Gender Neutral: DI Men's Head Coaches Previously Coaching Female Hoopers
Is there any doubt Michael Porter Sr. received a whopping three-year, $1.125 million contract as assistant coach at Missouri more for delivering two sons who were regal recruits rather than value of his previous one season of experience as an NCAA Division I men's coaching aide for Washington? But perhaps Mizzou also factored in worth of Porter's previous collegiate coaching experience as an assistant for the Tigers' female program. Whatever the case, how many current DI head coaches have coaching women at collegiate or professional level on their resumes? New Maine mentor Richard Barron is on the following alphabetical list of active coaches, including four HBCU bench bosses, in this unique category:
| Active DI Mentor | School | Experience Coaching Women at Collegiate or Professional Level |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Barron | Maine | Compiled 232-228 record with Sewanee (Tenn.), Princeton and Maine in 17 seasons from 1996-97 through 2006-07 and 2011-12 through 2016-17. Assistant at Baylor and North Carolina State for four seasons from 2007-08 through 2010-11. |
| Juan Dixon | Coppin State | University of District of Columbia head coach in 2016-17. |
| Bob Hoffman | Mercer | Compiled 88-16 record at Southern Nazarene (Okla.) from 1987-88 through 1989-90. |
| George Ivory | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Jackson State assistant from 1987-88 through 1997-98. |
| Edward Joyner Jr. | Hampton | Johnson C. Smith assistant from 2002-03 through 2006-07. |
| Kevin Nickelberry | Howard University | Columbia Union (Md.) head coach from 1991-92 through 1993-94. |
| Fran O'Hanlon | Lafayette | Temple assistant in 1984-85. |
| Russ Pennell | Central Arkansas | Phoenix Mercury interim head coach in 2013 (9-4 record). |
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on May 2 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Graig Nettles, John Wathan and Jim Wilson - former hoopers from San Diego-based universities - supplied significant MLB performances on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a May 2 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
MAY 2
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year basketball letterman for Allegheny PA) contributed three extra-base hits against the Atlanta Braves in a 1972 game.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Seattle Mariners in a 1979 contest.
Chicago Cubs CF Billy Cowan (hoops co-captain of Utah's 1970 NCAA playoff team) knocked in five runs against the Houston Colt .45s in a 1964 game.
Cincinnati Reds 1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named the state's "Mr. Basketball") drove in six runs in a 7-3 victory at St. Louis in 1958.
Boston Red Sox C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1929 and 1930) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1938 outing.
San Francisco Giants 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered in both ends of a 1981 doubleheader split against the Philadelphia Phillies.
After winning four straight starts in April, Florida Marlins LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection paced Washington State four straight seasons in rebounding 1992-93 through 1995-96) earned the triumph in a 6-4 verdict over the San Diego Padres in 2008.
New York Yankees rookie LF Charlie Keller (three-year hoops letterman with Maryland from 1934-35 through 1936-37) scored four runs and chipped in with six RBI against the Detroit Tigers in a 1939 contest.
INF Buddy Myer (hoops letterman for Mississippi State in 1923-24) traded by the Washington Senators to the Boston Red Sox in 1927.
3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) swatted a pinch-hit grand slam for the Atlanta Braves in a 12-4 victory against the Houston Astros in 1987.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) struck out 13 Chicago Cubs in a 4-2 triumph in 1957. No Philly infielder had an assist in the contest.
In 1958, Boston Red Sox RHP Dave Sisler (All-Ivy League second-team selection for Princeton's first NCAA Tournament team in 1952) fired his lone MLB shutout (against Detroit Tigers). The next year, Sisler was traded by the Red Sox to the Tigers on this date.
Kansas City Royals C John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) went 4-for-5 against the Boston Red Sox in 1980.
Chicago Cubs CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 4-for-4 with two triples against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1914 game.
First MLB win for RHP Jim Wilson (hoops letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) was a four-hit shutout for the Boston Red Sox against the Washington Senators in 1945.
College Basketball's Incredible Impact on Ridding Earth of Human Debris UBL
Do you want to be our hero? The last several years, Fox News has aired a riveting two-part program featuring Navy SEAL Team 6 member Robert O'Neill (senior chief petty officer is recipient of two Silver and five Bronze Stars) as "The Man Who Killed Usama Bin Laden." Amid focusing on the seventh anniversary ridding Planet Earth of UBL, it seems we should also be celebrating authentic courage from the college basketball ranks stemming from an individual instrumental in tracking the terrorist down. But the selfless ex-athlete from a Midwest university hasn't "come out of the closet" for security reasons and might be underground with a fake identification unless, of course, ax-grinding Left Coast Sen. Dianne Feinstein rats him out amid another of her vendettas or someone from the Obama Administration eventually unmasks him via a smut merchant Michelle Wolf monologue.
In the documentation about dispatching UBL to hell (equivalent status even if nonsense about satisfying 72 virgins is what transpired), the White House unveiled a photograph of President Barack Obama and his Cabinet inside the Situation Room, watching the daring commando raid unfold on May 1, 2011. But POTUS (JV player for Occidental CA) apparently wasn't the tallest ex-college hooper in the room. Standing just outside the frame of that famous pic was an anonymous Central Intelligence Agency officer ("CIA John") who pursued UBL as a dogmatic deputy chief and reportedly was also influential as one of the principal proponents of drone deterrence. Two days after the world's most-wanted man was transformed into marine treat when dumped into the North Arabian Sea, "CIA John" accompanied then CIA Director Leon Panetta to Capitol Hill, where the Senate Intelligence Committee received a full briefing on the mission.
According to AP accounts at the time, the meticulous senior intelligence analyst was the first individual to put in writing that a legitimate CIA lead had been assembled on possibly locating UBL. He spearheaded the collection of clues for nearly 10 years, leading the agency to a fortified compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and its epic counter-terrorism success. Our freedom-loving nation is eternally grateful that his manhunt accuracy as a deep-cover agent in pinpointing UBL's whereabouts stood in stark contrast to his free-throw marksmanship as a deep-bench player (barely over 30%) as a member of multiple NCAA playoff teams.
Sy Hersh muckraking notwithstanding, box-office hit "Zero Dark Thirty" was an inspiring movie focusing on a young female CIA operative allegedly also from flyover country. She exhibited her tenacity, dedication and courage in primarily monitoring a vital courier for al-Qaeda's upper brass. According to Esquire, the shooter who killed UBL (subsequently acknowledged as Butte MT native O'Neill) gave the magazine out of his gun as a souvenir to bloodhound "Maya." While the film doesn't do justice to the male super spy, the patriot is likely to defer anyway to the concept "there is no 'I' in team" insofar as it was a remark his college hoops coach frequently cited. Naturally, Langley issued a perfunctory "no comment" because concern exists about publishing his name and running biographical details might make him a target for retribution.
Over the decades, there have been other notable "Secret Agent Men" in the CIA who were former college hoopsters. In fact, a Final Four player isn't required to hit a decisive basket or be selected Most Outstanding Player to be a hero. He doesn't even need to participate on the court. Bob Ames, a member of the Tom Gola-led La Salle teams in 1954 (national champion) and 1955 (runner-up to San Francisco), never got off the bench at the Final Four those two years although he was the only La Salle player to hit more than three-fourths of his free throws the season the Explorers won the NCAA title.
"Our coach, Ken Loeffler, only used seven guys, and Bob was the eighth man," said Frank Blatcher, a starter for the Explorers each season and their leading scorer with a total of 42 points at the Final Four on the championship team. "He had the talent. He just never got a chance to show it."
Ames, a pre-law major who scored a total of eight points in three NCAA playoff games in 1955, did have an opportunity to show his ability in another more vital endeavor, however. He joined the CIA and worked his way up the chain of command to become the Director of the CIA's Office of Analysis of the Near East and South Asia. "The Spy Who Loved Basketball" worked closely with both the Carter and Reagan administrations.
Regrettably, Ames was killed in Beirut in 1983. A truck loaded with TNT on a suicide mission rammed into the facility where Ames was staying while serving as a liaison trying to allay contacts among the Lebanese, Syrians and Israelis in hopes of calming the escalating discord.
"Here was a guy that turned out to have had a greater influence on our lives than just about any 1,000 other basketball players you can name," Blatcher said. "It just shows you that you don't have to be a star to accomplish something." Something like becoming a genuine American hero.
