Extra! Extra! Instead of mocking drunk-on-power Drone Ranger Gen. "Way Off" Mark Milley defending "righteous" missile strike murdering Afghan family (primarily children) and audacious ex-#PlannedMurderhood commando, who presided over more than 350,000 abortions of innocent babies, demanding on most-distrusted-name-in-news CNN to "protect our children" by supporting onerous COVID regulations mandated by impatient/tongue-tied Plagiarist Bidumb's sanctimonious/manipulative administration, 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 Fordham hoopers Frankie Frisch and Babe Young provided significant National League hitting performances for the New York Giants while ex-San Diego State hoopers Tony Clark and Graig Nettles supplied decisive homers on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 17

• Cincinnati Reds CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) accumulated four hits in an 8-7 setback against the New York Giants in nightcap of 1927 doubleheader.

• New York Yankees C Benny Bengough (Niagara hoops letterman from 1916-17 through 1918-19) went 3-for-3 for the second time in 17 days in 1926.

• Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) supplied four hits against the Washington Senators in a 1949 game.

• Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) banged out four hits against the New York Yankees in a 1984 contest.

• Chicago Cubs RHP Ray Burris (two-sport standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) won his fifth straight start in 1975.

• Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) homered twice in back-to-back games against the Colorado Rockies in 2005.

• C Gene Desautels (hoops letterman for Holy Cross in 1929 and 1930) awarded on waivers from the Cleveland Indians to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945.

• Houston Astros RF Cameron Drew (averaged 15.4 ppg and team-high 8.9 rpg as sophomore in 1983-84 before becoming NECC first-team selection in 1984-85 when leading New Haven CT in scoring and rebounding) collected two of his three MLB hits, including a triple, against San Francisco Giants P Rick Reuschel in a 1988 contest.

• Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) jacked two homers against the Atlanta Braves in a 1979 outing.

• Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (letterman for Rutgers and Army) contributed three hits in a game for the second consecutive day in 1925.

• New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) smacked a decisive homer in the 10th inning of 5-4 decision over the Cincinnati Reds in 1926.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) homered in third consecutive contest, sixth out of last seven games and eighth out of last 11 outings.

• Baltimore Orioles 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) cracked a grand slam against the New York Yankees in a 1984 contest.

• New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) hurled a shutout against the Chicago Cubs in 1952.

• Toronto Blue Jays 3B Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) stroked a bases-loaded, game-winning single in the bottom of ninth inning in 5-4 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1984.

• Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) tossed his 11th shutout of the 1963 campaign, a modern MLB record for lefthander.

• Cleveland Indians rookie 3B Jack Kubiszyn (All-SEC first-team guard as senior averaged 18.3 ppg for Alabama from 1955-56 through 1957-58) provided a career-high three hits against the Minnesota Twins in the opener of 1961 twinbill.

• Chicago White Sox LHP Thornton Lee (Cal Poly hooper in 1925-26) hurled his second straight complete game yielding fewer than five hits.

• New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) provided three extra-base hits and five RBI against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1936 game.

• The longest hitting streak of the 1940 season ended at 21 games when Philadelphia Phillies rookie RF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) went hitless against the Cincinnati Reds.

• Philadelphia Phillies 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard hoops captain in 1938-39) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in opener of a 1944 doubleheader.

• Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) manufactured four hits in back-to-back games in 1930.

• St. Louis Cardinals RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) collected four hits and three RBI in a 1908 contest against the New York Giants.

• New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) supplied a go-ahead homer in 11th inning of 5-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976.

• Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 with four RBI against the New York Giants in nightcap of a 1947 twinbill.

• Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered in both ends of a 1971 doubleheader sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

• Montreal Expos OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and in assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90), born with 95% hearing disability, stroked his first MLB hit in 1993 (pinch two-run double against Philadelphia Phillies).

• Philadelphia Phillies SS Don Rader (Oregon hoops letterman in 1912) registered a career-high three hits in a 1921 game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

• Brooklyn Dodgers rookie 1B Jackie Robinson (PCC's leader in scoring average in 1939-40 and 1940-41 with UCLA) opened game's scoring with a homer and knocked in eventual winning run with double in 4-2 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates clinching 1947 N.L. pennant.

• Chicago Cubs utilityman Roe Skidmore (scored 41 points for Millikin IL in game against Illinois College on 1-28-66) delivered a pinch-hit single in his only MLB appearance in 1970 (off Jerry Reuss of St. Louis Cardinals).

• Chicago Cubs 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) cracked a two-run homer in the seventh inning to account for decisive blow in 3-2 triumph at Brooklyn in 1950.

• New York Yankees CF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) launched two homers in a 1983 game against the Cleveland Indians.

• New York Giants rookie 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) knocked in five runs against the Chicago Cubs in a 1940 contest. Two years later as a CF, Young had seven RBI in 1942 outing against the Cincinnati Reds.

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering where is the junk-journalism ridicule and accountability for egregious multitude of #MessMedia misfits (contemporaneous Michigan State athletic department beat writers and national correspondents covering USA Gymnastics) during Nasty Nassar's rampant eon-long reign of FBI-sanctioned molestation terror (adding to undeniable disgraceful tutelages of directors Robert Mueller and James Comey) involving 330-plus young females, 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 multiple different Michigan colleges - Don Lund (Michigan), Jim Northrup (Alma) and Robin Roberts (Michigan State) - 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 September 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 16

• Switch-hitting C Mark Bailey (Southwest Missouri State's top basketball rebounder in 1980-81) homered from both sides of the plate as Houston Astros rookie in 1984 game against the San Diego Padres.

• Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) established a dubious MLB record (subsequently tied by Todd Helton in 1998) by stranding 12 baserunners in an 18-5 victory against the New York Mets in 1972. Five years earlier, Beckert provided multiple hits for the sixth consecutive contest in 1967.

• Baltimore Orioles RF Angelo Dagres (averaged 6 ppg for Rhode Island in 1954-55) delivered a hit and scored a run in both ends of 1955 doubleheader sweep against the Washington Senators.

• Cleveland Indians rookie RF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a first-inning grand slam against the Washington Senators in 1948.

• St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924), en route to amassing 84 RBI as a leadoff hitter, singled in the contest's only run against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 10th inning in 1930.

• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Don Erickson Don Erickson (basketball scholarship recipient at Western Illinois as freshman in 1950-51 but signed pro contract before playing single game of hoops) lost his lone MLB decision (10-8 against Chicago Cubs in 1958) when reliever yielded a two-run single to 3B Alvin Dark (hoops letterman with Louisiana State in 1942-43 and Southwestern Louisiana in 1943-44) in top of the 10th inning.

• New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1922 doubleheader.

• Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the New York Giants in a 1955 game.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) stroked five hits against the Florida Marlins in a 2005 contest.

• St. Louis Browns RF Don Lund (Michigan starter in 1943-44 and 1944-45) went 4-for-4 in a 3-1 triumph against the Boston Red Sox in 1948.

• St. Louis Cardinals LF Irv Noren (hooper of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) homered in his third consecutive outing in 1958.

• Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered in fifth different and final contest during seven-game road trip in 1969. Five years later, Northrup was purchased from the Montreal Expos by the Baltimore Orioles in 1974.

• In 1954, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) became the first N.L. hurler to reach 20-win plateau five successive seasons since Carl Hubbell in mid-1930s.

• Chicago Cubs LF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) contributed three hits and five RBI in 1920 game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

• New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) knocked in five runs against the Detroit Tigers in a 1939 game.

• RHP Dave Sisler (All-Ivy League second-team selection for Princeton's first NCAA Tournament team in 1952) traded with cash by the Washington Senators to the Cincinnati Reds for P Claude Osteen in 1961.

• RHP Jack Spring (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) won his three starts this month in less than two weeks with the expansion Los Angeles Angels in 1961.

• New York Mets C John Stephenson (scored 1,361 points for William Carey MS in early 1960s) swatted two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1965 contest.

• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) permitted his only earned run in final 17 relief appearances of the 1984 campaign.

• St. Louis Browns SS Bud Thomas (Central Missouri hoops letterman in late 1940s) belted his lone MLB homer (third-inning blast against Philadelphia Athletics in nightcap of 1951 doubleheader).

• Pittsburgh Pirates rookie LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) hurled his second shutout in an 11-day span in 1963.

• Minnesota Twins 2B Jay Ward (McKendree IL hooper in 1956-57 before forgoing hoops to concentrate solely on pro baseball) reached base a total of four times with single and three walks in 2-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles in 1964.

• Boston Red Sox 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) whacked two homers against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1934 twinbill.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in nightcap of a 1924 doubleheader.

• In 1993, Minnesota Twins DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) singled against the Oakland A's for his 3,000th hit.

• Homering in his first of three consecutive contests in 2005, San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) went 4-for-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering if we're due for another #Dimorat damsel-in-distress AOC tearful gala-like "tax-the-witch" photo op at illegal alien cages or COVID-ridden tent city along Plagiarist Bidumb/Cacklin' Kamala porous southern border, 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 Bucknell hoopers Bob Keegan and Christy Mathewson provided noteworthy MLB pitching performances on this date. Ditto ex-Cincinnati hoopers Carl Bouldin and Sandy Koufax. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 15

• California Angels 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward with Santa Clara's 1970 NCAA playoff basketball team averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) went 5-for-5 against the Minnesota Twins in a 1975 game.

• Washington Senators RHP Carl Bouldin (All-NCAA Tournament selection for Cincinnati in 1961) posted his first MLB victory with his only complete game (3-1 nod over Chicago White Sox in 1962).

• California Angels 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) delivered four hits in a 1974 contest against the Chicago White Sox.

• Detroit Tigers rookie CF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) slugged two homers against the Washington Senators in a 1946 outing.

• In the opener of a 1946 doubleheader, Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) registered his 25th triumph, a 4-1 verdict over the Chicago White Sox.

• San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 4-for-4 against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1996 game.

• Los Angeles Dodgers RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 and contributed two assists in a 6-4 victory against the Chicago Cubs in 1962.

• Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) tossed his first of back-to-back shutouts in 1953.

• New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) homered twice against the St. Louis Browns in the opener of a 1945 doubleheader.

• In 1961, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) set a N.L. single-season record for most strikeouts by a lefthander.

• Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) supplied first four-hit game in his MLB career (against Washington Senators in 1952).

• Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s), en route to pacing the A.L. in ERA (2.10), hurled a three-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1940 on day commemorating his career.

• In 1908, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) defeated the St. Louis Cardinals for 24th straight time.

• In his MLB debut, Philadelphia Athletics RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke hoops letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) tossed a seven-inning, 2-0 shutout against the Cleveland Indians in nightcap of 1946 doubleheader, outdueling Hall of Famer Bob Feller.

• St. Louis Cardinals LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) whacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in nightcap of a 1957 twinbill.

• New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) knocked in five runs in opener of 1910 doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) traded by the Houston Astros to the New York Yankees in 1985.

• Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) jacked two homers against the Oakland Athletics in a 1968 contest.

• Oakland Athletics 2B Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) went 3-for-3 for the second successive contest in 1989.

• After missing three previous seasons while serving in U.S. Navy during WWII, Chicago White Sox RHP Johnny Rigney (top hoops center for St. Thomas MN in mid-1930s) twirled a three-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in nightcap of 1946 doubleheader.

• 2B Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) delivered a pinch-hit single in the bottom of ninth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to 5-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals.

• Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) homered twice against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1952 outing.

• Washington Senators LHP Orlin "Buck" Rogers (Virginia hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) lost his lone MLB decision in debut as a starter against the Cleveland Indians in 1935.

• Milwaukee Brewers LF Ted Savage (Lincoln MO scoring average leader in 1955-56) collected two triples and homer against the Oakland Athletics in a 1970 game.

• An eighth-inning bloop single by Philadelphia Athletics 1B Dick Siebert (Concordia-St. Paul MN hooper in 1929 and 1930) broke up a no-hit bid by Cleveland Indians P Bob Feller in 1940.

• Cleveland Indians RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) closed out the 1966 campaign with seven straight quality starts, compiling a 1.61 ERA in that span.

• Minnesota Twins RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) hurled his first MLB shutout in 1984 (1-0 against original MLB team Texas Rangers).

• Atlanta Braves rookie LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) won his fourth straight start in 1968, notching a 1.69 ERA in that span.

• Montreal Expos 2B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with Southern California in 1963-64) stroked four hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1969 contest.

• Kansas City Royals C John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) went 4-for-4 in a 7-6 win against the Oakland Athletics in opener of 1977 twinbill.

• Washington Senators LHP Eddie Wineapple (averaged 13.9 ppg with Providence in 1928-29) made his lone MLB appearance, toiling four innings in the opener of a 1929 doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.

