As most sports fans know the Baseballs' National League played its first season in 1876. Although I would believe not as many sports fans know that in 1882 the National League got a friendly competitor on the Major League level when the American Association began play.
Together the two leagues fought off two attempts to form third leagues. By the time they fought off the Players League in 1890, the Association was bruised, bleeding and fighting for its life. After the 1891 season the Association stumbled to the bargaining table in an effort to negotiate a merger with the National League. Those negotitions ended on December 18, 1891 with announcement of a merger called "The National League and American Association of Professional Baseball Clubs". The National League had agreed to add the Baltimore, Maryland; Louisville, Kentucky; Saint Louis, Missouri and Washington, DC Clubs from the American Association.
The long title did not last long and neither did the 12 club league. Just before the 1900 season was scheduled to start the league dropped 3 of the 4 old AA Clubs. I find it quite interesting that the only non-AA Club dropped was owned by a sydicate that owned the club being dropped and the only AA surviving club. The group owned both the Cardinals and the Cleveland Spiders. The Spiders were used as a farm club by the Cardinals and their record showed it as they finished with an embarassing 20-134 a record that even the 1962 expansion season New York Mets could not match in 1962.
Our story for today ended after the 1900 season when the newly renamed American League (nee Western League (Whose first season was 1894)) declared its intention to turn on the National League and take it on as a rival. At the same time the American League moved two of its clubs into territory vacated by the National League the year before when they placed clubs at Baltimore (now the New York Yankees) and Washington, DC (Now the Minnesota Twins). I disagree with some historians that the 1900 American League should be recogized as a Major League. I base my opinion solely on the fact that the league did not declare itself as a major league until after the 1900 season was played. To change history like that would be wrong as that is not what the fans of the day believed.
Tomorrow we will look at some Hockey roots.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
A Day in Sports
The most famous event to occur in history on December 17th was the Wright Brothers first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Since them many events have made history on December 17 in the sports pages. In my book I have documented 20 of those events in several different sports. Today we are highlighting those events.
The first of these events was in 1914 when in Baseballs Pacific Coast League the Mission-Sacramento franchise was transferred to Salt Lake City, Utah. The franchise is still in the league it now resides outside of Austin, Texas as the Round Rock Express. The club had returned to Sacramento for a brief period in the mid 1970s. Interestingly enough on December 17, 1960 in the same league, another Sacramento franchise was transferred to Honoloulu, Hawaii. That franchise is now at Colorado Springs, Colorado since it moved from Hawaii after the 1987 season. A couple years after the move to Hawaii, the league admitted the club from Indianapolis, Indiana. That is one long road trip!!!
In 1963 Soccer tried to prove that baseball is not the only sport that makes headlines on December 17. In international soccer the team from Tahiti scored an 18-0 victory over the Solomon Islands.
In 1967 the American Football League tried to make its mark when Nolan Smith of the Chiefs scored a 106 yard kickoff return in a game against the Broncos. Did it help the Chiefs win the game? Your going to have to read the book!!
In 1968 it was basketballs turn. The Phoenix Suns, just two months after playing their first franchise game, gave up a season high 145 points to the Philadephia 76ers. The loss at home dropped their season record to 7-24. They finished that first season with a 16-66 record.
In 1978 Hockey figured it was their turn when Danny Gare of the Sabres scored 7 seconds into a game with the Vancouver Canucks.
Finally our look at December 17th ends with 2006 and a Lakers game at the Staples Center they lost to the Washington Wizards 147-141 in overtime. The game featured 31 three point goals between the two clubs.
Tomorrow we look at a Major league merger.
The first of these events was in 1914 when in Baseballs Pacific Coast League the Mission-Sacramento franchise was transferred to Salt Lake City, Utah. The franchise is still in the league it now resides outside of Austin, Texas as the Round Rock Express. The club had returned to Sacramento for a brief period in the mid 1970s. Interestingly enough on December 17, 1960 in the same league, another Sacramento franchise was transferred to Honoloulu, Hawaii. That franchise is now at Colorado Springs, Colorado since it moved from Hawaii after the 1987 season. A couple years after the move to Hawaii, the league admitted the club from Indianapolis, Indiana. That is one long road trip!!!
In 1963 Soccer tried to prove that baseball is not the only sport that makes headlines on December 17. In international soccer the team from Tahiti scored an 18-0 victory over the Solomon Islands.
In 1967 the American Football League tried to make its mark when Nolan Smith of the Chiefs scored a 106 yard kickoff return in a game against the Broncos. Did it help the Chiefs win the game? Your going to have to read the book!!
In 1968 it was basketballs turn. The Phoenix Suns, just two months after playing their first franchise game, gave up a season high 145 points to the Philadephia 76ers. The loss at home dropped their season record to 7-24. They finished that first season with a 16-66 record.
