On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on August 6 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 August 6 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 6
In 1932, 1B Dale Alexander (starting basketball center for Milligan TN in mid-1920s) provided a single for the Boston Red Sox' lone safety off Wes Ferrell of the Cleveland Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) went 4-for-4 against the Cincinnati Reds in 1966.
Mickey Cochrane (Boston University player in early 1920s) fired as Detroit Tigers manager in 1938.
Cincinnati Reds rookie CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) cracked a grand slam in an 11-6 triumph against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938.
New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) provided four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1923 twinbill. Thirteen years later as a St. Louis Cardinals 2B, Frisch collected four hits against the Chicago Cubs in 1936.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 4-for-5 in a 12-10 win against the Montreal Expos in 1999, posting the 3,000th hit of his MLB career.
LHP Mark Hendrickson (two time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection paced Washington State in rebounding four straight seasons from 1992-93 through 1995-96) made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002.
Los Angeles Dodgers LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) delivered three extra-base hits against the Chicago Cubs in 1961.
INF Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Chicago Cubs in 1978.
San Francisco Giants 1B-OF Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's junior varsity team in 1975-76) suspended for 60 days in 1990 following a positive drug test.
New York Yankees RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) posted his eighth save in last 10 relief appearances en route to 12 straight scoreless games in 1970.
Cleveland Indians RF Ed Morgan (Tulane letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) raised his batting average to .372 with back-to-back three-hit games.
Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State letterman in 1923-24) contributed three doubles among his four hits in a 13-11 victory against the New York Yankees in the opener of a 1929 doubleheader.
Detroit Tigers CF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 1972 twinbill.
1B Jack Phillips (leading scorer for 14-1 Clarkson NY in 1942-43) purchased from the New York Yankees by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1949.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on August 5 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 August 5 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 5
San Diego Padres RHP Mike Adams (played basketball for Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1996-97) scored upon for the only time in a span of 19 relief appearances in 2008.
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading scorer in 1945-46) collected two homers and five RBI for the third time in a 15-game span in 1962.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) provided four hits for the second time in a five-game span in 1945.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as a freshman in 1964-65) belted his second leadoff homer in two days in 1982.
OF Billy Cowan (co-captain of Utah's 1960 NCAA playoff team) traded by the New York Mets to the Milwaukee Braves in 1965.
RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) purchased from the Oakland Athletics by the Chicago Cubs in 1977.
New York Yankees LHP Steve Hamilton (All-OVC selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) secured the lone MLB shutout in his 12-year career (five-hitter against Cleveland Indians in nightcap of 1966 doubleheader).
Posting one of his N.L.-leading five shutouts in 1950, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech letterman in 1941-42) yielded a leadoff single before throttling the Pittsburgh Pirates the remainder of the way in a 5-0 whitewash.
New York Mets 1B Rick Herrscher (SMU's leading scorer in 1957-58 as All-SWC first-team selection) hammered his lone MLB homer (three-run blast against Cincinnati Reds in opener of 1962 doubleheader).
Chicago White Sox 1B Gail Hopkins (averaged 2.5 ppg with Pepperdine in 1963-64) supplied four hits against the Washington Senators in 1969.
CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) scored the winning run in the 11th inning in 2001 when the Cleveland Indians erased a 14-2 deficit in the seventh to prevail, 15-14, against the Seattle Mariners. Five years earlier, Lofton went 11-for-20 with three homers in a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles in 1996.
Chicago Cubs RF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after finishing runner-up in scoring previous season for Furman's) whacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1980.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six games as 6-6 freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1994.
Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 with four runs scored and seven RBI against the Detroit Tigers in 1929.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) banged out four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates after homering in three previous games in 1944.
Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in 1973, capping off a six-game spurt raising his batting average from .268 to .310.
OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 1962-63 and 1963-64 with LIU-C.W. Post) purchased from the Kansas City Royals by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974.
LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) awarded on waivers from the New York Yankees to the Washington Nationals in 2014.
Philadelphia Phillies RF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10), who went on to lead the N.L. in homers in 1927, hit for the cycle and knocked in six runs in a 9-7 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on August 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 August 4 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 4
Cincinnati Reds CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) went 7-for-9 in a 1928 doubleheader against the New York Giants.
In 1961, Chicago Cubs OF George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Tournament with Tennessee State) became the first player ever to hit two homers in a single game off Los Angeles Dodgers Hall of Fame LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54).
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year letterman for Allegheny PA) banged out five hits against the Houston Astros in a 1969 game.
California Angels LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) collected four hits and four runs in a 9-6 win against the Texas Rangers in 1976.
Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting center for Colby ME) went the distance in a 16-inning duel against the Chicago White Sox ending in a scoreless tie.
In 1971, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) posted his 200th career victory.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81), securing at least five hits in a game for the fourth time in the 1993 season, stroked six safeties in an 11-10 triumph against the San Francisco Giants.
Brooklyn Robins 1B Buddy Hassett (played for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) delivered four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1937.
A pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the ninth inning by INF Jerry Kindall (averaged 6.9 ppg for Minnesota as junior in 1955-56) tied the score for the Minnesota Twins en route to a 4-3 win against the Washington Senators in 1965.
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 four bases against the Houston Astros in a 1974 game.
In a stunning relief performance, New York Yankees RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) permitted only one run in 13 innings to earn a 3-2 win against the Detroit Tigers. It was one of five triumphs for McDaniel in less than three weeks in 1973.
Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in 1961.
St. Louis Browns RHP Ernie Nevers (All-PCC second-five choice in 1924-25 for Stanford) hurled his first complete game, defeating the Philadelphia Athletics, 3-1, in 1926.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1979.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) went 5-for-5, including three extra-base hits, against the Washington Senators in 1935.
New York Mets 3B Ted Schreiber (played briefly for St. John's in 1957-58 under coach Joe Lapchick) supplied a career-high two hits when he singled in both at-bats against the Milwaukee Braves in 1963 before giving way to pinch-hitter Duke Snider.
Houston Colt .45s 2B Johnny Temple (played briefly in 1945 for Catawba NC before joining U.S. Navy) broke up Los Angeles Dodgers P Johnny Podres' bid for a no-hitter with a one-out, ninth-inning single in 1963.
While warming up prior to the fifth inning in a 1983 game at Toronto, New York Yankees CF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) accidentally killed a seagull with a thrown ball.
New York Yankees LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC letterman in 1916) notched his seventh straight win with a shutout against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 1929 doubleheader.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on August 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 August 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 3
In the midst of homering in three consecutive contests, New York Mets 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC basketball games in 1991-92) amassed two round-trippers and five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2003.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) hurled two innings of hitless relief for the N.L. in a 5-3 setback against the A.L. in the second 1959 All-Star Game.
SS Dick Culler (Little All-American in 1935 and 1936 with High Point) purchased from the Chicago Cubs by the New York Giants in 1948.
Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) fired as manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1967.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of last three seasons in late 1920s for Lebanon Valley PA) garnered three hits for the third consecutive contest in 1930.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) hammered three homers against the New York Giants in a 1947 doubleheader.
San Francisco Giants C Tom Haller (Illinois backup forward in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered two homers against the New York Mets in 1966.
Boston Braves 1B Buddy Hassett (played for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) went 4-for-4 against the Cincinnati Reds in 1940.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) collected two homers and six RBI against the Milwaukee Braves in 1955.
Washington Senators LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) homered in both ends of doubleheader split against the Minnesota Twins in 1965.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) contributed two homers and five RBI against the Detroit Tigers in the nightcap of a 1943 twinbill.
Cleveland Indians SS Jack Kubiszyn (All-SEC first-team guard as senior averaged 18.3 ppg for Alabama from 1955-56 through 1957-58) connected for his lone MLB homer, accounting for the game's only run against the Kansas City Athletics in 1962.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) delivered four hits and six RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1944.
Cleveland Indians rookie CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) supplied three extra-base hits against the New York Yankees in 1992. The next year, Lofton logged four runs and three stolen bases against the Detroit Tigers in 1993.
RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) surrendered 15 hits in 10 innings but the New York Giants still defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 7-6, in 1909.
Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) dismissed as New York Yankees manager in 1982 after losing a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.
Chicago Cubs rookie RF Bill Nicholson (guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) smacked two triples against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1939.
Minnesota Twins RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) suspended for 10 games by A.L. President Bobby Brown after he was caught with a file on the mound and ejected during the fourth inning of a game against the California Angels in 1987.
New York Yankees LF Irv Noren (player of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) notched four hits for the second time in a six-game span in 1953.
Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) drilled a game-winning, pinch homer in the bottom of the ninth inning against Chicago White Sox reliever Hoyt Wilhelm in the opener of a 1966 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) registered a save, victory or hold in eight straight relief appearances in 1982.
