College Hoopedia

Back in the Day: Ex-College Hoopers Bowling as Football Head Coaches

September 5th, 2020 - 9:37

Former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, after returning to The Ville as the Cardinals' football coach and overseeing the program's entrance into the ACC and Top 20 rankings prior to dismissal a couple of seasons ago, 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 U of L basketball coach Chris Mack didn't pan out for some reason, Petrino boasted a background making him capable of filling in for Mack reminiscent of two-sport college coaches in the middle of the 20th Century who wouldn't have been fazed by a virus. 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, now at Missouri State, isn't the first ex-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 abridged gridiron campaign commences, but he is with regular "bowler" David Shaw of Stanford among 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 Georgia Tech. Three-time second-five selection on SEC All-Tournament team. Second-leading scorer for the Yellow Jackets 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 ppg 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 Conference 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 the Wolverines' first NCAA Tournament victory, a 66-49 decision over Columbia in 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 featuring 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 ppg) and led 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. . . . Paterno 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 86-34 record while guiding school to a bowl game each year in his first eight seasons from 2011 through 2018 before posting losing mark in 2019. 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 in only game 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 NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle September 4 Football

September 4th, 2020 - 10:35

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 on September 4 in football at the professional level:

SEPTEMBER 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 season opener.
Minnesota Vikings DE James Harris (Temple hooper in 1988-89 under coach John Chaney) scored a touchdown on 17-yard fumble recovery return in 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 season opener.
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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make News in September 4 MLB Games

September 4th, 2020 - 10:24

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

Several former hoopers from Big Apple universities - Joe Gallagher (Manhattan), Hank Greenberg (NYU), Andy Karl (Manhattan) and Marius Russo (LIU) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 4 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 4

Los Angeles Angels 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) cracked two homers against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1964 game.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup hooper and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) fired a three-hit shutout against the New York Mets in nightcap of 1978 twinbill.
Philadelphia Athletics LF Lyle Bigbee (hoops letterman with his brother for Oregon in 1915) smacked his lone MLB homer.
Boston Red Sox C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1929 and 1930) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Athletics in the opener of a 1938 doubleheader.
The Boston Braves started a streak of nine consecutive doubleheaders in 1928 by losing the opener, 3-2, to Brooklyn on a 10th-inning homer by 2B Jake Flowers (hooper for Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" squad in 1923).
St. Louis Browns rookie LF Joe Gallagher (Manhattan varsity hooper in 1934-35) went 5-for-7 in a 1939 twinbill against the Detroit Tigers.
Detroit Tigers rookie 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected five RBI against the Chicago White Sox in a 1933 contest.
Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Paul Gregory (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1929-30) didn't allow an earned run in a complete-game, 5-1 win against the St. Louis Browns in nightcap of 1932 doubleheader.
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 Philadelphia Phillies in a 1996 game.
Cleveland Indians rookie LF Jerad Head (Washburn KS leader in assists and three-field field-goal shooting in 2004-05 for MIAA regular-season co-champion) had his lone MLB extra-base hit and RBI with a run-scoring double against the Kansas City Royals in a 2011 contest.
RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) and New York Giants teammate Sal Maglie each hurled a shutout in 1950 twinbill against the Philadelphia Phillies.
RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman in mid-1930s) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Chicago Cubs in 1943. Karl refused to report to his new team the following spring.
C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49), appearing in 121 of the Chicago Cubs' first 133 games in 1957, was on course to break MLB record for most contests caught by a rookie before fracturing little finger of his right hand.
1B Jack Phillips (leading scorer for 14-1 Clarkson NY in 1942-43) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Chicago White Sox in 1954.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie C Dave Ricketts (three-year starter led Duquesne in scoring senior season with 17.9 ppg in 1956-57) ripped his lone MLB homer (against Pittsburgh Pirates in opener of 1967 doubleheader).
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 his second shutout in less than three weeks in 1939.
Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) twirled the second of back-to-back shutouts in 1975.
Philadelphia Athletics 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) banged out three hits in both ends of a 1937 twinbill against the Boston Red Sox.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Frank Wurm (acknowledged as best hooper for Middlebury VT in 1945-46) walked five batters in 1/3 of an inning in his lone MLB appearance and start (against Boston Braves in nightcap of 1944 doubleheader).

Smashing Success: Ex-College Hoopers Making Transition to Tennis Court

September 3rd, 2020 - 21:10

A theory in some quarters believes basketball players are the most versatile team-sport athletes in the world. Tennis is also a sport demanding an abundance of speed, strength, stamina, coordination, quickness, jumping ability, timing, guile and creativity. When losing, let's hope they exhibited a mite more touch of court-ship than Her Smugness Serena. As the U.S. Open gets serious in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., it's time to evaluate the following alphabetical list of tennis standouts who also displayed their athletic prowess in college basketball:

NED CASWELL, Furman
Southern Conference tennis MVP in 1987 when he was an NCAA Championships quarterfinalist. He was a Top 225 Player in the World in 1989. Coached Anderson College's NJCAA national title in 1992. . . . Assists leader on the Paladins' 1984-85 basketball squad with 3.4 apg.

TECUMSEH "TEE" HOOPER, The Citadel
Won five Southern Conference tennis crowns (two singles, three doubles). . . . All-Southern Conference second-team selection as a senior forward in 1968-69 when he averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.7 rpg.

JOHN LUCAS JR., Maryland
Twice won ACC #1 singles championship (1974 and 1976). "When I finished college, I didn't know if I could make more money playing tennis or basketball," Lucas told SI. Played World Team Tennis with the Golden Gaters and New Orleans Nets in 1977 and 1978. . . . NCAA consensus first-team hoops All-American as a junior and senior averaged 18.3 ppg and 4.7 apg from 1972-73 through 1975-76. First pick overall in 1976 NBA draft.

CLIF MAYNE, California
Won the NCAA doubles title in 1952 before finishing national runner-up in doubles in 1953. . . . Mayne collected 16 points and 15 rebounds in 25 games in 1953-54 and 1954-55 under coaches Nibs Price and Pete Newell.

JOHN POWLESS, Murray State
He has been ranked No. 1 in the world in singles and doubles for senior men 55 and older, and served six seasons as captain and coach of the U.S. Junior Davis Cup team. Undefeated in three years of varsity tennis competition and won three Ohio Valley Conference singles and doubles titles. . . . The 6-5, 195-pound forward averaged 6.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg in 81 varsity games in four seasons from 1953-54 through 1956-57. Powless was Wisconsin's head basketball coach for eight seasons from 1968-69 through 1975-76.

DICK RAZZETTI, Georgetown
Competed in the U.S. Open in 1959 and was ranked nationally by the U.S. Tennis Association. Compiled a 17-1 record over his three-year college tennis career. . . . Averaged 1.2 ppg in 11 basketball games for the Hoyas in 1957-58 and 1958-59.

