Historically Speaking: Pine Tar Anniversary

I love the fans' faces in this photo. And I love you too, single, solitary reader. Now go study your history, as I want a bright future for you.

* Proving that Jesus hated Cleveland even as far back as 1882, the city's baseball team dropped a game on this day of that year by the mark of 35-4.

* It was today in 1965 that Casey Stengel resigned at manager of the New York Mets.

* Three years later, Hoyt Wilhelm broke Cy Young's appearance for Major League appearances by a pitcher when he logs number 907.

* Today in 1978, Pete Rose got a base hit in his 37th consecutive game, tying the modern-day record held by Tommy Holmes. The starting pitcher, New York Met Pat Zachry, kicks the dugout steps out of frustration after surrendering the hit, which broke his foot, which ended his season.

* Finally, the year was 1983 when Kansas City Royal George Brett hit a home run off of Goose Gossage with two outs in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. The jack put the Royals up 5-4, but Yankee Skip Billy Martin tells the officiating crew that Brett's bat contains more than the allowed 17 inches of pine tar. The crew called Brett out (which he didn't particularly care for), giving New York the win. For a month.

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



...some guy named Jimmy Demaret, who, after golfing with Bob Hope in 1979, said, "Bob has a beautiful short game. Unfortunately, it's off the tee."