World Series-ious Athletes: Impact of Former College Hoopers on Fall Classic

October 23rd, 2017 - 7:52

Numerous universities have had versatile athletes who played college basketball before going on to major league baseball careers including appearances in the Fall Classic.

While many single-minded basketball fans are assessing polls and rankings in preseason hoop magazines and websites, following is an incisive "Who Am I?" quiz for well-rounded basketball/baseball enthusiasts taking a toll on their memories as they try to recall World Series participants who played varsity basketball for a current NCAA Division I college. Keep your chin up if you need relief answering the following questions because they're almost as difficult as both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros find scoring off first-rate bullpens:

I was a 13-year major league second baseman who set several fielding records and played in the 1967 World Series with the Boston Red Sox after ranking among the nation's top 12 free-throw shooters both of my college basketball seasons with Oklahoma State.
Who am I? Jerry Adair

I was a 17-year first baseman who hit four homers and a double in a single game and played in back-to-back World Series with the Milwaukee Braves after being LSU's leading scorer (18.6 points per game) for the Tigers' 1945-46 team compiling an 18-3 record and losing against Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference Tournament final.
Who am I? Joe Adcock

I was a 10-year pitcher who led the A.L. in winning percentage in 1935 with an 18-7 record (.720) for the World Series-bound Detroit Tigers after I was named to the first five on an all-conference basketball team in my final season at Kansas State. I was a submariner who hurled a complete game victory in a 10-4 verdict over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the '34 Series before losing Game 7 to Dizzy Dean.
Who am I? Eldon Auker

I was a shortstop who participated in five World Series, four with the champion, in a six-year span from 1910 through 1915 after earning a basketball letter for Holy Cross in 1908.
Who am I? John "Jack" Barry

I was a rookie pitcher in 1978 with the New York Yankees who went the distance for the first time in my major league career in a Game 5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. I was a 6-5 forward who averaged 14.3 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds per game for Dartmouth in 1974-75 when I was selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League.
Who am I? Jim Beattie

I was a catcher who appeared in back-to-back World Series with the New York Yankees (1927 and 1928) after being a basketball letterman for Niagara from 1916-17 through 1918-19.
Who am I? Bernard "Benny" Bengough

I was an outfielder who, during my 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit a double in the 1925 World Series to help them become the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a seven-game series. I played with my brother on Oregon's basketball squad before we briefly played alongside each other with the Pirates.
Who am I? Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee

I was a player-manager who earned American League MVP honors in leading the Cleveland Indians to the 1948 World Series after being the top scorer for an Illinois team sharing a Big Ten Conference basketball title.
Who am I? Lou Boudreau

I was a pitcher who appeared in the 1947 and 1949 World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers after notching 21-12 and 13-5 won-loss marks, respectively, following a basketball career at NYU, where I was the Violets' sixth-leading scorer in 1943-44 with an average of 3.8 points per game. Major league player and manager Bobby Valentine is my son-in-law.
Who am I? Ralph Branca

I was a 12-year outfielder who played in three World Series with the New York Yankees and hit 38 home runs in one season with Kansas City after finishing my college basketball career ranking fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list.
Who am I? Bob Cerv

I am a Hall of Fame catcher who participated in five World Series (1929-30-31-34-35) with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers after playing basketball for Boston University.
Who am I? Mickey Cochrane

I posted a 1.88 ERA in 14 1/3 innings for the Boston Red Sox against the New York Giants in the 1912 World Series after being a two-year basketball letterman with Vermont.
Who am I? Ray Collins

I am a Hall of Fame outfielder for the New York Yankees who compiled a .350 batting average in four World Series (1926-27-28-32) after being captain with Eastern Kentucky's basketball squad.
Who am I? Earle Combs

I am a three-time All-Star Game performer who pitched in the 1957 World Series for the Milwaukee Braves after being an All-Pacific Coast Conference first-team selection in 1949-50 when the 6-7 sophomore center led Washington State and the PCC North Division in scoring (13.3 points per game).
Who am I? Gene Conley

I appeared in two World Series games for St. Louis Cardinals in 1934 after serving as Davidson basketball captain in early 1920s.
Who am I? Pat Crawford

I hit .323 in three World Series (1948 with Boston Braves; 1951 and 1954 with New York Giants). Member of LSU's 1942-43 basketball squad before entering military service (Marine Corps V-12 program) during World War II. Known as the "Swamp Fox," I was a five-sport letterman with Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now Louisiana-Lafayette) during 1943-44.
Who am I? Alvin Dark

I led N.L. outfielders in putouts three years and hit near or over .300 for three St. Louis Cardinal pennant winners (1926, 1928 and 1930) after earning letters three seasons in basketball for California.
Who am I? Taylor Douthit

I was a second baseman who posted a career-high 22-game hitting streak during 1975 regular season before hitting safely in all seven World Series contests for Boston Red Sox against Cincinnati Reds. I averaged 2.7 ppg in 11 basketball outings with Morehead State in 1962-63.
Who am I? Denny Doyle

I was a 10-year utility infielder who saw action in two World Series games in 1959 with the Chicago White Sox after averaging seven points per contest as a 5-9 starting guard for Indiana in 1951-52.
Who am I? Sammy Esposito

I was a catcher who appeared in two World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1974 and 1978). Pacific teammate of All-American Keith Swagerty averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 1965-66 and 1966-67 under coach Dick Edwards, scoring two points against eventual NCAA champion UCLA in the 1967 West Regional final.
Who am I? Joe Ferguson

I led the A.L. in won-loss percentage in 1946 with a 25-6 mark before pitching a shutout in Game 3 of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox against the St. Louis Cardinals after being a basketball letterman for Mississippi State in 1940-41.
Who am I? Boo Ferriss

I was a lefthanded hitting backup outfielder who participated in the 1929 World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics after being a basketball letterman for Army's 18-5 team in 1921 following two campaigns with Rutgers.
Who am I? Walter French

I wasa righthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1980 World Series with the Kansas City Royals after leading New Hampshire with 7.2 rebounds per game in 1975-76.
Who am I? Rich Gale

I was a first baseman-outfielder who hit 103 major league homers and pinch hit four times for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1961 World Series after earning a letter with Temple's basketball team in 1948-49 when I averaged 2.7 points per game.
Who am I? Dick Gernert

I was a lefthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1960 World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates after finishing my four-year college career as Mississippi's leader in career scoring and rebounds following a senior season when my scoring average was higher than first-team All-Americans Elgin Baylor (Seattle) and Wilt Chamberlain (Kansas).
Who am I? Joe Gibbon

I am a Hall of Fame pitcher who set a record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers in my third World Series in five years after becoming the first basketball player in Creighton history to average at least 20 points per game in a career.
Who am I? Bob Gibson

I am a palm-ball specialist who blanked the Baltimore Orioles in 5 1/3 innings in three relief appearances for the champion Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1971 World Series after becoming the first N.L. pitcher to appear in each contest of a four-game LCS. I connected on 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60.
Who am I? Dave Giusti

I am a Hall of Fame first baseman-left fielder who had 14 extra-base hits in four World Series with the Detroit Tigers after attending NYU briefly on a basketball scholarship in 1929.
Who am I? Hank Greenberg

I am an eight-time All-Star Game shortstop who started for World Series championship teams with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 after twice ranking among the top four scorers in the country with Duke.
Who am I? Dick Groat

I was a perennial All-Star outfielder with multiple Gold Gloves and N.L. batting titles who sparked the San Diego Padres to two World Series (1984 and 1998) after being a two-time All-WAC second-team selection as a San Diego State guard who led the league in assists as a sophomore and junior.
Who am I? Tony Gwynn

I was a three-time All-Star catcher who played in the 1962 World Series with the San Francisco Giants (swatted a two-run homer off Hall of Famer Whitey Ford of the Yankees in Game Four) after playing as a backup forward for Illinois' basketball squad as a sophomore (1956-57) and junior (1957-58).
Who am I? Tom Haller

