw for a career-high 304 yards against Tulsa in the 1945 Orange Bowl. . . . Four-year starting guard in basketball for Tech. Named to the second five on SEC All-Tournament team in 1944, 1945 and 1947. Second-leading scorer for Tech with a 10.4-point average as a senior in 1946-47.
HERBERT "FRITZ" CRISLER, University of Chicago
Member of College Football Hall of Fame compiled a 116-32-9 record in 18 seasons as football coach at Minnesota (1930 and 1931), Princeton (1932 through 1937) and Michigan (1938 through 1947). The only team he coached with a losing record was in his first year. His last seven Michigan teams finished in the top 10 in the final Associated Press Poll. The 1947 Wolverines had a 10-0 record, defeated Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl (49-0) and finished second in the final AP poll behind Notre Dame. . . . Named to third five on All-Big Ten Conference basketball team in 1919-20 when the University of Chicago was a member of the league.
DAN DEVINE, Minnesota-Duluth
College Football Hall of Famer coached Notre Dame to a national champinship in 1977 after directing the Green Bay Packers to the NFC Central Division title five years earlier. Guided the Fighting Irish to a 53-16-1 mark in six seasons from 1975 through 1980. Also coached Missouri to six bowl games in the 1960s (92-38-7 record in 13 years from 1958 through 1970). . . . Played guard for Duluth's basketball squad in 1942-43 and 1945-46. Captained the Bulldogs as a senior and paced the club in scoring that season. He was a quarterback for the school's football team.
BOBBY DODD, Tennessee
Compiled a 165-64-8 coaching record with Georgia Tech in 22 years from 1945 through 1966. Won his first eight of 13 bowl games with the Yellow Jackets. . . . All-SEC second-team selection in basketball as a junior in 1929-30. He was captain of the team as a senior.
VINCE DOOLEY, Auburn
Auburn MVP in 1954 Gator Bowl. Coached Georgia to the 1980 national championship and six SEC titles. Compiled a 201-66-10 record as 20 teams played in bowl games in his 25 seasons from 1964 through 1988. . . . Averaged 6.3 points per game as a starting guard in 1951-52 in his only season of varsity basketball with Auburn before concentrating on football.
PETE "BUMP" ELLIOTT, Michigan
Executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame earned All-American honors as a quarterback for the Wolverines' 1948 national champion. Big Ten Conference MVP led Michigan to a 49-0 victory over USC in the 1948 Rose Bowl. Former head coach at Nebraska (4-6 record in 1956), California (10-21 from 1957 through 1959) and Illinois (1960 through 1966) led Cal and the Illini to Rose Bowl berths. . . . A four-year starter as a 6-0, 190-pound guard on Michigan teams from 1945-46 through 1948-49. Captain of squad as a sophomore and member of Big Ten championship team in 1947-48. First-team all-conference choice as a junior and second-team selection as a senior. Second-team pick on Helms All-American team in 1947-48 when he scored a team-high 15 points in Michigan's first NCAA Tournament victory, a 66-49 decision over Columbia in the Eastern Regional third-place game. Excerpt from school guide: "At times his defensive work was almost uncanny as he held high-scoring opposition practically scoreless in several games. Outstanding at recovering rebounds."
DON FAUROT, Missouri
Hall of Famer spent 19 years as head football coach (100-80-10 record from 1935 through 1956) and 30 years as athletic director for Mizzou. Alma mater's all-time winningest coach guided the Tigers to four bowl games in the 1940s. Faurot is best known as the inventor of the Split T formation. In 1972, the Tigers' football stadium was named in his honor (Faurot Field). . . . Captained the Tigers' basketball team as an undergraduate.
WAYNE HARDIN, Pacific
Head football coach at U.S. Naval Academy (38-22-2 record from 1959 through 1964) and Temple (80-50-3 from 1970 through 1982) directed both schools to bowl games. Coached Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach in 1963 when Navy finished second in the nation in the final AP poll with a 9-2 record. . . . Letterman on four Pacific basketball teams scored a total of 78 points in his last two seasons in 1947-48 and 1948-49.
RALPH "SHUG" JORDAN, Auburn
Compiled a 176-83-6 record as head football coach for his alma mater from 1951-75. Led Auburn to berths in 12 bowl games and an AP national title in 1957 with a 10-0 record. . . . Three-year basketball letterman was captain of the team his junior season (1930-31). Coached Auburn basketball squad to a 95-75 record (.559) in 10 years from 1933-34 through 1941-42 and 1945-46 before assuming the same post at Georgia and compiling a 41-28 mark (.594) in four campaigns from 1946-47 to 1949-50.
ELMER LAYDEN, Notre Dame
Member of College Football Hall of Fame was a fullback in the famed Four Horseman backfield of the 1920s. The 5-11, 180-pounder was a consensus All-American selection in 1924. Head football coach of the Irish from 1934 through 1940, compiling a 47-12-2 record. His 1938 Notre Dame team was named national champion by the Dickinson System. NFL commissioner from 1941 to 1946. . . . Scored seven points in 10 games for the 1922-23 Notre Dame basketball squad.
EDWIN "JIM" LOOKABAUGH, Oklahoma A&M
Compiled a 58-41-6 record coaching his alma mater for 11 years from 1939 through 1949. Guided the Aggies to victories in Cotton Bowl (following 1944 season) and Sugar Bowl (#5 AP ranking with perfect season in 1945) plus appearance in Delta Bowl (following 1948 campaign). . . . All-SWC hooper in 1925.
HOMER HILL NORTON, Birmingham-Southern
Compiled a 143-75-18 coaching record in 25 seasons from 1919 through 1947 with Centenary (11) and Texas A&M (14). Won the Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl with the Aggies in back-to-back years (1939 and 1940). . . . Played four sports in college, including basketball. Also coached basketball for Centenary in the early 1920s.
HOUSTON NUTT, Arkansas/Oklahoma State
Arkansas football coach for 10 years from 1998 through 2007 (75-48 record) after serving in a similar capacity at Murray State (31-16 from 1993 through 1996) and Boise State (5-6 in 1997). Aligned with Ole Miss in 2008, taking the Rebels to a bowl game in his first year with them (only team to defeat national champ Florida). Quarterback at Arkansas under Frank Broyles and Lou Holtz before transferring to Oklahoma State under Jimmy Johnson. . . . Collected six points and three rebounds in 1976-77 as a freshman under coach Eddie Sutton on Arkansas' team that included Sidney Moncrief and Ron Brewer before playing a couple of years with OSU under Paul Hansen.
BENNIE OOSTERBAAN, Michigan
Member of College Football Hall of Fame coached Michigan's football team to a 63-33-4 record in 11 seasons (1948 through 1958). His first team finished with a 9-0 record and was voted national champion in the AP poll. He won Big Ten Conference titles in 1948, 1949 and 1950. . . . In 1943, the Helms Athletic Foundation named him to its 10-man All-American basketball teams it selected for the 1926-27 and 1927-28 seasons. Finished third in Western Conference (forerunner of Big Ten) scoring in 1926-27 (9.3 points per game) and led the league as a senior the next year (10.8 ppg).
TOM OSBORNE, Hastings (Neb.)
Compiled a 255-49-2 record as Nebraska coach while winning 13 conference crown in 25 years from 1973 through 1997. Lost seven straight bowl games prior to having undefeated clubs capture national championships in three of his final four campaigns (1994-95-97). Selected in 19th round of 1959 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers before catching 29 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns for the Washington Redskins in 1960 and 1961. . . . Attending college in his hometown, he scored 1,291 points for Hastings during the last half of 1950s, leading the team in scoring (17.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.1 rpg) as a sophomore in 1956-57.
ARA PARSEGHIAN, Miami (Ohio)
Member of College Football Hall of Fame compiled a 170-58-6 record as coach at Miami of Ohio (1951 through 1955), Northwestern (1956 through 1963) and Notre Dame (1964 through 1974). Guided Notre Dame to three national football titles (1964, 1966 and 1973). Directed the Fighting Irish to five bowl games during the first half of the 1970s. Rookie halfback on Cleveland Browns team that won All-America Football Conference title in 1948. Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 13th round of 1947 NFL draft. . . . Played for Miami basketball squads in 1946-47 and 1947-48 (34 points, 31.3 FG%, 44.4 FT%). Teammate of future Tennessee coach Ray Mears.
JOE PATERNO, Brown
Penn State's head coach from 1966 to 2011 guided the Nittany Lions to national championships in 1982 and 1986, five undefeated/untied seasons (1968-69-73-86-94) and 29 finishes in Top 10 national rankings. Only major-college coach ever to reach the 400-win plateau (409-136-3 record) was 24-12-1 in bowl games. Paterno was fired by school trustees in mid-season 2011 after the arrest of his long-time assistant, Jerry Sandusky, on child sexual abuse charges. . . . He earned varsity basketball letters at Brown in 1947-48 and 1948-49. His 7.3-points-per-game scoring average in 1947-48 was second highest on the team.
DAVID SHAW, Stanford
Alma mater's all-time winningest coach compiled an 82-26 record while guiding school to a bowl game each year in his first eight seasons from 2011 through 2018. Wide receiver caught 57 passes for 664 yards and five touchdowns from 1991 through 1994 under coaches Dennis Green and Bill Walsh. . . . Roommate of Cardinal hoops starter Brent Williams grabbed one rebound in 1 1/2 minutes of playing time against Oregon State in 1993-94.
BOB ZUPPKE, Wisconsin
Member of College Football Hall of Fame compiled a 131-81-13 record as head football coach at Illinois from 1913 through 1941. Directed the Illini to four national titles (1914, 1919, 1923 and 1927) and seven Big Ten championships. . . . Two-year letterman on Wisconsin's basketball team. The seven-man 1904-05 squad was called the "Western intercollegiate champions" by Spalding's Official Basketball Guide.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 31 MLB Games
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.
Ed Morgan (Tulane), Lyle Mouton (Louisiana State) and Lee Smith (Northwestern State) - former major-college hoopers from Louisiana universities - supplied significant moments in their MLB careers on this date. Ditto ex-Pasadena City CA community college hoopers Darrell Evans and Irv Noren. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 31 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 31
New York Giants LF Babe Barna (West Virginia basketball letterman in 1936 and 1937) provided a career-high four hits in a 7-6 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1942.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) supplied four safeties against the Atlanta Braves in a 1969 game.
California Angels rookie LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1970 averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) belted two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1974 contest.
In 1954, Milwaukee Braves rookie RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) hurled a three-hit shutout against the Brooklyn Dodgers. The whitewash was Conley's fifth win of the month.
Milwaukee Braves 1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named state's Mr. Basketball) smacked two homers against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1955 outing.
Boston Braves SS Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for hoops Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) contributed four hits against the Philadelphia Phillies in the nightcap of a 1946 doubleheader.
San Francisco Giants LF Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1977 outing.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) launched two homers against the Montreal Expos in a 1980 game.
LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987. Toronto released knuckleballer Phil Niekro to make room on roster for Flanagan.
1B-OF Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) purchased from the Chicago Cubs by the Detroit Tigers in 1960.
Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) named Philadelphia Phillies manager in 1979.
In 1934, St. Louis Browns C Frank Grube (Lafayette starting hoops guard as senior in 1926-27) closed out the month with his seventh multiple-hit contest in an eight-game span.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) swatted four homers, accounting for nine RBI, in a 19-3 romp over the Boston Braves in 1950. Seven years later, Hodges homered in his fifth of final six games of the month in 1957.
1B-OF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) purchased from the Texas Rangers by the Detroit Tigers in 1972.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Herb Kelly (hooper for Notre Dame from 1911-12 through 1913-14) notched his lone MLB victory (against Brooklyn Robins in 1915).
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) collected five hits against the Montreal Expos in the opener of a 1971 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Jim Konstanty (member of 1937-38 and 1938-39 Syracuse hoop teams) hurled a three-hit shutout against the Boston Braves in the nightcap of a 1952 twinbill.
LHP Bill Krueger (led WCAC in free-throw percentage in 1975-76 with Portland) traded by the Minnesota Twins to Montreal Expos in 1992. It is one of four seasons Krueger split time between the A.L. and N.L. during his career.
2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) shipped by the Oakland Athletics to the Chicago Cubs in 1984 to complete an earlier deal.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) lifted after seven innings and 15 hits opposing the St. Louis Browns in 1941. It is Lyons' final incomplete MLB game as he finished three subsequent starts in 1941, all 20 in 1942 and all five in 1946 (after serving in U.S. military during World War II).
SS Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) banged out a career-high four of the New York Yankees' 25 hits in an 18-6 romp over the Chicago White Sox in 1974.
A three-run, ninth-inning homer by RF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-2 victory against the San Francisco Giants in 1959 when teammate Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) broke Dizzy Dean's N.L. mark and tied Bob Feller's MLB record of 18 strikeouts in a single game.
In 1930, Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) collected four hits and four RBI for the second time in last four games of the month.
In the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, Chicago White Sox rookie OF Lyle Mouton (starter in Louisiana State's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1995 contest. Six years later, Mouton was shipped by the Tigers to the Houston Astros as part of a conditional deal in 2001.
3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) belted two homers to power the New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory against Seattle in 1977.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) had his 21-game hitting streak snapped by the Cincinnati Reds in 1943.
OF Irv Noren (hooper of year for California junior college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) awarded off waivers from the Kansas City Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957. Two years earlier with the New York Yankees, Noren went 3-for-3 and scored four runs against the Athletics in a 1955 contest.
Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s) allowed fewer than three runs in his eighth straight start en route to pacing the A.L. with a 1.98 ERA in 1966.
LHP Denny Riddleberger (averaged 5.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Old Dominion in 1965-66) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates with cash to the Washington Senators for P George Brunet in 1970.
RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Yankees in 1993.
Philadelphia Phillies 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama hoops letterman in 1936-37) provided three extra-base hits and five RBI against the Boston Braves in the opener of a 1946 twinbill.
New York Yankees LHP Ed Wells (multi-sport athlete graduated in 1924 from Bethany WV) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1929 doubleheader.
Boston Red Sox rookie 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) knocked in five runs against the New York Yankees in a 1933 outing.
Chicago Cubs RF Bob Will (all-league athlete was hoops captain for Mankato State MN in 1954-55) contributed two safeties in both ends of a 1960 twinbill against the Milwaukee Braves. He had 11 multiple-hit games during the month.
DH Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) purchased from the Minnesota Twins by the Cleveland Indians in 1994.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 30 MLB Games
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 Santa Clara hoop guards Tim Cullen and Randy Winn made significant MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 30
Texas Rangers RF Larry Biittner (runner-up in basketball scoring and rebounding in 1966-67 for Buena Vista IA) banged out four hits against the Minnesota Twins in a 1973 game.
Philadelphia Athletics SS John Chapman (multiple-season hooper for Mount St. Mary's) chipped in with a career-high three hits against the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a 1924 doubleheader.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting hoops center for Colby ME) announced his retirement following a 1-0 setback against the New York Giants in a game lasting only 57 minutes.
Tim Cullen (starting guard for Santa Clara in 1962-63 when he averaged 10 ppg) tied a MLB single-inning record with three errors in the eighth frame for the Washington Senators against the Oakland A's in 1969 one year before he led A.L. second basemen in fielding percentage. Washington 1B-OF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when he led Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) contributed four hits in the Senators' 11-3 victory.
2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50) socked one of the Milwaukee Braves' eight homers in a 19-4 romp over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a 1953 doubleheader.
Boston Red Sox 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) went 4-for-4 against the Oakland Athletics in a 1977 outing.
Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1986 game against the California Angels.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) provided four hits against the New York Giants in a 1933 contest.
New York Yankees C Mike Garbark (hoops letterman for Villanova's 25-5 squad in 1937-38 under coach Alex Severance) furnished four hits in a 9-7 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1944.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) homered in both ends of a 1953 doubleheader sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
INF Tim Nordbrook (hoops letterman for Loyola LA in 1968-69) purchased from the Chicago White Sox by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1977.
In 1953, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie 2B Johnny O'Brien (consensus All-American second-team choice as junior and consensus first-team selection as senior averaged 25.8 ppg for Seattle from 1950-51 through 1952-53) supplied three contests with three hits and chipped in with a four-RBI outing in his last seven games of the month.
Montreal Expos RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) went 4-for-4 and scored four runs against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1974 outing.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) posted his 12th save of the month in 1992.
Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) fired as Montreal Expos manager in 1984.
San Francisco Giants RF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) ripped two homers in a 2008 game against the Cincinnati Reds.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 29 MLB Games
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 Big Ten Conference hoopers Hoot Evers (Illinois), Frank Howard (Ohio State), Don Lund (Michigan) and Robin Roberts (Michigan State) supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 29
In 1959, Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) homered in his third consecutive contest for the second time this month.
Cincinnati Reds rookie CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) amassed four hits and scored three runs in a 6-5 win against the Boston Braves in the nightcap of a 1927 doubleheader.
St. Louis Browns RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) notched his fourth consecutive complete-game triumph the last half of the month in 1941.
Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) contributed four hits against the New York Yankees in the nightcap of a 1948 twinbill.
RHP Eddie Fisher (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) purchased from the Chicago White Sox by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973.
Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) supplied four hits against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1940 doubleheader.
In 1951, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates for the eighth straight time.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) drove in seven runs and whacked two homers in a 13-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in 1951.
Washington Senators LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) smacked three extra-base hits against the Kansas City Royals in a 1970 game.
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 Houston Astros in a 1995 contest.
New York Mets RHP Cal Koonce (Campbell hoops standout in 1960 and 1961 when North Carolina-based school was junior college) hurled a five-hit shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967.
Kansas City Athletics 2B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship hoops team) went 4-for-4 against the Boston Red Sox in a 1961 outing.
St. Louis Browns RF Don Lund (Michigan hoops starter in 1943-44 and 1944-45) registered five RBI in a 12-4 win against the Boston Red Sox in the nightcap of a 1948 doubleheader.
Chicago White Sox rookie LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s) won his 11th straight decision in 1963.
Boston Red Sox 3B Pinky Pittenger (set Toledo's single-game scoring standard with 49 points in 1918-19) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1922 game.
In 1966, Chicago Cubs RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) registered the final of his 286 triumphs during 19-year Hall of Fame career.
Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) hit for the cycle against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a 1948 twinbill.
New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) registered his fifth complete-game victory of the month in 1940.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (multiple-sport athlete for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) fired his second three-hit shutout in just over a month in 1942.
Montreal Expos LF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) socked two homers against the Atlanta Braves in a 1972 contest.
Chicago Cubs rookie 2B Jimmy Stewart (two-time All-VSAC hoops selection was Austin Peay's third-leading scorer in 1959-60 and 1960-61 when participating in NCAA DII Tournament) supplied back-to-back games with three hits against the New York Mets in 1964.
San Diego Padres CF Will Venable (All-Ivy League first-team selection as a junior and second-team choice as a senior averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) tripled in his first MLB at-bat in 2008.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader when All-Evergreen Conference selection in 1958-59 and 1959-60) tossed a shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1968 after hurling two 10-inning no-decisions yielding no earned runs earlier in the month.
Detroit Tigers LHP Ed Wells (multi-sport athlete graduated in 1924 from Bethany WV) won his fifth straight decision of the month in 1925.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 28 MLB Games
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 Walt French (Rutgers/Army), Rollie Sheldon (Connecticut) and Norm Siebern (Southwest Missouri) supplied significant performances for the Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 28
New York Yankees 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC basketball games in 1991-92) slugged three homers in an 18-6 trouncing of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004.
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) provided three hits for the third straight outing in a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1952.
In 1927, Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (hoops letterman for Rutgers and Army) furnished his fourth three-hit game in an eight-day span.
Boston Red Sox LF Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) delivered a walk-off, two-run homer in the 10th inning of a 6-4 win against the Baltimore Orioles in 1959.
Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Lee Handley (Bradley hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) provided four hits, including a two-run safety in the ninth inning, in a 3-2 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1941.
Boston Braves 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive contests in 1930 and 1931) banged out four hits in a 10-5 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1939.
Cleveland Indians RHP Dutch Levsen (Iowa State hoops letterman in 1918-19) became the last MLB hurler to register a complete-game win in both ends of a doubleheader with a pair of four-hitters against the Boston Red Sox in 1926.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) went 4-for-4 against the Toronto Blue Jays in a 1995 contest.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) belted two homers against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1947 game.
Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 6-for-6 with two homers against the Oakland A's in 1969. Northrup's 13th-inning blast over the roof won the game, 5-3.
Washington Senators LHP Denny Riddleberger (averaged 5.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Old Dominion in 1965-66) yielded his only earned run in a 15-game span of relief appearances during the 1971 campaign.
RHP Jeff Shaw (freshman guard for Rio Grande OH hoops squad compiling 31-5 record and reaching second round of 1985 NAIA Tournament) traded by the Montreal Expos to the Chicago White Sox in 1995.
In 1965, Kansas City Athletics RHP Rollie Sheldon (third-leading scorer as sophomore for Connecticut's 1960 NCAA Tournament team) hurled a three-hit shutout against his original team (New York Yankees).
Kansas City Athletics 1B Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament hoop titles in 1952 and 1953) homered twice and drove in five runs against the Los Angeles Angels in a 1962 game.
Boston Red Sox C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) registered his eighth multiple-hit outing in a 14-game span in 1947.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 27 MLB Games
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.
Several former hoopers from small colleges in Pennsylvania - Christy Mathewson (Bucknell), Jack Ogden (Swarthmore) and Gary Peters (Grove City) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 27
In 1964, California Angels 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) became the 23rd player to reach the 300-homer plateau when he went yard connecting at Kansas City.
Philadelphia Athletics LHP Stan Baumgartner (hooper for Big Ten Conference champion for University of Chicago in 1914) posted his third straight complete-game victory closing out the month in 1924.
Starting on two days rest, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) spun a two-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1951, entering the ninth inning with a no-hitter.
Montreal Expos RHP Ray Burris (two-sport standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) surrendered only one hit in eight innings against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1981 outing.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) won all six starts during the month in 1970 en route to an N.L.-leading 23 triumphs.
Chicago Cubs 1B Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) went 4-for-4 in a 2-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1933.
In his second MLB start, Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) fanned 14 Cincinnati Reds in a 7-0 two-hit shutout in 1955.
Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) resigned as Cincinnati Reds manager in 1918 to accept a commission as a captain in the chemical warfare branch of the Army during World War I.
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 four hits and scored four runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1978 game.
St. Louis Browns rookie RHP Jack Ogden (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1918), posting his third straight complete-game victory, hurled a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in the nightcap of a 1928 twinbill.
Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s) hurled an 11-inning shutout against the Boston Red Sox in the nightcap of a 1967 doubleheader.
St. Louis Browns RHP Bob Poser (Wisconsin hoops letterman from 1929-30 through 1931-32) posted his lone MLB victory (against Washington Senators in opener of 1935 twinbill).
Detroit Tigers rookie 3B Nolen Richardson (Georgia hoops captain in 1925-26 as member of All-Southern Conference Tournament team) went 3-for-3 in a 9-4 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1931.
Baltimore Orioles DH Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) homered in both ends of a 1982 doubleheader against the Texas Rangers.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) logged a save in his ninth consecutive contest in 1991.
Pinch-hitter Jimmy Stewart (All-Volunteer State Athletic Conference hoops selection for Austin Peay State in 1959-60 and 1960-61) stroked a bases-loaded triple to spur the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-7 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) tallied eighth save in last 10 relief appearances of the month in 1978.
After replacing Joe Torre as catcher, Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) supplied an RBI double in the 12th inning to give the Milwaukee Braves an 11-10 triumph against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1961 contest.
Foolish Felons: You Can't Possibly Make Up This Reggie Harding Club Spit
"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?" - Will Rogers
Basketball seems to have more skeletons in its closet than mass murderer John Wayne Gacy. A new member joined the less-than-distinguished Reggie Harding Club this summer when Tanner Shell, who averaged 7 ppg and 2.8 rpg as an Arizona State freshman in 1999-00, was arrested on suspicion of stealing an ambulance from a hospital and leading Mesa, Ariz., police on a brief pursuit. Shell, released from the facility for a heat-related issue, told officers he used the vehicle, running in a bay while crew dropped off another patient, because temperatures were too scorching to walk home (116 degrees). Shell told police he wanted to purchase a sandwich but needed to go home and get some money first.
Say what? Well, a sub sandwich worthy of siren wailing is vital to our sustenance but when incredulity bubbles up, that's how you secure an affiliation with Reggie! Reggie! Reggie! Harding, a seven-foot "gangster," was the first player drafted into the NBA without having played in college (1962). He was shot dead in an argument at a Detroit intersection at the age of 30 in 1972. Local lore has it that, upon a masked Harding robbing the same gas station for the third time in his own neighborhood, the attendant told him he knew who it was. "No, man, it ain't me," Harding was said to have replied. "Shut up and give me the money!"
With Harding as the state's "stupid" headliner worthy of Will Rogers quotation, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised about repulsive revelations at Michigan State, where Spartans needed Trojans playing miniature hoops strip poke her learning how to conduct themselves with opposite sex in dormitory room at freshman orientation in late August 2010. Let's hope MSU coach Tom Izzo, in his tireless quest "worrying about the survivors," finally knows the identities of chain-reaction scholars he brought to campus in this among other sordid incidents.
Much of the crazy spit in hoopdom is skool-daze weirder than Davidson grad Stephen Curry's expressed view of moon landings. BSLSD tax cheat Al "Not So" Sharpton probably believes the colossal collection of crazed characters deserve some "R-E-S-P-I-C-T." But whether for money or not, Harding and Shell are mocking worthy of a basketball segment guest hosted by fossilized frauds Reverend Al and "anti-termite" Screwie Louie Farrakhan on "America's Dumbest Criminals" TV show after Queen of Soul Arthea's funeral in Harding's hometown of Detroit. The following alphabetical list of foolish felons and faulty fellows have joined Harding and Shell as jerks as repulsive as Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib:
A DOLT ENTERTAINMENT: Glendon Alexander (Arkansas/Oklahoma State) was imprisoned at Seagoville (Tex.) Federal Correctional Institution after pleading guilty to bank and wire fraud. Among a variety of con jobs and scams, Alexander's most brazen was transferring nearly $1.5 million from the account of a California adult-entertainment industry executive into his account. Alexander, who averaged 10.1 ppg from 1996-97 through 1999-00 before saying later he seldom attended class at either school, took the money after meeting the nanny of the adult entertainment figure's children in an internet chat room and visiting her in Encinitas, Calif. Alexander, who earned a spot on the 1996-97 SEC All-Freshman team with Arkansas before competing in the NCAA playoffs with Oklahoma State, also admitted to writing checks totaling $46,500 off the commercial account of a Dallas area dentist and $150,000 worth of cash. He averaged 9.4 ppg in 1998-99 when OSU teammate Doug Gottlieb led the nation in assists after assisting himself to credit cards of other students and exiting Notre Dame. Described by Razorbacks coach Nolan Richardson as "a troublesome person; an habitual liar," Alexander was arrested in May 2009 and sentenced to six months in federal prison for failure to make restitution payments. He reportedly attempted to cash with a forged signature a scholarship check belonging to an OSU teammate.
TARGETING DOMINO EFFECT: Darrell Allums (UCLA), center for the Bruins' 1980 NCAA Tournament runner-up, was sentenced to nine years in state prison for armed robbery. According to a probation report, Allums became dependent on cocaine and turned to robbing Target stores and Domino's Pizza deliverymen in the South Bay area in 1987 to get cash. If Allums crossed the state line, a unique "game under 30 minutes" of one-on-one could have unfolded if he encountered Jason Petrimoulx (UNLV), who faced a count of forgery as a Domino's delivery driver in mid-September 2007 (accused of making imprint of customer's debit card). Another Final Deplore pizza thief was Lorenzo Charles (North Carolina State), who began the 1982-83 season in the doghouse after pilfering two pizzas from a delivery boy while in summer session before "movin' on up" to penthouse providing decisive dunk in NCAA Tournament championship game against heavily-favored Houston. Craving also must have consumed Tyrone Nelson (Prairie View/New Mexico State), who was charged with robbing a pizza man in late summer 2006.