Elsewhere, the CIA's deputy director under George Bush in 1976 was Hank Knoche, the leading scorer in the Mountain States (Big Seven) Conference with 16.4 points per game for Colorado's 1946 NCAA Tournament team. Knoche, the father of former American University coach Chris Knoche, reputedly was the first player selected in the NBA's first college draft in 1947 after enrolling at Washington and Jefferson (Pa.) to play on a 16-4 team with two of his brothers. But he never appeared in the then-fledgling league, which doesn't have any official draft records prior to 1949. The franchise that selected him, the Pittsburgh Ironmen, folded shortly after the draft, and his rights reverted to the New York Knicks.
"I didn't know I was the first No. 1 pick until a writer from Atlanta called me for a story," Knoche said. "An NBA historian had informed him of my alleged status."
The elder Knoche, who went to live in the Denver area, chose not to play in an uncertain situation for little money. "I never received any contact from the Ironmen," he said. "The Knicks sent a contract offer in the mail, but it was for just $3,500 and that's if I made the team (many NBA standouts earn five times that amount every quarter).
"I chose to play industrial basketball, where I remember playing six times one year against seven-footer Bob Kurland (Oklahoma State three-time first-team All-American who never played in the NBA). That wasn't much fun going against Kurland because I was just a 6-4 center."
Knoche was recalled to the military during the Korean War, where he was assigned to intelligence work for the Navy and later embarked on a civilian career leading to a job with the CIA.
Another former college hooper who carved out a CIA career was Pete Sivess, a center for Dickinson PA in 1935-36 before compiling a 7-11 record as a righthanded pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies in three years from 1936 through 1938. While Moe Berg is the most famous MLB player linked with the CIA, his career as a spy pales in comparison to baseball contemporary Sivess, who is credited with defining CIA policy for handling Eastern Bloc defectors. During the height of the Cold War, Sivess conducted a "first haven" on Maryland's Eastern Shore where defectors were shipped to be debriefed. Probably the highest-profile spy Sivess monitored was "notorious double agent" Nicholas Shadrin, who died on a trip to Vienna in 1975 in a kidnapping attempt by Moscow's counterspies.
In the shadowy world of the CIA, no precise clues exist as to whether a basketball background for "CIA John" contributed to helping POTUS develop a comfort-zone bond with him similar to other ex-college hoopers in his inner circle - Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (Harvard), departing Attorney General Eric Holder (Columbia), former "body man" Reggie Love (Duke) and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen (Navy). But it isn't ridiculous to suggest there might not have been a second inauguration for President Obama if he didn't trust "CIA John."
A vital hurdle approving the raid came when the SEAL Squadron leader briefed Mullen on merits of the mission. According to O'Neill's anonymous interview with Esquire, Vice Admiral William McRaven, head of Joint Special Ops Command, compared the raid and its fighters to the basketball movie Hoosiers in a final briefing with the participants in Operation Neptune's Spear.
A pithy precept occasionally surfaces in basketball trash talking that "some talk a good game and some play a good game." Depending upon your point of view, Time's Person of the Year in 2011 and each subsequent year could have been "CIA John." Surely, ex-Time managing editor Rick Stengel, a backup for Pete Carril-coached Princeton in the mid-1970s, would have encouraged co-workers to give "CIA John" special consideration after the White House acknowledged him and his colleagues as "unbelievably competent professionals" prior to joining Obama's State Department.
The dumber-than-doorknob Obama Administration admitted doctoring State Department videos. Wanna bet whether "CIA John" was photo-shopped out of the famous Situation Room pic? Deserved or not, other ex-college hoopers may get the bulk of the glory ranging from taking credit for UBL's demise to some searing social issue actually paling in comparison. When, if ever, will our nation get the opportunity to pay homage to a genuine hoop hero comparable to Ames, Knoche and Sivess? Heaven only knows we need an authentic hero these days to offset riots in major U.S. cities, lying by eventual Presidential nominee in front of caskets as server-swiping Secretary of State, a lawless Demonrat West Wing supported by ideologically-driven lame-stream media plus collegiate academic scandals and athletes treating women as bad as Sharia-Law zealot Islamic radicals. But at the moment, the stirring tale will simply be "The Greatest Hoop Story Never Fully Told."
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on May 1 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former New England university hoopers Jim Beattie (Dartmouth) and Rollie Sheldon (Connecticut) hurled MLB shutouts on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a May 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
MAY 1
Seattle Mariners RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected basketball team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1985.
After teammate Bill Parsons walked the first three Oakland A's batters, RHP Jim Colborn (Whittier CA in mid-1960s before studying for master's at Edinburgh where he was All-Scotland in basketball) came in and pitched a complete-game 4-3 victory for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973.
California Angels RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) permitted his lone earned run in first 12 relief appearances in the 1970 campaign.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished three extra-base hits and four RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1927 contest.
Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Lee Handley (Bradley hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) banged out four hits against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1941 outing.
Cleveland Indians LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) delivered two homers against the Oakland Athletics in a 1997 game.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (three-year hoops letterman with Maryland from 1934-35 through 1936-37) collected seven RBI against the St. Louis Browns in a 1941 contest.
Detroit Tigers RF Rusty Kuntz (J.C. hooper for Cuesta CA) went 3-for-3 with three RBI against the Boston Red Sox in a 1984 outing.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) went 4-for-4 in a 4-2 loss against the San Francisco Giants in 1962.
Kansas City Athletics RHP Rollie Sheldon (third-leading scorer as sophomore for Connecticut's 1960 NCAA Tournament team) hurled a three-hit shutout against his original team (New York Yankees) in the opener of a 1966 doubleheader.
Kansas City Athletics 1B Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament hoop titles in 1952 and 1953) smacked two homers against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 1960 doubleheader, igniting a streak of five consecutive two-hit contests.
3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) contributed a homer and double for the Cincinnati Reds during their eight-run fourth inning in 1940 when they defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers, 9-2.
A seventh-inning single by Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) represented the only hit Hall of Fame P Bob Feller yielded in a 2-0 win for the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a doubleheader in 1955. It was Feller's MLB-record 12th one-hitter.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) homered twice among his four hits and scored four runs against the Boston Braves in a 1923 game.
INF Dib Williams (Hendrix AR hooper in mid-1920s) purchased from the Philadelphia Athletics by the Boston Red Sox in 1935.
Fantastic Four: Dunphy in Exclusive Coaching Company Upon His Retirement
Fran Dunphy will have had only one Top 20 team in 30 seasons of coaching (Temple in 2009-10), but he will finish his career in exclusive company after stepping aside for former Owls player Aaron McKie following the 2018-19 campaign. Dunphy, who was bench boss for Penn 17 years prior to joining the Owls, is one of only four Division I mentors compiling more than 200 victories and at least seven NCAA Tournament appearances with two different universities.
"I've just been coaching a long time," said a modest Dunphy, who fell short of joining Roy Williams as the only coaches with 300 triumphs for two DI schools. Following is an alphabetical list of Dunphy, Williams and the two other coaches (Lou Henson and Eddie Sutton) in this select circle (Rick Pitino made six straight NCAA playoff appearances with Kentucky in the mid-1990s and John Calipari appeared in six NCAA tourneys with Memphis in the previous decade):
| Coach | Subject Seasons | Two Different Schools With More Than 200 Victories (Minimum of Seven NCAA Playoff Appearances) |
|---|---|---|
| Fran Dunphy | 29 (1989-90 through 2017-18) | Penn (1993-94-95-99 and 2000-02-03-05-06)/Temple (2008-09-10-11-12-13-16) |
| Lou Henson | 38 (1966-67 through 1995-96, 1997-98 through 1999-00 and 2000-01 through 2004-05) | New Mexico State (1967-68-69-70-71-75-99)/Illinois (1981-83-84-85-86-87-88-89-90-93-94-95) |
| Eddie Sutton | 27 (1974-75 through 1984-85 and 1990-91 through 2005-06) | Arkansas (1977-78-79-80-81-82-83-84-85)/Oklahoma State (1991-92-93-94-95-98-99 and 2000-01-02-03-04-05) |
| Roy Williams | 30 (1988-89 through 2017-18) | Kansas (1990-91-92-93-94-95-96-97-98-99 and 2000-01-02-03)/North Carolina (2004-05-06-07-08-09-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18) |
NOTE: Henson (Hardin-Simmons), Pitino (Hawaii, Boston University and Providence) and Sutton (Creighton, Kentucky and San Francisco) also coached other colleges.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 30 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Big Ten Conference hoopers Frank Howard (Ohio State), Harvey Kuenn (Wisconsin) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota) provided significant MLB performances on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 30
California Angels 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) contributed four hits against the Boston Red Sox in 1966.
