Entertaining College World Series Boasts Coaching Connection to Hoopdom
Instead of viewing ransacking of Dimorat-governed cities by leftist lunatics letting thugs go free and seeking to defund law enforcement, we should watch lefties and righthanders in one of America's most entertaining events - the College World Series. Regrettably, the event was cancelled two years ago because of Dr. Fraudci and COVID-19 pearl clutching. Mike Martin, in swan song 40th campaign last year as Florida State's baseball coach, was denied aspiration of becoming the latest former college basketball player coaching a school to a College World Series championship. The all-time winningest college baseball coach boasted the highest winning percentage among NCAA Division I mentors, winning almost three-fourths of his games. Martin, who guided the Seminoles to the CWS a total of 17 times (1980-86-87-89-91-92-94-95-96-98-99-00-08-10-12-17-19), played basketball for Wingate (NC) in the mid-1960s before the institution became a four-year school. One of his junior college hoop teammates was Morris "Mo" McHone, who went on to coach the San Antonio Spurs in 1983-84. Martin coached basketball for Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College in the early 1970s.
Ex-college hooper Pat Casey (Portland and George Fox OR) retired several years ago after directing Oregon State to its third CWS championship. He is the only coach in NCAA history to survive six elimination games en route to a national title (2006). His second titlist in 2007 was the first unranked team in history to capture NCAA crown. "When you are building (a program), nobody cares," Casey said. "Now, the higher the monkey climbs, the more of his butt you see."
Martin, national runner-up in 1986 and 1999, isn't the only revered coach frustrated by not capturing a national title. Richard "Itchy" Jones, who averaged 8.9 ppg for Southern Illinois' basketball squad in 1956-57, established a baseball dynasty in 21-year coaching career at his alma mater before accepting a similar position with the Illini in Champaign in 1991. Jones compiled a 1,240-752-6 record before retiring in 2005. In 1971, his second year at Southern Illinois, Jones guided the Salukis to within one game of the national title, finishing second at the CWS. In 1974 and 1977, Jones brought SIU back to the CWS, placing third both times. Buoyed by more than 20 eventual major leaguers, he became the 18th coach in NCAA Division I history to win 1,000 games.
Perhaps the most famous basketball coach also serving as baseball bench boss was Frank McGuire, who guided St. John's to 1949 CWS with Lou Carnesecca on his roster as an infielder. Also falling short of baseball title was ex-New Mexico State hooper Gary Ward, who guided Oklahoma State to 16 consecutive Big Eight Conference titles and 10 CWS appearances - including seven in a row and three runner-up finishes (1981-87-90) - in 19 seasons as coach from 1978 through 1996 before accepting a similar position succeeding his son at his alma mater for two years. Ward, who averaged 9.1 ppg and 5.4 rpg for the Aggies in 1960-61 and 1961-62, became only the 24th coach in college baseball history to secure 1,000 career victories, finishing with a 1,022-361-1 mark. Ex-MLB outfielder/first baseman Beau Bell, a Texas A&M hoops letterman in early 1930s, took his alma mater to first CWS appearance in 1951; former MLB infielder Sammy Esposito, a starting guard for Indiana in 1951-52 under bench boss Branch McCracken, coached North Carolina State to a third-place finish in the 1968 CWS, and Clarence "Ace" Parker, a hoops letterman for Duke in 1935-36, coached his alma mater to CWS in 1953 and 1961 after playing both major-league baseball and in the NFL. Former Northeastern State (Okla.) hooper Enos Semore guided Oklahoma to five consecutive CWS appearances from 1972 through 1976; Ownie Carroll, a Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1922, steered Seton Hall to its first two CWS appearances (1964 and 1971); Bill "Dutch" Fehring, John Wooden hoop teammate at Purdue from 1931-32 through 1933-34, coached Stanford in 1967 when it lost to eventual champion Arizona State in CWS semifinals; Paul Gregory, a Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1929-30, directed his alma mater to its first CWS appearance in 1971; Pete Butler, a Northern Colorado hoops letterman, piloted his alma mater to nine CWS appearances in an 11-year span from 1952 through 1962, and Bobo Brayton, a Washington State hoops letterman in 1944, guided his alma mater to CWS in 1965 and 1976.
Stanford's Everett Dean, compiling a 3-0 basketball tournament record in 1942, is the only unbeaten coach in NCAA playoff history. He is also the only NCAA basketball championship coach to win a CWS baseball game for the same school as a coach (1953). Four former college cagers who eventually played or managed at the MLB level - Dick Siebert (two with Minnesota), Don Lund (Michigan), Bobby Winkles (three with Arizona State) and Marty Karow (Ohio State) - combined to capture a total of seven CWS championships in the 1960s. Following is an alphabetical list of previous ex-college hoopers who went the extra step and reached the milestone of coaching a CWS titlist:
JOHN "JACK" BARRY, Holy Cross
Infielder, primarily a shortstop, hit .243 with the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox in 11 A.L. seasons from 1908 through 1919. Ranked fifth in the league in RBI in 1913 with 85 for the Athletics as a key component of Connie Mack's first dynasty. Participated in five World Series, four with the champion, in a six-year span from 1910 through 1915. Compiled a 90-62 managerial record with the Red Sox in 1917 before winning more than 80% of his games coaching his alma mater for 40 years (including capturing the 1952 College World Series). The 5-9 Barry was a basketball letterman for the Crusaders in 1908.
SAM BARRY, Wisconsin
Basketball Hall of Famer coached USC's 1948 baseball titlist. He is the Trojans' all-time winningest basketball coach.
PAT CASEY, Portland/George Fox (OR)
Retired in fall of 2018 following 24 years as coach of Oregon State's baseball squad, winning NCAA titles in 2006, 2007 and 2018. Directed OSU to seven straight NCAA appearances from 2009 through 2015. As a player, he posted one minor-league season in Class A, AA and AAA where he hit over .300. Tenth-round selection by the San Diego Padres in 1980 (1B-OF played eight years in farm systems of the Padres, Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins). Averaged 2.6 ppg for UP in 1978-79 as teammate of eventual NBA guards Darwin Cook and Jose Slaughter. Following Organized Baseball career, he led George Fox in scoring with 17.9 ppg in 1988-89, which was same school year he also coached the former NAIA member's baseball team to first of six consecutive campaigns with more than 20 victories. The Bruins had 12 losing records in a row from 1976 through 1987 before they went 15-14 in his inaugural season at their helm in 1988. His older brother, Chris, was football coach for George Fox.
RAY "PICK" FISHER, Middlebury (VT)
Righthander compiled a 100-94 record and 2.82 ERA with the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds in 10 years from 1910 through 1920. Ranked among the A.L. top 10 in ERA and complete games in back-to-back seasons (1914 and 1915). Started one World Series game for the Reds against the Chicago White Sox in 1919. Won 14 Big Ten Conference championships as baseball coach at Michigan for 38 years until the late 1950s (including 1953 College World Series title). Became a spring training pitching instructor for the Detroit Tigers after being blacklisted for almost 40 years because of salary disputes with Cincinnati's owners. Fisher played "class" basketball (1910 graduate) before becoming his alma mater's first full-time salaried member of the Physical Education Department.
MARTIN KAROW, Ohio State
Coach of his alma mater's 1966 College World Series winner after the Buckeyes finished runner-up the previous year. He was a basketball letterman in 1925 before the infielder went 2-for-10 in six games for the Boston Red Sox in 1927.
JERRY KINDALL, Minnesota
Infielder hit .213 in nine seasons (1956 through 1958 and 1960 through 1965) with the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Baseball coach at Arizona for more than 20 years, leading the Wildcats to three College World Series titles (1976, 1980 and 1986). He is the only player to hit for the cycle in the College World Series at Omaha (against Ole Miss on June 11, 1956). Kindall is the only individual to play for and coach CWS champions. The 6-2 1/2, 175-pounder played two seasons of varsity basketball for Minnesota under coach Ozzie Cowles, averaging 1.4 ppg as a sophomore in 1954-55 and 6.9 ppg as a junior in 1955-56. Excerpt from school guide: "Exceptionally quick reflexes and a good eye are his main attributes although he also has tremendous spring making him a good rebounder."
DON LUND, Michigan
Outfielder hit .240 in a seven-year career (1945, 1947 through 1949 and 1952 through 1954) with the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns and Detroit Tigers. His only season as a regular was 1953 when he was the Tigers' right fielder. Coached baseball at his alma mater, winning the national championship in 1962, before running the Tigers' farm system until 1970. First-round selection as a fullback/linebacker by the Chicago Bears in the 1945 NFL draft. Rejected $100 a game offer from the Bears and never played pro football. He was a 6-0, 200-pound starting guard as a junior for the Wolverines' basketball team and starting center as a senior. Averaged 4.4 ppg in 46 outings. In his history of Michigan basketball, Jeff Mortimer wrote of the school's World War II squads: "Lund, rejected for military service because of a trick knee, was the mainstay of these teams." Following his playing career, he served as baseball coach for his alma mater (won 1962 College World Series), farm system director for the Tigers and associate athletic director at his alma mater.
DICK SIEBERT, Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.)
Lefthanded first baseman hit .282 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Athletics in 11 years in 1932 and from 1936 through 1945. All-Star in 1943 finished among the top Seven in the A.L. in batting average in 1941 and 1944. Minnesota's baseball coach for 31 years (753-361-8 record from 1948 through 1978) captured three CWS titles in a nine-year span from 1956 through 1964. His son, Paul, pitched with the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres and New York Mets for five years from 1974 to 1978. Siebert played two years of college basketball in 1929 and 1930. The March 1929 issue of the Concordia Comet mentions that, "Lefty Siebert, despite having never touched a basketball before enrolling at Concordia, was almost as good a basketball player as he was a baseball player."
JOHN "HI" SIMMONS, Northeast Missouri State
Missouri's all-time winningest baseball coach (481-284 record in 34 years) captured the 1954 NCAA title in one of his six College World Series appearances. One of his winning pitchers at the CWS was Norm Stewart, who went on to become Mizzou's all-time winningest basketball coach. School's baseball stadium is named after Simmons. All-conference center was senior captain of 1927-28 basketball squad.
BOBBY WINKLES, Illinois Wesleyan
Coached Arizona State to College World Series titles in 1965, 1967 and 1969 before managing the California Angels in 1973 and through the first 74 games of 1974 (170-213 major league record). Reggie Jackson, Rick Monday and Sal Bando were among the more than 20 future major leaguers he coached at ASU. Winkles led Illinois Wesleyan in scoring as a senior in 1950-51 (12 ppg). The 5-9, 170-pound guard was a first-team selection in the College Conference of Illinois.
Name Game: Cancel Culture on Warpath Regarding Moniker Such as Colonials
Caving in to the Bolshevik mob, mascots and flags beware as history know-nothing protesters peddle their cancel-culture nonsense tearing down statues and pressuring schools to bow at their altar (Dixie State changed name to Utah Tech before George Washington University committed to excising "contemptible" nickname Colonials by start of 2023-24 academic year). It's major-league inconceivable, but cow-towing Cleveland dropped its MLB franchise nickname (Indians) and former Super Bowl kingpin Washington switched its NFL franchise moniker (Redskins to Commanders) amid the leftist lunatic "parler" games. Please tell World of Sports that defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves won't be next. Prior to virtual-signaling garbage "matching the values of GWU," an initiative stemming from higher education do-gooders spawned the NCAA's meddling progressive-policy police focusing on changing nicknames and logos allegedly hostile to American Indians. Believe it or not, the word-and-thought police foolishness spilled over to religion history whereby Holy Cross contemplated shedding its moniker (Crusaders) before settling on just changing mascot from a knight.
"It's nonsense," said recently-deceased Tom Heinsohn, an All-American for HC in the mid-1950s after the Crusaders posted their last NCAA playoff victory in 1953. "Political correctness. Gimme a break." It's unfortunate Heinsohn was no longer around to chime in on smug shark Mark Cuban and other language/thought police poohbahs. Heinsohn might have encouraged patriotic Texan fans attending Dallas Mavericks home games to put their hands on hearts and spontaneously sing National Anthem. Apparently, not enough folks around Valparaiso boasted the acorns to push back before school switched its nickname from Crusaders to Beacons.
Previous schools failing to show sufficient spunk and making politically-correct decisions by switching their supposedly demeaning and highly-insensitive nicknames were Arkansas State (changed from Indians to Red Wolves), Colgate (Red Raiders to Raiders), Dartmouth (Indians to Big Green), Eastern Michigan (Hurons to Eagles), Louisiana-Monroe (Indians to Warhawks), Marquette (Warriors to Golden Eagles), Massachusetts (Redmen to Minutemen), Miami of Ohio (Redskins to RedHawks), North Dakota (Fighting Sioux to Fighting Hawks), Oklahoma City (Chiefs to Stars), Quinnipiac (Braves to Bobcats), St. John's (Redmen to Red Storm), Seattle (Chieftains to Redhawks), Siena (Indians to Saints), Southeast Missouri State (Indians to Redhawks) and Stanford (Indians to Cardinal). What is the "thoughtful university-wide consideration" infatuation with Redhawks, anyway?
For those insensitive louts non-pulsed by an offensive holier-than-thou victimization obsession resembling the Washington Redskins cowering in corner sucking their thumbs seeking "purposeful name that unifies," are they to feel "new normal" shame at the extent of the alleged discrimination? Rather than bow to pressure like MLB's Cleveland Indians franchise, many traditional observers hope the following "Last of the Mohegans" remain steadfast and retain their time-honored monikers: Alcorn State (Braves), Bradley (Braves), Central Michigan (Chippewas), Florida State (Seminoles), Illinois (Fighting Illini), Utah (Utes) and William & Mary (Tribe).
If not, you run the risk of left-wing zealots from PETA (unless they are card-carrying members of the parallel universe People for Eating Tasty Animals) and the Bird Lovers International crowd possibly feeling empowered to capitalize on this catalyst for constructive social change by making it a heartless foul to have any nickname referencing a precious animal or fowl. What was the cumulative cost for nickname changes and how many mental midgets did it take at the NCAA to concoct this colossal caricature intervention? No wonder it's so easy to ridicule the governing body with a name-calling barrage. In the aftermath of authentic turmoil across the country at so-called elite institutions, many think there are more significant issues in intercollegiate athletics such as males competing as females, academic integrity and athletes assaulting females requiring correction from the NCAA rather than where transgenders go to bathroom and giving a selective outrage forum to pious pinheads manufacturing a mascot/nickname problem that really didn't exist to any meaningful degree.
CollegeHoopedia.com has conducted significant research on DI school nickname changes over the years and the origin of unusual DI school nicknames. Check the summaries and decide how critical the issue is for yourself as we strive to survive in Liberal-land's weak-kneed Fantasy World full of "green" gestapos and having National Guard troops sleep on cold pavement in DC swamp. Many misplaced monologues consumed with climate-change collective salvation mockingly hide behind widows and orphans while pointedly picking on concerned bible-clinging Christians rather than marauding Muslims. Don't you think right-thinking Americans, seeking terrorist and border control; not gun control or climate control, need to turn up the heat to find brave "warriors" to combat big-tech censors or even "contain" authentic savages destroying Democrat-governed municipalities?
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 16
Extra! Extra! Instead of explaining why House's J6 Committee Hearing was postponed because #Dimorats ran out of lies and required additional time in conjunction with droning carpetbagger Liz Cheney to create some fresh fabrication plus possibly help liberal lunatics promote gender-neutral bathroom foolishness on Capitol Hill, you can read news all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former Minnesota hoopers Jerry Kindall and Dave Winfield smacked vital homers in American League games on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 16
Philadelphia Phillies LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) contributed four hits in an 8-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1934.
In the midst of a 17-game hitting streak, St. Louis Cardinals RF George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Tournament with Tennessee State) went 5-for-7 in a 1963 doubleheader split against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
C Ferrell Anderson (Kansas hoops letterman in 1936-37 and 1937-38) purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the St. Louis Browns in 1951.
INF Rob Belloir (three-year hoops letterman led Mercer in free-throw percentage as senior in 1968-69 while averaging 19 ppg) shipped by the Cleveland Indians to Atlanta Braves in 1975 to complete a deal made earlier in the month.
In the midst of a career-high 15-game hitting streak, Chicago Cubs LF Larry Biittner (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Buena Vista IA in 1966-67) had four safeties in a 13-inning, 7-6 win against the Houston Astros in 1978.
Seattle Mariners CF Mickey Brantley (averaged 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 5.4 apg for Columbia-Greene Community College SC in 1979-80) went 3-for-3 with five RBI in an 8-6 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1987.
Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 2001.
Hitting an anemic .128 entering the contest, Detroit Tigers LF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) started a streak of seven straight multiple-hit games in 1951.
Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) lost against the New York Yankees, 3-2, in 1945 after starting his career with eight victories (four of them shutouts).
Ten-year MLB RHP Ray "Pick" Fisher (Michigan "class" hooper) coached his alma mater to the 1953 College World Series championship by defeating Texas, 7-5.