• Cleveland Indians rookie RF Ab Wright (Oklahoma A&M hoops letterman in 1928-29) contributed four hits and four against the Washington Senators in opener of a 1935 twinbill.

Extra! Extra! Instead of cursing bureaucrats stiffing veterans' groups doing Blinkeng-from-fear State Department and over-the-rainbow DOD duty vowed by Plagiarist Bidumb about evacuating American citizens/allies from "Tally-bon"-controlled Afghanistan, 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 Big Apple college hoopers Ralph Branca (NYU), Hank Greenberg (NYU) and Andy Karl (Manhattan) supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ex-Duke hoopers Chubby Dean and Dick Groat also made MLB news on this date. Groat was joined by fellow All-American Eddie O'Brien (Seattle) in generating headlines for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 14

• New York Yankees RHP Rich Beck (listed on Gonzaga's basketball roster in 1961-62) fanned eight batters and walked none while allowing one earned run in his seven-inning debut against the Washington Senators in 1965.

• St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1937 contest.

• Showing no indication of 20-year-old jitters in a pennant race, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) hurled a 5-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946.

• 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 5-for-6 with three homers and seven RBI in an 11-8 setback against the Cleveland Indians in 1987.

• New York Yankees rookie LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) collected two homers and five RBI against the Detroit Tigers in a 1954 game. Four years later with the Kansas City Athletics, Cerv clubbed a homer in both ends of 1958 doubleheader against the Yankees.

• Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) contributed three extra-base hits and four RBI against the St. Louis Browns in a 1932 game.

• Philadelphia Athletics LHP Chubby Dean (reserve guard for Duke in 1936) made his MLB pitching debut as the ex-1B hurled three innings of scoreless relief against the St. Louis Browns in 1937.

• Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) provided four hits against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1947 twinbill.

• Boston Red Sox LF Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) contributed seven RBI in a 13-10 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1957.

• Boston Red Sox RHP Dave Gray (hooper for Weber State in early 1960s when school was junior college) made his lone MLB start in 1964.

• Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) launched a homer for the fifth consecutive contest and extra-base hit for the 10th straight outing in 1940. Six years later, Greenberg contributed two homers and seven RBI in a 7-4 win against the New York Yankees.

• Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) went 4-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants in 1962.

• Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) smacked a pinch-hit grand slam in an 8-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1979.

• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman from 1933 through 1935) collected his sixth save the first half of month in 1945.

• In the midst of a career-high 12-game hitting streak, Philadelphia Phillies rookie SS Ralph LaPointe (Vermont hoops letterman during WWII) provided three extra-base hits (including his lone MLB homer) in manufacturing four safeties in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second straight day in 1947.

• Houston Astros CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) collected three hits and three runs in his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds in 1991.

• St. Louis Cardinals rookie CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) provided his third four-hit game in a four-day span in 1974.

• St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) fanned four Cincinnati Reds batters in 2 1/3 innings but yielded his only earned run in 11 relief appearances during the month in 1960.

• In 1974, 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered for the New York Yankees in the first inning before brother Jim Nettles homered for the Detroit Tigers in the second. Four years later, Graig Nettles clobbered two homers against the Tigers in a 1978 outing.

• Pittsburgh Pirates INF/OF Eddie O'Brien (Seattle All-American in 1952-53) took to the mound and hurled a complete-game, 3-1 victory against the Chicago Cubs in opener of 1957 doubleheader.

• St. Louis Browns CF Ray Pepper (Alabama hoops letterman in 1926-27) provided at least four hits in a game for the fifth consecutive month in 1934.

• Chicago White Sox rookie RF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) banged out four hits and scored three runs for the second time in a three-game span in 1928.

• Seattle Mariners RF Leon Roberts (grabbed one rebound in four basketball games for Michigan in 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr) contributed a run-scoring double and grand slam in 7-5 win against the Kansas City Royals in 1979.

• Chicago Cubs LF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) went 5-for-5 (including three extra-base hits) and scored four runs in 1920 outing against the Brooklyn Robins.

• Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) improved his record to 20-2 in 1951 with a 3-1 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Cincinnati Reds OF Ted Tappe (leading scorer in 1949 NJCAA Tournament was Washington State's third-leading scorer following year) smacked a pinch-hit homer in his first MLB at-bat (against Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950).

• Washington Senators 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1953 contest.

• Boston Braves rookie C Luke Urban (player-coach for Boston College's hoops squad from 1918-19 through 1920-21) hit safely in his first nine games of the month in 1927.

• Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS), supported by Roberto Clemente's pair of homers, blanked the New York Mets, 6-0, in 1968. It was Veale's second shutout in a week.

• California Angels RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected two homers and five RBI in a 1990 game against the Seattle Mariners.

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering if significant ratings and circulation declines for legacy press pestilence during JB's witless whisperer presidency will spur #MessMedia to endorse Donald J. Trump's return to salvage their journalistic-junk industry, 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 Arizona hoopers Hank Leiber and Kenny Lofton 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 September 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 13

• Detroit Tigers 1B Dale Alexander (starting basketball center in mid-1920s for Milligan TN) delivered four hits in an 11-10 win against the New York Yankees in the opener of 1930 doubleheader.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) provided four hits in a 5-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935.

• Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) went 5-for-5 against the San Francisco Giants in a 1958 game.

• Final MLB triumph for RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) was a three-hit shutout with the St. Louis Browns against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1942.

• California Angels RHP Mike Barlow (Syracuse hooper from 1967-68 through 1969-70) won his third game in six days in 1977, yielding zero earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in that span.

• RHP Bill Beckmann (Washington MO hooper in late 1920s) posted a clutch victory in his next-to-last MLB appearance and St. Louis Cardinals' debut to help them win 1942 N.L. pennant.

• Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Andy Benes (played briefly for Evansville in 1985-86 under coach Jim Crews) allowed only one hit in 8 1/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds in 1998. He subsequently hurled a total of 15 scoreless frames in his last two starts of the season.

• Washington Senators 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) went 4-for-4 in a 7-1 win against his original team (Chicago White Sox) in opener of 1938 doubleheader.

• RHP Ownie Carroll (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1922) purchased from the New York Yankees by the Cincinnati Reds in 1930.

• In 1997, San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) reached the 200-hit plateau in a lone season for fifth time in his career.

