Happy B-Day to the ‘Majik Man’ (7) Don Majkowski who in 1989 topped the NFL in passing with 4,319 yards and had 27 touchdowns. Majik led the ‘Cardiac Pack’ to a 10-6 record. Green Bay’s best record since 1972.
‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich puts up a career best 68 points on February 25th, 1977 in a 17 pt New Orleans Jazz win over the New York Knicks 124-107. Maravich hit 26 of 43 fg. attempts that night and was 16 of 18 from the free-throw line. Just a reminder guys, this also was before a thing called the 3 pointer.
Feb. 24th,1978 New Jersey Nets point guard (1) Kevin Porter dishes out 29 assists in a 126-112 win over the Houston Rockets. The record would stand until 1990 when (4) Scott Skiles of the Orlando Magic had 30
Happy Birthday to Sir Charles Barkley who changed his number from # 34 to # 32 for the ‘91-’92 season to honor his buddy Magic Johnson who would retire before the season after contracting HIV. It would be Chuck’s last year in Philly before heading west to Phoenix. The # 32 had previously been retired by the Sixers for a dude nicknamed ‘The Kangaroo Kid.’ Can you name that Philly Legend?
On this day in 1986, Guard Alvin Robertson became the 2nd player in NBA History to record a Quadruple Double! He is one of only four players, and the only Non-Center to accomplish the feat. And the only player to do so with steals as the fourth category (the other three were with blocks).
That dude in the back row with the plain number 12 jersey is Rimas Kurtinaitis. The Lithuanian guard is the only non NBA player to participate in the 3pt contest. He came in last place with 9 pts during the 1989 shootout.
This week’s Burn of the Week’ goes to Mark Price & his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates who torched the Miami Heat by a score of 148-80 back on December 17th, 1991. The 68 point margin of victory is the largest in NBA history. Eight players on Cleveland posted double digit point totals, but no one scored over 20. Price & John Battle led the way with 18 a piece. At one point in the game the Cav’s were up by 73!!
We’ve got another fun Blaze NBA All-Star Factoid for you guys on this Fabulous Friday. With their respective wins in the 1995 Dunk Contest & 3-Point Shootout, Miami Heat stars Harold Miner & Glen Rice became the first & last set of teammates to sweep the NBA All-Star Weekend Saturday night contests.
There is something wrong within this picture. Can you find it?
That’s Right! The 1st Image of ‘Baby Jordan’ has him wearing the # 32. That image is from his previous Dunk Contest Victory back in 1993. Harold switched to the # 4 for the 1994-95 season.
1996 NBA All-Star Game
February 11, 1996 - San Antonio, Texas
In his first All-Star Game back from retirement Michael Jordan poured in 20 points along with 4 rebounds during an Eastern Conference 129-118 victory. The performance would earn him MVP honors, although many fans thought East teammate Shaquille O’Neal should have been named MVP for his 25 pts & 10 rebounds.
Hey Dudes! Happy Super Bowl Sunday! We’re giving away Three Free Issues of Blaze Today. You can all give our buddy @metrodreamscapes a pat on the back for sponsoring this give-away. He sent over a crisp $20 along with some stamps to help us out in getting Blaze out there to you guys. All you need to do to enter is follow @amazingblazezine, & tag two buddies in the comments below who might dig Blaze. That’s It. Then we’ll gather the entries and send out an Issue of Blaze to # 3 lucky winners. Enjoy the Game. Hope your team wins.
Since the worlds focus is in Tampa this weekend. Let’s give a shout out to these three University of Tampa Spartans Football Stars of the past. They led the 1972 squad to a 10-2 record and a 21-18 victory over Kent State in the Tangerine Bowl.
One would become a standout 2x Super Bowl winning Wide Receiver. One would end up being the overall # 1 selection in the 1973 NFL Draft, & future actor. While the last became the pro wrestler better known as Mr. Wonderful. Can you Name All Three? For a Bonus Point what future Hall of Fame Linebacker suited up for Kent State that day?
Let’s flash back this Friday to December 16th, 1979 when the Kansas City Chiefs traveled to Tampa Bay in the last week of the season to face a Bucs team on the brink of their 1st winning season & playoff berth in franchise history. The seas would be stormy that day my friends. A Monsoon soon enveloped Tampa Stadium & the hi-jinks commenced. We saw lots of slipping, sliding, seven fumbles, three interceptions, & a Chiefs offense held to only 80 yards for the game. The late Great Ricky Bell steered the Tampa ship that day gaining 137 yards on 39 rushing attempts. A 19 yard field goal in the 4th quarter by Neil O'Donoghue gave the Bucs a 3-0 victory. Their 10-6 record crowned them NFC Central Division Champions for the first time.
Wishing a 69th Birthday to Mr. Fred Lynn! During his 9th All-Star Appearance, the Angels Centerfielder became the 1st All-Star to hit a Grand Slam during the Mid-Summer Classic! It happened back on July 6th, 1983 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Fred’s Grand Salami gave the American League a 9-1 lead in just the 3rd Inning. They went on to win 13-3. It was the American League’s first All Star Victory in 12 years.
For a Free Issue of Blaze. Who can tell us the NL Pitcher who gave up an All-Star Record 6 hits & 7 runs in less than an inning’s work that night? For a Bonus Point. Which Pitcher took the Loss?
‘Defunct Teams with Awesome Logos’
First up we have the San Diego Sails of the ABA. With an ownership change in 1975 came a new name, color scheme, & uniforms for the squad formerly known as The Q’s. Q being short for Conquistador.
The Sails wouldn’t stay above water very long I’m afraid. With an impending ABA/NBA merger on everyone’s mind, those in charge would end up pulling the plug on the franchise when they realized they would be left out of the NBA life boat.
Sinking the Sails after just 11 games. The Sails finished at 3-8 over their three week existence. The ABA would fold a few months later in the spring of ’76 when four of the remaining teams were consumed by the NBA.
Got one for the Blaze Hockey Buffs out there. Who can tell us the name of this Toronto Maple Leafs Defensemen who scored 5 goals during a 9-1 Toronto victory over Detroit back on February 2nd, 1977? It’s the most goals in a single game by a Defensemen in NHL History. He’s also the only player to score 5 goals on 5 shots.
On February 1st, 1984 Knicks legend Bernard King drops 50 pts for the second night in a row as New York beats the Spurs and Mavericks on a swing thru Texas. There are only 12 Players in NBA History who dropped 50 or more on consecutive nights. Bernard had eight 50 point plus games in his career. Who has the most?