FIVE-FINGER DISCOUNT FOR FIRST FIVE-STAR NCAA BID: Malik Alvin (Texas-El Paso/Binghamton/Shaw NC) was suspended three games by BU in school's first NCAA playoff season (2008-09 when averaging 11.5 ppg, 3 rpg and 3.7 apg) after charged with stealing pack of 36 condoms from a Wal-Mart and knocking an elderly woman to the floor on way out. Larceny charge was dropped and Alvin pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct (customer suffered concussion). In fall of 2009 after a student reported her debit card was stolen and used to make unauthorized purchases, Alvin was among multiple transfers kicked off BU's roster (including ex-Jacksonville player David Fine/son of Syracuse assistant coach Bernie Fine immersed in scandal a couple of years later). Giving a middle finger to one of its professors, BU fired a lecturer in Human Development amid her accusations the athletic department gave preferential treatment to hoopers and pressured her to change grades. If not discerning it's unwise to submit "free" papers, copying them off the Internet as research classwork, we presume Alvin learned most schools give away free condoms for his "work" off the court. Alvin, a Philly product, previously was dismissed by UTEP (averaged 8 ppg, 2.9 rpg and team-high 4.4 apg in 2006-07) and later transferred to Raleigh, N.C.-based Shaw, where he became CIAA Player of the Year in 2011-12. At least scholarly Andy Robinson (Buffalo) was willing to pay for his bogus schoolwork. Robinson was suspended three games after posting grammatically-challenged ad on Facebook in spring of 2008 offering $30-$40 for fellow student to author a course paper for him.
FATHER'S DAY PARENTING CLASS: Willie Anderson (Georgia), in the fall of 2003, reportedly lost almost all of the $1.75 million he was to receive from a deferred 10-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs to the IRS and three women who said he did not pay child support. The IRS, in a lawsuit, had sought almost $400,000 from what it said were unpaid taxes from a nightclub Anderson co-owned, Strictly Jazz, plus unpaid income taxes. During court hearings in 2000, it was revealed Anderson fathered at least nine children by seven women. Civil warrants were issued twice for his arrest in child-support matters in Georgia state court. The two-time All-SEC selection in late 1980s was jailed in November 1999 for contempt when he didn't show up for another hearing. But Anderson doesn't seem as if he'll medal in the Sperminator Games. Pending audit confirmation of paternity results, Anderson apparently still trails potent philanderers Jason Caffey (Alabama), Shawn Kemp (Kentucky signee), Calvin Murphy (Niagara) and Sedale Threatt Sr. (West Virginia Tech) for most baby mamas in hoops history.
GIVE ME CREDIT: Gilbert Arenas (Arizona) was suspended for most of the 2009-10 NBA season stemming from a felony gun possession in a locker room and subsequent actions appearing to make light of the episode. Pleaded no contest to misdemeanor weapon charges resulting from an incident in San Mateo County (Calif.) in 2003 after being an All-Pacific-10 Conference selection as a sophomore in 2000-01. Arrested in California in late June 2013 for possession of illegal fireworks in the back of his pickup truck. In the spring of 2014, Arenas took a cinder block and smashed a Mercedes his longtime flame had been driving, claiming the incident was revenge for her allegedly breaking numerous windows in his house and ruining his Netflix account by throwing his computer into the pool. In late January 2016, Arenas bragged on social media how he committed credit-card fraud at strip clubs. He probably should have served as a consultant to Warren Jones (Bradley/Green Bay) and Al Miller (UCF). Jones was the Braves' leading scorer midway through the 2014-15 campaign when arrested at a strip club on misdemeanor charges of obstruction of identification and criminal trespass in the wee hours of morning following a home defeat. Miller was charged with pointing a gun in theft of local night club disc jockey in middle of 2002-03 season before ditching in-home monitoring device and failing to arrive in circuit court for trial on armed-robbery charge. Instead of plastic, Arenas could have been like Anthony Jenkins (Clemson), who pleaded guilty to passing five counterfeit $100 bills at a Spartanburg, S.C., nightclub in the fall of 1991. The college cager counterfeiters also included Dustin Thomas (Colorado/Arkansas) and Jacorey Williams (Arkansas/East Tennessee State), who both pleaded guilty to possessing "Monopoly" money in summer of 2015 they knew or should have known was not authentic.
I'M NOT ROLE MODEL: Charles Barkley (Auburn), a three-time All-SEC selection from 1981-82 through 1983-84, was arrested for breaking a man's nose during a fight at 2:30 A.M. just before Christmas in 1991 after a game at Milwaukee and also for throwing a bar patron through a plate-glass window in late October 1997 after being struck with a glass of ice while in Orlando for an exhibition game. In August 1997, a jury rejected a $550,000 lawsuit from a man who claimed Barkley beat him up at a Cleveland nightclub. Charges were dropped against Barkley and fellow NBA player Jayson Williams stemming from an accusation they were in a bar fight in Chicago in 1992. Compulsive gambler said in an ESPN interview in May 2006 that he lost approximately $10 million through gambling, including $2.5 million "in a six-hour period" while playing blackjack. The Wynn Las Vegas resort filed a civil complaint in May 2008 that Barkley failed to repay four $100,000 casino markers, or loans, received the previous October. He took a leave of absence from TNT Sports' broadcast booth in early 2009 after test results showed he was legally drunk (nearly twice the legal limit) on New Year's Eve when Phoenix police arrested him on suspicion of drunken driving. Barkley, who triggered a national debate with his "I am not a role model" proclamation, told police he was in a hurry to go have sex from a female passenger he had just picked up from a popular nightclub. Another "entertainer" unworthy of being a role model was seven-footer Andy Slocum (Texas A&M), who was better known for his time in WWE under the ring name Jackson Andrews before TMZ revelations in late summer 2012 of having two fiancees at the same time.
MOVIN' FROM TIRE IRON TO STOLEN X-RATED VIDEOS: Marvin Barnes (Providence), a unanimous first-team All-American in 1973-74, was arrested for a variety of things - trespassing, being under the influence of narcotics, burglary of a locked vehicle. Homeless in San Diego, he stole X-rated videos to sell for drug money. Barnes claims his cocaine addiction escalated to the point where he snorted the drug on the Boston Celtics' bench during a game. Barnes said he hit rock bottom during one of his drug-related prison stints when he almost killed a fellow inmate. Barnes attended the John Lucas Treatment Center in Houston and worked as a director at a halfway house before encountering liver problems. In mid-May 2007, he was arrested by state police on a felony charge of cocaine possession. In mid-January 2012, Barnes was 59 when arraigned in Rhode Island on a charge of soliciting a 17-year-old minor for sex after they met through his Rebound Foundation for at-risk youths. In 1972, he was charged with assault after allegedly hitting PC teammate Larry Ketvirtis with a tire iron following a scrimmage. Barnes once asked Providence Journal columnist Bill Reynolds if cocaine kills brain cells before saying: "I must have been a genius when I started out." While incarcerated, Barnes also told Reynolds: "Here I am trying to get myself straightened out and they come out with a brand-new drug (crystal meth)."
GOVERNMENT JOBS FOR BIG BLUE BEDFELLOWS: Horny Winston Bennett (Kentucky), an All-SEC second-team selection as a junior in 1985-86, said he "slept with 90 women a month." Only 10 weeks on the job in a state government position, he was fired in fall of 2017 after sending inappropriate emails (including to subordinates). Who conducted a background check on him and did they overlook his termination as a Boston Celtics aide under Rick Pitino by having a sexual relationship with a female student at Brandeis where the NBA team practiced? Previously, Richie Farmer (Kentucky), a shooting guard in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after entering a guilty plea to government corruption in mid-September 2013 following the state attorney general's office and ethics commission charging him with 42 ethics violations. A scathing state audit about Farmer's eight years as state agriculture commissioner alleged he misused state workers and resources for personal gain. He was accused of placing his friends in jobs with no specified duties and asking them to carry out his personal errands plus build a basketball court on his property. Was Farmer wanting to make a hoops comeback and play in Seniors Tournament with his UK coach (Pitino)? Red-blooded Pitino protege Joshua Tinch's employment as high school special education instructor didn't last long, either. Known more for exploits as UK rival Louisville WR, he was terminated after a female student complained he had inappropriate contact with her when she was 16 shortly following his hiring in August 2011. There was no telling what kind of job Derek Willis (Kentucky) warranted upon being found at nearly 5 a.m. passed out drunk with his body and head extending well into middle of the street next to open driver's side door of car in mid-June 2016.
WHAT BAND-AID CAN TAKE FROM YOU: Derrick Chievous (Missouri), sporting trademark band-aid, was an All-American as a junior in 1986-87. He was charged with felony stealing in May, 2001, for allegedly taking items from the United Parcel Service terminal in Columbia, Mo., where he had worked for nine months after playing in the NBA and Europe. Chievous, who had been under investigation for months regarding possible theft, allegedly fled from managers while carrying stolen items. In 1997, he was arrested for failure to pay child support. "I'm not the marrying type," said Chievous, who had daughters in his college town plus Philadelphia and Chicago. "I'm not always the greatest dad. But I'm the best dad they've got."
ROOTS OF REMOTE CONTROL: Ricky Clemons (Missouri), after reportedly attending six different high schools, was kicked off the Tigers' squad during the summer of 2003 following a judge determining the North Carolina native violated conditions for serving a sentence in a halfway house and ordered him to jail. The sentence stemmed from two misdemeanors in an assault case involving his former white girlfriend after she didn't want to watch Roots. In subsequent taped jail telephone conversations, Clemons alleged Mizzou assistant coaches gave money to him and other players. The J.C. recruit, who scored 26 points against Iowa and 27 against Syracuse, also crashed an ATV on the school president's lawn at a July 4 party. Believe it or not, the wife of the school's first black president suggested Clemons avoid dating white women. A mid-2001 charge he choked and struck another woman in Idaho was not prosecuted because the woman didn't respond to a request to testify.
DUMBER THAN DOORKNOB (AT HIS APARTMENT): Sheldon Cooley (East Tennessee State) and teammate Marcus Dubose were dropped from ETSU's roster following DTF charges (subsequently dismissed) in a mid-November 2012 drug investigation. Later, the school's postal services manager was terminated for violating federal law by opening the latest in a series of suspicious express mail packages. Another package earmarked for Dubose containing $10,700 cash was intercepted by drug agents in the days following their arrests. It was Cooley's second arrest that year. He had entered a guilty plea to solicitation to file a false police report, stemming from a robbery probe at his campus apartment, during which he lied to cops about what was taken. Cooley claimed $1,300 in cash was stolen from his room during a theft where a pair of teammates were bound and gagged at gunpoint. Tampa native told police the reason burglars were able to get into the apartment was he left his key/swipe-card in the mailbox. A comparably confusing breaking-and-entering explanation came from Gus Santos (Wichita State) in March 1987 when he was arrested while attempting to kick in a door to an empty hotel room. The Shockers' leading scorer in 1985-86 told local police he was only looking for a quiet place to sleep. As a freshman in late 1980, Steve Stipanovich (Missouri) was shot in the arm. At first, Stipanovich said a masked intruder (donning red-checked flannel shirt and cowboy boots) broke into his apartment, shouted obscenities against hoopers and shot him. Later, the eventual two-time All-American changed the story, admitting he accidentally shot himself with a .22-caliber weapon (facing WHO SHOT STIPO? WHO SHOT STUPO? signs in Big Eight Conference road games). At least Cooley, Santos and Stipanovich weren't as cruel as Donald Little (Cincinnati), who was charged with kidnapping, beating and burning his roommate in spring of 2002.
"DE" GOLD MEDAL FOR HEALTHY EXCUSE: Olympians DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky), DeMar DeRozan (Southern California) and DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) were caught going to notorious high-end brothel near the Copacabana beach in Rio in August 2016 before Team USA source offered feeble explanation that "they thought it was a health spa." In "de" spring of 2016, DeShaun Thrower and Stony Brook teammate RayShaun McGrew were charged with third-degree grand larceny and criminal mischief after allegedly breaking the rental car window of a student who had $5,000 in cash in Toyota after cashing tax refund check.
RELIGIOUS CHICKEN LITTLE SKY IS FALLING: Chris Craig (Creighton signee/Texas-El Paso), a guard who averaged 8.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.7 apg for UTEP in 2002-03 and 2003-04, was arrested in Utah in early August 2013 on an outstanding warrant for drug possession one month after he was detained at a Walmart in Arizona following alleged threatening statements to people on a junior college campus. Former assistant coach at Northern Colorado who referred to himself as an "Islamic jihadist" was spotted wandering about and warning Catholics and Mormons that they "would be destroyed" in the near future. Dealing with mental illness after coaching Eastern Utah to a third-place finish in the 2010 NJCAA Tournament, he drove a car covered in spray-painted religious messages. In mid-September 2016, Craig was arrested after allegedly threatening to blow up an elementary school in Utah.
PILFERING PATIENTS' PAIN PILLS: Kevin Criswell (Montana), the Grizzlies' second-leading scorer four straight seasons from 2002-03 through 2005-06, faced two-count indictment in spring of 2014 charging physical therapist with conspiracy and acquiring hydrocodone and oxycodone by forgery, fraud or subterfuge. "Dr. Pill" was sentenced to four years of probation, six months in a residential drug treatment center and paying restitution of $6,400 to one patient suffering severe emotional trauma after pleading guilty to breaking into homes and stealing pain pills from multiple patients. In other Northwest court documents, Craig Ehlo (Washington State) admitted to past problems with substance abuse (prescription painkillers) in receiving a suspended one-year jail sentence following pleading guilty to setting fire to a pile of clothes outside his rural Spokane home. Ehlo was arrested in early August 2013 after firefighters responded around 1 a.m. and encountered family members holding him down near his burning clothes to prevent 14-year NBA player from jumping into the flames.
PHOTO CONSENT RELEASE: Robbie Dean Dosty (Arizona) was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty in summer of 2007 to theft by extortion stemming from his threat to send photographs of a man having sex with him to the man's employer. Drug charges were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea from Dosty, who averaged 10 ppg and 5 rpg from 1977-78 through 1980-81. In the summer of 2012, a salacious photo-extortion story unfolded when an ex-mistress stripper and co-conspirator were busted for a purported $200,000 plot against Mark Jackson (St. John's), who moonlighted as a minister at a LA suburb-based non-denominational church, for sending compromising nude pics during a 2006 affair. The NCAA assists average leader in 1985-86 and All-American in 1986-87 after participating in 1985 Final Four quoted the Bible, saying "what goes on in the dark, comes out in the light. He "shimmied off" while called a "Bible-pounding phony" by ESPN colleague Bob Ryan but the network responded by suspending the venerable ex-Boston Globe columnist for a couple of weeks.
MAY HOLIDAY SEASON BE FILLED WITH POP-A-SHOT: Three Eastern Washington players - Robert Otis, Nate Perkins and John Randa - were arrested for petty larceny the week before Christmas 1985 on charges they stole 153 cans of soda pop from the Holiday Inn they stayed in prior to road game against Idaho State. The soda jerks were headed to court after accused of pilfering pop from a machine inadvertently left unlocked. "Life Tasted Good" for EWU on-court, however, as Otis scored 19 points and Randa scooped up a loose ball before he "popped" a decisive basket with three seconds remaining in 61-59 triumph. Another holiday season failed to unfold any better for walk-on Chris Armstrong (Niagara), who was charged with creating a ruckus in fall of 2009 (disorderly conduct and resisting arrest). Police officers said they saw a highly-intoxicated man in trench coat who appeared to be naked (actually wearing "vulgar" Halloween costume) struggling with a bouncer trying to get him out of a bar.
NET DREAM: James Felton (St. John's/Florida State/Saint Peter's/Fairleigh Dickinson), when on a recruiting visit at Kentucky's Midnight Madness the weekend of 1996, fell asleep during a meeting with an academic counselor and coach Rick Pitino sent him home. Kicked off St. John's squad early in freshman season in 1997-98 for repeated violations (missing team flight to Puerto Rico for season-opening tournament, inviting friends to team practice at MSG only to see his "posse" pilfer everything not nailed down in the Knicks' locker room and sitting on the court because "I didn't feel much like practicing today"). Left FSU after money and things were missing from the Seminoles' locker room. Cleared up an arrest warrant against him for trying to sell stolen property at a pawn shop, but wore out his welcome at Saint Peter's before playing a game for the Peacocks. He failed to show up for a summer school final exam in 1999 after actually taking pokes while under the influence at SPC's coaching staff during an unsupervised workout. Suspended for a portion of a season attending FDU before scoring 41 points in a game against LIU. Felton, known to binge drink and in alcohol rehab, was found dead in his Jersey City apartment in early November 2006 at the age of 27.
SQUATTERS RIGHTS: Chris Gatling (Pittsburgh/Old Dominion), a three-time All-Sun Belt Conference first-team selection, was sentenced to four years of probation after pleading guilty to theft and forgery charges after accusation of squatting in a Phoenix area home and then trying to list the place for rent on Craigslist. He was charged with breaking into a key box and living in the home for nearly a year. Gatling contacted the owner in the summer of 2010 looking to rent the residence but never finalized a lease agreement because of poor credit. A police report claimed the homeowners lived in California but had left the power on. Gatling reportedly owed $40,000 in child support as of the spring of 2006. He was eventually sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison following arrest in late May 2015 for allegedly running an online fraud scheme using credit cards of people from all across the country. Another player who apparently thought he should be able to hang around was Eli Holman (Indiana), who transferred after freshman season to Detroit following meeting requiring a call to campus police when he became agitated with new Hoosiers coaching staff. At least Holman didn't respond in same way as Roland Griffin (Illinois State/Iona), who was kicked off the Gaels' squad in fall of 2018 after punching an assistant coach multiple times in the locker room following an argument about schoolwork.
SLUM OR DUMB LANDLORD?: Will Graves (North Carolina), a starting forward in 2009-10 was arrested on drug charges (involving marijuana) in early December 2013 at a house rented by Carolina's part-time video coordinator from Tar Heels coach Roy Williams. Graves was kicked off UNC's club in the fall of 2010 for violating team rules. At least Graves was linked to his coach instead of convicted felon Haydn "Fats" Thomas like several other prominent Tar Heel players. In similar "high" living arrangements, Kansas teammates Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers were kicked out of NBA rookie transition program in early September 2008 after getting caught with prostitutes in their hotel room where marijuana was smoked (both fined $20,000 and required to attend symposium again the following year). The Self-less KU tandem refused to allow hotel management in after a smoke alarm went off at about 2 a.m.
TOY STORIES: In the fall of 1987, Artie Green (Marquette) was placed on probation for four years after pleading guilty to armed robbery and burglary charges (service station and apartment building where he lived). His lawyer said the weapon used was a toy gun and that Green turned to crime for money to spend on cocaine. Similarly, Harry Moore (St. Bonaventure) was arrested in 2001 for sticking up ATM patrons with a fake black revolver. Another odd weapon was utilized by seven-footer Dwayne Schintzius (Florida), who wielded a tennis racquet at someone after hearing a rude remark while riding in a car outside a nightclub. Schintzius subsequently quit the Gators in mid-season in 1989-90 because he didn't want to "sail under the authority of Captain Ahab (interim coach Don DeVoe)." While Schintzius "skated" after displaying his power serve outside a club, Archie Goodwin (Kentucky) was arrested in a dispute outside a roller rink in Little Rock in spring of 2014. Elsewhere, night-owl Winthrop teammates Reggie Middleton and Gideon Gamble were arrested on misdemeanor disorderly conduct/fighting charges in late October 2011, requiring police officers to break up fight at a McDonald's with Tasers, stemming from 2:45 a.m. incident before a scheduled 6 a.m. practice.
CRIMINAL CLIMAX: Eddie Griffin (Seton Hall), an All-Big East Conference second-team selection as a freshman in 2000-01, was charged in November 2003 with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a woman claiming to be his girlfriend accused him of punching her in the face and shooting a pistol at her car as she drove away. Earlier in the year, he had been arrested for possession of marijuana. He had been expelled before the end of his senior year in high school for fighting with a teammate and punched college teammate Ty Shine in the locker room after a midseason defeat his lone campaign with the Pirates. Checked into Betty Ford Center in 2004 to get six weeks of treatment for alcohol abuse. Pleaded guilty to inattentive driving early in the 2005-06 season (drunk and watching pornography in DVD player mounted on dashboard when crashing his Cadillac Escalade while masturbating in parking lot of grocery store) before being suspended by the NBA for violating the anti-drug program in mid-January 2007. Killed in Houston in mid-August, 2007, when his Nissan SUV collided with a Union Pacific freight train in a fiery crash. It took four days for authorities to identify his body from dental records.
JERSEY WORE: Bob Hall (Louisiana State), averaging 4.7 ppg and 4.7 rpg, was dismissed from team in late February 1997 following second suspension and "apparel" snafu of season. He could not enter a game when Dale Brown, in his final of 25 seasons as Tigers coach, tried to send him in but couldn't because the center was not wearing his jersey under warm-up jacket. Earlier in the campaign, Hall left a contest after he was found to have his jersey on backwards. Whether or not it was due to them failing to comprehend one leg or arm at a time, more than half of LSU's roster was suspended at some point during 1996-97.
ALL-STAR PIMPS: Jason Henry (Arkansas) was sentenced to six years in prison after his conviction on prostitution charges. According to a police report, pimp known as "Allstar" was booked in late March 2015 on multiple sex crimes, including the possible rape of a 14-year-old girl. West Memphis product started twice as a freshman but was suspended three times by the Hogs during the 2008-09 campaign and dismissed from the program prior to sophomore season. Elsewhere on the streets, backup point guard Venoy Overton (Washington) didn't have a pimpin' nickname resembling Henry but his real first name made him sound like a cool cat en route to pleading guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution following an arrest in mid-June 2011. Periphery "players" also sought to get in on the action as North Texas' team manager received probation after pleading to two charges of promoting prostitution, asking an assault accuser in spring of 2017 to join an escort service they ran for "professional individuals."
VIDEO VOYEURISM: Jonathan Holton (Rhode Island), an Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie team member as URI's leading rebounder, was arrested in late March 2012 following complaints of video voyeurism by two female students that he took video of two separate consensual sexual encounters with them and posted the videos to Facebook. Just days later, he was charged with possession of stolen goods (laptop computer) resulting from a search of his dorm room. Holton was already on probation stemming from a 2009 strong-arm robbery in his hometown of Miami. Elsewhere among semen-ly authentic student-athletes, three Minnesota players were suspended near the end of 2015-16 campaign following an explicit group sex-tape video surfaced on one of their Twitter accounts. At least the porn-star tryout wasn't conducted after closing time in an upscale Italian bistro like their coach's father. Voyeuristic venues also impacted Jalen McDaniels (San Diego State), who was sued for allegedly filming two different women performing sexual acts and distributing them with his phone in 2016 while in high school. Predators included Brandon Lampley (Ball State), who was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to felony sexual battery as teaching assistant. He engaged in sexual activity with a female student skipping class in a secured, usually locked, portion of a high school's athletic training area in February 2014. Cell phones of the teen and Lampley determined they exchanged 769 text messages in a month. Investigators also found video on Lampley's cell phone of encounters with 10 consenting adults.
SKINNY-DIPPING DUFUS: Dommanic Ingerson (Michigan/San Francisco) was taken by Oakland police to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation in mid-February 2010 after allegedly stealing a woman's purse and attempting to elude cops by swimming across a 50-degree lake and emerging naked. Ingerson averaged 8.1 ppg for UM as a freshman in 2001-02 before averaging 6.2 ppg in three seasons with USF. Additional nudist colony/psychiatric ward possibilities were Mel Montgomery (Canisius), who disrobed twice while under custody in late January 1981, and Gavin Ludgood (Southern Illinois signee/Florida Atlantic/Northern Kentucky), who was arrested on several charges including public indecency in spring of 2006 after banging on a car and an apartment door while naked just before 8 a.m.
RETURN TO SCENE OF PURSE CRIME: John C. Johnson (Creighton), an All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection as a senior in 1978-79, was arrested in early December 2003 on suspicion of theft by unlawful taking and criminal possession of a financial transaction device at a Lincoln, Neb., racquet club. Johnson was arrested in spring of 1992 for breaking into cars supporting a drug habit in Omaha, Harrison County (Iowa) and downtown Lincoln, including the aforementioned racquet club. He was sentenced to one to three years in prison on the theft and forgery charges in Lincoln. In spring of 1993, Johnson was sentenced to one year of probation for breaking into cars at a national wildlife refuge in Iowa. He was a Boys and Girls Club staffer and juvenile probation officer for nine years until his arrests. Johnson was arrested again for purse snatching in mid-November 2011. In 1995, police apprehended him when reportedly in possession of 77 stolen wallets and purses. Omaha also was the hometown for repeat offender Benny "B.J." Valentine (Texas Tech/Eastern Washington), who violated probation sanctioning him the previous week by traveling to Texas and participating in a mid-November 2012 break-in resulting in death of an accomplice.
DANCING WITH THE STAR: Shaq Johnson (Auburn/Longwood), a part-time starter known for dunking prowess, was dismissed from the Tigers' squad in summer of 2013 after freshman season upon jailing in the wee hours of the morning following a charge of possession of marijuana. In the fall of 2014, he was charged with a felony for malicious wounding after knocking teeth out of dance-off competitor. In the fall of 2015, Johnson was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana before 10-game suspension by Longwood and agreeing to drug counseling in order to have charge reduced to entering property with intent to damage.
SAMURAI SWORD SCHOLAR: Avondre Jones (Southern California/Fresno State) was convicted in December 1998 of threatening a man with a Samurai sword in his apartment just hours after a FSU game in the NIT. Gangsta rapper wannabee also was convicted on a felony charge of having a gun while on probation (for gun possession) and a misdemeanor marijuana charge. Jones, sentenced to six months in jail, was acquitted on six charges, including theft, extortion and assault with a deadly weapon. While a sword wasn't utilized, Lafester Rhodes (Iowa State) reportedly slashed an ex-girlfriend's bed during a domestic dispute in her apartment. Johnny Orr told Rhodes' CBA coach that his All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection in 1987-88 "couldn't read past a sixth-grade level." Rhodes must have been unable to comprehend instructions on how to modify water level.
JIGGLE JOINT JACKPOT: Jason Keep (Oklahoma State/San Diego), after seven-footer and All-WCC selection was fired from his job at a Phoenix strip club, hatched a plot to rob the jiggle joint on New Year's Eve 2013 before plan to pilfer up to $500,000 he believed was stored in the business' safe unraveled because there were too many potential witnesses. But two accomplices went ahead and followed the club's manager to a local IHOP and, in a brazen midday robbery, stole a duffel bag filled with about $18,000 in cash, leading to the shooting of a police officer following a vehicle pursuit. Keep was charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery in connection with the case. USD's leading scorer and WCC's top rebounder in 2002-03 in his lone season with the Toreros after transferring from OSU, where he was a teammate of Doug Gottlieb ("credited" with checkered past at Notre Dame) following one season in junior college. Keep entered a plea of not guilty on a drunken driving charge midway through the 2000-01 campaign.
WHAT'S YOURS IS MINE: Shawn Kemp (Kentucky signee) had a troubling pattern of drug use leading to multiple NBA suspensions coupled with a proclivity for fathering children out of wedlock. Ended his first season with the Portland "Jail Blazers" in spring of 2001 by checking into a drug rehab center for cocaine abuse. He was arrested in 2005 for possession of cocaine and marijuana and was again charged with possession of pot in 2006. Left UK as an academic non-qualifier in November 1988 after getting caught but not charged for selling stolen gold jewelry belonging to the coach's son. At least Kemp acquired the bling without an overnight package mailed to him popping open. By contrast, Richard Hurd (Baylor), foiled in an attempt to enrich himself, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after found guilty stemming from his arrest in mid-June 2012 in connection with an alleged $1 million extortion from Heisman Trophy-winning QB Robert Griffin III. Hurd, the ex-boyfriend of Griffin's fiancee, threatened to release damaging information on RG3. Another "jewel" was Karel Rosario (Florida International), a 6-10 Miami-Dade police detective in late 2015 when pleading guilty to dealing in stolen property. Rosario was sentenced to 366 days in prison for trying to sell luxury jewelry valued well over $100,000 stolen from a suspect's home.
KING OF APPEARING IN COURT: Four was a magic number for Bernard King (Tennessee), an All-American in 1976-77 despite brief suspension at start of season following four arrests in the fall for possession of marijuana and driving infractions. He subsequently was recognized as youngest NBA player (23) arrested four times.