I was a 12-year lefthanded reliever who appeared in back-to-back World Series (1963 and 1964) with the New York Yankees after the 6-7 Morehead State forward-center ranked 15th in the country in scoring as a junior (24.2 ppg in 1956-57) and among the nation's top 10 rebounders as a senior (19.1 rpg in 1957-58).
Who am I? Steve Hamilton

I was a 12-year lefthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1989 World Series with the San Francisco Giants after being a 6-2 guard who averaged 5.3 points per game as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 ppg as a sophomore in 1977-78 for East Tennessee State.
Who am I? Atlee Hammaker

I was a first baseman-outfielder who participated in the 1942 World Series with the New York Yankees after playing for Manhattan basketball teams winning a school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931.
Who am I? John "Buddy" Hassett

I was a lefthanded hitting utilityman who participated as a rookie with the New York Yankees in the 1923 World Series against the New York Giants after being a basketball letterman for Vanderbilt in 1918.
Who am I? Harvey Hendrick

I was a 10-year pitcher who hurled four shutout innings as the fourth-game starter for the New York Yankees in the 1939 World Series after being a basketball All-American for Butler. I was named to the first A.L. All-Star team in 1933.
Who am I? Oral Hildebrand

I was a 16-year first baseman/outfielder who homered in Game 4 of the 1963 World Series to help the Los Angeles Dodgers sweep the New York Yankees and twice led the A.L. in homers after leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding as a junior and senior.
Who am I? Frank Howard

I was a 13-year infielder who slugged 43 of my 136 career homers for the Atlanta Braves in 1973 after appearing in four World Series with the Baltimore Orioles (1966, 1969, 1970 and 1971). I averaged 1.7 points per game as a sophomore in my only varsity basketball season (1961-62) with Texas A&M before signing a pro baseball contract.
Who am I? Davey Johnson

I was a 13-year outfielder who hit .306 for the New York Yankees in 19 World Series games after being a three-year basketball letterman for Maryland.
Who am I? Charlie Keller

I was a Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher who became N.L. MVP but lost the 1950 World Series opener to the New York Yankees as a starter, 1-0, after playing two seasons for Syracuse basketball teams.
Who am I? Jim Konstanty

I began rookie year with the Chicago Cubs by winning nine of my first 10 decisions before becoming a reliever for the 1969 Amazin' Mets World Series champion. I was a standout basketball player for Campbell in 1960 and 1961 when the North Carolina-based school was a junior college.
Who am I? Cal Koonce

I was an infielder-outfielder who hit .303 in my 15-year career. When I was with the Detroit Tigers, I led the A.L. in batting average once (.353 in 1959), hits four times (209 in 1953 when he was rookie of the year, 201 in 1954, 196 in 1956 and 198 in 1959) and doubles on three occasions (38 in 1955, 39 in 1958 and 42 in 1959) before appearing in the 1962 World Series with the San Francisco Giants. I managed the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1982 World Series. I played in five games for Wisconsin's basketball team in the 1951-52 season.
Who am I? Harvey Kuenn

I was a three-time All-Star outfielder who posted a .331 average with 22 HRs and 107 RBI in my first full season with the New York Giants in 1935 before appearing in the World Series in 1936 and 1937. I had two hits in a six-run second inning of Game Four in the Giants' lone victory against the New York Yankees in 1937 after scoring 16 points in nine basketball games for Arizona in 1931.
Who am I? Hank Leiber

I am an outfielder who led the A.L. in stolen bases, a record for an A.L. rookie, and appeared in the World Series with three different teams (Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants) after setting Arizona basketball records for steals in a season and career.
Who am I? Kenny Lofton

I was a 12-year infielder who played in the 1957 and 1958 World Series with the New York Yankees after being a member of Southwest Missouri State squads that won 1952 and 1953 NAIA Tournament titles.
Who am I? Jerry Lumpe

I was a lefthanded outfielder who appeared in 1943 World Series for the New York Yankees against the St. Louis Cardinals after being a basketball letterman with William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38.
Who am I? Arthur "Bud" Metheny

I was a Gold Glove left fielder in 1960 between participating in two World Series with the Dodgers (1959 and 1965) after averaging 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50.
Who am I? Wally Moon

I was a righthander who appeared in 1934 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals' Gas House Gang against the Detroit Tigers. I was an all-around athlete for East Tennessee State.
Who am I? Jim Mooney

I was an infielder who hit .303 with the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox in 17 A.L. seasons from 1925 through 1941, participating in two World Series (1925 and 1933). I was a basketball letterman for Mississippi State in 1923-24.
Who am I? Charles "Buddy" Myer

I was a five-time All-Star who holds the A.L. record for most homers by a third baseman (319), but was homerless in five World Series (four with the New York Yankees and one with the San Diego Padres). The highlight of my career was four dazzling stops in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series to help the Yankees win their first of four consecutive games. I averaged 5.3 points per game while earning basketball letters in my hometown for San Diego State in 1963-64 and 1964-65, shooting 87.8% from the free-throw line (36 of 41) as a sophomore.
Who am I? Graig Nettles

I was a 19-year MLB pitcher who appeared in two World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies after averaging 18.9 points and 14.3 rebounds in three varsity basketball seasons with Notre Dame.
Who am I? Ron Reed

I was a catcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 World Series. I led Duquesne in scoring in my senior season with a 17.9 average in 1956-57 when I finished fourth in the nation in free-throw percentage (86.2). As a sophomore, I was a starter for an NIT championship team that compiled a 22-4 record and finished sixth in the final AP poll.
Who am I? Dave Ricketts

I appeared in 1915 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies en route to becoming the N.L.'s winningest lefthanded pitcher until Warren Spahn broke my record. I earned basketball letters with Virginia in 1911-12 and 1913-14.
Who am I? Eppa Rixey Jr.

I am a Hall of Fame pitcher who was a 20-game winner for six consecutive seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies after leading Michigan State in field-goal percentage as a junior captain. In 1950, I lost my only World Series start, 2-1, when the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio homered off me in the 10th inning.
Who am I? Robin Roberts

I am a Hall of Fame infielder who was a regular for six National League pennant winners after compiling league-high scoring averages in both of my seasons with UCLA. I collected two homers and seven doubles in World Series competition for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Who am I? Jackie Robinson

I was a four-time All-Star third baseman with the New York Yankees who appeared in six of the seven World Series from 1936 through 1942. I managed the Detroit Tigers after being a head basketball coach with Yale and with the Toronto Huskies of the Basketball Association of America. I played in a handful of basketball games for Dartmouth.
Who am I? Robert "Red" Rolfe

I was a New York Yankees lefthander who registered a pair of 2-1 World Series victories (over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1943) after playing for two of the premier teams in college basketball history when LIU went 24-2 in 1934-35 and 26-0 in 1935-36. I was named to the first five on the Metropolitan New York Basketball Writers Association All-Star Team after the undefeated season.
Who am I? Marius Russo

I pitched in two World Series games for the New York Yankees in 1964 after being a 6-4 sophomore forward who averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for Connecticut's NCAA Tournament team in 1959-60.
Who am I? Rollie Sheldon

I was a three-time All-Star first baseman-outfielder who played in the 1956 and 1958 World Series with the New York Yankees and 1967 World Series with the Boston Red Sox. I was a member of Southwest Missouri State squads that won back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953.
Who am I? Norm Siebern

I was an infielder-outfielder who batted .319 or better in 12 of 14 major league seasons with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs from 1921 through 1934. In 1927, my first full season with the Cubs, I led the N.L. with 46 doubles. In the Cubs' 1929 pennant-winning season, I combined with Hall of Famers Kiki Cuyler and Hack Wilson to become the first outfield in N.L. history to have each starter finish with more than 100 RBI. I hit .378 in nine World Series games with the Cubs in 1929 and 1932 after being a guard who earned a basketball letter with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 1920.
Who am I? Riggs Stephenson

I was a 10-year switch-hitting utilityman who played in the 1970 World Series with the Cincinnati Reds. I was an all-conference selection both years when I finished third in scoring for Austin Peay State teams in 1959-60 (11.5 points per game) and 1960-61 (10.4 ppg) that participated in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Who am I? Jimmy Stewart