JOHN and RUPE RICKSEN, California
Twins were NCAA quarterfinalists in singles - Rupe in 1951 and John in 1953. As a doubles teandem, they reached the NCAA semifinals in 1951 and the quarters in 1952 and 1953. . . . John (8.8) and Rupe (5.6) combined for 14.4 ppg from 1950-51 through 1952-53. John was a first-team all-conference selection as a senior.

MARTY RIESSEN, Northwestern
Nine times ranked among the top 10 men's singles tennis players in the U.S. Member of five U.S. Davis Cup teams (1963, 1965, 1967, 1973, 1981). . . . A 6-1, 170-pound guard, he averaged 6.5 ppg for Northwestern from 1961-62 through 1963-64. Sketch in school guide: "Reputation as a rugged, poised performer. Cool head makes him a logical floor leader."

OLIVER "BO" RODDEY, Davidson
The Charlotte pediatrician is possibly the greatest tennis player in Davidson history. He played No. 1 four years, and in 1950 as a senior was the Southern Conference singles and doubles champion. His doubles teammate was Whit Cobb, a four-year starter in basketball. In 1975, Roddey became one of the original members of the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame. The first native North Carolinian to be chosen for the Junior Davis Cup team dominated tennis in the state from 1946 until 1952 and was ranked No. 1 in the South. . . . Roddey scored 73 points from 1947-48 through 1949-50.

VIC SEIXAS, North Carolina
Member of Tennis Hall of Fame was Wimbledon champion in 1953. Ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in 1951, 1954 and 1957. Member of U.S. Davis Cup team from 1951 through 1957 shared French and Australian doubles titles with Tony Trabert in 1953. . . . Scored six points in one basketball game for the Tar Heels in 1946-47.

S.L. SHOFNER, Central Oklahoma
Capped his college tennis career with a 22-2 senior season in 1954 that included the NAIA national singles championship. . . . Member of three OIC titlists averaged 16.8 ppg as a sophomore and 20.2 ppg as a senior.

TONY TRABERT, Cincinnati
Member of International Tennis Hall of Fame won NCAA singles title in 1951 before winning singles titles in French (1954 and 1955), United States (1955) and Wimbledon (1955) tournaments. Ranked the No. 1 men's player in the world by the London Daily Telegraph in 1953 and 1955. . . . Played two seasons of varsity basketball for the Bearcats in a college career interrupted by military service. Averaged 6.9 points in 22 games in 1950-51 and scored 11 points in four games in 1953-54. Starting guard as a 6-0 sophomore for the '51 team that played in the NIT and had an 18-4 record. Sketch in school guide: "Great surprise in early basketball drills. His improvement has been rapid and he should be a great help to the club."

MARTY WOLF, Xavier
Held school tennis record for most victories with 100 for decades. . . . Averaged 4.4 ppg and 1.8 rpg for the Muskeeters from 1975-76 through 1977-78.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle September 3 Football

September 3rd, 2020 - 8:51

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 making a name for themselves in September 3 football games at the professional level:

SEPTEMBER 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 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 season opener.
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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make News in September 3 MLB Games

September 3rd, 2020 - 8:44

Tony Clark and Kenny Lofton, a pair of former hoopers who played for recently-deceased 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.
Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average at least 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) homered twice in an 11-8 triumph against the Cleveland Indians in 1952.
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 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 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 NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle September 2 Football

September 2nd, 2020 - 10:23

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 research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves in football on September 2 at the professional level (especially in 1979):

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 season opener.
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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make News in September 2 MLB Games

September 2nd, 2020 - 10:17

Multiple Show-Me State colleges - Central Missouri, Drury, Mizzou, Missouri State and Washington University - had former hoopers "show" significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto three ex-community college hoopers from California (Irv Noren, Bob Oliver and Larry Wolfe). 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 nightcap of a 1942 twinbill.
In midst of closing out 1961 campaign with 10 consecutive scoreless relief appearances, Cincinnati Reds LHP Bill Henry (hoops letterman for Houston's 1947 NAIA Tournament team featuring co-captain Guy Lewis) posted his 16th save (tied Jim Brosnan for team high in category).
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.
California Angels 1B Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) accounted for the game's only tallies with a first-inning, two-run homer off Jim Palmer against the Baltimore Orioles in 1972.
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.
A two-hit shutout by Chicago White Sox RHP Johnny Rigney (top hoops center for St. Thomas MN in mid-1930s) against the Detroit Tigers was one of 11 consecutive triumphs for him in 1939. The next year, he also tossed a two-hit whitewash against the Tigers in 1940.
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 Red Sox 3B Larry Wolfe (juco letterman in 1971-72 and 1972-73 for Sacramento City College CA scored career-high 33 points against Santa Rosa on 12-17-71) whacked a pinch-hit homer in 1980 game against the California Angels.
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 Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make News in September 1 MLB Games

September 1st, 2020 - 9:48

Former Guilford NC hoopers Rick Ferrell and Tom Zachary supplied significant American League performances on this date. Ex-LSU hoopers Joe Adcock and Alvin Dark did likewise in National League contests. 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.
Chicago White Sox CF Ken Berry (freshman hooper for Wichita in 1959-60) went 4-for-4 in a 1966 game against the Detroit Tigers.
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 competition 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 Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana 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 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.
OF-1B John Poff (member of Duke's freshman basketball squad in 1970-71) awarded off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1980.
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 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 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 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.

Happy Birthday! September Celebration Dates for A-As and HOF Coaches

September 1st, 2020 - 7:40

Recently-deceased John Thompson Jr. is among three Providence All-Americans born the first four days of September. The day celebrating the most birthdays this month for former All-Americans is September 7 with 10. Gonzaga (16th) and North Carolina (23rd and 25th) each had two All-Americans born on the same day this month. Kansas (seven) and Carolina (six) boast the most A-As born this month. Following are birthdates in September for All-American players and Hall of Fame coaches:

SEPTEMBER

Birthdays in April for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in May for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in June for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in July for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in August for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make News on August 31 MLB Games

August 31st, 2020 - 9:38

Ed Morgan (Tulane), Lyle Mouton (Louisiana State) and Lee Smith (Northwestern State) - former major-college hoopers from Pelican State 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 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 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.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (first Creighton hooper to average more than 20 ppg in career with 20.2 from 1954-55 through 1956-57) belted his second homer of the month in 1965.
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 the midst of a career-high 12-game hitting streak, Chicago White Sox rookie 2B Ray Morehart (Austin College TX hoops letterman in early 1920s) went 9-for-10 with eight RBI in a 1926 doubleheader split against the Detroit Tigers.
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.
INF-OF Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) traded by the Montreal Expos with cash to the San Diego Padres in 1980.
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 Make News on August 30 MLB Games

August 30th, 2020 - 9:56

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 opener of 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 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 opener of 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.
Pittsburgh Pirates RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) hit for the cycle in 1921 game against the Brooklyn Robins.
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.
Detroit Tigers 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) drew four walks in a game for second time this month en route to A.L.-leading 135 bases on balls in 1959.