• Los Angeles Dodgers C Tom Haller (Illinois backup forward in 1956-57 and 1957-58) smacked a pinch-hit, three-run homer in 10th inning in 5-3 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1970.

• In 1972, Detroit Tigers 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) socked his 13th career homer off his apparent favorite pitcher - Baltimore Orioles starter Dave McNally.

• Los Angeles Dodgers LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) smacked two homers against the New York Mets in a 1966 contest.

• Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) went 4-for-4 against the Atlanta Braves in a 1966 outing.

• Chicago Cubs CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) went 4-for-4 with four runs, two homers and six RBI against the Boston Braves in a 1939 contest.

• Washington Senators CF Don Lock (paced Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) secured his fifth two-homer game of the 1964 campaign.

• In 1992, Cleveland Indians rookie Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) broke the A.L. record for stolen bases by a first-year player with thefts #53 and #54. Lofton went on to finish the campaign with league-high 66 steals and 14 assists by a center fielder.

• Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) made his first MLB start for the New York Giants in 1900.

• Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Greasy Neale (hooper graduated in 1915 from West Virginia Wesleyan) had his 12-game hitting streak snapped by the New York Giants in 1916.

• In 1967, Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (played for Grove City PA in mid-1950s) and Cleveland Indians RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight second-team selection) each tossed 11 shutout innings as starters before the White Sox finally won by scoring in 17th frame.

• St. Louis Browns RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer two seasons in early 1930s for Mount Morris IL/Manchester IN) provided his eighth multiple-hit game at the plate during 1945 campaign.

• Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) scored upon for only time in span of 14 relief appearances until his final regular-season outing in 1969. Six years later with the Chicago White Sox, Upshaw permitted an earned run for the only time in his last 11 MLB relief appearances over final two months of the 1975 campaign.

• Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) pounded two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in nightcap of a 1953 doubleheader.

• Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) made an unassisted double play against the Chicago White Sox in 1953.

• Grand slam by Seattle Mariners LF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) proved to be the difference in a 5-1 victory against the Anaheim Angels in 2003.

Extra! Extra! Instead of mocking #MessMedia misfits trying to discern whether rooftop-dancing bartender AOC, Master of Disaster Plagiarist Bidumb, romance novelist Stacey Abrams, Cacklin' Kamala, Andrew "Kinky" Cuomo, Michael #Avenaughty, Sick Willie, #ShrillaryRotten, John Edwards, Blasey Fraud, Al Franken, Al Bore, Katie Hill, Lori Lightweight, #MadMaxine, brother-loving Odd Squad orator Omar, prayerful Speaker #NannyPathetic, Adam #SackofSchiff, Schmucky Schumer, T-bone buddy Spartacus, Eliot Spitzer, Eric "Chinese Checker(out)" Swalwell, fake squaw #Liesalot Warren or Anthony Weiner is most credible #Dimorat, 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 Manhattan hoopers Buddy Hassett and Xavier Rescigno supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto three ex-hoopers from small colleges in Pennsylvania - Al Downing (Muhlenberg), Frank Grube (Lafayette) and Monte Irvin (Lincoln). Former juco hoopers Darrell Evans (Pasadena City CA) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central) each went downtown twice in at least one game on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 12

• Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) tied MLB single-season mark in 1956 when swatting his 13th homer against a single team (Brooklyn Dodgers).

• Washington Senators OF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after being runner-up in both categories the previous season) debuted in 1965 with a pinch-hit homer on first pitch to him against the California Angels.

• Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) posted his second win streak of at least six games en route to leading the A.L. in winning percentage in 1935.

• Boston Braves rookie 2B Jack Dittmer (played hoops briefly for Iowa in 1949-50), entering a 1952 doubleheader hitting .182, belted a homer in both ends of the twinbill while going 5-for-8 and scoring five runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Al Downing (attended Muhlenberg PA on hoops scholarship but departed before ever playing) tossed a two-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1974.

• Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1973 game against the San Francisco Giants. The next year as a 1B, Evans homered in both ends of 1974 doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds.

• Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) toiled 11 innings to beat the Minnesota Twins, 2-1, in 1962.

• In 1931, Chicago White Sox rookie C Frank Grube (Lafayette starting hoops guard as senior in 1926-27) launched his lone MLB homer.

• Brooklyn Robins rookie 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive contests in 1930 and 1931) supplied a pair of doubles in both ends of 1936 twinbill split against the St. Louis Cardinals.

• Los Angeles Dodgers RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 against the New York Mets in a 1964 contest. Four years later as a 1B with the Washington Senators, Howard homered twice against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1968 outing.

• Extending his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games in a row, New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) provided three hits in each contest of a 1952 doubleheader split with the Cincinnati Reds.

• Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) homered twice against the Houston Astros in a 1992 game.

• Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) drilled two homers against the New York Yankees in a 1971 contest.

• Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1940 outing.

• RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western hoops letterman in 1929-30) awarded on waivers from the Philadelphia Athletics to the Detroit Tigers in 1939.

• LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) shipped by the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres in 1983 to complete an earlier deal.

• Pittsburgh Pirates rookie RHP Xavier Rescigno (Manhattan hooper in 1932 and 1933) registered his lone MLB shutout (four-hitter against Cincinnati Reds in nightcap of 1943 doubleheader).

• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) tallied his seventh save in less than a month in 1976.

• Cleveland Indians 3B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) jacked two taters in a 1996 game against the California Angels.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) launched two homers and triple among his four hits in a 1924 game against his original team (Chicago Cubs).

• Chicago Cubs RHP Jim Willis (Northwestern State hoops letterman in 1944-45 and from 1947-48 through 1949-50) tossed back-to-back complete-game victories in 1953.

Extra! Extra! Instead of watching series of delusional #Dimorat experts at stealing valor on a sacred day (9/11) and discussing F-Biden yard signs/football-game chants from those individuals for whom Plagiarist Bidumb has more animosity than Taliban thugs, 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 Texas college hoopers Len Goldstein (Texas Wesleyan), Dutch Meyer (TCU), Wally Moon (Texas A&M) and Carl Reynolds (Southwestern) made MLB headlines on this date. Ditto ex-NYU hoopers Ralph Branca and Hank Greenberg plus ex-CA community college hoopers Darrell Evans and Bob Oliver. Several former small-college hoopers from Illinois also made MLB news on this date - Geoff Hartlieb (Quincy), Champ Summers (SIUE) and Evar Swanson (Knox). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 11 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 11

• Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) suffered a broken hand, ending his 1954 season.

