Sports History

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.

Born November 4, 1873, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was Baseball Hall of Fame Infielder Bobby Wallace. This legend played shortstop and third base at a high level for the Cleveland Spiders, St Louis Cardinals, and the St Louis Browns in an amazing 25-year career in MLB. In over 8600 at-bats, Wallace stroked 2309 hits and 34 home runs while carrying a .268 lifetime batting average.

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 February 24, 1874, in Chartiers, Pennsylvania, was baseball Hall of Fame Short Stop Honus Wagner. Wagner played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1897 to 1917, almost entirely for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The "Flying Dutchman" as he was known, won his eighth (and final) batting title in 1911, a National League record that remains unbroken to this day, and matched only once, in 1997, by Tony Gwynn.

Born October 17, 1859, in Hoagland, Ohio, Baseball Hall of Fame Catcher William "Buck" Ewing. This legend was the National League home run leader in 1883. He played on the MLB rosters of the NY Giants and Cincinnati Reds and was manager of both teams as well during his career. His career batting average was .303, and he hit 71 home runs with 883 RBIs before he was done playing.

Born November 2, 1903, in Waldo, Arkansas, was Baseball Hall of Fame Shortstop Travis Jackson. This legend played in the MLB for the New York Giants from 1922 through 1936. He was part of the Giant 1933 World Series Championship and represented the NY in the MLB All-Star Game in 1934. He finished with a career batting average of .291 and had 135 HRs.

Born August 4, 1867, in Hannibal, Missouri was Baseball Hall of Fame First Baseman, Jake Beckley. This legend had a MLB record 23,767 putouts ; career .308 hitter as he played for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Born September 16, 1959, in Sanford, Florida Baseball Hall of Fame Left Fielder, Tim Raines. This solid fielder, hitter and base stealing sensation was a seven-time MLB All-Star. He was a World Series Champion in 1996, 98, 2005 and the National League batting champion 1986. Raines played for the Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox.

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 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.