9 October in Sports History

We cover the greatest moments in sports history on a daily basis recognizing the athletes that performed them and the uniform numbers they wore for the date of October 9 in history.

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.

42 - 12 - 19 - 16 - 20 - 11 - 43

October 9, 1909 - The World Series featured probably the two biggest players in the game at the time When Ty Cobb and his Detroit Tigers teammates faced the Pittsbuurgh Pirates and their star 3 baseman Honus Wagner.  Cobb took center stage in this game when the speedster stole home in the World Series game knotting the Series at a game apiece as Detroit won 7-2 in Pittsburgh's Forbes Field. The Pirates eventually took the Series in 7 games.

October 9, 1910 - Nap Lajoie puts on a serious challenge to Ty Cobb's batting average title when the with 8 hits, 6 were bunts as Brown's 3rd baseman Red Corriden played deep. Nap ended with a .383 BA while Cobb's .382 was overtaken.

October 9, 1921 - Babe Ruth's first World Series home run, only Sunday game ever pitched by Carl Mays

October 9, 1928 - World Series: NY Yankees beat St. Louis Cardinals, 7-3 at Sportsman's Park to become first to sweep consecutive World Series; Babe Ruth smashed 3 home runs for the Yanks

October 9, 1950 - World Series: New York Yankees beat Philadelphia Phillies, 5-2 at Yankee Stadium to sweep series, 4-0 for 13th WS title in team history. New York's second baseman Number 42, Jerry Coleman won the MVP honors. The second year player made a difference for New York as the Yankees scored only 11 runs in the Series, but Coleman knocked in three of them, including two game-winners.

October 9, 1951 - Number 12, Gil McDougald's World Series grand slam helps Yanks beat Giants 13-1. The young infielder added this to his first season in the MLB along with Rookie of the Year honors.

October 9, 1958 - MLB World Series once again it was the NY Yankees winning it all with victory over the Braves, 6-2 at County Stadium in Milwaukee. This win clinched the Series at 4 games to 3. Yankees pitcher Bob Turley, Number 19 won the Most Valuable Player honors for his great play. The veteran hurler also was awarded the Cy Young honor that season too.

October 9, 1961 -  In the 1961 World Series, the New York Yankees clinched their 19th championship in 5 games over the Cincinnati Reds. The game 5, 13-5 blowout at Crosley Field sealed the deal. The MVP: Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford, Number 16

October 9, 1966 - At the Baseball World Series, the Baltimore Orioles claimed their first MLB title in franchise history when they edged out the LA Dodgers, 1-0 at Memorial Stadium for 4-0 Series sweep. The MVP was Orioles outfielder Number 20, Frank Robinson

October 9, 1983 - NFL Buffalo Bill QB Joe Ferguson, Number 12 passes for 419 yards with 5 TDs, winning 38-35, in overtime, over Dolphins, in Miami

October 9, 1986 - Number 11, Gilbert Perreault, Buffalo, becomes the 12th NHL skater to score 500 goals

October 9, 1988 - Dennis Eckersley, Number 43 1st to save all 4 games in a championship series

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 Ty Cobb safe at third after making a triple, 8/16/[19]24. Detroit Tigers at Washington Senators. The defensive player is likely Ossie Bluege, who was the third baseman for the Senators that day. Courtesy of the National Photo Company.