• St. Louis Browns RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) fired his second five-hit shutout in a 10-day span in 1940.

• Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) banged out four hits for the second time in a seven-game span in 1919.

• Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) went 5-for-5 with four RBI in a 17-2 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936.

• Although only 21 years old, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) notched his 20th victory in 1947.

• Baltimore Orioles rookie OF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) provided four hits for the second time in a five-game span in 1973.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average at least 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) homered twice in a 5-4 triumph against the Boston Red Sox in 1952.

• Cleveland Indians 3B Frank Ellerbe (Wofford hooper after transferring from Sewanee TN) whacked a pinch-hit, grand slam in top of ninth inning of 12-7 win against the St. Louis Browns in opener of 1924 twinbill.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club that won 1967 state community college crown) went 4-for-4 in a 1984 contest against the Baltimore Orioles.

• Boston Braves 1B Kerby Farrell (key hooper for couple of strong Freed-Hardeman TN squads in mid-1930s) supplied four hits against the New York Giants in a 13-inning game in 1943.

• Chicago Cubs LF Jim Gleeson (captain and all-conference honoree graduated in 1933 from Rockhurst MO) stroked three doubles in an 8-5 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the opener of a 1940 doubleheader.

• Cincinnati Reds 1B Lon Goldstein (Texas Wesleyan hoops standout in late 1930s) singled as a pinch-hitter in his first MLB plate appearance in 1943 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was Goldstein's lone MLB safety.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) secured four hits against the Washington Senators in a 1935 outing.

• San Francisco Giants All-Star LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 as a sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith) fanned 14 Houston Astros in a 1983 game.

• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Geoff Hartlieb (averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Quincy IL in 2012-13 before transferring to Lindenwood MO to concentrate on baseball) yielded only two hits during stretch of six straight scoreless relief appearances totaling 7 1/3 innings in 2020.

• Brooklyn Robins CF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1928 twinbill.

• New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) contributed his fifth steal of home during the 1951 campaign.

• Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (played for Binghamton in 1948-49) contributed four hits for the second time in three games in 1955.

• New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed shutouts in 1906 and 1909.

• CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) scampered all the way home from first base after an errant pickoff attempt for the decisive run, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 25-inning, 4-3 win at New York in 1974. The marathon was the longest game to a decision in MLB history, lasting 7 hours 4 minutes.

• Detroit Tigers 2B Dutch Meyer (Texas Christian hoops letterman in 1934-35 and 1935-36) manufactured two doubles among his four hits in a 5-4 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1941.

• Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) delivered two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a 1959 twinbill. Moon also homered in his next three contests.

• Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 and scored four runs against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1932 doubleheader.

• New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) cracked two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1975 outing.

• Utilityman Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) traded by the California Angels to Baltimore Orioles for a player to be designated and cash in 1974.

• Cincinnati Reds 2B Pinky Pittenger (set Toledo's single-game scoring standard with 49 points in 1918-19) went 6-for-8, including his lone MLB homer, and scored five runs against the Boston Braves in a 1927 twinbill.

• Chicago Cubs INF Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) pounded a grand slam in a 7-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971.

• Chicago White Sox rookie RF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in a 1928 game against the Detroit Tigers.

• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) hurled a three-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1959, ending rookie 1B Willie McCovey's 22-game hitting streak.

• A pinch-hit, three-run homer in the 12th inning by OF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) powered the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1976.

• OF Evar Swanson (played all five positions for Knox IL when it was known as Lombard College) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago White Sox for two players to be designated in 1932.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) stroked three doubles against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1920 game. Three years later, Williams homered twice against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1923 contest.

• San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) doubled in his fifth consecutive outing with multiple hits in 2005.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 10 in football at the professional level (especially in 1978):

SEPTEMBER 10

• Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught nine passes for 127 yards in a 14-10 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979 en route to becoming Philly's all-time receiving leader.

• Buffalo Bills LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in a 19-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2006 season opener.

• Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) opened the AAFC game's scoring with a 27-yard touchdown catch in 17-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948.

• Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 35-30 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978.

• Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught six passes for 100 yards in a 21-20 setback against the New York Jets in 1978. Jets SS Shafer Suggs (averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg in three-year career, setting Ball State record with nine consecutive field goals without miss and leading Cardinals in rebounding in 1974-75) returned an interception 32 yards.

• Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 23-10 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006 season opener.

• San Diego Chargers SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) intercepted two passes in a 14-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1995.

• Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned an interception 44 yards in 10-0 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1978.

• San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 13-12 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1990 season opener.

• QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97), the Philadelphia Eagles' all-time passing leader, passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-10 win against the Houston Texans in 2006 season opener.

• Brooklyn Dodgers QB Reino Nori (four-year hoops letterman for Northern Illinois in mid-1930s) threw a decisive 60-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of 13-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1937.

• Buffalo Bills WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Jack Kemp (24 and 27 yards) in a 20-17 win against the New York Jets in 1967 AFL season opener.

• Chicago Cardinals TB Jack Robbins (repeated as All-SWC first-team selection in 1938 for Arkansas) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (46 and 30 yards) in a 21-13 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1939 season opener.

• WR Rod Smith (Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore swingman in 1990-91), the Denver Broncos' all-time receiving leader, caught two touchdown passes from Brian Griese in a 42-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2000.

• Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 win against the New York Giants in 1978.

• In 1961 AFL season opener, Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 132 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 22-10 win against the Buffalo Bills.

• Cincinnati Bengals rookie TE Melvin Tuten (scored seven points in four games for Syracuse in 1994-95 under coach Jim Boeheim) caught a go-ahead touchdown pass in 24-17 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 9 in football at the professional level (especially in 2007):

SEPTEMBER 9

• Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) provided the game's decisive touchdown by returning an interception 32 yards in 25-20 win against the Houston Oilers in 1967 AFL season opener. Oilers rookie CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned a kickoff 43 yards in his pro debut.

• Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 10 passes for 133 yards in a 36-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 2007 season opener.

• San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes for 107 yards in a 14-3 win against the Chicago Bears in 2007 season opener.

• Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (led Heidelberg OH in scoring average as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 55-0 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1961 AFL season opener.

• Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught two touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in a 30-28 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2019 season opener.

• Washington Redskins TE Jimmie Johnson (averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Howard University in 1988-89) caught a touchdown pass from QB Mark Rypien in each of first two games of 1991 season.