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 in both ends of a 1952 twinbill sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
Montreal Expos RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman team in mid-1960s) secured the only hit off Bill Hands of the Chicago Cubs in the nightcap of a 1972 doubleheader.
In 1975, Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding in 1967-68 for Morningside IA) retired the last 26 Oakland Athletics batters while throwing one of his two career one-hitters.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on August 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 August 2 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 2
New York Yankees LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a pinch-hit, game-winning homer in a 3-2 triumph against the Detroit Tigers in 1960.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University player in early 1920s) hit for the cycle against the New York Yankees in 1933.
Milwaukee Braves RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) fired a four-hit shutout against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957.
INF Tim Cullen (starting guard for Santa Clara in 1962-63 when he averaged 10 ppg) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Washington Senators for SS Ron Hansen in 1968.
Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA titlist) hammered three homers in an 11-0 victory against the Washington Senators in 1950.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) stroked three hits in both ends of a 1936 doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Brooklyn Robins rookie 1B Buddy Hassett (played for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) went 4-for-4 against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1936 doubleheader.
RHP Cal Koonce (standout for Campbell in 1960 and 1961 when North Carolina-based school was junior college) purchased from the Chicago Cubs by the New York Mets in 1967.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) logged four hits and four RBI against the Detroit Tigers in a 1994 game.
RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) yielded 15 singles but the New York Giants still defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 8-4, in 1911.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered in both ends of 1983 twinbill against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) collected three hits and three stolen bases in a 3-2 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1974.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Gary Redus (J.C. player for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) smacked two triples against the Chicago Cubs in a 1986 game.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) ripped homer in back-to-back games against the San Francisco Giants in 1958.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) notched a save in his seventh straight relief appearance in 1990, capping off 16 consecutive contests covering 24 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run.
Bill Virdon (played for Drury MO in 1949) fired as manager of the New York Yankees and succeeded by Billy Martin in 1975.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on August 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 August 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
AUGUST 1
Chicago Cubs RF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first basketball player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) banged out four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953.
Cleveland Indians 2B Bosey Berger (Maryland's first hoop All-American led Southern Conference in scoring in league competition in 1930-31) provided four hits, including three doubles, against the Chicago White Sox in 1935.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) incurred his only defeat (1-0 against San Diego Padres) in 11 decisions from early June to mid-August en route to leading the N.L. in winning percentage in 1980.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg in 1950-51 for Spring Hill AL) went 3-for-4 in both ends of a 1965 twinbill sweep of the San Francisco Giants.
Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) clobbered two homers for the second time in a six-game span in 1998.
Chicago Cubs INF Don Eaddy (averaged team-high 13.8 in Big Ten Conference competition as Michigan sophomore in 1952-53) fanned in his lone MLB plate appearance in 1959.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) jacked a game-winning homer in the bottom of the 10th inning in a 2-1 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie 2B Gene Handley (Bradley letterman in 1932-33 and 1933-34) manufactured four hits against the Chicago White Sox in 1946.
In 1957, 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hit his 13th career grand slam to set a new N.L. record. It was the final grand slam in the history of the Brooklyn franchise before the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles.
Atlanta Braves 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) drilled two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in 1973.
In 1913, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) reached the 20-win plateau for the 11th consecutive season.
Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) had his 19-game hitting streak snapped by the Oakland Athletics in 1971.
Hitless in his first six at-bats, RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered in the 16th inning to give the Detroit Tigers a 4-3 victory against the California Angels in 1971.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) posted his 200th triumph with a three-hit, 3-1 success at Chicago in 1958.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Don Schwall (All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection led Oklahoma saved both ends of a 1965 doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs with three innings of scoreless relief in each contest.
Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) tossed nine innings of four-hit, scoreless relief to secure a 4-2 win against the New York Mets in 1968.
Boston Braves rookie RF Chuck Workman (two-time All-MIAA first-five selection was leading scorer when Central Missouri won inaugural NAIA Tournament in 1937) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a 1943 twinbill.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 31 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college 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 July 31 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 31
RHP Mike Adams (played basketball for Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1996-97) traded by the San Diego Padres to the Texas Rangers in 2011.
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading scorer in 1945-46) belted four homers off four different pitchers plus a double against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954, setting a MLB record for most total bases in a game (18) standing until broken by RF Shawn Green in 2002.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year letterman for Allegheny PA) contributed seven hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1970 twinbill sweep.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon letterman in 1915) banged out four hits against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1917 doubleheader.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California letterman from 1922 through 1924) collected five hits and scored four runs in an 18-5 pounding of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1928.
In the midst of eight straight scoreless relief appearances, Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for UMass' freshman squad in 1971-72) notched the final of his 167 MLB wins. Earlier in the 1991 campaign, Flanagan amassed 10 consecutive contests where he failed to yield an earned run.
Houston Astros INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) stroked a pinch single against the Cincinnati Reds in 1966 before going 0-for-21 during the last two months of his 12-year MLB career.
LHP Johnny Gee (captain of Michigan's 16-4 team in 1936-37) absorbed his first defeat since returning to the New York Giants in 1946 after a year's retirement.
Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State letterman) scored five runs in a 16-11 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1983.
Chicago Cubs LF Monte Irvin (played for Lincoln PA 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) manufactured four hits and five RBI against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1956.
San Diego Padres LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg from 1977-78 through 1979-80) yielded more than three runs for the only time in his last 15 starts of the 1988 campaign.
Chicago White Sox LF Gary Redus (J.C. player for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) registered two hits in his fifth consecutive contest in 1987.
Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Don Schwall (All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection as sophomore in 1956-57 when leading Oklahoma in rebounding) hurled the middle three innings for the A.L., yielding the only run, in a 1-1 tie in the second of two All-Star Games in 1961. St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) of the N.L. and Detroit Tigers RF Al Kaline of the A.L. were the only All-Stars with two safeties. Five years later with the Philadelphia Phillies, White went 5-for-5, including four extra-base hits, and chipped in with five RBI in the opener of a 1966 doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Boston Red Sox RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) hurled a one-hitter at California in 1970.
Cincinnati Reds 2B Johnny Temple (played briefly in 1945 for Catawba NC before joining U.S. Navy) contributed seven hits in a 1955 twinbill sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Washington Senators rookie RHP Monte Weaver (played center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1920s) secured his eighth victory of the month in 1932.
Chicago Cubs OF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) clobbered a three-run homer to chase New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) in the opener of a 1915 doubleheader.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 30
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year basketball letterman for Allegheny PA) provided four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1967 twinbill.
Texas Rangers RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) fanned 13 batters while hurling a no-hitter against the first-place Oakland A's in 1973.
Texas Rangers 1B Larry Biittner (runner-up in scoring and rebounding in 1966-67 for Buena Vista IA) went 4-for-4 in a 2-1 victory against the Oakland Athletics in the opener of a 1972 doubleheader.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg in 1950-51 for Spring Hill AL) belted a double off Hank Aguirre for the N.L. in the second 1962 All-Star Game. Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) contributed two hits and two RBI for the N.L. and Washington Senators RHP Dave Stenhouse (three-time All-Yankee Conference selection for Rhode Island from 1952-53 through 1954-55) started for the A.L.
2B Marv Breeding (played for Samford in mid-1950s) traded by the Washington Senators to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1963.
In the midst of a career-high 12-game hitting streak, Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) manufactured four safeties against the Atlanta Braves in 1968.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (played for Boston University in early 1920s) went 4-for-4 with two homers and six RBI in an 8-5 win against the St. Louis Browns in 1931.
Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) fired as manager of the Cleveland Indians in 1971.
Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois starter in 1939-40) accumulated three hits and four runs against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1948.
New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) collected five hits and four runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1923 twinbill.
In his initial MLB start, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) posted his first of 251 career victories with #1 of 56 shutouts (1-0 against Cincinnati Reds in 1959).
In the midst of a career-high 13-game hitting streak, Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) whacked two homers in an 11-1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980.
New York Giants OF Monte Irvin (played for Lincoln PA 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) tied a N.L. record by grounding into three double plays against the Milwaukee Braves in 1953.
Cleveland Indians DH David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85) jacked two homers against the Seattle Mariners in 1998.
In 1991, Seattle Mariners LHP Bill Krueger (led WCAC in free-throw percentage as freshman en route to averaging 5.1 ppg for Portland from 1975-76 through 1979-80) collected his eighth triumph in nine decisions over a two-month span.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) had his 13-game winning streak snapped by the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-1, in 1909.
Washington Senators RF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) homered and provided four RBI in both ends of a 1950 doubleheader sweep against the St. Louis Browns.
Cleveland Indians RF Ed Morgan (Tulane letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) contributed four hits against the Boston Red Sox in 1929.
San Diego Padres 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) amassed two homers and five RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in 1986.