New York Giants INF Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) collected five hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1921 contest. Fourteen years later with the St. Louis Cardinals, Frisch furnished four hits against the Giants in a 1935 outing.
Baltimore Orioles 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) whacked two homers for the second time in first 13 games of the month in 1985.
Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Lee Handley (Bradley hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) banged out three hits in both ends of a 1946 doubleheader split against the Philadelphia Phillies.
In his first two MLB at-bats, Cleveland Indians rookie 2B Billy Harris (played basketball for UNC Wilmington in mid-1960s) stroked two singles off Boston Red Sox starter Jim Lonborg in a 1968 contest.
1B Gary Holman (Southern California hoops letterman in 1962-63) hammered a two-run homer for the Trojans in 5-2 victory against Arizona in the 1963 CWS national championship game.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman from 1933 through 1935) surrendered his first run after blanking opponents in previous eight relief appearances in 1946.
Light-hitting INF Jerry Kindall (averaged 6.9 ppg for Minnesota in 1955-56) connected for a game-winning, two-run homer in the ninth inning to give the Cleveland Indians a 10-9 win over the New York Yankees in 1962.
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) launched two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1935 contest.
Seven-year MLB OF Don Lund (Michigan hoops starter in 1943-44 and 1944-45) coached his alma mater to 1962 College World Series championship by outlasting Santa Clara, 5-4, in 15 innings.
Cleveland Indians rookie 3B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) stroked four extra-base hits in a 9-2 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1928.
Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) went 5-for-5 as leadoff hitter against the Minnesota Twins in a 1971 contest.
Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) provided three extra-base hits against the Boston Red Sox in a 1966 outing.
Kansas City Royals rookie RF Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) belted a homer in both ends of 1969 doubleheader split against the Oakland Athletics.
Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) ripped a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the top of 10th inning to propel the Washington Senators to a 9-8 nod over the Detroit Tigers in 1936.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) smacked three doubles against the St. Louis Browns in the opener of a 1940 twinbill.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) whacked two homers against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1987 game.
Seattle Mariners RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) hurled six shutout frames against the San Diego Padres in the first of his six straight starts allowing fewer hits than innings pitched in 2014. The next year with the Kansas City Royals, Young didn't allow an earned run for the fifth time in his first eight starts in the 2015 campaign.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 15
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering how in hell overwhelmed hair-sniffer Plagiarist Bidumb "changes people's lives" by seeking U.S. military to combat overblown climate change and enabler has his sullied son (god-like hideous Hunter) serving as "smartest-person-I-know" advisor, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Come on, man! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former Illinois hoopers Lou Boudreau, Hoot Evers and Wally Roettger made MLB news on this date. But Darrell Evans, a former J.C. hooper for Hall of Fame coach Jerry Tarkanian, owned this date in MLB games with outstanding offensive outputs for the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers. Ex-Washington State hoopers Gene Conley and Jack Spring also made news as MLB pitchers while ex-Maryland hoopers Bosey Berger and Ray Knode supplied significant offensive outputs for the Cleveland Indians. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 15
Los Angeles Angels 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 1964.
LF-1B Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Cincinnati Reds in 1960.
RHP Steve Arlin (played two basketball games for Ohio State in 1964-65 under coach Fred Taylor) traded by the San Diego Padres to Cleveland Indians in 1974 for two players to be designated.
LF Morrie Arnovich (Wisconsin-Superior hooper in early 1930s) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Cincinnati Reds in 1940.
OF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 points in career) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago Cubs in 1949.
In 1935, Cleveland Indians 2B Bosey Berger (Maryland's first hoops All-American led Southern Conference in scoring in league competition in 1930-31) provided two extra-base hits, triggering a 16-game hitting streak.
Chicago White Sox CF Ken Berry (freshman hooper for Wichita in 1959-60) contributed five RBI (including grand slam homer) in a 7-4 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1968.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) supplied three extra-base hits against the St. Louis Browns in 1945. Two years later in the midst of his career-high 19-game hitting streak, Boudreau doubled in fourth consecutive contest in 1947.
RHP Ben Callahan (two-time All-Carolinas Conference selection for Catawba NC averaged 16.7 ppg from 1976-77 through 1978-79) traded by New York Yankees to Oakland Athletics in 1983.
1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman for Morehouse GA) traded by the Montreal Expos to the New York Mets in 1969. Four years earlier with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clendenon hammered two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1965 outing.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) manufactured four hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1930 contest.
Cleveland Indians RHP Vince Colbert (averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg for East Carolina in 1966-67 and 1967-68) tossed a five-hit shutout against the California Angels in 1972.
Boston Red Sox RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) fired a six-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers in 1962.
In 1931, the St. Louis Cardinals, in a move making room for Pepper Martin, traded CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) to the Cincinnati Reds for OF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) in a swap one day after Douthit stroked seven straight hits in a doubleheader sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies.
San Francisco Giants 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) socked three homers for six RBI in a 7-1 triumph against the Houston Astros in 1983. Two years later in a 1985 outing with the Detroit Tigers, Evans went 5-for-5 against the New York Yankees. In 1973 as an Atlanta Braves 3B, Evans homered in his third consecutive contest.
Detroit Tigers OF Hoot Evers (hoops starter for Illinois in 1939-40) had his 19-game hitting streak snapped by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1950.
C-OF Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976.
Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) toiled 14 innings to improve his mark to 9-1 in 1945.
INF Jake Flowers (hooper for 1923 "Flying Pentagon" championship squad for Washington College MD) awarded on waivers from the Brooklyn Robins to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1931.
Boston Red Sox rookie 1B Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) launched a decisive homer in a 3-2 triumph against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1952 twinbill.
Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) stroked three doubles against the Minnesota Twins in a 1980 game.
1B Gary Holle (Siena's scoring and rebounding leader in 1974-75 and 1975-76) traded by the Texas Rangers to the Chicago White Sox in 1979.
Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) jacked two homers against the Colorado Rockies in a 1994 contest.
In 1969, Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Ole Miss from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among the nation's top 45 scorers each year) established a N.L. record with his 54th consecutive errorless game to start a season.
Cleveland Indians 1B Ray Knode (hooper for Maryland in 1918-19) contributed four hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1925 outing.
3B Fritz Knothe (member of Penn's freshman hoops squad in 1923-24) traded by the Boston Braves to Philadelphia Phillies in 1933.
OF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) purchased from the California Angels by the Texas Rangers in 1976.
SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) traded by the Milwaukee Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates for OF Gino Cimoli in 1961.
Oakland Athletics 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS where he was All-CIC choice for 1968 NAIA Tournament team) collected three extra-base hits and seven RBI against the Toronto Blue Jays in a 1983 contest.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) notched his ninth straight complete-game victory in 1927. Lyons' two-run triple in the eighth inning broke a 4-4 deadlock against the Philadelphia Athletics.
OF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977. McBride went on to hit .339 the remainder of the season for Philly.
Chicago White Sox RF Danny Moeller (captain of Millikin IL hoops squad in 1905-06) delivered four hits against the Cleveland Indians in a 1914 game.
RHP Gary Neibauer (collected 13 points and 9 rebounds in 16 games for Nebraska in 1964-65 under coach Joe Cipriano) traded by the Atlanta Braves to Philadelphia Phillies in 1972.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hoops guard for two years in mid-1930s) stroked two triples against the Boston Braves in a 1940 contest.
INF Johnny O'Brien (two-time All-American with Seattle was first college player to crack 1,000-point plateau in a single season when scoring 1,051 in 37 games in 1951-52) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates with 3B Gene Freese (hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) to the St. Louis Cardinals for SS Dick Schofield and cash in 1958.
LHP Joe Ostrowski (led Scranton PA in scoring with 15.1 ppg in 1942-43) traded by the St. Louis Browns to the New York Yankees in 1950. Two weeks earlier, Ostrowski hurled 10 innings and smacked a pair of doubles in extra-inning game against the Washington Senators.
RHP Dick Radatz (center on Michigan State's freshman hoops squad in 1955-56) purchased from the Detroit Tigers by the Montreal Expos in 1969.
RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) traded by the New York Mets to the Montreal Expos in 1969.
Detroit Tigers RHP Jeff Robinson (two-time NAIA All-District 3 honoree in early 1980s left Azusa Pacific CA as school's No. 9 all-time scorer) won his seventh straight decision with a five-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in 1988.
Minnesota Twins rookie LHP Garry Roggenburk (Dayton scoring leader all three seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62 grabbed school-record 32 rebounds in his third varsity game en route to pacing Flyers in rebounding first two years) lost his first MLB start in 1963 after going scoreless in previous eight outings as a reliever.
OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg with LIU-C.W. Post in 1962-63 and 1963-64) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the California Angels for two players to be designated in 1973.
RHP Don Schwall (All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection as sophomore in 1956-57 when leading Oklahoma in rebounding) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Atlanta Braves for P Billy O'Dell in 1966.
In 1959, Detroit Tigers RHP Dave Sisler (All-Ivy League second-team selection for Princeton's first NCAA Tournament team in 1952) posted his fourth save in as many relief appearances in a nine-day span.
LHP Jack Spring (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) traded with OF Lou Brock by the Chicago Cubs to St. Louis Cardinals in 1964.
RHP Ralph Terry (juco hooper averaged 22 ppg for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in mid-1950s) traded by the New York Yankees to Kansas City Athletics in 1957.
2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year letterman for Western Michigan averaged 5.6 ppg in his final season in 1947-48) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Brooklyn Dodgers in an eight-player swap in 1951.
1B-OF Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Kansas City Athletics in 1958.
C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48) purchased from the Boston Red Sox by the Milwaukee Braves in 1961.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 14
Extra! Extra! Instead of chuckling at political correctness running amok as useful idiots in "lower" education remove holiday names from school calendar for "happy day off" and try to provide wide-ranging list for types of genders, you can take time to read news 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.
Upper Midwest small-college hoopers Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan), Jeff Shaw (Rio Grande OH), Dick Siebert (Concordia-St. Paul MN) and Eric Stults (Bethel IN) made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 14
LF Babe Barna (West Virginia basketball letterman in 1936 and 1937) traded by the New York Giants to the Boston Red Sox in 1943.
Philadelphia Athletics SS Jack Barry (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1908) banged out four hits against the Chicago White Sox in a 1914 contest.
1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) accounted for both of the New York Giants' runs with solo homers in a 2-1 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1939.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) went 5-for-5 against the Detroit Tigers in the nightcap of a 1944 twinbill.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) collected three extra-base hits and four RBI against the Cleveland Indians in a 1928 game.
SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana during World War II) traded with three additional players by the New York Giants in 1956 to the St. Louis Cardinals for future Hall of Fame 2B Red Schoendienst and three players.
In his final games with the St. Louis Cardinals, CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) went 7-for-8 in a 1931 doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies before he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds.
2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) traded by the California Angels to the Boston Red Sox in 1975.
Boston Red Sox LF Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) delivered three hits and three runs for the second outing in a row against the Cleveland Indians in 1956.
1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) traded by the San Diego Padres to the Cleveland Indians in 1979.
Boston Bees 1B-OF Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) fouled out late in a game against the Chicago Cubs after hitting safely in 10 straight at-bats over three contests in 1940.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (three-year hoops letterman with Maryland from 1934-35 through 1936-37) went 4-for-4 with two homers against the St. Louis Browns in a 1940 outing.
RHP Clyde King (started two basketball games for North Carolina in December 1944 under coach Ben Carnevale) reclaimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948.
The Detroit Tigers scored on New York Yankees RHP Jim Konstanty (member of 1937-38 and 1938-39 Syracuse hoops teams) for the only time in his first 13 relief appearances of the month in 1955.
In 1986, Toronto Blue Jays pinch-hitter Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's JV squad in 1975-76) ripped a two-run homer off Detroit Tigers RHP Jack Morris.
First MLB homer for RF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson on 1989 NCAA playoff team) came as a pinch-hitter with the Chicago White Sox off Oakland Athletics reliever Rick Honeycutt in 1995.
New York Yankees LF Irv Noren (player of year for California community college state Pasadena City in 1945) pounded two homers against the Detroit Tigers in a 1955 game.
In his MLB debut in 1921, Chicago White Sox pinch-runner Red Ostergard (Southwestern TX hoops letterman in 1919 and 1920) scored game-tying run in seventh inning on bases-loaded walk to eventual Hall of Famer Eddie Collins in an 8-6 win against the Boston Red Sox.
RHP Roy Parmelee (hoops letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) purchased from the Philadelphia Athletics by the Boston Red Sox in 1939.
C Hugh Poland (Western Kentucky hoops letterman from 1931-32 through 1933-34) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Cincinnati Reds in 1947.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) hurled a five-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1936.
Cincinnati Reds closer Jeff Shaw (freshman hoops guard for 31-5 Rio Grande OH team participating in 1985 NAIA Tournament), entering the game with an 0.97 ERA, yielded five runs on seven hits in the ninth and 10th innings as the Houston Astros rallied to win, 6-3, in 1998.
Eleven-year MLB 1B Dick Siebert (Concordia-St. Paul MN hooper in 1929 and 1930) coached Minnesota to his first of three College World Series championships with the Gophers by drubbing Arizona, 12-1, in 1956.
LHP Jack Spring (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) purchased from the California Angels by Cleveland Indians in 1965.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) whacked two homers in a 9-7 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1926.
San Diego Padres LHP Eric Stults (hooper for 1999 NAIA D-II Tournament runner-up and 2000 NCCAA Tournament titlist with Bethel IN) fired a two-hit complete game in a 2-1 triumph against the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013.
Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) smacked a round-tripper in his fifth consecutive contest in 2001.
Boston Red Sox 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) amassed two homers and five RBI in a 1935 game against the Detroit Tigers.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 13
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering why it's impossible to erase from your mind the feeble ceremonial first pitches by Community Organizer Barry "Mom Jeans" Obama and masked "Mr. Science" deity Dr. Fraudci (might be time for gender-check exam after Jenny Sock-it-to-me exhibited better delivery), you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
After playing hoops against each other in Bedlam rivalry in 1956-57, Jerry Adair (Oklahoma State) and Don Schwall (Oklahoma) made news in the American League on this date. Former juco hoopers Darrell Evans (Pasadena City CA), Jerry Martin (Spartanburg SC) and Larry Wolfe (Sacramento City CA) also generated MLB headlines on this date. Ditto ex-NYU hoopers Sam Mele and Eddie Yost. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 13
2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's three leading basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among the nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Chicago White Sox in 1966.
1B Dale Alexander (starting hoops center in mid-1920s for Milligan TN) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Boston Red Sox in 1932.
RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup hooper and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) traded by the Texas Rangers to the Cleveland Indians in 1975.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) blasted two homers against the Washington Senators in opener of 1937 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie 1B Ed Bouchee (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) capped off a career-long 13-game hitting streak with RBI safeties in back-to-back innings in 8-1 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957 outing.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) manufactured three hits and four RBI for the second time in a four-game span in 1927. Two years later, Cochrane contributed four hits against the Cleveland Indians in a 1929 contest.
Philadelphia Athletics RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1921-22) contributed four hits at the plate in each of back-to-back games in 1931.
1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) traded by the Atlanta Braves to the San Francisco Giants in 1976.
St. Louis Browns C Rick Ferrell (played forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) went 3-for-3, including his lone homer in first 216 MLB games, and added four RBI in a 5-4 win against the Washington Senators in 1930.
RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Baltimore Orioles in 1966.
Kansas City Royals rookie RHP Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Texas Rangers in 1978.
Rookie OF Joe Gallagher (Manhattan varsity hooper in 1934-35) was traded by the New York Yankees to St. Louis Browns in 1939.
In his first game with the Cleveland Indians, SS Billy Hunter (multi-sport athlete for Indiana PA post-WWII) contributed four hits (including pair of doubles) in a 1958 game against the Washington Senators. Hunter was coming off a 4-for-40 slump before going 2-for-4 in his final contest with the Kansas City Athletics. He hit an anemic .173 in his last 72 outings with the Tribe.
In 1962, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) whacked his first MLB homer (off fellow Hall of Fame lefthander Warren Spahn of Milwaukee Braves). Koufax went on to collect one more career round-tripper.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) logged three doubles against the Chicago Cubs in a 1944 outing.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) contributed five RBI in a 12-5 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1960.
In 1979, Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS and becoming All-CIC choice for 1968 NAIA Tournament team) hammered a homer in the fifth game of his last seven contests.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard hoops captain in 1938-39) lashed two triples among his four hits against the Boston Braves in the nightcap of a 1944 doubleheader.
A grand slam by rookie CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after being Furman's runner-up in scoring in previous season) propelled the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-1 triumph against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975.
New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) fired a no-hitter against Chicago in a 1-0 win in 1905.
OF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Washington Senators in 1949.
New York Yankees SS Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) pulled hidden-ball trick for the first of two times in a six-week span in 1970.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Rip Repulski (started several hoops games for St. Cloud State MN) stroked two hits in each game of a 1954 doubleheader sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates, triggering a streak of 10 consecutive contests with two or more safeties.
Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) yielded three consecutive triples to INF Danny O'Connell of the Milwaukee Braves in 1956.
Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Charlie Robertson (Austin College TX hooper before joining U.S. Army during WWI) hurled a two-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1922.
Boston Red Sox RHP Don Schwall (All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection led Oklahoma in rebounding in 1956-57) tossed a two-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in 1962.
Cincinnati Reds RHP Jeff Shaw (freshman guard for Rio Grande OH squad compiling 31-5 record and reaching second round of 1985 NAIA Tournament) notched his 19th consecutive relief appearance without yielding an earned run in 1998.
RHP Rollie Sheldon (third-leading scorer as a sophomore for Connecticut's 1960 NCAA Tournament team) traded by the Kansas City Athletics to the Boston Red Sox in a six-player swap in 1966.
INF Gary Sutherland (Southern California's fifth-leading scorer in 1963-64 when averaging 7.4 ppg) purchased from the Montreal Expos by the Houston Astros in 1972.
St. Louis Browns rookie SS Herb Upton (All-EIBL first-team selection with Penn in 1945-46 before pacing Southeast Missouri State in scoring three years last half of 1940s and finishing as SEMO's career scoring leader) provided two triples in a 6-1 win against the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1950 doubleheader.
Boston Red Sox 3B Billy Werber (first Duke All-American in 1929-30) knocked in five runs in a 1934 outing against the Detroit Tigers.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) contributed three extra-base hits in a 1984 game against the Boston Red Sox.
Boston Red Sox 3B Larry Wolfe (juco letterman in 1971-72 and 1972-73 for Sacramento City College CA scored career-high 33 points against Santa Rosa on 12-17-71) whacked two homers in a 1979 game against the Kansas City Royals.
In the midst of receiving at least one free pass in nine consecutive contests, Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) drew five walks in a 1954 twinbill split against the Baltimore Orioles.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 12
Extra! Extra! Instead of debating Speaker Nanny Pathetic's feeble efforts to protect Capitol Hill with National Guard on J6, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Jackie Robinson (UCLA), Wally Roettger (Illinois) and Preston Ward (Missouri State) each had MLB multiple-hit streaks of at least four games on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 12
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) produced four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1953 doubleheader. Ten years later with the Cleveland Indians in 1963, Adcock homered for the fourth time in a five-game span.
Eighteen-year-old RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) made his Brooklyn Dodgers debut, striking out the first three New York Giants batters he faced in 1944.
Chicago Cubs 2B John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) stroked a double in his MLB debut in 1917.
A two-run, seventh-inning triple by pinch-hitter Grant Dunlap (Pacific hoops letterman in 1942-43 and 1946-47) proved decisive as the St. Louis Cardinals edged the New York Giants, 3-1, in 1953.
San Francisco Giants 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) contributed a double and homer in the fourth inning when they scored all of their runs in an 8-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds in 1983.
LHP Johnny Gee (hoops captain of Michigan's 16-4 team in 1936-37) purchased from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the New York Giants in 1944.
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 the previous season) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Montreal Expos in 1978. Nine days later, he spun a three-hit whitewash against the Cincinnati Reds.
Brooklyn Dodgers 3B Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) stole second, third and home against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning in 1928.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hammered a grand slam en route to amassing eight RBI in a 20-7 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds in 1949. Three years later, Hodges homered twice against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1952 contest.
SS Billy Hunter (multi-sport athlete for Indiana PA post-WWII) traded by the Kansas City Athletics to Cleveland Indians in 1958.
California Angels DH Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) launched two homers against the Detroit Tigers in a 1975 outing.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) went 5-for-5 against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1922 game.
Chicago White Sox LHP Thornton Lee (Cal Poly hooper in 1925-26) fanned 13 batters in a three-hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians in 1945.
Mel McGaha (first Arkansas hooper to earn four letters from 1943-44 through 1946-47) named manager of the Kansas City Athletics in 1964.
Washington Senators 3B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 with four RBI against the Detroit Tigers in a 1938 contest.
C-OF Don Padgett (participated in multiple sports as freshman for Lenoir-Rhyne NC in 1934) purchased from the Brooklyn Dodgers by the Boston Braves in 1946.
Philadelphia Phillies LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1912 and 1914) tossed his second of back-to-back shutouts in 1917. Eight years later with the Cincinnati Reds, Rixey fired a shutout amid a streak of seven straight wins in less than a month in 1925.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) registered his seventh straight multiple-hit game in 1953.
In the midst of a career-high 16-game hitting streak in 1928, St. Louis Cardinals rookie LF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) supplied his sixth straight multiple-hit outing.
An inside-the-park homer by Cincinnati Reds OF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) represented his second pinch-hit round-tripper in less than a month in 1977. Three years later with the Detroit Tigers, Summers smashed two homers against the Minnesota Twins in a 1980 game.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) provided multiple hits in his fourth consecutive contest in 1954, going 11-for-18 in that span.
Detroit Tigers LHP Ed Wells (multi-sport athlete graduated in 1924 from Bethany WV) hurled his third straight shutout en route to six complete-game victories during the month in 1926.
Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1958 outing.
In 1954, RHP Jim Wilson (letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) hurled a no-hitter for the Milwaukee Braves in a duel against Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) and the Philadelphia Phillies.
In perhaps the most amazing game in College World Series history, eventual Hall of Fame OF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) fanned 15 USC batters and yielded only one infield single through eight innings as RHP in 1973 before the defending national champion Trojans overcame a 7-0 deficit with eight runs in the ninth.
Former MLB manager Bobby Winkles (All-College Conference of Illinois first-team selection led Illinois Wesleyan in scoring with 12 ppg as senior in 1950-51) coached Arizona State to his first of three College World Series championships with the Sun Devils by edging Ohio State, 2-1, in 1965.
OF-3B Chuck Workman (All-MIAA selection was leading scorer in inaugural NAIA Tournament won by Central Missouri State in 1937) traded by the Boston Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946.
Washington Senators LHP Tom Zachary (hoops letterman for Guilford NC in 1916) went 4-for-4 at the plate in 1922 game against the Detroit Tigers.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 11
Extra! Extra! Instead of bemoaning Plagiarist Bidumb's America where males can become pregnant, first graders are indoctrinated about gender, vulnerable minors can get sex changes/abortions without parental notification, illegal aliens receive free cellphones plus middle-of-the-night flights across country and it's easier to secure crack pipe from government gratis than U.S. citizen find formula to feed baby, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former power-conference hoopers Dick Radatz (Michigan State), Don Schwall (Oklahoma), Jim Tabor (Alabama) and Sammy White (Washington) provided significant performances for the Boston Red Sox on this date. Also making MLB news on this date were several ex-hoopers from small colleges in Pennsylvania - Clyde Barnhart (Shippensburg), Al Downing (Muhlenberg) and Danny Litwhiler (Bloomsburg). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 11 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 11
In 1927, Pittsburgh Pirates LF Clyde Barnhart (played basketball for Shippensburg PA predecessor Cumberland Valley State Normal School prior to World War I) supplied three extra-base hits against the Brooklyn Robins for his 10th consecutive multiple-hit contest.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) went 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits, scored four runs and had five RBI in a 14-8 win against the Washington Senators in 1937.
In his final game with the Montreal Expos, 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) stroked three extra-base hits against the San Diego Padres in a 1969 game.
LHP Al Downing (attended Muhlenberg PA on hoops scholarship but left before ever playing) traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970.
San Francisco Giants 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) delivered two homers and five RBI in a 7-6 win against the Atlanta Braves in 1983.
Hall of Fame C Rick Ferrell (Guilford NC hooper in mid-1920s) traded with his brother (P Wes Ferrell) from the Boston Red Sox to the Washington Senators in 1937.
In the midst of a career-high 12-game hitting streak in 1961, Cincinnati Reds 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) contributed four RBI for the second time in a five-outing span.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished four hits for the first of two times in a four-game span in 1929.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) supplied three hits in his second consecutive contest in 1984.
INF Jerry Kindall (averaged 6.9 ppg for Minnesota in 1955-56) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Minnesota Twins in a three-team swap including the Los Angeles Angels in 1964.
Boston Red Sox RF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) smacked three homers against the Minnesota Twins in a 1969 contest.
LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) among three St. Louis Cardinals who lashed back-to-back-to-back sixth-inning homers in the nightcap of a 1944 doubleheader.
Washington Senators 3B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) manufactured two hits in his sixth successive game in 1929.
In 1972, 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered for the Cleveland Indians and brother Jim Nettles homered for the Minnesota Twins in the same game. Four years later with the New York Yankees, Graig Nettles collected two homers and five RBI against the Texas Rangers in a 1976 outing.
Third homer for Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) in his last five starts accounted for decisive run in a 3-2 win against the New York Giants in 1941.
Minnesota Twins RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) posted his fourth triumph in span of five relief appearances in 1965.
INF Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) wound up with the Chicago Cubs in 1969 after he was traded twice on the same day (by Los Angeles Dodgers and Montreal Expos). Two years earlier as a Cubs rookie, Popovich went 5-for-9 in a 1967 twinbill sweep of the New York Mets.
Boston Red Sox RHP Dick Radatz (center on Michigan State's freshman hoops squad in 1955-56) secured victory by hurling 8 2/3 innings of scoreless relief while fanning 11 Detroit Tigers batters. Two days earlier, Radatz earned win by tossing six innings of scoreless relief while whiffing 10 Baltimore Orioles batters.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie 1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) went 4-for-4 against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1947 contest. Three days later, Robinson started a 21-game hitting streak.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) supplied four extra-base hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1936 outing.
In 1961, Boston Red Sox RHP Don Schwall (All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection led Oklahoma in rebounding in 1956-57) won his first five MLB starts, compiling a 1.31 ERA in that span.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie SS Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) supplied four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1967 contest. Nine years later as a 2B in his first game with the Milwaukee Brewers, Sutherland knocked in the go-ahead run against Oakland Athletics P Vida Blue in a 4-2 win in 1976.
Boston Red Sox rookie 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama hoops letterman in 1936-37) banged out two triples against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1939 doubleheader.
Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five hoops selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) clobbered a ninth-inning grand slam off Satchel Paige to defeat the St. Louis Browns, 11-9, in 1952. White completed his HR trot by rounding third base and crawling from half-way home and kissing the plate.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 10
Extra! Extra! Instead of cursing NY Senator Chuck "Schmucky" Schumer for previous screed threatening Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Speaker Nanny Pathetic for delaying security bill in House to expand court security, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Dick Gernert (Temple), Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona), Frank Howard (Ohio State) Vance Law (Brigham Young), Wally Moon (Texas A&M), Graig Nettles (San Diego State), Bill White (Hiram OH) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota) each whacked two homers in a MLB game on this date. Ex-NYU hoopers Hank Greenberg and Eddie Yost also supplied significant offensive outputs. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 10 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 10
A pinch-hit single by Houston Colts .45s 2B Joey Amalfitano (played basketball for Loyola Marymount in 1952-53) triggered a 12-game hitting streak for him in 1962.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) provided four hits for the third time in a 19-game span in 1922.
Boston Braves SS Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) contributed four hits in a 10-5 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946.
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana in mid-1940s) stroked a double in his fourth consecutive contest in 1950.
Chicago Cubs RHP Mark Freeman (LSU center averaged 3.6 ppg as senior in 1950-51) notched his only MLB complete game with a four-hit, 6-1 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1960.
Chicago White Sox 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) went 4-for-4 against the Boston Red Sox in a 1960 outing.
Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) collected two homers and six RBI against the Kansas City Athletics in a 1957 game.
LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as a senior in 1956-57) traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoop scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) hammered a homer for the third consecutive contest in 1939.
Oakland Athletics rookie 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) swatted two homers against the Detroit Tigers in a 1977 outing.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) supplied a double, triple and homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1993 game.
Boston Braves 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1940 contest.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Bill Henry (hoops letterman for Houston's 1947 NAIA Tournament team featuring co-captain Guy Lewis) notched his 11th consecutive scoreless relief appearance of 1962 season, lowering ERA to 1.08 through 14 outings.
Washington Senators LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 1956-57 and 1957-58 hammered two homers against the Boston Red Sox in a 1967 outing.
Brooklyn Tip-Tops RHP Ed Lafitte (center for Georgia Tech's first intercollegiate basketball team in 1906) was hitting .371 after 13 games in 1915 upon going 3-for-4 at the plate against the Newark Pepper.
Chicago White Sox 3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) launched two homers against the Minnesota Twins in a 1984 game.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's scoring runner-up previous season) went 4-for-4 in a 7-5 triumph against the Atlanta Braves in 1977.
Recently-acquired RF-1B Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) knocked in six fourth-inning runs (three-run HR and bases-loaded triple) for the Chicago White Sox in a 1952 contest at Philadelphia.
Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) smashed two homers against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1961 outing.
Boston Braves LF Joe Mowry (Iowa hoops letterman in 1929-30 and 1930-31) went 3-for-3 against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1933 game.
San Diego Padres 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) whacked two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1984 contest.
LHP Stan Partenheimer (played varsity hoops for Wooster OH in 1943-44) traded by the Boston Red Sox to St. Louis Cardinals in 1944.
Oakland Athletics RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) fired a one-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in his 17th and final MLB campaign. Perry posted at least one whitewash in 16 of those seasons.
Chicago Cubs SS Paul Popovich (teammate of Jerry West for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) homered in back-to-back games against the San Diego Padres in a 1970 outing.
Oakland Athletics RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) allowed only five earned runs in his first five starts of 1978 campaign covering 30 innings.
RHP Jeff Robinson (two-time NAIA All-District 3 hoops honoree in early 1980s for Azusa Pacific CA) awarded off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Texas Rangers in 1992.
Cleveland Indians RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) hurled a no-hitter against the Washington Senators in 1966.
2B Junior Spivey (redshirted his only semester at Northwestern Oklahoma State on hoop scholarship before transferring to KS junior college) traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Washington Nationals in 2005.
Chicago Cubs rookie 2B Jimmy Stewart (All-VSAC hoops selection for Austin Peay's NCAA DII Tournament teams in 1959-60 and 1960-61) stroked four hits against the New York Mets in a 1964 game.
INF Gary Sutherland (Southern California's fifth-leading scorer in 1963-64 when averaging 7.4 ppg) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper for Hiram OH in early 1950s) smacked two homers in a 1965 contest against the Cincinnati Reds.
San Diego Padres RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected two homers and six RBI in a 1978 outing against the Chicago Cubs.
Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) went 7-for-10 (including four of A.L.-leading 36 doubles) in 1951 doubleheader split against the St. Louis Browns.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 9
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering why deviant Hunter Bidumb's laptop language and photos resemble out-of-work porn actor dubbed "smartest person I know" as closest adviser for his hair-sniffing father, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
New York colleges Fordham (Frankie Frisch), Siena (Gary Holle), NYU (Sam Mele), Hofstra (Ken Singleton) and Columbia (Art Smith) had former hoopers supply significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 9 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 9
Chicago Cubs rookie CF George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Basketball Tournament with Tennessee State) went 4-for-4 in an 8-4 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1959.
RHP Joe Black (Morgan State hooper in mid-1940s) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to Cincinnati Reds for cash and a player to be designated in 1955.
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana in mid-1940s) whacked two homers in a 1951 outing against the Chicago Cubs, delivering a multiple-hit outing for the first of six times in a seven-game stretch. Three years later, Dark delivered his fourth four-hit performance in the first eight contests of the month in 1954.
Detroit Tigers LF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) went 5-for-5 against the New York Yankees in a 1949 game.
Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for UMass' 15-1 freshman basketball squad in 1971-72) shut out the Detroit Tigers in 1984, beating them for the second time in a week.
New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) supplied four hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1922 contest. Nine years later with the St. Louis Cardinals, Frisch furnished four safeties against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1931 outing.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of last three seasons in late 1920s for Lebanon Valley PA) contributed four hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1935 game.
In 2008, Florida Marlins LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection paced Washington State in rebounding four straight seasons from 1992-93 through 1995-96) yielded the 600th home run of the career of Ken Griffey Jr.
The lone MLB safety for 1B Gary Holle (led Siena in scoring and rebounding in 1974-75)) was a pinch-hit double with the Texas Rangers against the Baltimore Orioles in 1979.
Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) smacked two homers against the Montreal Expos in a 1991 game. Nine years later with the Cleveland Indians, Justice jacked two round-trippers against the Cincinnati Reds in a 2000 contest.
Nine-year MLB INF Jerry Kindall (averaged 6.9 ppg for Minnesota as junior in 1955-56) coached Arizona to his third of three College World Series championships with the Wildcats by overwhelming Florida State, 10-2, in 1986.
RHP Clyde King (started two basketball games for North Carolina in December 1944 under coach Ben Carnevale before ruled ineligible) awarded off waivers from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1948.
LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) purchased from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Boston Braves in 1946.
Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) replaced as manager of the Minnesota Twins by Cal Ermer in 1967.
Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) homered in his fourth outing of a five-game span in 1960.
