On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 4 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 4 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 4
RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) helped the Detroit Tigers capture their first World Series in 1935, starting Game 3 against the Chicago Cubs and allowing two earned runs in six innings in a contest Detroit won in extra frames.
In a one-game playoff for the 1948 A.L. pennant, Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out four hits, including two homers, in an 8-3 win at Boston. Boudreau finished the year with only nine strikeouts, the lowest number by any regular since 1922.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) collected three hits, two runs and two stolen bases in a 9-8 win against the California Angels in Game 2 of the 1979 ALCS.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Bud Culloton (Fordham letterman from 1919 through 1921) started and yielded only one earned run in five innings but dropped his lone MLB decision (4-1 in nightcap of 1925 doubleheader).
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) delivered a three-run homer against New York Yankees P Allie Reynolds in the opener of the 1951 World Series. Thirteen years later, Dark was dismissed as San Francisco Giants manager in 1964.
In 1930, St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California letterman from 1922 through 1924), who hit an anemic .140 in 13 career World Series contests, broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning by smacking his lone postseason homer in a 5-0 victory against the Philadelphia Athletics in Game 3.
California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) lost his lone postseason start (against Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of 1979 ALCS).
INF Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of his last three seasons with Lebanon Valley PA in late 1920s) selected by the Washington Senators from the St. Louis Browns in 1938 Rule 5 draft.
In the opener of the 1967 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) fanned 10 Boston batters in a 2-1 triumph. Red Sox OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953) led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a pinch single off Gibson but his pinch-runner was left stranded.
Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoop scholarship in 1929) whacked a decesive three-run homer in a 4-1 Game 2 victory against the Chicago Cubs in the 1945 World Series.
In the opening game of the 1951 World Series, LF Monte Irvin (played for Lincoln PA 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) stole home and collected four hits to spark the New York Giants to a 5-1 victory against the New York Yankees.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) launched his second homer of the 1942 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse player in late 1930s), after making 133 straight relief appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies, started Game 1 of the 1950 World Series but lost against the New York Yankees, 1-0.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) swiped three bases against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the 1996 ALDS. Nine years later, Lofton collected three hits and four RBI against the New York Yankees in the 2007 ALDS opener.
Philadelphia Phillies OF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season) smacked a pinch homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of the 1978 NLCS.
St. Francisco Giants RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) tossed his lone MLB shutout (four-hitter with 10 strikeouts against Atlanta Braves in 1985).
Minnesota Twins 2B Dan Monzon (played briefly for Buena Vista IA in 1964-65) scored four runs against the Chicago White Sox in 1972.
In 1930, Chicago White Sox rookie OF Jimmy Moore (Union TN standout in late 1920s) stroked a pinch-hit single in his first World Series at-bat in Game 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
RF Bill Nicholson (played for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies for former N.L. batting champion Harry Walker in 1948.
RHP Roy Parmelee (letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) selected from the Boston Red Sox by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 Rule 5 draft.
RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western letterman in 1929-30) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 Rule 5 draft.
Jim Riggleman (two-year letterman for Frostburg State MD averaged 7.2 ppg in early 1970s) fired as Chicago Cubs manager in 1999.
New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling a 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) hurled a four-hitter in a 2-1 verdict over the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 3 of the 1941 World Series. In the seventh inning of a scoreless tie, Russo broke P Fred Fitzsimmons' knee with a line drive.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (played for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) tossed a five-hitter in a 6-1 victory in Game 2 of the 1933 World Series against the Washington Senators.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) yielded a run in final relief appearance of 1980 campaign after holding the opposition scoreless in previous 14-game span during the month when he recorded seven saves.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 3 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 3
New York Yankees rookie RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) won the opener of the 1978 ALCS against the Kansas City Royals, yielding only two hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) sustained his sixth setback of the 1951 season against the New York Giants when Bobby Thomson hit the "shot heard round the world" (three-run homer in bottom of ninth inning) to decide the N.L. playoff. A single by SS Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) started the rally climaxed by Thomson's historic blast.
1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named state's "Mr. Basketball") traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958.
Jim Fanning (played for Buena Vista IA in late 1940s) resigned as Montreal Expos manager in 1982.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 12.8 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 with Swarthmore PA for three Southern Division champions in MASC) earned the win with 4 2/3 innings of one-hit relief against the Minnesota Twins in the opener of the 1970 ALCS. Six years earlier, Hall improved his record to 9-1 by closing out the 1964 campaign with his 13th straight scoreless relief appearance.
Cleveland Indians LF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) collected two doubles, including a two-run safety in the eighth inning, in a 2-1 win against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 to clinch the 1998 ALDS.
LHP Bill Krueger (led WCAC in free-throw percentage as a Portland freshman in 1975-76) traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (played for Binghamton in 1948-49) smacked the first homer of the 1957 World Series (third inning of Game 2 against New York Yankees).
In 1904, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) fanned 16 St. Louis Cardinals in a 3-1 triumph.
Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State letterman in 1923-24) committed three errors in the opener of the 1933 World Series against the New York Giants.
RF Bill Nicholson (played for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) provided a two-run triple to fuel a four-run, first-inning outburst sparking the Chicago Cubs to a 9-0 win against the Detroit Tigers in the opener of the 1945 World Series.
Chicago White Sox OF Gary Redus (J.C. player for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) collected five RBI against the Oakland Athletics in a 1987 game.
Despite striking out seven consecutive New York Mets hitters, Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) had his record fall to 1-10 with a 5-2 defeat against Hall of Famer Tom Seaver in the opener of a 1972 doubleheader.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (played for Harding AR in late 1930s) registered a complete-game victory against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1952 World Series.
New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) smashed a three-run, first-inning homer to ignite a 5-1 Game 6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1955 World Series.
Chicago Cubs RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) secured a save against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the 1984 NLCS.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 2 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 2 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 2
Chicago Cubs RHP Dale Alderson (All-Iowa Conference basketball selection for Upper Iowa in 1938-39 and 1939-40) lost his lone MLB decision (2-0 against Boston Braves in 1943).
Philadelphia Athletics LHP Stan Baumgartner (played for University of Chicago's Big Ten Conference champion in 1913-14) hurled a six-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in 1925, holding both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig hitless.
RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) yielded the first pinch-hit homer in World Series history (by Yogi Berra of New York Yankees in 1947) but the Brooklyn Dodgers still prevailed in Game 3, 9-8. Two days earlier, Branca lost Game 1 when he was knocked out in the fifth inning.
New York Yankees OF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) pounded a pinch homer off the Brooklyn Dodgers' winning rookie RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) in Game 5 of the 1955 World Series.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (played for Boston University in early 1920s) contributed both of his homers in 31 World Series games in the first two outings against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1930.
CF Earle Combs (three-year captain for Eastern Kentucky) clubbed a homer and scored four runs as the New York Yankees swept the 1932 World Series by crushing the Chicago Cubs, 13-6. It was the Bronx Bombers' 12th straight WS game win.
In 1964, Houston Colt .45s LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as sophomore in 1961-62) notched his first MLB victory, holding the Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless over five innings as a starter.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting center for Colby ME) hurled a shutout, beating the New York Giants for the sixth time in as many decisions in 1916.
SS Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) extended his World Series competition hitting streak to 12 in a row with three safeties in Game 4 as the New York Giants finished their sweep of the Cleveland Indians in 1954.
CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA titlist) contributed four hits as the Cleveland Indians assure themselves of a tie for the 1948 A.L. title with an 8-0 triumph against the Detroit Tigers.
In 1950, Boston Red Sox 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for season with 21.7 in 1942-43) became the first player to surpass 100 with more RBI (144) than games played (136).
Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) hammered his MLB-leading 40th homer in 1985, becoming the first player to reach such a plateau in each league (41 round-trippers for Atlanta Braves in 1973).
In the opener of the 1968 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) outdueled 30-game winner Denny McLain, 4-0, and established a WS record by fanning 17 Detroit Tigers.
Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State letterman) went 4-for-4 against the Seattle Mariners in 1985.
Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) fired as New York Mets manager in 1983.