• In 1968 AFL season opener, Kansas City Chiefs DT Ernie Ladd (intended on only playing hoops for Grambling before legendary coach Eddie Robinson got him to play football) intercepted a pass in 26-21 win against the Houston Oilers.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 312 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 20-17 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2001 season opener.

• Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo in a 45-35 win against the New York Giants in 2007 season opener.

• New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught five passes for 175 yards - including two touchdowns from Lee Grosscup (80 and 64 yards) - in a 28-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1962 AFL season opener.

• Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had five pass receptions for 162 yards in a 16-13 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2007 season opener.

• Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 27-24 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1979.

• Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-13 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1979.

• Los Angeles Dons rookie E Dick Wilkins (leading scorer for Oregon's all-time winningest team in 1944-45) caught a touchdown pass in each of his first two AAFC games in 1949.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 8 in football at the professional level (especially ex-Florida State hoopers Brad Johnson and Tommy Polley in 2002 season openers):

SEPTEMBER 8

• New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered three sacks in a 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985 season opener.

• Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had nine pass receptions for 108 yards in a 23-10 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2013 season opener.

• Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff George in a 28-27 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997. Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had eight pass receptions for 162 yards.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 154 yards in an 18-17 setback against the New York Jets in 2013 season opener.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 26-20 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2002 season opener. The next year, Johnson threw two second-half TD passes in a season-opening 17-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2002 season opener.

• St. Louis Rams LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had nine solo tackles in a 23-16 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2002 season opener.

• In 1985 season opener, Oakland Raiders LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 61.7% from floor as Michigan State sophomore in 1970-71) had two sacks in a 31-0 win against the New York Jets.

• In pro debut, New England Patriots WR Derwin Williams (New Mexico hooper in 1979-80) had NFL-career highs with five pass receptions and 94 receiving yards in a season-opening 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985.

The Baseball Hall of Fame is hallowed ground. This week marks a delayed induction in quaint Cooperstown, N.Y., after COVID-19 took control of the world. A couple of years ago, inductee Lee Smith was a versatile athlete who went from a major-college basketball court in Louisiana (with Northwestern State) to holding court as one of the one percent of players achieving stardom in baseball's HOF. The following individuals among the more than 300 MLB Hall of Famers were college hoopers:

WALTER ALSTON, Miami (Ohio)
Managed the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 seasons (1954 through 1976), winning seven National League pennants and three World Series. In eight All-Star Game assignments, Alston was the winning manager a record seven times. He struck out in his only major league at-bat with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936. . . . The 6-2, 195-pound Alston, a charter member of his alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame, lettered in basketball in 1932-33, 1933-34 and 1934-35. He scored 10 of Miami's 15 points in a 32-15 defeat against Indiana in his senior season.

LOU BOUDREAU, Illinois
Infielder hit .295 in 15 seasons (1938 through 1952) with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. Managed Indians, Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics and Chicago Cubs, starting his managerial career at the age of 24 in 1942. As player-manager in 1948, the shortstop led Cleveland to the A.L. title and earned MVP honors by hitting .355 with 116 RBI. He hit a modest .273 in the World Series. The seven-time All-Star led the A.L. with 45 doubles on three occasions (1941, 1944 and 1947) and paced the league in batting average in 1944 (.327). . . . Played two varsity basketball seasons for Illinois (1936-37 and 1937-38) under coach Doug Mills. As a sophomore, Boudreau led Illinois in scoring with an 8.7-point average as the team shared the Big Ten Conference title. Compiled an 8.8 average the next year. After helping the Illini upset St. John's in a game at Madison Square Garden, the New York Daily News described him as "positively brilliant" and said he "set up countless plays in breathtaking fashion." Averaged 8.2 ppg for Hammond (Ind.) in the National Basketball League in 1938-39.

ALBERT B. "HAPPY" CHANDLER, Transylvania (Ky.)
Twice governor of Kentucky (1935-39 and 1955-59), U.S. senator (1939-45) and commissioner of baseball (1945-51). He oversaw the initial steps toward integration of the major leagues. Democrat embraced the "Dixiecrats" in the late 1940s. . . . Captain of Transylvania's basketball team as a senior in 1920-21.

GORDON "MICKEY" COCHRANE, Boston University
Hall of Famer hit .320 (highest career mark ever for a catcher) with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers in 13 seasons from 1925 through 1937. Swatted three homers in a single game as a rookie. Lefthanded swinger was A.L. MVP in 1928 and 1934. Led the A.L. in on-base percentage in 1933 (.459) and ranked among the league top nine in batting average five times (1927-30-31-33-35). Participated in five World Series (1929-30-31-34-35). . . . Five-sport athlete with BU, including basketball (class of '24).

EARLE COMBS, Eastern Kentucky
Hall of Fame outfielder hit .325 with the New York Yankees in 12 seasons from 1924 through 1935. Lefthanded swinger led the A.L. in hits with 231 in 1927 when he also paced the the league in singles and triples. Also led the A.L. in triples in 1928 and 1930. Assembled a 29-game hitting streak in 1931. Leadoff hitter and "table-setter" for the Yankees' potent "Murderer's Row" offense ranked among the A.L. top six in runs eight straight years when he became the first player in modern major league history to score at least 100 runs in his first eight full seasons. Posted a .350 batting average in four World Series (1926-27-28-32) before a pair of serious collisons shortened his productive career. Served as coach with the Yankees (1936-44), St. Louis Browns (1947), Boston Red Sox (1948-54) and Philadelphia Phillies (1955). . . . Captain of his alma mater's basketball squad for three years when EKU was known as Eastern State Normal.

LARRY DOBY, Virginia Union
Outfielder hit .283 with 253 home runs and 969 RBI in a 13-year career from 1947 through 1959 with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. The first black player in the American League twice led the A.L. in homers (32 in 1952 and 1954). He was the first African-American to lead a league in homers (1952 and 1954) and the first to participate in the World Series (1948). Hit 20 or more round-trippers eight consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1956 while finishing among the A.L. top nine in slugging percentage each year. The seven-time All-Star drove in 100 or more runs five times, leading the A.L. with 126 in 1954 when the Indians won 111 games before being swept by the New York Giants in the World Series. Appeared in 1948 and 1954 World Series with the Indians, winning Game 4 in '48 with a homer off Braves star Johnny Sain. Doby managed the White Sox for most of 1978 (37-50 record). . . . The 6-1, 180-pounder attended LIU on a basketball scholarship but transferred to Virginia Union prior to the start of the season after Uncle Sam summoned him for World War II service. Doby was told Virginia Union had a ROTC program and he could complete his freshman season before being drafted. He became eligible the second semester of the 1942-43 season and was a reserve guard on a team that won the CIAA title.