No-No News: Giolito Still Has Long Way to Match Ex-College Hooper Koufax

August 30th, 2020 - 9:50

In the aftermath of Lucas Giolito's no-hitter for the Chicago White Sox, it's time to take a look at former college hoopers who went on to hurl a no-no at the major-league level. Brooklyn native Sandy Koufax attended Cincinnati one year on a combination baseball/basketball scholarship under coach Ed Jucker in both sports before signing a pro baseball contract. Koufax was the third-leading scorer with 9.7 ppg for the Bearcats' 12-2 freshman squad in 1953-54 before hurling no-hitters in four straight seasons the first half of the 1960s.

Two former Bucknell products - Bob Keegan and Christy Mathewson - are among the following ex-college basketball players going on to toss a MLB no-hitter (listed in reverse order):

Date	No-Hit Ex-Hooper	MLB Team	Opponent	Score	Basketball College
5-14-1977	Jim Colborn	Kansas City Royals	Texas Rangers	6-0	Whittier CA
8-24-1975	Ed Halicki	San Francisco Giants	New York Mets	6-0	Monmouth NJ
7-30-1973	Jim Bibby	Texas Rangers	Oakland A's	6-0	Fayetteville State NC
8-14-1971	Bob Gibson	St. Louis Cardinals	Pittsburgh Pirates	11-0	Creighton
9-18-1968	Ray Washburn	St. Louis Cardinals	San Francisco Giants	2-0	Whitworth WA
6-10-1966	Sonny Siebert	Cleveland Indians	Washington Senators	2-0	Missouri
9-9-1965	Sandy Koufax	Los Angeles Dodgers	Chicago Cubs	1-0*	Cincinnati
6-4-1964	Sandy Koufax	Los Angeles Dodgers	Philadelphia Phillies	3-0	Cincinnati
5-11-1963	Sandy Koufax	Los Angeles Dodgers	San Francisco Giants	8-0	Cincinnati
6-30-1962	Sandy Koufax	Los Angeles Dodgers	New York Mets	5-0	Cincinnati
8-20-1957	Bob Keegan	Chicago White Sox	Washington Senators	6-0	Bucknell
6-12-1954	Jim Wilson	Milwaukee Braves	Philadelphia Phillies	2-0	San Diego State
9-3-1947	Bill McCahan	Philadelphia Athletics	Washington Senators	3-0	Duke
8-21-1926	Ted Lyons	Chicago White Sox	Boston Red Sox	6-0	Baylor
5-5-1917	Ernie Koob	St. Louis Browns	Chicago White Sox	1-0	Western Michigan
6-13-1905	Christy Mathewson	New York Giants	Chicago Cubs	1-0	Bucknell
7-15-1901	Christy Mathewson	New York Giants	St. Louis Cardinals	5-0	Bucknell

*Perfect game.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make News on August 29 MLB Games

August 29th, 2020 - 8:34

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. Ditto ex-NYU hoopers Hank Greenberg and Eddie Yost with outstanding offensive outputs in the American League. 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 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 month in 1941.
Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) contributed four hits against the New York Yankees in 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 opener of a 1940 doubleheader.
Atlanta Braves RHP Kevin Gryboski (backup hooper for Wilkes PA in 1991-92 and 1992-93) secured his 15th straight scoreless relief appearance in 2004.
In 1951, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates for 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.
Boston Red Sox LHP Vic Johnson (Wisconsin-Eau Claire hoops letterman in 1942-43) tossed a four-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in 1945.
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.
RHP Bill Sampen (MacMurray IL MVP in 1984-85 when averaging team-high 14.9 ppg) traded by the Montreal Expos to Kansas City Royals in 1992.
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.
Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in a 1951 game. He went 17-for-35 (.486) the final eight contests of month. Two years later, Yost notched three hits in his third straight outing against the Detroit Tigers in 1953.

Contemporary Athletes are Clueless Compared to Breaking Color Barrier

August 29th, 2020 - 7:56

"Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally." - Abraham Lincoln

Walking off a TNT plantation set akin to Kenny "The Jet" Smith is anything but courageous; especially when compared to African-American hoopers staying strong by breaking color barrier a half-century ago. Smells as if no restraining order could stop Smith from jetting off to Wisconsin to preserve evidence of creep's knife and earlier sexual assault. Face it, Kenny! Unless you were also too busy as journalistic jewel jetting off to big screen to explain how fentanyl impacted Minneapolis mess, intestinal fortitude would have been jettisoning ties with your alma mater until "The Carolina Way" included reeducating your successors coasting through eligibility process via no-show classes. Absence of scholastic standards tarring program probably paved way for excessive off-the-court indiscretions over last 25 years. Instead of focusing on educational main mission, the color-blind citadel of learning was more concerned with Twitter removing doctored parody video featuring MAGA red hats involving a juvenile Tar Heels' locker-room dance.

Bravery would have been exhibited encouraging communities to cooperate with law enforcement by ending snitches-get-stitches code-of-silence culture, admonishing sperminators that 25% fatherhood is unacceptable and calling for reducing black genocide via #PlannedMurderhood abortions (if indeed #BLM regarding innocent babies). There was little to no valor displayed when NBA scholars boycotted playoff games in YMCA setting for three days and NCAA coaches held players' hands to reinforce one-way voting bloc plus NABC de-emphasizing ACT/SAT results dramatically diminishing academic integrity to pacify pipeline of talent.

Unless you're a devotee of #MSLSD haughty host Joy-less Reid or ex-#Dimorat presidential candidate Spartacus/Mr. Groper (a/k/a T-Bone's friend), certainly it's not a Jussie Smollett hate-crime to also claim "White Players Matter." But when Martin Luther King's DC speech is celebrated, accompanying these benchmarks are an assortment of facts and opinions acknowledging positive contributions African-Americans have made to the American landscape. Granted, Robin Roberts' lame circling-the-drain ABC interview of Smollett, Michael Vick's fondness for dogs plus traction-less presidential campaigns of Cory Booker and Kamela Harris aren't among them. Still, taking more than 100 years after emancipator Abraham Lincoln to make a nationwide transition, nowhere is that emphasis more evident than in an athletic world bereft of quotas and unconnected to alleged Oscar-snubbing. Rest assured civil rights stories such as high school coach Ken Zacher are plentiful. There clearly is more evidence of joyful honor in basketball arenas than in the Smollett-hoax political arena, where a tax cheat such as Al "Not So" Sharpton has been given a freeloader forum by Mess-LSD and brotherly backdoor free-pass entrance to previous POTUS' Oval Office (perhaps skinny-jeans version of H&R Block seminar from #AudacityofHype to set him lien free at last). Frankly, if U.S. soil soils your precious Commie consciousness, then any reparations should be paying for one-way ticket back to whatever hell-hole your ancestors originated.