In 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) concluded his final season with career bests of 27 victories and 1.73 ERA. The previous year, Koufax finished with a single-season MLB-mark 382 strikeouts after fanning 13 Milwaukee Braves batters. In the 1963 World Series opener, the first five batters he faced whiffed en route to 15 strikeouts in a 5-2 win against the New York Yankees.
CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) supplied a homer to help the Cleveland Indians edge the New York Yankees, 4-3, in Game 3 of their 1998 A.L. playoff series.
Rookie RF Bud Metheny (letterman for William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38) belted a first-game homer against the St. Louis Browns to help power the New York Yankees to their 14th sweep of a doubleheader in 1943.
New York Yankees rookie RHP Zach Monroe (played briefly for Bradley in 1950-51) hurled one inning of relief in Game 2 against the Milwaukee Braves in the 1958 World Series.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) registered a postseason career-high three hits in a 3-2 win against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1953 World Series.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) stroked four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1929.
Detroit Tigers C Birdie Tebbetts (played for Providence in 1932) closed out the 1938 campaign with four multiple-hit games in a row.
C Wes Westrum (played for Bemidji State MN one season before serving in military during WWII) supplied two sacrifice flies for the New York Giants to help them defeat the Cleveland Indians, 7-4, in Game 4 and sweep the 1954 World Series.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 1 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 1
California Angels RHP Mike Barlow (basketball player for Syracuse from 1967-68 through 1969-70) won his lone start in 1977, yielding only two hits in seven innings in a 4-1 decision over the Kansas City Royals.
RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) incurred the loss for the Brooklyn Dodgers when they dropped the first-ever N.L. playoff in 1946 at St. Louis, which got three hits from C Joe Garagiola.
1B Herb Conyers (second-leading scorer for Central Missouri State in 1941-42 when earning All-MIAA first-team recognition) clobbered a homer during an eighth-inning, five-run rally to help propel the Cleveland Indians to a 7-5 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1950.
Cincinnati Reds RHP Walker Cress (LSU letterman from 1936-37 through 1938-39) hurled a complete game but lost his lone MLB decision (2-1 against Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948).
Chicago White Sox RHP Charles "Slim" Embrey (Vanderbilt letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) appeared in his lone MLB game in 1923.
After having only 66 regular-season at-bats, Chicago White Sox backup 3B Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken) batted twice in an 11-0 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1959 World Series opener.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (member of Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) collected six RBI in an 8-4 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1980.
San Francisco Giants RHP Bob Garibaldi (starting forward averaged 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Santa Clara in 1961-62) lost his lone MLB start (9-4 against San Diego Padres in 1969).
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as senior in 1956-57) went the distance winning his last three decisions of the 1961 campaign, including two shutouts (three-hitter and one-hitter).
In the first game ever broadcast live coast-to-coast, RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech letterman in 1941-42) notched a career-high 17th triumph for the New York Giants in the opener of 1951 N.L. playoff series against Branca and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Supporting Hearn with a homer was LF Monte Irvin (played for Lincoln PA 1 1/2 years in late 1930s).
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) contributed three hits and three RBI in an 8-5 triumph against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1955 World Series.
Cincinnati Reds RF Earle "Greasy" Neale (West Virginia Wesleyan College hoopster graduated in 1915) contributed three hits in a 9-1 success against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of the 1919 World Series.
In his third start in five days, RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4-1, in 1950 as the Whiz Kids clinched the Philadelphia Phillies' first pennant in 35 years. Roberts became the first 20-game winner for the Phils since Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1917.
In 1970, New York Mets rookie LF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman team in mid-1960s) supplied the only two hits (both doubles) off Chicago Cubs standout Ferguson Jenkins.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) established a N.L. record for most saves in a single season in 1991.
In 1954, OF Ted Tappe (leading scorer in 1949 NJCAA Tournament was Washington State's third-leading scorer the next year in 1949-50) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago Cubs in a deal involving RHP Jim Willis (Northwestern State letterman in late 1940s).
In his MLB debut, Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) tossed three hitless innings of relief against the Cincinnati Reds in 1966.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) played the entire schedule in 1963.
Same Old Sad Song: Brown Out to Define Lie Similar to Petty Politicians
What can Brown do for SM-you? Well, Larry Brown can define what comprises "lie" while responding to NCAA charges of scholastic shenanigans in the same contrived Clintonesque way as Sick Willie or Shrillary Rotten stealing truth comparable to way they absconded White House furniture. Does anyone intellectually capable of an ACT average score at SMU of 28 believe Brown's regular rotation has an average ACT score anywhere close to 28? How gullible do you have to be to accept fairytale about an administrative aide taking it totally upon herself to do the online coursework for a regal recruit and babysit his toddler. Shazam! She must moonlight as a Disney-quality fairy who waved her magic wand to secure the player's username and password. Heaven only knows how deep the assertive lone wolf would have gone into her renegade bag of tricks to support Emmanuel Mudiay if the nation's premier prospect didn't change his mind and shun the Mustangs to play professionally overseas (China).
Amid the ethical debris nearly making Dave Bliss not seem so bad, Three-Time Busted Brown shamelessly said: "I have nothing to be ashamed of." Of course, hiring a coaching fossil such as Brown generated more national publicity than Southern Methodist basketball enjoyed collectively since 1988, which was Brown's last year as a college coach before returning to SMU in 2012-13 and the Mustangs' last year to post an NCAA playoff victory. Was seducing this program Savior worth the effort? Not when Keith Frazier, the SMU player at the center of the firestorm, probably should spend more time at table studying his books than booking sessions atop a tattoo table. Frazier, sounding similar to slew of I-know-nothing special-course players from Brown's alma mater (North Carolina), subsequently transferred to North Texas, where he promptly was arrested in connection with a tavern fight.
Even if Sir Lawrence-on-probation-a-lot didn't get new carpet in his office (remember Davidson), Next Town Brown was probably comfortable with nomadic SMU because the Mustangs were joining their third different league since the SWC disbanded in 1996. Brown guiding SMU to the NCAA playoffs last year for the first time since 1993 was the equivalent of him directing UCLA to an NCAA runner-up finish in his debut season with the Bruins in 1980. If he had won his NCAA Tournament reunion game against UCLA, it would have been the equivalent of him capturing a national title in his swan song with Kansas in 1988. Was the tourney time titillation worth the academic anemia stench?
SMU, a total of 55 games under .500 over the 24 seasons prior to Brown's arrival, vastly overpaid for an antique bench boss nearly a quarter century removed from the day-to-day college grind, a coach-in-waiting who has never had an NCAA playoff appearance in nine years and suspect recruiters hired from former powerhouses that have fallen on hard times. But an even more critical cost was in academic integrity. There was a shaky track record to worry about inasmuch as UCLA and Kansas each were on probation the season following Brown's departure. Did these facts escape a school administration, including former college hoopster Gerald Turner (President), while conducting their job search to temporarily get off the national irrelevant list?
Junior college recruit Mike Marshall, a guard from let-the-good-times-roll Louisville, was an irrelevant player for the Jayhawks in 1983-84 but someone should inquire whether he knows anything relevant about the selling of Final Four tickets in the mid-1980s. Marshall transferred to McNeese State, where he averaged 11.7 ppg in 1985-86, the year after Joe Dumars graduated from the Cowboys to begin his star-studded NBA career. Brown isn't in Kansas anymore, but his long-time detractors might be compelled to revive a petition to change the name of the state dog from Toto to Larry. Speaking of Presidents and Sunflower State Wizard of Oz jokes, it could also be time to revisit the following friends of Dorothy for some levity to get our minds off the NCAA lawlessness:
"WHAT BRINGS YOU BEFORE THE GREAT WIZARD OF OZ?"
Barack Obama stepped forward timidly (in his mom jeans still trying to figure out how to throw baseball): "I've come for some courage (to cope with Putin and say Islamic terrorists)."
"NO PROBLEM!" said the Wizard. "WHO IS NEXT?"
George W. Bush stepped forward. "Well, I think I need a brain (to explain excessive spending similar to Dimocrats driving up national debt)."
"DONE!" said the Wizard. "WHO COMES NEXT BEFORE THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ?"