St. Louis Cardinals C Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 with Lenoir-Rhyne NC excelled in multiple sports) provided four hits against the Boston Braves in 1940.
Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (played for Grove City PA in mid-1950s) faced only 29 batters in a 75-pitch, 6-0 shutout of the New York Yankees in 1966. Two years earlier, Peters hurled his third three-hit complete game this month en route to leading the A.L. with 20 victories in 1964.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Gary Redus (J.C. player for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) registered two doubles among his four hits against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1986 game.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) spun his third shutout in a row en route to a N.L.-high five whitewashes in 1950.
Chicago Cubs SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers in 1942-43 and 1943-44 for Drury MO) collected five RBI against the New York Giants in 1951.
San Diego Padres CF Will Venable (All-Ivy League first-team selection as junior and second-team choice as senior averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) contributed four safeties against the Cincinnati Reds in 2009. Venable belted a homer for the first of three consecutive contests.
OF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) traded by the Seattle Mariners to the San Francisco Giants in 2005.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 29
Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting basketball center for Colby ME) posted his 10th victory of the month in 1910.
Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) secured his second shutout in a nine-day span in 1959. Three years later with the New York Mets, Craig lost his sixth straight decision during the month in 1962.
Chicago White Sox CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA titlist) homered twice in the opener en route to knocking in eight runs in a 1956 doubleheader sweep of the Boston Red Sox.
OF Hoot Evers (starter for Illinois in 1939-40) awarded on waivers from the New York Giants to the Detroit Tigers in 1954.
Philadelphia Phillies 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1959.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) banged out four hits against the New York Yankees in 1937. the next year, Greenberg blasted two homers for the third time in a four-game span in 1938.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) stroked three doubles against the New York Mets in 1998.
New York Yankees LHP Steve Hamilton (All-OVC selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) notched a hold against the California Angels as he went unscored upon two months in a row covering 12 relief appearances in 1970.
Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State letterman) homered twice against the Seattle Mariners in 1980.
Brooklyn Robins rookie 1B Buddy Hassett (played for Manhattan team winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) collected four runs, two triples and five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a 1936 doubleheader.
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) homered in all five games of series against the San Francisco Giants closing out the month in 1962.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) contributed four hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in the nightcap of a 1954 twinbill.
Chicago Cubs 3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) smacked two homers against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1988.
Cincinnati Reds RF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 for the second time in an eight-game span in 1948.
Chicago White Sox P Joel Horlen, flirting with a no-hitter entering the ninth inning, wound up losing the game, 2-1, when OF Don Lock (led Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) socked a homer for the Washington Senators in 1963. LF Chuck Hinton (played multiple sports for Shaw NC) broke up the no-hit bid with a one-out single in the ninth. The next year, Lock knocked in all of the Senators' runs with two homers in a 4-1 win against the Cleveland Indians.
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) posted his third three-hit game in a row in series against the Chicago Cubs in 1974.
OF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) awarded on waivers from the Baltimore Orioles to the Boston Red Sox in 1954.
Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) went 5-for-5 and chipped in with five RBI in a 14-7 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1929.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) collected four RBI in an 11-9 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1974.
RHP Paul Reuschel (Western Illinois' leading rebounder in 1966-67 with 15.2 per game) posted the save when the Cleveland Indians extended their winning streak to seven games with a 9-6 decision over the Chicago White Sox in 1979.
In 1963, Minnesota Twins rookie LHP Garry Roggenburk (Dayton's leading scorer three straight seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62 grabbed school-record 32 rebounds in third varsity game) didn't allow an earned run in his first eight relief appearances of the month until the Red Sox tallied one earned run 4 2/3 innings against him.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 28
Cincinnati Reds CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) went 4-for-4 in a 7-5 win against the Brooklyn Robins in the nightcap of a 1929 doubleheader.
1B Donn Clendenon (letterman for Morehouse GA) clobbered two homers en route to setting a New York Mets record by knocking in seven runs in a 12-2 rout of the San Francisco Giants in 1970.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) fanned 11 Cincinnati Reds batters to post his third MLB victory in as many starts in 1955.
Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois starter in 1939-40) contributed four hits against the Boston Red Sox in 1948.
Kansas City Royals rookie RHP Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76), improving his mark to 12-3, posted his fifth triumph of the month by tossing his third shutout in 1978.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) stroked four hits against the Cleveland Indians in 1935.
Washington Senators rookie OF Gary Holman (USC letterman in 1962-63) delivered a career-high three hits against the Boston Red Sox in 1968.
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) furnished six RBI in an 8-6 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1960.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) cracked three homers against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a 1940 twinbill. Keller went yard only once more in the remaining 58 games of the campaign.
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Dave Lemanczyk (averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg from 1969-70 through 1971-72 on couple of NCAA College Division Tournament teams for Hartwick NY) registered his third shutout in 1979, blanking his former team, the Detroit Tigers, 3-0.
CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the San Francisco Giants in 2002.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) tied a MLB record with two doubles in a 10-run second inning en route to a 14-6 decision over the St. Louis Browns in the opener of a 1935 doubleheader.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played four games with Central Washington in 1967-68) made an unassisted double play against the Kansas City Royals in 1973.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie 1B Ossie Orwoll (played for Luther IA in first half of 1920s), raising his batting average to .390, manufactured four hits against the St. Louis Browns in 1928.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie SS Ace Parker (Duke letterman in 1935-36) provided a career-high three hits and four RBI in an 11-7 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1937.
Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) went on a 12-for-25 spurt en route to capturing the 1949 N.L. batting title.
Boston Red Sox RF Arlie Tarbert (Ohio State letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) collected a career-high two hits in a 3-0 win against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 1927 doubleheader.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 27
Chicago Cubs RHP Ray Burris (basketball standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) capped off a streak of six straight winning starts in 1976 with his second shutout in that span.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) hurled one of his four shutouts in 1959.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) contributed four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1933.
In an 8-0 victory against the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) secured five hits in a game for the third time in the 1993 campaign.
Los Angeles LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) fanned 16 Philadelphia Phillies in 11 innings before the Dodgers prevailed in 16 frames, 2-1, in 1966.
Boston Red Sox rookie OF Joe Lahoud (letterman for New Haven CT) hammered a two-run homer in the top of the 20th inning in a 5-3 win at Seattle in 1969.
Toronto Blue Jays DH Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's junior varsity team in 1975-76) singled in the go-ahead run in a 10-8 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1987.
Washington Senators CF Don Lock (led Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) launched back-to-back homers and had five RBI in an 8-4 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1963.
CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) traded by the Texas Rangers to the Cleveland Indians in 2007.
Cleveland Indians RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) went 4-for-4 against the Kansas City Royals in 1983.
In the ninth inning against the California Angels, New York Yankees SS Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) pulled the hidden-ball trick for the second time in six weeks in 1970.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) manufactured four hits for the third time in a 17-game span in 1954.
LF Greasy Neale (hoopster graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1915) supplied three of the Cincinnati Reds' eight stolen bases in a 14-5 triumph against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1918 doubleheader.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) incurred a season-ending broken ankle stepping on first base against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1931.
Chicago White Sox 2B Frank Whitman (one of leading scorers with Eureka IL as freshman in 1942-43) stroked a single for his lone MLB hit (against the New York Yankees in 1946).
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 26
Philadelphia Phillies LF Morrie Arnovich (played basketball for Wisconsin-Superior in early 1930s) went 4-for-4 in a 3-1 setback against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1939.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year letterman for Allegheny PA) banged out five straight hits in a 7-6 decision over the Atlanta Braves in the nightcap of a 1970 doubleheader.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators in 1940.
After incurring a 13-3 defeat against the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) and teammate Pumpsie Green mysteriously disappeared in 1962. Conley wanted to fly to Israel and went to the airport but was denied a ticket because he didn't have a visa.
OF Billy Cowan (co-captain of Utah's 1960 NCAA playoff team) purchased from the New York Yankees by the California Angels in 1969.
Boston Red Sox C Rick Ferrell (played forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) stroked four hits against the Detroit Tigers in 1934.
Chicago White Sox 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) collected five hits (including three for extra bases), four runs and four RBI against the Boston Red Sox in 1960.
Acting St. Louis Cardinals manager Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) contributed four hits but they weren't enough to prevent a 6-5 setback at Boston in the nightcap of a 1930 twinbill against the Braves.
New York Giants LHP Johnny Gee (Michigan captain was Big Ten Conference's sixth-leading scorer in 1936-37) hurled a complete-game, 3-2 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1946.
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie SS Dick Groat (two-time All-Ameican with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) ended an 0-for-19 slump by going 5-for-5 in a 6-4 win against the Boston Braves in 1952.
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 Philadelphia Phillies in a 1958 game.