Letting authentic freedom ring a mite more than "The View" host-ettes, frisky billionaire Michael "Throw Them Up Against the Wall" Bloomberg and CNN's identity politics exemplified by entitled snot-nosed Joe Lockhart, every sports fan acknowledges the cultural significance of Jackie Robinson (180 degrees removed from smug Smollett's nutrition plan). A movie (42) debuted several springs ago regarding Robinson beginning his major league baseball career, but it is easy to forget there was a time when the now 75% black National Basketball Association was 100% white. Like remembering Dems largely opposed the 13th Amendment, it's also easy to forget how Robinson was instrumental in college basketball's "civil rights" movement long before agitator tourism.

Before Robinson arrived on the scene in the National League, however, there was Columbia's George Gregory, who became the first African-American to gain college All-American honors in 1930-31. In an era of low scoring, he was the team's second-leading scorer with a 9.2-point average. But he was proudest of his defense, and a statistic that is no longer kept: "goals against." In 10 games, Gregory held rival centers to only eight baskets. "That's less than one goal a game," he told the New York Times. "I think they should have kept that statistical category. Nowadays, one guy scores 40 points but his man scores 45. So what good is it?

"It's funny, but even though I was the only black playing for Columbia, and there was only one other black playing in the Ivy League - Baskerville of Harvard - I really didn't encounter too much trouble from opponents. Oh, I got into a couple of fights. And one time a guy called me 'Nigger,' and a white teammate said, 'Next time, you hit him high and I'll hit him low.' And we did, and my teammate, a Polish guy named Remy Tys, said to that other player, 'That's how we take care of nigger callers.'"

As pitiful as a New York Slimes dual endorsement and "courteous" #NannyPathetic's prayerful paper shredding, Gregory said the worst racial incident he encountered was at his own school. "After our last game in my junior year, the team voted me captain for the next season. Well, there was a hell of a battle when this came out. Columbia didn't want a black captain, or a Jewish captain, either, I learned. The dean was against it, and the athletic director was against it, and even the coach was against it.

"The coach told me, 'Get yourself together, Gregory, or I'll take your scholarship away.' They were worried that if we played a school in the South and met the other captain before the game, the guy would refuse to come out and it would embarrass the school. But the campus was split 50-50 on whether to have a black captain for its basketball team.

"The fight went on for three or four weeks. The school insisted that the team vote again. We did, and I won again. One of my teammates said, 'You forced the school to enter the 20th Century.'"

Harrison "Honey" Fitch, Connecticut's first black player, was center stage during a racial incident delaying a game at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for several hours in late January 1934. Coast Guard officials entered a protest against Fitch, arguing that because half of the Academy's student body was from southern states, they had a tradition "that no Negro players be permitted to engage in contests at the Academy." Eventually, UConn's coach kept Fitch on the bench the entire contest and never explained why.

The first black to appear in the NBA didn't occur until a couple of decades after Gregory graduated and Fitch transferred to American International. UCLA's first basketball All-American Don Barksdale, one of the first seven African-Americans to play in the NBA, was the first black U.S. Olympic basketball player (1948) as well as the first black to play in an NBA All-Star Game (as a rookie in 1952).

Inspired by the black labor movement in the 1930s, Barksdale said, "I made up my mind that if I wanted to do something, I was going to try to do it all the way, no matter the obstacles."

As a 28-year-old rookie with the Baltimore Bullets, he was paid $20,850 (one of the NBA's top salaries) to play and host a postgame radio show, but that notoriety also put extra pressure on him. Forced to play excessive minutes during the preseason, he sustained ankle injuries that plagued him the remainder of his four-year NBA career (11 ppg and 8 rpg).

Why play so many minutes? "It's Baltimore, which is considered the South," said Barksdale, who wound up back in the Bay Area as a well-known jazz disc jockey. "So the South finally signed a black man, and he's going to play whether he could walk or crawl." Barksdale boasted a decidedly different perspective than Kentucky freshman playmaker Ashton "Out For Personal Reasons" Hagans with his wad-of-cash video. What's the over/under as to whether Hagans' hubris was flashing $20,850? UK players now seek to change name of Rupp Arena. Impressionable know-nothings infected by grievance industry probably want name changed to school's first African-American hooper (criminal Tom Payne who blamed his abhorrent behavior on lashing out about racism).

Chuck Cooper, who attended Duquesne on the GI Bill, was the first black player drafted by an NBA franchise. "I don't give a damn if he's striped or plaid or polka-dot," were the history-making words of Boston Celtics Owner Walter Brown when he selected Cooper, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in six pro seasons. In Cooper's freshman campaign, Duquesne was awarded a forfeit after refusing to yield to Tennessee's refusal to compete against the Dukes if Cooper participated in a game just before Christmas.

In the 1955-56 season, the Hazleton (Pa.) Hawks of the Eastern League became the first professional league franchise to boast an all-black starting lineup - Jesse Arnelle, Tom Hemans, Fletcher Johnson, Floyd Lane and Sherman White. Arnelle (Penn State) and White (Long Island) were former major-college All-Americans.

As for the multi-talented Robinson, UCLA's initial all-conference basketball player in the 1940s was a forward who compiled the highest scoring average in the Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with the Bruins (12.3 points per league game in 1939-40 and 11.1 ppg in 1940-41) after transferring from Pasadena (Calif.) City College. Continuing his scoring exploits, the six-time National League All-Star who spurred #42 uniforms throughout MLB was the leading scorer for the Los Angeles Red Devils' barnstorming team in 1946-47.

Seven-time All-Star outfielder Larry Doby, the first black in the American League, was also a college basketball player who helped pave the way for minorities. He competed on the hardwood for Virginia Union during World War II after originally committing to LIU. The four-month lead Robinson had in integrating the majors casts a huge shadow over Doby, who was the first black to lead his league in homers (32 in 1952), first to hit a World Series homer and first to win a World Series title.