I was a 13-year veteran who appeared in 485 major league games, all as a reliever, and won a 1979 World Series game with the Baltimore Orioles after being a starting forward opposite national player of the year David Thompson of North Carolina State for an NCAA basketball champion.
Who am I? Tim Stoddard

I was a lefthander who led the N.L. in won-loss percentage in 1973 (12-3 mark with the New York Mets) before appearing in the World Series and notching a save in Game 2 against the Oakland A's. Basketball letterman for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66 (averaged 14.7 ppg as teammate of noted women's coach Leon Barmore).
Who am I? George Stone

I was an 11-year infielder who led the A.L. in stolen bases three times and hit .326 in the World Series for back-to-back N.L. pennant winners with the Cincinnati Reds after becoming the first Duke player to earn All-American honors in basketball. I was the initial player to bat in a televised major league game (Reds vs. Brooklyn on August 26, 1939) and the only player ever to hit four consecutive doubles in a game in both leagues.
Who am I? Billy Werber

I was an outfielder who played in 12 All-Star Games and had over 3,000 career hits after playing the entire game for Minnesota in the Gophers' first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972. I participated in the World Series with the New York Yankees (1981) and Toronto Blue Jays (1992).
Who am I? Dave Winfield

In the longest opener in World Series history (5-4 decision over the New York Mets in 14 innings), I fanned the side in the top of the 12th for the Kansas City Royals in 2015 en route to three hitless frames of relief in my 11th MLB season after the 6-10 center was an All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00 (13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.9 bpg).
Who am I? Chris Young

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 22 MLB Games

October 22nd, 2017 - 9:17

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

Former Eastern university hoopers Danny Coombs (Seton Hall) and Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT) were involved in MLB trades on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 22

  • LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall basketball third-leading scorer and rebounder in 1961-62) purchased from the Houston Astros by the San Diego Padres in 1969.

  • Boston Red Sox 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) hit safely in all seven 1975 World Series games against the Cincinnati Reds.

  • C Art Kusnyer (led Kent State in field-goal percentage in 1965-66 when he was team's third-leading scorer and rebounder) traded by the California Angels to the Milwaukee Brewers in a nine-player swap in 1973.

  • OF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the California Angels in a nine-player swap in 1973.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 21 MLB Games

October 22nd, 2017 - 9:05

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

Former Far West university hoop guards Tony Gwynn (San Diego State) and Kenny Lofton (Arizona) supplied significant World Series performances as MLB outfielders on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 21

  • 1B Bill Davis (averaged 12.5 ppg in 1963-64 for Minnesota basketball team including eventual NBA standouts Archie Clark and Lou Hudson) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the San Diego Padres in 1968.

  • Kansas City Royals RHP Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) lost Game 6 when the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the 1980 World Series championship.

  • RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) traded with C Dave Ricketts (Duquesne's leading scorer with 17.9 ppg in 1956-57) by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) provided his third multiple-hit game in four World Series contests against the New York Yankees in 1998.

  • In 1995 opener against the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four squad compiling 35-3 record) became the first player since 1921 to steal two bases in one inning of a World Series game.

  • RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) made his lone World Series appearance, hurling two innings of shutout relief for the Minnesota Twins in Game 4 of the 1987 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1935.

  • OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 1962-63 and 1963-64 with LIU-C.W. Post) purchased from the Texas Rangers by the Kansas City Royals in 1971.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 20 MLB Games

October 13th, 2017 - 22:15

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

Former Big Apple college hoopers Frankie Frisch (Fordham) and Hank Greenberg (NYU) earned MLB league MVP awards on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 20

  • Texas Rangers RHP Mike Adams (Texas A&M-Kingsville hooper in 1996-97) registered a victory in Game 2 of the 2011 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • Philadelphia Athletics SS Jack Barry (hoops letterman for Holy Cross in 1908) contributed three hits and three runs against the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the 1910 World Series.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) captured the 1931 N.L. MVP.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoops scholarship in late 1920s) won 1935 A.L. MVP.

  • Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) named Seattle Mariners manager in 2004.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 19 MLB Games

October 13th, 2017 - 22:10

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

One former Southern college hooper (Don Kessinger/Ole Miss) replaced another (Larry Doby/Virginia Union) as MLB manager of the Chicago White Sox on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 19

  • RHP Bob Garibaldi (starting basketball forward for Santa Clara in 1961-62 when averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg) traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Kansas City Royals in 1970.

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

  • In 1978, 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) named player-manager of the Chicago White Sox after they dismissed Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist).

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP John Stuper (two-time all-conference junior college hooper in mid-1970s with Butler County PA) tossed a four-hitter in a 13-1 romp over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 6 of the 1982 World Series.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 18 MLB Games

October 13th, 2017 - 22:02

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

Former college hoopers Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC) and Bruce Hurst (Dixie UT J.C.) made news as MLB pitchers on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 18

  • RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup basketball player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) traded by the New York Mets to the St. Louis Cardinals in an eight-player swap in 1971.

  • Boston Red Sox LHP Bruce Hurst (J.C. hooper for Dixie UT in mid-1970s) notched a 1-0 victory against the New York Mets in the 1986 World Series opener.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 17 MLB Games

October 13th, 2017 - 21:52

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

Former San Diego State hoopers Tony Clark and Tony Gwynn made MLB postseason competition news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 17

  • RF George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Basketball Tournament with Tennessee State) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup hooper and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) started decisive Game 7 of the 1979 World Series but wasn't involved in the decision (4-1 win against Baltimore Orioles).

  • New York Yankees 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) contributed his only RBI in 37 postseason at-bats (against Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of 2004 ALCS).

  • Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting hoops center for Colby ME) outdueled Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson, 3-2, in 11-inning Game 3 of the 1911 World Series against the New York Giants.

  • Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Louisiana-Lafayette during World War II) fired as Oakland A's manager in 1975.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) stroked two doubles off New York Yankees P Catfish Hunter in Game 6 of the 1978 World Series.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) secured three hits, including his lone postseason homer, in the opener of the 1998 World Series against the New York Yankees.

  • LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg), winner of the 2000 ALCS MVP award, contributed a three-run homer to help the New York Yankees defeat the Seattle Mariners, 9-7.

  • RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) registered a hold for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the 1993 World Series but yielded his only run in 11 career postseason relief appearances.

  • After winning the opener of the 1911 World Series, New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) took a shutout into the ninth inning in Game 3 when 3B John Baker belted a contest-tying homer for the Philadelphia Athletics, who went on to win in the 11th frame. The clutch blast helped him become known as "Home Run" Baker.

  • RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago Cubs in 1962.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper in mid-1960s for Marietta OH) notched a save in decisive Game 7 of the 1979 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 16 MLB Games

October 13th, 2017 - 21:47

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

Former college hoopers Donn Clendenon (Morehouse GA) and Ken Singleton (Hofstra) supplied significant World Series hitting performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 16

  • In Game 5, 1B Donn Clendenon (played basketball for Morehouse GA) homered in his third consecutive appearance against the Baltimore Orioles to help power the New York Mets to the 1969 World Series title.

  • Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the New York Yankees in 1961.

  • 1B Dick Siebert (Concordia-St. Paul MN hooper in 1929 and 1930) traded by the Philadelphia Athletics to the St. Louis Browns in 1945.

  • Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) supplied his second three-hit game in the 1979 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 15 MLB Games

October 13th, 2017 - 21:38

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

Three former college hoopers from Oklahoma schools - Jerry Adair (Oklahoma State), Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State) and Don Kaiser (East Central) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 15

  • 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's top three basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) selected from the Boston Red Sox by the Kansas City Royals in 1968 expansion draft.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 14 MLB Games

October 13th, 2017 - 21:22

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

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

OCTOBER 14

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

  • 1B Donn Clendenon (Morehouse GA hooper) selected from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Montreal Expos in 1968 expansion draft.

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

  • RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the San Diego Padres as the third pick in 1968 expansion draft.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • INF Gary Sutherland (Southern California's fifth-leading scorer in 1963-64 when averaging 7.4 ppg) selected from the Philadelphia Phillies by the Montreal Expos in 1968 expansion draft.