New York Yankees 2B Ray Morehart (Austin College TX hoops letterman in early 1920s) ripped his lone MLB homer in a 1927 game against his original club (Chicago White Sox). Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig went 0-for-4 with the Yanks.
Chicago Cubs rookie C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49) ripped a two-run homer off Harvey Haddix in 4-4 tie with Pittsburgh Pirates in nightcap of 1957 twinbill.
Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) hurled the first of his two one-hitters in a month in 1971 (against San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies).
In 1955, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) fired a three-hit shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals en route to leading the N.L. in wins for the fourth consecutive campaign.
Montreal Expos RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) went 4-for-4 against the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a 1974 doubleheader.
Chicago White Sox RHP Art Smith (Columbia two-year hoops letterman graduated in 1931) lost his lone MLB decision when dropping debut as a starter against the Washington Senators in 1932.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper for Hiram OH in early 1950s) provided three extra-base hits against the Milwaukee Braves in a 1959 game.
Chicago White Sox RHP Jim Wilson (letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) hurled his first of three shutouts in less than a month in 1956.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) registered four extra-base hits in a 2002 game against the San Diego Padres. In his next two contests against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Winn also manufactured multiple extra-base safeties.
Washington Senators LHP Tom Zachary (hoops letterman for Guilford NC in 1916) capped off a six-game hitting streak with three safeties in 4-2 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1928.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 8
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering how many transgender players will there eventually be in WNBA to satisfy gender identity police, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former West Chester State PA hoopers Harry Anderson and Howie Bedell made news with the Philadelphia Phillies on this date. Elsewhere, ex-hoopers from several Texas universities - Ray Benge (Sam Houston State), Bill Henry (Houston) and Dutch Meyer (TCU) - extended impressive personal performances. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 8 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 8
Chicago Cubs RF George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Basketball Tournament with Tennessee State) went 4-for-4 in a 4-3 loss against the New York Mets in the opener of a 1962 doubleheader.
In the midst of a career-high 13-game hitting streak, Philadelphia Phillies 1B Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) supplied two homers among his four hits in the opener of a 1958 twinbill against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) tossed a one-hitter against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1937.
Posting his lone RBI with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1968, LF Howie Bedell (averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for West Chester PA in 1955-56) lofted a pinch-hit, sacrifice fly with one out in the fifth frame against the Los Angeles Dodgers, breaking RHP Don Drysdale's string of 58 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ray Benge (multi-year hoops letterman for Sam Houston State first half of 1920s) notched his sixth victory in span of eight starts.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) banged out at least three hits for the sixth time in a 13-game span in 1923.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) collected four hits and five RBI in a 13-8 win against the California Angels in 1980.
San Diego Padres 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) smacked a three-run pinch homer off LHP Billy Wagner in the bottom of the eighth inning in an 8-6 triumph against the New York Mets in 2008.
Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) went 5-for-5, hitting for the cycle, with six RBI in a 23-2 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940.
Boston Red Sox 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points in single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43), en route to becoming 1950 A.L. Rookie of the Year, contributed two homers, seven RBI and five runs scored in a 29-4 romp over the St. Louis Browns in the most lopsided result in the 20th Century.
New York Yankees 1B-OF Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) extended his hit streak to 20 games with a pair of singles against the Cleveland Indians in 1942.
San Francisco Giants LHP Bill Henry (hoops letterman for Houston's 1947 NAIA Tournament team featuring co-captain Guy Lewis) earned victory en route to going unscored upon in his first nine relief appearances of 1967 season.
RHP Cal Koonce (hoops standout for Campbell in 1960 and 1961 when North Carolina-based school was junior college) purchased from the New York Mets by the Boston Red Sox in 1970.
Bonus baby LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) activated from the injury list by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955. They made room for him by optioning P Tommy Lasorda, who eventually managed them for 21 years from 1976 to 1996.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) collected four hits and four RBI against the New York Yankees in a 1954 contest.
In 1945, Cleveland Indians 2B Dutch Meyer (Texas Christian hoops letterman in 1934-35 and 1935-36) supplied his third three-hit outing in a four-game span.
LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg from 1977-78 through 1979-80) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the San Diego Padres in 1988.
Cincinnati Reds 1B Eddie Shokes (Duke hoops letterman in 1939-40 and 1940-41) supplied a career-high three hits against the Boston Braves in a 1946 contest.
Kansas City Athletics 1B Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament hoops titles in 1952 and 1953) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in a 1963 game.
Cleveland Indians 3B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) hit decisive homer in top of ninth inning of an 8-7 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1995. Nine years later as a Philadelphia Phillies 1B, he collected a pair of homers and six RBI in 2004 game against the Chicago White Sox en route to 15 round-trippers during the month.
Eventual MLB Hall of Fame OF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) fanned 14 Oklahoma batters as RHP in hurling a 1-0 shutout in the Gophers' 1973 College World Series opener.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 7
Extra! Extra! Instead of wasting brain cells trying to figure out why #MSLSD misfits compare Antifa to American Patriots and why they don't understand BLM stands for Buy Luxury Mansions, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former hoopers from current ACC members Florida State (Jim Lyttle) and North Carolina State (Andrew Brackman) supplied first-round MLB draft choices for the New York Yankees on this date. Ex-Millsaps MS hoopers Claude Passeau and Sammy Vick also made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 7 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 7
SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 team ending the Bears' streak of 12 straight losing basketball records) selected first overall in 1974 amateur draft featuring 12 of first 13 choices going on to become major leaguers. Almon was chosen by the San Diego Padres ahead of first-rounders/eventual All-Star honorees Dale Murphy, Lance Parrish, Lonnie Smith, Rick Sutcliffe, Garry Templeton and Willie Wilson.
Seattle Mariners 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70) provided four hits in a 5-4 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1981.
RHP Andrew Brackman (averaged 7.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg with North Carolina State in 2004-05 and 2005-06 for pair of NCAA playoff teams) selected in first round (30th pick overall) by the New York Yankees in 2007 amateur draft. Brackman was chosen ahead of supplemental first-rounders Todd Frazier and Justin Jackson. Other notable players picked who signed that year include Brandon Belt (11th round), Zack Cozart (2nd), Lucas Duda (7th), Greg Holland (10th), Freddie Freeman (2nd), Corey Kluber (4th), Jonathan Lucroy (3rd), Anthony Rizzo (6th), Giancarlo Stanton (2nd) and Jordan Zimmerman (2nd).
In 1966, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56) incurred his lone setback in span of nine starts but fanned four Pittsburgh Pirates in single inning (fourth).
Brooklyn Robins RF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) stroked three hits in third consecutive contest in 1927.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) logged three hits for the third time in a four-game span in 2005.
OF Jim Lyttle (led Florida State in free-throw shooting in 1965-66 when averaging 12.4 ppg) selected in first round (10th pick overall) by the New York Yankees in 1966 amateur draft. Lyttle was chosen ahead of fellow first-rounders John Curtis (did not sign that year), Richie Hebner, Carlos May and Gary Nolan.
OF Les Mann (Springfield MA hooper in 1913 and 1914) purchased from the Cincinnati Reds by the Boston Braves in 1924.
New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) combined with teammate Joe McGinnity to surrender 11 runs in the opening inning of a 19-0 drubbing by the Chicago Cubs in 1906. It is the worst setback in Giants' history. One year earlier, this date marked Mathewson hitting safely in his first 10 starts of 1905 campaign.
Len Matuszek (starter for Toledo's 18-7 team in 1975-76) smashed a three-run, pinch-hit homer for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Houston Astros in 1986.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) traded by the New York Yankees to the Minnesota Twins in 1987.
In the midst of a 12-game hitting streak, St. Louis Cardinals RF Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 with Lenoir-Rhyne NC excelled in multiple sports) pounded his fourth homer in last six contests.
Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) hurled a shutout against the Brooklyn Dodgers and supplied a two-run, game-ending homer in the ninth inning in 1946.
Detroit Tigers LF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice while averaging 5.6 ppg and 3.1 apg from 1986-87 through 1989-90) contributed a career-high four hits and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 6-5 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1996.
Texas Rangers LF Leon Roberts (grabbed one rebound in four basketball games for Michigan in 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr) stroked three hits in his second straight outing against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1981.
Cleveland Indians LHP Joe Shaute (hooper for Mansfield PA in early 1920s) hurled his second shutout in a 10-day span in 1924.
Cleveland Indians 3B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) hit game-winning homer in bottom of 10th inning for 3-2 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1995.
New York Yankees rookie RF Sammy Vick (three-sport athlete for Millsaps MS) secured multiple hits in his fourth consecutive contest in 1919. Two years later with the Boston Red Sox, Vick supplied a two-run, pinch-hit single in 7-6 win against the St. Louis Browns in 1921.
Boston Red Sox rookie C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) went 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1952 outing.
OF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) picked fourth overall by the San Diego Padres in 1973 amateur draft and goes straight to the majors. Twelve years later as a New York Yankees RF, Winfield walloped two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1985 game.
Detroit Tigers 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) homered twice in a 1959 game against his original team (Washington Senators).
1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) traded by the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Reds in 1947.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 6
Extra! Extra! Instead of chuckling at holier-than-thou Vogue magazine press puke so visually impaired they need glasses for conducting glamour photoshoot of Oval Office overlord/#MSDNC misfit Jen "Circle Back" Sock-it-to-me after shunning stunning Melania Trump, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former San Diego State hoopers Tony Clark, Tony Gwynn and Graig Nettles made MLB news on this date. Ditto several ex-hoopers from Texas universities - Mike Adams (Texas A&M-Kingsville), Beau Bell (Texas A&M) and Ray Benge (Sam Houston State). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 6 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 6
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Mike Adams (played basketball for Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1996-97) notched 14 straight relief appearances without allowing an earned run before going on the disabled list in 2014.
RHP Mike Barlow (Syracuse substitute from 1967-68 through 1969-70) traded by the Houston Astros to the California Angels in 1976.
Cleveland Indians RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) went 4-for-4 in a 5-4 win against the Washington Senators in 1940.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ray Benge (multi-year hoops letterman for Sam Houston State first half of 1920s) hurled his first of two shutouts during the month in 1929.
RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup hooper and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Texas Rangers in 1973.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie RHP Joe Black (Morgan State hooper in mid-1940s) didn't allow an earned run in his first nine relief appearances covering 15 1/3 innings in 1952.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) belted two homers in a 10-6 setback against the Boston Red Sox in 1936.
Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) provided three extra-base hits against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1998 contest.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) stroked a ninth-inning single on a 3-0 delivery to end Tom Browning's bid for a perfect game with the Cincinnati Reds in 1988.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hammered two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1953 outing.
Nine-year MLB INF Jerry Kindall (averaged 6.9 ppg for Minnesota as junior in 1955-56) coached Arizona to his second of three College World Series championships with the Wildcats by defeating Hawaii, 5-3, in 1980.
LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) notched the only for the Philadelphia Phillies off Johnny Vander Meer of the Cincinnati Reds in a 1941 game three years to the month after Vander Meer became the only MLB hurler to toss back-to-back no-hitters.
In 1963, Chicago Cubs RHP Lindy McDaniel (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad), entering a contest against the San Francisco Giants as a reliever with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the 10th inning, promptly picked Hall of Fame CF Willie Mays off second base an then fanned C Ed Bailey before leading off the bottom of the frame with a game-winning homer.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) smacked two homers against the Seattle Mariners in a 1983 contest.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hoops guard for two years in mid-1930s) blasted two homers against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1940 outing.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) traded by the New York Yankees to the Minnesota Twins in 1987.
California Angels LF Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) homered twice in a 1995 game against the Boston Red Sox.
RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) registered his only victory in 1961 (3-2 at San Francisco). He finished with the worst-ever season record (1-10 in final year with Philadelphia Phillies) for a Hall of Fame hurler.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) accounted for four hits in back-to-back games against the Chicago Cubs in 1954.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 5
Extra! Extra! Instead of wasting brain cells on drivel from Odd Squad rooftop-dancing bartender Sandy Cortez (a/k/a AOC), you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former Illinois hoopers Lou Boudreau, Hoot Evers and Wally Roettger supplied significant MLB offensive performances on this date. Ditto ex-juco hoopers Mickey Brantley (Columbia-Greene SC), Irv Noren (Pasadena City CA), Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military) and Ken Retzer (Jefferson City MO) along with sterling pitching effort by ex-juco hooper Ralph Terry (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 5 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 5
Baltimore Orioles 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's top three basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) supplied multiple hits in his fifth consecutive contest in 1964.
Chicago White Sox rookie 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) went 5-for-7 in 1934 doubleheader split with the St. Louis Browns. Bonura was in the midst of having 12 multiple-hit outings in an 18-game span while raising his batting average from .250 to .318 by mid-month.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference basketball co-champion) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1943 game.
Seattle Mariners DH Mickey Brantley (averaged 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 5.4 apg for Columbia-Greene Community College SC in 1979-80) collected three hits and four RBI in a 7-2 victory against the Kansas City Royals in 1987.
In his lone MLB at-bat, Philadelphia Phillies bonus-baby C Mack Burk (collected eight points and eight rebounds in 11 basketball games with Texas in 1954-55) stroked a pinch-hit single off Joe Nuxhall of the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1956.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) amassed four hits against the St. Louis Browns in a 1926 outing.
In the midst of a career-high 19-game hitting streak, Detroit Tigers LF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) contributed five RBI in a 7-4 win against the Washington Senators in 1950.
Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) homered in his third consecutive contest against the Cleveland Indians in 1958.
LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 ppg as sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith) selected in first round (21st pick overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 1979 amateur draft.
Brooklyn Robins LF Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) banged out four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1938 game.
INF-OF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) purchased from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Cincinnati Reds in 1932.
Chicago Cubs 1B Jim Hickman (freshman hooper for Ole Miss in 1955-56), in midst of a career-high 17-game hitting streak, went 4-for-5 and scored four runs in 12-8 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1970.
A three-run, pinch-hit homer by Gail Hopkins (averaged 2.5 ppg with Pepperdine in 1963-64) sparked the Kansas City Royals to an 11-7 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1971.
Cleveland Indians RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) jacked two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2000 game.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) launched two homers against the Detroit Tigers in a 1995 outing.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) logged four hits in a 7-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lindy McDaniel (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) notched his fifth complete-game victory in a five-week span in 1957.
RHP Ben McDonald (started six games as 6-6 freshman forward for Louisiana State in 1986-87) picked first overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1989 amateur draft. RHP Scott Burrell (three-time All-Big East Conference selection from 1990-91 through 1992-93 for Connecticut under coach Jim Calhoun) was the final choice in the opening round (26th by Seattle Mariners). Burrell was picked ahead of eventual MLB hurlers Jerry Dipoto, Alan Embree, Scott Erickson, Sterling Hitchcock, Trevor Hoffman, Todd Jones, Curt Leskanie, Denny Neagle, Paul Quantrill, Pat Rapp, Shane Reynolds, Russ Springer, Mike Trombley and Tim Worrell.
Philadelphia Phillies C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49) smacked decisive three-run homer in bottom of seventh inning of 4-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in nightcap of 1960 twinbill.
Washington Senators rookie CF Irv Noren (hoops player of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1950 outing.
Extending his hitting streak to 15 games, St. Louis Browns LF Ray Pepper (Alabama hoops letterman in 1926-27) provided four safeties in a 10-5 win against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1934 doubleheader.
Detroit Tigers LF Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) homered twice in a 1994 contest against the Minnesota Twins.
Washington Senators rookie C Ken Retzer (fourth-leading juco scorer with 184 points for Jefferson City MO in 1953-54) ripped two homers in a 1962 outing against the Baltimore Orioles.
Cincinnati Reds RF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) registered two triples among his four hits against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1931 game.
RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) fanned four of the last five Pittsburgh Pirates batters to earn a save for the Chicago Cubs in a 3-1 victory in 1983.
Kansas City Athletics RHP Ralph Terry (juco hooper averaged 22 ppg for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in mid-1950s) tossed a 13-inning shutout against the Washington Senators in 1958.
Washington Senators 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan averaged 5.6 ppg in final season in 1947-48) smacked a grand slam in an 8-4 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1953.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) delivered five hits for the second time in a three-game span in 1984. Three years later, Winfield manufactured three extra-base safeties against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1987 contest.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 4
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering if Plagiarist Bi-dumb's predator/racial jungle Senatorial speeches and mid-1990s crime law legislation contributed to his definition of systemic racism highlighted by First Son's racial-slur texts, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former Cincinnati hoopers Ethan Allen and Sandy Koufax provided MLB headlines on this date. Ditto ex-juco hoopers Darrell Evans (Pasadena City CA), Jim Perry (Campbell NC), Gary Redus (Athens AL) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central). Ex-SEC hoopers Joe Gibbon (Mississippi), Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt) and Riggs Stephenson (Alabama) also supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 4 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 4
Chicago Cubs LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) went 4-for-4 in an 8-5 win against the New York Giants in 1936.
Chicago Cubs RF George Altman (hooper appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Tournament with Tennessee State) notched his sixth straight multiple-hit game in 1961.
RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32), supported by an inside-the-park homer from player/manager Mickey Cochrane (Boston University player in early 1920s) during a 10-run third inning, earned the triumph in an 18-9 decision over the Philadelphia Athletics.
Seattle Mariners RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) tossed a two-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers in 1982.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) scored four runs and banged out three hits for the second of three times in a five-game span in 1936.
1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC hoops games in 1991-92) selected by the Detroit Tigers in first round (2nd pick overall) in 1990 amateur draft. Sixteen years later with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Clark cracked two homers among his four hits against the Atlanta Braves in a 2006 contest.
Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) hit for the cycle against the Boston Red Sox in a 1952 outing.
St. Louis Browns 3B Frank Ellerbe (Wofford hooper after transferring from Sewanee TN) went 4-for-4 in a 1921 game against eventual A.L. champion New York Yankees.
Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) knocked in five runs in a 9-3 win against the New York Mets in 1972.
St. Louis Cardinals 3B Howard Freigau (Ohio Wesleyan hooper) collected four hits, four stolen bases and five RBI in a 12-5 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1924.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as a senior in 1956-57) hurled his final MLB shutout (four-hitter against New York Mets in opener of 1967 twinbill).
Pinch-hitter Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) hammered a two-out, bases-loaded triple in the ninth inning to spark the Cleveland Indians to an 11-10 verdict over the St. Louis Browns in 1925. Four years later after having his career-high 25-game hitting streak snapped in the final contest of May, 1B Hendrick collected two homers and six RBI for the Brooklyn Robins in an 11-8 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a 1929 doubleheader.
RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1956 after he was released by the New York Yankees.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) became the fourth hurler to toss three no-hitters, blanking the N.L.-leading Philadelphia Phillies, 3-0, in 1964.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS where he became an All-CIC choice for 1968 NAIA Tournament team) collected three hits and three stolen bases against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1974 game.
Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) manufactured four hits in a 10-2 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1931.
Minnesota Twins RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) fired a four-hit shutout against the Kansas City Athletics in 1963 en route to five winning starts this month.
Chicago White Sox OF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) ripped a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers in 1988.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (multiple-sport athlete for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) secured his fourth shutout in less than a month en route to a total of seven whitewashes in 1933.
Cleveland Indians 3B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1922 contest. Eight years later as a Chicago Cubs LF, Stephenson amassed five hits, four runs and four RBI against the Boston Braves in a 1930 outing.
Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) smacked a pair of homers for the second time in five-game span in 2002.
1B-OF Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 10-player swap in 1953.
California Angels 3B John Werhas (Southern California's leading scorer in 1958-59 and 1959-60) whacked a pinch-hit homer against the Minnesota Twins in a 1967 game.
In 1986, New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) homered twice in an 11-0 victory over the California Angels in support of RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66), who hurled a no-hitter for 7 2/3 innings before yielding a safety.
In the midst of five consecutive complete-game triumphs, St. Louis Browns LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) tossed a five-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox in 1926.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 3
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering how liberal poster boys Mario Cuomo and Dr. Fraud-ci sleep at night profiting from misery books, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Cameron Drew (New Haven) and Dennis Rasmussen (Creighton) were MLB first-round draft selections on this date before eventually reaching the bigs. Ex-juco hoopers Darrell Evans (Pasadena City CA), Jim Thome (Illinois Central) and Larry Wolfe (Sacramento City CA) each homered twice in an American League game on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 3
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year basketball letterman for Allegeny PA) drove in P Ken Holtzman with the only run of the game in Holtzman's no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds in 1971. The next year, Beckert banged out four hits against the San Diego Padres in a 1972 contest.
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana during World War II) went 4-for-4 and scored five runs in a 13-8 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1954.
New York Yankees LHP Al Downing (attended Muhlenberg PA on hoops scholarship but left before ever playing) won his sixth straight start in 1966.
OF Cameron Drew (NECC first-team selection in 1984-85 when leading New Haven CT in scoring and rebounding) selected by Houston Astros in first round (12th pick overall) in 1985 amateur draft. Drew was chosen ahead of fellow first-rounders Joey Cora, Gregg Jefferies, Joe Magrane, Brian McRae and Rafael Palmeiro.
1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first hooper averaging 20 points in single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Detroit Tigers in a nine-player swap in 1952.
Overweight RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1922) fined by Philadelphia Athletics owner/manager Connie Mack in 1933.
Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1985 game against the Seattle Mariners.
OF Hoot Evers (hoops starter for Illinois in 1939-40) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Boston Red Sox in a nine-player swap in 1952.
Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Angels in 1963.
New York Giants rookie C Paul Florence (Georgetown's leading scorer with 11.3 ppg in 1921-22) furnished a career-high three hits in a 10-5 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1926.
In 1983, George Bamberger stepped down as manager of the New York Mets and was succeeded by 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).
In 1978, Philadelphia Phillies 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) became the first MLB player to smack two pinch-hit grand slams in a single season.
Chicago Cubs 3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) logged four hits against the New York Mets in a 1988 outing. Law added three more safeties the next day.
San Francisco Giants RF Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's JV hoops squad in 1975-76) registered four hits against the Houston Astros in a 1990 game.
RHP Dave Lemanczyk (hooper in NCAA Division II Tournament in 1970 and 1971 with Hartwick NY) traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the California Angels in 1980.
LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) selected in first round (17th pick overall) by the California Angels in 1980 amateur draft. Rasmussen was compensation for signing of free-agent P Nolan Ryan.
Chicago White Sox CF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) contributed four hits and five RBI in a 1930 game against the New York Yankees. Output was among four of first five contests of month where he provided at least three safeties.
Cleveland Indians 3B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) hit two taters in a 1997 game against the Chicago White Sox. He also homered in four of his next five outings.
Boston Red Sox RF Sammy Vick (three-sport athlete for Millsaps MS) supplied a game-winning, pinch-hit single in bottom of the ninth inning for 7-6 success against the Cleveland Indians in 1921.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) went 4-for-4 against the Oakland Athletics in a 1985 contest.
Minnesota Twins 3B Larry Wolfe (scored career-high 33 points for Sacramento City College in juco game against Santa Rosa on 12-17-71) collected two homers and five RBI in 9-2 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1978.
Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) homered in his third consecutive contest against the St. Louis Browns in 1949.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 2
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering why empty pantsuit VP Cacklin' Kamala hasn't graced us with her presence at border at least as many times as magazine covers, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Frank Howard (Ohio State), David Justice (Thomas More KY), Danny Litwhiler (Bloomsburg PA), Jerry Martin (Furman), Graig Nettles (San Diego State) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central) each hammered two homers in a single MLB game on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 2 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 2
2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's top three basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Hank Iba while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Boston Red Sox for reliever Don McMahon in 1967 and wound up playing in the World Series later that year against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) scored six runs in a 1940 doubleheader split against the Philadelphia Athletics.
Philadelphia Athletics rookie C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) collected five RBI against the Boston Red Sox in a 1925 game.
Arizona Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (hooper for Mohawk Valley Community College NY in 2007-08) won his first nine decisions in 2013 (including all five starts in month of May).
In 1951, 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for a single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) demoted by the Boston Red Sox to the minors to regain his form after he was A.L. Rookie of the Year the previous campaign.
Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Lee Handley (Bradley hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) banged out four hits against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1945 contest.
Kansas City Royals DH Gail Hopkins (averaged 2.5 ppg with Pepperdine in 1963-64) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in a 1973 outing.
Washington Senators LF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 1956-57 and 1957-58 when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding) hammered two homers against the California Angels in the opener of a 1965 twinbill.
New York Yankees DH David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85) jacked two homers against the Cleveland Indians in a 2001 game.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Danny Litwhiler (JV hooper with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) launched two homers against the Chicago Cubs in a 1941 contest.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) tied a MLB mark by committing three errors in the first inning of a 6-3 setback against the Montreal Expos in 1973.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) tossed a shutout against the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a 1940 doubleheader, notching his 225th career victory.
Chicago Cubs CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring the previous season) whacked two homers against the San Francisco Giants in a 1979 outing. Two years later as a member of the Giants, Martin capped off a nine-run, fourth-inning outburst with a grand slam against the Houston Astros in 1981.
C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49) purchased from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Cleveland Indians in 1963.
Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) launched two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers in the nightcap of a 1970 twinbill.
San Francisco Giants CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) went 3-for-3 with three steals in an 8-6 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1979.
RHP Dick Radatz (center on Michigan State's freshman hoops squad in 1955-56) traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Cleveland Indians in 1966.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) knocked in five runs in the nightcap of a 1934 doubleheader against his original team (St. Louis Cardinals).
Baltimore Orioles LF Larry Sheets (All-ODAC hoops selection in 1981-82 and 1982-83 with Eastern Mennonite VA) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1987.
Atlanta Braves LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) won his first six decisions in 1969.
New York Yankees rookie RHP Ralph Terry (juco hooper averaged 22 ppg for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in mid-1950s) tossed a three-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in 1957.
Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) stroked three extra-base hits (one double/two homers) in 2001 game against the New York Yankees.
LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) selected by Seattle Mariners in first round (22nd pick overall) in 1998 amateur draft.
Chicago Cubs RF Bob Will (all-league athlete was Mankato State MN hoops captain in 1954-55) clobbered his third homer in a four-game span in 1960.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on June 1
Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering if Plagiarist Bidumb and fellow #Dimorats will turn attention to warp speed a vaccine for TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome), you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Donn Clendenon (Morehouse GA), Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State), Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt) and Ed Morgan (Tulane) each manufactured at least four hits in a MLB game on this date as a first baseman. A pair of ex-hoopers from Kansas small colleges - Bob Veale (Benedictine) and Zip Zabel (Baker) - each tossed a shutout on this date in games involving the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a June 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
JUNE 1
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman including basketball with Morehouse GA) contributed four hits against the New York Mets in a 1963 game.
Chicago White Sox CF Guy Curtright (two-time All-MIAA selection led Northeast Missouri State in scoring each of four seasons in early 1930s) scored four runs in an 11-9 win against the Washington Senators in 1945.
Brooklyn Robins 3B Wally Gilbert (Valparaiso hoops captain from 1918-19 through 1920-21) stroked four hits in a 10-2 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1930.
Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) went 4-for-4 against the Seattle Mariners in a 1983 contest.
Cincinnati Reds 1B Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) went 5-for-5, including three doubles, against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1931 outing. The previous day against the Cards, Hendrick secured four hits in the opener of a doubleheader.
New York Mets CF Jim Hickman (freshman hooper for Ole Miss in 1955-56) homered twice in a 1965 contest against the Chicago Cubs.
Detroit Tigers RF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) supplied his second four-hit game against the Milwaukee Brewers in a span of eight days in 1981.
LF Danny Litwhiler (JV hooper with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) traded by Philadelphia Phillies to St. Louis Cardinals in 1943.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) whacked two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1979 outing.
Philadelphia Phillies 1B Len Matuszek (starter for Toledo's 18-7 team in 1975-76) failed to notch a putout in a 12-3 defeat against the Chicago Cubs in 1984.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) had his 24-game hitting streak end against the Milwaukee Braves in 1957.
Boston Red Sox 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) collected four hits and four RBI in a 13-1 win against the Washington Senators in 1934.
OF Lyle Mouton (starter in Louisiana State's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1999.
In 1962, Washington Senators RHP Ray Rippelmeyer (led SIU in scoring and rebounding in 1952-53 before transferring and pacing SEMO in scoring in 1953-54 and 1954-55 as All-MIAA first-team choice each year) registered his lone MLB victory (as reliever against Minnesota Twins).
New York Giants RF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) went 4-for-4 against the Boston Braves in the opener of a 1930 twinbill.
Boston Red Sox rookie 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama hoops letterman in 1936-37) amassed five doubles over a two-game span in 1939.
Kansas City Athletics RHP Dave Thies (two-time all-conference selection finished St. Mary's MN career in 1959 as school's all-time leading scorer) lost his lone MLB decision (against Washington Senators in 1963).
LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points with Benedictine KS from 1955-56 through 1957-58) amassed 16 strikeouts in shutting out the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-0, for the Pittsburgh Pirates' 12th consecutive victory in 1965. Veale also tossed a five-hit shutout in his second start of the month.
San Diego Padres RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) whacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1979 contest.
Chicago Cubs RHP Zip Zabel (premier hooper for Baker KS from 1913 to 1915) hurled a two-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1915.
Happy Birthday! June Celebration Dates for A-As and Hall of Fame Coaches
June 9 is the day to celebrate the most birthdays this month for former All-Americans. Duke had multiple All-Americans born on two separate days this month (24th and 28th) en route to tying ACC rival North Carolina for most A-As born in June with seven apiece. All-American Gale Bishop (Washington State) was born 100 years ago this month. Following are birthdates in June for All-American players and Hall of Fame coaches:
JUNE
1: All-Americans Don Burness (born in 1919/Stanford), Jerel McNeal (1987/Marquette) and Sam Young (1985/Pittsburgh).
2: All-Americans Paul Huston (1925/Ohio State) and Al Wood (1958/North Carolina).
3: All-Americans Billy Cunningham (1943/North Carolina), Al Horford (1986/Florida), Otto Porter (1993/Georgetown) and Jalen Suggs (2001/Gonzaga).
4: All-Americans R. "Gale" Bishop (1922/Washington State), Bill Hanson (1940/Washington), Xavier McDaniel (1963/Wichita State), Greg Monroe (1990/Georgetown) and Gary Thompson (1935/Iowa State).
5: All-American Joe Reiff (1911/Northwestern) and Hall of Fame coach Frank Keaney (1886/Rhode Island State).
6: All-Americans Tommy Amaker (1965/Duke) and John Rudometkin (1940/Southern California).
7: All-Americans Howie Carl (1938/DePaul), George Glamack (1919/North Carolina), Allen Iverson (1975/Georgetown) and Cazzie Russell (1944/Michigan).
8: All-Americans Bill Erickson (1928/Illinois), Mark McNamara (1959/California) and Bryant Reeves (1973/Oklahoma State).
9: All-Americans Udonis Haslem (1980/Florida), Billy Knight (1952/Pittsburgh), E. "Branch" McCracken (1908/Indiana), Bill Stauffer (1930/Missouri), Brian Taylor (1951/Princeton) and Wayman Tisdale (1964/Oklahoma).
10: All-Americans John Gianelli (1950/Pacific), Ralph Hamilton (1921/Indiana) and Jeff Teague (1988/Wake Forest) plus Hall of Fame coach Johnny Orr (1927/Massachusetts, Michigan and Iowa State).
11: All-American Joey Graham (1982/Oklahoma State).
12: All-Americans Bobby Joe Hill (1943/Texas Western), Antawn Jamison (1976/North Carolina), Kerry Kittles (1974/Villanova) and Lee Mayberry (1970/Arkansas).
13: All-Americans Fred Boyd (1950/Oregon State), Arvis "A.W." Davis (1943/Tennessee), Chris Duarte (1997/Oregon) and Bill Kinner (1914/Utah).
14: All-Americans Rowan "RJ" Barrett (2000/Duke), Eric Murdock (1968/Providence) and Sam Perkins (1961/North Carolina).
15: All-American Charles Black (1921/Kansas).
16: All-Americans Gus Broberg (1920/Dartmouth), Darrell Griffith (1958/Louisville), Angelo "Hank" Luisetti (1916/Stanford) and Wayne "Tree" Rollins (1955/Clemson).
17: All-Americans Nick Fazekas (1985/Nevada), Georges Niang (1993/Iowa State), Allan Ray (1984/Villanova), Marion "Odie" Spears (1924/Western Kentucky) and Maurice Stokes (1933/St. Francis PA).
18: All-Americans Rod Griffin (1956/Wake Forest), George Mikan (1924/DePaul) and Evan Mobley (2001/Southern California).
19: All-American Bennedict Mathurin (2002/Arizona).
20: All-Americans Josh Childress (1983/Stanford), Rodney Rogers (1971/Wake Forest) and William "Carlyle" Towery (1920/Western Kentucky) plus Hall of Fame coach Herb Magee (1941/Philadelphia Textile).
21: All-Americans Derrick Coleman (1967/Syracuse), Dale Hall (1924/Army), Sam Ranzino (1927/North Carolina State) and Jimmy Rayl (1941/Indiana) plus Hall of Fame coach Everett Case (1900/North Carolina State).
22: All-Americans Clyde Drexler (1962/Houston), Milo Komenich (1920/Wyoming), Pete Maravich (1947/Louisiana State), Johnny Oldham (1923/Western Kentucky) and Charles "Hawkeye" Whitney (1957/North Carolina State).
23: All-American Walter Dukes (1930/Seton Hall).
24: All-Americans Art Heyman (1941/Duke), Luke Kennard (1996/Duke), Ron Kramer (1935/Michigan) and Jonathan "J.J." Redick (1984/Duke).
25: All-Americans Wardell "Dell" Curry (1964/Virginia Tech), Michael Dickerson (1975/Arizona), Collin Gillespie (1999/Villanova), Reggie Johnson (1957/Tennessee), Dikembe Mutombo (1966/Georgetown) and Forest "Aggie" Sale (1911/Kentucky).