In 1978 Hockey figured it was their turn when Danny Gare of the Sabres scored 7 seconds into a game with the Vancouver Canucks.
Finally our look at December 17th ends with 2006 and a Lakers game at the Staples Center they lost to the Washington Wizards 147-141 in overtime. The game featured 31 three point goals between the two clubs.
Tomorrow we look at a Major league merger.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A Day of Baseball News
Professional Baseball is a game being played 12 months a year. Although the World Series has been over for 1.5 months it does not mean that Baseball has not been played since. Here in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, an area that I claim as the "Baseball Capital of the World" the game has been out of season for less then 4 weeks now and in 2 shorth months from now it will be back as catchers and pitchers of a full half of the MLB teams will be reporting here for spring training.
Even today games are being played in Australia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Baseball has always had that year a round news making ability. For many years The Sporting News published nothing but baseball news 52 weeks a year as the "Bible of Baseball". Lets take a look at the news that made headlines in the Baseball World on December 16 in the years past.
We start on December 16, 1908 when the Oskaloosa, Iowa franchise of the Central Association was transferred to Hannibal, Missouri.
On December 16, 1922 the Eastern Colored League was formed on the East Coast as an eight club league. As a direct result, the following season the first Negro World Series was played.
On December 16, 1938 The North Carolina State League made headlines by expanding to ten clubs with the addition of the Shelby and Statesville, NC Clubs.
On December 16, 1942 the Virginia League suspended operations after struggling through the 1942 season because of World War 2. Although most of the leagues that suspended operations for the duration of the war returned for the 1946 season, the Virginia League did not resume play until the 1948 season.
On December 16, 1945 the Cornbelt League failed to organize and elected to wait another year before hitting the playing field. The following year the league was successful in organizing and took the field as the Central Association, a direct successor of the league mentioned above.
If you think that baseball has lost its touch here in the twentyfirst century guess again. On December 16, 2002 The Central League added its 10th Club when the Shreveport, Louisiana Club was added.
Even this close to Christmas every sport is jockey for its position in the Sports page headlines, tomorrow we will look at highlights from all four major sports and a soccer game, too.
Even today games are being played in Australia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Baseball has always had that year a round news making ability. For many years The Sporting News published nothing but baseball news 52 weeks a year as the "Bible of Baseball". Lets take a look at the news that made headlines in the Baseball World on December 16 in the years past.
We start on December 16, 1908 when the Oskaloosa, Iowa franchise of the Central Association was transferred to Hannibal, Missouri.
On December 16, 1922 the Eastern Colored League was formed on the East Coast as an eight club league. As a direct result, the following season the first Negro World Series was played.
On December 16, 1938 The North Carolina State League made headlines by expanding to ten clubs with the addition of the Shelby and Statesville, NC Clubs.
On December 16, 1942 the Virginia League suspended operations after struggling through the 1942 season because of World War 2. Although most of the leagues that suspended operations for the duration of the war returned for the 1946 season, the Virginia League did not resume play until the 1948 season.
On December 16, 1945 the Cornbelt League failed to organize and elected to wait another year before hitting the playing field. The following year the league was successful in organizing and took the field as the Central Association, a direct successor of the league mentioned above.
If you think that baseball has lost its touch here in the twentyfirst century guess again. On December 16, 2002 The Central League added its 10th Club when the Shreveport, Louisiana Club was added.
Even this close to Christmas every sport is jockey for its position in the Sports page headlines, tomorrow we will look at highlights from all four major sports and a soccer game, too.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
A Day of Hockey
Today we are looking at some the record Hockey games that were played on December 15.
We start with a game played on December 15, 1924 at the Boston Garden in where else but Boston. The Bruins were playing in only their fifth franchise game and their third home game. Unfortunately for the Bruins, the visitors the Ottawa Senators made themselves at home taking a 10-2 game from the home club. The Bruins record was dropped to 1-4. The Bruins would not win their second game until January 10 in Montreal, a 10 game losing streak.
We now fast forward to December 15, 1981 with the New York Islanders hosting the Quebec Nordiques. The Islanders won a squeaker by a score of 10-7.
We now go on to December 15, 1990 and the East Coast Hockey League. The Erie Panthers beat the Roanoke Valley Rebels 12-4.
Teams that scored 10 goals or more are not the only hockey stats documented here. On December 15, 1995 Deron T. Quint of the Winnipeg Jets scored two goals in 4 seconds during the second period in the Jets 9-4 win over the Edmondton Oilers.
On a slew of games on December 15, 2007 makes me think it was National Goalies Take the Day Off in the minors. At the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League scored a 10-2 win over the Iowa Stars. At the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico the New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League scored a 10-3 win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. At the S & T Bank Arena in Indiana, Pennsylvania the Indiana Ice Miners of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League scored a 10-0 win over the Jamestown Vikings.