Up stepped current candidates Donald Trump and Shrillary Rotten. "We've been told by the American people we need a heart (to stop ridiculing opponents and supporting baby butchers, respectively)."
"I'VE HEARD IT'S TRUE!" said the Wizard. "CONSIDER IT DONE."
There is deafening silence in the Emerald City Hall. Bubba Clinton is just standing there, looking around holding a cigar, but doesn't say a word while biting his lip. Annoyed, the Wizard finally inquires, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
"Is ... is Dorothy here (while waving to magazine cover potential with mid-length hair in the increasingly smaller crowd)?"
"NO!" said the Wizard as Chelsea steps up to introduce herself before saying: "Dad! Knock it off! That's Bruce Jenner!"
To our knowledge, the academic activist/administrative aide who fell from the sky at SMU and immediately conducted completely unsupervised scholastic subterfuge isn't named Dorothy or Caitlyn. After checking the national registry for truck drivers with standout sons/players (remember Danny Manning), Brown's first significant act with SMU was a down-and-dirty deed discarding several players at a late stage because they "weren't good enough to play for him." We're taking for granted that Brown's "good" refers to on-the-court performance rather than off-the-hardwood decorum. He apparently was more fond of trying to bring in a troubled transfer such as Josiah Turner from Arizona (before he abandoned ship for the pros during the summer) rather than retaining Jeremiah Samarrippas, who was SMU's captain as a sophomore. Perhaps Dean Smith should have treated a similar undersized guard the same shabby way when the Hall of Famer became North Carolina's head coach in 1961-62 after Brown averaged a modest 4.5 ppg as a sophomore the previous season.
Only a splendid tactician can be the lone individual ever to win NCAA and NBA titles. And Brown, who coached nearly half of the franchises in the last couple of NBA playoffs, turned things around quickly for the Mustangs primarily because the conference the school joined was a shell of its former self after Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia departed for other leagues. But isn't there something more important among institutions of lower learning than selling your soul seeking a brief glimpse of nirvana?
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 30 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 30
Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) closed out his 1933 rookie campaign with a four-hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians.
RHP Mike Barlow (Syracuse substitute from 1967-68 through 1969-70) shipped by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Houston Astros in 1975 to complete an earlier deal.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) collected four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1961.
In 1967, Houston Astros LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as sophomore in 1961-62) posted his third relief victory in as many decisions in a 19-day span.
Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) fired as San Diego Padres manager in 1979.
LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) smacked a ninth-inning grand slam against the St. Louis Browns on final day of 1945 campaign to clinch the A.L. pennant for the Detroit Tigers.
New York Yankees 1B Buddy Hassett (played for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) twice knocked in Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio with safeties in a 7-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of the 1942 World Series.
In 1975, 1B-OF Doug Howard (All-WAC second-team selection with Brigham Young in 1968-69 and 1969-70) shipped by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Cleveland Indians to complete an earlier deal.
OF-1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered a homer against the New York Yankees in the Senators' final game in Washington in 1971.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) tripled twice against the Boston Braves in 1943.
OF Irv Noren (player of year for California junior college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) purchased from the Brooklyn Dodgers by the Washington Senators for $50,000 in 1949.
OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three seasons and in assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90) smacked a pinch, two-run homer for the Montreal Expos in the top of the ninth inning in 1993. Pride's blast was the difference in a 5-3 win against the Florida Marlins.
Setting the stage for a 1951 playoff with the New York Giants, INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped an upper-deck homer in the 14th inning off Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47), giving the Brooklyn Dodgers a 9-8 victory. Five years later, New York Giants rookie 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) whacked two homers off Roberts in the opener of a 1956 twinbill while Robinson homered in his final MLB game.
New York Mets RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman team in mid-1960s) homered twice in the 1971 season finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) amassed 16 strikeouts and eight walks in 12 1/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds in 1964.
INF Whitey Wietelmann (captain for Muskingum OH in mid-1940s) traded by the Boston Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946.
Philadelphia Phillies OF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) contributed two homers in a 6-4 win against the Brooklyn Robins in 1923.
Philadelphia Athletics LF Joe Zapustas (Fordham letterman in 1932-33) secured his lone MLB hit (single against Boston Red Sox in nightcap of 1933 doubleheader).
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 29 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 29
Cincinnati Reds RF Frank Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first basketball player in Ohio University history to reach 1,000-point plateau) banged out four hits against the Chicago Cubs in 1948.
Detroit Tigers rookie 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) cracked two homers for the second time in last 13 games of the 1996 campaign.
In the opener of a 1934 doubleheader, Washington Senators LHP Syd Cohen (Alabama letterman in 1927) became the last A.L. hurler to strike out New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth and allow the Bambino a home run.
Boston Red Sox C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross letterman in 1929 and 1930) closed out the 1940 campaign with a career-high nine-game hitting streak.
Light-hitting Chicago White Sox SS Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken) closed out the 1957 campaign with at least one walk in his last seven games.
3B Gene Freese (captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies for player-manager Solly Hemus in 1958.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) went 3-for-4, including his fifth homer of the 1965 campaign, in an 8-6 win against the San Francisco Giants.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) provided seven hits in a 1999 doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State letterman) fired as Baltimore Orioles manager in 2003.
Chicago White Sox C Duane Josephson (led Northern Iowa in scoring in 1962-63 and 1963-64 under coach Norm Stewart) closed out the 1968 campaign with his fifth two-hit game in final nine contests.
In 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) became the first MLB hurler in the 20th Century to achieve a third 300-strikeout season.
Boston Braves RF Joe Mowry (Iowa letterman in 1929-30 and 1930-31) went 3-for-3 against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1935 twinbill.
Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-5 against the Philadelphia Athletics to capture the 1935 A.L. batting championship (.349).
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) lashed two homers against the Cleveland Indians in 1974. Two years later, Nettles collected two doubles, two round-trippers and six RBI against the Boston Red Sox in a 9-6 win in 1976.
Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 4-for-4 with five RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972.
Los Angeles Dodgers SS Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) closed out the 1968 campaign by going 10-for-18 on a five-game road trip to Chicago and Atlanta.
Kansas City Royals LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) hurled a one-hit shutout against the California Angels in 1992.
LHP Preacher Roe (played for Harding AR in late 1930s) purchased from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1943.
New York Yankees rookie 3B Red Rolfe (played briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) registered four hits against the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1934 doubleheader.
Birdie Tebbetts (played for Providence in 1932) named Cincinnati Reds manager in 1953.
Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Kent Tekulve (played as freshman in mid-1960s for Marietta OH) won both ends of a 1978 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 28 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 28
2B Frank Baker (Southern Mississippi letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67), replacing Bobby Grich in the Baltimore Orioles' lineup, belted his only MLB homer, a grand slam, and finished with six RBI in an 18-4 trouncing of the Cleveland Indians in the nightcap of a 1973 doubleheader.
In the finale of the 1952 campaign, Chicago Cubs lefthanded OF Frank Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) reached base on an error after switching over and swinging righthanded at the only delivery Hall of Fame 1B-OF Stan Musial threw from the mound at the MLB level. Musial, who began his Organized Baseball career as a pitcher before incurring an injury, claimed his sixth N.L. batting crown (.336) and Baumholtz finished runner-up (.325).
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) provided his second extra-inning steal of home plate in 1928.
LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary HBCU coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) slugged a 12th-inning homer to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in 1965.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) provided three hits in both ends of a 1943 doubleheader split against the Boston Braves.
In a City Series duel, Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) blanked the Cubs on three hits in only 1 hour and 18 minutes in 1942. The 41-year-old Lyons then departed to enlist as a private in the Marine Corps for military service during World War II.
RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) traded by Philadelphia Athletics to Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.
Baltimore Orioles rookie RHP Ben McDonald (started six times as freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians in 1990.
In 1952, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) registered his 28th victory (7-4 over New York Giants) with his 30th complete game.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920), who hit safely in all nine World Series outings in his career, provided three safeties in the 1932 opener against the New York Yankees.