FISHY AUCTION: Brad Lohaus (Iowa), an All-Big Ten Conference selection in 1986-87, received two years of probation in mid-January 2006 for not delivering fishing rods that he auctioned on eBay. He was charged with theft in 2004 after receiving more than $1,700 from auction bidders seeking rods and other unspecified merchandise. In regard to "multiplying" fishy acquisition, leading scorer Deon Tresvant (Cal State Northridge) was arrested with his coach's son and teammate who is son of pastor across street of theft in early 2009 for being involved with stealing more than $6,600 in merchandise on New Year's Day from a Best Buy where the coach's son worked. The pilfering was discovered when store officials discovered a discrepancy at cash register after the coach's son allegedly logged onto register using the password of an employee who was off that day.
A HORSE IS A HORSE OF COURSE: Art Long (Cincinnati) was found not guilty of an infamous "Blazing Saddles" incident assaulting (punching four times) a police horse. Brought to UC after selling drugs to a decoy cop, the Bearcats' leader in rebounding and blocked shots in 1994-95 was involved in multiple domestic violence incidents. In mid-December 2015, the J.C. vagabond was sentenced to 81 months in prison for drugs and guns crimes. He probably should have been spending Long-er time playing "H-O-R-S-E" based on his "blazing" free-throw accuracy (55.6%) and three-point marksmanship (11.1%). Speaking of guns and "horses," massive Oliver Miller (Arkansas) was accused of assaulting his girlfriend's brother during cookout in spring of 2011. No word if relative triggered pistol-whipping altercation by taking grub off plate of textbook Beast of the Baseline.
MACK TRUCKS ALONG WITH FOOTBALL ACCOMPLICES: Sam Mack (Iowa State/Arizona State/Houston) was charged with unlawful use of a weapon in 1988. While at Iowa State (where he averaged 11.8 ppg and 6.1 rpg in 1988-89), he was acquitted of all charges after being arrested for kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism following a theft at a Burger King. Mack and his football player accomplice, whom he claimed forced him at gunpoint to tag along, would not have been able to enjoy their combo meals for long. During the course of the robbery, Mack stood right beside an ISU poster with his picture on it albeit without clueless clown donning promotional crown. After transferring to Arizona State, he was accused of raping a student on campus and also stealing an American Express card, with yet another football player, to purchase $1,400 in gold jewelry. Moving on to Houston (where he averaged team-high 17.5 ppg in 1991-92), Mack was arrested and charged with criminal mischief. Also arrested in the summer of 2000 after police officers found crack cocaine and 20 bags of marijuana in his Range Rover following a high-speed chase in a Chicago suburb.
STALKING BIG BAD JOHN: Kevin Millen (Georgetown), a backup for the Hoyas in mid-1990s, was sentenced to two years' probation and ordered to return to his Memphis hometown and stay away from Washington after arrested twice in fall of 1998 stemming from accusations of stalking and making threatening phone calls to coach John Thompson Jr. Charged with unlawful entry after being detained by campus security for allegedly trying to reach the office of the university president. In the wake of several dozen alleged menacing phone calls to the school's athletic office earlier in the year, he was apprehended the previous week and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Court records indicated Millen was upset over job opportunities arranged by Thompson that didn't pan out. Millen had an unsuccessful primary run for Congress in 2010. What a shame! He could have provided Congressional entertainment much like Anthony Weiner (a/k/a Carlos Danger), married a Clinton confidant and had #SickWillie conduct the marriage ceremony between ex-President's flights on "Lolita Express." Speaking of stalking, Florida A&M coach Mike Gillespie Sr. (DePaul) was fired after arrest in spring of 2007 on a misdemeanor charge of stalking woman at her workplace. A police report said Gillespie, subject to GPS monitoring after guiding the Rattlers to their first 20-win campaign in 18 seasons, was investigated several times on stalking complaints in a two-year span.
BAD CELL SERVICE: Sam Miller (Dayton/College of Charleston) pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after arrest for underage drinking in early August 2017. Becoming insubordinate in back of cruiser, he made matters worse by getting into a fight in jail. A bartender at Caddy's Taphouse said Miller responded to being cut off from additional beverages by knocking down all the glasses on the bar table to the floor and shoving her. A security officer subdued the profane Miller before police arrived and apprehended him. That's when things got worse for him. After urinating on the floor in the corner of a jail cell and taking off his pants, Miller was caught on camera getting into a tussle with a fellow inmate who, understandably so, said he did not want to be in same holding cell where Miller relieved himself. Miller was kayoed by multiple punches before bloodied prisoner was escorted out of the cell. Speaking of odd circumstances for fisticuffs, Maine's miserable 2016-17 season took a darker turn late in the campaign when the Black Bears' leading scorer reportedly broke a teammate's jaw in a dispute over music played in the locker room. Team members tried to cover up the fight by saying the injury incurred from falling in the shower.
ANOTHER REASON NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE: Greg Monroe (Georgetown), an All-Big East Conference first-team selection in 2009-10, pleaded guilty to impaired driving in spring of 2014, urinating on himself during the booking process. Since he was a member of the Detroit Pistons at the time, he should be grateful the franchise nickname wasn't Pooptons. Not long before whizzing away by Monroe, freshman guard Stevie Clark (Oklahoma State) was dismissed from Pokes squad following arrest for "publicly urinating out of a vehicle window" at 12:45 a.m. Another OSU product incapable of controlling himself was JamesOn Curry, who was charged with urinating in an alley outside of his hotel at 2:30 a.m. in mid-January 2008. Late in the 2009-10 campaign, starting swingman Corey Stokes (Villanova) was cited for public urination following a game (between two cars while surrounded by teammates). In late summer 2010, Joe Mazzulla and West Virginia teammate Dalton Pepper were cited for allegedly urinating in public. In late 2006, Trevon Charles (Quinnipiac) was suspended after urinating on a female student's leg in dormitory bathroom. Chicago product Darrell Williams (Oklahoma State) was arrested in February 2014 for public urination outside a friend's home. D.J. Cooper (Ohio University) joined the list of hoop piss-ants by receiving a two-year suspension from FIBA in 2018 following revelation he used his pregnant girlfriend's urine instead of his own to try and pass a drug test. All of these "Free Willy" mental midgets probably should hold tight, move to San Franfreakshow and become founding members of the Pea Party. Harsher treatment would be dispatching them to Greene County (MO), where corrections officers were charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault for standing on a jail roof in summer of 2001 and spraying pee on inmates as they played basketball.
OJ PAYBACK BEFORE NO-PAY BACK: Tyrone Nesby (UNLV), was arrested in late January, 2008, on a charge of contempt of court. In mid-June 2011, the Cairo, Ill., native was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in restitution for unpaid child-support obligations. In April, 2001, he spent the night in jail after arrest in his locker room on a battery charge that was later dropped. While in junior college at Vincennes (Ind.) in 1995, the last of 14 children was accused of hitting a fellow student in the face in an argument over the O.J. Simpson verdict. Speaking of payback, four Providence players were charged with assault in spring of 2000 in fight believed to be retribution after bouncer helped remove teammate David Murray from a bar days earlier because the center lacked proper identification.
STIFF PENALTIES: Lamar Odom (UNLV/Rhode Island), an All-Atlantic 10 Conference first-team selection in 1998-99, was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel in mid-October 2015 before he was transported in critical condition to a hospital. Owner of the Love Ranch South said "it looks like he might have taken too much herbal Viagra." In 2013, he apparently was holed up at a L.A. hotel room where friends were involved in an intervention trying to get him help for an undisclosed drug abuse problem. In his memoir, Odom said he used a fake penis to cheat on a drug test for the 2004 Olympics. Faced drug accusations in 2001 when violating the NBA policy twice in an eight-month span. Also running afoul of the law multiple times for being unable to control himself was Kerry "Stephen" Thomas (Boise State), the first person in Idaho convicted of knowingly spreading the HIV-AIDS virus. In other words, Thomas was a poor man's Magic Johnson (Michigan State).
STRIP KARAOKE AT SATAN'S DISCO: Frank Peters (Oregon State), the third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer for fourth-place team in 1963 NCAA playoffs, served 2 1/2 years in prison of a 10-year sentence following a 1989 conviction for statutory rape and drug offenses (busted for possession of 800 marijuana plants worth a reported $1 million). Affiliated for more than 20 years with a bar/dance hall in Southeast Portland, where he served everything from reindeer to rodent while presiding over events such as strip karaoke and lesbian dance party. He played a supporting role in a Netflix film The Battered Bastards of Baseball, which is purportedly about a minor-league baseball franchise that thrived in the 1970s during a time when it was the nation's only professional club not owned by MLB team. While managing the Mavericks, Peters was also the maestro of several of Portland's most notorious nightspots, including Satan's Disco. Booby bars have a tendency to spawn some weird situations. Jeff Moe (Iowa), the owner of an Indianapolis strip club, reportedly retaliated over opposition to the bar's liquor license by roughing up a councilman. Moe, a part-time starting guard for the Hawkeyes the last half of 1980s, said the councilman with same first name should not be able to criticize his character while facing child molestation charges himself. "I gave him my version of Ride the Wild Jeff Beast," Moe said, referring to the designation stemming from piggyback rides the councilor gave girls in his home, according to court documents.
POLICE ACADEMY WANNABEE: Olden Polynice (Virginia), an All-ACC second-team selection in 1985-86, was charged during the summer of 2001 with hitting and spitting on a golfer after being accidentally struck by a golf ball in Salt Lake City. The previous fall, he was involved in two road-rage episodes that led to Bubba Smith wannabee pleading guilty (accused of impersonating a police officer by flashing fake badge). In mid-October 1996, Polynice was arrested at his home in Sacramento on domestic assault charges after his live-in girlfriend complained he threw her against a wall. After facing honor-code violation of plagiarism in 1984, Duke's creative Crazies printed copies of a sheet with the title page "Hamlet: An Original Play by Olden Polynice" and handed them out before a contest at Cameron that the Haitian center chose not to attend. Another fake law enforcement representative was Robert Swain (Connecticut/College of Charleston), a Georgia native among four civilians dressed as Fulton County Sheriff's office employees arrested in alleged drug scandal orchestrated by a deputy and detention officers seeking cocaine deliveries outside of the jail in early June 2011. The raid came just over a week after an inmate was shot by another inmate.
AT LEAST TAKE SHOWER BEFORE POLICE LINEUP: Kenny Pratt (Iowa State), a two-time All-Big Eight Conference forward, was involved in a late December 1996 incident stemming from two-car accident at an intersection, triggering holding cell "don't you know who I am" videotape showing him yelling, swearing and spitting at police officer. The arrest, where his driver's license was suspended while manning a rental car he was unauthorized to drive, occurred just weeks after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct. Obviously, Floyd took the altercation very seriously by suspending Pratt for one game. In mid-February 1998, J.C. recruit from Chicago was still wearing his uniform following an IBA playoff game when arrested for contempt of court after a police chase. Officers commiserated with Pratt and his minor-league coach before the contest and they agreed to allow him to compete if he surrendered after the fray. Instead, Pratt chose to flee. Perhaps Pratt could have eluded police if he had left during game similar to what Willie Cutts (Arkansas) did as sophomore in 1981-82. Cutts was dismissed from Razorbacks program by coach Eddie Sutton for leaving the floor, throwing his jersey into garbage can on way to locker room, dressing and exiting arena in first half of a game against East Tennessee State after being quickly pulled from lineup for what Sutton deemed a poor shot. Cutts, a former McDonald's Game MVP, subsequently spent time in prison and halfway houses. The state also supplied in-game defector Steven Moore (UALR). He was dismissed from the Trojans' squad in mid-February 2009 for his actions during a contest against Western Kentucky, including walking off the court midway through the first half.
REGULAR CUSTOMERS: Lloyd Price (Xavier/Fairleigh Dickinson), the most highly-rated recruit in Xavier history at the time before transferring, was charged with FDU teammate Douglas Whittler in the armed robbery of a New Jersey convenience store in mid-November 2001. Price, who allegedly wore a hood around his face when he went into the store where he was a regular customer, was drunk as he showed the clerk a "starter's" pistol but dropped it and exposed his face when he went to pick gun up. Later, Price dropped out of Kentucky Wesleyan. Elsewhere, Walmart employees suspected Rico Gathers (Baylor) of pilfering items during previous visits before the Bears' all-time leading rebounder was arrested in mid-June 2015 for allegedly stealing household goods from the store.
ALVIN!!!!!: Alvin Robertson (Arkansas), an All-SWC first-team selection in 1983-84, was sentenced to a year in jail in August, 1997, after pleading no contest to four misdemeanor charges stemming from confrontations with his ex-girlfriend. He previously agreed to undergo therapy for spousal abuse. Robertson was sentenced to three years in prison in 2002 for a probation violation involving a rape accusation. In San Antonio in late February 2010, Robertson faced sexual assault of a child and sex trafficking charges alleging he was among seven people kidnapping a 14-year-old girl who was forced into prostitution and made to dance at a strip club (underage sex ring charges dismissed nearly six years later). In mid-June 2014, he was arrested on a charge of violating terms of a bond involving his GPS ankle monitor. Seven months later, Robertson was apprehended after being on the run for a week upon reportedly cutting off his GPS monitor. In late March 2015, court documents revealed he had accumulated 10 bond violations, including testing positive for methamphetamine.
MARSHALL PLAN SLAP IN FACE: Marshall Rogers (Kansas/Pan American), the nation's leading scorer in 1975-76 with Pan Am, was arrested in his hometown of St. Louis in late June 1987 and charged with assault and petty theft in connection with a shoplifting incident (bottle of Mennen Skin Bracer, stick deodorant, a pair of white sunglasses and three Baby Ruth candy bars worth a total of $13) at a downtown Walgreens drug store. Police said Rogers fought with two store managers, a security guard and three police officers before he was subdued after being struck in the head three times with a nightstick. Rogers, who was living with his mother and told arresting officers he had been out of work the previous three years, was confronted by store personnel and allegedly told them: "Here, you can have the Skin Bracer but that's all." After his diabetes worsened, he had both of his legs amputated below the knees before being checked into a nursing home in 2006. Rogers, who frequently clutched scrapbooks he kept of his playing exploits, died in mid-June 2011 at the age of 57 after refusing to undergo the kidney dialysis treatment doctors said he needed. What a drag for Walgreens that one of its stores in Miami was also robbed in mid-January 2017 by seven-footer Zach Brown (Connecticut commitment/St. John's signee), who reportedly was subsequently imprisoned for violating parole.
SIDNEY BEAMS IN STANDS: Renardo Sidney (Mississippi State), a Mississippi product, was ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA in 2009-10 amid requesting tax documents and income statements to verify his family's income while they lived in relatively posh arrangements in Southern California. Upon securing his eligibility, the summer circuit prima donna was suspended twice for off-the-court issues (including highly-publicized altercation with teammate in stands during tourney in Hawaii). "I was getting money," Sidney told NBC Sports. "I don't know how much. They were giving it to my mom." After ballooning to more than 300 pounds, he did not accompany the Bulldogs on a summer exhibition tour of Europe. "I was getting all kinds of gear and clothes and shoes and I was No. 1 (prep prospect) in the country," Sidney told Rob Dauster of NBC Sports after going undrafted by NBA. "The internet and TV kind of got to me and, as a young kid at that age, you just feel like you've made it already. I stopped working."
LEFT TEAMMATE FOR DEAD: Jamar Smith (Illinois/Southern Indiana), a Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team selection in 2005-06, was charged in middle of sophomore season with drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident (apparently believing unconscious Illini teammate Brian Carlwell died after Lexus struck tree in heavy snow rather than suffering severe concussion). Entered a plea of guilty to DUI with grievous bodily harm, resulting in leaving the scene charge dropped as part of a plea agreement. In fall of 2008, Smith was sentenced to 18 months of probation for violating a court order (continuing to get alcohol-abuse treatment and wearing ankle bracelet alerting authorities if he drank) after spotted outside a campus bar about 2:30 a.m. In the fall of 1999, accident protocol was exactly adhered to when Eldridge Recasner (Washington) was hospitalized with a fractured right shoulder and partially collapsed lung after SUV driven by NBA teammate Derrick Coleman (Syracuse) collided with a tractor trailer. Coleman, eventually acquitted of drunk driving charges but found guilty of "unsafe movement," didn't move in timely fashion to hospital for visit. Recasner was annoyed with him for failing to check in on whether he was OK for more than a week after the accident. Another Midwest player with last name of Smith who had difficulty uncovering the truth was Sammy Smith (Dayton). After a polygraph test did not support his story, Smith admitted fabricating tale about being abducted by a gunman in fall of 2002.
INDIAN FIGHTING COLUMBUS: Leon Smith (Fresno State commitment) was a Chicago product and ward of the state due to neglect from his parents. Committed to a psychiatric ward in Dallas for a month in late 1999 following a suicidal incident when the Mavericks' first-round draft choice out of high school threw a large rock through a house guest's SUV window and swallowed approximately 250 aspirin tablets before telling police officers, "I am an Indian fighting Columbus." After returning to Windy City, he was arrested twice within two days for threatening his ex-girlfriend and damaging her mother's automobile. Speaking of windows in 1999, charges were dropped after All-American Lee Nailon (TCU) was arrested for suspicion of drug possession and evading arrest (through back window of Comfort Inn motel room). Another potential window washer/salesman was Yuri Demetris (Pittsburgh), who was booted from the Panthers' team in mid-January 2005 following an altercation at his ex-girlfriend's apartment where he twice climbed through her window.
BEAT AROUND THE BUSH: Korey Spates (Purdue/Kent State), after beginning his college career with a six-day suspension, averaged 10.1 ppg in 15 games before off-the-court issues triggered his dismissal from Boilermakers in mid-January 2006. Cleveland native was supposed to transfer to Kent State, but his scholarship was rescinded reportedly after a conflict with the Golden Flashes' coach. In spring of 2017, the Palm Beach County state attorney's office chose not to press charges against him for lewd and lascivious behavior inside the children's department at a Macy's store at the Boynton Beach Mall. When store security approached him, he ran away and was found hiding behind bushes. Failing to capitalize on foliage was Doug Overton (La Salle), a three-time All-MAAC first-team selection from 1988-89 through 1990-91 who pleaded guilty to three counts of disorderly conduct. Overton was sentenced to one year of probation following arrest in late April 2017 after Lincoln PA coach exposed himself to both men and women on a public trail. Midwest exhibitionists included Teddy Grubbs (DePaul), who was charged with public indecency multiple times in the 1980s; J.P. Macura (Xavier), who dropped his pants in bar in spring of 2016 after allegedly providing police a fake ID, and Terrence Phillips (Missouri), who reportedly sent a woman a photo of his genitals after voted chair of the SEC Men's Basketball Leadership Council. The most brazen "ball-handler" might have been Stanley Pringle (Penn State), who was charged with public lewdness and disorderly conduct in spring of 2008 in connection to a reported library masturbation incident. According to the criminal complaint, Pringle asked a victim while sitting down on top of a desk behind her if she wanted to purchase hand lotion the J.C. recruit was selling for the Nittany Lions' team. "This is how I chill ma'am," Pringle explained to a female officer, placing his hand down the front of his sweatpants.
STANDING HARD TO LIVE UP TO CHRISTIAN LAST NAME: On the same day La Salle announced transfer of Christian Standhardinger (Nebraska/Hawaii) in mid-January 2011, the Explorers later issued a statement saying he would not be "coming" after cited on suspicion of public indecency (criminal charges subsequently dismissed). Didn't seem like "Christian" thing to do, but the 6-8, 220-pounder bearing a resemblance to Wacko-Jacko Michael Jackson was found shirtless with his pants down while cramped in the passenger seat of a parked car at 3:40 a.m. (after hours inside a park). Filipino-German was accompanied by a female also reportedly shirtless. Get a room but stand hard, Christian! Perhaps Standhardinger, suspended at Nebraska for academic reasons after previously suspended 15 games stemming from NCAA amateurism rules violation, was eventually found studying anatomy at a nude beach in Hawaii. The two-time All-Big West Conference selection averaged 16.9 ppg and 8.1 rpg for the Rainbows in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Speaking of getting caught in compromising position on the Plains, Kansas assists leader Tyshawn Taylor and a KU woman's hooper were suspended for one game late in the 2010-11 season after reportedly getting frisky playing unauthorized one-on-one "Rocks-Off Jayhawk" causing hot-and-heavy "Phog" on windows inside Allen Fieldhouse. What exactly is going on in cornfield mazes of the Midlands? Roburt Sallie (Nebraska signee before attending Memphis) sued the Spanish Basketball Federation for slander, libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. Sallie said he wasn't cut from his Spanish professional team for taking the penis enlargement pill ExtenZe, but was using a male sexual enhancement pill called Black Ant. As far as the portion of a report he wasn't showering with his team, Sallie said it was because he was uncomfortable with the Spanish bathing culture of socializing while naked.
TRUE CLAIMS OF PRISON-MADE GRANOLA BARS: Seth Sundberg (Hawaii) was a mortgage executive, also going by name of Franco Metcalf, convicted in 2009 of tax fraud, mail fraud and false claims against the U.S. over a $5 million tax refund received after filing fraudulent return. Seven-footer served a five-year prison sentence before founding Prison Bars, a company featuring "criminally delicious" snack bars inspired while toiling in kitchen during his incarceration and creating nutritious handmade granola bars sold to other prisoners.
NOT SO SWIFT NEEDING POOPER SCOOPER: Robert Swift (Southern California commitment), a part of the final wave of high school seniors jumping straight to the NBA in 2004, before the league introduced age-limit rules, was charged with unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun in mid-November 2014 after police raided the house where he was living. Swift, who had a grenade launcher among 26 firearms discovered on the property, told law enforcement that he was a heroin user but not a dealer. Swift's $1.35 million house outside Seattle was foreclosed on the previous year after leaving residence littered in feces, maggots in sink, more than 100 pizza boxes, more than 1,000 liquor bottles and bullet holes in walls, according to the family purchasing the filthy property. In early January 2015, he was arrested on armed robbery charges and eventually accepted a plea deal ($600 fine).
LUNCH LADY LEECHES: Donnell Thomas (Northern Illinois) was arrested in spring of 1990 for allegedly battering a school cafeteria worker. Perhaps the normal lunch lady wasn't there to give him extra yum-yums for being the Huskies' scoring and rebounding leader that season. Ditto Isaiah Rusher (New Mexico academic redshirt), who played only two games for Elizabeth City State NC in 2012-13 before leaving following an incident where the Houston native was accused of attacking a campus cafeteria worker (charge subsequently dropped). Dining dummies included Florida's Cody Larson and Erick Murphy as they plotted in back seat of police cruiser how to get out of a burglary arrest in spring of 2011 following a failed attempt to shake down an employee who was closing out a restaurant & bar. There must be something in the water in The Sunshine State as Rokas Ulvydas (UCF), irked after a roommate failed to acknowledge him at a tailgating party in the fall of 2018, allegedly threatened roommate at their apartment and became violent.
FROM BOGUS BILLS TO RAP CRAP: Dustin Thomas (Colorado/Arkansas), a part-time starting forward, was cited on drug possession charge shortly before 2 a.m. weeks before dismissal from Razorbacks squad just prior to start of 2018 NCAA playoffs. It wasn't long before he supplied a rap about exit from the Hogs' roster. Thomas was suspended from competition in the preseason and for first three games of season for an unspecified rules violation. After transferring from CU, he was arrested with a couple of new teammates on first-degree forgery charges in mid-July 2015 in the aftermath of a string of alleged transactions passing counterfeit cash at multiple businesses.
100-HOUR WORK WEEKS ALL YEAR: Vandale Thomas (Mississippi State/Southern LA), SWAC Newcomer of the Year and all-league second-team selection in 1995-96, was charged in a 12-count indictment alleging corruption during his tenure with New Orleans' Traffic Court, claiming he embezzled and over-billed the municipality more than $680,000 between 2009 and 2011. Money-laundering counts alleged Thomas bought thousands of dollars' worth of casino chips and made a down payment on an $80,000 Bentley GT Coupe. The politically-connected accountant, receiving three-year prison sentence for bilking court, submitted inordinate city invoices that were reviewed by the city's Inspector General for mismanagement ($1.3 million in less than three years). Even deducting the hours Thomas said he subcontracted, in 2010 alone he reportedly billed public entities at an outrageous pace of about 100-hour work weeks the entire year. This workload straining credulity would have required him to labor super-human 16-hour days, six days a week during the entire year. Many of the payments were authorized by a judge who was the traffic court's chief administrator. Thomas, who was political campaign treasurer for the judge and played on his softball team, said he never over-billed and that he gave no kickbacks. Meanwhile, court employees said they had never seen the accounting contractor, who is not a certified public accountant, with any staff or assistants.
CUSTOM JEWELRY: Whithworth "Junior" Treasure (Houston commitment/Texas Southern), a J.C. recruit dismissed from the Tigers' team before senior season despite averaging 14.6 ppg and team-high 2.9 apg in 2009-10, reportedly ransacked his SWAC coach's Houston residence along with TSU women's hooper in mid-February 2012. They were charged with stealing more than $530,000 of expensive jewelry and other items. Coach Tony Harvey said he alerted some local jewelers who make custom pieces such as the bling stolen from him. One of them called him back to say a couple seen on security video tried to sell him four pieces valued at $94,000 for $3,600. The difference between a HBCU and blue-blood program dealing in jewelry is reflected by starting forward Lance Thomas (Duke), who made a $30,000 down payment for five pieces he purchased for $97,800 similar to normal college student midway through the Blue Devils' NCAA championship campaign in 2009-10.
NEVER GET IN CAR, GOLF CART, TAXI OR BUS WITH STRANGER LET ALONE DUMB DAD: Jeremy Vague (Pepperdine/Utah State), a starting seven-foot center for 2002 Big West Conference regular-season champion, was sentenced to a year in jail and three years probation in late 2016 after admitting he exposed himself to one female passenger and groping another while on the job as an Uber ride-share driver. Vague pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of vehicle burglary in Utah stemming from a July 2002 incident involving the theft of golf clubs. Another misguided Uber driver was Addison Spruill (UNC Wilmington), who was cited for speeding and simple possession of marijuana upon being pulled over. You also might not want to get in vehicle with Felton Spencer (Louisville) if you want to get anywhere. Spencer was arrested around 2:30 a.m. in early January 2019 while asleep in Ford Expedition at a gas station and charged with DUI. Ditto Bernard Randolph (DePaul), who was arrested multiple times first third of 1988 (including stealing taxicab in Rockford, Ill., while driver got out at fast-food restaurant and left vehicle idling). Elsewhere, Dwayne Morgan (UNLV) was arrested at about 6:40 a.m. and faced disorderly conduct charge in spring of 2017 after trying to get into a police car, "thinking he could use it to drive home." It's difficult to comprehend what Tony Byers (Wake Forest) was thinking, if at all, as a 63-year-old bus driver in 2015 when the two-time All-ACC second-team selection was accused of having sex with a mentally handicapped woman although Byers' attorney said his client wasn't aware of the accuser's disability (IQ in 40s). In regard to dunce drivers, Jason Richardson (Michigan State), fresh off a DUI arrest, was pulled over for going 90 mph in a 35-mph zone with his three-year-old son in the vehicle (although not in car seat).
TACO 'BOUT STUPID: Erving Walker (Florida), the Gators' all-time leader in assists when finishing his career in 2011-12, was arrested in spring of 2012 at 1 a.m. in connection to a $3 taco heist from a street vendor. Walker was ordered to pay $301 as punishment after pleading no contest to misdemeanor petit theft charges (resisting arrest charge was dropped). No word on whether the expensive taco was beef, chicken or fish. For the record, Walker led UF in steals as a sophomore and junior. There are other hoopers who deserve you're-a-real-bozo slaps in the face. In an equally stupid theft, walk-on guard Andrew Zehnder (Colorado) was arrested in early February 2009 on suspicion of breaking into plastic bins filled with CU merchandise (replica jerseys, T-shirts and stuffed animals) at the Coors Events Center. The petty crimes don't begin to stop there. Two-time All-American Tom Burleson (North Carolina State) was greeted with chorus of "Pinball Wizard" from Duke's pep band the first half of 1970s after admitting to taking $117 in change from three pinball machines in dormitory lobby; Domonic Tilford (Cincinnati/South Alabama) led Alabama police on a high-speed chase in early November 2014 after a pair of early-morning burglaries at cell-phone stores; James "Tyler" Ptacek (Evansville) was arrested by police who followed a trail of blood to his dorm room in spring of 2014 after injuring himself during break-in trying to take snack food at concessions stand; Holt Dunlap (UC Santa Barbara) was charged with trespassing and vandalism in late September 2012 (plants strewn around property amid 80-pound concrete planter in shape of goose removed from its spot in yard); Talen Horton-Tucker (Iowa State) pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor theft of about $16 worth of goods at Walmart in middle of 2018-19 campaign; Pape Sow (Cal State Fullerton) was suspended 11 games after he was caught stealing a $17 knit cap from the student bookstore, and Kendal "Tiny" Pinder plus a North Carolina State teammate were caught switching price tags on underwear in late 1970s (naturally, Duke's Crazies mockingly showered them with undies). By the way, Burleson was benched for the controversial 1972 Olympic gold-medal game after violating U.S. coach Hank Iba's rules by getting caught with his fiancee on the balcony of his dorm room.
