Historically Speaking: Old No. 7

School might be out, but there's always room for learnin'. Oh, come on. We've even thrown in a song to make the learnin' funner.

* Some football broadcast firsts today: The University of Texas and Texas A&M debuted the art of play-by-play broadcast today in 1920 down in College Station, Texas. Forty-five years later, the NFL gave the world the first color television broadcast in the form of a Detroit Lions/Baltimore Colts 24-24 tie.

* Speaking of the Lions, a Buffalo Bill by the name of Orenthal James Simpson rushed for 273 yards against them today in 1976.

* The year was 1981 when a cat by the name of Rollie Fingers became the first relief pitcher to win the American League MVP award. Fingers accomplished the feat via 319 votes, a solid 11 votes more than runner-up Rickey Henderson, who, by the way, is most definitely not Tony Gwynn, or the third-best hitter of the past 25 years.

* Today in 1983, Larry Holmes defeated Marvis Frazier by way of technical knockout in the first round of a heavyweight championship fight in Las Vegas, Nevada.

* Sources indicate that, today in 2002, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig met secretly with Pete Rose to discuss The Hit King's lifetime ban from the game.

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



...Florida Marlin publicist Chuck Pool, who, in 1994, witnessed an upper-deck home run at Joe Robbie Stadium. The jack, hit by Cincinnati Red outfielder Kevin Mitchell, prompted Pool to say, "There have been a plethora of guys to hit it up there, but that was the plethorest."
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Historically Speaking: 11-6-09

Wow. Another week in the bank. Don't start looking for the party, yet. There's some last-minute reading, after the jump.

* We go back to the wonderful year of 1974 when Los Angeles Dodger Mike Marshall became the first relief pitcher to win the Cy Young Award. Ten years later, Willie Hernandez is awarded the American League Most Valuable Player Award, joining Rollie Fingers as the only relievers to win the MVP and the Cy Young in the same season.

* To quench that boxing fix: Larry Holmes went 11 rounds with Ronaldo Snipes, ultimalely TKOing him for the heavyweight title. Twelve years later, Evander Holyfield defeated Riddick Bowe for the belt, and three years after that, the 45-year-old George Foreman became the champ when he knocked out Michael Moorer.

* Today in 1982, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the National Football League could not dictate what the hometown team of a franchise would be. It comes as no surprise that this court case was the result of Al Davis wanting to move the Oakland Raiders to Los Angeles.

* The year was 1985 when New York Islander Pat Flatley registered his first career hat trick, finishing the evening with four goal and an assist in a 5-4 road win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. What. You want more hockey? Fast forward 10 years: Mark Messier lit the lamp for the 500th time. Still not good? Fast forward seven more: Emmitt Smith dropped the puck to kick off a game between the Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks.

* The Milwaukee Brewers jumped the A.L. ship today in 1997, and officially became a National League team. The move was announced some 30 years after the Braves left Milwaukee for Atlanta, and it evened things out for the two expansion teams joining the Bigs the following year, thus making interleague play possible. Yay!

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



...Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, who, in 2004, spoke with ex-teammate Whitey Ford. The two, at an Old Timers' Day, discussed the list of deceased Yankee greats on the scoreboard, and Berra said to Ford, "Boy, I hope I never see my name up there."
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Historically Speaking: Oh, Billy

Well, kids, it's that fantastic time of year when the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA are all going on at once. Er, uh, wait. The World Series is usually over by now, not just getting started, so scratch that intro, but dig it while it's here! Sports fancy ticklers, a click away.

* Construction of two notorious baseball parks got underway on this day in history: It was 1958 when operations began for a new stadium for the San Francisco Giants. Allegedly, the neighboring rocks looked like candlesticks. Three years later the ground was broken for Municipal, a.k.a. Shea Stadium for the Mets of New York.

* Everyone wants to talk Cleveland Cavaliers these days, so let's recall that today in 1970 was their first National Basketball Association contest, a 110-99 loss to the San Diego Rockets. The Rockets, after a five-year stay in the Whale's Vagina, would move to Houston. A short seven years later the Buffalo Braves moved to San Diego, and became known as the Clippers, which last until '84, when the club moved to L.A. I suppose it's worth noting that Cleveland dropped their opener to the Celtics last night, which must've been a tough one for the artist formerly known as the Lone Reader to swallow, since he is devoted to both of these clubs in months that end in 'r.'

* Today in 1974, two New York Islanders -- Billy MacMillan and Ed Westfall -- tallied hat tricks in the same contest -- a 10-1 home-ice victory over the California Golden Seals -- for the firt time. Twenty years later on this same date, Ron "Ronnie Franchise" Francis accumulated his 1000th career point.