Detroit Tigers utilityman Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) socked a game-tying, two-run pinch homer off the New York Yankees' Goose Gossage in the bottom of the eighth inning in 1980.
In 1938, C Birdie Tebbetts (played for Providence in 1932) blasted a grand slam (10th such homer of the season for the Detroit Tigers).
San Diego Padres RF Will Venable (All-Ivy League first-team selection as junior and second-team shoice as senior averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) whacked his first MLB grand slam (against Chicago Cubs in 2011).
In 1965, St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) contributed three extra-base hits in a game against his original team (San Francisco Giants).
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 27 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 27
Baltimore Orioles 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's three leading basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) smacked his first MLB homer (against Boston Red Sox in 1960).
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Walter Alston (Miami OH letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) fanned in his lone MLB at-bat (against Chicago Cubs in 1936).
In 1983, RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) hurled the first one-hitter in Seattle Mariners history.
Baltimore Orioles OF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Detroit Tigers in 1977. Three years later, Bumbry stole three bases against the Cleveland Indians in 1980.
LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as a sophomore in 1961-62) made his MLB debut in 1963 as a reliever for the Houston Colt .45s, who started nine rookies including 1B Rusty Staub, 2B Joe Morgan and C Jerry Grote.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) launched two homers for the fourth time in an 18-game span in 1938.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for three Swarthmore PA Southern Division champions in Middle Atlantic States Conference) became the first pitcher in 51 years to end a season with more victories (10) than walks (6 in 61 innings).
C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) whacked a pair of homers to spark the San Francisco Giants to an 8-4 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. Three years later with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Haller delivered four RBI, including a go-ahead, two-run triple in the ninth inning of a 5-2 win against the Atlanta Braves in 1968.
New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech letterman in 1941-42) hurled a shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies to finish the 1950 campaign with a N.L.-leading ERA of 2.49.
Kansas City Royals LF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT letterman in mid-1960s) whacked back-to-back homers against the Oakland Athletics in 1977.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (played for Hope MI from 1908 through 1910) delivered four hits in a 16-1 romp over the Chicago Cubs in 1920.
Danny Litwhiler (member of JV squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) completed his 151st errorless game for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1942. He was the first OF to avoid an error the entire season.
Kansas City Athletics SS Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship team) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in 1960.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season) went 4-for-4 in a 5-4 win against the Montreal Expos in 1978.
RF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) knocked in all of the Baltimore Orioles' runs in a 6-4 loss against the Boston Red Sox in 1998.
Winning LHP Gary Peters (played for Grove City PA in mid-1950s) pounded a three-run homer in a 10-1 victory against the Washington Senators as the Boston Red Sox reached the 200-homer plateau for the first time in franchise history.
Boston Braves RHP Al Pierotti (Washington & Lee VA captain of school's undefeated 1917 squad) posted his lone MLB victory (complete-game 3-2 verdict over New York Giants in 1920).
Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Jeff Shaw (freshman guard for Rio Grande OH squad compiling 31-5 record and reaching second round of 1985 NAIA Tournament) secured his 10th save in as many relief appearances during the month in 1998.
In 1962, Houston Astros RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia captain in 1951-52) won his fourth game of the month as a reliever.
Detroit Tigers SS Johnnie Watson (Marshall letterman from 1926-27 through 1929-30) contributed a double and RBI in both ends of a 1930 doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.
Standing Tall: 3-Time National POY Lew-CLA Believes Bruins Are in Ruins
Lew Alcindor is the best player in college basketball history. But Kareem Abdul-Jabbar might be the worst analyst in college basketball annals. The three-time national player of the year is unimpressed with the current state of affairs at his alma mater (UCLA) despite a couple of upcoming Top 10 recruiting classes.
The Ghost of Sugar Daddy Sam Gilbert and the fast times there in the late 1960s under Bruins coach John Wooden comes to mind when struggling to comprehend Jabbar's jaded view of their fast break under present mentor Steve Alford. Did Gilbert promise Kareem he would eventually become king (head coach) or, at least, act as pilot of their Airplane? Any suggestion along those lines would make as much sense as majority of Jabbar's TIME(-warped) whining columns on racism and other predictable liberal-drivel themes. The journalistic jewel needs to listen to some jazz and chill out a little.
If not pants on the ground, then it's brains in the clouds. In today's gimme-gimme-gimme culture, it always seems to be discrimination when something isn't handed to you. Numerous All-Americans have dabbled at coaching in the low minors or as an assistant but never been a DI bench boss. In the wake of Patrick Ewing expounding on his belief employers are biased against tall coaches, following is a list of individuals such as Alcindor/Jabbar who might think they deserve to be guiding their alma mater if they weren't so damn tall:
- Mark Aguirre or Rod Strickland, DePaul
- Lew Alcindor, UCLA
- Bill Cartwright, San Francisco
- Leon Douglas, Alabama
- Patrick Ewing, Georgetown
- Stacey Augmon or Larry Johnson, UNLV
- Stacey King, Oklahoma
- Christian Laettner, Duke
- Anfernee Hardaway or Keith Lee, Memphis
- Bob McAdoo, North Carolina
- Johnny Neumann, Mississippi
- Anthony Peeler, Missouri
- Cazzie Russell, Michigan
- Herb Williams, Ohio State
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 26 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 26
New York Yankees rookie SS Frank Baker (Southern Mississippi basketball letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67) banged out three hits for the second consecutive contest against the Detroit Tigers in 1970.
In 1972, Milwaukee Brewers RHP Jerry Bell (played for Belmont in 1965-66 and 1966-67) posted his fifth victory in as many decisions in the span of a month.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon letterman in 1915) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a 1924 doubleheader.
Chicago Cubs LF Larry Biittner (runner-up in scoring and rebounding in 1966-67 for Buena Vista IA) supplied three extra-base hits in a 10-7 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977.
Chicago White Sox SS Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken), who hit .207 in his 10-year MLB career, went 3-for-3 against the Kansas City Athletics in 1958.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) stroked three extra-base hits against the San Diego Padres in 1972.
Intended as a sacrifice, Hall of Fame C Rick Ferrell (played for Guilford NC in mid-1920s) contributed a bunt single in 1941 that was the only hit for the St. Louis Browns against Cleveland Indians P Bob Feller.
Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) had his no-hit bid end with two outs in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians in 1978.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected five extra-base hits, five runs and nine RBI in a 1934 twinbill sweep of the Chicago White Sox.
In 1954, 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hammered his 25th homer at Ebbets Field (a new Brooklyn Dodgers single-season record). Hodges also finished the year with a MLB-high 18 sacrifice flies.
New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (played for Lincoln PA 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) delivered three extra-base hits and four of his N.L.-high 121 RBI against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1951 game.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse player in late 1930s) made his 71st relief appearance of the 1950 campaign. It was a MLB record (subsequently broken).
In 1986, Toronto Blue Jays DH Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's junior varsity team in 1975-76) went 3-for-3 against Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) capped off his 1954 Rookie of the Year season with an 11th-inning, two-run homer at Milwaukee.
RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer during two years he attended Mount Morris IL in early 1930s) purchased from the Boston Braves by the Cincinnati Reds in 1949.
In 1951, Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons for UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) annoyed the Boston Braves by stealing home with a 13-3 lead in the eighth inning.
New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) fired his third three-hit shutout of the 1941 campaign.
Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) won his fifth straight start to finish the 1973 season with 20 victories.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia captain in 1951-52) lost his MLB debut (against Cincinnati Reds in 1959).
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 25 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 25
Philadelphia Phillies LHP Stan Baumgartner (played for University of Chicago's Big Ten Conference basketball champion in 1913-14) toiled 10 innings for his first MLB victory, a 3-2 nod over the Chicago Cubs in 1914.
St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out four hits in the nightcap of a 1936 doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.
Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting center for Colby ME) had his 53-inning scoreless streak ended by the Chicago White Sox in 1910.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California letterman from 1922 through 1924) contributed four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1930.
In one of his eight multiple-hit contests in a nine-game span, Brooklyn Robins 3B Wally Gilbert (captain played for Valparaiso from 1918-19 through 1920-21) manufactured four safeties in a 10-9 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1929 twinbill.