WEED EATERS: Samaki Walker (Louisville), the Cardinals' leading rebounder in 1994-95 and 1995-96, was booked in Kingman, Ariz., in late July 2011 on drug charges. Officials said about 10 grams of marijuana Walker tried to eat (tampering with physical evidence) was seized from his Mercedes-Benz along with some prescription drugs and eight bottles of liquid steroids. Police said Walker indicated that he used the steroids to enhance his athletic ability as he still played professionally overseas. Charges were dropped, but another weed eater was Cinmeon Bowers (Florida State signee/Auburn), the nation's #1 juco prospect when suspended from team at Chipola (Fla.) in middle of 2013-14 campaign after he and two teammates were arrested for allegedly consuming marijuana during a traffic stop in an attempt to conceal the drugs from police. Obviously, Terrance Joyner (Arkansas commitment/New Mexico State) didn't practice prompt weed consumption in middle of 2008-09 season when he was arrested after authorities discovered marijuana inside his luggage as NMSU departed on a road trip.
CHANGE OF CLOTHES: Chris Washburn (North Carolina State), an All-ACC second-team selection as a sophomore in 1985-86 under coach Jim Valvano, spent two years behind bars in the early 1990s, the second coming after a parole violation. "I was staying in the same clothes for weeks, maybe months at a time to a point where the (drug dealers) I was buying my stuff from would even pay me to go and change clothes," said Washburn, who was shepherded into more than a dozen rehab centers, none of which seemed to help. Hygienic Washburn said his "dad's last visions of him were of a dope fiend sliding along the floor stealing money from his wallet." He averaged only 3.1 ppg in two NBA seasons and was named one of the biggest 25 flops by ESPN in the first 25 years of the cable network. Washburn, who somehow secured entrance to college with an anemic 470 SAT score, was convicted of stealing an $800 stereo on-campus. He apparently should have swiped a TV stuck on the Grooming Channel to at least learn the merits of first syllable of his last name.
GUILE HIGH CLUB: Erwin Washington (Air Force), a four-year starting guard who averaged 8.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 2.3 apg from 1979-80 through 1982-83, pleaded guilty to being (three times) above the alcohol limit for flying a plane after United Airlines pilot was arrested and failed a breathalyzer test in November 2009 shortly before flight was due to take off from London for Chicago. He allegedly barricaded himself in the cockpit for more than an hour before Scotland Yard talked him out. Bet you Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson could have extracted Washington from his hideout in less than a half hour. In regard to odd places for an arrest, Adrian Hayes (Northern Arizona) was apprehended while attending his criminal justice class in connection to an assault of former NAU football player in front of a downtown bar in the summer of 2003.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: Gordon Watt (Boston College/Purdue/Houston Baptist) was dismissed from Purdue's program in fall of 2007 before his junior season after second alcohol-related arrest in less than a year. A court upheld the seizure of $63,800 in cash from Watt subsequently ruled a forfeiture after deputies in western Iowa stopped his speeding rental car in 2013. The money was packaged in bundles and discovered with items investigators said was pointed to drug dealing (including a baggie of marijuana, digital scale and stolen/loaded Beretta handgun). Watt was believed to be driving to Colorado to purchase marijuana to resell in home state of Illinois despite claiming he was headed West to practice in the high altitude and didn't trust banks. Also flying high was Dion Waters (Syracuse), who was suspended without pay for 10 games early in 2019-20 NBA season for conduct detrimental to the team (Miami Heat) after an incident on a charter flight. Waiters reportedly experienced a "panic attack" following consumption of THC-infused edible ("gummies"). In 2013, a summer pool party with Waiters listed as host raged so wildly, with accusations of unapproved drinking, drug use and over-crowding at a public facility, that police were called and the Philly suburban community reviewed its rental policies.
THREE-WHEELING ARSENAL: Delonte West (Temple), an All-American guard in 2003-04, was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2010-11 NBA season after pleading guilty to weapons charges in Maryland. Authorities said he was carrying two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun and an 8 1/2-inch Bowie knife while speeding on a three-wheel motorcycle (complete with sidecar) on the Capital Beltway the previous September. Battling bipolar disorder, he received home detention, probation and community service. His wife filed a domestic violence against him in the fall of 2009 and he was spotted loitering around a Houston fast-food restaurant parking lot in hospital robe and without his shoes in mid-February 2016. About three years later, multiple videos of West rambling incoherently and apparently homeless in Washington, D.C., surfaced on social media.
SHOVE WHERE SUN DOESN'T SHINE: Robert Whaley (Missouri signee/Cincinnati/Walsh OH), a prize prep prospect from Benton Harbor, Mich., was charged with third- and fourth-degree sexual misconduct in the alleged rape of a 13-year-old friend of his sister on Thanksgiving morning 2000, but his trial in June 2001 ended with a hung jury. He had numerous brushes with the law, dating back to 1994, when he was charged with unlawful use of an automobile. He pleaded guilty and received probation. The following year, he was charged with breaking into a house. He pleaded guilty to home invasion and was kept on probation. The week after the alleged rape, Whaley checked himself into a detox program and hospital records showed he suffered from chemical dependency and depression. In junior college (Barton County KS), he was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery stemming from a post-dance fight. In 2008, Whaley was placed on probation for a drug charge in his home state of Michigan. Member of the Bearcats' 2004 NCAA playoff team was arrested in March 2010 in the Salt Lake City area about 4:30 a.m. and police found marijuana "between his buttocks," according to a jail document. Since Michigan listed Whaley as a parole violator (for maintaining drug house), Utah extradited him and he began serving a two-year sentence. In the spring of 2015, Whaley was arrested for burglarizing a Marriott Hotel and ordered to serve 60 days in jail. It was also all about "inside" post position for Jon Kreft (Florida State), who spent time in jail following arrest in 2006 on drug charges (hid bag with cocaine in crevice of his lower cheeks). The anal activity didn't dissuade FSU from realigning with seven-footer in 2010 following a juco stint. A disposal dump also wasn't worth a spit for Demetrius Drew of Bruce Pearl-coached Southern Indiana. The former Central Missouri State player was arrested in early September 1999 on felony charges of marijuana possession (85 grams) at an on-campus apartment. Drew locked himself inside a bedroom and then bathroom, but police eventually found a clogged, overflowing toilet filled with weed.
ORANGE YOU MAD AT MASCOT?: DeShaun Williams (Syracuse/Iona), a third-team All-Big East Conference selection as junior in 2001-02, was kicked off Cuse's club because of scholastic problems (also convicted of DWI and cleared of allegedly striking a female student/team mascot Otto the Orange in bar in 2002). "Being a student at Syracuse, I loved every bit of it, and I would not take anything back if I could change it," Williams told OrangeFizz.com. "I just had fun. I did things that dudes do: women. I didn't have a favorite. I just took advantage of everything that came to me." Dismissed from Iona for academic deficiencies late in senior campaign in 2003-04. There was also a similar report involving Henry "Hank" McDaniel (Maine), a Chicago product who allegedly assaulted the school's athletic mascot (Bananas the Bear) in 1995 (charge subsequently dismissed by district court judge). Equally disconcerting was Chris Moss (West Virginia), who left the Mountaineers' squad midway through the 2000-01 season after spitting on a Notre Dame female cheerleader.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: Kaylon Williams (Milwaukee), the Horizon League's assists leader in 2011-12, was arrested in mid-August 2011 in his hometown of Cedar Rapids on suspicion of drunken driving (nearly three times legal limit in Iowa) after Evansville transfer fled a traffic stop and later taken down by a K-9 unit. The stupidity of it all spills over to hanger's-on as a student worker for Texas A&M faced theft and fraud charges in mid-2012 after accusations of stealing personal information from members of the 12th Man Student Foundation and credit cards of two members of coaching staff to buy food and pay for boarding for his dog. In late summer/early fall 2005, Dedrick Finn (Xavier) was accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend's pug dog.
ILLEGAL ALIEN DEADBEAT DAD: Kenny Williams (North Carolina commitment/Barton County Community College KS/Elizabeth City State NC), one of the nation's top five high school recruits in 1988, was sentenced in mid-August 2013 to nine months in prison and ordered to pay more than $661,000 in restitution for failing to pay child support after being a fugitive for more than a decade. He was deported from Israel as an illegal alien. The U.S. Attorney's office said Williams earned a salary playing for the NBA's Indiana Pacers, playing professionally overseas and drove luxury cars while his former wife and three children in U.S. were on welfare. In August 2000, deadbeat dad pleaded guilty to willful failure to pay child support.
CAN'T HE JUST GET ALONG (WITH ANYONE)?: Loren Woods (Wake Forest/Arizona), the nation's third-leading shot blocker in 1999-00, was arrested in spring of 2012 for DUI in Tampa before allegedly attempting to bribe an officer with $2,200 cash. Woods reportedly refused to perform a field sobriety test, saying such exams were biased against black people and that he would only do it if administered by a black officer. Received a six-game suspension as UA senior in 2000-01 for accepting illegal benefits (loan of unspecified amount from his former H.S. coach in St. Louis). Ejected from a Pacific-10 Conference game while restrained from attacking a referee and benched for another contest after ordered to leave practice the previous day. In 1997-98 at Wake, he took a leave of absence from the Demon Deacons for seven outings. He was suspended by the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves midway through 2002-03 campaign for conduct detrimental to the team. But at least Woods didn't trip a referee like Jarmal Reid (Oregon State), who was ejected from a game at Utah in mid-January 2016 with less than three minutes remaining while annoyed about a no-call by the official.
AUTO KNOW BETTER THAN THAT: Bob "Zeke" Zawoluk (St. John's), an All-American in 1950-51 and 1951-52, had a turbulent life including vast emotional instability, an arson rap, crack addiction, grand larceny conviction and prison. After getting fired by one of a series of auto dealers he worked for, he got even in an alcohol-fueled rage in Queens and Nassau County in 1986, dousing two luxury cars with gasoline, torching them, then ramming into 17 other cars, before being apprehended after a high-speed chase. Following another transgression, he was paroled on Christmas Eve, 1993, after serving nearly two years at Clinton Correctional Facility on robbery and grand larceny charges. A subsequent positive drug test violated his parole and sent him to Rikers Island in the mid-1990s. Speaking of using auto as battering ram, Frank Tolbert (Auburn) was arrested in fall of 2007 after one of the Tigers' top three scorers from 2005-06 through 2007-08 allegedly drove through impound lot fence at 3:15 a.m. to retrieve his SUV. An auto lot also wasn't safe from Jahlil Nails (Central Connecticut State), who was arrested in summer of 2018 for allegedly attempting to steal a vehicle from Ford dealership.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 26 MLB Games
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 Alvin Dark (LSU/Louisiana-Lafayette) and Danny Litwhiler (Bloomsburg PA) each went 5-for-5 in a National League game on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 26
St. Louis Browns RF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in a 1937 game.
1B Kevin "Chuck" Connors (scored 32 points in 15 varsity games for Seton Hall in 1941-42 before leaving school for military service) clubbed a game-tying three-run homer for the Chicago Cubs at the Polo Grounds against the New York Giants before Giants C Wes Westrum (played for Bemidji State MN one season before serving in military during WWII) whacked a game-winning, ninth-inning homer in the opener of a 1951 doubleheader.
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) went 5-for-5 with five RBI in a 1953 outing against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) posted his 20th victory by doubling home the game-winning run in a 4-3 verdict over the Philadelphia Athletics in the opener of a 1945 doubleheader.
Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) fired as New York Mets manager in 1996.
Cleveland Indians DH David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 1997.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) went 5-for-5 against the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a 1942 doubleheader.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) logged four hits and four RBI against the Seattle Mariners in a 2001 game.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed his seventh shutout of the 1902 campaign. Twelve years later, Mathewson hurled a two-hit shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a twinbill to register his 20th triumph in 1914.
In 1977, 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) stroked a two-run triple in the ninth inning to lift the New York Yankees to their 12th win in 13 contests (6-5 against Texas Rangers).
St. Louis Cardinals LF Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 with Lenoir-Rhyne NC excelled in multiple sports) provided three hits against the Brooklyn Dodgers in both ends of a 1941 doubleheader split.
LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) traded by the New York Yankees to the Cincinnati Reds in 1987.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47), released earlier in the year by the Yankees, outdueled New York Hall of Fame LHP Whitey Ford, 2-1, in 1962.
Atlanta Braves rookie RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) allowed his only run in a span of 11 relief appearances covering 15 innings in 1967.
In 1939, Cincinnati Reds 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) became the initial player to bat in a televised major league game (against Brooklyn Dodgers).
Boston Red Sox rookie C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) knocked in five runs against the Detroit Tigers in a 1952 contest.
St. Louis Cardinals RF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) registered four hits and three RBI against the Washington Nationals in a 2010 outing.
Washington Senators LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) yielded 20 hits in 12 innings of a 5-4 defeat against the Detroit Tigers in 1923.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 25 MLB Games
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 junior college hoopers Darrell Evans, Gary Redus and Jackie Robinson registered significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 25
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading basketball scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) contributed four hits against the Boston Red Sox in a 1947 game.
New York Mets 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) knocked in five runs against the Atlanta Braves in a 1970 contest.
New York Yankees Hall of Fame LF Earle Combs (three-year hoops captain for Eastern Kentucky) incurred a severe shoulder injury colliding with a teammate, contributing to Combs' retirement following the 1935 campaign. He delivered two three-hit outings in his previous four starts.
San Francisco Giants 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1978 game against the Montreal Expos.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) collected two homers and four RBI in a 6-4 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1973 outing.
Boston Red Sox C Rick Ferrell (played forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) furnished four hits and four RBI in a 5-4 victory against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 1935 doubleheader.
Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) topped the visiting Cleveland Indians, 2-1, to improve his 1946 Fenway Park mark to 13-0.
Philadelphia Athletics starting RHP Stu Flythe (North Carolina State hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) walked 11 Chicago White Sox batters in three innings in a 1936 game.
In 1982, San Diego Padres rookie LF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) broke his wrist diving for a fly ball en route to falling short of a .300 batting average for the only time in his 20-year career (.289).
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered twice and doubled against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1954 contest.
Washington Senators 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 against the Minnesota Twins in a 1969 game.
RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) and Atlanta Braves teammate Fred McGriff whacked back-to-back homers for the second time in 10 days in 1993. Justice jacked two circuit clouts in the game against the San Francisco Giants as he secured six round-trippers in his last six contests of the month.
Washington Senators SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1918 twinbill.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) reached the 20-win plateau for the seventh straight season in 1909.
New York Yankees RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) retired 32 consecutive batters covering four relief appearances in 1968.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) cracked two homers against the Minnesota Twins in a 1982 game.
Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s) had his personal streak of 14 straight starts allowing fewer than four earned runs snapped by the Boston Red Sox in 1967.
In 1989, Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) hit for the cycle against his original team (Cincinnati Reds).
Brooklyn Dodgers 3B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped two homers against the Chicago Cubs in the nightcap of a 1953 twinbill.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) extended his streak of scoring at least one run to 18 straight contests in 1939.
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) stroked three extra-base hits against the Seattle Mariners in a 1981 contest.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 7-for-10 in a 1933 doubleheader split against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Detroit Tigers 1B Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing likewise for Nicholls State in 1964-65) launched two homers against the Seattle Mariners in a 1979 game.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 24 MLB Games
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 Harry Craft (Mississippi College), Bill White (Hiram OH) and Cy Williams (Notre Dame) each contributed three extra-base hits in a MLB game on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 24
Baltimore Orioles 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) collected eight hits in a 1962 doubleheader sweep of the New York Yankees.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) hurled a three-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs in 1951, striking out 10 and walking none.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in a 1977 game.
Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) contributed two homers, a double and six RBI in a 13-9 win against the New York Giants in 1941.
Atlanta Braves rookie 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) went 4-for-4 in a 1971 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cleveland Indians RHP Johnson Fry (Marshall hoops letterman in 1921-22) made his lone MLB appearance in 1923.
San Francisco Giants RHP Ed Halicki (set Monmouth's single-game rebounding record with 40 as junior in 1970-71 before leading Hawks in scoring with 21 ppg as senior) fired a no-hitter against the New York Mets in 1975.
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered two homers against the Milwaukee Braves in a 1960 contest.
RHP Bobby Humphreys (four-year hoops letterman graduated from Hampden-Sydney VA in 1958) won his third game in relief in six days for the Washington Senators in 1966.
New York Yankees rookie RF Charlie Keller (Maryland hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) knocked in five runs against the St. Louis Browns in a 1939 game the day after going 6-for-10 and scoring five runs in a doubleheader sweep of the Chicago White Sox. Two years later, Keller cracked two homers against the White Sox in the nightcap of a 1941 twinbill.
SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) purchased from the St. Louis Browns by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1919.
New York Giants OF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) tied a MLB single-inning record by lashing two homers during an eight-run uprising in the second frame against the Chicago Cubs in 1935.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) stole five bases in a 3-0 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974. The next year, Lopes extended his MLB record streak to 38 consecutive successful steal attempts before he was thrown out by Montreal Expos C Gary Carter in the 12th inning.
Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) collected five RBI in an 11-7 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1931.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) had a streak of 13 consecutive complete games against the Milwaukee Braves snapped in 1954.
In 1952, Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) registered his 10th straight victory against the St. Louis Cardinals, 10-4.
Minnesota Twins RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) hurled a six-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1985.
Chicago Cubs 2B Rob Sperring (averaged 8.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Pacific from 1968-69 through 1970-71) had his career-high 11-game hitting streak snapped by the Houston Astros in 1976.
Atlanta Braves LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) tossed a three-hit shutout against the Montreal Expos in 1970.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) pounded a three-run homer off Joe Nuxhall in a 4-2 triumph against the Cincinnati Reds in 1955.
Kansas City Royals C John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) delivered a tie-breaking double in the top of 15th inning before scoring eventual decisive run in 4-3 verdict over the Milwaukee Brewers in 1977.
Homering in his fourth game in a row, St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) stroked three extra-base hits against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1961.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) contributed three extra-base hits in a 1922 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 23 MLB Games
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 SEC hoopers Joe Adcock (LSU), Don Kessinger (Mississippi) and Jim Tabor (Alabama) delivered significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 23
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) provided four hits against the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a 1953 twinbill.
At the Polo Grounds in 1962, San Francisco Giants INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State hoops letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) belted his lone MLB homer. Five frames later, he banged out the game-winning single in extra innings to give the Giants a 2-1 win against the expansion New York Mets.
In 1989, Atlanta Braves RHP Marty Clary (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1981-82 and 1982-83) notched his lone MLB shutout (3-0 against St. Louis Cardinals).
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) manufactured two homers among his four hits and chipped with five RBI against the Chicago White Sox in a 1932 game.
In the midst of a career-high 10-game hitting streak, Cincinnati Reds 2B Pat Crawford (Davidson hoops captain in early 1920s) stroked an inside-the-park homer in the nightcap of a 1930 doubleheader against the Brooklyn Robins.
Philadelphia Phillies 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) delivered his third consecutive three-hit outing against the Atlanta Braves in 1972.
Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered in his fourth contest of a five-game span in 1974.
3B Gene Freese (hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) purchased from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Chicago White Sox in 1965.
In the midst of a career-high 23-game hitting streak, St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished nine consecutive multiple-hit contests in 1931.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) knocked in the winning run in the 11th inning of the nightcap of a 1959 doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers to give reliever Elroy Face his 16th victory without a loss.
Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hammered his 14th career grand slam to set a new N.L. record. It was the first grand slam in the history of the franchise on the West Coast.
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) supplied a multiple-safety outing for the seventh time in an eight-game span in 1972.
Detroit Tigers RF Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) went 5-for-5 against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1959 contest.
New York Yankees rookie RF Jim Lyttle (Florida State free-throw shooting leader in 1965-66 when averaging 12.4 ppg) went 4-for-4 with three RBI in a 7-5 win against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1970 twinbill.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) amassed three hits and three stolen bases against the Atlanta Braves in a 1977 game.
Utilityman Jimmy Stewart (All-Volunteer State Athletic Conference hoops selection for Austin Peay State in 1959-60 and 1960-61) slugged a three-run, pinch-hit homer off Hall of Famer Tom Seaver to spark the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-5 triumph against the New York Mets in 1970.
Chicago Cubs rookie OF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) smacked his first MLB homer, a pinch grand slam, against the Houston Astros in 1975.
Boston Red Sox 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama hoops letterman in 1936-37) went 4-for-4 in a 1939 game against the St. Louis Browns.
Pittsburgh Pirates CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) went 7-for-8 in a 1959 doubleheader sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) went 4-for-4 against the Houston Colt .45s in a 1963 contest.
LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) awarded on waivers from the Washington Senators to the New York Yankees in 1928.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 22 MLB Games
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 All-PCC hoopers Red Badgro (USC) and Jackie Robinson (UCLA) supplied significant hitting performances in MLB games on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 22
Detroit Tigers 1B Dale Alexander (starting basketball center in mid-1920s for Milligan TN) delivered four hits in a 9-6 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1931.
San Diego Padres SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 team ending school streak of 12 straight losing records) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1979 game.
St. Louis Browns rookie RF Red Badgro (first-five pick on All-Pacific Coast Conference team in 1926-27 as USC's MVP) banged out four hits in a 10-0 victory against the New York Yankees in 1929.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915), playing in his third straight extra-inning game against Brooklyn, went 6-for-11 in a 22-inning marathon in 1917.
Washington Senators 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered two homers, including decisive blow in the top of the 10th inning, against the Minnesota Twins in 1970.
RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) awarded on waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York Yankees in 1954.
In 1973, OF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) launched a ninth-inning, pinch-hit grand slam to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 4-3 lead but they wound up losing against the California Angels, 5-4, in 10 innings.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hooper for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) socked a game-winning homer in the bottom of the 11th inning in a 5-4 decision over the Cincinnati Reds in 1942.
St. Louis Cardinals C Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 with Lenoir-Rhyne NC excelled in multiple sports) provided four hits against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1939 contest.
In the midst of a 10-game hitting streak closing out the month, Chicago Cubs 2B Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) pounded a three-run homer in a 6-5 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1973.
INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) contributed five hits in the nightcap of a 1951 doubleheader to spark the Brooklyn Dodgers to their 14th straight victory against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 1964, Cleveland Indians rookie RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) tossed his first of 21 shutouts in a 12-year MLB career.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 21 MLB Games
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.
Several hoopers from Illinois colleges - Lou Boudreau (Illinois), Floyd Newkirk (Illinois College) and Paul Reuschel (Western Illinois) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 21
Boston Red Sox INF Jack Barry (basketball letterman for Holy Cross in 1908) tied a MLB single-game record with four sacrifices at Cleveland in 1916.
Philadelphia Athletics RHP Bill Beckmann (hooper in late 1920s for Washington MO) tossed a shutout against the Chicago White Sox in 1940 for his fifth victory in as many decisions in a 3 1/2-week span.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out four hits against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a 1949 twinbill.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie RHP Ron Diorio (New Haven CT runner-up in scoring and rebounding in 1968-69) yielded the only run in his first 17 relief appearances in the 1973 campaign (0.60 ERA in that span).
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) twirled a shutout and knocked in six runs with a pair of bases-loaded doubles in an 11-0 rout of the Cincinnati Reds in 1966.
Cincinnati Reds rookie LHP Don Gross (Michigan State freshman hooper in 1949-50) hurled his lone MLB shutout by blanking the St. Louis Cardinals on four hits in 1955.
Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) named special assistant to Commissioner William Eckert in 1968.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) hurled a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1926. Lyons required only 67 minutes and 81 pitches.
Philadelphia Athletics RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) earned his fourth consecutive complete-game victory in 1947.
3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) accounted for both of the New York Yankees' runs via a homer and double in a 2-1 triumph against the Texas Rangers in 1977.
RHP Floyd Newkirk (Hall of Fame selection at Illinois College) made his lone MLB appearance with the New York Yankees in 1934.
Pitchers Paul Reuschel (Western Illinois' leading rebounder in 1966-67 with 15.2 per game) and Rick Reuschel collaborated on a 7-0 victory for the Chicago Cubs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975 - the first time brothers combined on a shutout. Paul relieved in the seventh inning after Rick was forced to leave because of a blister on his finger.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1912 and 1914) was 41 in 1932 when he tossed the second of back-to-back shutouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Kansas City Athletics 1B Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri hoop squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953) homered twice against the Boston Red Sox in a 1962 game.
San Diego Padres RF Clint Venable (two-time All-Ivy League selection averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) amassed four hits in a 7-5 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012.
Seattle Mariners CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) supplied five hits and four RBI against the Detroit Tigers in a 2004 contest.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 20 MLB Games
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 Southwest Missouri State hoop standouts Mark Bailey, Jerry Lumpe and Preston Ward provided significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 20
Houston Astros C Mark Bailey (led Southwest Missouri State basketball team in rebounding and field-goal percentage in 1980-81) collected three hits, four runs and four RBI in a 17-2 romp over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985.
Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg in 1950-51 for Spring Hill AL) collected two homers and five RBI against the New York Yankees in a 1959 game.
In the midst of a career-high 17-game hitting streak, Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing hoop career) collected three homers and six RBI in an 11-10 defeat against the Boston Red Sox in 1959.
RHP Bill Connors (averaged 6 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Syracuse in 1960-61) purchased from the Chicago Cubs by the New York Mets in 1967.
Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for UMass' freshman hoops squad in 1971-72) fired his fifth shutout of the 1979 campaign - a three-hitter against the Texas Rangers - in the midst of him winning eight straight starts en route to an A.L.-high 23 triumphs.
Brooklyn Dodgers SS Jake Flowers (member of Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" championship hoops squad in 1923) contributed four hits against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a 1933 doubleheader.
Chicago White Sox RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell hoops letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43), utilizing a new slow delivery, hurled a 6-0 no-hitter against the Washington Senators in 1957.
SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago White Sox in 1977.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) logged two homers and six RBI against the Seattle Mariners in a 2000 contest.
2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) set a Los Angeles Dodgers record with 15 total bases in an 18-8 rout of the Chicago Cubs in 1974 (three homers, double and single).
Kansas City Athletics 2B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship hoops club) went 7-for-10 in a 1963 doubleheader sweep of the Washington Senators.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) belted two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1975 game.
Texas Rangers RF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) ripped two homers against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1993 contest.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Cincinnati Reds in 1975. Reed yielded fewer than two earned runs in nine of his first 16 starts for the Cards.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) had his 15-game winning streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped in 1953.
In 1945, Brooklyn Dodgers SS Tommy Brown (17 years old) became the youngest player to hit a MLB homer when connecting off Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s).
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (hooper for Hofstra freshman team in mid-1960s) went 4-for-4 against the Minnesota Twins in a 1977 game.
Boston Red Sox RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) supplied his seventh straight hitless relief appearance in 1988. Smith fanned 15 batters during span covering nine innings.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP John Stuper (two-time all-conference junior college player in mid-1970s with Butler County PA) hurled his lone MLB shutout (five-hitter against the Houston Astros in 1983).
Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) resigned as Cleveland Indians manager in 1966.
In the midst of winning five straight starts during the month, Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points for Benedictine KS from 1955-56 through 1957-58) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Houston Astros in 1969.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) provided three extra-base hits in a 1955 game against the New York Giants.
Pinch two-run single by 1B Bill White (two-year hooper for Hiram OH in early 1950s) sparked the San Francisco Giants to a 4-3 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1958.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) walloped the 300th homer of his career in 1986.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 19 MLB Games
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 Southwest Missouri State hoopers Norm Siebern and Preston Ward supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 19
Chicago Cubs 1B George Altman (hooper appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Basketball Tournament with Tennessee State) amassed four hits in a 4-3 win against the Houston Colt .45s in 1962.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Clyde Barnhart (hooper for Shippensburg PA predecessor Cumberland Valley State Normal School prior to World War I) went 4-for-4 and chipped in with five RBI against the Brooklyn Robins in 1925.