* What kind of day would it be without a Billy Martin mentioning? A sad day, friends. A sad day. It was 1976 when Billy Martin was named A.L. Manager of the Year after guiding the Yankees to a 97-62 record, and a World Series (swept by Reds) appearance. And it was three years later to the day when George Steinbrenner canned the skipper after Martin engaged in a saloon scuffle with a marshmallow salesman. Martin's replacement: Dick Howser.

* Three World Series were wrapped up on 28s of October: In 1981, the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the help of five Pedro Guerrero RsBI, tallied a 9-2 victory, and sent the New York Yankees packing after six games. Eight years later, in a 9-6 win over the Giants, the Oakland A's completed a Series sweep, and the year was 1995 when the Atlanta Braves took a 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians in a Series-deciding game six.

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



...former Baltimore Oriole pitcher Mike Flanagan, who, in 1992, said, "You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track."
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Historically Speaking: 10-27-09

Haven't really gathered my thoughts yet regarding the ass pounding the Chiefs took at home against the Chargers. Meantime, here's an interesting read regarding Head Coach Todd Haley's thoughts on the game, the distraction, an approach to the bye week. Also, Joe Posnanski has some thoughts on Larry Johnson.

* Today in 1968, the 19th Olympic Games closed in Mexico City, Mexico. You know, as opposed to Mexico City, Tibet.

* Some New York Islanders notes: It today in 1973 when the Islanders beat the New York Rangers for the first time. They did so by a 3-2 margin on home ice. In a home win on this date six seasons later, the Islanders scored two goals in six seconds, and a third within a minute against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Seventy-nine was also the first of four consecutive years in which the Islanders won the Stanley Cup.

* Several World Series were wrapped up today: On this date in 1985, Kansas City Royal Bret Saberhagen tossed a five hitter to give the Royals an 11-0 game seven win over St. Louis. One year later, the Mets sealed the deal over the Boston Red Sox, four games to three. It was 1991 when the Braves and Twins went extra innings in a game seven, giving Minnesota their first championship in four years. Five years later the Yankees collected their first Series win in 18 seasons, a game-six victory over Atlanta. And in 2002, the Anaheim Angels, also in a game seven, defeated the San Francisco Giants.

* Couple of NFL franchise-relocations notes from this day in history: Today in 1995 the contract to finalize the move of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore was signed, and the following year, Bud Adams announced that the Houston Oilers would play one more season in Texas before moving to Nashville, Tennessee.

* Today in 2002, Emmitt Smith became the NFL's all-time leading rusher in his 193rd game. Noteworthy marks on the day included his new rushing mark of 16, 743 yards, as well as his 150th career touchdown.

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



...one-time Cleveland Cavalier guard World B. Free, who, in 1984, watched teammate Cliff Robinson drill a three-point shot as time expired, giving the Cavs a 114-112 overtime win against Detroit. Free said, "That shot was so good, for a moment I thought I took it."
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Historically Speaking: Manny Go Bye-Bye

Well, we're one Yankee win away from a New York-Philly World Series. Thank God there's hockey on TV. Tiny bits of history, post-leap.

* Today in 1950, the Los Angeles Rams and the Baltimore Colts gathered for a friendly game of professional football. The Colts just barely came out on the losing end of a regular-season record score, 70-27.

* On this date in 1985, Bret Saberhagen delivered a complete-game World Series victory to the Kansas City Royals as KC defeated the Cardinals in game three.

* Nine years ago today, Cincinnati Bengal Corey Dillon post 278 rushing yards on the Denver Broncos. That marked an NFL record until Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens hung 295 on the Cleveland Browns on 9/14/03. It was broken again in 2007 when Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings dropped a 2-9-6 against Marmalard and the Chargers on the fourth of November.

* The coldest World Series game in history was played today in 1997 when the Florida Marlins visited the Cleveland Indians. Amidst falling snow and below-40-degree temperatures, a Manny Ramirez home run, among other things, contributed to a 10-3 win for the home team.

* Just east of Cleveland on this same day in history, New York Ranger Ulf Samuelsson was checked into the boards by a Chicago Blackhawk.



The hit knocked the plexi-glass out of the dasher and into the head of Samuelsson's teammate's wife, Janet Gretzky.

