Willie O'Ree became the 1st Black Player in NHL
The Color barrier for skating in the NHL was broken on January 18, 1958, when Willie O'Ree skated for the Boston Bruins.
Graig Nettles
DRC provides a new lens for seeing Graig Nettles as one of the most underrated players of all time. — www.baseballprospectus.com
Graig Nettles, Superstar In Hiding - Baseball Prospectus in the "Rubbing Mud" edition review of Nettles by BaseballProspectus.com. Graig Nettles is one of the top MLB players that wore Jersey Number 9.
Rod Gilbert
Born July 1, 1941, in Montreal, Quebec, was Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame right-wing, Rod Gilbert. From 1960-78 he was with the New York Rangers. He in known to be the first NY Ranger to have his number retired which was number 7. Roger was known as "Mr. Ranger", as he played right wing on the Goal-A-Game line with Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle but never with a Stanley Cup championship team.
Eddie Collins
Born May 2, 1887, in Millerton, New York, was Baseball Hall of Fame infielder Eddie Collins. Collins played for the Philadelphia A's and Chicago White Sox during his MLB career. Eddie was on the World Series Champion teams of 1910, 11, 13, 17, 29, 30; AL MVP 1914; 4 x AL stolen base leader.
John Smoltz
Born May 15, 1967, in Detroit, Michigan, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher John Smoltz. John played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009, with all except the last year with the Atlanta Braves. (He played with both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox in 2009) An eight-time All-Star, Smoltz was part of a celebrated trio of starting pitchers, along with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, who propelled Atlanta to perennial pennant contention in the 1990s, highlighted by a championship in the 1995 World Series. Smoltz was versatile and amazing in the MLB becoming only the second pitcher in history (joining Dennis Eckersley) to record both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. He is the only pitcher in Major League history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves.
Frank Thomas
Born May 27, 1968 in Columbus, Georgia, was Baseball Hall of Fame First Baseman, Frank Thomas. Known as "The Big Hurt," Thomas was a powerful hitter in the MLB from 1990 to 2008. Most of his career was spent on the roster of the Chicago White Sox, although the final three years were scattered between the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. Frank had 521 career HRs, with a career batting average of .301, and over 1700 RBIs.
Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio wasn't just an Astros legend but a baseball anomaly. For 20 seasons, he donned the Houston orange and blue, morphing from a scrappy catcher to a power-hitting, base-stealing second baseman. His versatility, hustle, and infectious grin left an indelible mark on the game, earning him a well-deserved spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Biggio's career numbers are staggering: 3,060 hits, 668 doubles, 291 home runs, 414 stolen bases, and a .281 batting average. He was a five-time Silver Slugger winner, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a seven-time All-Star. He even achieved the near-impossible feat of joining the 3,000-hit and 400-stolen base clubs.
But Biggio was more than just stats. He was a heart-and-soul player renowned for his toughness and hustle. He'd dive headfirst into plays, battle back from injuries, and inspire teammates with his relentless energy. His dedication to the Astros earned him the unwavering loyalty of the Houston faithful, who affectionately nicknamed him "The Kid."
Beyond his on-field exploits, Biggio's legacy extends to his impact on the Astros organization. He helped build a foundation of winning in Houston, leading the team to its first World Series appearance in 2005. He's also deeply involved in community outreach, working with various charities and mentoring young players.
Biggio's career numbers are staggering: 3,060 hits, 668 doubles, 291 home runs, 414 stolen bases, and a .281 batting average. He was a five-time Silver Slugger winner, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a seven-time All-Star. He even achieved the near-impossible feat of joining the 3,000-hit and 400-stolen base clubs.
But Biggio was more than just stats. He was a heart-and-soul player renowned for his toughness and hustle. He'd dive headfirst into plays, battle back from injuries, and inspire teammates with his relentless energy. His dedication to the Astros earned him the unwavering loyalty of the Houston faithful, who affectionately nicknamed him "The Kid."