2B Marv Breeding (hooper for Samford in mid-1950s) purchased from the Los Angeles Dodgers by the Baltimore Orioles in 1964.
Detroit Tigers rookie RHP Ownie Carroll (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1922) hurled his third complete-game victory of the month in 1927.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected three homers and eight RBI in a 1938 doubleheader sweep of the St. Louis Browns.
New York Yankees LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) jacked two homers against the Anaheim Angels in 2000.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman from 1933 through 1935) saved Hall of Fame slugger Jimmie Foxx's only MLB pitching decision in 1945 (6-2 win against Cincinnati Reds).
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) homered in both ends of a 1942 twinbill split against the Boston Red Sox.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) contributed four hits against the Cleveland Indians in the nightcap of a 1954 doubleheader.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) had his 22-game winning streak against the Cincinnati Reds snapped in 1911.
Detroit Tigers LF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice while averaging 5.6 ppg and 3.1 apg from 1986-87 through 1989-90) smacked a pinch-hit, three-run homer against the Chicago White Sox in 1996.
OF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988.
1B-OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State's back-to-back NAIA Tournament hoop titlists in 1952 and 1953) supplied a pinch-hit, bases-loaded triple to help the Boston Red Sox outlasted the California Angels, 12-11, in 1967.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie SS Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) went 3-for-3, including his first MLB homer, against the Chicago Cubs in 1967.
Boston Red Sox 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama hoops letterman in 1936-37) smacked two homers against the New York Yankees in the opener of a 1942 twinbill.
Detroit Tigers rookie SS Coot Veal (averaged team-high 10.9 ppg as Auburn sophomore in 1951-52 before transferring to Mercer) posted his second three-hit outing in the midst of a career-high 13-game hitting streak.
San Diego Padres CF Clint Venable (two-time All-Ivy League selection averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) went hitless for the only time in his first 25 games of the month in 2013.
Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) hired as Houston Astros manager in 1975.
Pittsburgh Pirates RF Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) provided fourth three-hit outing in a six-game span in 1954.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) went 4-for-4 in a 1984 game against the Oakland Athletics.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 18 MLB Games
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 Texas Christian hoopers Harry Kinzy and Dutch Meyer delivered significant American League performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 18
In the midst of a 21-game hitting streak, St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year basketball letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) went 5-for-5 in the opener of a 1936 doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.
RHP Ray Burris (Southwestern Oklahoma State hooper) purchased from the New York Yankees by the New York Mets in 1979.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1933 game.
St. Louis Browns C Rick Ferrell (played forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) capped off a career-high 20-game hitting streak with four safeties against the Boston Red Sox in 1932. Four years later, Ferrell supplied three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1936 contest.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) smacked two homers against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1932 twinbill.
INF Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of his last three seasons with Lebanon Valley PA in late 1920s) awarded on waivers from the Washington Senators to the Boston Red Sox in 1940.
Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) fired as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1989.
Chicago White Sox RHP Harry Kinzy (starting forward for TCU from 1931-32 through 1933-34) lost his lone MLB decision and complete game when walking 10 Washington Senators batters in 1934.
Cleveland Indians RF Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in a 1960 game.
Chicago White Sox 3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) went 3-for-3, including logging the decisive RBI in the bottom of the eighth inning, in a 7-6 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1984.
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) collected a homer, triple and two doubles in an 8-4 triumph against the Cincinnati Reds in 1935.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) smacked two triples against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1941 doubleheader.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) doubled in his fifth consecutive contest in 1956.
Chicago Cubs CF Les Mann (Springfield MA hooper in 1913 and 1914) went 7-for-8 in 1916 doubleheader split against the New York Giants.
Cleveland Indians 2B Dutch Meyer (TCU hoops letterman in 1934-35 and 1935-36) went 4-for-4 in a 7-4 victory against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stroked four hits in a 6-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973.
RHP Claude Passeau (hooper for Millsaps MS in late 1920s and early 1930s) tossed a three-hit shutout as the Philadelphia Phillies ended a 14-game losing streak with a 7-0 verdict over the Boston Bees in 1936.
RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Chicago White Sox in 1977.
Detroit Tigers C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) went 4-for-4 in a 1940 game against the Chicago White Sox.
OF Will Venable (All-Ivy League first-team selection as junior and second-team choice as senior averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) traded by the San Diego Padres to the Texas Rangers in 2015.
Cincinnati Reds 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) knocked in five runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1941 twinbill.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 17 MLB Games
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 Ron Allen (Youngstown State), Gene Freese (West Liberty WV) and Frankie Frisch (Fordham) smacked homers for the St. Louis Cardinals in MLB games on this date. Ex-East Tennessee State hoopers Ernie Bowman and Jim Mooney 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 August 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 17
San Diego Padres RHP Mike Adams (Texas A&M-Kingsville hooper in 1996-97) surrendered his only earned run (against Chicago Cubs) in last 34 relief appearances in 2009.
1B Ron Allen (Youngstown State's scoring and rebounding leader as a sophomore in 1961-62) secured his only MLB hit, a ninth-inning homer at San Diego in 1972, after the brother of standout 1B Dick Allen replaced ejected St. Louis Cardinals teammate Joe Torre.
San Diego Padres SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 team ending school streak of 12 straight losing records) collected three hits and five RBI in a 7-4 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1977.
San Francisco Giants INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State hoops letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) hit safely in ninth contest during 11-game span in 1963.
OF Billy Cowan (Utah letterman from 1957-58 through 1959-60 was co-captain of NCAA playoff team as senior) clubbed a two-run, pinch homer off Juan Pizzaro in the eighth inning to give the California Angels a 7-6 victory against the Cleveland Indians in 1969.
Bing Devine (Washington MO hoops letterman in mid-1930s) fired as general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 before they go on to win the World Series against the New York Yankees.
RHP Eddie Fisher (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) traded by the California Angels to the Chicago White Sox in 1972.
CF Curt Flood and 3B Gene Freese (hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV), the first two St. Louis Cardinals batters, hammered back-to-back homers off Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) in the opener of a 1958 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (hoops letterman for Rutgers and Army) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 1926 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) homered in both ends of a 1929 doubleheader split against the New York Giants.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 12.8 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for three Swarthmore PA Southern Division champions in Middle Atlantic States Conference) provided a perfect inning of relief against the Kansas City Athletics in 1963, giving him 28 consecutive batters retired in a span of five appearances. Four years later with the Philadelphia Phillies, Hall notched his 11th straight game in relief without allowing an earned run in 1967.
Cleveland Indians LF Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) homered twice against the Oakland Athletics in a 1979 game.
In 2008, Florida Marlins LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection was Washington State's leading rebounder each season from 1992-93 through 1995-96) allowed his only run in nine relief appearances during the month.
In 1985, Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees, moving past Willie McCovey and Ted Williams on the all-time homer list, swatted his 522nd career round-tripper off Oakland A's LHP Bill Krueger (led WCAC in free-throw percentage in 1975-76 with Portland).
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) hurled his second straight three-hit shutout against Chicago in 1905.
New York Giants LHP Jim Mooney (hooper for East Tennessee State) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Cincinnati Reds in 1932.
Cincinnati Reds rookie RF Greasy Neale (hooper graduated in 1915 from West Virginia Wesleyan) had his 12-game hitting streak snapped by the Chicago Cubs in 1920.
In the midst of homering in six consecutive contests, San Diego Padres 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) cracked two round-trippers against the Montreal Expos in a 1984 contest.
Los Angeles Dodgers CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1978 game.
Boston Braves rookie C Ebba St. Claire (Colgate letterman in 1941-42) had an 11-game hitting streak snapped by the Brooklyn Dodgers' Carl Erskine in the opener of a 1951 doubleheader.
Mess Media: CNN Not Only Press Outlet That Sucks After Getting Trumped
"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views." - William F. Buckley Jr.
After selective-belief-in-women creeps suffering TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) had their posteriors handed to them, more than 400 "America Was Never Great" liberal-leaning newspapers with same opinion as confused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo conducted genuine collusion via group-think gabfest with inept editorial responses to #TheDonald Trumping them. Let's get after them! The cavalier Cuomos of the world claiming "ICE is a bunch of thugs," whether in press or politics, can't comprehend the separation of families involving murdered Mollie Tibbetts and Kate Steinle versus law-breaking illegal immigrants. But what was different about the pro-journalism editorial exercise? Spare us the contrived outrage! Haven't self-anointed Guardians of the Galaxy already been immersed in conservative-hating resistance for an extended period? These are the same phony folks effusive in praise for late Sen. John McCain after emasculated elite promoted en masse the POW's opponent in presidential election in previous decade. But to hypocritical libnuts who wondered "is McCain mentally fit to be president," perhaps the only good Republican is a deceased Republican; especially if the funeral can be weaponized as miscast Meghan fell off her horse again manufacturing a mess as much as her father did in facilitating Russian dirty dossier. If CIA didn't give smear merchants a head's-up, then President Trump will directly inform majority of loathsome losers in the press they've been driving fake news (in a Ford?) in same misguided direction for a longer time than Sen. Dianne Feinstein's 20-year Chinese spy valet trying to figure out what to do with "confidential" letter following one of unlicensed psychologist "Dr. Fraud's" many seemingly heavily-medicated flights.
Media malfeasance of highest order may have been manufactured if intelligence hacks John Brennan (NBC) and James Clapper (CNN) were involved in leaking dirt to the networks subsequently hiring them. It's a byproduct of sordid show that could be called Truth or Consequences featuring smear-artist swamp creatures such as #HollyweirdHarveySwinestein, Fusion GPS filthy bankrollers to the tune of millions of dollars, rigging primary of already mentally-disturbed national political party and biased upper brass of FBI/DOJ. Concurrently, what in hell is happening when a high-priced Clinton machine attorney defends low-level IT staffer for disgraced DNC chair? How fortunate can a McDonald's dropout be? As #DebbieDoesDC amid her "adviser" trying to flee the country in shenanigans appearing to go far beyond bank fraud by the $160,000-per-year IT brothers (about three times going rate), it's time to resist these IQ-less clowns! Giving $400 million to Iran rather than Louisiana flood victims, there are plenty of press(ing)-problem reasons why the symbol of the "deplorable" Democratic Party is a jackass because they're not real bright. Unless waiting for ransom payment in foreign currency in unmarked plane or smitten with strain of "overheated" pneumonia, any Capt. Obvious simpleton including intellectually-lazy press parasites, underwear model John Conyers (a con; not icon) and maudlin #MadMaxine Waters should be able to promptly connect the dots. Exercise a few brain cells by noticing self-righteous Dim mayors for extended periods usually are seasoned diaper-pin donning leftists in charge of decaying or riotous cities such as Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Oakland, Portland, St. Louis (Ferguson) and San Juan. For instance, icy Oakland mayor went out of her way to warn illegal ailens about impending ICE round-up before Minority Leader "Devil Mom" #NannyPathetic extolled the "spark of divinity" in violent MS-13 gang members.
MAGA "winning" walls are closing in on self-righteous leftist lunatics and socialist sycophants. Amid seductive attempts to remove God from party platform, Dems have become a sanctuary for Satanic precepts and history revisionism via anonymous sources such as absent-minded spin-machine attorney Lanny "Go-Fund-Me Backtracker" Davis. Their clown-show conversation convention in Philly, punctuated by demonstrable DNC staff infection (highlighted by prohibiting FBI from checking hacked server) after incorrect guess regarding which restroom to use, was a BleachBit graveyard where #MikaVirus brain-damaged cells went to die after face-lifting bleeding. It wasn't long before the predictably pathetic press corps assembled a City of Brotherly Love support group for the Kaine and Unable (to walk without aid) carnage where #BlackLiesMatter more than #BlueLivesMatter. Fair-minded observers know there is "huge" gold-star difference between immigration-lawyer Wrath of Khan coming more than a decade after Donald Trump was building his business while basket-case Hillary "I Don't Recall" Clinton was boss contemporaneously when dissing Smith family about deceased State Department employee victim of terrorist scum. Seriously? Who actually believes Khan('s) job over the years focused more on a Christian-based U.S. Constitution than Middle Eastern Sharia Law, martyrdom's 72 virgins and watering-down American immigration? Since #BlackRobesMatter, Khan exhibits every credential for Progressives to promote grandstander as 9th "Short" Circuit judge seemingly more concerned about violating Sharia rather than our Constitution.
Speaking of building, let's compare the construction handiwork of each nominee. #TheDonald boasts skyscrapers, luxury hotels and resort golf courses while #ShrillaryRotten has a bungled red-plastic Russia "reset" button and had aides destroying her numerous mobile devices with hammers. Until emerging from her safe space to first learn about DNC manipulation from mess-media reports, aging-gracelessly Over-the-Hillary probably thought 'WikiLeaks' was a STD Bubba contracted while she was away flying her broom with license #666 to rope-around-dope function, video lying to grieving family members in front of their loved one's casket, waddle-dodging bullets or wiping server with specially-laced cloth to shed "boring emails." Taking credit for #MeToo Movement, we need to double check #HarveySwinestein's long list to discern if he had a pet name for delusional dame before, during or after their post-election TV documentary dinner in Manhattan. As self-absorbed/special-status #ShrillaryRotten, putting the "C" in corruption appointing disgraced DNC official to position as her honor(ary)-among-thieves campaign co-chairman, allegedly told former Bill & Hill consultant Dick Morris: "Look, the average Democrat voter (such as Miss Piggy) is just plain stupid. They're easy to manipulate. That's the easy part." No wonder typical CNN producer and DNC agitator planters described their foils as "mentally ill people, that we pay to do shit." The mentally deficient must include comedic "genius" Samantha Bee's Full Frontal gushing portrayal of disgraced NY attorney general Eric Schneiderman as a superhero and disgusting comments condemning Ivanka Trump. Perhaps sleazy Samantha would feel better about herself if the President's delightful daughter donated some attire seconds to the demented dimwit or Nike-brand killer #ColonKrapernick told her: "Let's Do It." How about? "Just Blew It."
Providing pap to such a discerning audience, the pestilent press pimps such as ex-CBS charmer Charlie Rose and MSNBC's #PrissyTingles probably will probe whether #TheDonald directed deflating of buddy Brady's footballs. Whatever the case while groping about Lesley Stahl script, the combination of preening Dimorat politicians such as big-fat-idiot Al Franken(stein) and equally goofy accomplices among #MessMedia simply Aren't Good Enough, Aren't Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People (With Activated Brain Cells) Don't Like Them. Left-wing demented dumpster divers such as eye-rolling Anderson Pooper at CNN aren't just snowflakes apparently subsisting on Jayson Blair and Janet Cooke honorariums. The factories of ignorance digging dirt with "Conway shovel" are a whole damn white-out blizzard looking paler than zero-credibility #GoryGriffin during a video apology (severed head photograph always has wrong individual blurred). Anonymous sources with all of the credibility of Omarosa will tell Kathy's contemptible CNN colleagues, while writing political donation checks almost exclusively to alternate-nostril breather, Macedonian hackers inserted this paragraph before screwing her by manipulating Upper Midwest vote tallies. Maybe the inquisitors hiding behind "some people say" will make it up to blame-game dame by paying big bucks to attend "What the Hell Happened (to Dignity)?" marathon book tour if she also throws in a piece of huckster history (certified birth certificate proving she was named after renowned mountain climber Sir Edmund Hillary or errant bullet dodged in Bosnia race out of plane or BleachBit-laced server-wiping cloth or one of post-subpoena 30,000-plus missing emails acknowledging genesis of Benghazi video hoax or piece from one of her many electronic devices destroyed by hammer or copy of #SickWillie's $500,000 "Uranium One" check from Russia for arousing speech).
Watch Project Veritas expose human debris and dirty dealing from under the (producers) table at the CNN cesspool freak show featuring creepy "Prancer" (Anderson Cooper), dopey "Fredo" (crazy Cuomo) and weepy "Dancer" (Don "See With Ears" Lemon) in prime time. It is easy to discern "Z" stands for zero as in no integrity exhibited by abhorrent animals in zany CNN zoo such as Stormy's low-life lawyer incessantly promoted by Russian-zealous President Jeff Zucker. Is there any doubt AT&T eventually will divest itself of this hunk of junk after answering that "penetrating" question reaching into its wallet or pants (allegedly like Lemon)? Ask yourself which set of "losers" tried harder to sway the presidential election - #MessMedia maggots in cahoots with unmasking #DirtyRice moonlighting as Ace Ventura in their political playpen, AG Loretta "It's a Matter" Lynch dealing from the bottom of the deck with FBI chief/leaker James "Coward" Comey, dismissing volume of non-citizens voting illegally or Russian agents hypnotizing all those "red" counties across America to do their bidding. Despite sanctuary from presstitute pansies such as morally-tainted Cokie Roberts' Southern guilt trip promoting registering "D" for dumb, the more difficult "pivot" was persuading independents and that is where collusion with lame-stream media came into play. If permanently-injured CNBC was part of a horse network rather than peacock, the smear machine would have to be shot after previous woeful performance moderating a Republican debate. Reinforcing what many right-thinkers (not left-feelers) already believe with CNBC's conceited John Whorewood serving as Exhibit A (as in _ss), the unhinged American media can no longer be trusted. Incapable on the job of putting one foot in front of the other even more than deplorable #ShrillaryRotten, their warped make-love-not-war sentiment includes lying to the masses about what comprises a winner following her admitting lying about who was responsible for the murders of individuals under her charge. Whether it is assessing the veracity of an owe-your-gender-one presidential candidate by national political pundits or prominent college basketball coach by the toy department (sports), an overwhelmingly liberal lame-stream press predictably focused on style (Ready For Hillary 2016) over substance (Shrillary for Prisoner 2016) and gave Rick Pitino's polluted program an accountability pass. In the feeble minds of genius lib-nuts hooked on #MorningJerk, it was justifiable or there was rationale for certifiably corrupt influence-peddling Clinton deserving designation as POTUS-in-waiting and Pitino's "free-love" contract with Louisville should be extended another couple of terms for more Best-Little-Whoredorm-In-KY boys-gone-wild recruiting regalia. Twisted minds must think alike as Slick Rick served as Shrillary's post-election ball boy whining about TheDonald similar to many hypocritical coaches such as Shaka Smart and Roy Williams demonstrating self-control about the then president-elect as if it was closing time at upscale Italian bistro in Get-Your-Fill-In-The-Ville.
Influence of stiletto-obsessed big media fond of vile Michelle Wolf monologue is decreasing exponentially under own truly deplorable weight. It was a shame #TheDonald couldn't put the goofball gatekeepers out of their pecan-pie misery and bruise their widdle feelings with a single "You're Fired!" After cry-in Dim(wit)s filled pity-party WAHHHHmbulances upon losing the presidential race and failing to recapture Senate, patronizing college and professional coaches coasted from coast to coast to phony status by protecting their lifeline - access to minority mercenaries. Meanwhile, welcome to the lame-stream media cleaning service, which won't clean up its abysmal act but will sweep things under the rug for the corrupt Clintons from erection with Eve through election eve and from cattle futures through glass ceiling falling down in locked hotel room. Discernment isn't in the DNA of Washington/New York/LA elites such as the Huffington Post, which chose to cover #TheDonald in entertainment rather than political section. Why is America so "blessed" with such a magnitude of it-takes-a-village idiots in the press? Deplorable before deplorable became cool, their corruption cup runneth over exemplified by condescending Washington Compost columnist Dana Milbank asking the DNC to do the majority of the opposition research for a reflexively hostile "The Ten Plagues of Trump" piece of spit before media maggot incurred Trump-induced malady. #TheDonald also was responsible for Milbank going through high school and college without a date plus bed-wetting episodes during same time frame and thereafter. Face it as lyin' eyes are supplemented by lyin' emails and rigged #Dimorat primary! If the farce-to-be-reckoned-with media was competent at its job, there wouldn't be need for WikiLeaks to shine the light of truth ("persecution") on "Dirty Donna" #Brazila pounding her suspect CNN Christian woman chest or detailing how the dishonest Clintons went from selling the Lincoln bedroom to selling Honest Abe's entire nation. Call the mess-media debris Lyin' Brian fallout as the pathetic press sniffed Dr. Ben droppings similar to "The View" pack of demented dogs doggedly trying to prove #TheDonald used Russian dressing on his salad or sandwich. How promptly did #Dimorat fraudulent feminist "leaders" or porker-borker ABC vixens whine about anyone coerced to view sweaty Swinestein massage, "a con" in Congressional underwear model John Conyers, full-throated Frenchy Franken wet-kiss fantasy following hands-full Sinator hug or their corrosive exploitation of adolescent-sounding 52-year-old Dr. Fraud?
In a previous election cycle before dumb rumps foamed at the mouth attacking Trump's family, a slobbering NBC anchor Brian "Save the Tin Foil" Williams of climate-change commercial fame (a/k/a self-proclaimed patriot) was fond of displaying adoring news magazine "halo" covers to failed ex-President Barack Obama and then asking if His Earness' mother would have liked the image. No wonder Williams, another thrill-down-his-leg Peacock employee, was criticized for such a softball interview of Obama, who seems more comfortable in a mosque and exhibits more cartoon-like aggression toward Christian Conservatives dictating rules of engagement than to cartoon-hating Muslim marauders murdering Seal Team 6 patriots or a nervy CNN host-ette lecturing a former Navy SEAL about ethics. Since four-Pinocchio nose-for-news Williams is in dire need of a drool bucket and truth serum, perhaps one of his echo-chamber Clinton-camp counterparts who isn't certified Obama Orgasmic should brandish photos of murdered Americans in front of pen-and-a-phone POTUS and ask DingleBarry if he sleeps well at night knowing the Monarch Messiah did everything humanly possible ("Leave No Man Behind") before and during the Benghazi consulate attack to protect and save these hero sons of steadfast mothers. The Drone Ranger, refusing to provide Benghazi attack-night itinerary amid whatever situation-room manly game playing with body-man Reggie Love, could also be asked what was the "dishonor-the-memory" initiative for give-me-a-break trusted "cloth-wiping comrade" when the former Secretary of State flippantly said during previous testimony: "What difference does it make?"
Feeling any Clinton Corruption Fatigue as the contemptible couple and cu-cu immunity minions such as overbearing Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban and Muslim marauder Keith Ellison drinking their fool-aid claim they're doing the Lord's foundation work via Mount Everest of lies? Shouldn't Cuban be a mite more concerned about his renegade front office? Astute observers donning "Make Martha/Mika/Schmucky/ChelseaHandler Weep Again" caps are still waiting on the Transparent Titans to acknowledge what percentage of Muslims are deplorable due to their religion's genuine sexism and homophobia. It seems as if every word the disgusting duo utters is a fabrication, including "and" and "the," while exposing their grandchildren and dense daughter to all sorts of maladies. Insofar as "I Am Woman/Hear Me Bore" (curing insomnia even more than fossilized sex-expert socialist/Russia honeymooner/Muppet Show balcony babbler Bozo Bernie) and a vital general weren't interviewed by the less-than-thorough accountability review board, the difference could be a "smidgeon" of honesty with the country's citizens boasting a triple-digit IQ vs. cover-up deception with much of the misguided media such as ABC phony journalist Gorgeous George serving as maddening wicked accomplices. After a geriatric "Free Spit vs. Bull Spit" duel, a probing press remained sitting on the bottom-feeder sideline missing as much as the Rose Law Firm documents collecting dust on a table years ago in Hillary the Horrible's White House office (probably under Bubba's strategically-placed cigar box) or authenticity of Lyin' Brian's stories. When she mentions private server, is "C" stands for Clinton referring to "C" for computer activity in limbo or "C" for carnal activity by #SickWillie with latest bimbo or "C" for curvature of golf drive and erect organ. Media misfits keep up with facts and vital news as well as former First Fabricator does her hustler husband's "Energizer" Honey and ex-VP's daughter/"undercover" journalist after serial sexual harasser #SickWillie's number of extra-martial affairs more than doubled the age of a pizza-delivering intern in the Oral Office. In the wake of Moonlite Bunny Ranch hookers endorsing Stepford Shrillary, Bimbo-chasing Bubba probably headed West Old Man to herd a "load of bull" and join Lamar Odom in verifying level of libido support unless hedge-fund billionaire buddy Jeffrey Epstein arranged another trip as crooked as Peyronie's Disease to Virgin Islands.
Speaking of arousal, perhaps saucy Megyn Kelly, after "The Lady in Red" pries herself loose from memorialized unwanted Roger Ailes haunting hug or blood reference or mooching off O'Reilly ratings, can lure the "I-wasn't-thinking-a-lot" Compassionate Communist to an authentic interview focusing on more than Hot Sauce in purse. Despite viewers having to settle for more of facelift-feuding Kelly's annoying lame one-liners and voice inflections while more interested in setting stage for contract negotiations, at least the shrewd ex-lawyer knows a jury needs to be comprised of peers of the accused shrew. In this instance, it will be 12 liars, con artists and/or corrupt politicos resembling her shady staff and haughty hangers-on. Beyond driving her spouse crazy to where he can't define "is" and probably installed a bed rather than desk in his Harlem office, the only thing HRC's bloated carcass has driven in the last 20-plus years is a broom with license #666. The First Felon's dignity bound together with duct tape after flaunting defense of deviant accused of raping a 12-year-old girl, Ms. Re-set Button also apparently hasn't done the wash enough like common folk to know how to tell "co-worker" to get stain off a dress. Between choleric coughing fits choking on her own Demonrat drivel, seems as if the Hag Been was too busy selecting original Star Trek wardrobe while ignoring pleas from a soon-to-be murdered sacrificial-lamb ambassador seeking more security. Only "I'm With Her" gullible groupies grasp how he couldn't get through protective maze although someone as vital as virile actor Ben Affleck was anointed with Hillaryous' direct email amid her compromising shoddy handling of top-secret-plus communiques. Unable to spell Hill without back-to-back L's; thus can't wait to find out what was Barry's pseudonym in emails between the two Losers. Responding to Russian hackers at rare press conference or not, look for her to tersely say: "I did not have inappropriate email with that server." It was just as well press conferences were rare for worn-out "Woodsy" because honest Americans can't stand to gaze at her super-predator lying eyes. Hopefully, Mateen will "order" her to don burka for any future stern Q-and-A session or ad when She-ria Law secures royalty from BleachBit for name change of disk-space "cleaning" product to BleachBit(ch). Puke press fan-club protestations notwithstanding, lock her up is assuredly "what should happen" after $50 million underwriting of fake dossier on #TheDonald triggering a cooking-the-books FISA application from FBI/DOJ's biased brass and leaking to CNN by jaded James Claptrapper.
Anyone with a brain wave knew right off the bat "sleep-deprived" Hil-liar-y (thought she said "don't feel no ways tired") was fibbing about bogus Bosnia sniper-fire battle when Cacklin' Cankles claimed she "ran" rather than waddling over to pose for photographs with her iPhone and "proud-every-day" teenage daughter at the time. ISIS probably is using video of haggard Hillary's escape artistry, comparable to facts inventor's tale to the unwashed masses about Chelsea jogging around the World Trade Center on 9/11, to instruct recruits how to elude enemy gunfire. Excessive lying and fake news putting lives at risk takes a lot out of an old geezer, leaving one with "very low energy" and bags under their eyes while protecting Wall Street speech transcripts more than national top secrets on private server. Apparently in dire need again of beauty sleep, she cut Z's instead of getting vital intelligence briefing just days after the Benghazi attack. No wonder Sleepy avoided family members of victims and was uninterested in viewing riveting movie 13 Hours inasmuch as George-Soros-in-drag "already slept through it once." Ignoring more than 600 requests for security from "friend" she never talked with after hiring him, did the well-traveled Secretary of State, sporting a fake smile reeking of psychopath, savage the truth maneuvering more adroitly than "the guys out for a walk" who savaged four Americans in Libya? Donning a wig or not, perhaps she could have moved more adroitly if been able to join the Marines. Keg Legs' dressing-down actions such as server-wiping come out of the blue similar to wiping superior-server Monica's DNA-stained blue dress or hurling a blue vase stemming from hubby's blue-night(gown) special at K(neepad)mart. No wonder empty-suit Joe Lockhart must have been black-and-blue tackling empty-stadium-seat duties as NFL p.r. chief with downward spiraling ratings after previous spin-doctor responsibilities (without donning helmet) in the brain-damaged Clinton Out House.