With less than 10% of current MLB rosters comprised of African-Americans, Robinson clearly had much more of a longstanding impact on basketball than baseball. All of the trailblazers didn't capitalize on a Methodist faith like Robinson, but they did boast temperaments unlike "fohty-five" Congressional Black Caucus members or so such as #MadMaxine sitting on their hands or boycotting SOTU speech. How much did kneeling Ole Miss players resembling knucklehead #ColonKrapernick know about ground-breaking alumnus Coolidge Ball? In deference to "firsts" and the number 42, following is a ranking of the 42 best players (including Ball) deserving applause for breaking the color barrier at the varsity level of a major university (*indicates junior college recruit):

Rank	First Black Player	School	First Varsity Season	Summary of College Career
1.	Elvin Hayes	Houston	1965-66	Three-time All-American averaged 31 ppg and 17.2 rpg in three seasons. The Hall of Famer led the Cougars in scoring and rebounding each year before becoming first pick overall in 1968 NBA draft.
2.	Hal Greer	Marshall	1955-56	The first African-American to play intercollegiate athletics in the state of West Virginia averaged 19.4 ppg and 10.8 rpg in three seasons. Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer led the Thundering Herd in rebounding as a junior (13.8 rpg) and senior (11.7 rpg) before becoming a 10-time NBA All-Star.
3.	Charlie Scott	North Carolina	1967-68	Averaged 22.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg in three seasons. He was a consensus second-team All-American choice his last two years.
4.	Clem Haskins	Western Kentucky	1964-65	Three-time OVC Player of the Year was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior. Averaged 22.1 ppg and 10.6 rpg in three varsity seasons. First-round NBA draft pick (3rd overall) in 1967.
5.	K.C. Jones	San Francisco	1951-52	Shut-down defender Jones, a member of the 1955 NCAA champion featuring Bill Russell and 1956 Olympic champion, averaged 8.8 ppg in five seasons (played only one game in 1953-54 before undergoing an appendectomy).
6.	Walter Dukes	Seton Hall	1950-51	Averaged 19.9 ppg and 18.9 rpg in three seasons. Consensus first-team All-American as a senior when he averaged 26.1 ppg and 22.2 rpg to lead the Dukes to a 31-2 record and NIT title. Played two full seasons with the Harlem Globetrotters before signing with the New York Knicks, who picked him in 1953 NBA draft.
7.	Don Chaney	Houston	1965-66	Defensive whiz Chaney, an All-American as a senior, averaged 12.6 ppg in three seasons and was a member of Final Four teams in 1967 and 1968.
8.	John Austin	Boston College	1963-64	Two-time All-American averaged 27 ppg in his Eagles' career. Ranked among the nation's leading scorers in 1964 (8th), 1965 (7th) and 1966 (22nd). Scored 40 points in a 1965 NIT contest. He was a fourth-round choice by the Boston Celtics in 1966 NBA draft.
9.	Mike Maloy	Davidson	1967-68	Three-time All-American averaged 19.3 ppg and 12.4 rpg in his career. Southern Conference Player of the Year as a junior and senior. He was the leading scorer (24.6 ppg) and rebounder (14.3 rpg) for the winningest team in school history (27-3 in 1968-69). Selected by the Pittsburgh Condors in the first five rounds of 1970 ABA draft.
10.	Cleo Littleton	Wichita	1951-52	Averaged 19 ppg and 7.7 rpg in four seasons, leading the Shockers in scoring each year. School's career scoring leader (2,164 points) is the only four-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference choice. He was selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1955 NBA draft.
11.	Wendell Hudson	Alabama	1970-71	Averaged 19.2 ppg and 12 rpg in his career, finishing as Bama's fourth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. The two-time All-SEC first-team selection was a Helms All-American choice as a senior in 1972-73 before being selected in the second round of NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
12.	Bob Gibson	Creighton	1954-55	Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher was the school's first player to average at least 20 ppg in his career (20.2). Led the Bluejays in scoring (22 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg) as a junior. Gibson, who said he couldn't eat or stay with the rest of the Bluejays' team on his first trip to Tulsa, went on to play with the Harlem Globetrotters.
13.	Bill Garrett	Indiana	1948-49	First impact African-American player in Big Ten Conference averaged 12 ppg while leading the Hoosiers in scoring each of his three varsity seasons. Paced them in rebounding as a senior (8.5 rpg) when he was an all-league first-team selection. Selected by the Boston Celtics in second round of 1951 NBA draft. Grandson Billy Garrett Jr. became Big East Conference Rookie of the Year with DePaul in 2013-14.
14.	Earl Robinson	California	1955-56	Three-time All-PCC second-team selection averaged at least 10 ppg each of three varsity seasons as 6-1 guard under HOF coach Pete Newell. Robinson averaged 15.5 points in four NCAA Tournament games his last two years, leading the Bears in scoring in two of the playoff contests.
15.	Tom Payne	Kentucky	1970-71	Led the Wildcats in rebounding (10.1 rpg) and was their second-leading scorer (16.9 ppg) in his only varsity season before turning pro. The All-SEC first-team selection had a 39-point, 19-rebound performance against Louisiana State before leaving school early and becoming an NBA first-round draft choice by the Atlanta Hawks.
16.	Ron "Fritz" Williams	West Virginia	1965-66	Southern Conference player of the year as a senior led Mountaineers in scoring and assists all three varsity seasons on his way to finishing with averages of 20.1 ppg and 6 apg. Williams, a two-time all-league first-team selection, was a first-round pick in 1968 NBA draft (9th overall).
17.	James Cash	Texas Christian	1966-67	SWC's initial African-American player averaged 13.9 ppg and 11.6 rpg in three seasons. Two-time all-league second-team selection led the Horned Frogs in scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (11.6 rpg) as a senior. Cash had six games with at least 20 rebounds.
18.	John Savage	North Texas	1961-62	Detroit product averaged 19.2 ppg in leading the Eagles in scoring all three of his varsity seasons with them. Three-time All-MVC selection was fifth-round choice by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1964 NBA draft.
