James “Jim” Creighton, Jr. was born on April 15, 1841. Creighton, over the course of his short life, revolutionized the game of baseball. Creighton was known for making an impact in many aspects of baseball. Described as a high-principled, unassuming gentleman, he is known as the first “professional” player and an innovator of the fastball, as well as the pitcher to throw the first recorded … Continue reading Jim Creighton: Baseball’s First Superstar
Sports is riddled with conspiracy theories. As long as there have been organized sports, there have been accusations of cheating, collusion, and conspiracy. Professional sports is no different. There have been numerous situations throughout sports history where moments seemed too good to be true. There have been other moments tarnished by rumor of ongoings behind the scenes. Here are ten of the biggest conspiracy theories … Continue reading Top 10 Sports Conspiracy Theories
The history of professional baseball is full of players with colorful personalities. Athletes like Mark Fidrych, Rickey Henderson, and Jose Lima have made the game of baseball entertaining throughout time. However, none might have been as quirky as Hall-of-Fame pitcher Rube Waddell. George “Rube” Waddell pitched in Major League Baseball during the turn of the 20th Century. In a career that spanned from 1897 to … Continue reading The Eccentric Life of Rube Waddell
Nearly every season, at least one college athletic program commits a violation in the eyes of the NCAA. Typically, in response to such violations, the NCAA will punish the program and school. Most punishments involve monetary fines. In more severe cases, the punishment may be loss of athletic scholarships or even banishment from postseason for a certain amount of seasons. In very rare occasions, the … Continue reading MacMurray College Tennis and the Death Penalty
Sports media conglomerate ESPN has been a mainstay on cable television for over 40 years. The channel was founded in 1978 by father-and-son duo Bill and Scott Rasmussen, and it made its official launch on September 7, 1979. The ESPN campus was available land in Bristol, Conn., helped purchased by majority owner Getty Oil, allowing the construction of satellite dishes to broadcast the new company. … Continue reading The First ESPN Broadcast and How It Was Almost Lost
During the broadcast of the MLB game between the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins on August 24, 2020, Fox Sports Cleveland, the flagship television station for the Indians, ran the following infographic on former Cleveland pitcher Ray Caldwell: According to the unbelievable stat line, on that date 101 years prior, Caldwell was struck by lightning in the final inning of his Indians debut. Despite being … Continue reading Ray Caldwell: The Pitcher that Was Struck by Lightning
From August 12 to August 15 in 2010, the 92nd PGA Championship was held at the Straight Course at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin. The PGA Championship is considered one of golf’s majors and is 1/4 of its “grand slam,” along with the Masters, U.S. Open, and British Open. It is one of the most-important tournaments for PGA Tour golfers each season. In 2010, Martin … Continue reading Controversy at the 2010 PGA Championship
In February of 1992, America was infatuated with The Simpsons. The show was in its third season, and it was one of the highest-rated television series in the world. On February 20, they aired the 17th episode of that season, “Homer at the Bat” (spoilers ahead). In this episode, the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant starts a slow-pitch softball team. Homer becomes the star of the … Continue reading Homer at the Bat: Which of Mr. Burns’ Teams Would’ve Been Better?
Joe DiMaggio is considered one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history. He played from 1936 to 1951 (as well as serving in the military between 1943 and 1945 due to World War II). He was named an all star every season of his career, won nine World Series titles, and won the American League MVP in 1939, 1941, and 1947. He finished … Continue reading Vince DiMaggio: The Oldest DiMaggio Brother
Throughout the history of golf, courses have become grander. As the game grows and evolves, so do the courses. Today’s golf courses have been designed to cater to the modern game. Even the oldest courses in the world, such as St. Andrews and Carnoustie, have been revamped over the years. However, Askernish Golf Club is not like other golf courses. Considered lost for almost over … Continue reading Askernish: Golf’s Lost Course
Odd Sports Stories 