In a rare moment of gold-mettle winning candor among DC swamp creatures and #MessMedia glamorizing Kim Jong Un's sister during Winter Olympics, former DNC Chairman Ed Rendell implied majority of the left's nasty female supporters are ugly. Hitlery's hugely-hyphenated hatchet hags/goon girls/treacherous toadies fond of "If I Had a Hammer" lyrics, including Muslim Brotherhood-connected Ms. Huma Abedin-Weiner-Danger-Mongoose, left a permanent "stain" on credibility by discarding their Blackberry, which should earn each of them a "term" (four years behind bars) unless investigators are card-carrying Dimocraps or politically savvy as Charles Barkley's playing the race card. An above-the-law home-brew email account utilized on government time "transparently" describes orchestrating mindset of the frosty frequent-flyer faker forgetting to bring her pretty-and-pink outfit out of cesspool mothballs (rather than "drowned rat" look or pretty-in-prison-suit-orange) while explaining with grating voice if didn't-really-think-it-through Snapchat Queen had sufficient sleep after yoga workout when deleting more than 30,000 "personal" emails. Long before she accrued wrinkle filler by the barrel with her 4-H Fan Club President Angrier Mitchell (Hill's Haughty Hack Horde), you can go to HELLary for ethical lapses all the way back to her involvement in the Watergate probe. Talking "past" normal Americans, the height of short-circuiting diabolical "diplomacy" would be if hacked emails prove she armed jihadists in Syria (including ISIS) or triggered "if-he-has-to-leave" execution of Iranian nuclear scientist/informant Amiri.
If no Little Rock offspring, Olympian swimmer lyin' Ryan Lochte must be Chelsea's long-lost brother or infected by airborne exposure to "overheated" Clinton-speak. In a best-case scenario, the ratio of Over-the-Hill's deleted emails from an apparently premeditated setup indicates she spent more than half of her arduous labor conducting personal business circling the sewer drain on government time despite her sordid spouse failing to use email. As Yoda Jr. lackey Cheryl Mills does her reset-button bidding en route to immunity status, it takes a village idiot to fail to discern the litany of lies whenever the Margaret Sanger devotee's lips are moving; although comedy relief is welcomed when repulsive reprobate embraces black voice imitation mode. While the furor among cultist mouthpieces depended on what the meaning of classified is, a rendezvous in a dimly-lit parking garage wasn't necessary for Hillary's email scandal to remind Washington Post Watergate sleuth Bob Woodward of the Nixon tapes. If accurate about her emails would have been safer on Ashley Madison's cheating website according to former NBC news reporter Fred Francis, the alleged world's smartest woman (despite failing to discern "header" spouse was in adjacent room securing from Monica) is "Queen of the Bile" unqualified to even carry bed-pan urine in or around the nation's capitol. Always confusing to the unwashed exemplified by her stance on dealing with ISIS (whether upper or lower case, defining is-is defies description for her and sordid spouse), the Democratic Dominatrix's theme song at coronation ceremonies should have emanated from a Leslie Gore tune with the following updated lyrics: "It's my Party and I can lie if I want to . . . ."
In the meantime while blaming Colin Powell for email edicts, we anticipated another Goiter Goddess tear-fest at a Cafe' Expresso so the serfs and plebeians (militant feminists, welfare magnets, victim-hood vultures, societal illegals, lazy leeches, retread hippies, Hollyweird selfie sluts, etc.) "feel" compelled to vote for the ultimate empty pants suit because the personality-deficit-disorder eyesore is "sad as Eeyore." How convenient the State Department attorney (Katherine Duval) in charge of document production in classified information scandal had a stint at IRS putting her at center of another high-profile missing-email case. Upon a smoking gun emerging during another FBI probe, it should be relayed to the paw-some presidential candidate in the following "classified" way: "Say 'hello' to my little friend (ghost of John Dean or non-wiped server containing pertinent information)." If the wicked witch falls off national schoolmarm wannabee campaign broom, she shouldn't balk taking a "Balkan run" so a departure door doesn't hit prolific place where the Good Lord amply split her! But if Grandma the Great's grating gatlin gun (a/k/a voice) ever is dispatched to jail, who will be there to succeed the Secretary of Yoga in supporting all the forlorn females and children around the world by wearing red outfit? For crying out loud, how long will we be subjected to Curse Ratchet barking about needing to clarify on her classified statement regarding clarification of the statement she'd previously tried to clarify? Upon seeking a future headline if thank-God-she's-gone AG Loretta Lynch properly defines gross negligence, don't be stunned if e-nailed Hillary's hell-on-earth cellmate sues for "cruel and unusual punishment" around the time Sean Penn conducts an El Chapo-like interview for Rolling Stone. If her sewer side of the aisle succeed in ridding Gitmo of disgusting terrorists, it would be fitting if she was incarcerated there cleaning toilets "like with a cloth or something" as their replacement symbolizing Central Committee corruption. Surely, such an outcome is more appropriate than charging dupes to attend a book function or screed and then persistently whine to them. Similar "hearing-impaired" Dimorat Senators such as Bozo Blumenthal (fake soldier), groping T-Bone Booker (fake Newark character before fake Spartacus), "Turban" Durbin (fake WH meetings), Cursing Kirsten, Kamala "What Can Old (Wee Willie) Brown Do For Me?" Harris, Leaker Leahy and Lie-a-lotta Warren (fake squaw) helped orchestrate Judge Kavanaugh chaos. After becoming omniscient from reading inane H.S. yearbook blurbs and looking deep into Googly Eyes of Blaze, this consortium of character-assassinating human debris would be a mite more impressive if they were qualified to be colleague Feinstein's deceitful driver. Dim Diane's stem-winding staff may extemporaneously deny everything, but her financial ties to China are extensive before playing shameless super sleuth involving hail-mary/dirty-tricks rumor forwarded to FBI about ice-throwing Kavanaugh as a teenager.
Are the uncouth and crude - rubes in flyover country with tentacles reaching more and more to Upper Midwest - required to stop constructing boxcars and reinforce at least one inquiry for which we're entitled a direct answer? Loathsome #ShrillaryRotten, as callous as probable supporters and depraved Josephine Mengele baby butchers from Planned Profithood flushing down an organic salad with red wine while the ghouls gleefully discussed "crunchy" dismembering of a "17-weeker" or Lamborghini dreaming, needs to undergo a polygraph test to gauge her truth telling. If not a veracity quiz amid the Dims' war on words narrative, then how about a driving test since she is so fond of mingling with commoners evidenced by her rope-around-dope during a holiday parade? The Dimorat dilemma stemming from Benghazi bungling, IRS mess and self-serving server are textbook examples of cheesy corruption. Weep for our nation because thumb(drive) suckers/bed wetters among the mess media and political players needing brain bleach are in positions of power rather than rooms with padded walls. Memo to nanny-state speech-control puppeteers: What does the "I" in ISIS/ISIL stand for although the "I" in impudent accurately describes cooking-the-books INTEL about waging war against the terrorists? Amid the Obama Out House whining and dining excessively with Planned Murderhood, the cultural hope and change among the intellectually and morally bankrupt is on steroids. How else can observer explain vanity of Bruce Jenner evolving nearly 40 years after Wheaties Box appearance to secure a social-engineering courage award from ESPN (Extra Sensitive Pious Network) prior to #KneelWithJemele spiels? Actually, it takes infinitely more fortitude these days to say you are white, religious and conservative man proud of your heritage and unashamed to voice your life matters, too. But if in need of some grins amid hags and thugs striving to suppress your voice, real men can console themselves that, if Bruce gives another Olympian effort and focuses on Hill's Chairman Mao Collection outfits and $600 haircuts to try to match number of security requests from an ambassador, he can almost end up looking like Hellary, who probably needed to spend $6,000. Cosmetically, it's comparable to slim odds of viewing a video featuring an attractive female employee from PP's plundering Hag Haven Holocaust hem-hawing over whether to sell body parts or send them to a landfill. You'd have more success locating Sasquatch among the visual birth control or, for that matter, an authentic racist soiling the ranks of Tea Party patriots. Cable cockroaches Rich-with-ill-will Madcow and sister/brother or whatever Sally Kohn are so fond of abortion the ghoul girls likely seek to be artificially inseminated by #MockItMan Sir Lawrence, #SickWillie or #HollyweirdHarvey to participate firsthand in weekend special as Butch(er)'s Baby winner. Either BSLSD or CNN will then erect a Michelle Wolf "Salute to Abortion" statue honoring first snuffer as Queen of the Chicken Little "Sky-is-Falling" routine exemplifying debauchery debris lust for sale of Charlie Gard body parts.
Amid Clinton interacting with all the warmth of a slug about breaking the law while collecting her sheep supporters like yesterday's trash, the general public can't possibly have any faith in a pathetic press monitoring these contemptible characters protecting bugs more than babies. It's an injustice to say a low-end used-car salesman is infinitely more honest and credible than majority of #MessMedia promoting polls designed to create a reality rather than reflecting it. A parade of progressive puke running their mouths on outrageous cable sibling MSNBC (Moronville rather than Nerdland), in dire need of mental health checks to "pilot" their valueless programs where "All Truth Matters" is a hateful remark, clearly has contaminated the vanishing credibility of the network's news division. Between stints virtually serving as Shrillary campaign managers, insufferable Krystal "Punked I" Ball and aging Angrier "Punked II" Mitchell probably passed up Williams in their internal on-air personality rankings before execs triggered an internal fact-finding mission. At some crooked juncture, Lyin' Brian probably told "Kibble Bits" Mitchell he was there when Sick Willie manhandled Juanita Broaddrick and never saw abuse occur. When Yoda's mother Andrea, separated at birth from ET twin James Carville, subsequently fell out of the unethical tree, she struck every "awful" branch on the way down dodging "sniper" comments similar to "discredited" Shrillary and cankle comrade Loretta Lynch's view of the Federal Bureau of Matters.
But isn't "fact" a dirty four-letter word to the steady stream of left-wing televangelist imbeciles such as Donny Dunce plus goofy "GameChangers" John Heil(Hitler)mann and sociable Mark "With Virtually No Respect" Halperin deemed "talent" on this deplorable "Lien Forward" network shackled by hypocritical flock of tax cheats headlined by bow-wow Al? Inability to comprehend tax forms "is-is" who they are! Jaundiced Joy-less Reid probably feels #TheDonald colluded with time-traveling Russians to hack her pint-sized brain. Despite shifting around human-waste time slots like plunger in a commode, MSLSD's principal audience remains comprised of its control room, about half of a haughty host's immediate family plus far-left lunatics attempting to get a glimpse of their relatives on Lockup. After serving a six-month suspension, Williams was consigned to a sinking ship as (fabricating) face of an egregious enterprise full of partisan hacks and harassing sickos. Williams said his undefined number of stretched stories "came from a bad place" and then secured an "11th-hour" reprieve to return to the stench of a bad place (MessLSD), which is to journalism what the National Enquirer is to literature and what Mika the Misguided Mannequin among 100-plus supportive Brokaw Babes are to regal reporting. Despite his excessive baggage and gigantic gall condemning fake news and lecturing about moral authority, Williams is an improvement over MessLSD's low-grade lineup and witless panels unless he also failed to attend a H&R Block tax seminar. Mingling amid this cesspool of flooded-out fools fond of fake squaw Elizabeth Warren (a/k/a "Pow Wow Chow" contributor Lie-awatha envious of The Donald after failing to flip enough tee-pees), the paleface press potentate at least won't have to fib about seeing (brain)dead bodies, tingling or not, pass him in the halls of his esteemed workplace where falsehoods came as naturally as breathing before they hired Megyn to inspire them with GQ poses, voice inflections and lame puns only her mother could appreciate. When trying to withstand Warren's "withering" wit and history of ethnic exploitation, you learn anew Native-American history as to why real Indians didn't permit "nasty" squaws, fake or not, to sit around the council fire other than delivering Warren's "Pow Wow Chow."
Long before Amazon deleted negative reviews of Over-the-Hill's book for bozos, perhaps the most accurate of all of Trump's tranquil talk sissy RINOs revile describes "the media as the lowest form of humanity." As laughable as Trumping Univision antagonist, "courageous" NBC executives such as Andrew Lack(ofintegrity) played role of Shrillary by avoiding interviews on their own networks about the Jimmy Carter intern who never graduated from college. In other words, NBC's brass knew for an extended period about the truth decay as Williams frequently was fond of fables but the enema of the American people allowed the storytelling go on and on and on. If Variety is the spice of life regarding NBC's culture, Bozo Brian's moral compass was infected by crass face-of-network Tom Brokaw. Sounds similar to the way the wink-and-nod enablers and their piss-poor press counterparts such as Today's Olympian ogre Matt Liar treat 50-troop "man" Obama by persistently kissing the ring in No Drama's back pocket plus coddling delusional Dims claiming climate change will force women into prostitution. Meanwhile, the BBC's chatty Katty Kay can't quite comprehend between her going-to-pot MSNBC appearances whether Mainstream Media Midget George tilts left or right - which is equivalent to discerning if the Earth is flat or round. Ditto the gall of Judy Woodruff claiming she is a fair-and-balanced news reader while NPR virtually ignored the Planned Murderhood videos scandal. Do you have any doubt these media mavens gave hemorrhoid-causing Hillary a pass when she seamlessly revised and extended remarks to their limits as much as stretching seams of her Chairman Mao Collection pants suits? The leftist butt-kisser's club members also do the same for clean-and-articulate ex-Vice Plagiarist Joe Biden in regard to his anemic charitable donations. Shouldn't MSNBC's malpractice maven Mike Barnicle and Clinton News Network's token profane Arab bull-spitter Fareed Zakaria have exclusively been Biden boosters solely because they're both profound plagiarists or have they already been admonished as JV by previous POTUS because "You Didn't Write That"?
Helicopter hallucinating Williams, the (bald) face (liar) of NBC News with a five-year, $50 million contract, slapped veterans in the face with his distortion about being "under fire" during the Iraq War. The Chinook Crooks, including Williams' NBC crew, are so delusional they must have exchanged war stories with corkscrew-flying #ShrillaryRotten. Mr. Misremember apologized for the longstanding blatant falsehood but it was chock full of weasel words and deceptive in making it seem as if he witnessed the attack despite being about 30 minutes behind the actual incident. If the lunatic Lohans can sue Fox, then the nation's viewers seeking truth, especially veterans, should be able to file a class-action suit against the $10 million/year valor thief. Williams' lame excuse for the principal chopper whopper was his celebrity-driven "memory evolved," giving critical thinkers added-value insight into how evolution really works for tree-hugging/tin-foil-saving leftists. Demoncrat media celebrities from Dan Blather to perky Katie Couric's gun-rights film deception, displaying all of the analytical ability of a chipmunk, are fond of portraying themselves as righteous although Liberal Lyin' companion Mary Jo Kopechne can not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, #TheDonald can be reached after Pushy succeeded Pussy. If he seeks to be a teddy bear addressing their brain power, he'll distribute coloring books and Play-Doh. If he wants to be a teed-off bear giving media a yellow shower for overlooking DNC and Shrillary dossier funding, he'll rip their heads off and pee down their sorry necks similar to his initial one-against-everyone POTUS presser, toying with media misfits about Comey tapes and possibly thwarting incessant White House press corps grandstanding by reducing on-camera briefings. Abusing our intellect, maniacal #MessMedia is nearly as disgusting as Pennsylvania priest pedophile scandal and Catholic "I will not comment" cover-up of sexual abuse going all the way over to walled-in Vatican. Perhaps the pompous political papacy was too consumed with leftist view of illegal immigration plus playing celebrity scientist lecturing the masses during masses about climate change.
Let's capsulize media mess in sufficiently rudimentary terms aptly-named Don Lemon could comprehend along with fellow stage prancer Anderson Pooper and similarly confused Commie colleague Van Jones. Okay, strike thought as these characters have well-reasoned standards comparable to anal CNN legal beagle Jeffrey Toobin always spewing nonsense after knocking up Jeff Greenfield's 13-year younger daughter in an extramarital affair. Dear Ill-Equipped Liberals: What if a gorilla shot an alligator with AR-15 to save Muslim refugee child of trans-gendered parents ignoring infant while "stalled" by fascination over restroom access? Do-gooder logic from self-styled intellectual supremacists insists any record-snow natural phenomenon in New England, flood in Louisiana or wild-fire out West are directly attributable to man-caused global warming. They could "gun" for a shred of credibility by supporting having Muslims register pressure cookers and knives. As intense as the lovely faces and inspiring brains on The View, the pressure to conform even has the pope seeking to become a climate change-fighting superhero rivaling Al Bore and globe-trotting Barry Obama. Meanwhile, staff-sleeping genius David "No Kidding" Letterman looked like the king of dolts by accepting BSW's series of tall tales hook, line and sinker although an all-wet majority of bed-wetting media misfits curled up in their safe places wet-kissed him and fellow leftist Jon Stewart upon their retirements. Defying common sense, a striking number of progressive nut-jobs claimed they couldn't discern incessantly creepy Letterman's politics. Ditto for slanted Stewart, a wannabee journalist like comparable to Step-on-the-truth-to-us) hiding behind comedian mask when a topic thrown out for consumption by Anthony Weiner's beach-house buddy doesn't strike public's funny bone.
Come on folks! Labeling the current pack of jackals as journalists is akin to designating dog food as filet mignon. Rather than focused on two scoops of ice cream for #TheDonald, shouldn't they be probing murder of DNC operative Seth Rich or at least roaming through New York woods looking for dismantled electronic devices? Don't you "trust" your memory if a dog bit you drawing blood way back in grade school or receiving stitches in an accident "playing Army" (like Williams) with your childhood buddy down the street? When will NBC's complicit colleagues chime in with firsthand accounts of Blustery Brian's brave crusades or are they just classic "yes-people" cowards reveling in street-cred infotainment limelight of "Black Hawk Down Meets Saving Private Ryan"? Call it 50 shades of say(ing) nothing from a network worthy of sponsorship from Burger King (Home of the Whoppers). Did the hangers-on also secure special-ops gifts (throat-cutter, knife and piece of helicopter fuselage destroyed in Abbottabad compound raid) from acclaimed Navy SEAL Team Six? Geez! It has reached the point where we're surprised their embedded boss didn't manage to edit events where he actually shot and killed UBL rather than Robert O'Neill to try to thwart Fox News' ratings-grabber two-part interview. Running the risk of NBC cancelling Collegehoopedia's beauty pageant, it's time to assert: "A liar is a liar is a liar." Despite needing teleprompter to tell her when to "sigh," a single screed secures more money for Shrillary than the average annual salary of a CEO. If hideous Hillary dropped out of the presidential race, she could have a "little-hard-to-take" show on MSLSD known as "The Anchor Lady." Resembling tongue-tied colleagues, her intro limerick should be "I'm a little teapot, old and stout; open my mouth and lies come out" before "hammering" home signature sign-off citing Sir Walter Scott's quote: "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."
Akin to majority of Shrillary supporters with their credibility shrinking comparable to George Costanza's appendage at a beach house, none of stench stemming from Williams' preposterous assertions passed plausible smell test. The egomaniac ex-member of the Board of Directors of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation must want for himself an award (Yellow Heart from yellow-streak POTUS by toeing the line and refraining from saying Islamic terrorist) or at least an action figure with his likeness. Beset by a bizarre super-hero addiction, Williams asserted he saved puppies as a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey, endured mugging while selling Christmas trees, witnessed history at the Brandenburg Gate the night the Berlin Wall came down and braved rocket fire just under him in Israel (another hectic helicopter trip) before performing marvelous deeds in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina - "I see dead people" floating by hotel window in French Quarter, coping with gangs invading his five-star lodging (staging area for law enforcement), insisting he contracted dysentery from ingesting flood-waters and craving Slim Jims due to a far-fetched absence of nourishment. But let's face the "facts": If the "more you know (or concoct)" every-man can survive being hit by a R.P.G. (although likely just harrowing sand), the habitual "news-faker" can survive anything (including genuinely being shot down via a six-month suspension without pay). The Tonight Show host wannabe, apparently taking acting lessons from his risque-scene daughter (Allison on HBO series "Girls") based on half-baked apology still alienating the military, must moonlight as a mortician because he claims to "have seen thousands of dead people," including a suicide in the Superdome. The trauma has sure impaired his judgment after he focused on how climate-change conference slated for Paris would be impacted before anyone knew much about carnage stemming from Islamic terrorist attacks.
In the aftermath of serial-embellisher Williams' return, it's only a question of when before parent company Comcast overhauls or pulls the plug on moronic MSNBC where, if evolution is so authentic, a possible Planet of the Apes descendant or General Ursus stand-in (apparently his evolutionary view while trying to learn to spell r-e-s-p-e-c-t) feels compelled to dwell on Happy Darwin Day? Facing a dossier of fantasy fibs, a tearful mea culpa co-hosted by Oprah and Baba Wawa is probably the only way to salvage his career by admitting celebrity was more vital to him than journalism. Speaking of apologies, when will Al Jazeera reject Ayman Mohyeldin, a miscreant Middle East reporter for NBC (No Basic Credibility), seek forgiveness for his repulsive claim that sniper hero Chris Kyle was a "racist" on "killing sprees" while protecting troops in Iraq? It's all as perverted as 60 Minutes' Steve Kroft over at CBS although another broadcast network puff-piece yields insight to the convenient love-fest arrangement regarding Kroft's menage-a-trois interview with Obama and Clinton and Williams successor Lester Holt's psychiatric question about feelings. By any fair-minded definition (including University of Michigan's offensive word-free campus and Shrillary volunteers censuring adjectives), Kroft's claptrap, Holt's hard-hitting question and ABC's Stephanopoulos selling his Dear George soul to the Clintons beyond old Whitewater whitewashing were textbook examples of the ultimate man-made disaster - press and government working together for the common good of the people.
What difference does it make? Frequently amused by pathetic press coverage of elusive definition of radical Islam, $400 million Iranian ransom, unprotected national borders featuring an illegal immigrant disease-dump invasion coming to your community soon, short-term soccer virus knock-out of real football as the nation's top concussion-causing or flopping sport, computer "recycling" by the environmentally-sensitive/magical-way IRS, myopic Michelle's talking shopping carts and a ballet-loving Coast Guard washout worth five Taliban human debris, there are ample reasons why the majority of Americans fail to have confidence in a biased mass media to report the news fully, accurately and fairly. Grabbed by the press posse, major TV networks and liberal rags devoted to "seeking the whole truth" refused to give coverage to a Fox News report acknowledging the dictionary-less Obama Administration denied aid multiple times to Americans attacked and murdered by "random-acting" terrorists in Benghazi on September 11 of all days. A self-righteous stonewalling White House failed to supply requested information to Congress for its hearing oversight, but Judicial Watch obtained declassified emails showing ex-Out House Deputy Strategic Communications Adviser Ben Rhodes and other "rogue" (likely from Cincinnati plus probably Phoenix) West Wing p.r. officials/demented dudes/"shadowy characters" orchestrating a "spontaneous" false-narrative prep memo/campaign, especially via cozy chit-chat with AP, to "reinforce" POTUS and to portray the Benghazi consulate terrorist attack as being "rooted in an Internet video, and not a failure of policy." The knuckleheads tried to portray the closing of the U.S. embassy in Yemen as a victory in the "War Against Whatever." Meanwhile, IRS intimidation icon Lerner (a/k/a Toby Miles), disgraced ex-DNC chair Debbie Blabbermouth-Schultz, leftist Congressmen supporting Iranian nuclear deal and Dimorat benefactor George Soros will be among the few Jews in the world for whom Barry Insane Obummer's Administration would defend their backs. Although Little Debbie's (beef)cake brother is an assistant US attorney for District of Columbia, OJ did a superior job in prison searching for real killers of Nicole than the DNC did investigating or offering award regarding murder of one of their own (Seth Rich). We'll know the fusion-driven pressure is getting to female version of Sgt. "I Know Nothing" Schultz if her hair goes scared straight.
Validity of "CNN Sucks" chants terrifying Little Jimmy Acosta were reinforced with the way the Most (Dis)trusted Name in News rushed in to feed "buzz" to viewers regarding BuzzFeed's trumped-up Russian rejoinder. After all, the #MessMedia's motto is "you have to engage in false statements. If the group-think pretentious press, spearheaded by certifiable close-minded "Journolist" lib-nuts (including testy Toobin, Eric Alterman, Ezra Klein and Paul Krugman) incapable of separating corrupt from crude, withheld evidence (such as emails from the National Security Advisor's office telling a counter-terrorism unit to stand down), they're as corrupt in a cover-up as the amateurish administration's self-righteous Siskel & Ebert wannabees more concerned with monitoring content of "Bible-clinger" prayers, doctoring talking points, collective salvation outreach, making faces for Buzzfeed video promoting ObamaCare and muzzling Benghazi survivors plus front-line troops who served with a deserter (forced to sign non-disclosure agreements) rather than transparency with the public. Amid the high-horse chaos, we pay for State Department tutors (to get their stories straight) and have the prospect of the incompetent lost-all-pertinent emails IRS enforcing Obamacare if its $1 billion investment enrolling "millions" ever functions properly. Incredibly, there are IRS dogs receiving bonuses despite being delinquent on their own taxes as a VA scandal became a precursor of flailing Obowwowcare. Does the medical coverage for Conservatives include throwing up in their mouths listening to "Dim" politicians, pathetic political pundits on CNN and MSNBC plus vengeful not-quite-vixens on "The View"?
The CCCP (Colossal Collection of Condescending Politicians) fails to comprehend they work for "We the People"; not the other way around. How else did you explain the moral compass of former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen See-Soul-less, too busy to testify before Congress but not to attend a gala, failing to help a young girl secure a lung transplant years after the "human servant" prolonged her political life by accepting significant donations in Kansas from an abortion doctor known as Tiller the Baby Killer? Perhaps bloodthirsty Demonrats, capable of labeling political opponents as such but not genuine terrorists, would have a little compassion for innocent human babies if they were furry fetuses. Have these petty "public servants" any shame as their leader jokes about a pastry chef lacing pies with crack cocaine? This is supposed to be a nation of laws; not of self-absorbed men and women seemingly releasing more Gitmo detainees than creating quality jobs. Why wasn't there a single honorable IRS employee step forward casting out demons as a whistle-blower about the keep-your-faith-to-yourself agency's targeting of outstanding organizations such as Billy Graham's "mean-spirited" ministries or auditing conservative donors at 10 times the rate of the average citizen?
Why didn't the lapdog media do its watchdog job and pursue the Benghazi issue providing accountable answers to the many questions accumulated about what precisely occurred in the Celebrity-in-Chief's chamber? The Last Half-rican Standing, stymied by almost 20 years as member of the Church of GD America, failed to rise to occasion and become a genuine leader should have simply get the hell out of the way. Even setting aside "fast-and-furious" race-card reveling DOJ activity, disgusting IRS transgressions, offensive lecturing of Christians at a prayer breakfast and VA Hospital waiting-list death counts, why do the vast majority of the message-massaged media remain so disinterested in pursuing the litany of "jaw-dropping" misstatements and dissembling regarding what was known before and after the Benghazi horror? It wasn't because the misfit media was too busy in Philly prepping for coverage of the chilling capital case carnage in serial killer Dr. Kermit Gosnell's late-term abortion trial or delving into the abuses of an arrogant in-over-his-head AG and party-animal IRS targeting conservative groups plus a network (Fox) more conservative (conspiratorial to loony leftists) than its counterparts. General Motors is alive, but truth from crass White House, Democratic legislators and State Department officials plus an inept press corps is dead. Meanwhile, POTUS (a/k/a "Basketball Bones") is too busy going to the rack at a ceremony with UConn's male and female NCAA hoop champions rather than assembling a coherent response to a full-court press siege in Iraq or take the time to attend Justice Scalia's funeral. After feeding the hungry Huskies his rehearsed lines, a do-our-part plan for the Saul Alinsky devotee in the immediate aftermath included glamour golfing in Palm Springs, where he also went to celebrate Father's Day weekend while his vacation-junkie family ran up another hefty tab separately in Italy.