Washington Senators LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) homered in his third consecutive contest against the California Angels in 1970. Three years later with the Detroit Tigers, Howard connected for round-trippers in both at-bats against the Boston Red Sox in 1973.
Atlanta Braves 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) homered in both ends of a 1973 doubleheader split against the Cincinnati Reds.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) clobbered two homers against the Detroit Tigers in a 1942 game.
New York Giants LF Hank Leiber (played for Arizona in 1931) started a fourth-inning triple play with a brilliant catch near the wall in a 5-4 verdict over the Cincinnati Reds in 1936.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) won his 21st consecutive contest from the Cincinnati Reds in 1911.
In the midst of a career-high 15-game hitting streak in 1973, Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) supplied multiple safeties for the sixth time in last nine outings.
1B Babe Young (Fordham letterman in 1935-36) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1948.
Impact of Former College Basketball Players on Baseball Hall of Fame
The Baseball Hall of Fame is hallowed ground. New inductee John Smoltz is regarded as a classy versatile athlete but he didn't go from the basketball court to holding court by achieving stardom in baseball's HOF. The following individuals among the more than 300 MLB Hall of Famers were college hoopsters:
WALTER ALSTON, Miami (Ohio)
Managed the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 seasons (1954 through 1976), winning seven National League pennants and three World Series. In eight All-Star Game assignments, Alston was the winning manager a record seven times. He struck out in his only major league at-bat with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936. . . . The 6-2, 195-pound Alston, a charter member of his alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame, lettered in basketball in 1932-33, 1933-34 and 1934-35. He scored 10 of Miami's 15 points in a 32-15 defeat against Indiana in his senior season.
LOU BOUDREAU, Illinois
Infielder hit .295 in 15 seasons (1938 through 1952) with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. Managed Indians, Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics and Chicago Cubs, starting his managerial career at the age of 24 in 1942. As player-manager in 1948, the shortstop led Cleveland to the A.L. title and earned MVP honors by hitting .355 with 116 RBI. He hit a modest .273 in the World Series. The seven-time All-Star led the A.L. with 45 doubles on three occasions (1941, 1944 and 1947) and paced the league in batting average in 1944 (.327). . . . Played two varsity basketball seasons for Illinois (1936-37 and 1937-38) under coach Doug Mills. As a sophomore, Boudreau led the Illini in scoring with an 8.7-point average as the team shared the Big Ten Conference title. Compiled an 8.8 average the next year. After helping the Illini upset St. John's in a game at Madison Square Garden, the New York Daily News described him as "positively brilliant" and said he "set up countless plays in breathtaking fashion." . . . Averaged 8.2 points per game for Hammond (Ind.) in the National Basketball League in 1938-39.
ALBERT B. "HAPPY" CHANDLER, Transylvania (Ky.)
Twice governor of Kentucky (1935-39 and 1955-59), U.S. senator (1939-45) and commissioner of baseball (1945-51). He oversaw the initial steps toward integration of the major leagues. Democrat embraced the "Dixiecrats" in the late 1940s. . . . Captain of Transylvania's basketball team as a senior in 1920-21.
GORDON "MICKEY" COCHRANE, Boston University
Hall of Famer hit .320 (highest career mark ever for a catcher) with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit
Tigers in 13 seasons from 1925 through 1937. Swatted three homers in a single game as a rookie. Lefthanded swinger was A.L. MVP in 1928 and 1934. Led the A.L. in on-base percentage in 1933 (.459) and ranked among the league top nine in batting average five times (1927-30-31-33-35). Participated in five World Series (1929-30-31-34-35). . . . Five-sport athlete with BU, including basketball (class of '24).
EARLE COMBS, Eastern Kentucky
Hall of Fame outfielder hit .325 with the New York Yankees in 12 seasons from 1924 through 1935. Lefthanded swinger led the A.L. in hits with 231 in 1927 when he also paced the the league in singles and triples. Also led the A.L. in triples in 1928 and 1930. Assembled a 29-game hitting streak in 1931. Leadoff hitter and "table-setter" for the Yankees' potent "Murderer's Row" offense ranked among the A.L. top six in runs eight straight years when he became the first player in modern major league history to score at least 100 runs in his first eight full seasons. Posted a .350 batting average in four World Series (1926-27-28-32) before a pair of serious collisons shortened his productive career. Served as coach with the Yankees (1936-44), St. Louis Browns (1947), Boston Red Sox (1948-54) and Philadelphia Phillies (1955). . . . Captain of his alma mater's basketball squad for three years when the school was known as Eastern State Normal.
LARRY DOBY, Virginia Union
Outfielder hit .283 with 253 home runs and 969 RBI in a 13-year career from 1947 through 1959 with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. The first black player in the American League twice led the A.L. in homers (32 in 1952 and 1954). He was the first African-American to lead a league in homers (1952 and 1954) and the first to participate in the World Series (1948). Hit 20 or more round-trippers eight consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1956 while finishing among the A.L. top nine in slugging percentage each year. The seven-time All-Star drove in 100 or more runs five times, leading the A.L. with 126 in 1954 when the Indians won 111 games before being swept by the New York Giants in the World Series. Appeared in 1948 and 1954 World Series with the Indians, winning Game 4 in '48 with a homer off Braves star Johnny Sain. Doby managed the White Sox for most of 1978 (37-50 record). . . . The 6-1, 180-pounder attended LIU on a basketball scholarship but transferred to Virginia Union prior to the start of the season after Uncle Sam summoned him for World War II service. Doby was told Virginia Union had a ROTC program and he could complete his freshman season before being drafted. He became eligible the second semester of the 1942-43 season and was a reserve guard on a team that won the CIAA title.
RICK FERRELL, Guilford (N.C.)
Catcher hit over .300 five times en route to a .281 career batting average with the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators in 18 years from 1929 through 1947. He set an A.L. record with 1,805 games behind the plate. Traded with his brother (pitcher Wes Ferrell) from Boston to Washington during the 1937 campaign. . . . The 5-10, 160-pounder was a basketball forward before graduating in 1928.
FRANKIE FRISCH, Fordham
Registered a run of 11 consecutive .300 seasons and set fielding records for chances and assists with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1927. As player-manager with the Cards, he instilled the rollicking all-out style of hardnosed play that prompted a team nickname of "The Gashouse Gang." His season strikeout total topped 20 only twice en route to a .316 average in his 19-year career, which also included a stint with the New York Giants. . . . According to his bio in Total Baseball, "The Fordham Flash" captained the Rams' basketball squad. In 1925, Frisch officiated the first-ever game played in the Rose Hill Gym (the oldest NCAA Division I facility in the nation).
BOB GIBSON, Creighton
Compiled a 251-174 pitching record with 3,117 strikeouts and 2.91 ERA in 17 seasons (1959 through 1975) with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1968, he pitched 13 shutouts en route to a 1.12 ERA, the second-lowest since 1893 in 300 innings. Gibson notched a 7-2 mark and 1.89 ERA in nine games in the 1964, 1967 and 1968 World Series (92 strikeouts in 81 innings). He set a World Series record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers on October 2, 1968. . . . First Creighton player to average 20 points per game for his career (20.2). Led the school in scoring in 1955-56 (40th in the country with 22 ppg) and 1956-57 and was second-leading scorer in 1954-55 before playing one season (1957-58) with the Harlem Globetrotters. Sketch from school brochure: "Possesses outstanding jump shot and for height (6-1) is a terrific rebounder."
TONY GWYNN, San Diego State
Padres outfielder hit .338 in 20 seasons (1982 through 2001), winning eight N.L. batting titles--1984, 1987,
1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Played in 15th All-Star Game in 1999 before topping the 3,000-hit plateau later in the year. Holds N.L. record for most years leading league in singles (six). Won a Gold Glove five times (1986-87-89-90-91). He hit .368 in the 1984 N.L. Championship Series to help San Diego reach the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Also participated in the 1998 World Series against the New York Yankees. Became baseball coach at his alma mater after retiring from the major leagues. . . . Averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.5 apg in 107 games with the Aztecs in four seasons (1977-78 through 1980-81). The 5-11, 170-pound guard was named second-team All-Western Athletic Conference as both a junior and senior. Led the WAC in assists as both a sophomore and junior and was third as a senior. Paced San Diego State in steals each of his last three seasons. Selected in the 10th round of 1981 NBA draft by the San Diego Clippers.
MONTE IRVIN, Lincoln (Pa.)