19.	Willie Allen	Miami (Fla.)	1968-69	Averaged 17.2 ppg and 12.2 rpg in three seasons. Led Hurricanes in scoring (19.9 ppg) and rebounding (17.2 rpg) as senior. Fourth-round choice of the Baltimore Bullets in 1971 NBA draft played briefly for ABA's The Floridans during 1971-72 season.
20.	Jerry Jenkins	Mississippi State	1972-73	All-SEC selection as a junior and senior when he was the Bulldogs' leading scorer each year, averaging 19.3 ppg and 7 rpg in three seasons.
21.	Stew Johnson	Murray State	1963-64	Averaged 16.8 ppg and 12.9 rpg in three seasons en route to finishing his career as the school's all-time fourth-leading scorer (1,275 points) and second-leading rebounder (981). He was a third-round choice of New York Knicks in 1966 NBA draft before becoming a three-time ABA All-Star.
22.	Gene Knolle*	Texas Tech	1969-70	Two-time All-SWC first-team selection averaged 21.5 ppg and 8.4 rpg in two seasons before becoming a seventh-round choice by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1971 NBA draft.
23.	Joe Bertrand	Notre Dame	1951-52	Averaged 14.6 ppg in three seasons, including 16.5 as senior when Irish finished year ranked sixth in final AP poll. He was 10th-round choice in 1954 NBA draft by Milwaukee Hawks. Served as Chicago's city treasurer as first black elected to citywide office. His grandson with same name played hoops for Illinois.
24.	Hadie Redd	Arizona	1953-54	Led the Wildcats in scoring (13.2 ppg and 13.6) and rebounding (7 rpg and 9.4) in both of his varsity seasons.
25.	Almer Lee*	Arkansas	1969-70	He was the Hogs' leading scorer in 1969-70 (17 ppg) and 1970-71 (19.2 ppg as All-SWC second-team selection).
26.	John "Jackie" Moore	La Salle	1951-52	Averaged 10.3 ppg and 12.1 rpg in two seasons. Second-leading rebounder both years for the Explorers behind All-American Tom Gola. Played three seasons in the NBA as first black player for Philadelphia Warriors.
27.	Greg Lowery*	Texas Tech	1969-70	Averaged 19.7 ppg in his three-year career. First-team All-SWC as a sophomore and senior and second-team choice as junior en route to finishing as school's career scoring leader (1,476 points).
28.	Henry Harris	Auburn	1969-70	Averaged 11.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 2.5 apg in three-year varsity career. Standout defensive player was captain as a senior. He was an eighth-round choice by the Houston Rockets in 1972 NBA draft.
29.	Tommy Bowman	Baylor	1967-68	Two-time All-SWC first-team selection led the Bears in scoring (13.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg) in his first varsity season.
30.	Ronnie Hogue	Georgia	1970-71	Finished three-year varsity career as the second-leading scorer in school history (17.8 ppg). Hogue was an All-SEC second-team choice with 20.5 ppg as a junior, when he set the school single-game scoring record with 46 points against LSU. He was a seventh-round choice of the Capital Bullets in 1973 NBA draft.
31.	Coolidge Ball	Mississippi	1971-72	Two-time All-SEC second-team selection (sophomore and junior years) averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg in three seasons. He led the Rebels in scoring (16.8 ppg) and was second in rebounding (10.3 rpg) as a sophomore.
32.	Carl Head*	West Virginia	1965-66	Averaged 17.1 ppg and 7.9 rpg in two seasons. Paced the team in field-goal shooting as a junior (53.5%) and in scoring as a senior (20.5 ppg).
33.	Perry Wallace	Vanderbilt	1967-68	Averaged 12.9 ppg and 11.5 rpg in three varsity seasons. He was the Commodores' leading rebounder as a junior (10.2 rpg) and leading scorer as a senior (13.4 ppg). Fifth-round choice by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1970 NBA draft.
34.	Don Eaddy	Michigan	1951-52	The Wolverines' top scorer in Big Ten Conference competition as a sophomore (13.8 ppg) averaged 11.4 ppg in four seasons. Eaddy was an infielder who played briefly with the Chicago Cubs in 1959.
35.	Garfield Smith	Eastern Kentucky	1965-66	Averaged 14.5 ppg and 13.2 rpg in three seasons. He was an All-Ohio Valley Conference choice as a senior when he finished second in the nation in rebounding (19.7 rpg). Third-round choice by the Boston Celtics in 1968 NBA draft.
36.	Tommy Woods	East Tennessee State	1964-65	Two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference choice averaged 15.3 ppg and 16.2 rpg in three seasons. He grabbed 38 rebounds in a game against Middle Tennessee en route to finishing third in the nation in rebounding as a sophomore (19.6 rpg).
37.	Willie Brown	Middle Tennessee State	1966-67	All-Ohio Valley Conference choice as junior and senior averaged 20.3 ppg and 7.4 rpg in three seasons en route to finishing his career as the school's all-time scoring leader (1,524 points). He was a 10th-round choice by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969 NBA draft.
38.	Julius Pegues	Pittsburgh	1955-56	Spent one year at a Detroit technical school before enrolling at Pitt. Averaged 13.6 ppg in three seasons, finishing as the school's second-leading scorer (17.6 ppg) as a senior behind All-American Don Hennon. Pegues, who scored a game-high 31 points in an 82-77 loss to Miami of Ohio as a senior in 1958 NCAA Tournament, was a fifth-round choice by the St. Louis Hawks in NBA draft.
39.	Sebron "Ed" Tucker*	Stanford	1950-51	Averaged 15.8 ppg in two seasons, leading the team in scoring both years. Paced the PCC in scoring as a junior (16.5 ppg) before becoming an all-league South Division first-team pick as a senior.
40.	Collis Temple Jr.	Louisiana State	1971-72	Averaged 10.1 ppg and 8.1 rpg in three seasons. Ranked second in the SEC in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and seventh in field-goal shooting (54.9%) as a senior. Sixth-round choice by the Phoenix Suns in 1974 NBA draft had two sons play for his alma mater (Collis III and Garrett).
41.	Charlie White*	Oregon State	1964-65	Led the Beavers in rebounding (7 rpg) and was their second-leading scorer (9.6 ppg) as a junior. The next year as a first five pick on the All-Pacific-8 team, he was OSU's captain and second-leading scorer (11.7 ppg) and rebounder (6.6 rpg), pacing the team in field-goal shooting (49.4%) and free-throw shooting (81.4%).
42.	Ruben Triplett*	Southern Methodist	1971-72	Averaged 14.9 ppg and 9 rpg in two seasons. Named All-SWC as a junior when he led the Mustangs in scoring (18.2 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg). Scored a career-high 33 points at Oklahoma City.