Detroit Tigers 1B Dale Alexander (starting hoops center for Milligan TN in mid-1920s) supplied his sixth straight multiple-hit game and 10th in last 17 contests to finish the first month of the 1931 season with a .519 batting average.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) went 4-for-4 in a 5-4 win against the Boston Braves in 1934.
New York Giants 2B Pat Crawford (Davidson hoops captain in early 1920s) went 3-for-3 with two extra-base hits in a 1930 game against the Brooklyn Robins.
California Angels 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) delivered five hits in a 1974 contest against the Boston Red Sox.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 against the New York Mets in a 1993 game before adding four safeties against the Mets the next day.
Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN hooper in 1947 and 1948) homered in fifth of last seven games of the month in 1958.
Washington Senators LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 1956-57 and 1957-58 when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding) closed out the month by homering in three consecutive contests against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970.
Baltimore Orioles rookie 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) jacked two homers against the Detroit Tigers in a 1966 game. Twelve years later with the Philadelphia Phillies, Johnson whacked a pinch grand slam against the San Diego Padres in 1978.
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) contributed his 10th multiple-hit outing in April of 1968.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) went 5-for-5 against the Washington Senators in a 1955 game.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) stole four bases against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1978 contest.
In 1937, Philadelphia Athletics INF Clarence "Ace" Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1935-36) became the first A.L. player to hit a pinch-hit homer in his MLB debut (against Wes Ferrell of Boston Red Sox).
1B Jack Phillips (leading scorer for 14-1 Clarkson NY in 1942-43) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Boston Red Sox in 1957.
RF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg for C.W. Post NY in 1962-63 and 1963-64) traded by the California Angels to the Kansas City Royals in 1974.
SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top hoops scorers for Drury MO in 1942-43 and 1943-44) purchased from the Milwaukee Braves by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1955.
RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) posted saves in his first 12 relief appearances with the Baltimore Orioles in 1994 by failing to permit an earned run in a span covering 10 2/3 innings.
Rookie SS-LF Gary Sutherland (averaged 8.1 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Stanford from 1960-61 through 1962-63) smacked a two-run pinch double in the top of the ninth inning to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 6-4 win against the Atlanta Braves in 1967.
RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972), who was on base at least once in every game this month, tied a MLB record for RBI in April with 29 for the New York Yankees in 1988.
Swallowing Your Pride: Gottfried/Smith From Multiple Power-League Teams
Cal State Northridge (Mark Gottfried) and High Point (Tubby Smith) feature new head coaches previously piloting multiple power-conference members. Following is an alphabetical list of former power-league mentors swallowing their pride and currently toiling in more obscurity at mid-major level:
| Active Head Coach | Current Mid-Major School | Previous Power League School(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Tommy Amaker | Harvard (since 2007-08) | Seton Hall (1997-98 through 2000-01) and Michigan (2001-02 through 2006-07) |
| Rod Barnes | Cal State Bakersfield (since 2011-12) | Mississippi (1998-99 through 2005-06) |
| Todd Bozeman | Morgan State (since 2006-07) | California (1992-93 through 1995-96) |
| Bill Carmody | Holy Cross (since 2015-16) | Northwestern (2000-01 through 2012-13) |
| Keno Davis | Central Michigan (since 2012-13) | Providence (2008-09 through 2010-11) |
| Mike Davis | Detroit (since 2018-19) | Indiana (2000-01 through 2005-06) |
| Johnny Dawkins | UCF (since 2016-17) | Stanford (2008-09 through 2015-16) |
| Ed DeChellis | Navy (since 2011-12) | Penn State (2003-04 through 2010-11) |
| Steve Donahue | Penn (since 2015-16) | Boston College (2010-11 through 2013-14) |
| Cliff Ellis | Coastal Carolina (since 2007-08) | Clemson (1984-85 through 1993-94) and Auburn (1994-95 through 2003-04) |
| Dennis Felton | Cleveland State (since 2017-18) | Georgia (2003-04 to 2008-09) |
| Travis Ford | Saint Louis (since 2016-17) | Oklahoma State (2008-09 through 2015-16) |
| Mark Gottfried | CSU Northridge (since 2018-19) | Alabama (1998-99 to 2008-09) and North Carolina State (2011-12 through 2016-17) |
| Anthony Grant | Dayton (since 2017-18) | Alabama (2009-10 through 2014-15) |
| Brian Gregory | South Florida (since 2017-18) | Georgia Tech (2011-12 through 2015-16) |
| John Groce | Akron (since 2017-18) | Illinois (2012-13 through 2016-17) |
| Frank Haith | Tulsa (since 2014-15) | Miami FL (2004-05 through 2010-11) and Missouri (2011-12 through 2013-14) |
| Jeff Jones | Old Dominion (since 2013-14) | Virginia (1990-91 through 1997-98) |
| Johnny Jones | Texas Southern (since 2018-19) | Louisiana State (2012-13 through 2016-17) |
| Bobby McCullum | Florida A&M (since 2017-18) | South Florida (2003-04 through 2006-07*) |
| Ritchie McKay | Liberty (2007-08, 2008-09 and since 2015-16) | Oregon State (2000-01 and 2001-02) |
| Dan Monson | Long Beach State (since 2007-08) | Minnesota (1999-00 to 2006-07) |
| Rick Ray | Southeast Missouri State (since 2015-16) | Mississippi State (2012-13 through 2014-15) |
| Doc Sadler | Southern Mississippi (since 2014-15) | Nebraska (2006-07 through 2011-12) |
| Kelvin Sampson | Houston (since 2014-15) | Washington State (1987-88 through 1993-94), Oklahoma (1994-95 through 2005-06) and Indiana (2006-07 and 2007-08) |
| Herb Sendek | Santa Clara (since 2016-17) | North Carolina State (1996-97 through 2005-06) and Arizona State (2006-07 through 2014-15) |
| Al Skinner | Kennesaw State (since 2015-16) | Boston College (1997-98 through 2009-10) |
| Tubby Smith | High Point (since 2018-19) | Georgia (1995-96 and 1996-97), Kentucky (1997-98 through 2006-07), Minnesota (2007-08 through 2012-13) and Texas Tech (2013-14 through 2015-16) |
*South Florida's inaugural season in Big East Conference was 2006-07.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 29 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Notre Dame hoop starters Ron Reed and Cy Williams extended significant MLB streaks on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 29
In 1953, Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (LSU's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) launched a homer into the center-field bleachers against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds, a feat that had never been done before and would only be achieved twice more (by Hank Aaron and Lou Brock).
Detroit Tigers rookie 1B Dale Alexander (starting center for Milligan TN in mid-1920s) hit safely in his first 12 MLB games in 1929 before he was held hitless by the St. Louis Browns.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out four hits against the St. Louis Browns in a 1948 contest.
CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) awarded on waivers from the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago Cubs in 1933.
In 1930, Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Ralph Erickson (Idaho State hooper in mid-1920s) won his lone MLB decision.
Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1989 game against the Montreal Expos.
Houston Astros C Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) pounded two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1977 outing.
Brooklyn Robins 2B Jake Flowers (member of 1923 "Flying Pentagon" championship squad for Washington College MD) provided four hits, including three doubles, in a 19-15 win against the New York Giants in 1930. It was one of five games that month where he had at least three safeties.
Oakland Athletics rookie 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) whacked two homers against the Boston Red Sox in a 1977 game.
Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 1956-57 and 1957-58 when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding) collected two homers and six RBI against the Chicago Cubs in a 1961 outing.
In the midst of a 15-game hitting streak, Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) scored four runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1969 contest.
Detroit Tigers rookie CF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) finished his first month with a .389 batting average after notching fourth straight two-hit game in 1979.
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Dave Lemanczyk (averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Hartwick NY teams compiling 51-21 record from 1969-70 through 1971-72) sustained his fifth setback of the month in as many starts in 1978.
RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman for Saginaw Valley State MI in late 1970s) purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the New York Mets in 1994.