RICK FERRELL, Guilford (N.C.)
Catcher hit over .300 five times en route to a .281 career batting average with the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators in 18 years from 1929 through 1947. He set an A.L. record with 1,805 games behind the plate. Traded with his brother (pitcher Wes Ferrell) from Boston to Washington during the 1937 campaign. . . . The 5-10, 160-pounder was a basketball forward before graduating in 1928.

FRANKIE FRISCH, Fordham
Registered a run of 11 consecutive .300 seasons and set fielding records for chances and assists with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1927. As player-manager with the Cards, he instilled the rollicking all-out style of hardnosed play that prompted a team nickname of "The Gashouse Gang." His season strikeout total topped 20 only twice en route to a .316 average in his 19-year career, which also included a stint with the New York Giants. . . . According to his bio in Total Baseball, "The Fordham Flash" captained the Rams' basketball squad. In 1925, Frisch officiated the first-ever game played in the Rose Hill Gym (the oldest NCAA Division I facility in the nation).

BOB GIBSON, Creighton
Compiled a 251-174 pitching record with 3,117 strikeouts and 2.91 ERA in 17 seasons (1959 through 1975) with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1968, he pitched 13 shutouts en route to a 1.12 ERA, the second-lowest since 1893 in 300 innings. Gibson notched a 7-2 mark and 1.89 ERA in nine games in the 1964, 1967 and 1968 World Series (92 strikeouts in 81 innings). He set a World Series record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers on October 2, 1968. . . . First Creighton player to average 20 ppg for his career (20.2). Led the school in scoring in 1955-56 (40th in the country with 22 ppg) and 1956-57 and was second-leading scorer in 1954-55 before playing one season (1957-58) with the Harlem Globetrotters. Sketch from school brochure: "Possesses outstanding jump shot and for height (6-1) is a terrific rebounder."

TONY GWYNN, San Diego State
Padres outfielder hit .338 in 20 seasons (1982 through 2001), winning eight N.L. batting titles--1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Played in 15th All-Star Game in 1999 before topping the 3,000-hit plateau later in the year. Holds N.L. record for most years leading league in singles (six). Won a Gold Glove five times (1986-87-89-90-91). He hit .368 in the 1984 N.L. Championship Series to help San Diego reach the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Also participated in the 1998 World Series against the New York Yankees. Became baseball coach at his alma mater after retiring from the major leagues. . . . Averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.5 apg in 107 games with the Aztecs in four seasons (1977-78 through 1980-81). The 5-11, 170-pound guard was named second-team All-Western Athletic Conference as both a junior and senior. Led the WAC in assists as both a sophomore and junior and was third as senior. Paced San Diego State in steals each of his last three seasons. Selected in the 10th round of 1981 NBA draft by the San Diego Clippers.

MONTE IRVIN, Lincoln (Pa.)
Outfielder-first baseman hit .293 with 99 home runs and 443 RBI in eight major league years (1949 through 1956) with the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs. Irvin led the N.L. in RBI with 121 in 1951, the same year he led the World Series in hitting (.458 vs. crosstown Yankees) after collecting seven hits in the first two contests of the six-game set. He was a member of the Giants' squad that swept the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series. The 6-1, 195-pounder was one of the first black players signed after baseball's color line was broken in 1947. Among the brightest stars in the Negro Leagues, he registered league highs of .422 in 1940 and .396 in 1941 before spending three years in the Army. . . . His athletic career was nearly prematurely ended when an infection from a scratched hand in a basketball game kept him close to death for seven weeks. Irvin participated in basketball for 1 1/2 years in the late 1930s for Lincoln, an all-black university in Oxford, Pa., before dropping out of school.

SANDY KOUFAX, Cincinnati
Compiled a 165-87 record and 2.76 ERA in 12 seasons as a lefthanded pitcher with the Brooklyn (1955 through 1957) and Los Angeles (1958 through 1966) Dodgers. Led the N.L. in ERA in each of his last five seasons, going 25-5 in 1963 (MVP), 26-8 in 1965 and 27-9 in 1966 (Cy Young Award). Pitched four no-hitters and had 98 games with at least 20 strikeouts. Notched a 4-3 record and 0.95 ERA in eight World Series games in 1959, 1963 (MVP), 1965 (MVP) and 1966. . . . The Brooklyn native attended Cincinnati one year on a combination baseball/basketball scholarship before signing a pro baseball contract for a reported $20,000 bonus. He was the third-leading scorer with a 9.7-point average as a 6-2, 195-pound forward for the Bearcats' 12-2 freshman team in 1953-54. Koufax compiled a 3-1 pitching record in his lone college baseball campaign, averaging 14.3 strikeouts and 8.4 bases on balls per game when his statistics are converted to a nine-inning game ratio. . . . Ed Jucker, coach of Cincinnati's NCAA titlists in 1961 and 1962, directed the Bearcats' baseball squad and freshman basketball team in 1953-54. Jucker said of Koufax's basketball ability: "He could jump extremely well, was a strong kid and a good driver. He would have made a fine varsity player. We certainly could have used him." If viewers pay attention to CBS acknowledging celebrities in the stands during telecasts with crowd shots, they've probably noticed that Koufax regularly attends the Final Four.

TED LYONS, Baylor
Spent his entire 21-year career with the Chicago White Sox (1923 through 1942 and 1946) after never playing in the minors. Managed the White Sox from 1946 through 1948. Three-time 20-game winner compiled a 260-230 record and 3.67 ERA in 594 games. He pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1926. In 1939, Lyons hurled 42 consecutive innings without issuing a walk. . . . Earned four basketball letters at Baylor from 1919-20 through 1922-23. Consensus first-team selection on All-Southwest Conference squad as a sophomore and senior.