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



...former University of Houston football coach Bill Yeoman, who, in 1984, was asked about his 5'9" quarterback Gerald Landry. Yeoman said, "If he was 6'2", he'd be All-America. Of course, if he was 6'2", he'd be at Southern Cal."
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Historically Speaking: Tim McClelland, Not That it Matters, Is a Big Dummy

We're checking in with some afternoon action for you. In case you're feeling bitter about the success of the Yankees, have a look at this post. Maybe it'll cheer you up, maybe it won't.

* Since we've been gettin' all Legacy'd up and celebrating the throwbacks, it's only appropriate that we mention that today, in 1966, Congress approved the AFL-NFL merger.

* Ten years later the Philadelphia 76ers obtained the rights for Julius Erving from the New Jersey Nets.

* Speaking of the city of Steak 'N Cheese, today in 1980 the Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series. I forget who they beat, though.

* The year was 1997 when Boston Bruins defenseman Ray Borque became the fifth D-man to play in his 1300th regular-season game.

* New York Yankees trivia: The bombers set a Major League Baseball record today in 1998 when they tallied their regular-and-post-season-combined 125th win of the campaign. They finished the regular season with an American League record 114 wins, and closed it by sweeping the Fryars of Whale's Vagina in the Series. Two years later it took the Yankees 12 innings to beat the Mets, registering the longest game in World Series history: four hours, 51 minutes.

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



...former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Grady Little, who, in 2006, had some choice words for pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. Honeycutt chatted with Derek Lowe on the mound, and Lowe's first post-pow-wow pitch resulted in a three-run shot. Little to Honeycutt: "Whatever you just told Lowe, don't ever tell him that again."
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Historically Speaking: 10-19-09

Baseball, hockey, and kinda-sorta boxing are all after the jump. Well, what're you waitin' for? An invitation?

* Today in 1957, Maurice "Rocket" Richard became the first hockey player in National Hockey League history to score 500 goals. He retired three years later with another 44 added to his career total.

* We're not talking The Machine, but it was today in 1976, one year after that Machinesque season, that the Cincinnati Reds went up 3-0 on the New York Yankees. They would ultimately sweep. This story is not unlike this day in 1990, when the Reds went up three games to none on the Oakland A's. They swept again.

* It was on this date in 1981 that the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Montreal Expos for the National League championship. The Dodgers would go on to defeat the Yankees in the World Series, four games to two. The Series saw a multi-MVP handed out that year for the first time ever. The first name listed, however, is Guerrero, as in P-E-D-R-O. Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson are the only others that have shared the award.

* You know what never gets old? Billy Martin stats: Twenty-two years ago today, Bill Martin was, for the fifth time, named manager of the New York Yankees. He filled the position vacated by Lou Piniella, who filled the position vacated by Billy Martin, only this time, Piniella was moved to the general manager position.

* The boxing people decided to give Mike Tyson his license back today in 1998. He had it removed after he bit Evander Holyfield's ear. The people have yet to decide when they will give Holyfield back his ear.

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



...one-time Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw, who, in 1975, commented on his salary of $75 grand: "Ninety percent I'll spend on good times, women and Irish whiskey. The other 10 percent I'll probably waste."
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HIstorically Speaking: Six-Week Hiatii

Please disperse. Nothing to see here. Except your once-daily dose of sports history and entertaining quotes. Well, that and a comparison of hitters (Editor's Note: different criteria) between the Iron Triangle and Joe Posnanski.

* Today in 1906 the Chicago White Sox handed the crosstown-rival Cubs defeat in the World Series. The Cubs earned $439 as their share of the pot. I think they had slightly better luck a couple years later.

* Today in 1945, the Chicago Cardinals ended the longest losing streak in National Football League History. Their 29-game losing streak could be on the line if the Chiefs don't figure something out quick.

* Four years later, Ezzard Charles knocked out Pat Valentino in eight rounds for his second title defense in two months. Charles' San Francisco victory preceded six more successful defenses.

* 'Twas today in 1979 when Wayne Gretzky tallied his first National Hockey League goal.

* Sparky Anderson, back in the fine year of 1984, became the first Major League Baseball manager to win 100 games and a World Series in both leagues.

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



...New York Jets center Kevin Mawae, who, in 2005, was asked how fans will react to the team's 3-10 record. His response: "The history is, they'll root for us to lose so we can get a high pick so they can boo it on draft day."
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Historically Speaking: Skirt Check

It's a fun-filled Thursday morning here inside the House of Georges. Click on past the jump for a couple of facts watered down with splashes of speculation.