Tommorrow we will look at how Baseball spends its offseason. Have a great day and dont forget to read the Sports page, where history is upfolding as you read this.
We start with a game played on December 15, 1924 at the Boston Garden in where else but Boston. The Bruins were playing in only their fifth franchise game and their third home game. Unfortunately for the Bruins, the visitors the Ottawa Senators made themselves at home taking a 10-2 game from the home club. The Bruins record was dropped to 1-4. The Bruins would not win their second game until January 10 in Montreal, a 10 game losing streak.
We now fast forward to December 15, 1981 with the New York Islanders hosting the Quebec Nordiques. The Islanders won a squeaker by a score of 10-7.
We now go on to December 15, 1990 and the East Coast Hockey League. The Erie Panthers beat the Roanoke Valley Rebels 12-4.
Teams that scored 10 goals or more are not the only hockey stats documented here. On December 15, 1995 Deron T. Quint of the Winnipeg Jets scored two goals in 4 seconds during the second period in the Jets 9-4 win over the Edmondton Oilers.
On a slew of games on December 15, 2007 makes me think it was National Goalies Take the Day Off in the minors. At the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League scored a 10-2 win over the Iowa Stars. At the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico the New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League scored a 10-3 win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. At the S & T Bank Arena in Indiana, Pennsylvania the Indiana Ice Miners of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League scored a 10-0 win over the Jamestown Vikings.
Tommorrow we will look at how Baseball spends its offseason. Have a great day and dont forget to read the Sports page, where history is upfolding as you read this.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Lots of Basketball- Part 3
Today we are looking at four basketball games and the effects that they had on the games recordbooks. The first game was played on December 14, 1957 at the Keil Auditorium in Saint Louis, Missouri between the Saint Louis Hawks and the New York Knicks. The Hawks scored a 136-124 win over the Knicks. The Knicks had 26 of the 50 free throw attempts made in one quarter.
We move ahead to December 14, 1972 and an American Basketball Association game at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Tams. The Jazz took a 147-90 win over the visitors. Exactly one year later in the same league at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Jazz scored a 132-130 win in triple overtime against the Carolina Cougars. Maybe its a bad idea to schedule a game with the Jazz on December 14. We will have to check their record on the day since.
The last game we are looking at was played on December 14, 1999 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles between its two teams, The Clippers and the Lakers. The visiting Clippers were doomed by a miserable start in their 95-68 beating by the Lakers. The Clippers scored only 19 points in the first half. The Lakers outscored them 17-3 in the second quarter. The Clippers must have thought that they were playing in the pre World War Two Era. They most certianly would have never made it in todays American Basketball Association or even the International Basketball League, two minor leagues where high scoring games are the norm.
Tomorrow we will look at the World of Hockey for one day just as we have been looking at Basketball for the last three days.
We move ahead to December 14, 1972 and an American Basketball Association game at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Tams. The Jazz took a 147-90 win over the visitors. Exactly one year later in the same league at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Jazz scored a 132-130 win in triple overtime against the Carolina Cougars. Maybe its a bad idea to schedule a game with the Jazz on December 14. We will have to check their record on the day since.
The last game we are looking at was played on December 14, 1999 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles between its two teams, The Clippers and the Lakers. The visiting Clippers were doomed by a miserable start in their 95-68 beating by the Lakers. The Clippers scored only 19 points in the first half. The Lakers outscored them 17-3 in the second quarter. The Clippers must have thought that they were playing in the pre World War Two Era. They most certianly would have never made it in todays American Basketball Association or even the International Basketball League, two minor leagues where high scoring games are the norm.
Tomorrow we will look at the World of Hockey for one day just as we have been looking at Basketball for the last three days.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Lots of Basketball- Part 2
We begin today look at basketball history with a look at a pair of games from December 13, 1959. The first one was played at the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, New York where the Syracuse Nationals beat the Philadelphia Warriors by a score of 150-121. Just a few shorth years later the Warriors moved to San Francisco, California and a season later the Nationals replaced them in Philly with a move of their own. On that same date at the Olympia in Detroit, Michigan, the Detroit Pistons scored a 147-129 victory over the visiting New York Knicks. Both of those teams however remain in the city where they played at the time.
We move on to a December 13, 1980 game played between the San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio. The home team Spurs scored a 147-123 win. The Nuggets were no stranger to playing high scoring games on December 13th won by the home team.
Fortunately for the Nuggets they were the home team in the December 13, 1983 game played with the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons despite having 47 of the games 93 assists dropped a heartbreakimng, record setting game to the Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime. Three hundred seventy total points is alot of points for any basketball game, at any level of play.