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 13 MLB Games

October 13th, 2017 - 18:59

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

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

OCTOBER 13

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

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

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

  • Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) fired as San Diego Padres manager in 1981.

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

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

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

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

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

  • Baltimore Orioles RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) won Game 4 as a reliever against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1979 World Series.

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

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 12 MLB Games

October 12th, 2017 - 7:50

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

Former college hoopers Bob Gibson (Creighton) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) supplied superb World Series pitching performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 12

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

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

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

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

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

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 11 MLB Games

October 10th, 2017 - 7:55

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

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

OCTOBER 11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 10 MLB Games

October 10th, 2017 - 7:16

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

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

OCTOBER 10

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

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

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

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

  • In the 1961 expansion draft, the New York Mets selected RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) from the Los Angeles Dodgers, OF John DeMerit (hoops letterman for Wisconsin in 1956-57) from the Milwaukee Braves, 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) from the Dodgers and RHP Jay Hook (Northwestern's third-leading scorer with 10.7 ppg as sophomore in 1955-56) from the Cincinnati Reds. The same expansion draft also had the Houston Colt .45s selecting 1B-OF Dick Gernert (letterman with Temple in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) from the Reds and RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia's hoops captain in 1951-52) from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vulture Culture: Power-League Members Pick On Mid-Majors Same as Carcass

October 9th, 2017 - 19:05

Possible new NCAA transfer rules could enable non-graduate players to switch schools without requirement to sit out a redshirt season. Some observers fear power-conference members will circle mid-major institutions like vultures. But power-league schools have done so in significant way for years, anyway. Conference USA rosters were hardest hit of late with the Atlantic 10, Mountain West, Big South and Mid-American not far behind. Following is an extensive alphabetical list of mid-major transfers who shifted to and played for power-conference members this decade:

Maurice Acker, G (Ball State 06/Marquette 08-10)
Chase Adams, G (Centenary 07-09/Pittsburgh 10)
Brandon Alston, G (Lehigh 15-17/Georgia Tech 18)
Mark Alstrok, G (Wright State 16-17/Illinois 18)
Braeden Anderson, F (Fresno State 13-15/Seton Hall 16)
Darion Anderson, G (Northern Illinois 08-10/Iowa State 11)
Logan Aronhalt, G (Albany 09-12/Maryland 13)
Olu Ashaolu, F (Louisiana Tech 09-11/Oregon 12)
Freddy Asprilla, F (Florida International 09/Kansas State 11)
Alex Austin, G (Eastern Illinois 13-14/Illinois 16-17)
Paris Austin, G (Boise State 16-17/California 19)
Dallin Bachynski, C (Southern Utah 10/Utah 13-15)
Calvin Baker, G (William & Mary 06/Virginia 08-10)
Sedrick Barefield, G (Southern Methodist 16/Utah 17-18)
Canyon Barry, G (College of Charleston 14-16/Florida 17)
Antonio Barton, G (Memphis 11-13/Tennessee 14)
Dimitri Batten, G (Old Dominion 12-14/Boston College 15)
Keion Bell, G (Pepperdine 09-11/Missouri 13)
Seth Berger, F (Massachusetts 14-17/Oregon State 18)
Malcolm Bernard, G-F (Florida A&M 16/Xavier 17)
Jeff Beverly, F (Texas-San Antonio 17/Iowa State 18)
Justin Bibbins, G (Long Beach State 15-17/Utah 18)
Tarik Black, F (Memphis 11-13/ Kansas 14)
Perris Blackwell, F (San Francisco 10-12/Washington 14)
Carl Blair, G (New Orleans 10/Oklahoma 11-12)
Josh Bone, G (Southern Illinois 07-08/Tennessee 10-11)
Anthony Booker, F (Southern Illinois 09-10/Iowa State 12-13)
Darrell Bowie, F (Northern Illinois 13-15/Iowa State 17)
Monty Boykins, G (Lafayette 14-17/Pittsburgh 18)
Hans Brase, F (Princeton 13-17/Iowa State 18)
Aaron Brown, G (Southern Mississippi 14/Boston College 15)
Elijah Brown, G (New Mexico 16-17/Oregon 18)
C.J. Bryce, G (UNC Wilmington 16-17/North Carolina State 19)
Braden Burke, F (Robert Morris 17/Michigan State 19)
Charles Carmouche, G (Memphis 11-12/Louisiana State 13)
Ben Carter, F (UNLV 15-17/Michigan State 18)
Jordan Chatman, G (Brigham Young 15-16/Boston College 17-18)
Zylan Cheatham, F (San Diego State 16-17/Arizona State 19)
Dario Clark, F (Charlotte 13/Southern California 15-16)
David Collette, F (Utah State 15/Utah 17-18)
Corban Collins, G (Morehead State 15-16/Alabama 17)
Jeremy Combs, F (North Texas 15-17/Louisiana State 18)
Markel Crawford, G (Memphis 14-17/Mississippi 18)
Seth Curry, G (Liberty 09/Duke 11-13)
James Daniel III, G (Howard University 14-17/Tennessee 18)
Luke Davis, G (Gardner-Webb 11/North Carolina 13-15)
Joey De La Rosa, C (Florida International 12-14/St. John's 15)
Glen Dean, G (Eastern Washington 10-11/Utah 13)
Bryce Dejean-Jones, G (UNLV 13-14/Iowa State 15)
Deng Deng, F (Long Beach State 13/Baylor 15)
Jordan Dickerson, C (Southern Methodist 13/Penn State 14-16)
Trey Dickerson, G (South Dakota 17/Georgetown 18)
Mikey Dixon, G (Quinnipiac 17/St. John's 18)
Torin Dorn, G (Charlotte 15/North Carolina State 17-18)
Samir Doughty, G (Virginia Commonwealth 16-17/Auburn 19)
Jimmy Drew, G (Southeast Missouri State 07-08/DePaul 10-11)
Jarred DuBois, G (Loyola Marymount 09-12/Utah 13)
Brandon Dunson, G (SIU-Edwardsville 09/Arizona State 11)
Richie Edwards, F (Valparaiso 12/Arizona State 14)
Rob Edwards, G (Cleveland State 16-17/Arizona State 18)
John Egbunu, C (South Florida 14/Florida 16-18)
Jon Ekey, F (Illinois State 11-13/Illinois 14)
Dylan Ennis, G (Rice 12/Villanova 14-15)
Lew Evans, F (Utah State 16/Tennessee 17)
R.J. Evans, G (Holy Cross 09-12/Connecticut 13)
Shannon Evans, G (Buffalo 14-15/Arizona State 17-18)
John Fields, F (UNC Wilmington 10/Tennessee 11)
Sam Finley, G (UC Riverside 14/Mississippi 16)
Bryn Forbes, G (Cleveland State 13-14/Michigan State 15-16)
Jordan Gathers, G (St. Bonaventure 12-14/Butler 16)
Samson George, F (Iona 17/Pittsburgh 18)
Michael Gerrity, G (Charlotte 08/Southern California 10)
C.J. Gettys, C (UNC Wilmington 13-16/Rutgers 17)
Tomasz Gielo, F (Liberty 12-15/Mississippi 16)
John Gillon, G (Colorado State 15-16/Syracuse 17)
Melvin Goins, G (Ball State 08/Tennessee 10-11)
Savon Goodman, F (UNLV 13/Arizona Stte 15-16)
Derrick Gordon, G (Massachusetts 14-15/Seton Hall 16)
Evan Gordon, G (Liberty 10-11/Arizona State 13)
Christian Gore, G (Brown 12/Texas Christian 14-15)
Omari Grier, G (Bradley 14-15/Rutgers 16)
D.J. Haley, C (Virginia Commonwealth 11-13/Southern California 14)
Ahmed Hamdy, F (Virginia Commonwealth 16-17/Texas Christian 18)
J.C. Hampton, G (Lipscomb 13-16/Texas A&M 17)
Luke Hancock, G-F (George Mason 10-11/Louisville 13-14)
Jalen Harris, G (New Mexico 17/Arkansas 19)
Damarcus Harrison, G (Brigham Young 12/Clemson 13-15)
Chris Harrison-Docks, G (Western Kentucky 14-16/DePaul 17)
Deontae Hawkins, F (Illinois State 15-17/Boston College 18)
Tony Hicks, G (Penn 13-15/Louisville 17)
Johnny Hill, G (Texas-Arlington 15/Purdue 16)
Kory Holden, G (Delaware 15-16/South Carolina 18)
Merrill Holden, F (Louisiana Tech 15-16/Iowa State 17)
Avry Holmes, G (San Francisco 13-14/Clemson 16-17)
Jonathan Holton, F (Rhode Island 12/West Virginia 15-16)
Barry Honore', F (Southern 08-09/Oklahoma 11-12)
Keith Hornsby, G (UNC-Asheville 12-13/Louisiana State 15-16)
Danuel House, G-F (Houston 13-14/Texas A&M 15-16)
Cole Huff, F (Nevada 13-14/Creighton 16-17)
Stephen Hurt, F-C (Lipscomb 13/Kansas State 15-16)
Mareik Isom, F (UALR 14-16/Texas 17)
Valentine Izundu, C (Houston 13-14/Washington State 16)
Isaiah Jackson, G-F (George Mason 15/Providence 17-18)
Jordan Jackson, G (Northern Kentucky 14-15/Texas Tech 16)
Damien Jefferson, G-F (New Mexico 17/Creighton 19)
Alex Johnson, G (Cal State Bakersfield 08-11/North Carolina State 12)
Delvon Johnson, F (Western Illinois 08/Arkansas 10-11)
Ronnie Johnson, G (Houston 16/Auburn 17)
Paul Jorgensen, G (George Washington 15-16/Butler 18)
DeAndre Kane, G (Marshall 11-13/Iowa State 14)
Kerem Kanter, F (Green Bay 15-17/Xavier 18)
Arsalan Kazemi, F (Rice 10-12/Oregon 13)
Michael Kesens, F (Longwood 13/Alabama 15-16)
Peter Kiss, G (Quinnipiac 17/Rutgers 19)
Egor Koulechov, F (Rice 16-17/Florida 18)
Jeremiah Kreisberg, C (Yale 11-13/Northwestern 15)
Mychal Ladd, G-F (Fresno State 09-10/Washington State 12-13)
Zach LeDay, F (South Florida 14/Virginia Tech 16-17)
Anthony Lee, F (Temple 12-14/Ohio State 15)
Damion Lee, G (Drexel 12-15/Louisville 16)
Darius Leonard, F (Campbell 13-14/Wake Forest 15)
Khalid Lewis, G (La Salle 14-15/Illinois 16)
Trey Lewis, G (Cleveland State 14-15/Louisville 16)
Anthony Livingston, F (Arkansas State 15-16/Texas Tech 17)
Junior Lomomba, G (Cleveland State 13/Providence 15-16)
Elijah Long, G (Mount St. Mary's 16-17/Texas 19)
Robert Lumpkins, F (New Mexico State 09-10/Rutgers 11)
Reggie Lynch, C (Illinois State 14-15/Minnesota 17-18)
Rafael Maia, C (Brown 13-15/Pittsburgh 16)
Greg Malinowski, G (William & Mary 15-17/Georgetown 19)
Marin Maric, C (Northern Illinois 14-17/DePaul 18)
Antoine Mason, G (Niagara 11-14/Auburn 15)
Deandre Mathieu, G (Morehead State 12/Minnesota 14-15)
Julius Mays, G (Wright State 12/Kentucky 13)
Amath M'Baye, F (Wyoming 10-11/Oklahoma 13)
Eric McClellan, G (Tulsa 12/Vanderbilt 14)
T.J. McConnell, G (Duquesne 11-12/Arizona 14-15)
Kellen McCormick, F (Western Michigan 14-16/Georgia Tech 17)
Mikyle McIntosh, F (Illinois State 14-17/Oregon 18)
Trey McKinney-Jones, G (UMKC 09-10/Miami FL 12-13)
Quincy McKnight, G (Sacred Heart 16-17/Seton Hall 19)
Sam McLaurin, F (Coastal Carolina 09-12/Illinois 13)
Gio McLean, G (Quinnipiac 16/Texas Tech 17)
Ricky McPhee, G (Gardner-Webb 06-07/Georgia 09-10)
Zach McRoberts, G (Vermont 15, Indiana 17-18)
Shonn Miller, F (Cornell 12-15/Connecticut 16)
Shadell Millinghaus, G (Southern Mississippi 15/Texas Tech 17)
Robert Mitchell, F (Duquesne 07/Seton Hall 09-10)
Stefan Moody, G (Florida Atlantic 13/Mississippi 15-16)
Mike Moser, F (UNLV 12-13/Oregon 14)
Arnett Moultrie, F (Texas-El Paso 09-10/Mississippi State 12)
Patrick Muldoon, F (Eastern Illinois 16-17/Kansas State 19)
Grant Mullins, G (Columbia 13-16/California 17)
Aaric Murray, C (La Salle 10-11/West Virginia 13)
DeSean Murray, F (Presbyterian 15-16/Auburn 18)
Ron Mvouika, G (Missouri State 14-15/St. John's 16)
Wesley Myers, G (Maine 17/South Carolina 18)
Abdel Nader, F (Northern Illinois 12-13/Iowa State 15-16)
Cullen Neal, G (New Mexico 14-16/Mississippi 17)
Josh Nebo, C-F (Saint Francis PA 16-17/Texas A&M 19)
Alonzo Nelson-Ododa, F (Richmond 13-15/Pittsburgh 16)
D.J. Newbill, G (Southern Mississippi 11/Penn State 13-15)
Kipper Nichols, F (Tulane 16/Illinois 17-18)
Connor Nolte, F (Furman 08-09/Georgia 11-12)
Jon Octeus, G (Colorado State 13-14/Purdue 15)
Duby Okeke, C (Winthrop 15-17/Nebraska 18)
Bola Olaniyan, F (Southern Illinois 14-16/Alabama 17)
Dominik Olejniczak, C (Drake 16/Mississippi 18)
Royce O'Neale, F (Denver 12-13/Baylor 14-15)
Omar Oraby, C (Rice 11-12/Southern California 13-14)
Dylan Osetkowski, F (Tulane 15-16/Texas 18)
Richaud Pack, G (North Carolina A&T 14/Maryland 15)
Eric Paschall, F (Fordham 15/Villanova 17-18)
Matt Pilgrim, F (Hampton 07-08/Oklahoma State 10-11)
Herb Pope, F (New Mexico State 08/Seton Hall 10-12)
Rodney Pryor, G (Robert Morris 15-16/Georgetown 17)
Tyler Rawson, F (Southern Utah 15/Utah 17-18)
Brandon Reed, G (Arkansas State 10 & 14/Georgia Tech 12-13)
Marcquise Reed, G (Robert Morris 15/Clemson 17-18)
Katin Reinhardt, G (UNLV 13/Southern California 15-16)
M.J. Rhett, F (Tennessee State 12-14/Mississippi 15)
Allen Roberts, G (Miami of Ohio 10-13/Penn State 14)
Kassius Robertson, G (Canisius 15-17/Missouri 18)
Gerald Robinson, G (Tennessee State 08-09/Georgia 11-12)
K.C. Ross-Miller, G (New Mexico State 13-14/Auburn 15)
Andrew Rowsey, G (UNC Asheville 14-15/Marquette 17-18)
Mawdo Sallah, F (Mount St. Mary's 15-17/Kansas State 18-19)
Robert Sampson, F (East Carolina 11-13/Georgia Tech 15)
Kethan Savage, G (George Washington 13-15/Butler 17)
Keith Shamburger, G (Hawaii 14/Missouri 15)
Drew Shiller, G (San Francisco 06/Stanford 08-10)
Steadman Short, F (High Point 09/Mississippi 11-12)
Jaaron Simmons, G (Ohio University 16-17/Michigan 18)
David Skara, F (Valparaiso 15-16/Clemson 18-19)
Adam Smith, G (UNC Wilmington 12/Virginia Tech 14-15)
Chris Smith, G (Manhattan 08-09/Louisville 11-12)
Dylan Smith, G (UNC Asheville 17/Arizona 19)
Kendall Smith, G (CSU Northridge 16-17/Oklahoma State 18)
LaRon Smith, F (Bethune-Cookman 16/Auburn 17)
Leslee Smith, F (Southern Methodist 12/Nebraska 14-15)
Malik Smith, G (Florida International 13/Minnesota 14)
Sterling Smith, G (Coppin State 13-15/Pittsburgh 16)
Terence Smith, G (UT-Martin 11-14/Mississippi 15)
Akeem Springs, G (Milwaukee 15-16/Minnesota 17)
Matt Stainbrook, C (Western Michigan 11-12/Xavier 14-15)
Xavian Stapleton, F (Louisiana Tech 15/Mississippi State 17-18)
Juwan Staten, G (Dayton 11/West Virginia 13-15)
Jay-R Strowbridge, G (Jacksonville State 10/Oregon 11)
Manny Suarez, C (Fordham 15/Adelphi NY 16-17/Creighton 18)
Ronnie Suggs, G (Bradley 16-17/Missouri 19)
Dwayne Sutton, F (UNC Asheville 16/Louisville 18)
Dylan Talley, G (Binghamton 10/Nebraska 12-13)
Zoran Talley Jr., F (Old Dominion 16-17/Iowa State 19)
Ricky Tarrant, G (Tulane 12-13/Alabama 15)
Dwight Tarwater, F (Cornell 12-14/California 15)
Connar Tava, F (Western Michigan 13-15/Boston College 17)
Zaire Taylor, G (Delaware 06-07/Missouri 09-10)
Gene Teague, C (Southern Illinois 10-11/Seton Hall 13-14)
Devon Thomas, G (Missouri State 14/Texas Tech 16-17)
Jake Thomas, G (South Dakota 10-11/Marquette 13-14)
Joe Thomas, F (Niagara 12-14/Miami FL 15)
TaShawn Thomas, F (Houston 12-14/Oklahoma 15)
Terrence Thompson, F (Marshall 16-17/Wake Forest 18)
Mark Tollefsen, F (San Francisco 13-15/Arizona 16)
Joe Trapani, F (Vermont 07/Boston College 09-11)
Robert Upshaw, C (Fresno State 13/Washington 15)
Andrew Van Nest, F-C (Harvard 10-11/Boston College 13)
Chris Washburn, F (Texas-El Paso 13/Texas Christian 15-17)
Maurice Watson Jr., G (Boston University 13-14/Creighton 16-17)
Michael Weathers, G (Miami of Ohio 17/Oklahoma State 19)
Julian Welch, G (UC Davis 10/Minnesota 12-13)
Justin Wesley, F (Lamar 10/Kansas 12-14)
Tyler Whatley, F (Wofford 06-08/Georgia 10)
James White, G (UALR 13-15/Georgia Tech 16)
Kore White, F (Florida Atlantic 11-12/South Florida 13)
Jack Whitman, F (William & Mary 15-17/Kansas 18)
Coron Williams, G (Robert Morris 11-13/Wake Forest 14)
Miles Wilson, G (Mount St. Mary's 17/Miami FL 19)
Quevyn Winters, G (Duquesne 13/Washington 15)
Eric Wise, F (UC Irvine 09-11/Southern California 13)
Brandon Wood, G (Valparaiso 10-11/Michigan State 12)
Keyshawn Woods, G (Charlotte 15/Wake Forest 17-18)
Avery Woodson, G (Memphis 15-16/Butler 17)
Kyle Wright, F (Stony Brook 07/Providence 10)
Joe Young, G (Houston 12-13/Oregon 14-15)
Kevin Young, F (Loyola Marymount 09-10/Kansas 12-13)
Trey Zeigler, G-F (Central Michigan 11-12/Pittsburgh 13)
Nick Zeisloft, G (Illinois State 13-14/Indiana 15-16)
Andrew Zimmermann, F (Santa Clara 08/Stanford 10-12)