Toronto Blue Jays rookie LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 selection was Washington State's leading rebounder each season from 1992-93 through 1995-96) won his last three starts after debuting as a MLB starter earlier in the month with a no-decision, yielding only three earned runs in 26 innings in those four assignments. Three years later, Hendrickson won his seventh straight verdict with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) tossed a shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965, raising his season strikeout total of 356.
In his only MLB pitching appearance, New York Giants OF Hank Leiber (played for Arizona in 1931) hurled a complete game in a 9-1 setback against the Philadelphia Phillies in the nightcap of a 1942 doubleheader. Teammate Hal Schumacher (played for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) earned the win in the opener, 6-3.
Boston Red Sox CF Jerry Mallett (two-time All-SWC first-team selection averaged 15.3 ppg and 12.7 rpg for Baylor from 1954-55 through 1956-57) supplied two of his four MLB hits and lone RBI in a 10-4 victory against the Washington Senators in 1959.
Cincinnati Reds SS Nolen Richardson (Georgia captain in 1925-26) went 3-for-3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1938.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) registered his 28th victory in 1952, completing his 30th game in 37 starts.
Philadelphia Phillies 3B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with Southern California in 1963-64) provided his fifth straight multiple-hit game in 1968.
Finishing regular season with four consecutive holds, LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) went unscored upon in his 18 relief appearances with the Washington Nationals after he was acquired from the New York Yankees.
In the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, San Francisco Giants 1B Desi Wilson (Fairleigh Dickinson's all-time leading scorer was Northeast Conference player of the year in 1989-90) homered against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1996.
Detroit Tigers 1B John Young (played sparingly for Chapman CA in late 1960s) went 2-for-3 in his lone MLB start (against New York Yankees in 1971).
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 24 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 24
Boston Red Sox 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's top three basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) amassed four hits in an 11-7 win against the Baltimore Orioles in 1967.
Philadelphia Athletics SS Frank Callaway (Tennessee letterman in 1918 and 1919) collected a career-high three hits in a 7-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1921.
New York Mets 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) cracked two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (played for Boston University in early 1920s) contributed three doubles against the Washington Senators in 1933.
Cleveland Indians rookie SS Billy Harrell (averaged 10.3 ppg in three seasons for Siena in early 1950s) banged out three hits against the Detroit Tigers for the second time in a week in 1955.
New York Mets manager Gil Hodges (played for Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) suffered a heart attack during a 1968 game against the Atlanta Braves.
Chicago White Sox 1B Ron Jackson (second-team All-MAC choice from 1951-52 through 1953-54 led Western Michigan in scoring and rebounding his last two seasons) registered four hits against the Kansas City Athletics in 1957.
In 1957, Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) appeared in relief in the final game at Ebbets Field. Koufax got a chance to go to the plate and struck out for the 12th time in as many at-bats this season.
Chicago Cubs C Gordy Massa (played briefly for Holy Cross in 1956-57) supplied two safeties in his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds en route to securing hits in all six games the remainder of the 1957 campaign.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Jack Phillips (leading scorer for Clarkson NY in 1942-43) went 4-for-4 in a 3-2 triumph against the Cincinnati Reds in the nightcap of a 1950 twinbill.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) won his last eight relief decisions of the 1983 campaign.
Milwaukee Brewers LF Ted Savage (led Lincoln MO in scoring average in 1955-56) provided three hits and four RBI in a 7-3 verdict over the California Angels in 1970.
RHP Hal Schumacher (played for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) drove in the winning run in the 10th inning of opener of a doubleheader against the Boston Bees as the New York Giants clinched the 1936 N.L. pennant.
RHP Joe Vance (Southwest Texas State letterman in 1927-28 and 1928-29) won his lone decision with the New York Yankees in 1937 by allowing only four hits and one run in eight innings against the Boston Red Sox.
In 1992, Toronto Blue Jays DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) became the first 40-year-old in MLB history to knock in 100 runs in a season when he stroked a two-run double off Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six games as 6-6 freshman forward for Louisiana State in 1986-87).
New York Yankees LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC letterman in 1916) posted his 12th victory in as many decisions in 1929. No hurler will have a better season without losing a game.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 23 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 23
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup basketball player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) fired a three-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs in 1979.
Seattle Mariners LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's 1970 NCAA playoff team averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in 1982.
Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg in 1950-51 for Spring Hill AL) stroked four hits against the Cleveland Indians in 1956.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) hurled his fourth shutout in 1959 (5-0 against St. Louis Cardinals).
Milwaukee Braves 1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named state's Mr. Basketball) smashed two homers in a 4-2 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955.
Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA titlist) delivered a grand slam against the Detroit Tigers in 1950.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) collected four hits and four runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1930.
California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) hurled a complete game, beating the Texas Rangers, 6-1, to finish tied with Nolan Ryan for the team high in victories (16) during the 1979 campaign.
San Francisco Giants LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 as a sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith), matching Los Angeles Dodgers P Orel Hershiser in zeroes the first seven innings, yielded a homer in the eighth as Hershiser extended his streak of consecutive shutout frames to 49 in 1988.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a suspended game in 1956.
New York Yankees LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) homered twice against the Detroit Tigers in 2000.
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 Cleveland Indians in 1956.
Washington Senators CF Don Lock (paced Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) had a 15-game hitting streak snapped by the Detroit Tigers in 1963.
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) stole three bases against the San Francisco Giants in 1976. Lopes pilfered at least one base nine times in a 10-game span earlier in the month.
Boston Red Sox 3B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in 1928.
C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49) clubbed a 10th-inning homer to give the Chicago Cubs a 9-8 triumph against the San Francisco Giants in 1959.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) homered twice against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1943.
Detroit Tigers LF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered twice against the Boston Red Sox in 1973.
Detroit Tigers LHP Phil Page (Penn State letterman in 1926-27) didn't allow an earned run in winning his second start in as many MLB appearances (both complete games in 1928).
New York Giants RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) fired his second four-hit shutout of the 1934 campaign.
Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (played for Millsaps MS in late 1920s and early 1930s) scattered four hits and helped cause with a homer in a 10-0 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals as he posted his 20th triumph in 1940.
Detroit Tigers rookie 3B Nolen Richardson (Georgia captain in 1925-26) notched his fourth consecutive multiple-hit contest in 1931.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (played for Harding AR in late 1930s) improved his record to 22-2 in 1951 with a 6-3 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies.
New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) tossed a two-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers in 1943.
Cincinnati Reds 2B Johnny Temple (played briefly in 1945 for Catawba NC before joining U.S. Navy) provided four hits against the Chicago Cubs in 1953.
2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) awarded on waivers from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Washington Senators in 1952.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 22 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 22
Rookie CF George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Basketball Tournament with Tennessee State) whacked a ninth-inning, two-run homer to give the Chicago Cubs a 5-4 triumph against the San Francisco Giants in 1959.
Cleveland Indians RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) tossed his second shutout of the month in 1976.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon letterman in 1915) supplied four hits for the second time in an eight-game span in 1922.
In 1965, 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) blasted a grand slam off Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) as the Braves end their 13-year stint in Milwaukee.
A.L. Rookie of the Year DH Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring 16.7 ppg as a freshman in 1964-65) tied a MLB mark with three triples against the Milwaukee Brewers, helping the Baltimore Orioles clinch the 1973 East Division title.
Philadelphia Athletics RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA participant in 1922) earned victory #21 in 1931.
RHP Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) released by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1967.
San Francisco Giants C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) hammered a game-ending homer in the ninth inning to account for the only run in a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1967.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) knocked in five runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1949.
Chicago Cubs RHP Cal Koonce (Campbell standout in 1960 and 1961 when North Carolina-based school was junior college) blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers for eight innings en route to posting his first of three victories the last 10 days of the 1964 campaign.
Washington Senators CF Irv Noren (player of year for California junior college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) tied an A.L. nine-inning record with 11 putouts in 1951.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Elmer Ponder (Oklahoma letterman in 1913-14 and 1915-16) tossed a two-hit shutout against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1917 doubleheader.