On December 13, 1989 once again the Continental Basketball Association got into the act. In a game played at Moline, Illinois, the Quad City Thunder scored a 172-122 win over the Santa Barbara Islanders.
Finally on December 13, 2005, in a game played at SBC Center in San Antonio, Texas, the Spurs took a 95-87 overtime win from the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers had only 6 turnovers in the game, which was two more then the Spurs had. Thats not a bad game when the two teams combine for only 10 turnovers in an overtime game.
Tomorrow we will have our third and final look at the series.
We move on to a December 13, 1980 game played between the San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio. The home team Spurs scored a 147-123 win. The Nuggets were no stranger to playing high scoring games on December 13th won by the home team.
Fortunately for the Nuggets they were the home team in the December 13, 1983 game played with the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons despite having 47 of the games 93 assists dropped a heartbreakimng, record setting game to the Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime. Three hundred seventy total points is alot of points for any basketball game, at any level of play.
On December 13, 1989 once again the Continental Basketball Association got into the act. In a game played at Moline, Illinois, the Quad City Thunder scored a 172-122 win over the Santa Barbara Islanders.
Finally on December 13, 2005, in a game played at SBC Center in San Antonio, Texas, the Spurs took a 95-87 overtime win from the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers had only 6 turnovers in the game, which was two more then the Spurs had. Thats not a bad game when the two teams combine for only 10 turnovers in an overtime game.
Tomorrow we will have our third and final look at the series.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Lots of Basketball- Part 1
Today we are beginning a three day look at record setting basketball games. I would be very easy for me to write about baseball everyday however, I want to reach fans of all sports.
Our look at basketball begins with a quick look at the December 12, 1958 game between the Boston Celtics and the Cincinnati Royals at the Boston Garden. The Celtics won the game 125-115 in overtime. One of the keys to this game was the fact that future Hall of Famer Bill Russell had 17 rebounds in one quarter. I could have just as easily written about the Southern Association shift of the Little Rock, Arkansas Franchise to Shreveport, Louisiana that happened in baseball on that same day.
We will continue our look at basketball with a look at the December 12, 1967 game played at New Yorks' Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and the Saint Louis Hawks. The visiting Hawks scored a 145-142 win over the home team, thats a lot of scoring for one game.
We now move on to the December 12, 1985 game played at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland between the Washington Bullets and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bullets scored a 110-108 overtime victory. The Bullets Manute Bol, who only recently passed away, had 11 blocked shots in one half, 8 of those coming in one quarter.
The next game we are looking at, on the surface did not look like a game worth mentioning in this forum. The Dallas Mavericks 112-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum does not look like much. When one sees that the Mavericks scored their win in overtime, you can then see that their 23 points in the overtime period was very much the key in this game.
The National Basketball Association does not have the monopoly on the interesting games worth mentioning in this forum. On December 12, 2002 the Continental Basketball Association got into the act. At the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana the Grand Rapids Hoops beat the Gary Steelheads by a score of 148-95. Given the opportunity to look at minor league basketball a lot closer I can find many more games like this one.
Tomorrow the second part of record games in basketball. Maybe someday we can put together a minor league basketball recordbook at least single games.
Our look at basketball begins with a quick look at the December 12, 1958 game between the Boston Celtics and the Cincinnati Royals at the Boston Garden. The Celtics won the game 125-115 in overtime. One of the keys to this game was the fact that future Hall of Famer Bill Russell had 17 rebounds in one quarter. I could have just as easily written about the Southern Association shift of the Little Rock, Arkansas Franchise to Shreveport, Louisiana that happened in baseball on that same day.
We will continue our look at basketball with a look at the December 12, 1967 game played at New Yorks' Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and the Saint Louis Hawks. The visiting Hawks scored a 145-142 win over the home team, thats a lot of scoring for one game.
We now move on to the December 12, 1985 game played at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland between the Washington Bullets and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bullets scored a 110-108 overtime victory. The Bullets Manute Bol, who only recently passed away, had 11 blocked shots in one half, 8 of those coming in one quarter.
The next game we are looking at, on the surface did not look like a game worth mentioning in this forum. The Dallas Mavericks 112-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum does not look like much. When one sees that the Mavericks scored their win in overtime, you can then see that their 23 points in the overtime period was very much the key in this game.
The National Basketball Association does not have the monopoly on the interesting games worth mentioning in this forum. On December 12, 2002 the Continental Basketball Association got into the act. At the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana the Grand Rapids Hoops beat the Gary Steelheads by a score of 148-95. Given the opportunity to look at minor league basketball a lot closer I can find many more games like this one.
Tomorrow the second part of record games in basketball. Maybe someday we can put together a minor league basketball recordbook at least single games.
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