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 9 MLB Games

October 9th, 2017 - 7:09

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

Former college hoopers Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) hurled World Series shutouts on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 9 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All the Kings' Men: Sendek Succeeds Pitino as Top Producer of Head Coaches

October 8th, 2017 - 17:45

For whatever reason, some mentors have a knack for developing NCAA Division I head coaches. Rick Pitino had the most ex-assistants (14) currently serving as DI bench bosses before Louisville changed the locks to his office.

Oklahoma's Lon Kruger (eight) has more former aides presently piloting DI programs than luminaries such as Kansas' Bill Self (six), Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (five), North Carolina's Roy Williams (five), Kentucky's John Calipari (four), Syracuse's Jim Boeheim (two) and Michigan State's Tom Izzo (two). But Kruger is locked in as runner-up to Santa Clara's Herb Sendek regarding most prolific producer of proteges in a DI head-coaching capacity.

Coincidentally, Sendek was an assistant coach at Providence and UK under Pitino for a total of six seasons. Former Miami (Ohio) assistant Thad Matta departed Ohio State, but following is an alphabetical list of the 12 active DI head coaches previously serving on a Sendek staff (six with Arizona State/four with Miami of Ohio/four with North Carolina State/one with Santa Clara):

DI Head Coach Current University Stint(s) as Assistant Under Sendek
Jim Christian Boston College Miami (Ohio) for one season in 1995-96
John Groce Akron North Carolina State for four seasons from 1996-97 through 1999-00
Larry Hunter Western Carolina North Carolina State for four seasons from 2001-02 through 2004-05
Ron Hunter Georgia State Miami (Ohio) for one season in 1993-94
Archie Miller Indiana North Carolina State for two seasons in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and Arizona State for one season in 2006-07
Sean Miller Arizona Miami (Ohio) for two seasons in 1993-94 and 1994-95 and North Carolina State for five seasons from 1996-97 through 2000-01
Eric Musselman Nevada Arizona State for two seasons in 2012-13 and 2013-14
Barret Peery Portland State Arizona State for one season in 2014-15 and Santa Clara for one season in 2016-17
Scott Pera Rice Arizona State for six seasons from 2006-07 through 2011-12
Rob Senderoff Kent State Miami (Ohio) for one season in 1995-96
Lamont Smith San Diego Arizona State for four seasons from 2008-09 through 2011-12
Dedrique Taylor Cal State Fullerton Arizona State for seven seasons from 2006-07 through 2012-13

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 8 MLB Games

October 8th, 2017 - 7:22

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

Three former hoopers from Pennsylvania small colleges - George Earnshaw (Swarthmore), Danny Litwhiler (Bloomsburg) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) - supplied significant World Series performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 8 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 8

  • New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (played basketball for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) delivered three doubles against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1951 World Series.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 7 MLB Games

October 7th, 2017 - 7:32

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

Two former hoopers from West Virginia small colleges - Greasy Neale (West Virginia Wesleyan) and Joe Niekro (West Liberty) - supplied significant postseason competition performances for N.L. teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 7 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 6 MLB Games

October 6th, 2017 - 6:33

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

Two former small-college hoopers from Pennsylvania - George Earnshaw (Swarthmore) and Joe Ostrowski (Scranton) - supplied significant World Series pitching performances for A.L. teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 6 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) outdueled fellow lefthander Whitey Ford as the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the 1963 World Series from the New York Yankees. RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) contributed both of L.A.'s safeties off Ford, including a long homer in the fifth inning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) relieved in each of the first three games against the New York Mets in the 1969 NLCS.

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 5 MLB Games

October 5th, 2017 - 6:36

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

Two former hoopers from Kentucky small colleges - "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State) and David Justice (Thomas More) - made MLB postseason competition news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 5 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 5

  • RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading basketball scorer for NYU in 1943-44) won Game 6 of the 1947 World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers when he was helped by Al Gionfriddo's famous catch of New York Yankees Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio's long drive to left field.

  • Milwaukee Braves OF John DeMerit (Wisconsin hoops letterman in 1956-57) served as a pinch-runner in Game 3 of the 1957 World Series.