Beyond his on-field exploits, Biggio's legacy extends to his impact on the Astros organization. He helped build a foundation of winning in Houston, leading the team to its first World Series appearance in 2005. He's also deeply involved in community outreach, working with various charities and mentoring young players.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO Marquis Grissom
What he did: For a player who made a tremendous impact on the field including helping lead the Braves to Atlanta’s only world championship, Marquis Grissom may be making a bigger difference off the diamond. — www.ajc.com
The story from the Atlanta Journal Constitution
Lizzie Arlington
Lizzie Arlington is the first woman to play on a men’s professional baseball team. It happened on July 5, 1898. On this day, Arlington pitched for the Reading Coal Heavers. A team that is now known as the Reading Fightin Phils. — howtheyplay.com
Born August 31, 1877, in in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania was the first woman to play for a professional men's baseball team, Lizzie Arlington.
Arlington grew up in Mahanoy City, where she played baseball with her father and brothers. On June 20, 1891, at age 13, Arlington took the field as the pitcher for the Mahanoy City baseball team against the visiting Cincinnati Reds (a professional women's team barnstorming through the area). Reds' manager Mark Lally, impressed with her play, immediately recruited and signed her to play for his team. Arlington played three seasons with the Reds, including two where she shared pitching duties with Maud Nelson.
In 1898, Arlington was signed by the Reading Coal Heavers of the Atlantic League, becoming the first woman to play for a professional men's baseball team. She appeared in one game for the Heavers, pitching the ninth inning of a 5-0 victory over the Allentown Peanuts. She allowed two hits and a walk, but no runs.
Arlington continued playing baseball for women's teams after her brief stint with the Heavers. She retired from baseball in 1902 and died in Philadelphia in 1919.
Harry Wright
Harry Wright wasn't your typical baseball player. He was an English immigrant who helped birth America's pastime, leaving a legacy etched in both playing and managing. Here's a glimpse:
From Cricketer to Baseball Pioneer (1857-1869):
-Harry witnessed early baseball games in New York and fell in love with the sport.
-Transitioned from cricket, adapting his bowling skills to become a dominant pitcher.
-As a player, he displayed talent and leadership, but his true impact would come later.
bThe Father of Professional Baseball (1869-1877):
-Assembled and managed the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first fully professional baseball team.
-Introduced innovative tactics like backing up infield plays and shifting defenses.
-Led the Red Stockings to dominance, capturing six league championships in eight years.
-His success helped legitimize professional baseball and pave the way for the future of the sport.
A Managerial Legacy (1878-1895):
-Continued managing for several teams, winning additional championships and reaching 1,225 career victories.
-Developed young talent and fostered teamwork, earning respect for his leadership and fair play.
-Though his later years weren't as successful, his overall impact on the game as a manager remained significant.
Beyond the Numbers:
-Remembered as a pioneer who helped professionalize baseball and establish its rules and strategies.
-A mentor and leader who shaped the careers of other early stars.
-Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953 for his lasting contributions to the game.
From Cricketer to Baseball Pioneer (1857-1869):
-Harry witnessed early baseball games in New York and fell in love with the sport.
-Transitioned from cricket, adapting his bowling skills to become a dominant pitcher.
-As a player, he displayed talent and leadership, but his true impact would come later.
bThe Father of Professional Baseball (1869-1877):
-Assembled and managed the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first fully professional baseball team.
-Introduced innovative tactics like backing up infield plays and shifting defenses.
-Led the Red Stockings to dominance, capturing six league championships in eight years.
-His success helped legitimize professional baseball and pave the way for the future of the sport.
A Managerial Legacy (1878-1895):
-Continued managing for several teams, winning additional championships and reaching 1,225 career victories.
-Developed young talent and fostered teamwork, earning respect for his leadership and fair play.
-Though his later years weren't as successful, his overall impact on the game as a manager remained significant.
Beyond the Numbers:
-Remembered as a pioneer who helped professionalize baseball and establish its rules and strategies.
-A mentor and leader who shaped the careers of other early stars.
-Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953 for his lasting contributions to the game.
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