Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Knifed!

April 30, 1993

On April 30, 1993 in Hamburg, Germany, Monica Seles was stabbed in the back by 38-year-old Gunter Parche. Parche was convicted of inflicting "grievous bodily harm", however a judge ruled that he was emotionally retarded and served no time in prison.
At the time, the number 1 ranked tennis player was attacked during a changeover in a match when the angry fan jumped out of the stands and stabbed her. After returning to tennis in August of 1995, she would never regain the number 1 ranking again.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

A Flame Thrower

April 29, 1986

On April 29, 1986 A young Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox set a major league record by striking out 20 batters in a 3 to 1victory over the Seattle Mariners. Clemens broke the 9 inning, 19 strikeout record set by Steve Carlton of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969, and equaled Tom Seaver (NY Mets, 1970) and Nolan Ryan (California Angels, 1974).
Clemens said, "I was challenging them. I was throwing the ball right down the heart of the plate."

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Politics Wins in the Ring

April 28, 1967

On April 28, 1967 Cassius Clay refused to take the one step forward that would have constituted induction into the armed forces. There was no immediate Government action. Clay would later be arrested with a felony, then the boxing organization would instantly strip the 25-year-old fighter of his world heavyweight championship.
He said, "I cannot be true to my belief in my religion by accepting such a call."

The Undefeated Champion

April 27, 1956

On April 27, 1956, Rocky Marciano, iron-fisted son of a New England shoe factory worker, retired on this day as undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion at the age of 31. Nicknamed "The Brockton Blockbuster" after his hometown of Brockton, Mass., Rocky broke into professional boxing on February 21, 1947.

'I Will Never Sell This Putter!'

April 26, 1952

On April 26, 1952, Patty Berg of Minneapolis set a world record for women golfers today as she toured the Richmond County Club in 30, 34 - 64. Playing from regulation tees on the 6,339-yard course, in the $3,000 Richmond Open, Berg posted ten birdies and two bogeys. Par for the course is 35, 37 - 72. Berg claims the hammerhead putter she purchased just a day before took strokes off her game.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Man in the Yellow Blazer

April 25, 1995

On April 25, 1995, Howard Cosell, who delighted and infuriated listeners during a 30-year career as the nation's best-known and most outspoken sports broadcaster, died today at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in Manhatten. He was 77.

Cosell, starting in radio during the 1950's, saw his fame and peak during the 14 years on "Monday Night Football." He was voted simultaneously to be most popular and the most disliked sportscaster in America.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

A Great Way to Leave the Game.

April 24, 1963

On April 24, 1963 Cooz the Magnificent finished his career on top! Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics defeated the Lakers for their fifth straight N.B.A. championship, 112 to 109. At 34, Cousy left the game after 13 years.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Basketball's First Dynasty

April 23, 1950

On April 23, 1950 began the first basketball dynasty. In front of a crowd of 9,812 people, the largest the N.B.A. had seen thus far, the Minneapolis Lakers took on the Syracuse Nationals for the championship title. The seven game series ended with the Lakers taking the final game over Syracuse, 110 - 95 (Series 4-2) making that the eighth time in the season to hit the century mark.
That was the first championship game of the new N.B.A. featuring players like George Mikan, which, attributed to why the lane was changed from 6 feet to 12 feet to keep "big-man" players farther from the basket.

And the Clock Starts Ticking

April 22, 1954

On April 22, 1954 the N.B.A. adopted the 24-second shot clock; ushering in the modern era of pro basketball. Danny Biasone, the inventor of the 24-second shot clock, owned the Syracuse Nationals of the N.B.A.'s 1950's. This invention forced players to get the ball down court, concentrating on speed and offense. One thing Biasone may have not thought of; he may have saved the N.B.A.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Um, Who is Rosie Ruiz?

April 21, 1980

On April 21, 1980, Bill Rodgers became the first runner in 56 years to capture three consecutive Boston Marathon titles when he won with a time of 2:12:11. That was not the highlight of the day, however. Of the 448 female participants, Rosie Ruiz of New York City won the marathon with a time of 2:31:56!
After marathon officials reviewed photographs and conducted interviews, Rosie Ruiz was stripped of the women's title on April 29 for entering the race near the end. Ruiz, an administrative assistant, explained she woke with a lot of energy. Enough energy to shave 25 minutes off her previous marathon time.

Jacqueline Gareau of Canada was declared the winner.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Almost Prime Time

April 20, 1986

On this day, Michael Jordan came, he scored but he did not conquer. This Bull's point guard scored a play-off record of 63 points, 2 more than a mark set by Elgin Baylor of the L.A. Lakers on April 14, 1962, against the Celtics in the championship series. Jordan, who played 53 of the 58 minutes of the double-overtime game, hit 19 of 21 attempts from the line in which both teams accumulated a total of 66 fouls.

Jordan would wait 5 more years before carrying the Bulls to the N.B.A. title. The Celtics won 135 - 131.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Can You Pass the M.J.?

April 19, 1998

Who Can Get Enough M.J.?
On April 19, 1998, Michael Jordan scored 44 points to lead the Chicago Bulls over the Knicks, 111 - 109 in the final game of the regular season, securing his record 10th N.B.A. scoring title with a 28.7 points per-game average.

And the Bronx Cheered

April 18, 1923

And the Bronx Cheered
On April 18, 1923, 74,200 people filled a new Yankee Stadium. The 74,000 people toppled the 1916 World Series game in Boston of 42,000 people. It was also that day in which Babe Ruth smashed a savage home run into the right-field bleachers, hence to many, "christening" the stadium.

Tale of the Tape

April 17, 1953

On April 17, 1953 a 21 year old Mickey Mantle blasted a 565 foot homer, which helped the Yankees register a 7 - 3 victory over the Senators. The homer was the first of the season for Mickey Mantle.

And in addition, Metstradamus has helped me out with this link. Enjoy!

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/17/mickey-mantles-legendary-blast-debunked/

Opening Day Jewel

April 16, 1940

On April 16, 1940, Bob Feller of the Indians pitched an amazing no-hit game to defeat the White Sox, 1 to 0, before 14,000 fans. It was the first opening day no-hit contest in modern major-league history. The game went 2 hours and 24 minutes.

Feller pitched three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters in an 18 year major-league career. He won 226 games and led the AL seven straight years in strikeouts while with the Indians. He lost nearly four full seasons at the peak of his career while earning 8 battle stars in WWII as an antiaircraft gunner aboard the battleship Alabama.

Much like Ted Williams, who gave up 5 1/2 years in the prime of his career to go fight in WWII AND the Korean War. If Teddy Ballgame had played during those years most people believe Babe Ruth's home run record would have fallen a lot sooner than it did.

Older, Bolder and Still Golden

April 13, 1986

Jack Nicklaus was four strokes behind Greg Norman early at the Augusta National Masters. By the ninth hole, he was four strokes behind first place Seve Ballesteros. He parred by the 18th after a 40-foot uphill putt to within 4 inches of the cup. This 279 stroke total would win the 46 year old his 6th Master's jacket. He won by one stroke.