* The year was 1889 when George LaBlanche defeated Jack "Nonpareil" Dempsey for the first loss of Dempsey's career. The Irish-born middleweight boxing champion, born John Edward Kelly, would lose but three times in 65 fights before dying of tuberculosis a month before his 34th birthday. His name is frequently confused with that of the heavyweight champion Dempsey, who, known as the Manassa (CO) Mauler, went 66-6 with 51 knockouts and five straight title defenses in the early 1920s. LaBlanche's 1889 victory over Dempsey was later overturned as the Canadian's "pivot punch" was deemed illegal.

* In 1921, the Acme Packing Company, most notably famous for repeatedly selling its products to Wile E. Coyote, purchased a pro football team. A.C.P.'s owner J.E. Clair honored his plant workers by naming the club -- the Packers -- after them. Though rumored, it was never determined if Acme attempted to sell the franchise to Coyote.

* Today in 1976 the United States Tennis Association decided to prohibit Renee Richards from competition in the U.S. Open. This decision was made not because Richards used performance-enhancing drugs or gambled on tennis, but because Richards was born Richard Raskind, but became Renee Richards, if you know what I mean, in 1975. Richards disputed the ban, and the following year, the New York Supreme Court ruled in his her favor.

* Same day, following year, the Texas Rangers played a game of baseball at Yankees Stadium, edging out New York, 8-2. During the contest, Toby Harrah and Bump Willis hit back-to-back inside-the-park home runs in the seventh inning.

* 'Twas 1982, when Oakland A R.N.H. Henderson stole four bases in a game against the Brewers of Milwaukee. The four swipes put his season total at 122, breaking Lou Brock's former record of 118. Henderson would end the year with 130, but never really come close to that number ever again. In fact, after '82, he didn't do much of anything except toy with 30 home runs a couple of times.

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



...one-time Minnesota Viking third-string quarterback Steve Bono, who, in 1985, was asked his thoughts on one day replacing Tommy Kramer (starter) and Wade Wilson (backup). His response: "If I'm fortunate, in five or six years, I'll be the one being booed. He was only five years shy and one team north of being correct.
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Historically Speaking: 20 Years Since Rose's Ban

What you'll find after the jump are some sports tidbits. How is that different than any other installment of this feature? Why, it's not.

* We're talking 1908, this date, Tommy Burns, and Bill Squires. The two climbed into the ring for a heavyweight title fight, a rematch, in Sydney. Thirteen rounds later, Burns had knocked out Squires, his 10th straight title defense since taking the belt from Marvin Hart two years prior. In their first fight, which took place two months prior in Paris, Burns downed Squires in eight.

* Bill Veeck, one-time owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, and Chicago White Sox, had a wooden leg that he sometimes used as an ashtray, which, if you smoke three-four packs of cigarettes a day, probably comes in handy. Veeck, nonetheless, was famous for his publicity stunts, including one that took place on this day in 1951. He called it "Fans Managers' Night," in which 1000 fans behind the Browns' dugout were given cards with either 'yes' or 'no' written on them, and they could vote on decisions made by the St. Louis coaching staff. Whether they had an impact or not, the Browns defeated Philadelphia 5-3.

* Today in 1972, Gordie Howe and Jean Beliveau were inducted into Hockey's Hall of Fame. After 20 seasons in a Montreal Canadiens sweater, Beliveau retired with 507 goals, 712 assists, and a staggering 10 Stanley Cup championships. He also went to 13 All-Star games, won an Art Ross, a Conn Smythe, and two Hart Memorials. Howe tallied 801 goals, 1,049 assists, and nearly 1700 PIMs. He won four Cups with Detroit, played in 23 All-Star games, won six Hart Memorials, and six Art Rosses. For most of the 1950s, he led the league in games played, and frequently led, or was second, in goals and assists.

* Kansas City Royal catcher John Wathan stole his 31st base today in 1982, which broke the record for steals by a catcher set by Ray Schalk in 1916. Wathan wrapped up the season with 36 swipes.

It was on this day in 1989 that Major League Baseball Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti suspended Pete Rose from baseball for life. The fat piece of shit offered these words in doing so:

"The banishment for life of Pete Rose from baseball is the sad end of a
sorry episode. One of the game's greatest players has engaged in a variety of
acts which have stained the game, and he must now live with the consequences of
those acts. By choosing not to come to a hearing before me, and by choosing not
to proffer any testimony or evidence contrary to the evidence and information
contained in the report of the Special Counsel to the Commissioner, Mr. Rose has
accepted baseball's ultimate sanction, lifetime ineligibility."

