Historically Speaking: 1-19-09

Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His birthday was last week, but I imagine we make today the day this year so that, as Americans, we can squeeze another three-day weekend out of the calendar, which I won't argue with. Were this a socio-political blog, or something of that nature, we might go into the life of this great man in large detail. Unfortunately, we are not that type of blog. That, and we are pretty lazy, too. We do have some information related to the 19th of January, and we'll share that you know where.

* On this day in 1937, baseball's Hall of Fame welcomed Tris Speaker, Nap Lajorie, and Cy Young to the group. I'd like to have the name "Nap." That would rule.

* In 1952, the New York Yankees were purchased by the National Football League. Seller Ted Collins later saw the franchise awarded to a Dallas group.

* In college hoops, UCLA loses to Notre Dame in 1974, bringing to a halt an NCAA-record 88-game win streak.

* The Oakland A's, in 1993, unveiled a new elephant logo.

* And three years later, the NHL announced that the Winnipeg Jets would relocate to Phoenix where the franchise would become known as the Coyotes.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day comes from the mouth of...

...one-time Iowa Hawkeye football coach Hayden Fry.

Circa 1985, Fry commented on his own ability (or lack thereof) to speak publicly. He said, "I'm the oratorical equivalent of a blocked punt."