  • New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in the opener of the 1921 World Series.

  • St. Louis Cardinals SS Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of last three seasons in late 1920s with Lebanon Valley PA) hit safely in first four World Series games against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1930.

  • New York Giants INF Eddie Grant (paced Harvard's freshman hoops squad in scoring in 1902 and played varsity as sophomore before declared ineligible for receiving money in independent summer baseball league) died from German shelling in 1918 in the Argonne Forest, France, during WWI while in charge of his battalion after his commanding officer was killed.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection was Washington State's leading rebounder each season from 1992-93 through 1995-96) allowed his only hit in three scoreless relief appearances against the New York Mets in the 2006 NLDS.

  • 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) went 3-for-3, including a two-run double putting the Brooklyn Dodgers ahead for good, in a 13-8 win against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the 1956 World Series. Three years later in the 1959 WS, Hodges' homer in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Dodgers a 5-4 triumph against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4.

  • New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) hit safely seven straight times in the 1951 World Series against the New York Yankees.

  • Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg in 1961-62 with Texas A&M) homered in back-to-back 1970 ALCS games against the Minnesota Twins.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers RF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52), blanked by Dave McNally and Moe Drabowsky of the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 opener, went hitless for the only time in his last nine World Series contests.

  • DH David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) homered off Dwight Gooden to help the Cleveland Indians square their 1997 ALDS at two games apiece with the New York Yankees.

  • New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) contributed four hits, including a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning, in a 7-4 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 4 of the 1941 World Series.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as All-Iowa Conference freshman selection in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) contributed a homer and triple while knocking in three runs in a 4-0 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of 1978 NLCS.

  • CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) accounted for the Philadelphia Phillies' lone run with a homer in a 7-1 setback against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1977 NLCS.

  • 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) manufactured three hits, scored the Washington Senators' first run and drove in their last two runs in a 4-0 win against the New York Giants in Game 3 of the 1933 World Series.

  • Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (hoops letterman with Millsaps MS in late 1920s and early 1930s) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the 1945 World Series.

  • RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer during two years he attended Mount Morris IL in early 1930s) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1937 Rule 5 draft.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) lost Game 2 of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees, 2-1, on Joe DiMaggio's leadoff homer in the 10th inning.

  • New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) notched the victory in Game 5 of the 1936 World Series against the New York Yankees. Schumacher lost Game 2 three days earlier.

  • Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) yielded only one hit in combining with Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) for a 4-0 triumph against the Minnesota Twins in 1980.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader named All-Evergreen Conference in 1958-59 and 1959-60) won Game 3 of the 1968 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

  • In 1985, RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) became the first New York Yankee to collect 100 RBI and score 100 runs in a single season since Joe DiMaggio in 1942.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 4 MLB Games

October 4th, 2017 - 7:56

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

Former hoopers from four New York colleges - Hank Greenberg (NYU), Jim Konstanty (Syracuse), Marius Russo (LIU) and Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence) - supplied significant World Series performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 4 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 4

  • RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) helped the Detroit Tigers capture their first World Series in 1935, starting Game 3 against the Chicago Cubs and allowing two earned runs in six innings in a contest Detroit won in extra frames.

  • In a one-game playoff for the 1948 A.L. pennant, Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out four hits, including two homers, in an 8-3 win at Boston. Boudreau finished the year with only nine strikeouts, the lowest number by any regular since 1922.

  • Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) collected three hits, two runs and two stolen bases in a 9-8 triumph against the California Angels in Game 2 of the 1979 ALCS.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Bud Culloton (Fordham hoops letterman from 1919 through 1921) started and yielded only one earned run in five innings but dropped his lone MLB decision (4-1 in nightcap of 1925 doubleheader).

  • New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) delivered a three-run homer against New York Yankees P Allie Reynolds in the opener of the 1951 World Series. Thirteen years later, Dark was dismissed as San Francisco Giants manager in 1964.

  • In 1930, St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924), who hit an anemic .140 in 13 career World Series contests, broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning by smacking his lone postseason homer in a 5-0 victory against the Philadelphia Athletics in Game 3.

  • California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) lost his lone postseason start (against Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of 1979 ALCS).

  • INF Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of his last three seasons with Lebanon Valley PA in late 1920s) selected by the Washington Senators from the St. Louis Browns in 1938 Rule 5 draft.

  • In the opener of the 1967 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) fanned 10 Boston batters in a 2-1 triumph. Red Sox OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953) led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a pinch single off Gibson but his pinch-runner was left stranded.

  • Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoops scholarship in 1929) whacked a decisive three-run homer in a 4-1 Game 2 victory against the Chicago Cubs in the 1945 World Series.

  • In the opening game of the 1951 World Series, LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) stole home and collected four hits to spark the New York Giants to a 5-1 victory against the New York Yankees.

  • New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) launched his second homer of the 1942 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s), after making 133 straight relief appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies, started Game 1 of the 1950 World Series but lost against the New York Yankees, 1-0.

  • Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) swiped three bases against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the 1996 ALDS. Nine years later, Lofton collected three hits and four RBI against the New York Yankees in the 2007 ALDS opener.

  • Philadelphia Phillies OF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season) smacked a pinch homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of the 1978 NLCS.

  • St. Francisco Giants RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) tossed his lone MLB shutout (four-hitter with 10 strikeouts against Atlanta Braves in 1985).

  • Minnesota Twins 2B Dan Monzon (played hoops briefly for Buena Vista IA in 1964-65) scored four runs against the Chicago White Sox in a 1972 contest.

  • In 1930, Chicago White Sox rookie OF Jimmy Moore (Union TN hoops standout in late 1920s) stroked a pinch-hit single in his first World Series at-bat in Game 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • RF Bill Nicholson (hooper for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies for former N.L. batting champion Harry Walker in 1948.

  • RHP Roy Parmelee (hoops letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) selected from the Boston Red Sox by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 Rule 5 draft.

  • RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western hoops letterman in 1929-30) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 Rule 5 draft.

  • Jim Riggleman (two-year hoops letterman for Frostburg State MD averaged 7.2 ppg in early 1970s) fired as Chicago Cubs manager in 1999.

  • New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling a 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) hurled a four-hitter in a 2-1 verdict over the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 3 of the 1941 World Series. In the seventh inning of a scoreless tie, Russo broke P Fred Fitzsimmons' knee with a line drive.

  • New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) tossed a five-hitter in a 6-1 victory in Game 2 of the 1933 World Series against the Washington Senators.

  • Baltimore Orioles RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) yielded a run in final relief appearance of 1980 campaign after holding the opposition scoreless in previous 14-game span during the month when he recorded seven saves.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 3 MLB Games

October 3rd, 2017 - 7:26

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

Former hoopers from seven universities reaching Final Four at some point in their history - Jim Beattie (Dartmouth), Ralph Branca (NYU), Alvin Dark (LSU), Buddy Myer (Mississippi State), Steve Renko (Kansas), Moose Skowron (Purdue) and Randy Winn (Santa Clara) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 3

  • New York Yankees rookie RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) won the opener of the 1978 ALCS against the Kansas City Royals, yielding only two hits in 5 1/3 innings.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) sustained his sixth setback of the 1951 season against the New York Giants when Bobby Thomson hit the "shot heard round the world" (three-run homer in bottom of ninth inning) to decide the N.L. playoff. A single by SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) started the rally climaxed by Thomson's historic blast.

  • 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") traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958.

  • Jim Fanning (Buena Vista IA hooper in late 1940s) resigned as Montreal Expos manager in 1982.

  • Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 12.8 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 with Swarthmore PA for three Southern Division champions in MASC) earned the win with 4 2/3 innings of one-hit relief against the Minnesota Twins in the opener of the 1970 ALCS. Six years earlier, Hall improved his record to 9-1 by closing out the 1964 campaign with his 13th straight scoreless relief appearance.

  • Cleveland Indians LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) collected two doubles, including a two-run safety in the eighth inning, in a 2-1 win against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 to clinch the 1998 ALDS.