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



...Major League Baseball manager Joe Torre, who, in 1996, was skipping the New York Yankees and had an infant daughter. Torre was asked if nighttime feedings disturb his sleep, to which he replied, "I'm 55 years old. I get up three times a night to go to the bathroom. the baby is on my schedule."
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Historically Speaking: Don't Call It a Comeback. No, Really -- Don't

Time now for another installment of America's favorite feature, the one that keeps sweeping the Webs, climbing the charts -- with a bullet -- and putting smiles on faces around the world. We've got a bit to cover today so let's-- Now, wait a minute. I've just been handed an urgent bulletin. Bare with me now. This is going to be a bit rough to stomach. It turns out, in addition to cheating on the field, amassing immeasurable units of referee-sauteed home-cooking, and having a jerk-laden fan base, the Denver Broncos Football Club also cheats in the stats room. Amazing. Never saw that coming.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled boredom.

* Today in 1920, representatives from four professional football clubs gathered in Canton, Ohio for a meeting. The result was the American Professional Football Association, which, after two years of that dumb name, became the more clever-sounding National Football League.

* Today in 1948, 78,000-plus gathered at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland for a contest between the Indians and the White Sox. On the hill for the Tribe was Satchel Paige, who tossed the fourth consecutive shutout for the Indians in front of the largest night-game Major League Crowd ever.

* Today in 1974, California Angel Nolan Ryan tallied 19 Ks in a game against the Detroit Tigers, an 11-inning, 1-0 loss for the Halos. It was the third time that season that Ryan had fanned 19 batters, but don't let that fool you: He was the most overrated pitcher in MLB history. Don't come at me with your opinions. These here are facts. The truth has been spoken.

* Six years later, a cat by the name of Omar Moreno swiped his 70th base of the season in a Pittsburgh Pirate uniform. Moreno compiled a 71-steal season in '77, Pirated six more the following year, and closed the '80 campaign with a career-high 96 steals, which is pretty impressive. I went to compare his stats with one R. N. H. Henderson, but the numbers were not visible; it appeared someone had saturated his pages with quarts and quarts of semen.

* Today in 1982, Don Lever became the first captain of the New Jersey Devils. Lever had previously been a Vancouver Canuck, both an Atlanta and a Calgary Flame, and a Colorado Rocky for 22 games before the franchise again moved. He logged his final two seasons in a Buffalo Sabre uniform, and tallied 680 points, 593 PIMs, and played in '82's All-Star Game.

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



...former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Lee Smith, who, in 1990 was awarded a $7.8 million contract. Asked if the contract added pressure to his game, Smith said, "I was born under pressure. My mom wanted a girl."
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Historically Speaking: 8-19-09

It might look like we've been lounging, but behind the scenes, we're working pretty hard. At being lazy. Anyway, study some stuff, post-jump.

* It was today in 1962 when Homero Blancas, Jr. shot an all-time low score in the game of golf, a 55. His college game that day in Longview, Texas consisted of 13 birdies and an eagle. Blancas tallied 18 holes-in-one in his career.

* On this date in 1988, the New York Rangers signed Guy (pronounced Ghee) Lafleur to a contract with some letters and numbers typed on it. The former Montreal right-winger flanked his lone year in New York with 14 consecutive in the 'Treal, and back-to-back seasons as a Nordique du Quebec before hanging up the skates. All said, Lafleur lit the lamp 560 times, dished scoring passes off on nearly 800 occasions, won five Stanley Cups, played in six All-Star games, led the league in assists in 1976-77, then goals the following season, a campaign in which he also led the league in game-winning tallies and plus-minus ratio. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.

* The year was 1992 when the Boone family made Major League Baseball history by becoming the first three-generation family to log time in the Bigs: Ray Boone from 1948-60; son Bob, 1972-90, and on this day 17 years ago, Bob's son Bret. Each generation representative would log at least 13 seasons in the Majors.

* In 1995, Bruce Seldon and Joe Hipp stepped into the squared circle for a World Boxing Association title bout in Las Vegas. Seldon, by way of technical knockout, emerged victorious after 10 rounds. Seldon had acquired the belt four months earlier when he and Tony Tucker fought for the title vacated by George Foreman, when Foreman refused to fight Tucker in '94. Seldon hung onto the WBA belt for a couple of months, got knocked the fuggout (in a non-title fight) in the first round against Mike Tyson in September 1996, and eventually surrendered the title to one Evander Holyfield, who had it awarded to him in June of '97 when Tyson, uh, bit both of Holyfield's ears.

* The following year, a guy by the name of Paul Molitor, suited up as a Minnesota Twin, hit his 534th career double, which tied Lou Gehrig's record, which is awesome, but noteworthy in that this might be the first and the last time in HoGstory in which we reference Paul Molitor on consecutive days.