What difference does it make amid NBC's honey beer-drinking summit Super Bowl interview of Obama Been Lyin' by a network honey? Al Jazeera becomes more objective in its coverage of U.S. politics than incestuous AP (Administration's Press), ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC (More Socialist Nonsense By Commentators) and CNN (Contemptible News Network when moderator Candy Crony became a shameless shill as a virtual member of presidential debate team). It seemed like standard operating procedure when CNN's VP and Washington bureau chief tipped the Clinton campaign off to a favorable poll just before its release via her husband, who served as a deputy secretary of state under Shrillary and whose name was floated for a possible high-level spot in a second Clinton White House. In addition to taxpayers underwriting a welfare-receiving terrorist clan in Boston to the tune of more than $100,000 and paying in excess of $300,000 to merciless Major Nidal Hasan while waiting for trial since the felonious Fort Hood shooting, we finance fastidious NPR (should be NWR for National Welfare Radio), which is such a gigantic joke "All Things Considered" aired no Benghazi features the weekend after compelling Congressional testimony but did allot time to "consider" riveting rhino horns trading. It doesn't seem as if the "All Things" mindset has changed much since a former co-host's husband worked for the presidential campaigns of Obama and ready-to-serve-spit John Kerry (the self-proclaimed Vietnam War hero before heaving his medals and dignity over a fence comparable to Israel's security in a dismal deal with Iran he was still trying to salvage even after being OOO).
Everywhere you turn unless negotiating a bike with all the expertise of shadow ambassador Kerry, there is an immeasurable mess stemming from his presidency similar to the former IRS chief's wife toiling for a leftist campaign finance reform group. Incredibly, Obama lackey Valerie Jarrett's daughter boasted zero experience in journalism but was slated to cover the DOJ for CNN. Also devoid of media credentials, First Daughter Chelsea Clinton was given a political favor on a silver-spoon platter via an annual salary of $600,000 when she joined NBC News as a rock-solid "special correspondent" for Williams' Rock Center (in excess of $25,000 for each minute she displayed her hard-working brilliance on-air to make certain she wasn't dead-broke after leaving the White House and academic pursuits). If Webb Hubbell-lipped Chelsea was worth $600,000 to NBC long before possibly reaching Congress on a silver platter after Mommy Dearest was treated in same fashion en route to Senate seat, the peacock-sure network should have paid Ivanka Trump $6 million. Let's hope spoiled-brat Chelsea's "Get Going" book geared toward kids is 180 degrees removed from Bubba's get-going targeting/stalking of younger crowd. Who in their right mind other than perhaps Clinton leg humper Dear George would pay $75,000 for a nepotism-laced one-percenter Chelsea chat (down to $7,500/minute for her precious "work" while mooching off Clinton Foundation)? How much are speeches from Natasha and Malia worth; especially if they remember any of Rev. Wrong's spellbinding sermons unlike their parents, and admit hiding Oreo snacks and smoking products under beds after enduring organic-garden goodies all day or served as experimental youngsters using same restroom as troubled transgenders in father's apostate administration lowering nation's inspiration to "tear down that stall" from "tear down that wall"?
Presidents of ABC and NBC News had siblings working at the Obama White House with cozy ties to Benghazi, CNN's deputy bureau chief was married to a former aide for (brain)dead-broke Hillary, #DirtyRice was married to an ABC News executive producer and #Shrillary's cocksure campaign manager (Robby Mook) interned for Stephanopoulos. Mook learned so much from Curious George he knows more about how many times chronically-confused Kramer visited Seinfeld's apartment than how often his colleagues and White House personnel met with chaos-causing Creamer. NBC News senior political editor Mark Murray was married to an Obama official, MSNBC's "Spittle-Boy" (Chris Matthews) is married to chair of the Maryland Democratic Party and Meet the Depressed moderator UpChuck Todd's spouse worked on 2006 Senate campaign for Jim Webb (D-VA). Todd, exhibiting his typical behavior of a buffoon when saying he was proud of NBC for its handling of Williams' integrity scandal and moonlighting as DNC therapist, secured his start in politics toiling in 1992 presidential campaign for Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), who wound up nearby for the Howard Dean exorcism and endorsed the Clinton Charade. All "Rhodes" at CBS detour when inquiring about Les Moonves' manhandling maneuvering but do lead to the network's prez being the brother of Mr. Accountability's "mind-melding" speechwriter and escape-artist extraordinaire going to great lengths to avoid divulging potentially-damaging information on a "Jason Bourne" deserter. It was the best place for previous Out House operation using a Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing to "combat" Islamic terrorism.
CBS, with tasteless Moonves doing his titillating tidings with board support from former Bowdoin ME hooper/Clinton Secretary of Defense William Cohen, hired former Obama chief of staff Bill Daley as a contributor while respected investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson maneuvered out of her contract amid the network's depraved indifference. By any measure, Moonves' wife, Julie Chen, is a journalistic joke when compared to Attkisson. Around 30 liberal journalists passed through Obama's revolving door as employees. A prime example of the seamless transition for in-the-tank media was Linda Douglass, who became communications director for the Oval Office's Health Reform Office after serving as ABC's chief congressional correspondent. Such BS shouldn't have been surprising insofar as her lawyer/husband was a big fundraiser for BO. Similarly, Washington Post political reporter Shailagh Murray fit like a glove working under Biden and Obama before wild-eyed communicator Rachel Racusen sandwiched a stint with MSLSD between West Wing flings and daughter of Univision "baby" anchor Jorge Ramos joined Shrillary's campaign. Any legal immigrant knows Whore-hey is the equivalent of Ted Baxter for White America - a joke. Political operative Murray was married to a key employee for Fusion GPS, which was funneled money by the same law firm paid nearly $1 million by Obama's official campaign organization. At CBS, a bozo producer mocked Sen. Rand Paul about "being a doctor" while clueless that he indeed is a physician. Democratic operative/convicted felon Robert Creamer, the husband of Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowky, made 340 visits to Obama's Out House. Elsewhere, you can always count on Tingles Matthews, the tedious tapeworm of TV tales on MessLSD's "Dumbball," to pee on himself non-stop offering alternate-universe commentary for which you should promptly believe just the opposite; especially when #PrissyChrissy spews venom about the mother of a deceased State Department employee.
The Beltway is East Coast version of Hollywood only with ugly people. Amid one of the Clintons' best friends funneling in excess of half-million dollars to spouse of high-ranking FBI official, you can't possibly make up all of this conflict-of-interest journalistic junk unless fond of the chummy White House Correspondents Dinner. The "Let's Move" (in together) extends into the kitchen where WH chef Sam Kass is married to dim-bulb former host-ette Alex Wagner from "Fall Backward" network MSLSD. Did she get talking points along with organic-food leftovers from Michelle's gorgeous garden? Departed Spite House Press Secretary/Carnival Barker Jay Carney's wife is Claire Shipman, a senior national correspondent for ABC. Blatant bias stemming from the bozo version of a "Band of Brothers (and Sisters)" also includes the Washington Post's justice department reporter married to the general counsel of the Department of Human Services, ABC News producer married to National Security Advisor/military micro-manager Susan Rice, CNN's deputy Washington bureau chief married to an ex-deputy secretary of state under Clinton, Huffington Post political editor and ex-Newsweek flack Sam Stein's spouse working for White House and NPR's WH correspondent married to a lawyer in the White House counsel's office. The symbolic evacuation from the White House press room because of smoke must have stemmed from deep-background Carney trying to blow smoke up the media's sorry butt with an off-the-record briefing for selected stenographers. Obstructing justice he was sworn to uphold, the ill-tempered AG was the next nefarious nabob to deploy a farcical off-the-record stench-fest pussyfooting around behind closed doors prior to giving illegal immigrants welfare attorneys. His successor was no better as she conducted ill-advised meeting with Bubba before FBI announced its decision regarding subversive spouse. In addition to potty training of their grandchildren, perhaps they also discussed the Clintons' expertise on underwear - Sick Willie getting tax deduction for his skivvies and #ShrillaryRotten orchestrating evidence involving pre-teen raped by her client.
Were reports any surprise about Clinton BleachBit operatives privately sanitizing potentially-damaging State Department documents to protect "7th floor" personnel? Oh, the Huma-nitwit-he-he! In Hill's wacky world where she looks more into Yoda than yoga, only four people were killed and she didn't know three of them, anyway. After spit hit the fan, State Department lackey Jan sought to silence contractors. But from their graves, the deceased cried out: "In lieu of flowers, please don't elect Hitlery (unless she at least admits we died)." In an effort to help the buffoonish media shine the light of truth on the Benghazi bungling and scrubbed-a-dozen-times talking points, following are basic "who/what/when/why/where" questions for which the long-overdue public deserves answers via Obama's acolytes:
* Long before throwing INTEL community under the bus, who changed the original talking points and concocted "the (fanciful) spontaneous reaction" to a YouTube video explanation for the attack (framed before the final two deaths) and did the same individual help orchestrate a coordinated response at various venues in the days and weeks immediately following said attack?
* What portion of the entire 7 1/2 hours of the attack did POTUS himself spend in the Situation Room with fellow "mom-jean dudes" and was he directly involved with multiple "stand-down" orders while the attacks were in place? Perhaps he was too busy with debate prep, playing Spades again or some Man's Country "game" with body man/ex-Duke hooper Reggie Love rather than spending 13 seconds overseeing mobilization of rescue troops enduring 13 hours of hell. Let's hope Love, charged with driving while impaired in college, didn't take Barry out on the town to a frat party rather than doing his job in Situation Room.
* When precisely did increasingly imperial POTUS and/or his national security staff first become aware that an attack was underway at the Benghazi compound and did Hillary Clinton and Leon Panetta compare notes before Clinton's proclamation emphasizing a video as the culprit?
* Why was the no-drama Obama Administration's response so lax - failing to issue a CBA (Cross Border Authority) - despite an unmanned drone providing real-time live video feed of the scene? Who atop the chain-of-command was so insensitive they let Americans die during a "demonstration" (not an attack) akin to butchering innocent babies?
* Where is evidence of the "Betray Us" administration's responses to repeated pleas to strengthen security for Americans in Libya, not only from the State Department security chief and man on the ground in charge of security, but from the ambassador? Or were progressive normalization goals with Libya more important than traditional sense of duty? Did the "Deleter of the Free World" aspirant encourage Stevens to go to Benghazi or not to set up a diplomatic outpost?
Trying to find someone "on Koch" more revolting amid the myriad of political con artists than former Senate Dimorat "leader" Harry Reid (Nevada), how do you distinguish "Dingy" (who also chimed in with "What Difference Does It Make?" before wowing the nation threatening not to attend a Redskins game) from Dumb from Dumber from Dumbest as the government goofballs and goons reveal they would rather focus their energy on invoking the 5th Amendment by grifters, coddling illegal immigrants, supporting same-sex unions, attending line-dancing conferences at taxpayers' expense, underwriting Sandra Flukey's birth control, sanctioning gays in professional sports and the Boy Scouts, funding transgender operation for military misfit Bradley Manning, monitoring everyone's phone calls including the Pope, bullying insurance companies to keep them quiet, ordering federal workers to spy on each other and giving Miranda rights to terrorists while profiling patriot, pro-life plus Tea Party affiliates? Schmucky Schumer, Dingy's successor, isn't the answer to giving a craving nation one huge "happiness" conference by dismantling the IRS. In a sick version of Obama "care," the media dimwits such as Eleanor Off-the-Cliff seem as careless and clueless in unearthing authentic autopsy results for a virtually defenseless Ambassador Stevens as the administration is in resolutely rendering justice to the incorrigible Islamic perpetrators. They reach out a kumbaya hand to Islamic scum seeking to slice off our hands (if not more). It's foreign to civility, but it spurs one to drag All the ex-President's "Men" (political parasites) through the caught-by-surprise mud similar to the ambassador's body dragged through foreign streets.
Whether or not they are yucking it up about a significant delay in apprehending a terrorist leader or looking under every rock for a Christian extremist group, this is no witch-hunt because the witches in and out of government are already easy to discern. A classic example was shabby State Department spokesperson #MakeMe Barf, wearing glasses to try to appear smart, trashing brave front-line soldiers from her thousands-of-miles-away ivory tower while the haughty hag permanently stained from serving on Obama's debate prep team described torturing towel-heads as "gentlemen", deemed job-training for ISIS (Jobs for Jihadis) as the cure for halting Middle East conflict and doesn't think it's pertinent to know if Hillary's emails contained classified material. While the world went to hell around her, equally dense State Department amateur-hour colleague Gem SockItToMe tweeted about fashion before displaying her utter ignorance being unaware Jews were killed in a terrorist attack on a kosher deli in Paris prior to a timid correction tweet. Can't wait for explanation from intellectual heavyweight rejoining White House communications staff after the State Department reportedly ordered Marines to destroy their weapons upon a humiliating abandonment of the U.S. embassy in Yemen, which was Obama's textbook example of success only months earlier. Regrettably, we pay the salaries of charming charlatans who threw their political weight behind declining to put Boko Haram thugs on the terrorist list before the Islamic militants in Nigeria burned 29 students alive, massacred 59 schoolboys at a boarding school and kidnapped nearly 300 school girls (threatening to sell them into slavery). Incredibly, Fox News deemed dim bulb #MakeMeBarf capable of enlightening its viewers as a regular contributor after her dismal displays during the Obama years.
What happened? Roped-off reporters were so far up Hillary's butt during her cow(ard) roundup they could detail what she consumed doing lunch with double-dipping scrawny surrogate Huma after running down their Scoobie Doo SUV. Has the idolatry-practicing media, with fawning NBC planning a mini-series on Clinton before backing off on the project, contrasted "equal-protection-under-the-law" security measures for Ambassador Stevens compared to her when she went overseas? Did Eleanor Roosevelt give Her Thighness seance insight on baking cookies, covering up a sex and prostitution probe on her watch, lessons on transporting herself on a broom or how mostly unseen movie trailers incite Muslims? Seemingly, it's always the fault of someone else with this contemptible crowd, looking as phony as actress Diane Lane playing the role of Shrillary - which is akin to George Clooney playing the role of Dick Vitale. It takes-a-village idiot such as truth deflector Victoria "F**k the EU!" Nuland to believe her crutch, but perhaps the Democrap ditz potty mouth is simply adding to the vast right-wing conspiracy featuring a seemingly never-ending gateway list from Whitewater to Wipeserver including Filegate, Sandy Burglar "lifting" National Archives classified documents, Buddhist Templegate, Sick Willie's intern cigar, Travelgate, Vince Foster's suicide, Lippogate, Marc Rich's pardon, Lootergate, wagging the dog, Vandalgate, Orgy Island, Servergate, Foundation pay-to-play, etc., etc., etc. Now, gaffe-tastic Hillary "misses the bigger picture" sounding "is-is" similar to hubby: "I did not have decision-making responsibilities for that compound - Benghazi." Meanwhile, Billy Boy stayed above the email and server frays by claiming: "I did not have texts with that woman - who lied about name origin." When Hillary eventually implodes just before or after ObamaCare does the same, lunatic Oven Stuffer Sugar-daddy Soros will have underwritten a leftist Holocaust similar to when the Democratic Party hijacker posed as a Christian teenager watching numerous fellow Hungarian Jews shipped off to death camps.
The "buck" couldn't find any place to stop during Obama's tenure at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, where "time-is-of-the-essence" ex-POTUS chimed in on earthshaking cultural topics involving dumbbell Donald Sterling, Undocumented Democrats-to-be and documentarian Michael Sam but didn't supply his itinerary the evening when Americans were killed in Libya. Neither the self-enamored emperor nor his underwhelming underlings have any clothes or complete candor as the IRS commissioner only remembers one Easter Egg roll among his excessive 157 White House visits. Amid trying to discern State Department protocol during an attack, there was a preposterous assertion from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that "assets couldn't get there (Benghazi) in time." Did patronizing Panetta also commiserate with an omniscient Eleanor regarding upper-brass orders to save Americans? How did he know with such authority the length of "time" the siege would take as they fought for their lives? Maybe he was too busy on other travel-time matters planning his next cross-country commute home to California at tax-payer expense on military jets. Panetta isn't as principled as the press likes to portray him after Monica "I'm No. 44 (or so)" Lewinsky "worked" in the Chief of Staff's office during the government shutdown. Did this leech-filled leadership just cut their losses and "run" (let them die) rather than risk additional casualties before making the rounds, including hard-hitting media moguls Letterman (there he is again) and Barbara Walters, with their video fairy-tale?
What difference does it make? Our nation's ex-Effeminate Embellisher didn't need to be Winston Churchill while putting his bust in mothballs, but we didn't need Ward Churchill off the reservation overseeing our 57 states. Is there a single stooge from his out-of-control whining White House crew who served with honor and distinction as they boasted fewer jobs created than babies aborted? They should have focused more on closing their collective mouths than closing Gitmo and unmasking intelligence reports. If they were candid, they would be promoting their ex-boss as cover boy on the new $10 bill. The second term of a president, resembling life, is like a roll of toilet paper when you're ill. The closer you get to the end, the faster the _ _ _ _ goes resembling his brother-in-law cast adrift as Oregon State's coach. Held hostage by an Ariel Castro-like media as manipulative as Jodi Arias, the general public suffers from gullible glorification syndrome. Whatever political position you're in when the _ _ _ _ hits the fan, you just hope the grandstanding leader of the free world letting the entire Middle East turn into Alqaedaistan exhibits more "Barry" backbone (equivalent of a slinky according to Fox News funnyman Greg Gutfeld) than a best-and-the-brightest Boy King raised by an Indonesian nanny who subsequently joined a group of transvestites called the Dancing Dolls.
Unwilling to be a doll and dance around the topic like CNN's purported plane video of Sinator Oboner on the campaign trail pretending he was a basketball star strutting his stuff at nightclub, a problem ("phony scandal") persisted that the overwhelming majority of slanted reporters chronicling events big and small, including the toy department (sports), write through a liberal prism insulting our common sense and intelligence. A classic example of unethical standards was the love triangle among the elite press (Washington Compost)/government (DOJ and FCC)/sports (soft landing with The Undefeated). Many media minions such as CBS hoops elitist/Puke political science graduate/failed stand-up comedian shamelessly promoting his mom's alternative-medicine cancer elixir and dad's failed friend (#ShrillaryRotten) are as embarrassingly attentive to what is going on in their area of expertise as Supreme Judge Ruth at the state-of-the-union speech. Thus, the toughest question Obama, the executive with excessive excuses and 72% approval among Muslims, faced in a given year from the press "rat pack" probably was an ESPN bracket racket inquiry concerning whether his alma mater (Harvard) was going to advance to the second round in NCAA basketball playoff competition. How often did ESPN saps such as golfing partner Michael Wilbon and chatty host of show for non-workers Jemele Hill indulge themselves with "Audacity of Hype" presidential picks promoting the NCAA tourney while failing to exactly provide "fair share" equal time from the opposing party? At least Around-the-Horn(dog) ESPN, a Ashley Madison underwriter presenting itself as knowing as much about everything as Edward Snowden (including driving social issues down our just-want-to-watch-sports throats), didn't also portray Sir Remake America as a baseball expert following the bleeding-heart leftist's feeble ceremonial first pitch worthy of wearing mom jeans while attending a MLB All-Star Game. Unquestionably, social engineering ESPN, gutting Grantland while trying to launch Undefeated website, seeks to provide fib-lib ideals such as obsession with "Redskins" more of a forum than conservative commentators such as Mike Ditka and Curt Schilling.
Let me be clear: Don't you wish the agenda-driven media would have "encouraged" leave-no-deserter-behind to develop priorities putting as much effort into meeting a budget deadline or getting the FBI to investigate Benghazi sooner than a month later instead of swooning over the Rev. Wrong disciple while providing a bracket, accepting mulligan lessons from Tiger, hosting parties at Club Obama, helping fill out H&R Block tax forms for Al "Not So" Sharpton or releasing illegal immigrant criminals from prison? If not relevant items, couldn't they have at least asked him: "What's the deal with the First Lady taking separate planes at taxpayer expense on your vacation junkets?" or "Why are Gitmo detainees receiving better health care than American veterans?" or "Did global warming cause Godzilla to return?" or "Do you want to be known as Traitor Jack after an incentive-for-kidnapping swap of five gold-star throat-slitting savages for one lily-white deserter?" or "Do you accept the laughable line that the IRS, which demands Charles Citizen keep his financial records for seven years, can't supply pertinent emails over a critical seven-month span for the gang-of-seven?" or "How many lone wolves does it take to make a pack of Islamic terrorists?" or "Are the three branches of the federal government called Me, Myself and I?"
Obama administration transplant Jim Sciutto, CNN's certifiably compromised chief national security correspondent, is a gigantic joke in network's continual Comedy Club. But then most of the honorable and distinctive media elite such as former CNN Misfire moron/shameless shrew Stephanie "Lying is a Virtue" Cutter are in the same fast-tracking cartel with chronic fabricator Tokyo Rice, who said the meandering misfit served with "honor and distinction" after a repulsive victory-lap Rose Garden publicity-stunt production where Allah was praised by Papa Taliban but not a word of gratitude directed toward the numerous shut-up-and-salute authentic soldiers killed and injured striving to rescue Mr. AWOL for Afghans. Would an extremist rules-for-radicals administration gone awry cooperate with a Hollyweird producer for a movie ("Saving Private Bergdahl"), available in Pashto, focusing on an ultimate warrior gone bad probably because of another YouTube video failing to generate four stars from Shrillary's shady State Department? Only the smartest man in the world could interrupt his ideological executive orders and negotiate a deal to save someone ashamed to be an American. Bowe Knows Islam apparently was fading fast with an illness that could only be promptly treated at a VA hospital. If you boast a triple-digit IQ and believe anything from the Worst Wing spin machine including smug Christiane Amanpour and Valerie Jarrett with their Iranian backgrounds plus DNC demons paying millions to Pakistani Anwar brothers as IT experts, then God (not Allah) help us all. Who possesses the most credibility and represents the best of us - selfless soldiers daily putting their lives on the line or self-centered White House/DNC dolts/State Department shills or DOJ version of Bonnie and Clyde (Bruce and Nellie Ohr) or self-important genuinely raggedy reprehensible press?
What difference does it make? Well, when the lame-stream sports media is as incompetent as the general newsroom and editorial department, they foist make-believe heroes upon us such as Lance Armstrong, Ryan Braun, Jose Fernandez, Aaron Hernandez, Ben Johnson, Marion Jones, Muslim convert Colon Crapernick, Johnny Manziel, Slick Rick Pitino, Ray Rice, A-Roid, Josh Shaw, O.J. Simpson, Manti Te'o, Michael Vick, Jameis Winston, Tiger Woods, "The Carolina Way" (Afro-Studies academic fraud) and shady Jackie Robinson West All-Stars. Do you really believe brand-protecting ESPN knew absolutely nothing about stretching the Chicago boundaries of Little League Baseball? A majority of the cesspool press pool cheered Sam Who I Am's social-engineering progressive values amid sizing up his shower habits after jeering Tim Tebow's religious "The Great I Am" standards. In basketball specifically, hoop media sycophants canonize tattooed Louisville coach Pitino not long after his brazen bistro-closing porn-star tryout and Jimmy V is hailed endlessly in history rewrites despite coach Valvano having two different schools - Iona and North Carolina State - vacate NCAA playoff participation. As if enthralled with Pitino getting a title tattoo, catching an enormous marlin, being featured on Maker's Mark bourbon bottles, donning Kanye West adidas shoes and competing in a seniors tournament isn't enough, the inept media's touchy-feely attempts in social engineering included trying to elevate Jason Collins to Jackie Robinson-like status.
At the time, Collins was cited as a "star" by sports know-nothing ABC anchor-ette Diane Sawyer, the wife of a Hollyweird director. Was Collins embellished as celestial because he averaged 1.1 points and 0.9 rebounds per game last season, 1.1 ppg and 1.3 rpg over the last two seasons, 1.2 ppg and 1.4 rpg over the previous three seasons, 1.4 ppg and 1.6 rpg the previous four seasons, 1.3 ppg and 1.5 rpg the previous five NBA seasons or because he fits nicely into smug Sawyer's social world view as Charles Gibson's truth-telling successor before she herself stepped aside in mid-2014? At least sanctimonious Sawyer, sounding almost like Shrillary after putting on Depends adhesive side up, showed her expertise in softball(s) with hot-air inquiries to Syrian dictator Bashar Assad about iPods and video games. Sawyer and #Shrillary must be sharing their meds with Pelosi (#NannyPathetic), Warren (#PrincessLieawatha) and Waters (#MadMaxine).
The misguided media, responding like the NSA in the "least untruthful manner," is so focused on accuracy that majority of folks with limited professionalism offered a one-sided depiction of troubled teen Trayvon Martin as a Skittles-loving (not weed-smoking) model citizen who must have innocently been kicked out of his home and school perhaps because he was fond of hanging around full-fledged liars who can't read cursive (eloquent to MSNBC smear merchants) coupled with his flaws including prejudiced thinking that Hispanics (White-Hispanic to appease race hustlers) could become "creepy-ass crackers." Fueled by hoodie-donning intellectual heavyweights such as the Miami Heat, a reported $1 million-plus wrongful death settlement with a homeowners association was a "justice" byproduct of the demise of the parents' son apparently enthralled with a "Gangsta" culture. It didn't take long for Baltimore bozos to exhibit their political prowess in a similar $6.4 million settlement regarding an individual with nearly two dozen drug-related offenses while incompetent city attorney failed to turn over exculpatory evidence to defense attorneys for their own police officers.
Of course, it's all about just one side of the political spectrum getting along with the other to the Amen progressive "pew" from politically-correct pundits plus gaily being who you are in a permissive society. What a stunner Collins was promptly slated to join the First Lady at a high-fiving Democrapic fundraiser. But this fundraiser was a genuine political spontaneous reaction! Collins, a college classmate of Chelsea Clinton, didn't exactly courageously dwell on the No. 98, which is about the number of months he fraudulently strung his fiancée along (see Cosmopolitan feature on fellow Stanford product Carolyn Moos). The brave Brooklyn Nets should have signed Moos to a contract as the first women's player in the NBA since Collins didn't help inspire his teammates any more than coach Jason Kidd. At least it would have taken some attention away from nut-job Donald Less-Than-Sterling, who should have remembered the old adage: "It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than opening your mouth and removing all doubt!"
What difference does it make? The full-confidence Soviets with Pravda boast a more objective and truthful media slant than the ABC pap provided from Stephanopoulos, who received a masters in (liberal) theology utilized in a bimbo-eruption Clinton War Room before "earning" a seven-year, $105 million contract. By any measure, the puff-piece enemies of illumination failed vetting Obama and his leftist fantasies before he became POTUS other than perhaps focusing on an alleged hoop prowess. But as former NBA Commissioner David Stern, a stereotypical liberal-leaning lawyer, said in jest about Obama's basketball background: "He thinks he's better than he really is." Although probably not intentional, Stern's dispassionate assessment also summarizes Obama's outlandish high-horse presidency running up the national debt as fast as he runs away from using the phrase "Islamic terrorist." At the risk of becoming the next U.S. citizen subject to a drone strike, it should be emphasized, when failing to toe the fictional party line of the high-and-mighty real sideshow, you become a demoted diplomat, face intimidation tactics having your phone records seized or are targeted by going on the abuse-of-power IRS enemies list (a/k/a "horrible customer service"). Obummer, while never mentioning the Clinton Cash racket, is so delusional he theorizes Republicans/conservatives are to blame for Loser Lois' widespread targeting.
Astonishingly, the staging-question IRS was "used" as a springboard by West Wing wackos to drive Obamacare down our throats via the same wily _itch with no integrity but plenty of bonus money despite showing her disdain for conservatives by calling them A-holes as part of her "serving" the public's interest in a non-partisan fashion. While the disgraced I-R-ME$$ official is feeding at the public servant trough (six-figure retirement) after previously harassing the Christian Coalition while with the FEC, someone needs to slow "learn her" by forcing miscreant Ms. 5th to take a remedial ethics class commencing with the Golden Rule while waiting for fallout from being held in contempt of Congress and a convenient catastrophic computer crash. Meanwhile, the nauseous networks yawned and "confidentially" looked the other way when e-mails showed computer-recycler Loser, amid distributing feelers to hook on with a pro-Obama group, sent a database of tax-exempt organizations to the FBI right before the 2010 midterm elections.