  • LHP Bill Krueger (led WCAC in free-throw percentage as a Portland freshman in 1975-76) traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988.

  • Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) smacked the first homer of the 1957 World Series (third inning of Game 2 against New York Yankees).

  • In 1904, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) fanned 16 St. Louis Cardinals in a 3-1 triumph.

  • Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) committed three errors in the opener of the 1933 World Series against the New York Giants.

  • RF Bill Nicholson (hooper for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) provided a two-run triple to fuel a four-run, first-inning outburst sparking the Chicago Cubs to a 9-0 win against the Detroit Tigers in the opener of the 1945 World Series.

  • Chicago White Sox OF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) collected five RBI against the Oakland Athletics in a 1987 game.

  • Despite striking out seven consecutive New York Mets hitters, Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) had his record fall to 1-10 with a 5-2 defeat against Hall of Famer Tom Seaver in the opener of a 1972 doubleheader.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) registered a complete-game victory against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1952 World Series.

  • New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) smashed a three-run, first-inning homer to ignite a 5-1 Game 6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1955 World Series.

  • Chicago Cubs RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) secured a save against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the 1984 NLCS.

  • Tampa Bay Devil Rays CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) ripped a grand slam in a 6-2 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1999.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 2 MLB Games

October 2nd, 2017 - 5:43

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

Ex-hoopers from five current and former Big East Conference members - Danny Coombs (Seton Hall), Walt Dropo (Connecticut), Bob Gibson (Creighton), Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati) and Birdie Tebbetts (Providence) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 2 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 2

  • Chicago Cubs RHP Dale Alderson (All-Iowa Conference basketball selection for Upper Iowa in 1938-39 and 1939-40) lost his lone MLB decision (2-0 against Boston Braves in 1943).

  • Philadelphia Athletics LHP Stan Baumgartner (hooper for University of Chicago's Big Ten Conference champion in 1913-14) hurled a six-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in 1925, holding both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig hitless.

  • RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) yielded the first pinch-hit homer in World Series history (by Yogi Berra of New York Yankees in 1947) but the Brooklyn Dodgers still prevailed in Game 3, 9-8. Two days earlier, Branca lost Game 1 when he was knocked out in the fifth inning.

  • New York Yankees OF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) pounded a pinch homer off the Brooklyn Dodgers' winning rookie RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) in Game 5 of the 1955 World Series.

  • Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) contributed both of his homers in 31 World Series contests in the first two outings against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1930.

  • CF Earle Combs (three-year hoops captain for Eastern Kentucky) clubbed a homer and scored four runs as the New York Yankees swept the 1932 World Series by crushing the Chicago Cubs, 13-6. It was the Bronx Bombers' 12th straight WS game win.

  • In 1964, Houston Colt .45s LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as sophomore in 1961-62) notched his first MLB victory, holding the Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless over five innings as a starter.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Jack Coombs (hoops captain and starting center for Colby ME) hurled a shutout, beating the New York Giants for the sixth time in as many decisions in 1916.

  • SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) extended his World Series competition hitting streak to 12 in a row with three safeties in Game 4 as the New York Giants finished their sweep of the Cleveland Indians in 1954.

  • CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) contributed four hits as the Cleveland Indians assure themselves of a tie for the 1948 A.L. title with an 8-0 triumph against the Detroit Tigers.

  • In 1950, Boston Red Sox 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for season with 21.7 in 1942-43) became the first player to surpass 100 with more RBI (144) than games played (136).

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) hammered his MLB-leading 40th homer in 1985, becoming the first player to reach such a plateau in each league (41 round-trippers for Atlanta Braves in 1973).

  • In the opener of the 1968 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) outdueled 30-game winner Denny McLain, 4-0, and established a WS record by fanning 17 Detroit Tigers.

  • Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) went 4-for-4 against the Seattle Mariners in a 1985 contest.

  • Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) fired as New York Mets manager in 1983.

  • In 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) concluded his final season with career bests of 27 victories and 1.73 ERA. The previous year, Koufax finished with a single-season MLB-mark 382 strikeouts after fanning 13 Milwaukee Braves batters. In the 1963 World Series opener, the first five batters he faced whiffed en route to 15 strikeouts in a 5-2 win against the New York Yankees.

  • CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) supplied a homer to help the Cleveland Indians edge the New York Yankees, 4-3, in Game 3 of their 1998 A.L. playoff series.

  • Rookie RF Bud Metheny (hoops letterman for William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38) belted a first-game homer against the St. Louis Browns to help power the New York Yankees to their 14th sweep of a doubleheader in 1943.

  • New York Yankees rookie RHP Zach Monroe (played hoops briefly for Bradley in 1950-51) hurled one inning of relief against the Milwaukee Braves in Game 2 of the 1958 World Series.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) registered a postseason career-high three hits in a 3-2 win against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1953 World Series.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) stroked four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1929 contest.

  • Detroit Tigers C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) closed out the 1938 campaign with four multiple-hit games in a row.

  • C Wes Westrum (Bemidji State MN hooper one season before serving in military during WWII) supplied two sacrifice flies for the New York Giants to help them defeat the Cleveland Indians, 7-4, in Game 4 and sweep the 1954 World Series.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 1 MLB Games

October 1st, 2017 - 8:57

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

Three former hoopers from Louisiana universities - Walker Cress (LSU), Lee Smith (Northwestern State) and Cecil Upshaw (Centenary) - made N.L. pitching news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 1

  • California Angels RHP Mike Barlow (basketball player for Syracuse from 1967-68 through 1969-70) won his lone start in 1977, yielding only two hits in seven innings in a 4-1 decision over the Kansas City Royals.

  • RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) incurred the loss for the Brooklyn Dodgers when they dropped the first-ever N.L. playoff in 1946 at St. Louis, which got three hits from C Joe Garagiola.

  • 1B Herb Conyers (second-leading scorer for Central Missouri State in 1941-42 when earning All-MIAA first-team recognition) clobbered a homer during an eighth-inning, five-run rally to help propel the Cleveland Indians to a 7-5 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1950.

  • Cincinnati Reds RHP Walker Cress (LSU hoops letterman from 1936-37 through 1938-39) hurled a complete game but lost his lone MLB decision (2-1 against Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948).

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Charles "Slim" Embrey (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) appeared in his lone MLB game in 1923.

  • After having only 66 regular-season at-bats, Chicago White Sox backup 3B Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken) batted twice in an 11-0 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1959 World Series opener.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1985 contest against the Toronto Blue Jays en route to an A.L.-high 40 round-trippers.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) collected six RBI in an 8-4 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1980.

  • San Francisco Giants RHP Bob Garibaldi (starting forward averaged 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Santa Clara in 1961-62) lost his lone MLB start (9-4 against San Diego Padres in 1969).

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as senior in 1956-57) went the distance winning his last three decisions of the 1961 campaign, including two shutouts (three-hitter and one-hitter).

  • In the first game ever broadcast live coast-to-coast, RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) notched a career-high 17th triumph for the New York Giants in the opener of 1951 N.L. playoff series against Branca and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Supporting Hearn with a homer was LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s).

  • Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) contributed three hits and three RBI in an 8-5 triumph against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1955 World Series.

  • Cincinnati Reds RF Earle "Greasy" Neale (West Virginia Wesleyan College hooper graduated in 1915) contributed three hits in a 9-1 success against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of the 1919 World Series.

  • In his third start in five days, RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4-1, in 1950 as the Whiz Kids clinched the Philadelphia Phillies' first pennant in 35 years. Roberts became the first 20-game winner for the Phils since Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1917.

  • In a 1970 game, New York Mets rookie LF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) supplied the only two hits (both doubles) off Chicago Cubs standout Ferguson Jenkins.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) established a N.L. record for most saves in a single season in 1991.

  • In 1954, OF Ted Tappe (leading scorer in 1949 NJCAA Tournament was Washington State's third-leading scorer the next year in 1949-50) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago Cubs in a deal involving RHP Jim Willis (Northwestern State letterman in late 1940s).

  • In his MLB debut, Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) tossed three hitless innings of relief against the Cincinnati Reds in 1966.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) played the entire schedule in 1963.

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