26: All-Americans Raymond Felton (1984/North Carolina), Quincy Lewis (1977/Minnesota) and Deron Williams (1984/Illinois).
27: All-Americans Russ Critchfield (1946/California), Kevin Joyce (1951/South Carolina) and Brice Johnson (1994/North Carolina).
28: All-Americans Bobby Hurley (1971/Duke), Jeff Malone (1961/Mississippi State), Chuck Person (1964/Auburn), Jim Spanarkel (1957/Duke) and Terrence Williams (1987/Louisville).
29: All-Americans Wes Fesler (1908/Ohio State), Kawhi Leonard (1991/San Diego State) and Ron Slay (1981/Tennessee).
30: All-American Mitch Richmond (1965/Kansas State).
Birthdays in January for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in February for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in March for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in April for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in May for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in June for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in July for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in August for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in September for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in October for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in November for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in December for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on May 31
Extra! Extra! Instead of expressing indignation that baseball-thrower deluxe Dr. Anthony Fraudci is highest-paid of all four million federal employees, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Current SEC members Louisiana State (Joe Adcock and Lyle Mouton), Mississippi (Joe Gibbon), Mississippi State (Boo Ferriss), Missouri (Sonny Siebert) plus Texas A&M (Beau Bell) featured former hoopers providing significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a May 31 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
MAY 31
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) collected two homers and five RBI against the Chicago Cubs in a 1956 contest.
St. Louis Browns RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) registered his fifth straight win during the month in 1942. All of the victories were complete games.
St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out four hits in an 11-10 triumph against the Detroit Tigers in 1936.
In 1979, Seattle Mariners 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70) amassed three hits, three runs and five RBI in a 12-10 win against his original club (California Angels).
Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) clobbered a homer in back-to-back games for the third time this month in 1958.
3B Frank Ellerbe (Wofford hooper after transferring from Sewanee TN) traded by the Washington Senators to St. Louis Browns in 1921.
San Francisco Giants 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1983.
Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) secured his sixth complete-game victory of the month in 1945.
Philadelphia Phillies 3B Gene Freese (captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) whacked his fifth pinch homer of the 1959 season. Two years later with the Cincinnati Reds, Freese smashed two round-trippers in an 8-7 triumph against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1961.
Buttressed by nine doubles from Pittsburgh Pirates teammates, LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was the nation's second-leading scorer as a senior in 1956-57) hurled a complete-game, 9-1 victory against the Atlanta Braves in 1961.
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) delivered five hits in a 4-3 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in 1960.
Boston Red Sox LHP Bill Henry (hoops letterman for Houston's 1947 NAIA Tournament team featuring co-captain Guy Lewis) hurled his second of two MLB shutouts (nightcap of 1954 doubleheader against Philadelphia Athletics) before becoming a reliever majority of career.
Boston Red Sox RHP Tom Herrin (Louisiana Tech hoops letterman in 1947-48 and 1948-49) notched his lone MLB victory (20-10 decision over the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954).
St. Louis Browns SS Billy Hunter (multi-sport athlete for Indiana PA post-WWII) went 7-for-9 in a 1953 doubleheader split against the Chicago White Sox.
First victory of the 1957 campaign for Chicago White Sox RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell hoops letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) was a four-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (three-year hoops letterman with Maryland from 1934-35 through 1936-37) accumulated two homers and five RBI against the Cleveland Indians in a 1947 outing.
First MLB homer for Boston Braves rookie 3B Fritz Knothe (member of Penn's freshman hoops squad in 1923-24) was a three-run blast off New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) in 1932.
Pittsburgh Pirates CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) had his 26-game hitting streak end in 2003, falling one contest short of the franchise record.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) stroked three doubles against the San Francisco Giants in a 1979 outing.
Boston Red Sox 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard hoops captain in 1938-39) provided four hits against the St. Louis Browns in the nightcap of a 1943 twinbill. Five years later with the Chicago White Sox, Lupien went 6-for-8 in a 1948 doubleheader split against the Detroit Tigers.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in the early 1920s) notched his fifth consecutive complete-game victory during the month in 1926.
Chicago White Sox RF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) smacked two homers against the Boston Red Sox in a 1952 game.
OF Lyle Mouton (starter in Louisiana State's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) mashed two homers for eventual NCAA champion in 1991 College World Series opener against Florida.
Washington Senators RHP Curly Ogden (Swarthmore PA hoops center from 1919 to 1922) twirled a shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1924. He also commenced a streak hitting safely in nine of 12 starts until late August.
New York Giants RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) went 5-for-7 in 1915 twinbill split against the Brooklyn Robins.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Don Schwall (All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection led Oklahoma in rebounding in 1956-57) tossed his second shutout of the month in 1963.
Baltimore Orioles LF Larry Sheets (All-ODAC hoops selection in 1981-82 and 1982-83 with Eastern Mennonite VA) supplied three doubles among his four hits against the Seattle Mariners in a 1988 contest.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) hurled his second of back-to-back five-hit shutouts in 1974.
San Diego Padres OF 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) went 4-for-4 in a 4-2 win against the Chicago White Sox in 2014.
RF John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) put the Kansas City Royals in front to stay with a three-run, inside-the-park homer in a 6-4 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1980.
Washington Senators RHP Monte Weaver (hoops center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1920s) posted his fifth triumph of the month en route to eight straight victories in 1934.
Chicago Cubs RHP Zip Zabel (premier hooper for Baker KS from 1913 to 1915) hurled a five-hit, complete-game victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was in midst of compiling a 0.95 ERA in eight-game span covering 47 1/3 innings following his 1914 season debut.
Washington Senators LHP Tom Zachary (hoops letterman for Guilford NC in 1916) went 4-for-4 at the plate in 1921 contest against the New York Yankees.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on May 30
Extra! Extra! Instead of hoping Speaker #NannyPathetic fines herself for unmasking exposing extensive plastic surgery again and for ignoring questions about drunk husband's driving, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former St. Joseph's (Ind.) and Oakland City (Ind.) hooper Gil Hodges owned this "doubleheader" date in MLB annals as much, if not more, as Indiana coach/baseball fan Bob Knight "owned" the Hoosier State last quarter of 20th Century. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a May 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
MAY 30
Boston Red Sox 1B Dale Alexander (starting basketball center for Milligan TN in mid-1920s) suffered a career-ending injury in 1933 (therapy for twisted knee sliding into home plate led to third-degree burns, gangrene and near loss of his leg). Four years earlier as a Detroit Tigers rookie, he launched a homer in both ends of a 1929 doubleheader split against the St. Louis Browns.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Clyde Barnhart (hooper for Shippensburg PA predecessor Cumberland Valley State Normal School prior to World War I) collected four hits, four runs scored and five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a 1925 doubleheader.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ray Benge (multi-year hoops letterman for Sam Houston State first half of 1920s) twirled a four-hit shutout against the Boston Braves in opener of a 1931 twinbill. Whitewash was his third complete-game victory during the month.
Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) blasted two homers in a 3-2 win against the Kansas City Athletics in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) supplied five RBI in a 9-6 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1937. Three years later with the Washington Senators, Bonura knocked in five runs in a 14-2 triumph against the Philadelphia Athletics in nightcap of 1940 twinbill.
RHP Ownie Carroll (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1922) traded with Harry Rice by the Detroit Tigers in 1930 to the New York Yankees for two members of the legendary 1927 squad featuring Murderers' Row (P Waite Hoyt and SS Mark Koenig).
In 1955, Milwaukee Braves 1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named state's Mr. Basketball) closed out the month with five multiple-hit games, homering in three of the contests.
San Francisco Giants 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college hoops crown) homered twice against the San Diego Padres in the opener of a 1977 doubleheader.
3B Gene Freese (hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) whacked two homers, powering the Cincinnati Reds to a 1961 twinbill sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
New York Yankees rookie 3B Mike Gazella (premier hooper for undefeated Mansfield PA hoops squad in 1918) hit .333 in his first 19 MLB games after reaching base in 17 of those contests in May of 1926.
Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers 3B Wally Gilbert (Valparaiso hoops captain in early 1920s) supplied six straight safeties in a doubleheader sweep of the New York Giants in 1931.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) went 5-for-5, including four runs, two homers and five RBI, against the St. Louis Browns in a 1937 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) went 4-for-4 and scored four runs in the nightcap of a 1958 twinbill against the Milwaukee Braves.
C Frank Grube (starting hoops guard for Lafayette as senior in 1926-27), two teammates and Chicago White Sox manager Lew Fonseca involved in a fight with an umpire under the stands after a doubleheader loss at Cleveland in 1932.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) knocked in eight runs against the Boston Braves in a 1952 doubleheader sweep. The next year, Hodges homered twice against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a 1953 twinbill. In 1958 after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, Hodges homered in both ends of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs. Four years later, Hodges homered three times in a 1962 twinbill against the New York Mets.
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) hammered two homers and chipped in with six RBI against the Kansas City Athletics in the opener of a 1967 twinbill.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (three-year hoops letterman with Maryland from 1934-35 through 1936-37) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Athletics in the nightcap of a 1946 doubleheader.
RHP Cal Koonce (Campbell standout in 1960 and 1961 when North Carolina-based school was junior college), after helping the New York Mets sweep a twinbill against the Pittsburgh Pirates, didn't allow a run in his first 13 relief appearances in 1968.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) had six hits in a 1921 twinbill sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.
Chicago White Sox LHP Thornton Lee (Cal Poly hooper in 1925-26) hurled his fifth complete-game victory of the month in 1945.
Baltimore Orioles rookie RHP Dave Leonhard (averaged 4.8 ppg with Johns Hopkins MD in 1961-62) tossed his second shutout of the month in 1968 (two-hitter after earlier one-hitter).
RF Sam Mele (NYU's leading scorer in 1943 NCAA playoffs) traded by the Washington Senators to the Chicago White Sox in 1952.
Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) contributed five RBI in a 12-6 win against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a 1932 doubleheader.
Washington Senators 3B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) hit safely in all 22 games of the month and 24 in a row overall in 1929.
Chicago Cubs rookie C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49) hit safely in last 11 contests of the month in 1957. It was a career-long hitting streak for him.
The Chicago Cubs went 32 games in 1943 before hitting a homer prior to RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) knocking a couple of balls beyond the outfield barrier in a 5-1 victory over the Braves. His first of a pair of two-run blasts came in the team's 1,120th at-bat of the season.
California Angels 1B Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962), in the midst of a career-high 10-game hitting streak, opened the contest's scoring with a first-inning, three-run homer off Stan Bahnsen in 6-0 win against Chicago White Sox in 1972.
Washington Senators rookie C Ken Retzer (fourth-leading juco scorer with 184 points for Jefferson City MO in 1953-54) went 3-for-4 with four RBI against the Kansas City Athletics in opener of a 1962 twinbill.
New York Giants LF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) stroked two doubles in nightcap of 1917 twinbill against the Philadelphia Phillies to ignite his career-high 15-game hitting streak. Three years later as a Chicago Cubs LF, Robertson went 3-for-3 with four RBI in 1920 game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped a 13th-inning homer to give the Brooklyn Dodgers a 2-1 win over the New York Giants in the opener of a 1949 doubleheader.
Chicago Cubs C El Tappe (two-time All-Pioneer Conference first-team selection scored 921 points for Quincy College IL from 1946-47 through 1949-50) was hitting .500 (6-for-12) after his first six appearances in sixth and final MLB campaign in 1962. He finished his six-year MLB playing career with a .207 batting average.
In midst of career-high 16-game hitting streak, Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) supplied three extra-base hits (two doubles/one homer) in a 1998 game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cleveland Indians LF Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) walloped two homers against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1956 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) supplied two homers and six RBI against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1960 game.
San Diego Padres RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) knocked in five runs against the Atlanta Braves in a 1979 contest.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on May 29
Extra! Extra! If still double masked at home waiting for creepy Plagiarist Bidumb's Oval Office to finally support American probe of Chinese origin of COVID-19 after they walk back hair-sniffer's latest stupid statements, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former West Liberty WV hooper Joe Niekro was involved in one of the most unusual incidents in MLB annals. The only homer of Niekro's 22-year career occurred in 1976 and came at the expense of his brother (24-year big leaguer Phil). Also making news on this date were ex-Virginia college hoopers Larry Doby (Virginia Union), Curtis Pride (William & Mary), Eppa Rixey (Virginia) and Larry Sheets (Eastern Mennonite). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a May 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
MAY 29
Rookie RHP Mark Acre (played in 1990 NCAA Basketball Tournament with New Mexico State) allowed his only run through 10 relief appearances to early June 1994 with the Oakland A's (0.82 ERA in first 3 1/2 weeks).
SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 team ending the Bears' streak of 12 straight losing records) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the New York Mets in 1987.
In 1955, Cleveland Indians RF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) launched the first MLB homer over the outer wall at Kansas City's Municipal Stadium.
Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) hurled his third shutout of the month in 1946.
In the midst of a 20-game hitting streak, New York Yankees 1B-OF Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) contributed four hits in a 16-1 rout of Washington in 1942.
LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary HBCU coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) swatted two homers in a 5-3 triumph against the Milwaukee Braves in 1965.
Chicago White Sox RHP Howie Judson (Illinois' third-leading scorer in 1944-45) ended a personal streak of 15 straight defeats with a 12-8 relief victory over the St. Louis Browns in 1950.
OF Jim Lyttle (led Florida State in free-throw shooting in 1965-66 when averaging 12.4 ppg) purchased from the Montreal Expos by the New York Mets in 1974.
RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) notched a 3-0 shutout over the Boston Braves in 1916, sparking the New York Giants to their 17th triumph in a row (all on road).
In MLB debut as reliever, New York Yankees RHP Bobby Munoz (scored 35 points for Polk Community College FL in game against Palm Beach in mid-November 1986) struck out first two batters he faced in hurling a 1-2-3 ninth inning in 8-2 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1993.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) socked two homers against the Oakland Athletics in a 1973 game.
Philadelphia Phillies RF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hoops guard for two years in mid-1930s) provided his third consecutive three-hit contest in 1953. Nicholson supplied only one more safety in the final 40 at-bats of his 16-year MLB career.
Houston Astros RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) belted the only homer of his 22-year career in 1976. The round-tripper against the Atlanta Braves came at the expense of his brother (Phil).
RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Chicago Cubs in 1939.
LF Ray Pepper (Alabama hoops letterman in 1926-27) banged out five hits, including two homers, and drove in five runs to boost the St. Louis Browns to a 12-7 victory over the Detroit Tigers in 1934.
OF 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) pounded a pinch homer for the Atlanta Braves against the Chicago Cubs in 1998.
Philadelphia Phillies LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1912 and 1914) yielded a ninth-inning inside-the-park homer but held on for a 4-3, 13-inning victory against Pittsburgh. It is the only homer Rixey allowed in 301 innings pitched.
Baltimore Orioles DH Larry Sheets (All-ODAC hoops selection in 1981-82 and 1982-83 with Eastern Mennonite VA) smacked two homers in an 8-6 win against the Oakland Athletics in 1986. Three years later, Sheets socked a round-tripper in his third of last four outings.
In 1926, Cleveland Indians 2B Freddy Spurgeon (Kalamazoo MI hooper in 1921-22) extended his hitting streak to 11 games in a row with eighth contest of the month boasting at least three safeties.
Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) whacked two taters in a 2006 game against the Cleveland Indians.
Chicago Cubs OF Bob Will (all-league athlete was Mankato State MN hoops captain in 1954-55) slugged his second pinch-hit homer in an eight-game span in 1962.
Second homer of game by CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) provided decisive tally for the San Francisco Giants in a 4-3 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008. Winn homered from both sides of the plate.
Immortality & Honor: Incredible Impact of College Hoopdom on Memorial Day
Hopefully, VP Harris didn't cackle similar to a hyena again when telling Americans to "enjoy" the long weekend. It might not dawn on her, but some gave all (not bail money for "righteous" rioters) as we contemplate honoring authentic heroes with the 78th anniversary of D-Day on the horizon. The fallen didn't have to worry about manipulation of waiting lists and receiving proper medical care from the VA because they didn't make it back home alive. Unless you're an inferiority-complex coward comparable to BSNBC up-tight host Chris Hayes uncomfortable with calling fallen military "heroes", hoops aficionado/despicable NOKO despot Kim Jong Un, #NewYorkSlimes op-ed writer or presstitute-promoted #ShrillaryRotten telling lies in front of caskets at Dover Air Force Base and promoting Russian collusion hoax, a Memorial Day weekend generates sobering reminders of what is really important to our freedom. It's definitely not cancel culture. College basketball ultimate-sacrifice contributions are aplenty, magnified in first-class significance when compared to low-class Logan Act scheming by FBI/CIA/DOJ upper brass regarding General Michael Flynn. Who do you really believe the memorialized specifically and military in general would and do support more - pushy ex-President Trump or pussy press pestilence infested by jet-lagged #CNNSucks, "dynastic" dolts at MSNBC fawning over "Weissmann" Report, #Dimorats dumpster diving with fossil John Dean and weepy Obama #MessMedia manipulating lackey "dude" Ben Rhodes on election night?