And since we mentioned holes in one earlier, your Sports Illustrated quote of the day came from the mouth of...



...PGA Senior golfer Bob Brue, who, circa 1991, said, "I used to play golf with a guy who cheated so badly that he once had a hole in one and wrote down zero on the scorecard."
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Historically Speaking: Fridelity

We're back in the swing, just in time for the weekend. Yeah. That's how we roll. Friday goodies, just past the jump.

* Goin' all the way back to 1903 today, when James J. Jeffries and James J. Corbett climbed into a San Francisco ring. Triple J knocked out J.J.C. in the 10th round, his sixth consecutive title defense since earning the belt four years prior. He had previously knocked out Corbett in the 23rd round, and would retire as champion in May 1905. He came out of retirement to fight Jack Johnson in 1910, but was knocked the fuggout in the 15th.

* In 1936, the first gold-medal basketball olympic game took place in Berlin. The United States defeated Canada in a 19-8 barnburner.

* The year was 1968 when Jimmy Ellis beat Floyd Patterson in the 15th round of a World Boxing Association title fight in Stockholm.

* The Hit King, a.k.a. Pete Rose, knocked his final base hit in a game against the San Francisco Giants. It was Rose's 4,256th time reaching base via bat on ball.

* Today in 1997, the Orioles and Mariners were slated to play a ball game, which was post-poned due to a power outage/lighting difficulties. The Mariners wound up having to play back-to-back double-headers in different cities, and the story behind the alleged power outage spun one crazy rumor cycle.

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



...one-time Pittsburgh Pirate Andy Van Slyke, who, in 1990, struck out three times against St. Louis, his former club, in an exhibition game. Afterwards, Van Slyke said, "I was so bad, I couldn't have driven Miss Daisy home."
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Historically Speaking: Short and Sweet

If you find today's feature entirely boring, have no fear. We'll be back later with more, more-boring stuff. Fo' sho'.

* Today in 1919 the football club known as the Green Bay Packers was formed.

* Historically speaking, we tend to avoid births and deaths in this feature, but demand frequently is heard. Therefore, know that, today in 1925, Floyd Curry was born in Chapleau, Ontario. The right-winger logged 10 years in a Montreal Canadiens sweater, netting 105 goals, 99 helpers, and 147 PIMs. In his tenure, he made five all-star games, and his club won four Stanley Cups.

* On this day in 1929, Babe Ruth hit his 500th career home run. Forty-two years later, Minnesota Twin Harmon Killebrew would hit his, as well as his 501st.

* The year was 1984 when nearly 200,000 people gathered in the same spot. Though no one is sure exactly why, it is reported that there was a soccer game between Brazil and France happening in the immediate vicinity of the mob.

* In news of the 1980s Cincinnati Reds variety, Johnny Bench's number five was retired today in 1984. Two years later, Pete Rose hit four singles and a double for a National League-record 10th five-hit game. At age 45, the player-manager tallied three RsBI in a losing effort.

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



...PGA Tour golfer Craig Stadler, who, in 1991, was asked how he was putting then, compared to in 1982 when he won the Masters. His response: "More."
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Historically Speaking: 8-06-09

Sports goodies, laid out on a platter for you to devour, after the jump.

* Denton True Young, occasionally referenced as "Cy," pitched his first Major League Baseball game today in 1890. It was win number one of 511 for the hurler.

* The year was 1952 when Satchel Paige, at the age of 46, became the oldest player in MLB history to pitch a complete game.

* Today in 1966 Muhammad Ali handled Brian London in a heavyweight title-defense fight. London went down in London in the third round, courtesy of an Ali knockout.

* Minnesota Twin Dean Chance got credit for a perfect game today in 1967. The 2-0 win over Boston, however, only lasted five innings. Nineteen years later to the day, the Rangers and Orioles got together for a game. The 13-11 win for the Rangers included a Texas grand slam from Toby Harrah in the second, and Baltimore slams from Larry Sheets and Jim Dwyer, who both unloaded theirs in the fourth.

* It was today in 1997 that the National Hockey League expansion team in Nashville named Barry Trotz as the club's first head coach. And you know what? He's still there. After 10 seasons as the Predators bench boss, he's guided the club to 364-342-60 mark with four consecutive (2003-07 )post-season appearances.