2B Dutch Meyer (TCU hoops letterman in 1934-35 and 1935-36) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Cleveland Indians in 1945.
In a 17-inning marathon where both starting pitchers went the distance, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) outdueled New York Giants Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell, 2-1, in 1936.
Washington Senators C Les Peden (Texas A&M letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) provided his lone MLB homer (against the Chicago White Sox in 1953).
Cleveland tied a MLB record by winning its first 10 games of the 1966 campaign before the Indians lost, 4-1, to Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s).
In the midst of 11 straight scoreless appearances in 1979, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) won his third successive relief outing.
In 1975, LF Champ Summers (team-high scoring averages of 15.7 ppg for Nicholls State in 1964-65 and 22.5 ppg for SIUE in 1969-70) shipped by the Oakland Athletics to the Chicago Cubs to complete a deal made earlier in the month.
Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) earned his sixth save in a row in 1969.
St. Louis Cardinals CF-1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) contributed four hits for the second time in a six-game span in 1960.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) provided at least three hits in each of his first four contests in 1919.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 28 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Texas A&M hoopers Davey Johnson and Wally Moon delivered significant MLB offensive performances on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 28
Oakland Athletics RHP Ray Burris (baseball-basketball standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins in 1984.
In 1966, CF Billy Cowan (co-captain of Utah's 1960 NCAA playoff team) traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Chicago Cubs for cash and 3B Bobby Cox, who went on to become one of MLB's all-time winningest managers with the Braves.
Cincinnati Reds 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) collected two homers and five RBI against the Chicago Cubs in a 1956 game.
In 1928, St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) collected four hits against the Chicago Cubs, giving him 13 safeties over a four-game span.
California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) fired a six-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1979.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) collected five hits in a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs in 1998, registering the ninth game of at least five hits in his career.
Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hit safely in first 17 games of the 1971 campaign (career-high).
RF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring the previous season) accounted for all of the Philadelphia Phillies' offense with a three-run homer in a 3-2 victory against the San Diego Padres in 1978.
In 1960, Los Angeles Dodgers OF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) manufactured three hits in his third consecutive contest.
INF Tim Nordbrook (hoops letterman in 1968-69 for Loyola LA) traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1978.
RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) defeated the Angels, 2-1, as the Cleveland Indians tied a MLB record by winning their first 10 contests of the 1966 season.
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) grounded into a double play against the Chicago White Sox to snap his streak of 10 consecutive safeties in 1981.
Washington Senators RHP Dick Such (averaged 8.9 ppg and 7.4 rpg in 1964-65 and 10.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg in 1965-66 for Elon) posted his lone MLB victory (against Milwaukee Brewers in 1970).
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points for Benedictine KS from 1955-56 through 1957-58) fired his second three-hit shutout of the month in 1965.
Toronto Blue Jays DH Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) smacked two homers against the California Angels in a 1992 outing.
American Idle: Five DI Head Coaches Shook Off Cobwebs and Shed Rust
Jeff Capel III (Pittsburgh), Dave Dickerson (USC Upstate) and Clifford Reed (Maryland-Eastern Shore) each was in head-coaching mothballs for seven or eight seasons until being hired to direct DI schools next campaign. But they fall short of joining the following list of five active head coaches serving in non-college head coaching capacities at least 10 seasons before returning to the Division I level as a bench boss:
Active Coach Current School (Years Away) Previous DI Position (Seasons) Joe Dooley East Carolina (14) East Carolina (1995-96 through 1997-98) before hiring by FGCU Keith Dambrot Duquesne (11) Central Michigan (1990-91 and 1991-92) before hiring by Akron Todd Bozeman Morgan State (10) California (1992-93 through 1995-96) Tim Jankovich Southern Methodist (10) North Texas (1993-94 through 1996-97) before hiring by Illinois State Bobby McCullum Florida A&M (10) South Florida (2003-04 through 2006-07)
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 27 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former college hoopers Bill Almon (Brown), Lou Boudreau (Illinois), Tony Gwynn (San Diego State), Gil Hodges (St. Joseph's IN/Oakland City IN), David Justice (Thomas More KY), Vance Law (BYU), Ken Singleton (Hofstra) and Roy Smalley Jr. (Drury MO) supplied multiple extra-base hits in MLB games on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 27
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 basketball team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) supplied three extra-base hits in a 13-5 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1986.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) blasted two homers in a 4-2 victory against the Detroit Tigers in a 1940 game.
Two NBA players - Gene Conley of the Boston Celtics and Dave DeBusschere of the New York Knicks - opposed each other as RHPs in 1963. Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) hurled 4-plus innings as starter for the Boston Red Sox while DeBusschere (three-time All-American for Detroit from 1959-60 through 1961-62) relieved for 2/3 of the fourth inning with the Chicago White Sox.
First MLB hit for INF Pat Crawford (Davidson hoops captain in early 1920s) was a pinch homer for the New York Giants in a 1929 game against the Boston Braves.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) smacked two homers in a 6-4 victory against the San Francisco Giants in 1986.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for Swarthmore PA Middle Atlantic States Conference Southern Division champions) hurled a two-hit shutout against the Washington Senators in 1961.
1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) stroked a bases-loaded double in the top of the 19th inning to spark the Cleveland Indians to an 8-4 win over the Detroit Tigers in 1984. Six years earlier with the Texas Rangers, Hargrove homered in his third consecutive contest in 1978.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1951 outing.
Cleveland Indians DH David Justice (Thomas More KY leader in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) delivered three extra-base hits against the Chicago White Sox in a 1998 contest.
Minnesota Twins LHP Bill Krueger (led WCAC in free-throw percentage as freshman en route to averaging 5.1 ppg for Portland from 1975-76 through 1979-80) won for the fourth time in as many starts this month in 1992, compiling an 0.84 ERA in first 32 innings.
Montreal Expos 2B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) banged out three extra-base hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1986 game.
C Hugh Poland (Western Kentucky hoops letterman from 1931-32 through 1933-34) traded by the New York Giants to the Boston Braves in 1943.
In 1981, Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) went 4-for-4, including a pair of doubles for the second straight game.
Chicago Cubs SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers for Drury MO in 1942-43 and 1943-44) tripled twice and scored three runs against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1949 game.
Cleveland Indians 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) assembled three straight three-hit games against the Chicago White Sox in 1922.
RHP John Stuper (two-time all-conference junior college hooper in mid-1970s with Butler County PA) tossed his lone complete game with the Cincinnati Reds (two-hit, 2-1 win against San Francisco Giants in 1985).
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader in 1958-59 and 1959-60 when named All-Evergreen Conference) notched his second shutout and fourth complete-game win in as many starts at the beginning of the 1963 campaign.
Boston Braves rookie RF Chuck Workman (two-time All-MIAA first-five selection was leading scorer in 1937 when Central Missouri won inaugural NAIA Tournament) went 8-for-11 against the New York Giants in his first three games of the 1943 campaign.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 26 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former college hoopers Joe Adcock (LSU), Lou Boudreau (Illinois), Gil Hodges (St. Joseph's IN/Oakland City IN) and Harvey Kuenn (Wisconsin) supplied significant MLB offensive performances on this date prior to becoming MLB managers.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 26
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) collected two homers and five RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1957 game.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1959 twinbill.
Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out five hits, including a pair of doubles and pair of triples, in a 12-11, 14-inning victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1948.
Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) cracked two homers for the second time in an eight-game span in 2007.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) amassed four hits and five RBI in a 9-2 triumph against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1959 doubleheader.
Cleveland Indians rookie RHP Wynn Hawkins (Little All-American was all-time leading scorer for Baldwin-Wallace OH upon graduation in 1957) toiled 11 innings in outdueling Jim Bunning in a 2-1 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1960.
Cleveland Indians RHP Oral Hildebrand (Butler hoops All-American in 1928-29 and 1929-30) fired a one-hitter against the St. Louis Browns in 1933, giving him back-to-back shutouts.
Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) contributed five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1959 game.
Detroit Tigers CF Harvey Kuenn (briefly played hoops for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) collected four hits against the Kansas City Athletics in a 1959 contest.
Chicago Cubs LF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hoops guard for two years in mid-1930s) provided five RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1940 game. Two years later in a 1942 outing, Nicholson amassed two triples and five RBI against the Reds.
First appearance of the 1933 campaign for New York Giants RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) resulted in a one-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies.
OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90) shipped by the New York Mets to the Boston Red Sox as part of a conditional deal in 2000.
Baltimore Orioles DH Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) supplied three extra-base hits against the Boston Red Sox in 1981.
Montreal Expos 2B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969.
RHP Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the New York Yankees in 1974.
New York Giants rookie 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) manufactured multiple hits in his fifth consecutive contest in 1940.
Paying Their Dues: Sanchez Became Bench Boss After 22 Years as Assistant
Has there ever been an individual spend as long a time as an assistant (32 years) as Brian Dutcher before moving over a chair and becoming San Diego State's head coach last season? Exercising patience to the max, Charlotte's Ron Sanchez joined the following list of 10 active bench bosses toiling more than 20 seasons as a college aide:
| Active Head Coach (Years as Aide) | Current School | 20-Season-Plus Background as Assistant Coach |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Dutcher (32) | San Diego State | Illinois in 1983-84 and 1984-85, South Dakota State in 1986-87 and 1987-88, Michigan from 1989-90 through 1997-98 and San Diego State from 1999-00 through 2016-17. |
| Lew Hill (26) | Texas-Rio Grande Valley | South Alabama in 1990-91 and 1991-92, Southeast Missouri State in 1992-93 and 1993-94, East Carolina from 1994-95 through 1997-98, Texas A&M from 1998-99 through 2003-04, UNLV from 2004-05 through 2010-11 and Oklahoma from 2011-12 through 2015-16. |
| Brian Fish (25) | Montana State | Marshall from 1989-90 through 1991-92, Kansas State in 1992-93 and 1993-94, Creighton in 1994-95 and 1995-96, Texas Christian from 1996-97 through 2001-02, San Diego in 2002-03 and 2003-04, back at Creighton from 2004-05 through 2009-10 and Oregon from 2010-11 through 2013-14. |
| Dave Pilipovich (25) | Air Force | California (Pa.) from 1986-87 through 1988-89, Florida Atlantic from 1989-90 through 1993-94, Georgia State in 1994-95 and 1995-96, Robert Morris from 1996-97 through 1999-00, Eastern Michigan from 2000-01 through 2004-05, Michigan in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and Air Force from 2007-08 to 2011-12. |
| Matt Figger (24) | Austin Peay State | Wabash Valley Junior College (Ill.) in 1993-94, Vincennes College (Ind.) from 1994-95 through 1998-99, Odessa College (Tex.) from 1999-00 through 2001-02, South Alabama from 2002-03 through 2006-07, Kansas State from 2007-08 through 2011-12 and South Carolina from 2012-13 through 2016-17. |
| Greg Gard (23) | Wisconsin | Wisconsin-Platteville from 1993-94 through 1998-99, Milwaukee in 1999-00 and 2000-01 and Wisconsin from 2001-02 to 2015-16. |
| Glenn Braica (22) | St. Francis (N.Y.) | New York City Tech in 1988-89, St. Francis (N.Y.) from 1989-90 through 2003-04 and St. John's from 2004-05 through 2009-10. |
| Ron Sanchez (22) | Charlotte | SUNY Oneonta from 1996-97 through 1998-99, SUNY Delhi in 1999-00 and 2000-01, Indiana in 2001-02 and 2002-03, Washington State from 2003-04 through 2008-09 and Virginia from 2009-10 through 2017-18. |
| Jeff Boals (21) | Stony Brook | Ohio University in 1995-96, Charleston (W. Va.) from 1996-97 through 1998-99, Marshall from 1999-00 through 2002-03, back at Charleston (W. Va.) in 2003-04, Robert Morris in 2004-05 and 2005-06, Akron from 2006-07 through 2008-09 and Ohio State from 2009-10 through 2015-16. |
| Mike Hopkins (21) | Washington | Syracuse from 1996-97 through 2016-17. |
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 25 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Small colleges from seven different Southern states - Centenary LA, Fayetteville State NC, Morehouse GA, Spring Hill AL, Thomas More KY, Virginia Union and West Liberty WV - supplied former hoopers who made MLB news on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 25
New York Yankees P Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected basketball team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) won his MLB debut in 1978 (4-3 against Baltimore Orioles).
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) banged out four hits against the Houston Astros in a 1970 game.
Texas Rangers RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1974.
Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) collected four hits and four RBI against the Cleveland Indians in a 1954 contest.
In a 1969 game, Montreal Expos 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) contributed four hits against his original team (Pittsburgh Pirates).
Two weeks after helping the Boston Celtics capture the 1961 NBA title, RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) earned his first A.L. victory (6-1 for Boston Red Sox over Washington Senators).
Cleveland Indians RF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union team winning 1943 CIAA title) tied MLB record by striking out five times in a single game (at Detroit in 1948).
LF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) twice went deep for the Cleveland Indians as they hit a team-record eight homers in an 11-4 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers in 1997.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Fred Kipp (two-time all-league selection as four-year hoops letterman for Emporia State KS from 1950 through 1953) won his first MLB start (5-3 against St. Louis Cardinals in 1958).
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) supplied five RBI against the Boston Braves in a 1936 contest.
Only 14 games into the 1982 season, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner fired manager Bob Lemon and replaced him with Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58), the man Lemon succeeded the previous September.
3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) put the Minnesota Twins ahead with a three-run pinch homer in the eighth inning but they wound up losing at Chicago, 6-5, in 1969.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the San Diego Padres in 1969.
En route to hitting safely in seven of his first nine pinch-hit appearances with the San Diego Padres, utilityman Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) socked a homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977.
Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) secured his fifth relief victory in the first month of 1971 campaign.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 24 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Alabama hoops lettermen Riggs Stephenson and Jim Tabor supplied significant MLB games with their bats on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 24
San Diego Padres SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 basketball team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) contributed four hits for the second time in four days in 1978.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Morrie Arnovich (Wisconsin-Superior hooper in early 1930s) went 4-for-4, including three doubles, in a 7-3 win against Brooklyn in 1937.
Baltimore Orioles rookie 2B Marv Breeding (Samford hooper in mid-1950s) went hitless for the only time in his first 12 MLB games.
Boston Braves SS Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) went 4-for-4 in an 8-6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie SS Ben Geraghty (Villanova hoops letterman from 1933-34 through 1935-36) supplied his fourth straight multiple-hit game in 1936.
Oakland Athletics rookie 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) went 4-for-4 with four RBI against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1977 doubleheader.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) tied a MLB record by striking out 18 batters in a nine-inning game at Chicago in 1962.
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Dave Lemanczyk (averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Hartwick NY teams compiling 51-21 record from 1969-70 through 1971-72) tossed a one-hitter against the Texas Rangers. It was one of three shutouts for him in 1979.
LF Danny Litwhiler (member of hoops JV team with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) collected four of 22 hits by the Boston Braves and chipped in with four RBI in a 14-5 victory over the New York Giants in 1947. Johnny Mize, who later had a basketball arena named after him at Piedmont College GA, socked three successive homers for the Giants. Five years earlier with the Philadelphia Phillies, Litwhiler went 4-for-4 against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942.
Kansas City Athletics 2B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament hoops championship team) provided his fifth multiple-hit game in as many outings to start the 1960 campaign en route to compiling a .471 average while hitting safely in his first 13 contests of the season.
San Diego Padres RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) didn't allow an earned run through his first nine relief appearances in 1993.
New York Yankees SS Gene Michael (led Kent State in scoring with 14 ppg in 1957-58) contributed a career-high four RBI against the Minnesota Twins in 1971.
Washington Senators rookie CF Irv Noren (player of year for California community college hoops state champion Pasadena City in 1945) went hitless for the only time in his first 13 MLB starts in 1950.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1977 twinbill.
RHP John Pyecha (led Appalachian State in scoring, rebounding and field-goal shooting in 1951-52 and 1954-55) lost his only MLB pitching appearance with the Chicago Cubs in 1954.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) ripped two homers against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1940 game.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (multiple-sport athlete for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) and Hall of Fame teammate Mel Ott each socked two homers against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1934 game.
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) smacked two homers against the California Angels in 1979 in the midst of seven multiple-hit outings in an eight-game span.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) clubbed three doubles for the second time in a six-game span in 1932.
Boston Red Sox rookie 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama hoops letterman in 1936-37) tallied four hits for the first of four times in a 30-game span to early June in 1939.
Chicago White Sox LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) yielded his only run in 12 relief appearances during the month in 2012.
Pittsburgh Pirates CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) went 4-for-4 against the New York Mets in a 1964 game.
Boston Red Sox SS Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators in a 1934 contest.
San Diego Padres RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected four hits and five RBI against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1975 outing.
College Basketball's Bone-jarring Impact on Opening Round of NFL Draft
Historically, the first 15 NFL drafts from 1936 through 1950 had a former college basketball regular selected among the top 10 picks. Four of the top six choices and five of the top 11 in the 1957 draft were ex-college hoopers. To our knowledge, none of them featured the excess baggage of Jameis "Crab Legs" Winston, the #1 selection several years ago who was also a versatile athlete but in baseball.
Back in 1963 when men were men before all of the ESPC-contrived Sam Who I Am draft-day crying/kissing and diversity sensitivity training (#BringBackOurMen), five of the top 22 picks, including four from schools that have always been or subsequently became members of the Big Ten Conference, were in the same category. In the average NFL draft, nearly half of the athletes selected also competed in basketball in high school. Greg Senat, Wagner's runner-up in field-goal shooting (49.5%) and third-leading rebounder (4.3 rpg) as a sophomore in 2014-15, was a sixth-round choice of the Baltimore Ravens as an offensive tackle in this year's draft. Following is an alphabetical list of NFL first-round draft choices who played varsity college basketball for a current NCAA Division I university:
| Hooper/1st-Round Choice | Pos. | College | Selected in Draft By | NFL Pick Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neill Armstrong | OE-DB | Oklahoma A&M | Philadelphia Eagles | 8th in 1947 |
| Doug Atkins | DE | Tennessee | Cleveland Browns | 11th in 1953 |
| Terry Baker | QB-RB | Oregon State | Los Angeles Rams | 1st in 1963 |
| Sammy Baugh | QB | Texas Christian | Boston Redskins | 6th in 1937 |
| *Hub Bechtol | E | Texas Tech/Texas | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5th in 1947 |
| Johnny Bright | RB | Drake | Philadelphia Eagles | 5th in 1952 |
| Jim Brown | RB | Syracuse | Cleveland Browns | 6th in 1957 |
| Ray Buivid | QB | Marquette | Chicago Cardinals | 3rd in 1937 |
| Bob Carey | WR | Michigan State | Los Angeles Rams | 13th in 1952 |
| Fred Carr | LB | Texas Western | Green Bay Packers | 5th in 1968 |
| Shante Carver | DE | Arizona State | Dallas Cowboys | 23rd in 1994 |
| Lynn Chandnois | HB | Michigan State | Pittsburgh Steelers | 8th in 1950 |
| George Connor | OL-DT-LB | Notre Dame | New York Giants | 5th in 1946 |
| Olie Cordill | HB | Rice | Cleveland Browns | 5th in 1940 |
| Ernie Davis | HB | Syracuse | Washington Redskins | 1st in 1962 |
| Glenn Davis | HB | Army | Detroit Lions | 2nd in 1947 |
| Len Dawson | QB | Purdue | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5th in 1957 |
| Mike Ditka | TE | Pittsburgh | Chicago Bears | 5th in 1961 |
| Rickey Dudley | TE | Ohio State | Oakland Raiders | 9th in 1996 |
| Ray Evans | TB-DB | Kansas | Chicago Bears | 9th in 1944 |
| James Francis | LB | Baylor | Cincinnati Bengals | 12th in 1990 |
| Reuben Gant | TE | Oklahoma State | Buffalo Bills | 18th in 1974 |
| Tony Gonzalez | TE | California | Kansas City Chiefs | 13th in 1996 |
| Otto Graham | QB | Northwestern | Detroit Lions | 4th in 1944 |
| Harry "Bud" Grant | E | Minnesota | Philadelphia Eagles | 14th in 1950 |
| Bob Griese | QB | Purdue | Miami Dolphins | 4th in 1967 |
| Kevin Hardy | DL | Notre Dame | New Orleans Saints | 7th in 1968 |
| Tom Harmon | HB-DB | Michigan | Chicago Bears | 1st in 1941 |
| Todd Heap | TE | Arizona State | Baltimore Ravens | 31st in 2001 |
| King Hill | QB | Rice | Chicago Cardinals | 1st as bonus pick in 1958 |
| Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch | OE | Michigan | Cleveland Rams | 5th in 1945 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | Clemson | Houston Texans | 27th in 2013 |
| Paul Hornung | RB | Notre Dame | Green Bay Packers | 1st as bonus pick in 1957 |
| Jack Jenkins | FB-LB | Vanderbilt | Washington Redskins | 10th in 1943 |
| Ed "Too Tall" Jones | DL | Tennessee State | Dallas Cowboys | 1st in 1974 |
| Matt Jones | E | Arkansas | Jacksonville Jaquars | 21st in 2005 |
| Billy Kilmer | QB | UCLA | San Francisco 49ers | 11th in 1961 |
| Ron Kramer | WR | Michigan | Green Bay Packers | 4th in 1957 |
| Johnny Lattner | HB | Notre Dame | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7th in 1954 |
| Bobby Layne | QB | Texas | Chicago Bears | 3rd in 1948 |
| Ronnie Lott | DB | Southern California | San Francisco 49ers | 8th in 1981 |
| Johnny Lujack | QB | Notre Dame | Chicago Bears | 4th in 1946 |
| Don Lund | FB-LB | Michigan | Chicago Bears | 7th in 1945 |
| Bob MacLeod | B | Dartmouth | Brooklyn Dodgers | 5th in 1939 |
| Jim McDonald | B | Ohio State | Philadelphia Eagles | 2nd in 1938 |
| Banks McFadden | HB | Clemson | Brooklyn Dodgers | 3rd in 1940 |
| Rich McGeorge | TE | Elon | Green Bay Packers | 16th in 1970 |
| Donovan McNabb | QB | Syracuse | Philadelphia Eagles | 2nd in 1999 |
| R.W. McQuarters | CB | Oklahoma State | San Francisco 49ers | 28th in 1998 |
| Leonard Mitchell | DE | Houston | Philadelphia Eagles | 27th in 1981 |
| Mack Mitchell | DE | Houston | Cleveland Browns | 5th in 1975 |
| Julius Peppers | DE | North Carolina | Carolina Panthers | 2nd in 2002 |
| Pat Richter | TE | Wisconsin | Washington Redskins | 7th in 1962 |
| Andre Rison | WR | Michigan State | Indianapolis Colts | 22nd in 1989 |
| Jack Robbins | QB | Arkansas | Chicago Cardinals | 5th in 1938 |
| Reggie Rogers | DL | Washington | Detroit Lions | 7th in 1987 |
| Art Schlichter | QB | Ohio State | Baltimore Colts | 4th in 1982 |
| Del Shofner | E | Baylor | Los Angeles Rams | 11th in 1957 |
| Norm Snead | QB | Wake Forest | Washington Redskins | 2nd in 1961 |
| Joe Stydahar | T | West Virginia | Chicago Bears | 6th in 1936 |
| David Verser | WR-KR | Kansas | Cincinnati Bengals | 10th in 1981 |
| Doak Walker | HB-DB | Southern Methodist | New York Bulldogs | 3rd in 1949 |
| Byron "Whizzer" White | B | Colorado | Pittsburgh Steelers | 4th in 1938 |
| Alfred Williams | DE | Colorado | Cincinnati Bengals | 18th in 1991 |
| Jack Wilson | HB | Baylor | Cleveland Browns | 2nd in 1942 |
| Kendall Wright | WR | Baylor | Tennessee Titans | 20th in 2012 |
*Bechtol played in the AAFC, where he was a second-round pick (9th overall).
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 23 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Illinois Wesleyan hoopers Bill Conroy and Cal Neeman contributed significant performances as MLB catchers on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 23
New York Giants LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) went 4-for-4 in a 7-2 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1932.
Milwaukee Braves rookie LF Howie Bedell (averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for West Chester PA in 1955-56) banged out a career-high three safeties against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1962. Bedell hit safely in his first eight MLB games earlier in the month.
Seattle Mariners LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70) went 4-for-4 against the Minnesota Twins in a 1982 contest.
Boston Red Sox C Bill Conroy (Illinois Wesleyan hooper in early 1930s) collected a career-high three hits in a 1942 game against the Washington Senators.