MOST OVERLOOKED PIONEERS FOR MAJOR UNIVERSITIES

First Black Player	DI School	First Varsity Season	Summary of College Career
Al Abram	Missouri	1956-57	Averaged 11 ppg over four seasons. He led the Tigers in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding (8.9 rpg) and field-goal shooting (45%) in 1958-59.
Don Barnette	Miami (Ohio)	1953-54	All-MAC first-team selection as a senior averaged 11.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg during three-year career. Played for the Harlem Globetrotters in late 1950s and early 1960s.
Charlie Brown*	Texas-El Paso	1956-57	Air Force veteran, a three-time All-Border Conference choice, led the league in scoring as a sophomore (23.4 ppg). He averaged 17.5 ppg in three varsity seasons, leading the Miners in scoring each year.
Earl Brown	Lafayette	1971-72	Grabbed 21 rebounds in a game against Lehigh as a sophomore before averaging 11 ppg and 10.6 rpg as a junior and 13.7 ppg and 12.1 rpg as a senior. Ninth-round NBA draft choice by the New York Knicks in 1974.
Mario Brown*	Texas A&M	1971-72	Averaged 13 ppg and 4.3 apg in two seasons, leading the team in assists both years.
Harvey Carter	Bucknell	1970-71	Led the Bison in scoring and rebounding all three varsity seasons (14.1 ppg and 11.5 rpg as a sophomore, 14.8 ppg and 12.4 rpg as a junior and 14.2 ppg and 9.8 rpg as a senior).
Larry Chanay	Montana State	1956-57	Four-year Air Force veteran finished his four-year college career as the school's all-time leading scorer (2,034 points). He led the Bobcats in scoring all four seasons. Chanay was a 14th-round choice by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960 NBA draft.
John Codwell	Michigan	1951-52	The Wolverines' second-leading scorer as a junior (10.5 ppg) averaged 6.4 ppg in three seasons.
Vince Colbert*	East Carolina	1966-67	Averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg in two seasons. He led ECU in rebounding as a junior (7.1 rpg).
Robert Cox	Loyola Marymount	1953-54	Averaged 16.9 ppg and 11.1 rpg in two seasons while leading the Lions in both categories each year.
John Crawford	Iowa State	1955-56	Averaged 13.4 ppg and 9.7 rpg in three seasons. He led the Cyclones in rebounding all three years and paced them in scoring as a senior (14.1 ppg).
L.M. Ellis	Austin Peay State	1963-64	The first OVC black player averaged 9.3 ppg and 10.5 rpg as a junior and 6.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg as a senior after transferring from Drake to his hometown school.
Ed Fleming	Niagara	1951-52	Averaged 15 ppg and 8.7 rpg in four seasons to finish No. 1 on the school's all-time scoring list (1,682). All-time top rebounder (975) was selected by the Rochester Royals in 1955 NBA draft.
Larry Fry	Mississippi State	1972-73	Averaged 13.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg in three seasons.
Julian Hammond*	Tulsa	1964-65	Averaged 12.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg in two seasons. Led the Golden Hurricane in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg) as a senior when he was an All-MVC first-team selection and paced the nation in field-goal shooting (65.9%). He was a ninth-round choice by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1966 NBA draft.
Charlie Hoxie	Niagara	1951-52	Averaged 11.7 ppg and 8.4 rpg in four seasons to finish his career as the school's third-leading scorer (1,274). Second-leading rebounder (916) was selected by the Milwaukee Hawks in 1955 NBA draft before playing with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Eddie Jackson	Oklahoma City	1962-63	Center averaged 12.3 ppg and 10 rpg in three-year OCU career after transferring from Oklahoma. He led the Chiefs in rebounding as a sophomore and junior. Selected in the sixth round by the San Francisco Warriors in 1965 NBA draft.
Leroy Jackson	Santa Clara	1960-61	Averaged 10.1 ppg and 8.3 rpg in three seasons, leading the team in rebounding all three years. Named to second five on All-WCAC team as a senior when he averaged 11.9 ppg and 10.9 rpg.
Curt Jimerson*	Wyoming	1960-61	Forward averaged 14.6 ppg in two seasons, including a team-high 17.5 ppg as a senior when he was an All-Mountain States Conference first-team selection.
Junius Kellogg	Manhattan	1950-51	Averaged 12.1 ppg in three-year career, leading the Jaspers in scoring as a sophomore and junior. Former Army sergeant refused bribe and exposed a major point-shaving scandal.
Charlie Lipscomb	Virginia Tech	1969-70	Averaged 11.4 ppg and 9.4 rpg in three varsity seasons. He led the team in rebounding (10.4 rpg) and was its second-leading scorer (12.1 ppg) as a sophomore.
Jesse Marshall*	Centenary	1968-69	Led the Gents in scoring (16 ppg) and rebounding (9.6 rpg) as a senior after being their second-leading scorer (15.9 ppg) and leading rebounder (10.2 rpg) as a junior.
Shellie McMillon	Bradley	1955-56	Member of 1957 NIT champion averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.3 rpg in three varsity seasons, including a team-high 16.4 ppg in 1957-58. McMillon, who scored 42 points against Detroit, was an All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team choice as a senior before becoming a sixth-round NBA draft choice by the Detroit Pistons.
Eugene Oliver*	South Alabama	1972-73	Averaged 17.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg in two seasons, leading the team in scoring both years and setting a school single-game record with 46 points against Southern Mississippi.
Charley Parnell	Delaware	1966-67	First-team All-East Coast Conference choice led the Blue Hens in scoring with 18.5 ppg.
Garland Pinkston	George Washington	1967-68	Second-leading scorer (12.5 ppg) and rebounder (7.3 rpg) in his only varsity season for GWU.
Art Polk	Middle Tennessee State	1966-67	MTSU's second-leading rebounder as a junior and senior averaged 12.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg in three seasons.
Charley Powell	Loyola (New Orleans)	1966-67	First African-American to play for a predominantly white college in Louisiana averaged 21.5 ppg in three-year career, finishing 13th in the nation with 26 ppg as a junior.
Larry Robinson*	Tennessee	1971-72	Averaged 10.9 ppg and 8.8 rpg in two seasons. Led the Volunteers in rebounding and field-goal shooting both years. He was a 16th-round choice by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1973 NBA draft.
Ron Satterthwaite	William & Mary	1973-74	Averaged 13.2 ppg in four seasons. He led the Tribe in scoring as a sophomore and junior, averaging 17 ppg during that span. Guard was an All-Southern Conference first-team selection as a sophomore and second-team choice as a junior.
Oscar Scott*	The Citadel	1971-72	Three-year Army veteran averaged 11.8 ppg and 7 rpg in two seasons. He led the Bulldogs in rebounding as a senior.
Dwight Smith	Western Kentucky	1964-65	Three-time All-OVC guard averaged 14.6 ppg and 10.9 rpg in his college career. Led the Hilltoppers in rebounding as a sophomore (11.3 rpg) and as a senior (11.9 rpg). Smith was a third-round choice of the Los Angeles Lakers (23rd overall).
Sam Smith	Louisville	1963-64	Third-round choice of the Cincinnati Royals in 1967 NBA draft averaged 9.2 ppg and team-high 11 rpg in his only varsity season with the Cardinals before transferring to Kentucky Wesleyan.
Sam Stith	St. Bonaventure	1957-58	Averaged 14.8 ppg and 4.1 rpg in three-year career. After All-American brother Tom Stith arrived the next season, they combined to average 52 ppg in 1959-60, an NCAA single-season record for brothers on the same team.
Harold Sylvester	Tulane	1968-69	Averaged 12.5 ppg and 9.1 rpg in three varsity seasons. He led the Green Wave in rebounding as a sophomore and was its second-leading rebounder and scorer as a junior and senior.
John Thomas	Pacific	1954-55	Averaged 15.1 ppg and 11.3 rpg in three years while leading the team in scoring and rebounding each campaign. Finished his career as the school's all-time scoring leader (1,178 points). He set UOP single-season records for points (480) and rebounds (326) in 1955-56.
Liscio Thomas*	Furman	1969-70	Averaged 17 ppg and 9.9 rpg in two seasons. He led the Paladins in scoring as a junior (17.7 ppg) and was the second-leading scorer and rebounder for 1971 Southern Conference champion.
Solly Walker	St. John's	1951-52	First African-American ever to play in game at Kentucky averaged 7.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg in three seasons. Member of 1952 NCAA runner-up and 1953 NIT runner-up. Led the team in scoring (14 ppg) and rebounding (12.2 rpg) as a senior. Selected by the New York Knicks in 1954 NBA draft.
John Edgar Wideman	Penn	1960-61	Two-time All-Ivy League second-team swingman led the Quakers in scoring as a junior (13.2 ppg in 1961-62) and a senior (13.8 ppg in 1962-63). The Pittsburgh native also paced them in rebounding as a junior (7.6 rpg).