Outfielder-first baseman hit .293 with 99 home runs and 443 RBI in eight major league years (1949 through 1956) with the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs. Irvin led the N.L. in RBI with 121 in 1951, the same year he led the World Series in hitting (.458 vs. crosstown Yankees) after collecting seven hits in the first two contests of the six-game set. He was a member of the Giants' squad that swept the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series. The 6-1, 195-pounder was one of the first black players signed after baseball's color line was broken in 1947. Among the brightest stars in the Negro Leagues, he registered league highs of .422 in 1940 and .396 in 1941 before spending three years in the Army. . . . His athletic career was nearly prematurely ended when an infection from a scratched hand in a basketball game kept him close to death for seven weeks. Irvin participated in basketball for 1 1/2 years in the late 1930s for Lincoln, an all-black university in Oxford, Pa., before dropping out of school.
SANDY KOUFAX, Cincinnati
Compiled a 165-87 record and 2.76 ERA in 12 seasons as a lefthanded pitcher with the Brooklyn (1955 through 1957) and Los Angeles (1958 through 1966) Dodgers. Led the N.L. in ERA in each of his last five seasons, going 25-5 in 1963 (MVP), 26-8 in 1965 and 27-9 in 1966 (Cy Young Award). Pitched four no-hitters and had 98 games with at least 20 strikeouts. Notched a 4-3 record and 0.95 ERA in eight World Series games in 1959, 1963 (MVP), 1965 (MVP) and 1966. . . . The Brooklyn native attended Cincinnati one year on a combination baseball/basketball scholarship before signing a pro baseball contract for a reported $20,000 bonus. He was the third-leading scorer with a 9.7-point average as a 6-2, 195-pound forward for the Bearcats' 12-2 freshman team in 1953-54. Koufax compiled a 3-1 pitching record in his lone college baseball campaign, averaging 14.3 strikeouts and 8.4 bases on balls per game when his statistics are converted to a nine-inning game ratio. . . . Ed Jucker, coach of Cincinnati's NCAA titlists in 1961 and 1962, coached the Bearcats' baseball squad and freshman basketball team in 1953-54. Jucker said of Koufax's basketball ability: "He could jump extremely well, was a strong kid and a good driver. He would have made a fine varsity player. We certainly could have used him." If viewers pay attention to CBS acknowledging celebrities in the stands during telecasts with crowd shots, they've probably noticed that Koufax regularly attends the Final Four.
TED LYONS, Baylor
Spent his entire 21-year career with the Chicago White Sox (1923 through 1942 and 1946) after never playing in the minors. Managed the White Sox from 1946 through 1948. Three-time 20-game winner compiled a 260-230 record and 3.67 ERA in 594 games. He pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1926. In 1939, Lyons hurled 42 consecutive innings without issuing a walk. . . . Earned four basketball letters at Baylor from 1919-20 through 1922-23. Consensus first-team selection on All-Southwest Conference squad as a sophomore and senior.
CHRISTY MATHEWSON, Bucknell
Often regarded as baseball's greatest pitcher, the righthander compiled a 372-188 record and 2.13 ERA with 79 shutouts for the New York Giants in 17 years from 1900 to 1916 before winning his lone start with Cincinnati in 1916. Led the N.L. in ERA five times (1905-08-09-11-13). Hall of Famer ranked among the N.L. top five in victories 12 years in a row from 1903 through 1914. Paced the N.L. in strikeouts on five occasions in a six-year span from 1903 through 1908. Won 30 games or more in three consecutive seasons, leading the Giants in their 1905 World Series victory over the Philadelphia Athletics by hurling three shutouts in six days. Also appeared in three straight World Series from 1911 through 1913. . . . The 6-2 Mathewson also played football and basketball at the turn of the 20th Century for Bucknell (class of '02).
CUM POSEY, Penn State/Duquesne
Founder and co-owner of the Homestead Greys professional baseball team that won eight consecutive National Negro League titles. . . . Posey was the first African American to complete in intercollegiate athletics for Penn State in 1910-11. He later attended Duquesne. A legend in Pittsburgh sports history was owner/player for the famed Leondi Club, an independent basketball team that was the National Negro Championship team for many years.
EPPA RIXEY JR., Virginia
Compiled a 266-251 record with 3.15 ERA in 21 seasons (1912 through 1917 and 1919 through 1933) with the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. He never played a minor league game and appeared in the 1915 World Series with the Phillies. Missed the 1918 campaign while serving overseas with an Army chemical-warfare division. Rixey won 19 or more games six years, including 1922 when he led the N.L. with 25 victories with the Reds. In his next to last season, he pitched a string of 27 consecutive scoreless innings at age 42. The N.L.'s winningest lefthanded pitcher until Warren Spahn broke his record was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1963. . . . The 6-5, 210-pound Rixey, who also played golf at Virginia, earned basketball letters in 1911-12 and 1913-14.
ROBIN ROBERTS, Michigan State
Compiled a 286-245 record in 19 seasons (1948 through 1966) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. He was a twenty-game winner for six consecutive seasons with the Phillies (1950 through 1955), leading the N.L. in victories the last four years in that span. The seven-time All-Star lost his only World Series start in 1950, 2-1, when the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio homered off him in the 10th inning. . . . Roberts played three seasons of basketball with the Spartans (1944-45 through 1946-47). He averaged 10.6 points per game as a freshman (team's third-leading scorer as he was eligible because of WWII), 9.8 as a sophomore (second-leading scorer) and 9.0 as a junior (second-leading scorer). The 6-0, 190-pound forward led the team in field-goal percentage as a junior captain. Sketch from school basketball guide: "Regarded by newsmen as one of the greatest players today in college basketball. A poll by Detroit Free Press named him the 'most valuable' collegiate player in Michigan. He is not especially fast, but he's extremely well-coordinated, passes exceptionally well, and is a beautiful one-hand shot artist."
JACKIE ROBINSON, UCLA
Infielder hit .311 with 137 homers as a regular on six N.L. pennant winners with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 10
seasons (1947 through 1956). After becoming Rookie of the Year in 1947, Robinson was named MVP in 1949 when he led the N.L. with a .342 batting average and 37 stolen bases. The six-time All-Star homered in the 1952 All-Star Game. He had two homers and seven doubles in World Series competition. . . . Football, basketball and track standout at Pasadena City College in 1937-38 and 1938-39. Named to All-Southern California Junior College Conference Western Division all-star basketball team both years, a span in which UCLA was winless in league competition. First athlete in UCLA history to letter in football, basketball, baseball and track. Forward compiled the highest scoring average in the Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons at UCLA (12.3 points per league game in 1939-40 as an all-league second-team selection and 11.1 in 1940-41). In his last UCLA athletic contest, he accounted for more than half of the Bruins' output with 20 points in a 52-37 loss to Southern California.
DAVE WINFIELD, Minnesota
Outfielder hit .283 with 465 home runs, 1,833 RBI and 3,110 hits in 22 seasons (1973 through 1988 and 1990 through 1995) with the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. Appeared in 12 All-Star Games after never playing in the minors. Participated in the World Series with the Yankees (1981) and Blue Jays (1992). . . . Played two seasons of varsity basketball as a 6-6, 220-pound forward with the Gophers, averaging 6.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior in 1971-72 and 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior in 1972-73. He played the entire game in Minnesota's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972 under coach Bill Musselman. . . . Selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the fifth round of the 1973 NBA draft and the Utah Stars in the sixth round of the 1973 ABA draft. Didn't play college football, but was chosen in the 17th round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Excerpt from school guide: "Recruited out of intramural ranks to lend depth, became a starter and was a giant in the stretch drive. Amazing athlete leaps like a man catapulted. Soft touch from medium range."
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 25
Joey Amalfitano (played basketball for Loyola Marymount in 1952-53) became manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1980.
In his second MLB start, California Angels 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 when averaging 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) banged out four hits against the Kansas City Royals in 1974.
Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) homered from each side of the plate for the second time in 1999 season in a 9-1 triumph against the Boston Red Sox.
Los Angeles Dodgers RF Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) knocked in five runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1979.
Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (letterman for Rutgers and Army) supplied four hits against the Detroit Tigers in 1927.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie SS Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of last three seasons in late 1920s for Lebanon Valley PA) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1929.
RF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85) jacked a home run to account for the Atlanta Braves' lone hit and game's only run in a 1-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992.
Boston Red Sox 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard captain in 1938-39) went 5-for-6, including three extra-base hits, in a 9-8 win against the Louis Browns in 1942.
Cleveland Indians rookie 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) manufactured five RBI in a 15-5 win against the Boston Red Sox in the nightcap of a 1928 doubleheader.
Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) launched two homers against the Washington Senators in 1968.
New York Yankees rookie LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg from 1977-78 through 1979-80) blanked the Milwaukee Brewers over seven innings en route to one of his six straight winning decisions in 1984.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) fired the second of back-to-back shutouts in 1951.
Cleveland Indians 2B Freddy Spurgeon (played for Kalamazoo MI in 1921-22) stroked four hits against the St. Louis Browns in 1926. The next year, Spurgeon extended his career-high hitting streak to 14 games in a row.