In a celebrated fracas, New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) confronted Jackie Robinson (Pacific Coast Conference leading scorer both seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) after the Brooklyn Dodgers' INF bowled over a Giants pitcher covering first base on a bunt in 1955. The previous year, Robinson swiped second, third and home in the sixth inning before doubling in the winning run in the 13th in a 6-5 decision over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Two years earlier, Dark delivered three extra-base hits against the Pirates in 1953.
Milwaukee Braves RF John DeMerit (Wisconsin letterman in 1956-57 when averaging 2.2 ppg and 2.1 rpg) contributed a career-high three hits in a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961.
A pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the 10th inning by Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) tied the score for the Detroit Tigers in an eventual 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels in 1961.
In 1960, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as senior in 1956-57) won his first two MLB appearances.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 and scored four runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1994 outing.
In 1983, San Francisco Giants P Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 ppg as sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith) hurled his second of back-to-back shutouts en route to pacing the N.L. in ERA (2.25).
RHP Jay Hook (Northwestern's third-leading scorer as a sophomore with 10.7 ppg in 1955-56) posted the expansion New York Mets' first-ever victory (9-1 at Pittsburgh in 1962) after they dropped their initial nine contests.
Detroit Tigers rookie SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) supplied his fourth three-hit game in first nine outings of the 1953 campaign.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) delivered four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1922 contest.
3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) hit safely in his first 16 games with the Chicago Cubs in 1988.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 5-for-5 but the Milwaukee Braves won, 7-5, in 14 innings in 1954 when Hank Aaron hammered his first of 755 MLB homers.
First MLB homer for C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49), a 10th-inning blast off the Milwaukee Braves' Lew Burdette, was the difference in a 3-2 win for the Chicago Cubs in 1957.
OF Ted Savage (led Lincoln MO in scoring average in 1955-56) involved in four-player swap going from the Chicago Cubs to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1929 contest.
LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) held opponents scoreless in his first 25 relief appearances with the Washington Nationals until yielding a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) went 4-for-4 against the Houston Colt .45's in a 1963 game.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) smacked two homers against the Cleveland Indians in a 1987 contest.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 22 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former San Diego State hoopers Tony Gwynn and Graig Nettles each went 4-for-4 in a MLB game on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 22
Cincinnati Reds OF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) provided four hits in a 9-4 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1929.
Seattle Mariners 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 hit safely in first 14 games of 1979 campaign until his streak was snapped by the Minnesota Twins.
Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing college career) clubbed two homers against the Cleveland Indians in a 1958 game.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50) jacked a homer in his third consecutive contest in 1953.
New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished four hits against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1923 outing.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 4-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants in a 1991 game.
In 1953, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) posted his 12th consecutive win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) contributed three hits, including an inside-the-park homer, in a 7-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970, snapping P Mike Torrez's 11-game winning streak dating back to previous season.
Chicago Cubs CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring the previous season) scored four runs in a 16-12 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.
OF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) shipped by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox in 1995 to complete an earlier deal involving P Jack McDowell.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) went 4-for-4 against the Texas Rangers in a 1979 contest.
Reliever Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Houston Astros in 1973.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) went 2-for-5 against the New York Giants in each of his first three MLB games in 1948.
Kansas City Royals C John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) went 4-for-4 with three RBI in 7-2 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980.
No-No News: Manaea Has Long Way to Match Former Hooper Sandy Koufax
In the aftermath of lefthander Sean Manaea's no-hitter for the Oakland A's, it is time to take a look at former college hoopers who went on to hurl a no-no at the major-league level. Brooklyn native Sandy Koufax attended Cincinnati one year on a combination baseball/basketball scholarship under coach Ed Jucker in both sports before signing a pro baseball contract. Koufax was the third-leading scorer with 9.7 ppg for the Bearcats' 12-2 freshman squad in 1953-54 before hurling no-hitters in four straight seasons the first half of the 1960s.
Two former Bucknell products - Bob Keegan and Christy Mathewson - are among the following ex-college basketball players going on to toss a MLB no-hitter (listed in reverse order):
| Date | No-Hit Ex-Hooper | MLB Team | Opponent | Score | Basketball College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-14-1977 | Jim Colborn | Kansas City Royals | Texas Rangers | 6-0 | Whittier CA |
| 8-24-1975 | Ed Halicki | San Francisco Giants | New York Mets | 6-0 | Monmouth NJ |
| 7-30-1973 | Jim Bibby | Texas Rangers | Oakland A's | 6-0 | Fayetteville State NC |
| 8-14-1971 | Bob Gibson | St. Louis Cardinals | Pittsburgh Pirates | 11-0 | Creighton |
| 9-18-1968 | Ray Washburn | St. Louis Cardinals | San Francisco Giants | 2-0 | Whitworth WA |
| 6-10-1966 | Sonny Siebert | Cleveland Indians | Washington Senators | 2-0 | Missouri |
| 9-9-1965 | Sandy Koufax | Los Angeles Dodgers | Chicago Cubs | 1-0* | Cincinnati |
| 6-4-1964 | Sandy Koufax | Los Angeles Dodgers | Philadelphia Phillies | 3-0 | Cincinnati |
| 5-11-1963 | Sandy Koufax | Los Angeles Dodgers | San Francisco Giants | 8-0 | Cincinnati |
| 6-30-1962 | Sandy Koufax | Los Angeles Dodgers | New York Mets | 5-0 | Cincinnati |
| 8-20-1957 | Bob Keegan | Chicago White Sox | Washington Senators | 6-0 | Bucknell |
| 6-12-1954 | Jim Wilson | Milwaukee Braves | Philadelphia Phillies | 2-0 | San Diego State |
| 9-3-1947 | Bill McCahan | Philadelphia Athletics | Washington Senators | 3-0 | Duke |
| 8-21-1926 | Ted Lyons | Chicago White Sox | Boston Red Sox | 6-0 | Baylor |
| 5-5-1917 | Ernie Koob | St. Louis Browns | Chicago White Sox | 1-0 | Western Michigan |
| 6-13-1905 | Christy Mathewson | New York Giants | Chicago Cubs | 1-0 | Bucknell |
| 7-15-1901 | Christy Mathewson | New York Giants | St. Louis Cardinals | 5-0 | Bucknell |
*Perfect game.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 21 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former hoops All-Americans Ernie Andres (Indiana) and Billy Werber (Duke) made news as infielders for the Boston Red Sox on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 21
Lone MLB RBI for 3B Ernie Andres (NCAA consensus first-team basketball All-American with Indiana in 1939) helped the Boston Red Sox outlast the Philadelphia Athletics, 12-11, in the opener of a 1946 doubleheader.
St. Louis Browns rookie RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) contributed four hits and four RBI against the Chicago White Sox in a 1935 game.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) supplied four hits against the Boston Red Sox in a 1982 contest.
Pittsburgh Pirates INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) pinch-hitting for Willie Stargell, delivered a decisive three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning for an 8-5 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1964.
LHP Steve Hamilton (All-OVC selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) traded by the Washington Senators to the New York Yankees for P Jim Coates in 1963.
Chicago White Sox RHP Howie Judson (Illinois' third-leading scorer with 8.5 ppg as sophomore in 1944-45) won his 1949 season debut (5-2 against Detroit Tigers) before dropping next 14 decisions through August.
California Angels C Art Kusnyer (led Kent State in field-goal percentage in 1965-66 as team's third-leading scorer and rebounder) contributed a career-high three hits against the Texas Rangers in a 1972 outing.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's hoops leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) collected three hits and three stolen bases against the Minnesota Twins in 1994.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1976 game.
Boston Red Sox SS Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) registered multiple extra-base hits in his third consecutive contest in 1934.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) supplied multiple hits in five of his first seven games in 1962.
Chicago White Sox RHP Jim Wilson (hoops letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) opened the 1957 campaign with a 10-inning shutout against the Kansas City Athletics.
New York Yankees DH Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) smacked two homers against the Texas Rangers in a 1990 game.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 20 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former college hoopers Joe Adcock (LSU), Dick Gernert (Temple) and Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD) belted multiple homers in MLB games on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 20
Cincinnati Reds LF Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) jacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1952 twinbill.
Cincinnati Reds RF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) contributed four hits against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1948 game.
In his first appearance in 1956, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) fired a four-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49) smashed three homers in a doubleheader sweep of the Washington Senators in 1953.