While Baylor's football program became Animal House, the school's basketball roster developed a reputation the previous decade for having some "soft" players who played with the fervor of a man holding his female companion's purse at the mall much of a shopping excursion afternoon. But Baylor is believed to be the only non-service academy in America to have two former athletes go on to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. Both men, Jack Lummus and John "Killer" Kane, earned the nation's highest military honor for heroics in World War II. Lummus played football, basketball and baseball for the Bears from 1938 through 1941. He was an All-Southwest Conference center fielder before signing with the NFL's New York Giants.
After one year of pro football, Lummus joined the U.S. Marines and was a platoon leader in the initial days of fighting on Iwo Jima. While leading a charge on enemy positions, Lummus stepped on a land mine and lost both legs. Despite heavy bleeding, he led his platoon to knock out several pockets of Japanese fire, a vital part of the U.S. victory. Alas, Lummus died of his wounds shortly after the battle.
Kane, who also played football and basketball, was one of the survivors on Baylor's ill-fated 1927 basketball squad that lost 10 of its 21-member traveling party in a bus-train wreck en route to Austin, Tex. As a result of the "Immortal Ten" tragedy, the remainder of the first of coach Ralph Wolf's 15 seasons was cancelled, and the first highway overpass in Texas was constructed.
Kane joined the Army Air Corps in 1932 and soon became a bomber commander of legendary proportions. It was said he was the best pilot and toughest commander in the Air Corps. It was often debated who feared him more - the Germans or his own men.
On August 1, 1943, Kane led what at the time was the deadliest air battle in history - a low-level, long-range bombing raid on Hitler's oil-refining complex in Rumania. The site produced a major portion of the Axis' fuel and was one of the most heavily-guarded locations in history.
Letting freedom ring on sacred line-of-duty ground, the heroism exhibited by ex-hoopers doesn't stop there. Al Brown, Creighton's leading scorer in 1925-26, survived the infamous Bataan Death March in the Philippines. Glenn Wilson, captain of Dartmouth's 18-7 team in 1954-55 when averaging around 11 ppg for the third straight season, joined the Air Force, where he served as a fighter pilot and flight instructor during the Cold War and Vietnam War. Wilson was shot down over North Vietnam and taken prisoner in early August 1967. As a POW, he spent 2,047 days in captivity and was tortured repeatedly until his release in early March 1973 as part of Operation Homecoming. More recently, Eric "Nasty Zasty" Zastoupil (2.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Army from 2006-07 through 2009-10) was on foot patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in mid-August 2012 when an IED explosion blew off lower half of First Lieutenant's left leg. Amid bugle playing "Taps" in the background and issuing kudos to research by baseballsgreatestsacrifice.com, San Diego State All-American Milky Phelps is among the ex-players warranting we-regret-to-inform-you salutes during Memorial Day weekend for making the supreme sacrifice include:
All 11 regulars on Pittsburgh's 1941 Final Four team participated in World War II and one of them, guard Bob Artman, was killed in action.
Kentucky players who competed multiple years for the Wildcats before they were killed during WWII included Mel Brewer (Army Second Lieutenant/died in France), Ken England (Army Captain of ski troop/Italy), James Goforth (Marine First Lieutenant/Marshall Islands) and Jim King (Army Second Lieutenant and co-pilot/Germany). Brewer, England and King were three of the top seven scorers for UK's first NCAA Tournament and Final Four team in 1942.
Bart Avery, an Alabama letterman in 1942 and 1943, was killed in action on April 6, 1945, as a newly-promoted Captain aiding final push against the Germans.
Gene Berger, a Syracuse letterman from 1939-40 through 1941-42, died in late summer 1961 during flight maneuvers in the Pacific after taking off in AD6 Skyraider plane from the USS Lexington aircraft carrier. He was a Commander in the U.S. Navy and a Naval aviator.
Archie Buckley, letterman from 1928 to 1930 as a Washington State forward, was a Lieutenant in charge of physical conditioning of Navy pilots aboard the USS Saratoga aircraft carrier on February 21, 1945, when he was among 123 crew members dead or missing after five Kamikaze bomb hits.
Young Bussey, a letterman for Louisiana State in the late 1930s, participated in numerous landing assaults in the South Pacific during WWII before dying as head beach-master in early January 1945 during invasion of Lingayen Gulf to liberate The Philippines from Japanese occupation. His landing craft took a direct hit from mortar while storming the beach.
Bob "Ace" Calkins, UCLA's top scorer in the late 1930s before Jackie Robinson arrived, was navigator on B-17 airplane ("The Flying Fortress") gunned down during WWII. He later died in an Italian prison camp from wounds suffered in the crash.
John Campbell, a four-year hooper for Dickinson PA, was a Second Lieutenant who failed to return from Army Air Corps sea sweep mission off northeastern Tunisia in late March 1943.
Henry Chovanec, a Texas letterman from 1936 through 1938, was bomber pilot who died in late April 1943 when First Lieutenant tried to fly a battle-damaged plane that fell apart while starting to climb into sky for another WWII mission in New Guinea.
Edward Christl Jr., a center and Army team captain for the Cadets' unbeaten squad in 1944 (15-0), was a First Lieutenant during WWII the next year when he was killed in action in Austria in early May. Artillery forward observer heroically volunteered to lead an infantry squad against fierce resistance from German SS troops. Army's arena is named after him.
Bill Coleman, a Georgia Tech letterman in 1909, was in the Army in 1918 when he perished in plane crash in France during WWI.
Joe Comer, captain of George Washington's 1940-41 squad, was an Army Lieutenant two years later when he died in a military plane crash.
Andy Curlee, Auburn's captain in late 1930s, died on April 6, 1943, when the First Lieutenant was leading his squadron in Tunisia.
Francis "Reds" Daly, a Georgetown letterman from 1938 through 1940, served as a Major in U.S. Marines and as battalion commander was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima on February 22, 1945.
George Davison, a Washington State letterman in 1943, was a Second Lieutenant on March 18, 1945, when he was killed in action while his infantry regiment was attacking German Siegfried Line positions south of Zweibrucken.
Jack Dean, a starting forward as freshman for DePaul's 1944 NIT runner-up was assigned to the ill-fated USS Indianapolis, which was sunk by a Japanese submarine and suffered the greatest single loss of life at sea in history of U.S. Navy. Out of 1,196 men on board, almost 300 went down with the vessel in late July 1945. The remaining 900 or so men were left floating in shark-infested waters with no lifeboats and most with no food or water. Dean reportedly survived for about 2 1/2 days in the ocean before succumbing.
Colorado A&M's Lewis "Dude" Dent, voted the best all-around athlete in the Mountain States Conference in 1943, was an Army Lieutenant among forward observers giving firing coordinates on the radio when killed in action in France in August 1944.
Edward Drake, who played for Rutgers in 1929-30, died on December 21, 1943, in a plane crash over the Mediterranean Sea shortly after his promotion to Major.
Bob Duffey, a backup swingman for Georgetown's 1943 NCAA Tournament runner-up, was killed on November 13, 1944, in European theater combat. Teammate Lloyd Potolicchio, who matched DePaul legend George Mikan's 11-point output in the 1943 national semifinals when the Hoyas eliminated the Blue Demons before bowing to Wyoming in title tilt, joined the Air Force. Potolicchio was boom operator Master Sergeant when killed in a refueling mission on January 17, 1966, in a B-52 crash off the coast of southern Spain. His KC-135 tanker was completely destroyed when its fuel load ignited, resulting in the B-52G breaking apart with B28RI hydrogen weapons falling to earth and plutonium contamination occurring near the fishing village of Palomares. In March 2009, Time magazine identified the Palomares accident as one of the world's "worst nuclear disasters."
Pete Edmond, Texas letterman from 1913 to 1916, died on October 11, 1918, charging a German machine-gun position in the Battle of the Argonne Forest, one of the bloodiest campaigns in the history of American warfare.
Second Lieutenant John Eggleton (Alfred NY) was an Army platoon leader on December 11, 1942, when he died while engaging German tanks and artillery on road outside Tunis in North Africa.
Charles "Herb" Fash averaged 7.2 ppg for Saint Louis from 1933-34 through 1935-36. On January 21, 1945, the Lieutenant was one of 52 sailors killed when a torpedo bomber, returning from a South Pacific sortie, made a routine landing on the USS Hancock, taxied and disintegrated in an explosion as one of its 500-pound bombs detonated on the aircraft carrier.
Bob Fischer, letterman in 1941 and 1942 as a Notre Dame guard, was serving with an Army squadron on November 17, 1944, when he was killed while bailing out of his fighter plane as it went down in flames over Italy.
William Gamber, a hooper for Tri-State IN, was a pilot who died with three aspiring Army Air Corps fliers on November 18, 1942, on a routine training mission after leaving Mather Field in Sacramento. In 1947, it was determined their plane crashed hundreds of miles off course into 13,841-foot-high Mount Darwin in Kings Canyon National Park after a hiker initially discovered some of the wreckage on a glacier. Sixty-three years later, climbers discovered his body entombed in ice.
Jay Gano Sr., who averaged 3.4 ppg for Idaho in 1947-48, was a 1st Lieutenant in 2nd Infantry when killed on October 10, 1951, on Heartbreak Ridge in North Korea.
Bob Gary, captain for Washington & Lee VA, was a navigator on a routine training flight in early February 1944 when his bomber crashed Southeast of El Paso.
Montana State's Cyrus Gatton, a pilot with the 11th Aero Squadron, was killed in action in Europe the first week in November 1918, a week before the Armistice was signed ending World War I.
James Gillespie, Georgia letterman in 1939, served with the Navy Seabees when killed in action on Guam.
John Goodrich, named outstanding all-around athlete in the class of 1940 for St. Lawrence NY, was a Naval patrol bomber pilot lost in action in 1944 over the English Channel.
Eddie Grant, who played basketball for Harvard at the turn of the 20th Century before becoming an infielder for 10 years in the majors, died from shelling on October 5, 1918, in the Argonne Forest, France, during WWI while in charge of his battalion after his commanding officer was killed.
Frank Haggerty, St. John's senior co-captain in 1939-40 who averaged 5 points per game in his three-year career under legendary coach Joe Lapchick, was a Second Lieutenant in Air Force. Haggerty was killed instantly on training mission in fall of 1942 when his plane crashed into the Catawba River in Charlotte area.
Mason "Tex" Harris, a San Diego State letterman from 1938 through 1940, was killed in action in Germany on March 3, 1945. Serving in an armored division under General Patton, he was one of the valiant men holding out at Bastogne, France, when surrounded by the enemy.
Frank Hill, a Clemson letterman in 1942 and 1943, was an Army First Lieutenant killed in action in Germany on April 10, 1945.
Henry "Red" Hinkley, a letterman for Southern Illinois from 1940-41 through 1942-43, was fighting with U.S. Army at an island near New Guinea, sought for its strategic location to refuel aircraft, when killed by machine gun fire on June 7, 1944.
Ernie Holbrook was a three-year letterman as USC forward and hero of 1935 PCC playoff series against Oregon State. He died in mid-December 1944 during opening salvos of the Ardennes offensive in Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge.
Bob Holmes was a forward who helped guide Central Methodist MO to MCAU title in 1942-43. In the Marines invasion of Iwo Jima in mid-February 1945, he was mortally wounded while spraying the enemy with machine gun fire. Holmes subsequently was buried at sea.
Thomas P. Hunter, a three-year letterman who was a sophomore member of Kansas' 1940 runner-up, was killed in action against the Japanese on Guam, July 21, 1944, while fighting with the Ninth Marines as a First Lieutenant. Hunter was elected posthumously as captain of the Jayhawks' 1945-46 squad that compiled a 19-2 record.
John "Jack" Inglis, a standout for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (N.Y.), was a Navy Seaman in fall of 1918 when stricken with influenza and dying while on furlough.
Dave Kanning, who averaged 3.4 ppg and 4 rpg for Navy in 1961-62 and 1962-63, was an instructor pilot aboard a T-34B on June 2, 1980, when killed in an aircraft accident near Fairhope, Ala.
Track star Jack Kelleher, who briefly played hoops for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up, died in mid-September 1944 from wounds the Infantryman incurred in France in an assault of Germany's Siegfried Line.
Nile Kinnick, Iowa's Heisman Trophy winner as a quarterback-halfback in 1939, played basketball for the Hawkeyes during his sophomore year, averaging 6.1 ppg to finish as their second-leading scorer. After bypassing pro football to attend law school, he was killed in a plane crash on June 2, 1943, on a routine training flight from the aircraft carrier USS Lexington off the coast of Venezuela while serving in the Navy. Kinnick's body never was recovered after his attempt to land in the water following a serious oil leak.
Eugene Leger, a letterman for Maine from 1940 through 1942 was killed at Tinker Field in Oklahoma City on January 28, 1946, when fire swept the hangar where he was working on B-29's slated to photograph the Bikini tests.
George Lenc, a four-year letterman for Augustana IL in the late 1930s, was completing cadet training as a bombardier and navigator in mid-November 1942 when his bomber crashed near Pasco, Wash.
Felix Little, a player for Catawba NC in the late 1930s, was a Navy bomber pilot among nine crew and passengers who perished on December 18, 1944, when a port engine exploded and plane crashed while leaving runway in Brazil.
Si Lobello, LIU's leading scorer for 1941 NIT titlist, served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater during WWII. He went missing during the Battle of the Bulge in early March 1945 and was later found to be killed in action.
James Loenshal, a Dickinson PA hooper, was co-pilot on a mission to bomb an oil refinery near Vienna on February 7, 1945, when the Lieutenant in Army Air Force's aircraft disintegrated in mid-air upon receiving a direct hit from enemy anti-aircraft artillery.
Walter "Whitey" Loos, an EIBC honorable mention selection as a Carnegie Tech PA center, died as a navigator in B-24 plane crash in Brazil in mid-January 1944 on the final leg of a journey to Europe.
Harry Martin, who played for Syracuse in 1916-17, was killed in 1923 when his plane crashed during takeoff at Kelly Field, Tex. Lieutenant and Army aviator served in the AEF in France during WWI.
Center Bill Menke, the third-leading scorer for Indiana's 1940 NCAA champion who supplied a team-high 10 points in the Hoosiers' national semifinal victory over Duquesne, later became a Navy pilot and served in World War II. In January 1945, he was declared missing in action (and presumed dead) when he didn't return from a flight in the Caribbean.
John Messina, a member of coach Frank Keaney's innovative fast-break system at Rhode Island State in the mid-1930s, was a First Lieutenant U.S. Army paratrooper when killed on July 13, 1943, during the invasion of Sicily.
Joe Minsavage appeared in 12 games for Syracuse before joining the Navy. On June 19, 1943, he was aboard Liberty Ship Henry Knox in the Indian Ocean when torpedoed by a Japanese submarine while en route to Iran. He was lost at sea.
Bob Morris, who averaged 6.5 ppg for Gettysburg PA in 1964-65, was killed in March of 1972 when U.S. Air Force captain's plane crashed in northeast Spain.
Harry Mosher, who led Hartwick NY with 23.2 ppg in 1964-65, was a 2nd Lieutenant in U.S. Army in early February 1968 when killed in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive.
Dick "Hook" Nein, who played for Navy in 1950-51, was a Lieutenant upon perishing on routine gunnery mission when his F86 crashed on November 8, 1954, as student pilot flew from Nellis AFB in Nevada.
Army Air Force Lieutenant Ralph Nutter, who played for McNeese State's first basketball team when the Louisiana school was a junior college, died in a plane crash in June 1943.
Mortimer "Whitey" O'Connell, who played a couple of seasons for Rutgers in the early 1930s, died on March 15, 1945, in a hospital in France.
Kenneth Omley, who played for Rutgers in the late 1930s and early 1940s, died while in England on November 25, 1944, as a result of wounds received in a plane crash.
Harry "Porky" O'Neill paced Gettysburg PA to two Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championships in the late 1930s and caught one game for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1939. After surviving the worst of the horrific fighting at Iwo Jima, the Marine first lieutenant was killed instantly on March 6, 1945, by a sniper's bullet piercing his throat and severing his spinal cord as he prepared to bed down on a starlit night. Gettysburg teammate Gerst Buyer, a First Lieutenant, had died on May 25, 1944, in Italy amid heavy Armored Division tank losses.
First Lieutenant Jim O'Sullivan (Bates ME) was killed in action in the South Pacific on April 3, 1943, when Marine pilot crash landed at Guadalcanal after returning from a task force coverage mission.
Captain Scott Pace, who played for Army in 2002-03, died in Afghanistan on June 6, 2012, when the helicopter he was piloting on patrol crashed after riddled by Taliban machine-gun fire.