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



...one Ray Robinson in 1958. After a 15-round championship fight with Carmen Basilio, Robinson was informed that his opponent insisted he could've gone another 15. Robinson's reply: "Well, maybe he could have went another 15, but he wouldn't have went 'em with me."
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Historically Speaking: Seen Yer Rye Tir

Every once in a while, the news moves me. On most of those occasions, that news is coming from the sports section of a newspaper or a Web site. I woke this morning, and before I'd had my first sip of coffee, felt the peculiar mix of multi-faceted tears well in my eyes. And that came from reading Joe Posnanski's column in The Kansas City Star. Funny thing is, I'm typically so devoid of regular news consumption, that I can't compare the feeling to, well, anything. It's an odd situation, in that there won't be a massive hole, per se, but I don't know that tomorrow, or any day hereafter, I'll ever open the paper again in the same way.

But let's not get too sappy. There's more boring stuff to read, post-jump.

* We go back to 1921 and celebrate a marriage of Steak and Cheese to Pedophiles-- I mean pierogies, as the first play-by-play broadcast of a baseball game was done. Harold Arlin had the honors in calling the Philly-Pittsburgh contest.

* In 1955 on this day, White Sox Manager Marty Marion gave second baseman Nellie Fox the day off after 274 straight starts. Following his brief respite, Fox would start another 798 consecutive games.

* Today in 1967, professional football in America saw a first as the Denver Broncos beat the Detroit Lions 13-7, marking the first American Football League victory over an NFL team.

* The year was 1979 when MLB's Hall of Fame opened the doors to three new inductees: Hack Wilson, Warren Giles, and a fellow by the name of Willie Mays.

* Twenty-nine years ago today New York Met Doug Flynn tied an MLB record as he cracked three triples in one game.

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



...former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Doug Dieken who, in 1984, was asked how he imagines he'll be remembered post-retirement. His response: "Holding...No.73."
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Historically Speaking: Musta Thought it Was '80s Baseball Day

Lotsa baseball today. You love it. It's a nice break from all the dreaded reading about great quarterbacks we've been giving you. You know, the posts where you're just looking at the pictures.

* It was on this day in 1980 that the Seattle Mariners fired skipper Darrell Johnson. Maury Wills, his replacement, became just the third black manager in league history.

* Picture a day, a day much like any with the date of August 4, only back in 1982, a journey beyond sight and sound that takes us to one Joel Youngblood, who, on 8/4/82, connected for a base hit that gave his New York Mets a day-game victory over the Cubs. After the contest, he was traded to the Expos who were playing that night in Philly. Youngblood, who took rightfield in the fourth inning, collected a base hit later in the game, making him the only player in Major League Baseball history to get a base hit for two different teams in two different cities on the same day.

* Today in 1983, New York Yankee Dave Winfield was arrested after a game in Toronto. The charges: causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, which he was apparently guilty of after throwing a baseball during warm-ups that hit and killed a seagull. I think the moral of the story is that this is hard evidence that Canadians have been stupid for a solid quarter century and counting.

* Two years later, Tom Seaver earned win number 300 while Rod Carew tallied hit number 3000 on this day.

* Toronto Blue Jay pitcher Dave Stieb had a pretty fantastic September in 1988. On the 13th versus Detroit, he gave up six hits, but logged a 9-1 victory. Five days later, he gave up only four hits to Cleveland, a 4-0 shutout win. His final two starts for the month -- versus Cleveland again and then Baltimore, were 1-0 and 4-0 shutouts as well, but these two were both no-hitters with two outs in the ninth. No kiddin'. On the fourth of August the following year, he is one out away from nailing down a perfect game over the Yankees, but ends up settling for a two-hit, 2-1 win instead.

And since this theme came together so nice and tidy, we'll give you two '80s baseball Sports Illustrated quotes of the day. The first one was delivered in 1980, courtesy of...



...John McMullen, who, as Houston Astro owner, reflected upon his time as a limited partner of New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner: "Nothing is more limited than being a limited partner of George's."

Quote number two came from A.L. umpire Marty Springstead, who, in 1984, spoke of former Baltimore Oriole Manager Earl Weaver:



"The way to test the durability of a Timex watch would be to strap it to his tongue."
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Historically Speaking: Trade Deadline

Oh, boy. When will it end? Another strike for Manny, and now Pig Slapi's in the PED-fold, too. Do people care more because guys like this are known as power hitters? Would they care if some Washington Nationals and Kansas City Royals were juicin'? Think about that as you study your final lesson for the week.

* We mentioned Ford Frick yesterday and we'll do it once more: It was today in 1962 when the National League rejected the commissioner's proposal for starting interleague play in 1963.

* In a 1972 Twins game against the White Sox, Dick Allen became the first player since 1950 to hit two inside-the-park home runs in a game.

* Seven years later, Pete Rose smacks a single off of Phil Niekro stretching his hit streak to 44 games, tying an 81-year-old National League record.

