Sports History

Born August 4, 1890, in Havana, Cuba, was Baseball hall of Fame Pitcher, Dolf Luque. This legend was a member of the 1919 and 1933 World Series Champion teams of the Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants respectively. Dolf was MLB wins leader & MLB ERA leader 1923. Luque was enshrined in the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957 and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1967, as well as in the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985. Luque was not only the first Latino pitcher in MLB, but also the first to win a World Series victory and the first to lead the Leagues in wins and shutouts.

Born May 14, 1942 in Camaguey, Cuba, was Baseball Hall of Fame Infielder Tony Perez. Tony was a first baseman and third baseman from 1964 through 1986, for the Cincinnati Reds dynasty that won four National League pennants and two World Series championships between 1970 and 1976 and also played for the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, and the Philadelphia Phillies. Tony was a seven-time All-Star, Pérez averaged more than 100 runs batted in per season for seven straight seasons.

Born May 8, 1893 in Oakland City, Indiana, was Baseball Hall of Fame Center Fielder, Edd Roush. Edd played in the MLB from 1913 to 1931, most prominently as a member of the Cincinnati Reds where he was a two-time National League (NL) batting champion and led the team to the 1919 World Series championship. He also played for the New York Giants, Chicago White Sox as well as the Newark Peppers and the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the Federal League.

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 August 3, 1894, in San Francisco, California, was Baseball Hall of Fame Outfielder Harry Heilmann. This legend was the American League batting champion four different seasons as a member of the Detroit Tigers. Slug, as he was known,played professional baseball for 19 years between 1913 and 1932, including 17 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers (1914, 1916–1929) and Cincinnati Reds (1930, 1932). He was a play-by-play announcer for the Tigers for 17 years from 1934 to 1950. Heilmann held a .380 batting average, .452 on-base percentage, .583 slugging percentage, and averaged 116 RBI, 41 doubles, 11 triples, and 104 runs scored per season. From 1919 through 1930, Harry also hit over .300 for 12 consecutive seasons.

Born December 7, 1947, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Johnny Bench was a Baseball Hall of Fame catcher. This legend was a fourteen-time MLB All-Star. He was voted as the NL MVP, and he was on the roster of two Cincinnati Reds World Series Championship teams, where he has the Series MVP in one of them. Bench was also the Sporting News Player of the Year, and to compliment his hitting, he won ten Gold Gloves from behind the plate. As a well-rounded player, Johnny twice led the National League in home runs and thrice in RBIs. At the time of his retirement in 1983, he held the major league record for most home runs hit by a catcher.

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 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 1, 1859, in Massena, New York, was Baseball Hall of Fame Second Baseman Bid McPhee. This legend spent all 18 years of his MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds organization. A great fielder of his era, McPhee was the last known second baseman not to wear a glove in the field.

Born December 11, 1854, in Rochester, New York, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher and Right Fielder Charles "Old Hoss" Radbourn.

Charles Radbourn was a larger-than-life figure in the early days of baseball. He was a dominant pitcher, a prolific winner, and a source of endless fascination with his unorthodox routines and flamboyant personality.

Born to Pitch:

Born in Rochester, New York, in 1854, Radbourn displayed a natural talent for throwing from a young age. He honed his skills by repeatedly throwing a ball against a barn, strengthening his arm for the future challenges of professional baseball.

Early Success:

Radbourn made his major league debut in 1880 and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He was known for his fastball, curveball, and exceptional control, which he attributed to his unconventional habit of chewing tobacco and rubbing it on the ball.

Record-Breaking Season:

Radbourn's most remarkable season came in 1884, when he won an astounding 59 games for the Providence Grays. This record stood for over 100 years and remains one of the most untouchable achievements in baseball history. He accomplished this feat by pitching a staggering 678 innings, a testament to his exceptional stamina and durability.

Unconventional Methods:

Radbourn was known for his quirky training methods and unorthodox approach to the game. He preferred to sleep in until noon, often arriving at the ballpark just moments before his scheduled start. He also had a reputation for enjoying a good drink, which some attributed to his occasional wildness on the mound.

Beyond Baseball:

Radbourn's life off the field was as colorful as his on-field exploits. He was a skilled hunter and fisherman, and he loved to gamble and tell stories. He also had a passionate side, volunteering his time to help the less fortunate.

Legacy:

Despite his eccentricities, Radbourn was a true pioneer of baseball. He helped shape the game with his innovative pitching style and his record-breaking achievements. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939, receiving recognition for his remarkable career.

Beyond Numbers:

Old Hoss Radbourn was more than just a baseball player. He was a symbol of an era, a larger-than-life personality who captured the imagination of fans and solidified his place as a true legend of the game. His story continues to inspire athletes and fans alike, reminding us that baseball is more than just statistics; it's about passion, dedication, and the thrill of the unexpected.
For more on Radbourn check out this Wikipedia bio: