Sports History

Mike Vernon carved a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) spanning 19 seasons (1984-2002). Here's a summary of his key achievements:

Goaltending Greatness:

-Played for four teams: Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and Florida Panthers.

-Amassed an impressive record of 385 wins, 274 losses, and 92 ties throughout his career.

-Boasted a career save percentage of .889 and a goals-against average of 3.00, solidifying his position as a reliable and consistent goaltender.

Championship Glory:

-Two-time Stanley Cup Champion: Helped the Calgary Flames win the Stanley Cup in 1989 and the Detroit Red Wings in 1997.

-Earned the coveted Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP with the Red Wings in 1997, a testament to his outstanding performance on their championship run.

Franchise Records:

-Holds several Calgary Flames franchise records including most games played, most wins, and most minutes played by a goaltender (both regular season and playoffs). These records showcase his remarkable career with the Flames.

Accolades and Legacy:

-Retired jersey number 30 by the Calgary Flames, an honor reserved for the team's most iconic players.

-Inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, further solidifying his legacy as a hockey legend.

Mike Vernon's career is remembered for his longevity, consistent excellence, and contributions to championship teams. He remains a respected figure in the hockey world and his achievements stand as a testament to his dedication and skill.

Born November 1, 1932, in Sudbury, Ontario, was a Hockey Hall of Fame Defenseman and Coach Al Arbour. This legend is a three-time Stanley Cup winner, and two of them were consecutive with different teams. During his 14-year NHL Career, he skated for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the St Louis Blues. At the time of this post, Al is third on the list for the amount of NHL games coached. Arbour is also the last known NHL player to wear eyeglasses on the ice while playing.

Sam Crawford, known as 'Wahoo Sam' from his Nebraska hometown, blazed a distinctive trail in the early days of baseball. Despite being in the shadow of some of his peers, Crawford's career is a shining example of unwavering excellence and a unique mastery of hitting, setting him apart from the rest.

Crawford's journey began in the minor leagues, where his potent bat quickly attracted attention. He debuted with the Cincinnati Reds in 1899 and showcased his prowess immediately. Though his first entire season (1900) didn't reasonably light the world on fire, 1901 saw him explode. Leading the league in home runs (16, a significant feat in the Deadball Era) and RBIs (104), Crawford announced himself as a force to be reckoned with.

However, a pivotal moment in his career unfolded in 1903 when he made a significant move to the fledgling American League's Detroit Tigers, teaming up with the legendary Ty Cobb. Despite the Tigers not reaching the pinnacle of success during Crawford's time, their offensive prowess was undeniable. Crawford and Cobb formed a formidable partnership, striking fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers for over a decade.

While Cobb often stole the spotlight with his aggressive base running and relentless batting approach, Crawford's consistency was remarkable. He never led the league in batting average, but he consistently finished near the top, never dipping below .292 from 1905 to 1915. This stretch also saw him lead the league in triples six times, a record that still stands today. His ability to hit for average and power, coupled with his base-stealing prowess, made him a nightmare for opposing teams.

Crawford's legacy extends beyond statistics. He was a fierce competitor known for his intense focus and determination. Despite playing in a low-scoring era, he amassed impressive power numbers, hitting 51 inside-the-park home runs – a testament to his blazing speed on the basepaths. He was also the first player to lead the National League (1901) and American League (1908) in home runs.

Sam Crawford retired in 1917 after a long and illustrious career. He finished with a .309 batting average, 2,961 hits, 97 home runs, and 309 triples – the most in baseball history. While overshadowed by flashier players of his time, Crawford's consistent excellence and mastery of hitting solidified his place among baseball's greats.

Born April 18, 1880, in Wahoo, Nebraska, was Baseball Hall of Fame Right Fielder Sam Crawford. Nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", for reference to his hometown, the left-handed Crawford, took advantage of the competing AL and NL for his services and joined the Detroit Tigers and played for Detroit, primarily in right field, from 1903 to 1917. One of the top batters of the era, Sam led the American League in home runs twice and in runs batted in three times. He still holds the MLB record for most career triples with 309. Though they were teammates Crawford and Ty Cobb had an immense rivalry for batting titles, it paved the way for Detroit to win three AL Pennants from 1907-09.

Born August 22, 1857, in Montville, Connecticut, was Baseball Hall of Fame Center Fielder Ned Hanlon. This player helped his team, the Detroit Wolverines take the National League pennant in 1887. Later Hanlon was a manager whose teams took five NL pennants Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Superbas.

Dave Bing carved out a successful 12-year career in the NBA, establishing himself as a scoring machine and a talented all-around player. Bing's iconic moves and shooting style made him a fan favorite. Take a moment to look back at his amazing basketball journey.

Born November 24, 1943, in Washington D.C., was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Guard Dave Bing. This legend played for the Detroit Pistons, Washington Bullets, and the Boston Celtics over the span of his 12 seasons in the NBA. Bing was a seven-time NBA All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection, and was chosen as a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He averaged 20.3 points and six assists per game for his career.



Here's a quick rundown of his key achievements:

-College Stardom

-Before the NBA, Bing was a college legend at Syracuse University, averaging a whopping 24.8 points per game and setting a school scoring record that stood for over two decades.

-Scoring Champion and All-Star: Drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1966, Bing quickly became a force to be reckoned with. He won the scoring title in 1968 and was named an All-Star seven times throughout his career.

-Pistons Legacy

Bing spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Pistons, becoming a fan favorite and a key player for the team. While he didn't win a championship, he averaged over 20 points and 6 assists per game with the Pistons.

-Career Highlights

He finished his career with an impressive 18,327 points and 5,397 assists, solidifying his place as a talented scorer and playmaker.

-Beyond Stats

Bing was known for his smooth shooting style, his ability to get past defenders, and his leadership on the court.

-After retiring in 1978, Bing transitioned into business and even served as the mayor of Detroit from 2009 to 2014.

-Dave Bing was a highly skilled player who left his mark on the NBA. While he may not have a championship ring, his scoring prowess, all-around game, and dedication to the sport earned him a place among the league's greats.

Sam Thompson, nicknamed "Big Sam," was a 19th-century baseball player who carved his name in history as one of the most prolific run producers the game has ever seen. His 15-year career, spanning from 1885 to 1906, was a testament to his exceptional hitting ability and his impact on the teams he played for.

Early Career and Breakout Season:

Born in 1860, Thompson entered the major leagues with the Detroit Wolverines in 1885. However, it wasn't until 1887 that he truly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. In that season, he hit a staggering .406, drove in a record-breaking 166 runs, and helped lead the Wolverines to a National League pennant and victory in a postseason series against the American Association.

Sustained Excellence and Record-Setting Achievements:

Throughout his career, Thompson continued to display remarkable consistency. He led the National League in RBIs twice, hit over .300 in 11 seasons, and finished with a career batting average of .331. He also holds the record for the most RBIs driven in a single month, with 61 in August 1895 while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Beyond Statistics: A Complete Player:

While his offensive prowess is undeniable, Thompson was more than just a slugger. He possessed a keen eye at the plate, with a career on-base percentage of .384. Additionally, he stole over 200 bases throughout his career, showcasing his well-rounded skillset.

Gordon Blanchard Keats, better known as "Duke" or the "Iron Duke," wasn't your typical hockey player. He wasn't a flashy scorer or a bone-crushing defenseman. Yet, Duke Keats carved a unique path in hockey history, leaving his mark on the game with his exceptional talent, leadership, and unwavering dedication.

-Early Days and a WCHL Legacy

Born in 1895, Keats began his professional career at the tender age of 14, playing semi-professionally in the Cobalt Mining League. His journey continued with the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association (NHA) before taking a break to fight in World War I. Upon his return, he joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) in 1919. This marked the beginning of a dominant era for Keats.

-A Star in the West

For the next five seasons, Keats established himself as a force in the WCHL. He was a complete player, excelling at both offense and defense. His leadership qualities were evident, earning him the captaincy of the Eskimos. Keats led the league in scoring on multiple occasions and was a fixture on WCHL All-Star teams. He helped guide the Eskimos to the league finals in 1923, showcasing his competitive spirit and clutch play.

-The NHL and a Brief, Impactful Stint

Despite his dominance in the WCHL, Keats' arrival in the NHL at the age of 31 was relatively late. He played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Cougars, and Chicago Black Hawks between 1926 and 1929. Though his time in the league was brief, Keats left his mark. He was known for his strong work ethic, leadership qualities, and ability to elevate the play of his teammates. He even recorded the first hat trick in Detroit Cougars franchise history.

Duke Keats played for Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association, Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canada Hockey League, and the Boston Bruins, Detroit Cougars and Chicago Black Hawks of the NHL. He is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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Born December 19, 1934, in Baltimore, MD, was Baseball Hall of Fame Right Fielder and First baseman Al Kaline. Kaline wore the number 6 on the Detroit Tigers (1954-74) for 21 seasons as he batted 0.297 for his career, had an On Base percentage of 0.48, with 399 career Home Runs, and 7 Gold Glove Awarded Seasons. Al is one of the top MLB jersey Number 6s of All-Time

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Gibson was a World Series hero, 2x World Series, Silver Slugger, ALCS MVP, Mgr of the year, wore Number 23, Number 30, and Number 25

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The career stats and number of Metro Prystai from Hockey-Reference.com.