Sports History

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The Gamehaues.com shares the June 19 baseball history of:
1846 - The first orgnaized baseball game being played between the New York Knickerbockers and the New York Nine.

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This video tells the story of Smokey Joe Williams, a legendary right-handed pitcher who dominated the Negro leagues in the early 20th century. It highlights his long career, spanning over 25 years, and his peak with the New York Lincoln Giants. The video emphasizes Williams's exceptional pitching skills, mentioning his incredible speed, pinpoint control, and ability to strike out batters with ease. Notably, it details his awe-inspiring feat of striking out 27 batters in a single game at the age of 44! The video also recognizes Williams's legacy as the greatest pitcher in Negro league history, as declared by the Pittsburgh Courier, and his well-deserved induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. So, if you're interested in learning about a true baseball legend and a significant figure in Negro league history, this video is definitely worth watching!

Presenting Smokey Joe Williams from the Baseball Hall of Fame Biographies collection

ThisDayinBaseball.com takes a wide sweep of May 29 baseball history an among the items in their net are pieces of history such as:
1880 - Boston with George Wright in its lineup‚ upsets a tough Chicago squad.
1905 - Possibly the 1st spitball is thrown by a player named Elmer Stricklett
1916 - Christy Mathewson pitches the New York Giants to their 17th consecutive road victory.


1928 - Bill Terry hits for the cycle to lead the Giants to a 12 – 5 win over Brooklyn.

1941 - Ted Williams is 3 for 5 and scores a pair in the Red Sox’s 6 – 4 win over the A’s. Ted will score 2 or more runs for the next 7 games, giving him 8 in a row.

1942 - New York’s Lefty Gomez‚ self-described as the worst-hitting pitcher in baseball‚ bangs out 4 hits in pitching a four-hit‚ 16 – 1 victory over Washington. They are his last major league hits. Buddy Hassett adds 4 hits as well.

1951 -Indians hurler Bob Lemon one-hits the Tigers, 2 – 1.

1955 - Larry Doby of the Indians hits the first major league homer.

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J. Daniel bring us more 80sBaseball.com events for June 5 and among the many are:
1981 - Nolan Ryan walks two in a 3-0 win over the Mets and passes Early Wynn as major leagues’ all-time walks leader
1982 – “The Brew Crew” connect for three consecutive home runs, by Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper and Ben Oglivie.
1984 - Dave Winfield goes 5 for 5
1986 - Manny Hernandez gives up just one run in 5.2 innings against the Dodgers in his MLB debut.

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ThisDayinBaseballHistory.com posts that on June 19:
1938 - Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Vander Meer continues his hitless innings streak.

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J. Daniel leads off with 80sBaseball.com nuggets from May 31 like:
1980 - The Ken Landreaux hitless streak story.
1980 - Gary Carter pound two HRs for Expos in loss to Cards.

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Baseball Relief Pitcher Trevor Hoffman is one of the top closers in MLB history, and this tribute to the Hall of Fame Player is truly special.


Trevor Hoffman, the "Rollin' Red," is etched in baseball history as one of the most dominant closers of all time. His 601 career saves, a Major League Baseball record at the time of his retirement, stand as a testament to his mastery of the ninth inning.

Hoffman's journey began with the Florida Marlins, where he emerged as a late-inning force in the mid-90s. His unorthodox delivery, featuring a low crouch and sidearm release, baffled hitters and generated wicked cutters and sliders. He was a key piece of the Marlins' 1997 World Series championship squad, racking up 43 saves that season.

In 1998, Hoffman was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he would become a legend. For 14 seasons, he donned the Padres' pinstripes, striking fear into the hearts of opposing lineups. His signature entrance, Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blaring through the Petco Park speakers, sent shivers down spines and signaled the impending doom of any comeback hopes.

Hoffman's dominance wasn't limited to saves. He was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time Reliever of the Year, and won the Cy Young Award in 2006. His cutter, nicknamed "The Hoff-Nado," was a devastating weapon, leaving batters flailing helplessly.

Though he never reached the World Series with the Padres, Hoffman's impact on the franchise and the game itself is undeniable. He retired in 2010, his 601 saves a record that stood until Mariano Rivera surpassed it in 2011. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, solidifying his place among the game's greats.

Trevor Hoffman's legacy extends beyond statistics. He was a fierce competitor, a fan favorite, and a true closer in every sense of the word.

ThisDayinBaseball.com gathers dozens of items from baseball history daily. Among them for May 30 are contained:
1890 - Henry Gruber of the Cleveland Infants was called out for batting out of order against the Brooklyn Wonders.
1894 - Bobby Lowe of the Boston Beaneaters becomes the first player to hit four home runs in one game.
1913 - A record setting day for Red Sox outfielder and future Hall of Famer Harry Hooper becomes the first major leaguer to start both games of a doubleheader with a home run.
1955 - Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe hits two home runs.
2001 - Barry Bonds hits two home runs, moving past Willie McCovey and Ted Williams into 11th place on the major league career list.

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The Baseball History Comes Alive website carries a plethora of June 3 events like:
1932 - Tony Lazzeri Hits for the Natural Cycle.
1932 - Lou Gehrig Hits Four Home Runs.
1932 - John McGraw Retires

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J. Daniel bring us more 80sBaseball.com events for June 2 and among the many are:
1984 - Complete with video, Dale Murphy and Gary Redus square off in the NBC Super Slam contest.
1987 - Cubs star Andre Dawson drove in 7 runs in a 13-2 win vs Nolan Ryan and the Houston Astros.
1989 - The Phillies trade Chris James to the Padres for John Kruk and Randy Ready.