* Today in 1981, the second Major League Baseball strike ends after a 42-day holdout.

* Trade deadline history: In 1989, the Twins traded Cy Young winner Frank Viola to the Mets for five players; in '97 McGwire is shipped to St. Louis, Pudge to Texas, while the Mariners part ways with Jose Cruz, Jr. and Jason Varitek; and the Mariners are at it again the following season as they send Randy Johnson to Houston for John Halama, Freddy Garcia and Carlos Guillen.

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



...former Indiana University English professor Edwin Cady, who, in 1967, spoke of a Hoosiers victory in which the club was outpassed, outgained, and out first-downed by Wisconsin, yet victorious: "We have had enough moral victories over the years; it is high time we had an immoral one."
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Historically Speaking: 7-30-09

Don't you hate it when the wife insists on talking to you from like six rooms away, even though she knows you can't hear her in the next room? Lord, grant me the sanity...

* The Philadelphia Athletics took three weeks off in July 1873 as they apparently needed the rest. They returned on the 30th, facing Boston on the road, and apparently needed a few more days, as they lost 24-10.

* It was Uruguay. It was Argentina. It was 1930, and it was the first ever World Cup. The home team (Uruguay) won, 4-2. I'd mention that England's club won it today in 1966 but nobody cares about a bunch of wankers.

* The Atlanta Braves, in 1982, returned Chief Noc-a-Homa and his teepee to the left field seats. The organization had removed them for more seating and the club lost 19 of its 21 ensuing games, as well as a 10 1/2 game division lead. After his return, the team regained the first-place lead.

* Some nutjob named Ronald J. Dossenbach had the brilliant idea of riding his bike across Canada. He started today in 1988, in Vancouver, and set a record time 13 days, 15 hours and four minutes later when he got to Halifax. Frankly, I'd rather stab my eyes with a rusty fork while sticking my fingers in a blender.

* Today in 1990, Major League Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent (a.k.a. Captain Taintlick) forced George Steinbrenner to resign as principal partner of the New York Yankees.

And your quote of the day game from the mouth of...



former National League president and MLB commissioner Ford Frick, who, circa 1947, having been informed that big-league players may strike when Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, delivered this statement:

"If you [strike] you will be suspended from the league. You will find that the friends you think you have in the press box will not support you, that you will be outcasts. I do not care if half the league strikes. Those who do it will encounter quick retribution. All will be suspended and I don't care if it wrecks the National League for five years. This is the United (Editor's Note: Fucking) States of America and one citizen has as much right to play as another. The National League will go down the line with Robinson whatever the consequences. You will find if you go through with your intention that you have been guilty of complete madness."
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Historically Speaking: 7-28-09

In an effort to make up for your lack of historical sports nuggets, yesterday, we'll try to cram some more information into the week's remaining posts. Lucky you.

* Two Olympic Games have opened on this day in history: the ninth in Amerstdam, 1928, and the 23rd in Los Angeles, 1984.

* Today in 1933 the National Football League divided into two five-team divisions.

* Nineteen eighties baseball, July 28-style: Lee McPhail, American League President in 1983, ruled on this day in that year that George Brett's pine-tar home run (07/24) should count. The remainder of the game was played on August 18, a Kansas City victory, 5-4, over the Yankees; Lou Brock, Enos Slaughter, Arky Vaughan, and Hoyt Wilhelm were inducted into Cooperstown today in 1985; and today in 1989, Vince Coleman's MLB-record 50 consecutive stolen bases ended when Montreal Expo catcher Nelson Santovenia put out Coleman.

* Little known fact: Twenty-one ser humanos have orbited the moon. Eighteen have thrown perfect games. Two of them happened on July 28. Today in 1991, Montreal Expo Dennis Martinez tossed number 13. Three years later, Texas Ranger Kenny Rogers threw the next.

* Mark Messier signed with the Vancouver Canucks today in 1997. The transaction followed Messier's 12 years with the Edmonton Oilers, six more with the New York Rangers, and was the first of his three seasons in Vancouver, and preceded a four-year stint back in New York. The 15-time All-Star won a Conn Smythe, two Hart Memorial, and two Lester B. Pearson awards. He retired with 694 goals, nearly 1200 assists, and six Stanley Cup championships.

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



...former lightweight boxing champion Sean O'Grady, who, in 1989, while working as a USA Network boxing analyst, informed the viewing audience that a number of boxers go shower-free for consecutive days before a fight. "Talking to a fighter at a weigh-in is like learning to swim. You have to remember to turn and breathe, turn and breathe."
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