Sports History

Born August 7, 1886, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, was Baseball Hall of Fame Manager Bill McKechnie. He played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman during the dead-ball era. McKechnie was the first manager to win World Series titles with two teams. This man led the 1925 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, and the 1940 Cincinnati Reds and then was a coach in the 1948 World Series on the Cleveland Indians staff. remains one of only two managers to win pennants with three teams, also capturing the National League title in 1928 with the St. Louis Cardinals. His 1,892 career victories ranked fourth in major league history when he ended his managing career in 1946, and trailed only John McGraw's NL total of 2,669 in league history.

Born September 6, 1888, in Cascade, Iowa, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher, Red Faber. This legend was a World Series Champion in 1917 as a member of the Chicago White Sox. He was also the American League ERA leader 1921, 22. He played with the Chicago White Sox from 1914-33.

Faber won 254 games over his career, a total which ranked 17th-highest in history upon his retirement. At the time of his retirement, he was the last legal spitballer in the American League; another legal spitballer, Burleigh Grimes, was later traded to the AL and appeared in 10 games for the Yankees in 1934. Faber was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964.

Born August 31, 1875, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher Eddie Plank. This legend was a World Series champion in 1910, 11, 13 with the Philadelphia Athletics. After fourteen seasons with the A's Eddie signed on with the St. Louis Terriers in 1915, and the St. Louis Browns in 1916 and 1917. Plank was the first lefty to reach the 200 and 300 win plateaus and still sits in third place in the record books for southpaw victories at 326. Passing away in 1926 from a stroke, Eddie Plank was posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946 by the Veterans Committee.

Born May 30, 1871, in Mooresville, Indiana, Was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher/Out Fielder Amos Rusie. They called by the nickname "The Hoosier Thunderbolt", as he was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball during the late 19th century. The ten seasons of his illustrious MLB career were one season with the Indianapolis Hoosiers in 1889, eight with the New York Giants from 1890 to 1898, and one with the Cincinnati Reds in 1901. Amos was famous for the velocity he could put on his pitches, as he led the league in strikeouts five times, and won 20 or more games eight times.

Born September 2, 1850, in Byron, Illinois, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher, A. G. Spalding. This legend was also a manager and executive in the MLB as the President, co-owner Chicago White Stockings. From the mound he was the National League's wins leader 1871–76. You may recognize his name as he used his baseball knowledge as he innovated and standardized equipment used to become co-founder of Spalding sporting goods company.

Ferguson Arthur Jenkins, better known as "Fergie," wasn't just a right-handed pitcher but a force of nature on the mound. From 1965 to 1983, his 19-year career carved a path through the major leagues, leaving a trail of strikeouts, complete games, and accolades.
Born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, in 1942, Jenkins' talent blossomed in the minor leagues. His effortless grace and pinpoint control quickly caught the eye of the Philadelphia Phillies, who called him up in 1965. The following year, he cemented his place as a rising star, winning 20 games and finishing second in the Cy Young Award vote.
This was just the beginning. For the next seven seasons, Jenkins became a model of consistency. He notched at least 20 wins yearly, a feat only Warren Spahn had achieved in the previous decade. With his trademark high leg kick and smooth delivery, he led the league in complete games four times and earned the Cy Young Award in 1971 and 1974.
Jenkins's journey was far from having smooth sailing. Trades led him to the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox, but his dominance remained unfazed. 1979 with the Cubs, he threw the fourth and final no-hitter of his career, tying Nolan Ryan's record. His 300th career win came in 1982, solidifying his place among the all-time greats.
He retired in 1983 with 3,141 strikeouts, ranked 10th all-time then, and a win-loss record of 284-229. In 1991, he joined baseball's highest honor, the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving over 80% of the vote.

Fergie Jenkins wasn't just a pitcher; he was a craftsman, an artist of the mound. His legacy stretches far beyond his impressive statistics. He inspired generations of Canadian players, proved that consistency reigns supreme, and etched his name in the pantheon of baseball's elite. The quiet man with the powerful arm forever holds a place among the game's legends.

Born September 30, 1926, in Springfield, Illinois, was Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts. He was a seven-time MLB All Star; won 28 consecutive complete games spanning the seasons of 1952-53 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Born November 7, 1938, in Zeeland, Michigan, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher Jim Kaat. This legend won 16 Gold Gloves and was a three-time MLB All-Star. Kaat took the mound for the Washington Senators, the Minnesota Twins, the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and the St Louis Cardinals during his 27-year MLB career. He helped the Cardinals win the 1982 World Series and had a career ERA of 3.45 with 2461 strikeouts and 17 saves.

Born November 9, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Gibson. This legend was a nine-time MLB All-Star, won nine Gold Gloves, two Cy Young Awards, and was a World Series Champion twice, winning the WS MVP Award on both accounts. Gibson spent his 17-year career on the Big Leagues with the St Louis Cardinals, compiling 251 wins, six saves, and carrying a lifetime ERA of 2.91.

Born November 3, 1918, in Van Meter, Iowa, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Feller. This legend was a 1948 World Series Champion, Major League Player of the Year, an MLB Triple Crown Winner, and an eight-time All-Star for the Cleveland Indians organization.