In his MLB debut in 1923, pinch-runner Hinky Haines (Penn State hoops letterman in 1919-20 and 1920-21) scored the tying tally on Babe Ruth's ninth-inning, game-winning two-run double in the New York Yankees' 4-3 win against the Boston Red Sox.
Washington Senators RF Chuck Hinton (played multiple sports for Shaw NC before serving two years in U.S. Army in mid-1950s) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in a 1963 contest.
New York Giants RHP Walt Huntzinger (All-Ivy League forward with Penn in 1921-22) didn't allow an earned run in 8 1/3 innings en route to registering his first MLB victory (2-1 against the Boston Braves in 1924).
Chicago Cubs 3B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) went 5-for-5 and walked twice in a 17-inning game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986.
A single by Kansas City Royals RF Jerry Martin (Furman's second-leading scorer in 1969-70 and third-leading scorer in 1970-71) was the only hit Detroit Tigers P Milt Wilcox surrendered in an 8-0 shutout in 1982.
In 1981, Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) provided his third two-double outing in a six-game span.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hooper in mid-1930s) blasted two homers, including a grand slam, and supplied six RBI in a 7-4 win at St. Louis in 1947.
In 1961, 2B Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) tied the score with the Philadelphia Phillies by ripping a two-out, three-run pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning and the Milwaukee Braves went on to prevail, 7-6, in 11 frames.
Cleveland Indians rookie 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) accounted for multiple hits in each of first six MLB outings in 1921.
RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985. Two years earlier, Tekulve permitted his only earned run in first 17 relief appearances of the 1983 campaign.
2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year letterman for Western Michigan averaged 5.6 ppg in his final season in 1947-48) collected an eighth-inning single for the Washington Senators' lone safety in a 7-0 loss against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954.
Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) stroked three doubles against the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1953 doubleheader.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) doubled in his fifth straight game in 1986.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) supplied an extra-base safety in his sixth consecutive contest in the midst of eight multiple-hit outings in a 10-game span in 2002.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 19 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former hoops All-Americans Danny Ainge (BYU) and Bosey Berger (Maryland) made MLB news on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 19
Toronto Blue Jays LF Danny Ainge (three-time Brigham Young basketball All-American and national player of year as senior in 1980-81) went 3-for-3 in an 8-1 setback against the Cleveland Indians in 1980.
Only MLB decision for RHP Steve Barber (J.C. starter under coach Jerry Tarkanian before attending La Verne CA) was a 9-8 victory for the Minnesota Twins against the Kansas City Royals in 1971.
3B Bosey Berger (Maryland's first hoops All-American in 1931-32) awarded on waivers from the Cleveland Indians to the Chicago White Sox in 1937.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) provided four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1966 game.
In 2017 in his third MLB start, Amir Garrett (averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg for St. John's under coach Steve Lavin in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before RS transfer year at Cal State Northridge) tied a Cincinnati Reds record for a rookie LHP by fanning 12 Baltimore Orioles batters.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Walt Huntzinger (All-Ivy League forward with Penn in 1921-22) toiled 14 innings but lost, 5-4, against the Chicago Cubs in 1926. He was waived to the Cubbies two months later.
New York Giants 1B Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) collected six RBI against the Boston Braves in the nightcap of a 1951 doubleheader.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B George Kernek (Oklahoma hoops letterman in 1959-60 and 1960-61) contributed three hits for the second time in four games in 1966.
Five hits by CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) were in vain as the St. Louis Cardinals incurred a 17-inning, 4-3 loss against the New York Mets in 1976.
In a 1961 contest, Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) supplied two homers and five RBI against his original team (St. Louis Cardinals).
In 1942, Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) didn't yield a hit until there was one out in the eighth inning when CF Harry Craft (Mississippi College hooper first half of 1930s) singled for the Cincinnati Reds.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1954.
RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Boston Red Sox in a six-player swap in 1969.
Been Around Block: Sean is Out of the Woods as SWAC Head Coach Returnee
He won't duplicate what Porter Moser achieved at Loyola of Chicago, but new Southern LA coach Sean Woods, one of eight coaches to go from an HBCU institution to a predominantly white school, joined the following alphabetical list of active coaches who were bench bosses of two different members of the same league:
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 18 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Arizona, Cincinnati, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, Syracuse and UCLA - NCAA playoff kingpins at some point in their respective histories - had former hoopers make MLB news on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 18
Philadelphia Phillies INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV basketball captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) smacked a pinch grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1959 game.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1993 contest.
Texas Rangers 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) collected four hits and five RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a 1976 doubleheader.
RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) traded by the Cincinnati Reds with cash to the Boston Braves in 1946.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) threw the second of two immaculate innings in his career when he struck out the side on nine pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in third frame in 1964.
Atlanta Braves CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) provided a homer among his five hits in a 14-0 romp over the Colorado Rockies in 1997. Five years later with the Chicago White Sox, Lofton delivered multiple safeties seven times in a span of eight games while raising his batting average from .250 to .426 in 2002.
Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg and 3.4 rpg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) fired as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002.
San Francisco Giants CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Atlanta Braves in 1981.
Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) won his first start of season against the New York Mets before dropping last 10 decisions of the 1972 campaign.
Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (one of Michigan State's top three scorers each season from 1944-45 through 1946-47) surrendered the first hit on artificial turf in 1966 when Los Angeles Dodgers SS Maury Wills singled to center at Houston's Astrodome.
1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped his first homer for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 (against New York Giants). The blast was Robinson's lone round-tripper in his first 30 MLB games.
New York Yankees RHP Roy Sherid (Albright PA hoops center in 1926-27 and 1927-28) toiled 15 innings but lost, 5-4, against the Boston Red Sox in 1931.
RHP Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) registered his fourth victory hurling at least three innings of relief in the Atlanta Braves' first 11 games of the 1971 season.
Philadelphia Athletics 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) provided four safeties in season opener en route to seven multiple-hit games in his first 11 outings of the 1938 campaign.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Making Mark on April 17 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former college hoopers Joe Adcock (LSU), Frank Bolling (Spring Hill AL) and Johnny Logan (Binghamton) supplied significant offensive performances for the Milwaukee Braves on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 17
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) contributed four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the nightcap of a 1955 twinbill.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) hammered two homers against the Milwaukee Braves in a 1960 game.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) smacked two homers in a 5-2 win against the Houston Colt .45s in 1964.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Kansas City Royals in 1981.
Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1997.
Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport hoops letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) accumulated four hits and five RBI in a 7-6 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1941.
Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) hurled his first complete game in 10 years. Fisher also won his next three starts by yielding only one earned run covering 18 innings.
Kansas City Royals RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) registered his third relief victory in four games early in 1982.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was the nation's second-leading scorer as a senior in 1956-57), making his MLB debut in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds in 1960, threw two scoreless innings of relief and emerged as the winner when the Bucs erupted for six runs in the ninth.
Utilityman Chuck Harmon (freshman starter was Toledo's second-leading scorer for 1943 NIT runner-up) became the second black player for the Cincinnati Reds when pinch-hitting against the Milwaukee Braves in a 1954 contest.
Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) provided back-to-back four-hit games against the Boston Red Sox in 1969.
Chicago White Sox RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell hoops letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) toiled at least eight innings for the first of 10 straight starts in 1954, including a pair of shutouts.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV hoops squad previous season) stroked three doubles among his four hits against the Kansas City Athletics in a 1955 game.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) jacked two homers in a 5-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1954.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) hurled a shutout against the Cleveland Indians in his season debut. The 41-year-old Lyons went the distance in all 20 starts during the 1942 campaign en route to posting an A.L.-best 2.10 ERA.
Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) collected two homers and five RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1979 contest.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Elmer Ponder (Oklahoma hoops letterman in 1913-14 and 1915-16) tossed a 13-inning shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1920.
Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) secured his first safety with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. It was one of his 19 bunt hits as a rookie.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) supplied three extra-base hits, including a homer, in a six-inning, 3-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1930.
Detroit Tigers RF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) collected four hits against the Boston Red Sox, igniting a career-high 17-game hitting streak in 1980.
In 1989, Cincinnati Reds RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper in mid-1960s for Marietta OH) passed Hoyt Wilhelm as MLB's all-time leader in relief appearances.
Kansas City Royals 1B John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) hit safely in his first eight games of the 1983 campaign.
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