CHRISTY MATHEWSON, Bucknell
Often regarded as baseball's greatest pitcher, the righthander compiled a 372-188 record and 2.13 ERA with 79 shutouts for the New York Giants in 17 years from 1900 to 1916 before winning his lone start with Cincinnati in 1916. Led the N.L. in ERA five times (1905-08-09-11-13). Hall of Famer ranked among the N.L. top five in victories 12 years in a row from 1903 through 1914. Paced the N.L. in strikeouts on five occasions in a six-year span from 1903 through 1908. Won 30 games or more in three consecutive seasons, leading the Giants in their 1905 World Series victory over the Philadelphia Athletics by hurling three shutouts in six days. Also appeared in three straight World Series from 1911 through 1913. . . . The 6-2 Mathewson also played football and basketball at the turn of the 20th Century for Bucknell (class of '02).

CUM POSEY, Penn State/Duquesne
Founder and co-owner of the Homestead Greys professional baseball team that won eight consecutive National Negro League titles. . . . Posey was the first African American to complete in intercollegiate athletics for Penn State in 1910-11. He later attended Duquesne. A legend in Pittsburgh sports history was owner/player for the famed Leondi Club, an independent basketball team that was the National Negro Championship team for many years.

EPPA RIXEY JR., Virginia
Compiled a 266-251 record with 3.15 ERA in 21 seasons (1912 through 1917 and 1919 through 1933) with the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. He never played a minor league game and appeared in the 1915 World Series with the Phillies. Missed the 1918 campaign while serving overseas with an Army chemical-warfare division. Rixey won 19 or more games six years, including 1922 when he led the N.L. with 25 victories with the Reds. In his next to last season, he pitched a string of 27 consecutive scoreless innings at age 42. The N.L.'s winningest lefthanded pitcher until Warren Spahn broke his record was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1963. . . . The 6-5, 210-pound Rixey, who also played golf at Virginia, earned basketball letters in 1911-12 and 1913-14.

ROBIN ROBERTS, Michigan State
Compiled a 286-245 record in 19 seasons (1948 through 1966) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. He was a twenty-game winner for six consecutive seasons with the Phillies (1950 through 1955), leading the N.L. in victories the last four years in that span. The seven-time All-Star lost his only World Series start in 1950, 2-1, when the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio homered off him in the 10th inning. . . . Roberts played three seasons of basketball with the Spartans (1944-45 through 1946-47). He averaged 10.6 ppg as a freshman (team's third-leading scorer as he was eligible because of WWII), 9.8 as a sophomore (second-leading scorer) and 9.0 as a junior (second-leading scorer). The 6-0, 190-pound forward led the team in field-goal percentage as a junior captain. Sketch from school basketball guide: "Regarded by newsmen as one of the greatest players today in college basketball. A poll by Detroit Free Press named him the 'most valuable' collegiate player in Michigan. He is not especially fast, but he's extremely well-coordinated, passes exceptionally well, and is a beautiful one-hand shot artist."

JACKIE ROBINSON, UCLA
Infielder hit .311 with 137 homers as a regular on six N.L. pennant winners with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 10 seasons (1947 through 1956). After becoming Rookie of the Year in 1947, Robinson was named MVP in 1949 when he led the N.L. with a .342 batting average and 37 stolen bases. The six-time All-Star homered in the 1952 All-Star Game. He had two homers and seven doubles in World Series competition. . . . Football, basketball and track standout at Pasadena City College in 1937-38 and 1938-39. Named to All-Southern California Junior College Conference Western Division all-star basketball team both years, a span in which UCLA was winless in league competition. First athlete in UCLA history to letter in football, basketball, baseball and track. Forward compiled the highest scoring average in the Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA (12.3 points per league game in 1939-40 as an all-league second-team selection and 11.1 in 1940-41). In his last UCLA athletic contest, he accounted for more than half of the Bruins' output with 20 points in a 52-37 loss to Southern California.

LEE SMITH, Northwestern (La.) State
All-time major league career saves leader when he retired, notching 478 in 18 seasons from 1980 through 1997 with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos until Trevor Hoffman broke his mark in 2006. Set a record in 1991 (subsequently broken) for most saves in a season by a N.L. pitcher with 47 for the Cardinals. Righthander led the N.L. in saves three times (1983-91-92) and the A.L. once (1994). Seven-time All-Star selection posted a career 71-92 record and lost league championship series games with the Cubs in 1984 and Red Sox in 1988. . . . The 6-5, 215-pound forward averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with the Demons in his only season of college basketball (1976-77). He scored eight points in a 97-92 loss at Lamar when teammate Billy Reynolds set a school single-game Division I record with 42 points.

JIM THOME, Illinois Central College
Lefthanded batter hit .276 with 612 homers and 1,699 RBI with the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles in 22 years from 1991 through 2012. First-ballot Hall of Famer was five-time All-Star and one of eight players in MLB history with at least 500 homers, .400 on-base percentage and .550 slugging percentage upon retirement. He led the A.L. in bases on balls with the Indians three times (1997, 1999 and 2002) before pacing N.L. in homers with 47 in 2003 for the Phillies. Finished among the top four in A.L. in round-trippers on six occasions. . . . "About a mile from our (Peoria, IL) house was the ghetto," Thome said. "It was where the best basketball games were played. I'd go over there all the time. I usually was the only white kid in the games, and they respected me because I kept coming back." He played hoops for a local junior college in 1988-89. "My father was tough on me, pushing me," Thome said. "I remember when I scored 36 points in a state tournament basketball game. It was one point off a school record. I thought my dad would be happy, but that night he talked about the mistakes I made on defense and in rebounding." According to ICC's athletic department, "People weren't sure which sport, basketball or baseball, was Jim's best." ICC hoops coach Carroll Herman said, "He (Thome) was a plugger, strong on the boards and gave us toughness inside. He could have gone on and played at a four-year school. He was good enough."

DAVE WINFIELD, Minnesota
Outfielder hit .283 with 465 home runs, 1,833 RBI and 3,110 hits in 22 seasons (1973 through 1988 and 1990 through 1995) with the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. Appeared in 12 All-Star Games after never playing in the minors. Participated in the World Series with the Yankees (1981) and Blue Jays (1992). . . . Played two seasons of varsity basketball as a 6-6, 220-pound forward with the Gophers, averaging 6.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg as a junior in 1971-72 and 10.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg as senior in 1972-73. He played the entire game in Minnesota's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972 under coach Bill Musselman. Selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the fifth round of the 1973 NBA draft and the Utah Stars in the sixth round of the 1973 ABA draft. Didn't play college football, but was chosen in the 17th round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Excerpt from school guide: "Recruited out of intramural ranks to lend depth, became a starter and was a giant in the stretch drive. Amazing athlete leaps like a man catapulted. Soft touch from medium range."