In his fourth straight complete-game triumph, New York Yankees RHP Roy Sherid (Albright PA center in 1926-27 and 1927-28) didn't allow an earned run in a 3-1 verdict over the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1929 twinbill.
Detroit Tigers rookie C Birdie Tebbetts (played for Providence in 1932) went 5-for-10 and scored five runs against the St. Louis Browns in a 1936 doubleheader. Five years later, Tebbetts stroked three extra-base hits against the Chicago White Sox in 1941.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) whiffed 15 Milwaukee Braves batters but the strikeout total wasn't enough to extend his five-game winning streak in 1964.
San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before finishing with a 6-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006 after Joe Randa ripped a two-run homer.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 21 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 21
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (LSU's top basketball scorer in 1945-46) clobbered two homers against the Chicago Cubs in 1957.
Chicago Cubs rookie RF George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Tournament with Tennessee State) smacked two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959.
Montreal Expos RHP Ray Burris (two-sport standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) yielded only three hits in 10 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) contributed four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1935.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only semester) contributed six RBI in an 8-6 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in the opener of a 1938 twinbill.
Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) collected two homers and five RBI in a 9-3 triumph against the Kansas City Royals in 1980.
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) smacked two triples against the Montreal Expos in a 1975 game.
Chicago Cubs CF Hank Leiber (played for Arizona in 1931) knocked in five runs against the New York Giants in 1939. The next year, Leiber supplied his fifth consecutive contest with multiple hits.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century), appearing for the third time in four games, notched his 30th victory in 1903.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie RF Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 with Lenoir-Rhyne NC excelled in multiple sports) went 4-for-4 against the Brooklyn Robins in the nightcap of a 1937 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Jim Peterson (Penn letterman from 1928-29 through 1930-31) lost his lone MLB complete game (6-5 against Detroit Tigers in nightcap of 1931 twinbill).
Chicago Cubs SS Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) went 3-for-3 against the St. Louis Cardinals, igniting a six-game hitting streak closing out the 1969 campaign.
Chicago Cubs RHP Don Prince (played for Campbell in 1956-57 and 1957-58 when school was junior college) made his lone MLB appearance (one inning against New York Mets in 1962).
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (played for Harding AR in late 1930s) hurled a shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a 1949 doubleheader.
New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) supplied five hits but they stranded a MLB-mark 20 baserunners in a 13-7 setback against the Boston Red Sox in 1956.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 20 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 20
Cincinnati Reds CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) contributed four hits against the Boston Braves in the nightcap of a 1928 doubleheader.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) delivered three doubles against the Boston Red Sox in 1984.
Baltimore Orioles RF Angelo Dagres (averaged 6 ppg for Rhode Island in 1954-55) provided a hit and scored a run in both ends of a 1955 twinbill sweep against the Boston Red Sox.
Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) launched his 400th career homer in 1988.
Baltimore Orioles bonus baby C Tom Gastall (captain of Boston University's team in 1954-55) died at the age of 24 in 1956 when he crashed into Chesapeake Bay while secretly flying his previously-damaged light plane.
C Frank Grube (starter for Lafayette in 1926-27) purchased from the St. Louis Browns by the Chicago White Sox in 1935.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) stole five bases against the Houston Astros in 1986, tying the modern N.L. record for thefts in a single contest.
Cincinnati Reds RHP Jay Hook (Northwestern's third-leading scorer as a sophomore with 10.7 ppg in 1955-56) hurled a two-hit shutout, chilling the Milwaukee Braves' pennant aspirations in 1960.
3B Ryan Minor (two-time All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection for Oklahoma was league player of year as a junior in 1994-95 when averaging 23.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg) replaced Cal Ripken Jr. in the Baltimore Orioles' starting lineup, ending Ripken's MLB record consecutive-game streak at 2,632.
Washington Senators rookie CF Irv Noren (player of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) knocked in five runs against the St. Louis Browns in 1950.
Detroit Tigers CF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered twice against the Washington Senators in 1968.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) yielded a MLB-record 40th homer in 1955.
Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) contributed his fifth steal of home in the 1949 campaign.
Baltimore Orioles DH Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman team in mid-1960s) socked his 246th and final MLB homer in 1984. Singleton's last three round-trippers were grand slams.
Washington Senators RHP Monte Weaver (played center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1920s) won his MLB debut (eight innings as starter against Chicago White Sox in 1931).
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 19 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 19
Milwaukee Braves 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg in 1950-51 for Spring Hill AL) contributed four hits against the San Francisco Giants in 1961.
Chicago Cubs RHP Ray Burris (two-sport standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) fired his second straight shutout in 1976.
New York Yankees Hall of Fame RF Earle Combs (three-year captain for Eastern Kentucky) scored five runs in an 18-9 romp over the Chicago White Sox in 1930.
Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) fired as Houston Colt .45s manager in 1964. Twenty-seven years earlier as a Cincinnati Reds CF, Craft collected three hits in his MLB debut in the opener of a 1937 doubleheader against the Boston Braves.
Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA titlist) walked five times and scored four runs in a 15-2 rout of the Boston Red Sox in 1951.
In 1961, Cincinnati Reds 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) launched two homers against his original MLB team (Pittsburgh Pirates).
2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) and INF Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of his last three seasons with Lebanon Valley PA in late 1920s) each stroked three hits for the St. Louis Cardinals in a 9-1 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1935.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) amassed two homers and six RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a 1950 doubleheader.
Washington Senators 1B-OF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) fanned five times against the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a 1970 twinbill.
Los Angeles Dodgers LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) jacked two homers against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1966.
Detroit Tigers LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) contributed two homers and five RBI against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1950 game.
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 Cleveland Indians in 1954.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) had a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning broken up by a single from Bobby Veach of the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1925 doubleheader.
RF Bill Nicholson (played for Washington College MD in mid-1930s), the N.L. leader in homers and RBI in 1943, collected a single, two doubles and a homer to help the Chicago Cubs snap an 11-game losing streak with a 6-0 victory against the World Series-bound St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a twinbill. Nicholson also homered in the nightcap.
In his first at-bat with the Boston Red Sox in 1997, OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90) helped the Boston Red Sox tie the score with a ninth-inning pinch-hit homer but the Chicago White Sox went on to prevail in the 10th.
A 12th-inning homer by LF Rip Repulski (started a few games for St. Cloud State MN) gave the St. Louis Cardinals a 6-5 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1955.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia letterman in 1912 and 1914) tossed a 1-0 shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1923 twinbill.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (played for Harding AR in late 1930s) improved his record to 21-2 in 1951 with a 3-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 1997, Cincinnati Reds RHP Jeff Shaw (freshman guard for Rio Grande OH squad compiling 31-5 record and reaching second round of 1985 NAIA Tournament) secured his 15th straight save in as many appearances en route to a N.L.-leading 42 saves.
New York Mets LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) won his fifth straight start in 1973.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) hurled a 10-inning, one-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1965.
Wes Westrum (played for Bemidji State MN one season before serving in military during WWII) resigned as New York Mets manager in 1967.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 18 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 18
In 1963, CF Billy Cowan (Utah basketball letterman from 1957-58 through 1959-60 was co-captain of NCAA playoff team as senior) cracked his first MLB homer, a ninth-inning, two-run blast giving the Chicago Cubs a 2-1 win over Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as senior in 1956-57).
In 1987, Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) became the first 40-year-old to reach the 40-homer plateau in a single season.
Hall of Fame C Rick Ferrell (played for Guilford NC in mid-1920s) and his brother (P Wes Ferrell) thrown out of the game by an umpire after the Boston Red Sox teammates protest a call too vehemently in 1934.
In 1928, Brooklyn Robins 2B Jake Flowers (member of 1923 "Flying Pentagon" championship squad for Washington College MD) supplied back-to-back three-hit outings to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games in a row.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) extended his hitting streak to a career-high 25 games.
Cleveland Indians RHP Oral Hildebrand (Butler All-American in 1928-29 and 1929-30) tossed a two-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, finishing the 1933 campaign with an A.L.-leading six shutouts.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) homered twice against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a 1946 doubleheader.
