In January of ‘85 during Super Bowl XIX Roger Craig became the first player to score 3 touchdowns in a Super Bowl, as he helped the 49ers wallop the Miami Dolphins 38-16. He’s also known for being the first running back in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards & 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. (1985) Happy Birthday Roger !!
Willie Wilson was the coolest! The speedster hit only 41 homers over his 19 seasons, but 13 of them were inside the park round trippers. He had five alone in 1979. Happy Birthday Willie !!
Lance Johnson was the coolest! He became the first MLB player to lead his league in Triples for four straight seasons, when did it as the leadoff man for the Chicago White Sox from 1991-1994. ‘One Dog’ went on to lead the National League in triples in 1996 as a member of the New York Mets making him just the 3rd player to lead both leagues in triples. He’s also on the short list of players to ever have a trio of triples in one game. Happy Birthday Lance!
July 5th, 1993 - In a Monday Doubleheader between the Oakland A’s & Cleveland Indians, Rickey Henderson leads off both games with a Homerun. NO one had accomplished that feat since 1913 when Harry Hooper of the Red Sox did it. Rickey was actually traded to the Toronto Blue Jays just 3 1/2 weeks later, where he would go on to be apart of the Blue Jays World Series repeat in ‘93. He would return to Oakland the next season.
Happy Birthday !!
Did you know that it was Moises’ walk off double in the bottom of the 10th inning that won the 1994 MLB All-Star Game for the National League? The shot to the left center gap scored Tony Gwynn all the way from first base giving them an 8-7 victory. The win broke the NL’s 6 year losing streak in All-Star Games. It was Fred ‘Crime-Dog’ McGriff who would receive game MVP honors though. His two run pinch hit homer in the bottom of the ninth tied it 7-7. Oh well Moises. Happy Birthday!
Oakland A’s relief pitcher Gene Nelson steals second base while pinch running in the 12th inning of a 16 inning marathon against the Toronto Blue Jays. He would be considered crazy by most for even attempting to nab 2nd in the tight 6-6 game. In extra innings no less. What’s even crazier is that he did it while Jose Canseco was up to bat! In fact, Jose would hit a homer three pitches later driving in Nelson to give the A’s an 8-6 lead. They would go on to win 9-8. He became the first American League pitcher to swipe a base since John’ Blue Moon’ Odom stole one of his own in 1973.
Tony Fernandez was one of the best defensive shortstops of his era, & one of the coolest. He won four straight Gold Gloves from 1986-1989. Random Stat: Tony led the majors with 17 triples during the 1990 season.
June 29th, 1994- With the 1st pick of the NBA Draft the Milwaukee Bucks select Forward Glenn Robinson out of Purdue. The ‘Big Dog’ went on to average over 20 ppg in seven of his eight seasons as a Buck. Glenn is the second place all-time leading scorer in team history, trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Today we’re remembering Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Joe Delaney . The 1981 rookie of the year only played in 23 career games, before his life was tragically cut short on June 29th, 1983. He risked, and ultimately lost his life trying to save three young boys who were drowning in a pond near his Louisiana home. Joe couldn’t swim himself, but laid it all on the line to try and save them. No-one since has worn the #37 for the Chiefs. RIP Joe
1988 & 1991 Donruss Kings
Puzzle of Willie Stargell from 1991 Donruss Baseball Cards. Anybody else finished this puzzle?
June 28th, 1976 - Bird Mania-
Mark ‘The Bird’ Fidrych mows down the 1st place New York Yankees during an electrifying 5-1 complete game shut out victory. The game was featured on ABC’s Monday Night Baseball and lasted only 1 hour & 51 minutes. Fidrych went on to win AL Rookie of the Year honors with a 19-9 record and a 2.34 era. He also led the AL with 24 complete games that season. He’s the only baseball player to ever be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. R.I.P Bird
My wife came through with some killer thrifting finds. Sports Illustrated from 1977, 1990 Upper Deck & 1992 Stadium Club
June 26th, 1991 The Charlotte Hornets select UNLV forward Larry Johnson with the 1st overall pick in the NBA Draft. Two of his ‘Runnin Rebel’ teammates joined him as lottery picks. Stacy Augmon was picked 9th by the Atlanta Hawks, while point guard Greg Anthony was selected 12th by the Knicks.
Twenty people entered the Blaze # 1 giveaway, but only three were lucky enough to have their number drawn. Thanks to everybody who commented and tagged their buds. I really appreciate you guys following along and spreading the word about the Amazing Blaze Zine !! Keep on the look out for more giveaways every month.
P.S. If anyone out there wants some Blaze Snail Mail, message over a mailing address. —->HERE<—
The Chicago White Sox actually retired the # 3 for Harold Baines after they traded him to the Texas Rangers mid-way through the 1989 season. Pretty strange huh? He would re-claim his # when he returned to the Sox in 1996, 2000, and throughout his coaching days with the club.