Chicago Cubs INF-OF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) contributed four hits in a 9-5 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1930.
Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Evar Swanson (played all five positions for Knox IL) went 5-for-6 against the Boston Braves in 1929.
Boston Red Sox 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama letterman in 1936-37) blasted two homers against the Chicago White in 1940 and the Cleveland Indians in 1941. In 1944, Tabor went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 24
Philadelphia Phillies LF Morrie Arnovich (played basketball for Wisconsin-Superior in early 1930s) went 4-for-4 and scored four runs in a 13-11 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1937.
Philadelphia Athletics LHP Stan Baumgartner (played on Western Conference champion for University of Chicago in 1914) hurled a shutout against the St. Louis Browns in 1924.
New York Yankees Hall of Fame LF Earle Combs (three-year captain for Eastern Kentucky) crashed into the wall in St. Louis in 1934, incurring a broken collarbone and fractured skull.
Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA titlist) smashed a decisive 10th-inning, two-run homer at New York in 1954. The blast was Doby's third round-tripper in two days at Yankee Stadium.
Los Angeles Dodgers RF Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) delivered four hits against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1979.
A four-hitter against the Seattle Mariners in 1988 was the first shutout with the Toronto Blue Jays by LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for UMass' freshman squad in 1971-72).
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 went 4-for-4 against the Cincinnati Reds in 1957.
Chicago White Sox C Frank Grube (Lafayette starting guard as senior in 1926-27) went 7-for-10 in a 1932 doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.
In his MLB debut, Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for Swarthmore PA Southern Division champions in Middle Atlantic States Conference) fanned 11 opposing batters in a complete-game, 12-5 win against the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a 1955 twinbill.
The lone MLB homer for Doug Howard (second-team All-WAC choice for BYU in 1968-69 and 1969-70) was a pinch-hit circuit clout for the St. Louis Cardinals off Burt Hooton of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975.
San Francisco Giants OF Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) collected three doubles among his four hits against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964.
Texas Rangers DH Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's junior varsity team in 1975-76) logged six hits in last seven at-bats after going 3-for-4 against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1989.
Washington Senators CF Don Lock (led Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) had back-to-back homers against the Kansas City Athletics in 1965.
Chicago White Sox 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard captain in 1938-39) stroked five hits in an 8-4 win against the New York Yankees in the nightcap of a 1948 doubleheader.
St. Louis Cardinals RF Wally Roettger (Illinois letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) contributed four RBI in a 6-4 triumph against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1929.
Boston Red Sox 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama letterman in 1936-37) knocked in six runs against the Chicago White Sox in 1941.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 23
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) contributed four hits against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955.
C Mark Bailey (led Southwest Missouri State in rebounding and field-goal shooting in 1980-81) traded by the Houston Astros to the Montreal Expos in 1988.
Washington Senators RHP Whitey Campbell (Alabama forward was letterman from 1927 through 1929) made his lone MLB appearance (one inning with no earned runs against the Detroit Tigers in 1933).
OF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on school all-time scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing Nebraska career) and C Elston Howard socked back-to-back pinch-hit homers for the New York Yankees in the ninth inning in 1955 but they still lost to the Kansas City Athletics, 8-7, in 11 frames.
Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) fired a three-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1960.
Boston Red Sox LF Hoot Evers (Illinois starter in 1939-40) supplied three extra-base hits in a 4-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1953. Two years later, Evers' two-run, pinch-hit homer powered the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 triumph against the Baltimore Orioles, who had traded him earlier in the month.
New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1943.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Johnny Gee (Michigan captain was Big Ten Conference's sixth-leading scorer in 1936-37) yielded only two hits in seven innings of scoreless relief to notch a 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1943.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in 1955.
Utilityman Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt letterman in 1918) provided a pinch-hit grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Chicago Cubs a 9-5 win in the opener of a 1933 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Washington Senators LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) homered for the A.L. off Philadelphia Phillies P Steve Carlton in the 1969 All-Star Game.
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 a triple off Oakland A's P Rollie Fingers in the 1974 All-Star Game.
Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Barney Koch (Oregon letterman in 1943-44) contributed a career-high three hits in his MLB debut in the opener of a 1944 twinbill against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Detroit Tigers RF Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) went 4-for-4 and scored four runs against the Washington Senators in 1959.
New York Yankees 3B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship team) logged his third consecutive contest with three hits in 1958.
Chicago White Sox RF Danny Moeller (Millikin IL captain in 1905-06) had a 12-game hitting streak snapped by the Detroit Tigers in 1915.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (played for Washington College MD in mid-1930s), after swatting four consecutive homers in two 1944 games (three in the opener of a doubleheader against the New York Giants), received the ultimate compliment. In the nightcap of the twinbill, Nicholson is issued an intentional walk forcing in a run.
In 1962, Brooklyn Dodgers iNF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) became the first African-American inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In the midst of nine multiple-hit outings in a 10-game span, New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) provided two of his A.L.-leading 15 triples in a 1936 contest.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie 3B Al Rubeling (played for Towson in early 1930s) went hitless for the only time in a 19-game span in 1940.
Cleveland Indians 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the Boston Red Sox in 1924. Eight years later as a Chicago Cubs LF, Stephenson contributed four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1932.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 22
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) homered in both ends of a 1956 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year letterman for Allegheny PA) chipped in with four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1970.
St. Louis Browns C Benny Bengough (Niagara letterman from 1916-17 through 1918-19) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators in 1931.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hoopster in early 1920s) hit for the cycle against the Washington Senators in 1932.
Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) had his 15-game hitting streak snapped by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1939.
Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State letterman in 1941) posted his second eight-game winning streak in the 1945 campaign.
A two-run, 13th-inning homer by Boston Red Sox rookie 1B Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) proved to be the difference in a 4-2 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1952.
RHP Dallas Green (Delaware's runner-up in scoring and rebounding In 1954-55) purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the New York Mets in 1966. Green was returned to Philly three weeks later.
In 1999, Cleveland Indians manager Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State letterman) accidentally handed in an incorrect lineup card against the Toronto Blue Jays, forcing the Tribe to forfeit the DH and bat their pitcher in the seventh spot in the batting order.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered in both ends of a 1953 doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs.
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) smashed a pinch homer in the 11th inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) delivered four hits against the Washington Senators in 1955.
Chicago Cubs 3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) whacked two homers against the San Francisco Giants in 1989.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dave Leonhard (averaged 4.8 ppg with Johns Hopkins MD in 1961-62) tossed a five-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals in 1971.
CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Chicago Cubs in 2003. Nine years earlier, Lofton pilfered four bases with the Cleveland Indians against the Chicago White Sox in 1994.
Baltimore Orioles RF Larry Sheets (All-ODAC selection in 1981-82 and 1982-83 with Eastern Mennonite VA) contributed four RBI in the second of back-to-back games with three hits against the Chicago White Sox in 1987.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1927, including two of his N.L.-high 46 doubles. Three years later, Stephenson raised his 1930 batting average to .391 by extending a career-high hitting streak to 16 in a row.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 21
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year basketball letterman for Allegheny PA) contributed four safeties for the second time during a career-high 27-game hitting streak in 1968.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) tossed a six-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1978.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) homered in both ends of a 1930 doubleheader split against the Brooklyn Robins.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) smacked his fourth homer in a span of nine starts in 1972.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) went 4-for-4, including three extra-base hits, against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1934.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for Swarthmore PA Southern Division champions in Middle Atlantic States Conference) fanned three of four Minnesota Twins batters he faced in his 11th straight scoreless relief appearances in 1962.
Brooklyn Dodgers INF-OF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt letterman in 1918) hammered a game-winning, three-run homer in the ninth inning of a 9-8 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a 1930 doubleheader. Hendrick's decisive blast was one of four pinch-hit round-trippers during the twinbill (two for each team).
In 2003, Toronto Blue Jays LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection paced Washington State in rebounding four straight seasons from 1992-93 through 1995-96) hurled his first MLB shutout (against New York Yankees).
Cleveland Indians RHP Dutch Levsen (Iowa State letterman in 1918-19) hurled the second of back-to-back shutouts in 1926.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (played for Binghamton in 1948-49) went 5-for-5 in a 7-4 win against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.
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) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Houston Astros in 1986.
Philadelphia Phillies RF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after finishing as Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season), pinch-hitting for Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70), manufactured the game-winning hit with a bases-loaded triple in a 9-6 verdict over the San Francisco Giants in 1977.
In his first MLB start, Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six games as 6-6 freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) blanked the Chicago White Sox, 2-0, in 1990.
In the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, New York Yankees RF Bud Metheny (letterman for William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Browns in 1943. Two years later, Metheny homered in a 12-3 romp over the Chicago White Sox in 1945.