Detroit Tigers 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) lost his third straight complete game in a 13-day span in 1975.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) cracked two homers against the Kansas City Royals in 2001.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) tossed his 11th shutout en route to 33rd victory in 1908.
Boston Red Sox RHP Gordon McNaughton (played for Loyola of Chicago in late 1920s) lost his lone MLB decision (6-5 against Detroit Tigers in 1932).
Boston Red Sox rookie RF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) went 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Browns in 1947.
Chicago Cubs SS Pinky Pittenger (set Toledo's single-game scoring standard with 49 points in 1918-19) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in 1922.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ray Washburn (led Whitworth WA in scoring when named All-Evergreen Conference in 1958-59 and 1959-60) hurled a no-hitter at San Francisco. The gem came the day after Gaylord Perry of the Giants no-hit the Cards, handing RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) one of his five 1-0 defeats in 1968. Washburn was in the midst of not allowing more than three earned runs in his last 20 starts of this campaign and all 16 starts the following season before a trade to the Cincinnati Reds.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 17 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 17
Cincinnati Reds CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) accumulated four hits in an 8-7 setback against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1927 doubleheader.
New York Yankees C Benny Bengough (Niagara letterman from 1916-17 through 1918-19) went 3-for-3 for the second time in 17 days in 1926.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) supplied four hits against the Washington Senators in 1949.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) banged out four hits against the New York Yankees in 1984.
Chicago Cubs RHP Ray Burris (two-sport standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) won his fifth straight start in 1975.
Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) homered twice in back-to-back games against the Colorado Rockies in 2005.
C Gene Desautels (letterman for Holy Cross in 1929 and 1930) awarded on waivers from the Cleveland Indians to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945.
Houston Astros RF Cameron Drew (averaged 15.4 ppg and team-high 8.9 rpg as sophomore in 1983-84 before becoming NECC first-team selection in 1984-85 when leading New Haven CT in scoring and rebounding) collected two of his three MLB hits, including a triple, against San Francisco Giants P Rick Reuschel in 1988.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) jacked two homers against the Atlanta Braves in 1979.
Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (letterman for Rutgers and Army) contributed three hits in a game for the second day in a row in 1925.
New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) smacked a decisive homer in the 10th inning of a 5-4 decision over the Cincinnati Reds in 1926.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) homered in third consecutive contest, sixth out of last seven games and eighth out of last 11 outings.
Baltimore Orioles 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) cracked a grand slam against the New York Yankees in 1984.
New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech letterman in 1941-42) hurled a shutout against the Chicago Cubs in 1952.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) tossed his 11th shutout of the 1963 campaign, a modern MLB record for a lefthander.
Cleveland Indians rookie 3B Jack Kubiszyn (All-SEC first-team guard as senior averaged 18.3 ppg for Alabama from 1955-56 through 1957-58) provided a career-high three hits against the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a 1961 twinbill.
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (played for Arizona in 1931) provided three extra-base hits and five RBI against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1936.
The longest hitting streak of the 1940 season ended at 21 games when Philadelphia Phillies rookie RF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) went hitless against the Cincinnati Reds.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard captain in 1938-39) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1944 doubleheader.
Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) manufactured four hits in back-to-back games in 1930.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) supplied a go-ahead homer in the 11th inning of a 5-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 with four RBI against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1947 twinbill.
Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered in both ends of a 1971 doubleheader sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.
Montreal Expos OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and in assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90), born with 95% hearing disability, stroked his first MLB hit in 1993 (pinch two-run double against Philadelphia Phillies).
Philadelphia Phillies SS Don Rader (Oregon letterman in 1912) registered a career-high three hits in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1921.
Chicago Cubs 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) cracked a two-run homer in the seventh inning to account for decisive blow in a 3-2 triumph at Brooklyn in 1950.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 16 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 16
Switch-hitting C Mark Bailey (Southwest Missouri State's top basketball rebounder in 1980-81) homered from both sides of the plate in 1984 as a rookie with the Houston Astros.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year letterman for Allegheny PA) established a dubious MLB record (subsequently tied by Todd Helton in 1998) by stranding 12 baserunners in an 18-5 victory against the New York Mets in 1972. Five years earlier, Beckert provided multiple hits for the sixth consecutive contest in 1967.
Baltimore Orioles RF Angelo Dagres (averaged 6 ppg for Rhode Island in 1954-55) delivered a hit and scored a run in both ends of a 1955 doubleheader sweep against the Washington Senators.
Cleveland Indians rookie RF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA titlist) extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a first-inning grand slam against the Washington Senators in 1948.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California letterman from 1922 through 1924), en route to amassing 84 RBI as a leadoff hitter, singled in the game's only run against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 10th inning in 1930.
New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) furnished four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1922 doubleheader.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the New York Giants in 1955.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) stroked five hits against the Florida Marlins in a 2005 game.
St. Louis Browns RF Don Lund (Michigan starter in 1943-44 and 1944-45) went 4-for-4 in a 3-1 against the Boston Red Sox in 1948.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Irv Noren (player of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1958.
Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered in fifth different and final contest during seven-game road trip in 1969. Five years later, Northrup was purchased from the Montreal Expos by the Baltimore Orioles in 1974.
In 1954, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) became the first N.L. hurler to reach the 20-win plateau five successive seasons since Carl Hubbell in the mid-1930s.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) knocked in five runs against the Detroit Tigers in 1939.
RHP Dave Sisler (All-Ivy League second-team selection for Princeton's first NCAA Tournament team in 1952) traded with cash by the Washington Senators to the Cincinnati Reds for P Claude Osteen in 1961.
New York Mets C John Stephenson (scored 1,361 points for William Carey MS in early 1960s) swatted two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in 1965.
St. Louis Browns SS Bud Thomas (Central Missouri letterman in late 1940s) belted his lone MLB homer (third-inning blast against Philadelphia Athletics in nightcap of 1951 doubleheader).
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) hurled his second shutout in an 11-day span in 1963.
In 1993, Minnesota Twins DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) singled against the Oakland A's for his 3,000th hit.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 15 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 15
California Angels 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward with Santa Clara's 1970 NCAA playoff basketball team averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) went 5-for-5 against the Minnesota Twins in 1975.
Washington Senators RHP Carl Bouldin (All-NCAA Tournament selection for Cincinnati in 1961) posted his first MLB victory with his only complete game (3-1 nod over the Chicago White Sox in 1962).
Detroit Tigers rookie CF Hoot Evers (Illinois starter in 1939-40) slugged two homers against the Washington Senators in 1946.
In the opener of a 1946 doubleheader, Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State letterman in 1941) registered his 25th triumph, a 4-1 verdict over the Chicago White Sox.
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 Cincinnati Reds in 1996.
Los Angeles Dodgers RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 and contributed two assists in a 6-4 victory against the Chicago Cubs in 1962.
Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) tossed his first of back-to-back shutouts in 1953.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) homered twice against the St. Louis Browns in the opener of a 1945 doubleheader.
In 1961, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) set a N.L. single-season record for most strikeouts by a lefthander.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) supplied first four-hit game in his MLB career (against Washington Senators in 1952).
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s), en route to pacing the A.L. in ERA (2.10), hurled a three-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1940 on a day commemorating his career.
In 1908, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) defeated the St. Louis Cardinals for the 24th straight time.
In his MLB debut, Philadelphia Athletics RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) tossed a seven-inning, 2-0 shutout against the Cleveland Indians in the nightcap of a 1946 doubleheader, outdueling Hall of Famer Bob Feller.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) whacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1957 twinbill.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) traded by the Houston Astros to the New York Yankees in 1985.
Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) jacked two homers against the Oakland Athletics in 1968.
2B Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) delivered a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) homered twice against the Cincinnati Reds in 1952.
Washington Senators LHP Orlin "Buck" Rogers (Virginia letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) lost his lone MLB decision in debut as a starter against the Cleveland Indians in 1935.
Milwaukee Brewers LF Ted Savage (led Lincoln MO in scoring average in 1955-56) collected two triples and a homer against the Oakland Athletics in 1970.