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make News on August 28 MLB Games

August 28th, 2020 - 9:04

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

Seattle Mariners RF Mickey Brantley (averaged 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 5.4 apg for Columbia-Greene Community College SC in 1979-80) went 3-for-4 with four RBI in a 10-4 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1987.
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 Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana 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 LF Jerad Head (Washburn KS leader in assists and three-field field-goal shooting in 2004-05 for MIAA regular-season co-champion) singled in his first MLB plate appearance in a 2011 game against the Kansas City Royals.
Chicago White Sox RHP Bart Johnson (averaged 30.5 ppg for Brigham Young's freshman squad in 1967-68) hurled his second of back-to-back shutouts at end of month in 1974.
Cleveland Indians LHP Thornton Lee (Cal Poly hooper in 1925-26) tossed his first of 14 MLB career shutouts (four-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in opener of 1935 twinbill). Six years later with the Chicago White Sox, Lee's four-hit whitewash against the Washington Senators was his fifth complete-game victory of the month.
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 Make News on August 27 MLB Games

August 27th, 2020 - 8:40

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. Ditto three ex-hoopers from universities in Louisiana - Joe Adcock (LSU), Zeke Bonura (Loyola) and Lee Smith (Northwestern State). 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 300-homer plateau when he went yard by 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.
Washington Senators 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) banged out four hits for the third time in an eight-game span in 1938.
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.
RF Leon Roberts (grabbed one rebound in four basketball games for Michigan in 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr) knocked in the Texas Rangers' last four runs with a double and homer in 5-1 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1981.
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.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make News on August 26 MLB Games

August 26th, 2020 - 9:36

Former college hoopers Alvin Dark (Louisiana State/Louisiana-Lafayette) and Danny Litwhiler (Bloomsburg PA) each went 5-for-5 in a National League game on this date. Ex-LA cagers joining Dark in making MLB news on this date were Zeke Bonura (Loyola New Orleans) and Cecil Upshaw (Centenary). 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.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) belted two homers in a 6-3 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936.
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 Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana 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 Make News on August 25 MLB Games

August 25th, 2020 - 8:29

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

OF Ken Berry (freshman hooper for Wichita in 1959-60) contributed a fifth-inning solo homer and game-winning single in bottom of ninth to lift the Chicago White Sox to a 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox in nightcap of 1967 twinbill.
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.
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie RHP Don Carlsen (Denver hoops letterman in 1943) toiled 12 innings in a 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1951. He singled and scored decisive run against Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) in top of the 12th.
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).
Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Johnny Rigney (top hoops center for St. Thomas MN in mid-1930s) struck out New York Yankee Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig in a 1937 relief appearance.
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 Make News on August 24 MLB Games

August 24th, 2020 - 10:39

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. Ex-California juco hoopers Darrell Evans (Pasadena City) and Garth Iorg (Redwoods) also had outstanding offensive performances 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

In the midst of a career-high 16-game hitting streak, 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.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Ed Bouchee (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) homered in both of a 1958 twinbill sweep of the Chicago Cubs. He supplied grand slam and triple in back-to-back innings in the opener.
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.
Toronto Blue Jays INF Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) delivered a decisive two-out, two-run single in the top of 10th inning of a 7-5 win against the Minnesota Twins in 1986.
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 Make News on August 23 MLB Games

August 15th, 2020 - 8:04

Former SEC hoopers Joe Adcock (Louisiana State), 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 nightcap of 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 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.
Chicago White Sox LHP Thornton Lee (Cal Poly hooper in 1925-26) lashed his fourth homer of season in a 2 1/2-month span in 1938.
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 Make News on August 22 MLB Games

August 15th, 2020 - 8:00

Former All-PCC hoopers Red Badgro (Southern California) 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.
In midst of a career-long eight-game hitting streak, Atlanta Braves rookie SS Rob Belloir (three-year hoops letterman led Mercer in free-throw percentage as senior in 1968-69 while averaging 19 ppg) registered four RBI (including two-run triple) in 9-5 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.
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.
Chicago White Sox RHP Bart Johnson (averaged 30.5 ppg for Brigham Young's freshman squad in 1967-68) secured his team-high 14th save in a two-month span in 1971.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Clyde King (started two basketball games for North Carolina in December 1944 under coach Ben Carnevale) won both ends of a 1951 doubleheader as a reliever against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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.
Pittsburgh Pirates RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) contributed four hits and four RBI in a 10-8 win against the Boston Braves in 1921.
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 Make News on August 21 MLB Games

August 15th, 2020 - 7:57

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

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.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Clyde King (started two basketball games for North Carolina in December 1944 under coach Ben Carnevale didn't allow an earned run in his eighth straight appearance covering 28 1/3 innings in 1947.
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.
Atlanta Braves RHP Gary Neibauer (collected 13 points and 9 rebounds in 16 games for Nebraska in 1964-65 under coach Joe Cipriano) earned his second relief victory of the month in 1973.
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 Make News on August 20 MLB Games

August 15th, 2020 - 7:53

Former Southwest Missouri State hoopers 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

Boston Red Sox INF 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) went 3-for-3 in opener and jacked decisive homer in nightcap of 1967 twinbill sweep of the California Angels.
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.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie SS Ralph LaPointe (Vermont hoops letterman during WWII) went 7-for-12 at conclusion of three-game series against the Chicago Cubs in 1947.
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.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie 2B Moon Mullen (backup guard for Oregon's legendary "Tall Firs" team winning inaugural NCAA tourney in 1939) stroked four singles in a 4-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1944 outing.
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.
Chicago White Sox RHP Johnny Rigney (top hoops center for St. Thomas MN in mid-1930s) hurled his second of back-to-back three-hit shutouts in 1941.
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 Make News on August 19 MLB Games

August 15th, 2020 - 7:49

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.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Ed Bouchee (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) went 3-for-3 with double and triple in a 1958 game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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.
California Angels RHP Paul Hartzell (averaged 5.9 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Lehigh in 1972-73) hurled his fourth complete game in 22-day span in 1978.
Toronto Blue Jays 3B Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) supplied three extra-b ase hits (two doubles and homer) plus three RBI in an 8-7 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1983.
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.
Pittsburgh Pirates RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) registered three extra-base hits (including pair of homers) and eight RBI in opener of 1921 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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 opener of a 1942 twinbill.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) swatted a homer in his fourth consecutive contest in 2003.
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.