Pittsburgh Pirates bonus baby rookie SS Eddie O'Brien (third-team All-American selection as Seattle senior in 1952-53 when finishing second in nation in field-goal percentage) went 3-for-4 in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak in 1953.
Philadelphia Athletics RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western letterman in 1929-30) posted his second complete-game victory in less than a month in 1939.
In 1960, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) hurled his third career one-hitter.
Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1951.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 20
St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year basketball letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out three hits in both ends of a 1937 doubleheader against the New York Yankees.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) collected five RBI, including a decisive three-run homer in the seventh inning, in an 8-5 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966.
Boston Red Sox LF Hoot Evers (Illinois starter in 1939-40) scored four runs in an 8-7 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1952.
St. Louis Cardinals 3B Jake Flowers (member of Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" squad in 1923) furnished five hits in a 16-5 romp over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932.
3B Gene Freese (captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Houston Astros for P Jim Mahoney and cash in 1966.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) contributed six RBI against the Brooklyn Robins in 1930.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of last three seasons in late 1920s for Lebanon Valley PA) delivered four hits against the Brooklyn Robins in 1930. Two years later, Gelbert collected three safeties, three runs and three RBI against the same opponent to trigger a career-high 12-game hitting streak in 1932.
Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) went 4-for-4 in a 3-1 victory against the New York Yankees in 1940.
In 1956, Chicago Cubs LF Monte Irvin (played for Lincoln PA 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) mashed two homers against his original team (New York Giants).
San Francisco Giants OF Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) contributed four hits against the Chicago Cubs in 1964.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) provided five hits in a 6-5 win against the Minnesota Twins in 1996.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (played for Binghamton in 1948-49) logged three doubles in a 4-3 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955.
RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) traded by the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Reds in 1916.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six games as a 6-6 freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals in 1993.
LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg from 1977-78 through 1979-80) bowed against the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2, for his lone setback in first 11 decisions with the San Diego Padres in 1988.
Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Evar Swanson (played all five positions for Knox IL) went 6-for-9 in a 1929 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 19
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) went 4-for-4 with two homers and eight RBI against the New York Giants in 1956. Eight years later with the Los Angeles Angels in 1964, Adcock homered twice in a 4-0 victory against the Minnesota Twins in the nightcap of a twinbill.
New York Mets SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) amassed four hits and scored four runs in a 13-3 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1980.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) contributed three hits in both ends of a 1942 doubleheader sweep against the Boston Red Sox.
Washington Senators SS Tim Cullen (starting guard for Santa Clara in 1962-63 when averaging 10 ppg and 3.4 rpg) collected four hits in a 4-2 victory against the Detroit Tigers in 1967.
Boston Braves rookie 2B Jack Dittmer (played for Iowa in 1949-50), entering the game hitting .150, erupted for three safeties and five RBI in a 6-2 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1952.
Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame C Rick Ferrell (played for Guilford NC in mid-1920s) launched a homer off his brother (Wes Ferrell of Cleveland Indians) in 1933. Wes, who whacked a round-tripper in the same inning (fourth), finished his career with 38 HRs in 548 games while Rick had 28 in 1,884 contests.
Houston Astros reliever Buddy Harris (Philadelphia Textile letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67) posted his lone MLB victory (against Philadelphia Phillies in 1971).
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) whacked two homers against the Milwaukee Braves in 1963.
Chicago White Sox C Duane Josephson (led Northern Iowa in scoring in 1962-63 and 1963-64 under coach Norm Stewart) went 4-for-4 in a 6-3 success against the Baltimore Orioles in the nightcap of a 1970 doubleheader.
LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) started a second straight game for the last-place Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958. Koufax was lifted after walking four batters in the first inning the previous day.
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (played for Arizona in 1931) knocked in five runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938.
Washington Senators CF Don Lock (led Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) went 4-for-4 with two homers and five RBI against the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a 1964 doubleheader.
Chicago White Sox CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) lashed a leadoff homer for the second straight game against the Kansas City Royals in 2002.
Boston Red Sox 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard captain in 1938-39) tripled in both ends of a 1942 twinbill against the Cleveland Indians.
Washington Senators RF Danny Moeller (Millikin IL captain in 1905-06) stole second, third and home in the opening inning before doubling and tripling later in the game against the Cleveland Indians in 1915.
LHP Gary Peters (played for Grove City PA in mid-1950s) whacked a 13th-inning pinch-hit homer to give the Chicago White Sox a 3-2 win against the Kansas City Athletics in 1964.
Atlanta Braves RF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice while averaging 5.6 ppg and 3.1 apg from 1986-87 through 1989-90) scored four runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1998.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 1942.
OF Ted Savage (led Lincoln MO in scoring average in 1955-56) knocked in the game-winning run in the 11th inning as the Cincinnati Reds overcame a 9-0 deficit to edge the Houston Astros, 10-9, in 1969.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (played for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) hurled a 12-hit shutout against the Cincinnati Reds in 1934. The whitewash was Schumacher's ninth straight winning decision.
New York Yankees 1B-OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State's back-to-back NAIA Tournament titlists in 1952 and 1953) notched his second five-hit game of the month in 1958 (against Kansas City Athletics).
New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) stroked a decisive ninth-inning, bases-loaded double in the ninth inning after previously providing two homers in a 13-11 triumph against the Cleveland Indians in 1960.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in 1926.
In 1977, San Diego Padres LF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) went 2-for-2, including a two-run single off Sparky Lyle, in Winfield's first of 12 consecutive All-Star Game appearances.
San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) earned his fifth straight victory, surrendering only two hits in seven innings of a 1-0 verdict over the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 18
RHP Mike Adams (played basketball for Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1996-97) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the San Diego Padres in 2006.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) delivered four hits and four RBI in a 9-8 loss against the Cincinnati Reds in 1934. The next year, Allen stroked three doubles in an 11-3 defeat against the Chicago Cubs.
Cincinnati Reds CF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1948 doubleheader. It was Baumholtz's third consecutive contest with at least three safeties.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) hurled a one-hitter in a 7-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1947.
Los Angeles Dodgers C-OF Joe Ferguson (member of Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) broke up a no-hit bid by Luke Walker of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a ninth-inning homer in the nightcap of a 1971 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) smacked two homers but they were in vain in an 8-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1930.
All-time hits leader Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds hit the only grand slam of his career with the homer yielded in 1964 by Philadelphia Phillies RHP Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55).
Cincinnati Reds rookie 3B Chuck Harmon (second-leading scorer for Toledo in 1946-47 and 1947-48) stroked four hits against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1954 doubleheader.
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) hammered two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in 1962 (including decisive blast in top of ninth inning).
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) collected four hits and five RBI against the Atlanta Braves in 1967.
OF Jim Lyttle (led Florida State in free-throw shooting in 1965-66 when he averaged 12.4 ppg) purchased from the Chicago White Sox by the Montreal Expos in 1975.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) blanked the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-0, in the nightcap of a 1913 doubleheader but his record string of 68 walkless innings came to a halt.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six times as freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) tossed a two-hit shutout against the Texas Rangers in 1992.
LF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) managed the only hit for the Baltimore Orioles against Boston Red Sox P Russ Kemmerer in the opener of a 1954 doubleheader.
Boston Red Sox SS Buddy Myer (Mississippi State letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in the nightcap of a 1927 doubleheader. Thirteen years later as a Washington Senators 2B, Myer went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in 1940.
Boston Red Sox 2B Pinky Pittenger (set Toledo's single-game scoring record with 49 points in 1918-19) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1923 twinbill.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia letterman in 1912 and 1914) fired his second shutout in less than a week en route to a N.L. leading four whitewashes in 1924.
After speaking out against racial discrimination testifying in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee, Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) scored twice, once on a steal of home in the sixth inning, in a 3-0 triumph against the Chicago Cubs in 1949.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (multiple-sport athlete for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) allowed fewer than two earned runs in his seventh straight start in 1933.
In the midst of a career-high 10-game hitting streak in a one-week span in 1955 (including three twinbills), Philadelphia Phillies SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers in 1942-43 and 1943-44 for Drury MO) whacked a homer for the third time in a four-game stretch.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) went 3-for-4 in each end of a twinbill sweep of the Chicago Cubs in 1961. White tied Ty Cobb's 49-year-old record of 14 hits in back-to-back doubleheaders.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 17
Cincinnati Reds LF Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) went 4-for-4, scored four runs and threw out a runner at home plate in the ninth inning in a 9-8 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1951 twinbill. Four years later as a Milwaukee Braves 1B in 1955, Adcock pounded two homers in an 8-7 win against the New York Giants in the lidlifter of a doubleheader.
Texas Rangers RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) fired a three-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in 1974.
Seattle Mariners 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 when averaging 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) contributed a pinch-hit single for the A.L. in front of his hometown fans in the 1979 All-Star Game.
