Did you guys know that Andre Dawson became the first player in MLB History to be named a League MVP while playing on a last place team? Hawk batted .287, belted 49 homers and had 137 RBI’s on the 1987 season in which the Chicago Cubs finished in the bottom of the NL East standings at 76-85.
Happy Birthday Mr. West
Kirk Gibson earned All-American honors in two sports for his 1978 Senior season at Michigan State. The trusty Wide Receiver hauled in 42 passes for 806 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also batting .390, hitting 16 homers and driving in 52 for the Spartans Baseball squad. Happy Birthday Kirk!
Let’s look back to Week 3 of the 1986 NFL season for the newest installment of the Blaze ‘Burn of The Week.’ Our honorary recipient is New York Jet great, Mr. Wesley Walker. The Miami Dolphins had traveled to the Meadowlands to face against the Jets in what would become an epic offensive battle between quarterbacks Dan Marino and Ken O’Brien. Between the two gunslingers they amassed 884 yards and 10 touchdowns. Wesley torched the Miami secondary for 194 yards on 6 catches & 4 of Kenny’s touchdowns. His third TD came as time ran out in the 4th quarter to tie the game at 45 & force OT. O’Brien found Wesley again in Overtime for a 43 yard walk off touchdown. Jets-51 - Dolphins-45
New York Giants kicker Joe Danelo had quite the Homecoming when the Giants headed to the Pacific Northwest to face off against the Seattle Seahawks in October of 1981. Danelo a former Washington State Cougar had his family in the stands that day to witness a career best 6 field goal performance, including a 54 yarder in the Giants 32-0 victory of the lowly Hawks. Happy Sunday !!
Don’t just sit there dudes, get your hands on a pair of Issues of The Amazing Blaze Zine. Just $33. You receive 2 issues of Blaze (1-10) and 2 issues of Roaches (1-10) Each Issue comes inside a hand printed envelope, along with various stickers, and other Blaze goodies. Shipping is included in price. Visit the link in bio to snag yourself some Blaze. Thanks for looking guys!!
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R.I.P. Jerry Sloan. The inaugural Blaze Cover Boy.
Did you know that Ricky Williams was the 1st Texas Longhorn Running Back to start as a true Freshman since Earl Campbell had done it in 1974. The ‘Texas Tornado’ started off strong in his September 2nd, 1995 debut matchup against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors rushing for 95 yards on 10 carries, catching 1 pass for 48 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns during the Horns 38-17 win. Happy Birthday Ricky!
Birthday shout-out to our guy Mr. Wendell Tyler!! Did you know Wendell is the 1st running back to lead two different teams in rushing during a Super Bowl? He gained 60 yards in the L.A. Rams 31-19 defeat in Super Bowl XIV to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and raked up 65 yards while a member of the San Francisco 49ers, when they whooped up on the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX 38-16.
If anybody is up for an exciting Sunday Baseball Matinee look no further than the May 17th, 1979 matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies & Chicago Cubs. It won’t disappoint. The two teams combined for 45 runs on 50 hits. Eleven players had at least 3 hits, Including Mr. Dave ‘Kong’ Kingman who went deep 3 times that day at windy Wrigley. YouTube Link is below. Check it Out!!
All-American Danny Manning was a man amongst the boys during the Kansas Jayhawks 1988 NCAA Tournament Run. Danny saved his best for the Championship game against the Oklahoma Sooners tallying 31 points, 18 rebounds, & 5 steals in the Hawks 83-79 victory. Did you know the ‘87-’88 Kansas squad, a.k.a. ‘Danny & The Miracles’ own the worst record of any NCAA Champion? 27-11. Happy Birthday Danny!
On May 14th, 1989 Benny Distefano of the Pittsburgh Pirates switched positions from 1B to Catcher for the top of the ninth inning of a 5-2 Buccos loss to the Atlanta Braves. The change was significant because Benny became the 1st left hander to get behind the plate since Mike Squires, a White Sox first basemen, caught a couple of innings back in 1980. Benny caught six innings for the Pirates during that 1989 season, and is currently the last lefty to play catcher in the big leagues.
Way back on November 10th, 1985 Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Mike Quick snagged a slant from Quarterback Ron Jaworski and raced the rest of the way for a 99 yard Touchdown! The Eagles had squandered a 17-0 lead late in the game, and barely even made it to Overtime because Falcons kicker Mick Luckhurst had missed a 42 yarder at the end of regulation that would have won it. After a three and out, Falcons punter Rick Donnelly pinned the Eagles all the way back at their own 1 yard line with quite the brilliant boot. On 2nd down ‘Jaws’ found Mike who would split two Falcons DB’s to take it to the house, and celebrate a walk-off win for Philly 23-17. Happy Birthday Mike!
Ol’ Kirby Puckett sure was lights out back on May 13th, 1989 when he recorded 4 doubles in a Minnesota Twins 10-8 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Kirby became the 35th major leaguer to accomplish the feat. Kirby won the AL Batting Title that season, hitting .339, & finished 2nd in doubles and 1st in hits. R.I.P.
Happy Birthday Lou Whitaker! Sweet Lou maned 2nd base for the Detroit Tigers from 1978 until he retired in 1995. The 5x All-Star teamed with Shortstop Alan Trammell to form the longest running Double Play Duo in Baseball. Who out there remembers when they both played themselves in an episode of Magnum P.I. back in 1983?
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.
On May 9th, 1987 Eddie Murray became the first player in MLB History to hit Homers both left handed & right handed in two straight games. Eddie went 7 for 14 with 4 HR, 7 RBI, & 2 doubles in the Orioles 3 game sweep of the Chicago White Sox that Mother’s Day Weekend.
