On This Date: Former College Hoopers Made News in September 3 MLB Games

September 3rd, 2021 - 8:30

Extra! Extra! Instead of discussing kinder-and-gentler Taliban militants (according to "most distrusted name in news" CNN) chanting "Death to America!" when religious scholars aren't Pope-like tackling tenets of climate change with as much arranged-marriage vigor as fear-mongering Lurch Kerry, Odd Squad rooftop-dancing bartender AOC and Fake Squaw #Liesalot Warren, 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.

Tony Clark and Kenny Lofton, a pair of former hoopers who played at Arizona under Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, supplied significant performances with American League teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 3

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC basketball games in 1991-92 after transferring from Arizona) contributed five RBI against the Atlanta Braves in a 1997 game.

  • In the midst of hitting safely in all 13 games he played this month, Philadelphia Phillies 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) delivered four safeties in the nightcap of a 1973 twinbill against the New York Mets.

  • 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 an 11-8 triumph against the Cleveland Indians in 1952.

  • Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) became MLB's first 20-game winner in the 1979 season.

  • In his final MLB appearance in 1975, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) allowed a pinch-hit grand slam to the Chicago Cubs' Pete LaCock before retiring 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).

  • New York Mets 1B-LF Jim Hickman (freshman hooper for Ole Miss in 1955-56) hammered three homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1965 game.

  • Philadelphia Phillies LHP Lefty Hoerst (four-year hoops letterman for La Salle in late 1930s) hurled his first complete game (4-1 win against Brooklyn Dodgers in nightcap of 1941 doubleheader).

  • New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) lashed three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in nightcap of a 1945 twinbill.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers rookie LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled his second straight shutout in 1955 (4-0 against Pittsburgh Pirates).

  • Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) tied a MLB record by scoring in his 18th straight game, stole five bases and supplied five hits, including a walk-off homer in the 13th inning, in a 12-11 victory against the Baltimore Orioles in 2000. Teammate Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) contributed five RBI as DH.

  • Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke hoops letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) hurled a no-hitter against Washington in 1947.

  • LF Jimmy Moore (Union TN hoops standout in late 1920s), making his Philadelphia Athletics debut in 1930, collected a double, homer and four RBI in 11-4 win against the Boston Red Sox.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) fanned 11 St. Louis Cardinals batters en route to an N.L.-leading 148 whiffs in 1945.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates OF Ted Savage (Lincoln MO scoring average leader in 1955-56) stroked a pinch-hit, three-run homer against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1963 contest.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1933 outing.

  • Only MLB decision for Philadelphia Phillies LHP Lefty Taber (hooper from class of '25 for Dubuque IA) came in his lone start, a 12-2 setback against the Boston Braves in 1927.

  • San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) whacked two homers against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 2005 game.