1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) traded by the San Diego Padres to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University player in early 1920s) smacked three extra-base hits against the Detroit Tigers in 1928.
After tossing 5 1/3 innings of one-hit relief, New York Yankees LHP Steve Hamilton (All-OVC selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) won his first seven decisions in 1964.
Legendary Babe Ruth drew his 2,000th career base on balls in 1934 at Cleveland off RHP Oral Hildebrand (All-American for Butler in 1928-29 and 1929-30).
Cleveland Indians OF Chuck Hinton (played multiple sports for Shaw NC) hammered three homers and a triple in a 1966 doubleheader sweep of the Detroit Tigers.
Washington Senators LF Don Lock (led Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) homered in his first MLB game in the opener of a 1962 twinbill against the Chicago White Sox.
In 1964, Baltimore Orioles RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) hurled a 5-0 shutout against the Detroit Tigers despite yielding 11 hits.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a 1953 twinbill.
In the midst of four straight complete-game victories, Washington Senators rookie RHP Dave Stenhouse (three-time All-Yankee Conference selection for Rhode Island from 1952-53 through 1954-55) spun a three-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox in 1962.
In the midst of winning three straight starts in 1971, Atlanta Braves LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) tossed his second shutout in three weeks.
Boston Red Sox 3B Billy Werber (first Duke All-American in 1929-30) became the first A.L. player to hit four consecutive doubles in one game (opener of 1935 doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians).
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) went 8-for-10 in a 1961 twinbill sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 16
Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) collected two homers and five RBI against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1950 twinbill. Eleven years later as a Milwaukee Braves 1B in 1961, Adcock swatted two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Clyde Barnhart (played for Shippensburg PA predecessor Cumberland Valley State Normal School prior to World War I) provided four hits, including three doubles, against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1927 doubleheader.
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year basketball letterman for Allegheny PA) stretched his hitting streak to 21 games with a decisive 12th-inning double in a 4-3 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1968. Three years later in 1971, Beckert banged out four hits against the Phillies.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University player in early 1920s) contributed at least three hits for the fifth time in a seven-game span in 1925.
CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees in 1942 although he never played for the Yanks.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California letterman from 1922 through 1924) tallied four hits against the New York Giants in the midst of four consecutive contests with at least three safeties in 1929.
Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for a season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) delivered two more hits, giving him an A.L. record-tying 15 safeties over a four-game span in 1952.
Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (letterman for Rutgers and Army) furnished four hits against the St. Louis Browns in the nightcap of a 1926 doubleheader.
After 16 scoreless innings, New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) stroked a bases-loaded triple to ignite a 7-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1920.
San Francisco Giants RHP Ed Halicki (NAIA All-American third-team choice in 1971-72 when leading Monmouth in scoring with 21 ppg after setting school single-game rebounding record with 40 previous season) hurled back-to-back shutouts in a six-day span in 1976.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) amassed four hits and four RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in 1968.
Cleveland Indians rookie RHP Rich Hand (averaged 6.2 ppg for Puget Sound WA in 1967-68) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals in 1970.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) collected two homers and five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1953.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hospitalized in 2000 after experiencing dizziness as a result of an irregular heartbeat.
California Angels LF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT letterman in mid-1960s) launched a pair of two-run homers against the Cleveland Indians in 1974.
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (played for Arizona in 1931) logged three extra-base hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1935.
A three-run homer by 3B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship team) gave the New York Yankees a 3-2 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1958.
New York Yankees RF Irv Noren (player of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) went 4-for-4, including game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, against the Baltimore Orioles in 1954.
Chicago Cubs SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers in 1942-43 and 1943-44 for Drury MO) homered in each end of a 1950 twinbill sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Boston Braves OF Ab Wright (Oklahoma A&M letterman in 1928-29) whacked a three-run, pinch-hit homer against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the nightcap of a 1944 doubleheader.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 15
In 1939, a disputed home run down the LF foul line into the upper deck at the Polo Grounds by Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman including basketball with Mississippi College in early 1930s) hastened the advent of "fair" pole screens.
RHP Bill Crouch (Eastern Michigan captain in 1927-28) hurled the first 10 frames for the St. Louis Cardinals in their 16-inning, 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1941.
Boston Braves SS Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) went 4-for-4 in a 3-2 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946.
Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for a season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) tied a MLB record with 12 consecutive hits before his streak was snapped in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators in 1952.
RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA participant in 1922) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936.
Chicago Cubs 3B Howard Freigau (played for Ohio Wesleyan) had his 21-game hitting streak snapped by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1925.
Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) collected two homers and five RBI in a 7-5 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1952.
A line drive by Pittsburgh Pirates RF Roberto Clemente broke the leg of St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57). But Gibson returned from the injury to lead the Cards to the 1967 World Series championship.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan letterman from 1933 through 1935) registered the lone complete game in his MLB career in a 3-1 defeat against the Cincinnati Reds in 1945.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (played for Bucknell at turn of 20th Century) hurled a no-hitter against St. Louis with a 5-0 win in 1901. Twelve years later, he used only 70 pitches to outduel Cincinnati Reds P Three Finger Brown, 4-2, extending Mathewson's streak of innings without issuing a walk to 61.
St. Louis Cardinals RF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) smacked two triples in the nightcap of a 1956 twinbill against the Philadelphia Phillies.
1B Cotton Nash (three-time All-American averaged 22.7 ppg and 12.3 rpg in Kentucky career from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Minnesota Twins in 1969.
Cincinnati Reds RHP Jack Ogden (played for Swarthmore PA in 1918) hurled a five-hit shutout against the Boston Braves in 1931.
In 1963, Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (played for Grove City PA in mid-1950s) fanned 13 Baltimore Orioles batters while hurling a one-hitter in the first of back-to-back shutouts by him.
1B-OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State's back-to-back NAIA Tournament titlists in 1952 and 1953) purchased from the San Francisco Giants by the Boston Red Sox in 1967.
In 1997, the Montreal Expos announced the retirement of closer Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77).
Minnesota Twins 2B Jim Snyder (Eastern Michigan letterman in 1951-52) jacked his lone MLB homer (against the Washington Senators in 1964).
Montreal Expos rookie LF Mike Stenhouse (averaged 4.1 ppg for Harvard in 1977-78) smacked a homer in back-to-back games against the Cincinnati Reds in 1984.
C John Stephenson (scored 1,361 points for William Carey MS in early 1960s) hit a pinch two-run homer in the ninth inning to carry the California Angels to a 4-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie RF Kite Thomas (averaged 5.1 ppg for Kansas State in 1946-47) supplied a career-high three hits, including a double and homer, in the opener of a 1952 doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on July 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 July 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JULY 14
Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading basketball scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out five extra-base hits - four doubles and a homer - but it wasn't enough to prevent an 11-10 defeat in the opening game of a 1946 doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, which got three homers for eight RBI from Hall of Fame OF Ted Williams.
Boston Red Sox C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross letterman in 1929 and 1930) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Browns in 1937.
Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) stroked five singles in an 8-2 win over the New York Yankees in 1952.
Boston Red Sox C Rick Ferrell (forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) amassed four hits and four runs against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 1935 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Jake Flowers (member of Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" squad in 1923) went 4-for-4 in a 3-2 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931.
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 19 games with three safeties against the San Francisco Giants in 1977, raising his batting average to .402.
In a MLB first, Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) was the Detroit Tigers' catcher in 1972 when his brother, Bill, umpired behind the plate.
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 2-for-2 to help the N.L. edge the A.L., 5-4, in 12 innings in the 1970 All-Star Game.
St. Louis Browns LHP Ernie Koob (Western Michigan letterman in 1914) hurled a 17-inning shutout in a scoreless tie against the Boston Red Sox in 1916.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV squad with Bloomsburg PA three years in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1941.
In 1935, Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) hurled his second of back-to-back shutouts.
Kansas City Athletics 1B Irv Noren (player of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) launched two homers against the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.
RHP Curly Ogden (Swarthmore PA center in 1919, 1920 and 1922) tossed his third shutout in first seven starts with the Washington Senators in 1924.
Chicago Cubs INF Paul Popovich (teammate of Jerry West for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) delivered a game-winning, pinch single in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 9-8 triumph against the Atlanta Braves in 1972.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia letterman in 1912 and 1914) fired a six-hit shutout against Brooklyn amid a streak of eight straight wins en route to a N.L.-high 25 triumphs in 1922.
New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) socked his second pinch-hit grand slam of the 1957 season.
Chicago Cubs RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) earned the victory in the 1987 All-Star Game with three innings of scoreless relief for the N.L.
Chicago White Sox LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) scored upon for the only time in a 16-game span through the end of the month in 2006.
RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) walloped two homers for the California Angels in an 8-7 triumph against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990.
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