An eighth-inning bloop single by Philadelphia Athletics 1B Dick Siebert (played for Concordia-St. Paul MN in 1929 and 1930) broke up a no-hit bid by Cleveland Indians P Bob Feller in 1940.
Cleveland Indians RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) closed out the 1966 campaign with seven straight quality starts, compiling a 1.61 ERA in that span.
Atlanta Braves rookie LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) won his fourth straight start in 1968, notching a 1.69 ERA in that span.
Montreal Expos 2B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with Southern California in 1963-64) stroked four hits against the Chicago Cubs in 1969.
Washington Senators LHP Eddie Wineapple (averaged 13.9 ppg with Providence in 1928-29) made his lone MLB appearance, toiling four innings in the opener of a 1929 doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.
Cleveland Indians rookie RF Ab Wright (Oklahoma A&M letterman in 1928-29) contributed four hits and four against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1935 twinbill.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 14 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 14
New York Yankees RHP Rich Beck (listed on Gonzaga's basketball roster in 1961-62) fanned eight batters and walked none while allowing one earned run in his seven-inning debut against the Washington Senators in 1965.
St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1937.
Showing no indication of 20-year-old jitters in a pennant race, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) hurled a 5-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946.
New York Yankees rookie LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) collected two homers and five RBI against the Detroit Tigers in 1954. Four years later with the Kansas City Athletics, Cerv clubbed a homer in both ends of a 1958 doubleheader against the Yankees.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (played for Boston University in early 1920s) contributed three extra-base hits and four RBI against the St. Louis Browns in 1932.
Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois starter in 1939-40) provided four hits against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1947 twinbill.
Boston Red Sox LF Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) contributed seven RBI in a 13-10 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1957.
Boston Red Sox RHP Dave Gray (played for Weber State in early 1960s when school was junior college) made his lone MLB start in 1964.
Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) launched a homer for the fifth consecutive contest and extra-base hit for the 10th straight outing in 1940. Six years later, Greenberg contributed two homers and seven RBI in a 7-4 win against the New York Yankees.
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) went 4-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants in 1962.
Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) smacked a pinch-hit grand slam in an 8-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1979.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan letterman from 1933 through 1935) collected his sixth save the first half of the month in 1945.
Houston Astros CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) collected three hits and three runs in his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds in 1991.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) provided his third four-hit game in a four-day span in 1974.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) fanned four Cincinnati Reds batters in 2 1/3 innings but yielded his only earned run in 11 relief appearances during the month in 1960.
In 1974, 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered for the New York Yankees in the first inning before brother Jim Nettles homered for the Detroit Tigers in the second. Four years later, Graig Nettles clobbered two homers against the Tigers in 1978. . . St. Louis Browns CF Ray Pepper (Alabama letterman in 1926-27) provided at least four hits in a game for the fifth consecutive month in 1934.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (played for Harding AR in late 1930s) improved his record to 20-2 in 1951 with a 3-1 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cincinnati Reds OF Ted Tappe (leading scorer in 1949 NJCAA Tournament was Washington State's third-leading scorer the next year) smacked a pinch-hit homer in his first MLB at-bat (against Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950).
Washington Senators 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in 1953.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS), supported by Roberto Clemente's pair of homers, blanked the New York Mets, 6-0, in 1968. It was Veale's second shutout in a week.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 13 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 13
Detroit Tigers 1B Dale Alexander (starting basketball center in mid-1920s for Milligan TN) delivered four hits in an 11-10 win against the New York Yankees in the opener of a 1930 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) provided four hits in a 5-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) went 5-for-5 against the San Francisco Giants in 1958.
Final MLB triumph for RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) was a three-hit shutout with the St. Louis Browns against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1942.
California Angels RHP Mike Barlow (played for Syracuse from 1967-68 through 1969-70) won his third game in six days in 1977, yielding zero earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in that span.
RHP Bill Beckmann (played in late 1920s for Washington MO) posted a clutch victory in his next-to-last MLB appearance and St. Louis Cardinals' debut to help them win 1942 N.L. pennant.
Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Andy Benes (played briefly for Evansville in 1985-86) hurled a one-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds in 1998.
RHP Ownie Carroll (Holy Cross letterman in 1922) purchased from the New York Yankees by the Cincinnati Reds in 1930.
In 1997, San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) reached the 200-hit plateau in a lone season for the fifth time in his career.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Tom Haller (Illinois backup forward in 1956-57 and 1957-58) smacked a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the 10th inning in a 5-3 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1970.
In 1972, Detroit Tigers 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) socked his 13th career homer off his apparent favorite pitcher - Baltimore Orioles starter Dave McNally.
Los Angeles Dodgers LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) smacked two homers against the New York Mets in 1966.
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) went 4-for-4 against the Atlanta Braves in 1966.
Chicago Cubs CF Hank Leiber (played for Arizona in 1931) went 4-for-4 with four runs, two homers and six RBI against the Boston Braves in 1939.
Washington Senators CF Don Lock (paced Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) secured his fifth two-homer game of the 1964 campaign.
In 1992, Cleveland Indians rookie Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) broke the A.L. record for stolen bases by a first-year player with thefts #53 and #54. Lofton went on to finish the campaign with a league-high 66 steals and 14 assists by a center fielder.
Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) made his first MLB start for the New York Giants in 1900.
Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Greasy Neale (graduated in 1915 from West Virginia Wesleyan) had his 12-game hitting streak snapped by the New York Giants in 1916.
In 1967, Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (played for Grove City PA in mid-1950s) and Cleveland Indians RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight second-team selection) each tossed 11 shutout innings as starters before the White Sox finally won by scoring in the 17th frame.
Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) scored upon for only time in span of 14 relief appearances until his final regular-season outing in 1969. Six years later with the Chicago White Sox, Upshaw permitted an earned run for the only time in his last 11 MLB relief appearances over the final two months of the 1975 campaign.
Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) made an unassisted double play against the Chicago White Sox in 1953.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopsters Make Mark on September 12 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 12
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) tied a MLB single-season mark in 1956 when swatting his 13th homer against a single team (Brooklyn Dodgers).
Washington Senators OF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after being runner-up in both categories the previous season) debuted in 1965 with a pinch-hit homer on the first pitch to him against the California Angels.
Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) posted his second win streak of at least six games en route to leading the A.L. in winning percentage in 1935.
Boston Braves rookie 2B Jack Dittmer (played briefly for Iowa in 1949-50), entering a 1952 doubleheader hitting .182, belted a homer in both ends of the twinbill as he went 5-for-8 and scored five runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Atlanta Braves 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) delivered a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1974 doubleheader.
Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) toiled 11 innings to beat the Minnesota Twins, 2-1, in 1962.
In 1931, Chicago White Sox rookie C Frank Grube (Lafayette starting guard as senior in 1926-27) launched his lone MLB homer.
Brooklyn Robins rookie 1B Buddy Hassett (played for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive contests in 1930 and 1931) supplied a pair of doubles in both ends of a 1936 twinbill split against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Los Angeles Dodgers RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 against the New York Mets in 1964. Four years later as a 1B with the Washington Senators, Howard homered twice against the Baltimore Orioles in 1968.
Extending his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games in a row, New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (played for Lincoln PA 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) provided three hits in each contest of a 1952 doubleheader split with the Cincinnati Reds.
Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) homered twice against the Houston Astros in 1992.
Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) drilled two homers against the New York Yankees in 1971.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1940.
RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western letterman in 1929-30) awarded on waivers from the Philadelphia Athletics to the Detroit Tigers in 1939.
LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) shipped by the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres in 1983 to complete an earlier deal.
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie RHP Xavier Rescigno (played for Manhattan in 1932 and 1933) registered his lone MLB shutout (four-hitter against Cincinnati Reds in nightcap of 1943 doubleheader).
Cincinnati Reds 2B Johnny Temple (played briefly in 1945 for Catawba NC before joining U.S. Navy) smacked a grand slam against the New York Giants in 1952.
Chicago Cubs RHP Jim Willis (Northwestern State letterman in 1944-45 and from 1947-48 through 1949-50) tossed back-to-back complete-game victories in 1953.
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