Portraying a murderous attack in Benghazi, Libya, as if it occurred in the same war as the Battle of the Bulge, it might be old news to former "stylistic" Left Wing spokesperson/current CNN spin-meister Jay Blarney while the ex-Time magazine Washington chief did his zero-credibility imitation of propagandist Joseph Goebbels with a "hope and change (the topic)" routine before getting out of Dodge (The Truth). Seems as if jaundiced Jay, who implied the IRS apologized for "not" doing something wrong, and his unprincipled ilk such as equally truth-allergic successor Josh "Anything But" Earnest proclaim a memo emphasizing Benghazi has nothing to do with Benghazi and Baghdad Bergdahl served honorably. In regard to sizing up real men, Blarney, Earnest and their misleading minions aren't a pimple on the butt of any of the genuine patriots the Out House slimed as swift-boating someone the soldiers knew firsthand. Previously, a classic example of the blame game and absence of accountability from the meek media was when the feds were more concerned with detaining some obscure producer of an anti-Islamic film making light of the prophet Mohammed. At least the dereliction-of-duty dunderheads such as CIA taxpayer-paid liar Mike More-ill(ness) didn't pull out the workplace-violence or man-made disaster card again during this convenient-truth process.
What difference does it make? Well, the excuse-ridden Obama Administration - either grossly incompetent or purposefully in "crude and disgusting" fraud - dealt with a terrorist assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi by shamelessly standing in front of caskets at an airport hangar (plus the White House press corps, the U.N. and national politically-oriented shows such as Meet the Depressed) offering an orchestrated al-Qaeda on-the-run narrative claiming the nondescript video was responsible for the murder of the American ambassador and three other Americans. Their most despicable act was regurgitating the same outrageous ruse face-to-face to grieving family members while focusing more on securing "second" non-disclosure agreements from survivors. How authentic or outright evil were those narcissistic embraces from Big Balls Biden and fellow fatal finaglers? Any miserable individual who emphasized a movie lie in one-on-one conversations with mourners doesn't possess the dignity worthy of setting foot on White House grounds except solely to use a pooper scooper while donning rubber gloves. Ingrained into their psyche, they consider lying normal behavior while showing true colors shunning nation's largest police union. If the Clinton Crime Syndicate Foundation and co-conspirators would only pay a dollar to U.S. Treasury for every fabrication emanating from them, the deficit could be paid off in short order. "How's Your Faith" journalistic jackal David Gregory is unbiased when his wife, Beth Wilkinson, represented Shrillary's former state department staffers in FBI's probe of Clinton's use of private email? Ditto CNN colleague Jake Tapper, ex-press secretary for a Democratic congresswoman from Pennsylvania.
Incredibly, a Navy SEAL among the deceased violated stand-down orders to help save numerous individuals at the death-trap embassy and then fought the terrorists for 7 1/2 hours while his pleas for backup at a nearby annex were ignored by government officials real-time watching events unfold. Weeks later, the evasive apologist-in-chief and cowardly cronies were still striving to supply a cogent response to their deflect-and-deny sacrificial-lamb inaction all for the sake of propping up progressive policies. Where's a photo of the vaunted Obama Team deliberating at least 7 1/2 minutes, or even 7 1/2 seconds, during the Benghazi attack? Was Mr. Teleprompter even there at all to provide any input possibly "sending in the cavalry" or were his charges more concerned about contacting YouTube about a manufactured vile video? Bracing for a cross-country campaign trip, did malingerer "That's Not What We Do" go to bed while brave Americans were savaged or is it indeed "an irrelevant fact" less important than raising funds in Las Vegas? If not, then be transparent enough to at least conduct a stand-up, man-up press conference detailing what you did do during the "acting stupidly" stand-down. The Sgt. Schultz "I know nothing!" ploy isn't very becoming for an infallible commander-in-chief as it spills over to the FBI and all of the terribly-flawed feet-of-clay mental-midget mercenaries surrounding a conceited community organizer with their evolving web of deceit. Wasn't fist-bumping Obama back on the golf course about 7 1/2 minutes after announcing an American was beheaded?
Infected by pop culture, reality shows, Al Bore's global-warming hoax and thrills going up noxious newscasters legs, the average shallow American dwells on Angelina Jolie's discarded mammary glands, forlorn Amanda Knox's knife collection, Donald's luck dealing with 50-year younger model/archivist and Gitmo hunger strikers but can't spell Benghazi or even know which continent it's located. When not exploiting children as human shields for an assortment of altruistic motives, POTUS didn't mind hiding behind Hildebeast via a film fabrication as her pay-for-play State Department lawyer told witnesses not to speak to House investigators. If elected POTUS after "Debbie Does (Debate) Delay," Hillary's "tough choices" judgment is so grandiose she probably would have appointed a pervert (either Sick Willie or Huma's half-witted husband "Carlos Danger/Randy Mongoose") to be in charge of the White House's intern program and cigar room. Bubba probably would have secured the seeds-to-sow "job" since her success was achieved solely from riding his coattails. When pushing for crackdown on "epidemic" of campus sexual assault, she could have gotten off to good start regarding topic in general by neutering her chasing-tails spouse who VP pick Tim Kaine previously proclaimed should resign because of intern intertwining. Perhaps the womanizing enabler should be reminded about her personal "War on Women" cherishing so-called bimbo eruptions.
If you had a family member in dire straits pleading for help, would you rather summon support from blameless Barack Hussein Obama/Ben Rhodes dynamic duo, Hillary the Hypocrite's hubris, opportunist Omarosa or heroic Tyrone Woods? You don't need a lie-detector to even contemplate thinking about debating who is more Benghazi believable - Woods' father or Hillary Rotten? Hitting closer to home in raw terms, who would you rather have as a "sacrificial" neighbor because of comparable integrity and moral values? Period! The U.S. "isn't a Christian nation" according to our ex-fearless leader, but the answer is clear among God-fearing folks in flyover country who always seem to know a mite more about vital issues than our country's CEO (Creative Explanation Opportunist) until hearing after-the-fact media reports. Shackled by a warped sense of tone-deaf priorities, how hard did ethically-bankrupt Obama and Clinton negotiate a deal with Iran's Revolutionary Guard to release an American Christian pastor detained for years after entering the country on a humanitarian mission?
What difference does it make? Before making a repugnant remark that the Taliban 5 senior leadership isn't a threat to America, hoodwinking @Hillary's principal documented achievement as Secretary of State may have been putting an excessive amount of emphasis on that specific difference-making phrase/question. On the other hand, it could be facial pain every night after all the fake Joker-grin smiling Hill the Hun (husband's description of her) does all day on her Area 51 campaign trail more concerned about aliens from outer space than those strutting across unchecked along our Southern border. Easily recognized as Old Yeller to aging sexists fond of affixing Disney-movie titles as nicknames, her corrosive comments are reminiscent of disgraced Dan Rather at CBS frequently ending with an inane Robert Redford-worthy reference to "courage." Her tenacity, the genesis of which is captured in her senior thesis at Wellesley on Saul Alinsky, consisted of roaming the globe comparable to the ghost of Jacob Marley dragging money trunks behind her on a chain. Rather's blather was a lamentable trait exhibited by CBS when it concealed footage for an extended period from a 60 Minutes interview with Obama where he clearly refused to categorize the Benghazi attack as an act of terror. Of course, curious George is deemed a journalistic giant by ABC and eye candy for opposite-sex viewers after earning his spurs as a political hack for the petulant Clintons disparaging one female after another in the midst of Sick Willie's debauchery and hiding $75,000 in donations to their suspect enterprise. Did Little Georgie, not only vertically challenged but integrity challenged, know interns (especially blue-dress donning female) were not supposed to be in the West Wing without an escort or did the butt boy for the Clinton Crime Family simply look the other way? Perhaps Lyin' Williams was there and can give us the straight libido scoop about "Crooked" Bill relieving job pressure doing the dirty on the presidential seal rather than the self-styled chick magnet focusing on sealing the fate of OBL. Eschewing ethics and honor, are these condescending guttersnipes the best and most honest our country can produce in the newsrooms, Oval Office and State Department as they stretch the truth as much as excuse-ridden Nanny Pathetic does her sparkling-and-dazzling face while latest hacked hag supported get-out-of-jail-free cards to savages and denial of the total truth to family members of savaged Americans?
A colossal collection of contemptible characters and ethical-escapee excrement, telling the truth as often as cicadas return, could fill their own "worst wing" of the aptly-named Clinton Correctional Facility by telling pasty Shrillary she looks stunning in a bikini. Surrounded by army of apoplectic aliens sucking up to her like a Kardashian can, no wonder she is so fond of UFOs. Old vacuum cleaners don't suck as much as Step-child George, fellow Clintonista cretinous creeps such as Paul Begala, Sandy Burglar, Sidney Blumenthal, David "Let-Boys-Be-Boys" Boies, David Brock, "Trailer Trash" Carville, Lanny Davis, Rahm Emanuel, David Gergen, Harold Ickes, David Kendall, Terry Lenzer, Bruce Lindsey, Lockhart, Terry "Lincoln Bedroom Racketeer" McAuliffe, Bernie Nussbaum, Panetta, John "Password" Podesta, Bill "Don't Know Anything About Epstein" Richardson plus Cody Shearer and many media mavens defending the Clinton Foundation erstwhile slush fund. Perhaps it's easier to refrain from dealing with parasite Podesta "making an example of suspected leaker" or investigating his brother (Tony) lobbying for a pro-Russian Ukrainian group. If Snuff-out-the-truth-to-us wasn't a hollow shell of a journalist, Georgie would help orchestrate an illuminating expose on allocation of charitable donations comparing the Clinton ruse of 10% to 15% directly aiding charity work to organizations such as Feeding America (98%), Feed the Children (92%), Red Cross (91%), World Vision (85%) and Salvation Army (82%). But at least the anemic charity-aid percentage is higher than Obama's resettlement percentage of Christians among Syrian refugees. At any rate, shouldn't the Clinton Global Initiative already have ample resources stemming from hefty speaking-engagement fees and program for safe-drinking water in third-world locales such as Haiti and Flint? Need any more rehab input, Gorgeous, to help with your self-inflicted stronger-together credibility crisis leaving you "All Too (Partisan) Human"? His definition of humanity was exhibited while dining at Epstein's Manhattan deviant town-home about a year after the accused sex trafficker finished his first stint in jail for pleading guilty to soliciting an underage prostitute.
Gorgeous never had credibility, anyway, after his handling of Sick Willie's draft induction notice and wispy War Room wizardry. Whether or not Williams was there, perhaps Step-child thought Mitchell was going to get to the entire truth for once in her biased career. Odds are Little George was in the vicinity in moonlighting role as a Jiminy Cricket conscience when his boss turned the White House into personal Out House brothel. Does this truth-telling "titan" have firsthand knowledge regarding how Monica became the "Blue Pass Princess" as a paid staffer or will he elaborate on bigotry stemming from racial elements involving Little Rock hooker Bobbie Ann Williams and William Clay alias? Rather than accepting Rhodes' fiction verbatim, should Step-on-the-truth-to-us give an authentic author - thriller novelist Brad Thor - insider information and a forum to create a solution to the Clinton corruption? In the meantime, journalistic giant Georgey and majority of lame-stream media don't believe a Secret Service agent is worthy of interview about his book to discern whether Shrillary cursed SS agents and hurled a Bible at one of them. So wooden she makes Walter Mondale and Al Bore appear charismatic, at least she isn't a Bible-clinger of whom Obama is so derisive.
Offsetting Hillary For Prisoner 2016, the clever dwarf perhaps can help her concoct a new campaign slogan: "Hurry up and elect me so I can pardon myself before I'm incarcerated." Meanwhile, she sounded like a Maxine Smart(ass) with half-baked server apology: "Sorry about that, fief!" But at least right-thinking Americans are "Get(ting) Smart" by tuning out the Clintons' aging act/stale show. They have emerged as Exhibit A for fecal formula forging what a liberal education and law degree can do for an individual - provide license to be dishonest, insincere and unaccountable. All right, in Albright lingo there is a special place in hell for anyone who supports the Clinton corruption. Anything they say is reminiscent of floating a bad check. Albright probably thinks Shrillary's following comments are supportive of Bubba's victims: "Who is going to find out? These women are trash. Nobody's going to believe them." Just like believing her spiel about equal pay for women except on her staff. Bottles of Trump wine should be put on distinguishing characteristic ice all across the country waiting to celebrate an indictment of can't-be-civil HRC (Hillary Really Corrupt). Last unqualified human out of Over-the-Hill(ary) campaign HQ needed to turn off the lights and customized server. Eventually, there will be no vetting by God for HildaBeast and her craven Clinton cronies; simply a chute straight to see Satan. Until then, every time we look at demeanor of her pretty-in-red marchers, the climate for our day negatively changes. The deranged include "nasty" Ashley Judd, the opportunistic hoops fan so far removed from reality she likely though UK lost to North Carolina in the NCAA playoffs because Russia did it with contact from key Trump associates by hacking the scoreboard.
The biggest loser over the last couple of election cycles is the mangy "never-seen-you-lose" media serving as little more than the Praetorian Guard for liberal lunacy praising Planned Murderhood and its accompanying neck-snipping murders of innocent babies while smearing whistle-blowers crestfallen over the "abandoned" murders of innocent colleagues. No matter their gender, one half expected the #MessMedia to throw their underpants up to podium when sacred Big O spoke/performed in front of them. Meanwhile, has an enterprising sports reporter ever evaluated how many abortions have been sanctioned by college basketball coaches so female players could remain on the court and male players wouldn't be hampered by becoming deadbeat dads (see Duke All-American J.J. Redick's abortion contract with a model)? No, the media can't be too concerned about the cavalier blood-thirsty hobby to lobby for ditching unwanted little ones when a men's championship coach has an extortion trial, end-of-the-pack Kentucky Derby horse, limited-edition bourbon bottle, meaningful marlin, favorite son, Lexus dealership and testimonial tattoo to cover. And by the way, will computer whiz Dickie V charge a premium for his next speech on hacking after he was sacked from covering Duke/North Carolina?
Americans deserve an honest government covered by a media doing more than just being PRESStitutes for POTUS or extension of a university's public-relations department. Although his publication seemed to always go out of its way to support the Obama Administration, it's a mite unnerving how former Princeton hoopster Richard Stengel seemed to make a smooth transition from managing editor of TIME magazine to under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs at the State Department. Stengel subsequently supported a one-sided deal with Iran where the U.S. doesn't exercise leverage and multiple journalists were jailed. As shamelessly one-sided as conservatives have asserted for years, excessive media malpractice finally discarded the pretense of objectivity. Once and for all after spouse for NPR's White House correspondent joined counsel's office for her beat, they have been unmasked as aggressive advocates; not adversarial journalists. According to a Gallup poll, fewer than 1/4 of American adults have "a great deal" of confidence in newspapers and television news as meaningless red lines behind widespread yellow streaks. In a classic case of bias, Brazilla-based CNN had countless instances of fabrications to investigate (Liar! Liar! Pantsuit on Fire!) but spent an inordinate amount of effort trying to find a modest misstatement or two in stories from Dr. Ben Carson's childhood practicing their craft prior to parsing every word from The Donald to fit their next distortion narrative.
Running in parallel with a decrease in quality of play on the court is a reduction in competence of the pom-pom press covering them. How many sports news outlets based in the states of North Carolina and Kentucky regularly follow Duke and Louisville basketball in the ACC? How could the "Worst Little Whorehouse in KY" go on for years unnoticed? But a student newspaper and aging hooker needed to exhibit sufficient spine to do down-and-dirty jobs. Why didn't a single enterprising reporter from the professional local press and national media rise to the occasion; especially in Carolina on the heels of UNC's scholastic shenanigans? A worthwhile story stared them right smack in their mugs (faces and beers) regarding why Rasheed Sulaimon became the first in-season dismissed player during Mike Krzyzewski's long Durham Dynasty tenure. Methinks the see-no-(d)evil/hear-no-(d)evil/speak-no-(d)evil journalistic jewels were an Olympian distance up King K's 1,000-win can en route to trying to secure access to the Rio luxury ship living quarters. When the legal laryngitis fades away, will ESPN conduct a spectacle with Shane Battier, Jay Bilas and Jay Williams interviewing K about a potential colossal cover-up while other former Blue Devil standouts and chronic coaching apologist Duke Vitale serve as a support backdrop? In an effort to help separate fact from fiction, inquire whether athletic department personnel aware of sexual assault allegations reported the cases to the Office of Student Conduct per their Title-IX obligation.
It's the server, stupid! Blind chimps chucking darts connect more often with accuracy than the weekday evening/Sunday morning intellectually-superior ruling class/political pundits/strategists (a/k/a snake oil salespeople). J-School graduates are bad enough but many of TV's haughty hosts are beyond repair since they weren't so much as groomed as undergraduates to learn their craft as authentic journalists. Law school, history/international studies, philosophy and political science/economics majors dominate among Stephanopoulos and other haplessly jaded journalistic "jewels" including David Axelrod, Ashleigh Banfield, Wolf Blitzer, Erin Burnett, Eleanor Clift, Anderson Cooper, Chris Cuomo, S.E. Cupp, Seth Davis, Ronan Farrow, David Gregory, Poppy Harlow, Chris Hayes, Margaret Hoover, Kasie Hunt, Abby Huntsman, Hallie Jackson, Megyn Kelly, Martha MacCallum, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Meghan McCain, Andrea Mitchell, Joe Scarborough, Kate Snow, Jake Tapper, Chuck Todd, Katy Tur, Gillian Turner, Greta Van Susteren, Meredith Vieira, Alex Wagner and Judy Woodruff. Scarborough seems to have been the banjo boy in movie Deliverance before infected by #MikaVirus to form BSLSD's version of Beavis and Butthead. The only time #TheDonald should take #MourningJoe's advice is if POTUS also wants to be the next Joe Crock(ofcrapper) musician, if medication is helpful in combating morbid #MikaVirus or if a mortician is needed because a young female staffer dies of head injury in the White House.
In the aftermath of Brian's lyin' and CNN Senior Media Correspondent Brian Stelter, great-and-glorious Geraldo, PolitiFact refusing to rate Williams' Iraq fable plus USATODAY hacks going out of their way to try to defend a fellow fib-lib, the good news is that the influence-peddling gig for the reprehensible broadcast networks, major daily newspapers and newsweeklies is nearly expired because the less-than-honest brokers are gutless wonders shackled by a business model in free-fall. Just ask tarnished leftist know-it-all Tina "Bitter Brit" Brown after losing $100 million in editorial endeavors and commentary totally devoid of neutrality highlighted by her failure to "Talk" about handouts and hand whatever involving humiliating head honcho #HollyweirdHarveySwinestein. Ditto equally ignorant and aggrieved Joan Walsh running Salon.com into the ground to where consortium of cultural crap can't pay its rent. Whether it's NewsWeak, New York Magazine, Pro Football Weekly, Spin, The Sporting News, Talk magazine, 30 AOL brands after The Huffington Post "gold-digger" merger or debt-ridden dailies offering employee buyouts all across the country, good riddance to the fourth-rate estate (NY/LA/St. Petersburg Slimes, Washington Compost, NY/Philly Daily Liberal Views, Milwaukee/Orlando Libs Slantinel, Atlanta Journal-Constipation, St. Louis Post-Disgrace, USELESS Today, etc.) and don't let death's door hit you in your contemptible can on the way out! To put it bluntly after a neurotic NY Slimes feature writer flagged FLOTUS Melania as floozy (filthily in manly manner behind closed doors of course), may you and your deplorable-descriptive adjectives such as "White-Hispanic" rot among feces at the bottom of a bird or animal cage! Our nation should have a new "Yellow Shower" holiday relieving ourselves on #MessMedia's variety of perverted products such as TIME, where leftists Halperin and Stengel previously were editors similar to nimrods chasing down sizzling story about Trump aide Stephen Miller eating glue as a third-grader.
Huffin'-and-Puffin'-a-ton, paying its contributors in the neighborhood of 15 cents an hour, knows as much about the difference between entertainment and politics as Airhead-ianna physically contributed to keep her husband from crossing over to what he perceived a more stimulating gender. How sick is Franken(stein) by groping Airhead-ianna? When the putrid press as we know it, totally wrong so incredibly long, is put out to pasture (including many suspect sports sandboxes and eventually the worthless White House press corps), what difference does it make as the disgraced relinquish the fight akin to quitter Roberto Duran (No Mas! No Mas!)? Actually, comedian Ron White has blossomed over the years into the smartest man in the world; especially with his "you-can't-fix-stupid" routine accurately depicting the vast majority of entitled mess media and political pundit personalities summed up by Williams, Stephanopoulos and Walsh as she took her pap from one piece of crap (MSNBC) to another (CNN). Lame-stream media wunderkind Ali Watkins became the latest poster child portraying how the press' journalistic standards include getting down on its hands, knees and back (with someone more than twice her age) to get the headline story.
In the meantime while seeking a free-speech safe place on the fringe, we'll simply conduct a "Countdown Circumcision" for when washed-up caustic commentator Keith "Worst Person in the World" Olbermann inevitably returns to or departs from BSPN or Mess-LSD again as lunatic lie-beral keeps coming back to his flunky followers like herpes infection. After a huge hammer removed the empty pants suit blocking the draining of the swamp, we need to discern where to donate funds for celebrities promising to leave country after they were trumped in election. Unless the Russians made them do it, ditto for media misfits such as Tur-rible with Caitlyn Jenner-like parent infected by "flexibility fatigue" rubbing shoulders and whatever else against twice-her-age unprincipled Olbermann. If #MessMedia such as filthy floozie Katie Nolan don't shape up, they need body slammed to activate their brains (> 90% of political donations to #Dimorats) and hearts (avid supporters of abortion). In the meantime, #TheDonald and remainder of us will need to endure ene-media COVFEFE (Constant Outlandish Vitriol From Egregious Fake-news Excrement) more outraged by Trump's tweets than Rocket Man's plans and FBI's faulty front office.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 16 MLB Games
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.
Several college hoopers from small colleges in Pennsylvania - Glenn Beckert (Allegheny) Tom Dettore (Juniata), Lynn Jones (Thiel) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) - supplied significant performances in MLB games on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 16
Minnesota Twins LF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 under coach Butch van Breda Kolff) belted a homer against the Boston Red Sox for the third day in a row in 1970.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) contributed four hits against the San Francisco Giants in a 1972 game.
Chicago Cubs RHP Tom Dettore (averaged team-high 14.1 ppg plus 9 rpg in 1965-66 for Juniata PA) earned his first MLB victory with 6 1/3 innings of shutout relief against the San Diego Padres in 1974.
Chicago White Sox 1B Kerby Farrell (key hooper for couple of strong Freed-Hardeman TN squads in mid-1930s) collected three hits for the second consecutive contest in 1945.
Cincinnati Reds 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) launched two homers against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the nightcap of a 1961 doubleheader.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) clobbered two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1947 game.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) registered his seventh consecutive contest with multiple hits.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) amassed two homers and six RBI against the New York Giants in a 1950 game.
Kansas City Royals CF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) stroked four hits against the Toronto Blue Jays in a 1985 contest.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) improved his record to 19-5 with a 3-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals but will miss the remainder of the 1964 season because of an elbow injury incurred while sliding back into second base earlier in the month.
In 1911, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) defeated the Cincinnati Reds for the 22nd straight time.
Chicago White Sox RF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) had his career-high 14-game hitting streak snapped by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1996.
Detroit Tigers LF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice while averaging 5.6 ppg and 3.1 apg from 1986-87 through 1989-90) hit safely in first 10 games of the month, a career high, before he was blanked by the Cleveland Indians in 1996.
RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) twirled four-hit shutouts in his first two starts for the Houston Astros in 1965.
New York Yankees rookie LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Washington Senators in 1939, igniting a streak of seven straight complete-game victories as a starter.
Philadelphia Phillies RF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 7-for-10 and scored five runs in a 1925 twinbill sweep of the Brooklyn Robins.
Toronto Blue Jays RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) knocked in five runs against the Cleveland Indians in the nightcap of a 1992 doubleheader.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 15 MLB Games
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 Santa Clara hoopers Bruce Bochte and Randy Winn each registered three extra-base hits at the MLB level on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 15
California Angels 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) socked two homers against the Minnesota Twins in a 1966 game.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) provided four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1935 contest.
California Angels 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1970 averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) contributed three extra-base hits in an 8-0 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1975.
2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg in 1950-51 for Spring Hill AL) knocked in all of the Detroit Tigers' runs in a 12-5 setback against the Kansas City Athletics in 1958.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) secured seven safeties in a 1948 doubleheader sweep of the Chicago White Sox.
Milwaukee Braves RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as a Washington State sophomore) won his ninth consecutive contest in 1954 (2-1 against Chicago Cubs). Seven years later, Conley was with the Boston Red Sox in 1961 when he tossed a shutout and cracked a homer in an 8-0 shelling of the Cleveland Indians.
1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first hooper to average 20 points for season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) was hospitalized after beaning in 1950 but the Boston Red Sox began a streak of winning 27 of their next 30 games.
San Francisco Giants 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1976 game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
In the midst of 11 consecutive scoreless appearances, New York Yankees LHP Steve Hamilton (All-OVC selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) notched a win against the Kansas City Athletics with four innings of one-hit relief in the nightcap of a 1965 doubleheader.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) logged four hits and four RBI against the Minnesota Twins in a 2001 contest.
Boston Red Sox 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard hoops captain in 1938-39 accumulated four hits against the St. Louis Browns for the third time in 1943.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) blanked opponents going into extra innings but wound up losing each contest - against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1910 and Boston Braves in 1914.
RF Greasy Neale (West Virginia Wesleyan College hooper graduated in 1915) pilfered second, third and home in the ninth inning to help the Cincinnati Reds upend the New York Giants, 4-0, in the nightcap of a 1919 twinbill.
Homering in his third and fourth consecutive contests, RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) socked three homers, two doubles and a single but the Chicago Cubs dropped both ends of a 1942 doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Houston Astros 2B Rob Sperring (averaged 8.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Pacific from 1968-69 through 1970-71) supplied a career-high four hits in a 15-3 rout of the Atlanta Braves in 1977.
New York Giants C Wes Westrum (hooper for Bemidji State MN one season before serving in military during WWII) provided the difference with an eighth-inning, two-run homer in a 3-1 decision over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) knocked in five runs against the Chicago Cubs in a 1966 contest.
Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) banged out four hits in second consecutive contest against the New York Yankees in 1959.
San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) hit for the cycle against the Cincinnati Reds in a 2005 game. Three years later as RF, Winn went 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits against the Atlanta Braves in a 2008 outing.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on August 14 MLB Games
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 Creighton hoopers Bob Gibson and Dennis Rasmussen registered personal pitching performance milestones during their MLB careers on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 14
Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) chipped in with two homers and five RBI while tossing a four-hitter in a 16-1 drubbing of the St. Louis Browns in 1937.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) suffered a broken right ankle in a collision at second base in 1945. The next year, Boudreau supplied four hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1946 game.
RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) won his first and only decision with the New York Yankees (3-1 over Boston Red Sox in 1954).
Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC competition in 1991-92) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1999.
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) went 5-for-5 with four extra-base hits in a 1964 doubleheader split against the Chicago Cubs.
Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) contributed three extra-base hits (double, triple and homer) against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a 1938 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) hurled a no-hitter at Pittsburgh in 1971.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 4-for-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1993 contest.
Texas Rangers 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) supplied a leadoff homer for the second straight game in 1977.
Philadelphia Phillies 3B Chuck Harmon (second-leading scorer for Toledo in 1946-47 and 1947-48) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1957 outing.
RHP Dave Madison (hoops letterman for LSU from 1939-40 through 1942-43) traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Detroit Tigers in an eight-player swap in 1952.
San Diego Padres LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg from 1977-78 through 1979-80) defeated the Houston Astros, 4-1, ending a personal losing streak of nine straight starts in 1991.
In 1991, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) reached the 30-save plateau for the sixth time en route to leading the N.L. with 47.
New York Mets RHP Darrell Sutherland (averaged 8.1 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Stanford from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Howie Dallmar) tripled and hurled four innings of hitless relief in posting his first MLB victory (1-0 in 10 frames against Houston Astros in 1965).
Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) resigned as Cincinnati Reds manager in 1958.
Detroit Tigers rookie SS Coot Veal (averaged team-high 10.9 ppg as Auburn sophomore in 1951-52 before transferring to Mercer) contributed three safeties against the Cleveland Indians, triggering a 13-game hitting streak in 1958.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) hit for the cycle in the opener of a 1960 doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 1991, California Angels RF-DH Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) slugged the 400th homer of his career.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays rookie CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) stroked two triples in a 1998 contest against the Kansas City Royals.
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