16 July in Sports History

The sports history and uniform number of July 16 is out focus in this Sports Break where we learn of a few very long MLB streaks and the stars that made them happen.

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore.

5 - 34 - 29 - 23

July 16, 1902 - Legend John McGraw officially became the manager of baseball's New York Giants. His tenure of being the skipper of Giants baseball  lasted for 30 years (1902-32). McGraw's teams: won ten pennants (matched only by Casey Stengel, who played for and learned from him); three World Series; 2,763 victories as an MLB manager ranks third overall behind only Connie Mack and Tony La Russa; he holds the NL record with 31 seasons managed.

July 16, 1924 - As a matter of fact one of McGraw's players of those NY Giants teams, George Kelly was the first to hit homeruns in 6 consecutive games, on this very day the accomplishment was reached.

July 16, 1941 - Joe DiMaggio, the New York Yankees legendary hitter who wore Number 5 at the plate went 3 for 4 against the Cleveland Indians, hitting safely in his 56th straight game.

July 16, 1947 - Bobo Newsom, Number 34 won his 200th career game, and his very 1st as a member of the New York Yankees. It was the 18th straight victory for New York that season as they whalloped Cleveland 8-2. Bobo had played for 7 other MLB squads before arriving in New York. He would go on to play in 3 additional cities before his career would be over.

July 16, 1969 - Minnesota Twins' speedster Rod Carew stole home for his career best 7th time of the season, against the Chicago White Sox. The third year player wore Number 29 for his entire career. In that brilliant 19 year MLB tenure Carew swiped 353 bases for both Minnesota and California.

July 16, 1987 - New York Yankee Don Mattingly wearing Number 23 hit his 4th grand slam of season and tied an American League record of homers in 6 straight games (on way to tie major league record of 8)

A Very Special thanks to information obtained from the following brilliant internet sites: On This Day Sports, the Sports Reference's family of website databases & Stathead.com.

Banner photo is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of  a cropped version of the 1923 Babe Ruth & John McGraw, New York NL from the Bain News Service