I'm Back! - Michael Jordan's NBA Return

in

Anybody else remember watching this one?? On this Day 25 years ago, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA for his first game in over 17 months away playing Baseball. The Bulls matched up with the Indiana Pacers in an early Sunday afternoon showdown. It became the NBA’s most watched regular season game since 1975. MJ went on to play 43 minutes scoring 19 points along with 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Pacers would defeat the Bulls in Overtime 103-96, with Reggie Miller leading the way for Indiana with 28 points.

Mr. Padre

in

Did you know that Tony Gwynn only struck out 23 times in 606 at bats during the 1984 Season? In his first full season in the bigs Mr. Padre batted .351 for the National League Champion Padres. It was the first pennant in team history, and the first of Tony’s eight eventual NL Batting Champion awards.

On This Day - Mark Eaton

in

On this day in 1993 Utah Jazz Center Mark Eaton swatted away two Seattle Supersonics shots during a Jazz 96-89 win over the Sonics in Salt Lake. With the two Blocks Eaton became the 2nd player to reach 3,000 blocks in his career. His 3.5 blocks per game average is the highest in NBA History.

Can anybody name the 1st player to reach 3,000? Let’s remember blocks weren’t an official statistic until the 1973-74 season.

R.I.P.- The 1989 Eagles Electrical Tape Tribute

in

Can you name the Fallen Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks Coach who was a guiding force in the development of Randall Cunningham? He died unexpectedly in the Eagles clubhouse on December 9th, 1989. Just a day before a heated Week 14 matchup with the rival Dallas Cowboys. A.K.A ‘Bounty Bowl II’ The Eagles would don a black strip of electrical tape over their helmet wings in honor of their fallen coach for the rest of the season.

The Timeout Game - Starring Errict Rhett

in

In the infamous 1993 ‘Timeout Game’ aka ‘Mud Bowl’ between Florida & Georgia, Running Back Errict Rhett ran for 183 yards & 2 Touchdowns, including a 1 yard leap over the pile to cap off a 21 play drive in the 3rd quarter. Rhett earned All-American honors while carrying the rock for the Gators that year compiling over 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns. Happy Birthday Errict!

1992 MLB Expansion Draft

in

Lets go back to November 17th, 1992 and the MLB Expansion Draft featuring the Colorado Rockies & Florida Marlins. With the first selection Colorado selected pitcher David Nied. He owns the distinction of throwing the first pitch in Rockies history. He’s also the last Colorado player to wear # 17 before Todd Helton came aboard. With the 2nd selection Florida picked outfielder Nigel Wilson. Nigel would never record a hit for the Marlins, going 0-16 with 11 strikeouts in his short time with the club. He did go on to play in Japan for six seasons, batting .265 with 337 RBI & 119 HR.

Here is a great three part article looking back at Expansion Drafts in baseball.

Looking Back at the 1992 Expansion Draft by Chuck Wasserstrom

The Body Bag Game

in

Today we’re looking back at the 1990 Week 10 Monday Night Massacre more commonly referred to as ‘The Body Bag Game.’ The Philadelphia Eagles ‘Gang Green’ defense knocked nine different Redskin players out of the game with injuries, including their two quarterbacks, Brad Rutledge & Stan Humphries. Rookie kick returner Brian Mitchell (a college QB) was forced to step in late in the 28-14 Eagles victory.