Happy Birthday Joe Cool
in Football
Von 'Purple' Hayes
in Baseball
I had planned to make this post about Von on June 11th, because on that day in 1985 he became the First MLB player to hit two HR’s in the 1st inning. He led off the game with a solo shot and as the Phillies batted around the lineup, Hayes hit a Grand Slam in his second at-bat to put Philly up 8-0. They went on to beat the Mets 26-7.
Anyways, I had a dream about Von last night. Nothing happened, just an urge to post this today instead of on the day it happened. He probably made an appearance because I was watching 1989 MLB All-Star game Player introductions before I went to sleep. 1989 was Von’s only all star season.
James Francis - The Swatting Baylor Bear
Talk about a killer Senior Year!! James Francis Baylor Class of 1989. ::
129 tackles. 12 tackles for a loss, 4 INT’S, 3 Fumble Recoveries, and an insane NCAA Record 8 blocked kicks.
In the final game of his career on November 25th, 1989, James & his Baylor teammates dominated state rival Texas, in a 50-7 win. The 1st Baylor victory vs the Longhorns in 38 years.
No-Hitter Killer
in Baseball
In the span of one week back in the 1989 season, our Blue Jays Birthday Boy, Nelson Liriano broke up not One but Two No-Hitters in the 9th Inning!
We’ve got some FREE Blaze going to the Fan who can tell us the two pitchers who’s hitless masterpieces were ruined by Nelson.
Billy The Kid
Guard Billy Donovan led the 6th seeded Providence Friars unlikely Final Four run during the 1987 tournament earning the Southeast Regional MVP along the way. The senior guard known as ‘Billy The Kid’ averaged 20.6 points per game along with 7 assists for the season. He is one of four men to appear in a final four and then win a championship as a coach.
Let's Here It for The Spin Doctor!
in Basketball
The 1st selection in Miami Heat History. Rony Seikaly
R.i.P. Rennie Stennet
in Baseball
On September I6th, 1975 in a 22-0 rout of the Chicago Cubs, Rennie Stennet became just the Second player to ever go 7 for 7 during a 9 inning game. He joined Wilbert Robinson, who accomplished the feat in 1892.
Stennet was also the leadoff hitter playing second base for the Pirates on September Its, I97I when they fielded the first all black starting lineup in MLB History.
Stennett Enters Record Books by Ryan Turnquist
Happy Birthday Carlos May!
in Baseball
Recess was the Best - The Halfback Pass with Walter Payton
in Football
There were only four different receivers of Walter’s 8 career TD Passes.
Can you name the four Bears?
Franchise Firsts- Montreal Expos
in Baseball
Did you know that the First Home Run in Montreal Expos history was hit by a Pitcher?
Can you name him? Hint: He didn’t start the game.
For a Bonus Point. What Hall of Fame Pitcher did he hit it off of?
Al Tucker
in Basketball
Can you name the 1st Draft Pick in Seattle Supersonics History? He also happened to invent the Alley Oop along with his brother while they attended Oklahoma Baptist University. He finished his career as a member of the Miami Floridians of the ABA.
R.I.P
Supersonics History
April 28th, 1990 - Celtics Score Playoff Record 157 points!
in Basketball
On April 28th, 1990 the Boston Celtics routed the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their first round playoff matchup, 157-128. The 157 points is the most points scored by one team in a single playoff game. The 285 combined points between them is tied for 3rd in all time highest scoring playoff contests. The Knicks did get the last laugh though. They would come back to win the next three games to advance to the next round.
1988 NFL Draft - First Quarterback Not Selected Until 3rd Round!
in Football
During the 1988 NFL Draft, the 1st Quarterback wasn’t selected until pick # 68! A Draft Record.
Free Blaze Issue goes to the draft guru who can name the top two QB’s taken that year at picks 68 & 76 respectively?
**Bonus points if you can tell us the Duke Blue Devil who was the last QB taken that year. And by which team?
1985-86 Celtics - 40-1 at the Garden
in Basketball
The 1985-86 Celtics finished the regular season 40-1 at the Boston Garden. (50-1 including the playoffs)
Can anyone name the only team to beat them at home that season?
Michael Jackson Dyson
in Football
Happy Birthday to Michael Jackson Dyson. The former Browns & Ravens Wide out had his best season in 1996 when he hauled in 76 passes for 1201 yards and 14 touchdowns! He wore his legal last name Dyson, on his jersey for only one game in the opening week of the 1993 season against the Cincinnati Bengals when the NFL forced him to change from his #1 to #81. He went back to Jackson on the reverse for the rest of his career. Sadly MJ was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2017.
Mike Parrott - Opening Day 1980
in Baseball
On April 9th, 1980 Seattle Mariners Pitcher Mike Parrott earned an opening day victory for the M’s against the Toronto Blue Jays. Would you believe it that this 8-6 victory would be Mike’s only W on the season? He would finish 1980 with a 1-16 record. Ouch.
I'm Back! - Michael Jordan's NBA Return
in Basketball
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 Baseball
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 Basketball
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 Football
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.