Charles "Stubbie" Pearson, captain of Dartmouth's 1942 national runner-up and valedictorian of his class the same year, was killed in action on March 30, 1945, while dive-bombing a Japanese ship off the Palau Islands. Pearson, who also served as captain of the school's football squad, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Clyde Pennington, a Clemson letterman in 1935 and 1936, was an Army First Lieutenant who died in a non-battle accident in North Africa on July 23, 1943.
Four-sport letterman Tommy Peters, who averaged 17.5 ppg to lead the Southern Conference in scoring in 1942-43, died during WWII on April 9, 1945, while with the Seventh Army in Germany after only one season at Davidson. Because communications were out, Lieutenant did not know of the company withdrawal to alternate positions. Covering his platoon, he delayed the enemy in their attack by his continuous small arms fire and innumerable grenades, accounting for an estimated 50 enemy casualties.
San Diego State's Atwell Milton "Milky" Phelps, the NAIA Tournament's first bona fide standout when he sparked the Aztecs to the 1941 title after two runner-up finishes, gave his life for his country during WWII in the crash of a Navy torpedo bomber. He was in a training flight accident in November 1942 while preparing to become an Air Force pilot.
Curtis Popham, Texas' co-captain in 1943, was killed during WWII.
Les Powell, who averaged 11.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg for Utah State in 1965-66 and 1966-67, was a Corporal killed in action in Vietnam by a land mine in April 1969.
Charles Richardson, a three-year letterman for Gettysburg PA from 1963-64 through 1965-66, was a First Lieutenant piloting a Cessna Super Skymaster that crashed in South Vietnam on October 8, 1968. He was with a psychological air unit equipped with loudspeaker used to urge Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops to defect.
Robert Roach, a member of Omaha's squad before entering the military, was a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Forces in July 1945 when he died in the crash of his plane in Arizona, where he was an instructor.
Foy Roberson Jr., a three-year letterman for North Carolina from 1938 through 1940, was killed in a collision at sea on December 21, 1941, while Second Lieutenant in Army Air Corps piloted a military aircraft.
Jim Robertson was an All-Northwest Conference selection for Willamette OR in 1941-42. The Marine Corps airman's bomber, damaged by Japanese anti-aircraft fire during South Pacific mission (stronghold of Kavieng on island of New Ireland), overshot an island runway attempting landing in heavy rain and crashed into a lagoon shortly before midnight on April 20, 1944.
Glenn Sanford, who enrolled at Hillsdale MI in the late 1930s, was an Army Second Lieutenant stationed in Oakland area in early November 1943 when his plane spiraled into the ocean on a routine patrol along the coast.
James Scondras, a Holy Cross letterman in 1941 and 1942, was a First Lieutenant in U.S. Marines when killed by Japanese mortar fire on February 25, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Don Scott, who made a free throw for Ohio State's national runner-up in inaugural NCAA Tournament championship contest in 1939, died on October 1, 1943, when U.S. Army Air Forces captain's B-26 Marauder bomber crashed in England while in training after football All-American halfback already completed nine bombing missions during WWII.
Bernie "Lavoice" Scudday, a Texas letterman in 1942, was a First Lieutenant in Air Force on June 27, 1944, when killed after pilot's plane was hit by flak in the flight deck over France during a bombing run, went into a steep dive, crashed and exploded.
Wilmeth Sidat-Singh, Syracuse's first African-American athlete in the late 1930s, became a fighter pilot in unit known as the Tuskegee Airmen. On May 9, 1943, Sidat-Singh was on a training run over Lake Huron when he radioed his engine was on fire. He ejected from the plane but, upon striking the water, Sidat-Singh's parachute pulled him down and caused drowning.
Eber Simpson, who played for Army in 1941-42 and 1942-43, was the son of an Army Colonel who followed in his father's footsteps, serving in the Air Corps flying 102 missions and 193 sorties in the European Theater. Still in the service in mid-September 1946, he was returning home to Eau Claire, Wis., when his flight was grounded due to bad weather. Following a delay, the plane was cleared to depart but crashed shortly after takeoff, killing Captain Simpson and the four other men on board.
Carleton MN captain F. Wayne Sparks, a "Little All-American" forward in 1936-37, died in a bomber crash during WWII.
Roger Stearns, a Maine letterman in 1940-41, was Second Lieutenant killed in action in Northern Italy on April 22, 1945.
Len Supulski, a standout end who also played basketball for Dickinson PA, died in the crash of a B-17 bomber during a routine Army Air Corps training flight near Kearney, Neb., in late August 1943.
Charles Taggart, who played in 39 games for Syracuse in the early 1930s, was in the Navy on board the USS Frederick C. Davis on April 24, 1945, when the destroyer escort was torpedoed by a German U-boat.
Burton "Stretch" Thomson, a 6-6 letterman for Iowa State in 1936 and 1937, was an Army Captain in early 1942 when the Japanese captured Corregidor in the Philippines. In mid-May, he was bound after traitorous sergeant in his unit betrayed him to the enemy, taken to a remote area and executed. His remains were recovered in 1946.
Herb Tompkins, a three-year letterman for San Diego State and member of 1941 NAIB national championship team, was a Navy Corps officer who died when jet aircraft exploded and crashed near Kerr, Tex., on October 25, 1953.
Ed Tuttle, a forward for Lenior-Rhyne NC, was an Air Cadet in the spring of 1942 when his plane collided head-on with another during training in Florida.
Jimmy Walker was an All-SEC Tournament selection in 1934 and 1935 as an Alabama forward. While on duty as first lieutenant with the Navy, he was seriously wounded in an accident and died on December 22, 1943, in Brazil. \
William Ward, a Maine letterman in 1938-39, was taken prisoner with the fall of Bataan and died at Cabanatuan Prison Camp, Luzon, on July 20, 1942.
Four-time All-MCAU forward Eugene "Peaches" Westover, class of '38 for Drury MO, was killed December 12, 1944, at the Battle of the Bulge while private first class served in Armored Division.
Claude Whitney, an Indiana letterman in 1910 and 1911, was killed during World War I.
W.C. Williams, a Clemson letterman in 1940, was an Army Air Corps Major who died while piloting personnel on a ferrying mission in a plane accident in Alaska's Aleutian Islands on August 29, 1944.
Charles Wilson Jr., a Maine letterman from 1937-38 through 1939-40, was Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Forces. Flying instructor was killed at Londonderry, N.H., on September 30, 1943.
Billy Wohn, a guard for Rice in 1952-53, died in a plane accident in August 1953 while on active duty in the Naval ROTC.
Henry Woodward, a Clemson letterman from 1933 through 1935, was an Army Major killed in non-battle jeep accident on the Pennsylvania turnpike during maneuvers late in 1943.
Gene Wright played for Georgia Tech in 1943-44 before he was called into the Navy between the regular season and SEC Tournament. He died months later on Utah Beach in the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
Gene Ziesel, who also played football for Creighton, was the co-pilot on a bomber shot down by the Germans at high altitude on January 11, 1943, over Italy. Previously, he was a POW in Turkey after his plane was grounded there, but he did not survive the second time.
Numerous standout players had their college playing careers sidetracked by WWII. Following is a list of All-Americans who had their college days interrupted in the mid-1940s while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces:
Air Force - Charles Black (Kansas) and Jack Parkinson (Kentucky).
Army - Don Barksdale (UCLA), Lew Beck (Oregon State), A.L. Bennett (Oklahoma A&M), Gale Bishop (Washington State), Vince Boryla (Notre Dame/Denver), Harry Boykoff (St. John's), Bob Brannum (Kentucky), Arnie Ferrin (Utah), Alex Groza (Kentucky), Ralph Hamilton (Indiana), Walt Kirk (Illinois), Allie Paine (Oklahoma), Don Rehfeldt (Wisconsin), Jack Smiley (Illinois), Odie Spears (Western Kentucky) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma).
Marine Corps - Aud Brindley (Dartmouth), John Hargis (Texas), Mickey Marty (Loras), Andy Phillip (Illinois), Gene Rock (southern California) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming).
Navy - Bobby Cook (Wisconsin), Howie Dallmar (Stanford/Penn), Dick Dickey (North Carolina State), Bob Faught (Notre Dame), Harold Gensichen (Western Michigan), Wyndol Gray (Bowling Green State), Hal Haskins (Hamline), Leo Klier (Notre Dame), Dick McGuire (St. John's) and John Oldham (Western Kentucky).
In an incredible achievement, Phillip and Tucker returned to first-team All-American status in 1946-47 after missing three seasons while serving in the military. Black and Sailors also returned to All-American acclaim after missing two seasons. Meanwhile, Whitey Skoog served in the U.S. Navy before becoming a three-time All-American with Minnesota in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Gus Broberg, an aviator with the Marines after being named an NCAA consensus first-team All-American for Dartmouth in 1940 and 1941, lost his right arm in a plane crash. He went on to study law and become a respected judge in Florida. Eventual Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas Maurice Britt was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after suffering numerous wounds, including one causing his right arm to be amputated. In an intense fire fight during WWII, Britt personally killed five and wounded an unknown number of Germans, wiped out one enemy machine gun crew, fired five clips of carbine and an undetermined amount of M1 rifle ammunition plus threw 32 fragmentation grenades.
Fallen heroes also emerged post-WWII. Don Holleder, who averaged 9.3 ppg as a junior and 6.8 ppg as a senior for Army in the mid-1950s, was a major during the Vietnam War in October, 1967, when he was killed by a sniper's bullet in an ambush 40 miles from Saigon as he hurled himself into enemy fire attempting to rescue wounded comrades. Three months earlier, Don Steinbrunner, who averaged 3.9 ppg for Washington State in 1951-52 before playing with the NFL's Cleveland Browns, was an Air Force navigator shot down and killed over Vietnam.
Proud Americans honor and remember after they went from the playing field to battlefield! For instance, former Dayton standout Bucky Buckhorn had older brothers killed in WWII and the Korean War. That's why right-thinking Americans are disgusted when a Demonrat-controlled Senate several years ago had time for signing a letter encouraging the NFL to have the Washington Redskins change their "bigoted" nickname but wasn't "big" enough or sufficiently honorable to prevent stalling of a three-page veterans health bill. Perpetually-perplexing petty political parasites, transitioning from Tear Down This Wall to Tear Down This Stall, may forget their "sacred obligation" similar to previous POTUS' lame emphasis on climate change rather than military salutes at a Coast Guard ceremony. However, the remainder of us will be "Rolling Thunder" and not forget genuine heroes while tolerating kneeling knuckleheads/social scholars in the NFL, petty politicians (#SickWillie, #ShrillaryRotten, Schmucky Schumer, Speaker #NannyPathetic, #ShiftySchiff, fake squaw Liz-lies-a-lotta War(whoop)ren, #AlBore, #DuhBlasio, Governor Half-Whitmer, avowed Odd Squad socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Know-Nothing "Biggest Loser" Nadler, et al), lame-stream #MessMedia misfits such as textbook "Meathead" Rob Reiner and humiliated heavyset Hollyweird heavyweight Harvey Swinestein plus putrid press like "hacked" Joy-less Reid and Behar more invested in denying #TheDonald any success than inching closer to world peace. If haggard Michael Moore is going to put his fine body on the line and God is on side of know-nothing nags #MadMaxine and wacky "Get Out of My Butt" Whoopi, then this view is we'd be in deep spit if not for supreme sacrifices made by authentic heroes honored during Memorial Day celebration. In the meantime, Plagiarist Bi-dumb's "not very good people" will have to decide whether to be castigated by self-righteous leftists for intentionally killing people by failing to don a mask and practice "socialism" distancing or be labeled a racist for not supporting walking-in-close-quarters protesters, donning a BLM T-shirt and defunding law enforcement.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on May 28
Extra! Extra! If still double masked at home due to lack of Plagiarist Bidumb's Oval Office pushing to discern Chinese origin of COVID-19 or spending time seeking reparations from every fool who voted for hair-sniffer, you can read news in your office about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Frankie Baumholtz (Ohio University), Mickey Brantley (Columbia-Greene Community College SC), Bob Cerv (Nebraska), David Justice (Thomas More KY), Billy North (Central Washington), Larry Sheets (Eastern Mennonite VA) and Babe Young (Fordham) supplied significant performances as MLB outfielders on this date. Ex-NYU hoopers Hank Greenberg and Eddie Yost made American League news with their offensive outputs on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a May 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
MAY 28
In a 1954 game, Chicago Cubs CF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University basketball history to score 1,000 career points) stroked four hits against his original team (Cincinnati Reds).
Cincinnati Reds 2B Jim Begley (played hoops for San Francisco during first half of 1920s) went 1-for-5 and scored one run in 1924 doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals in his only MLB action.
In midst of hitting safely in 25 of 26 games (raising batting average 100 points from .211 to .311), Seattle Mariners LF Mickey Brantley (averaged 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 5.4 apg for Columbia-Greene Community College SC in 1979-80) collected four RBI in a 6-1 victory against the New York Yankees in 1988.
New York Yankees LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 whacked a pinch grand slam against the Chicago White Sox in a 1961 contest.
RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1922) acquired by the Philadelphia Athletics from Baltimore in 1928.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) smacked two homers in an 8-3 win against the New York Yankees in 1935.
Chicago Cubs 1B Jim Hickman (freshman hooper for Ole Miss in 1955-56) homered twice, including game-winning blast in the bottom of ninth inning, in an 8-7 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1970.
RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85) provided a two-run single to spark a ninth-inning rally propelling the Atlanta Braves past the San Diego Padres, 8-6, in 1991.
San Francisco Giants CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases in a game for the third time this month in 1981.
RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) traded by the Atlanta Braves to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.
Baltimore Orioles LF Larry Sheets (All-ODAC hoops selection in 1981-82 and 1982-83 with Eastern Mennonite VA) socked two homers against the California Angels in a 1987 outing.
Boston Red Sox RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) won his first nine decisions in the 1971 campaign, posting a 1.77 ERA in April and May.
Entering the game with a .177 batting average, Washington Senators 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan averaged 5.6 ppg in final season in 1947-48) went 3-for-3 and homered for the first of three consecutive contests in 1954 (all of his round-trippers for season in 106 outings).
As a substitute in a 17-inning tie, Los Angeles Dodgers rookie 3B John Werhas (USC's leading scorer in 1958-59 and 1959-60) collected a career-high three hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1964.
In 1994, Minnesota Twins DH Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected his 3,054th MLB hit, surpassing former Twin Rod Carew into 15th place on the all-time list.
Detroit Tigers 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) drew four walks in a 1960 game against the Cleveland Indians. He was in midst of receiving at least one free pass in last nine contests of the month en route to pacing A.L. in on-base percentage for second of back-to-back seasons.
New York Giants CF Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) went 4-for-4 against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1946 game.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Generating MLB Headlines on May 27
Extra! Extra! If still at home because of mixed masking messaging from Oval Office among variety of issues Plagiarist Bidumb is incapable of handling and flip-flopping commentary from Dr. Fraudci, you can read news in your office about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former Santa Clara basketball guards Tim Cullen and Randy Winn each supplied MLB-career defining games with at least four hits on this date. Ex-Manhattan hoopers Joe Gallagher and Andy Karl were involved in trades on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a May 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
MAY 27
CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Giants in 1930. Five years later, Allen was with the Philadelphia Phillies when he stroked four hits in a 4-2 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) whacked two homers against the Detroit Tigers in a 1933 game.
INF Pat Crawford (Davidson hoops captain in early 1920s) traded by the New York Giants to Cincinnati Reds in 1930.
Washington Senators 2B Tim Cullen (starting guard for Santa Clara in 1962-63 when averaging 10 ppg and 3.4 rpg) contributed four hits in an 8-1 victory against the Detroit Tigers in 1967.
Boston Red Sox rookie RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) tossed his fourth shutout in first six starts in 1945.
OF Joe Gallagher (Manhattan varsity hooper in 1934-35) was traded by the St. Louis Browns to Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940.
Baltimore Orioles 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) cracked a grand slam against the California Angels in a 1984 outing.
Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) provided at least three hits in fourth consecutive contest in 1981.
Los Angeles Dodgers RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1962 doubleheader.
RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman in mid-1930s) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Boston Braves in 1947.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) went 3-for-3 with three stolen bases against the Oakland Athletics in a 1994 game.
Chicago Cubs LF Les Mann (Springfield MA hooper in 1913 and 1914) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in a 1918 game.
MLB debut for Boston Red Sox LHP Stan Partenheimer (played varsity hoops with Wooster OH in 1943-44) was a start against the St. Louis Browns in 1944.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) fired the second of back-to-back shutouts in 1949.
Closer Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) traded by the California Angels to the Cincinnati Reds in 1996.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) provided three straight three-hit games in 1927. Four years later in 1931, Stephenson went 4-for-4, including three extra-base hits, against the Cincinnati Reds. In a 1932 contest, he went 4-for-4 again against the Reds.
In 1975, Oakland Athletics RHP Jim Todd (averaged 16 ppg for Millersville PA in 1968-69 after transferring from Parsons IA) didn't allow an earned run in nine straight relief appearances during the month until doing so against the Baltimore Orioles.
Seattle Mariners LF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) went 5-for-5 in a 15-7 triumph against the Kansas City Royals in 2003.
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