Docendo Discimus
Jackie Robinson Day, observed annually on April 15th, is one of Major League Baseball's (MLB) most significant and reflective holidays. It commemorates the day in 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the color line, becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. This event not only changed the course... Continue Reading →
The 1921 Women's Olympiad, which opened on March 24, 1921, a landmark event in the history of women's sports, marked the beginning of a new era, challenging traditional gender norms and setting the stage for the future inclusion of women in competitive athletics at the Olympic Games. This pioneering event not only showcased the athletic... Continue Reading →
Alfred Flatow was an emblematic figure whose life journey from an Olympic gymnast to a tragic end during the Holocaust reflects both the pinnacle of athletic achievement and the darkest facets of human history. Born on October 3, 1869, in Danzig, Prussia (now Gdańsk, Poland), Alfred Flatow was introduced to gymnastics at a young age,... Continue Reading →
Born Cornelius McGillicuddy on December 22, 1862, in East Brookfield, Massachusetts, Connie Mack would grow to become one of the most iconic figures in the world of baseball. His journey into baseball began in the minor leagues, where his talents as a catcher and his sharp baseball mind quickly became evident. Mack's true legacy began... Continue Reading →
The 1980s were… a different time. I was a young sailor, and it was a big wide world. But it was also a world that was fixed in its divisions. There was them… and there was us. Since February of 1980, the sports world had been dominated by that “them vs us” mindset, and it... Continue Reading →
The founding of the National Hockey League (NHL) on November 26, 1917, marked a significant milestone in the history of professional ice hockey. This event laid the foundation for what would become one of the most prestigious and competitive professional sports leagues in the world. The story of the NHL's creation begins in the early... Continue Reading →
Joe DiMaggio, an iconic figure in American sports history, was born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio on November 25, 1914, in Martinez, California. He was the eighth of nine children in a family of Italian immigrants. DiMaggio's family moved to San Francisco when he was a child, where his father worked as a fisherman. Despite his father's... Continue Reading →
Lance Armstrong, born on September 18, 1971, in Plano, Texas, catapulted into global fame with a record-breaking seven consecutive Tour de France victories from 1999 to 2005. His story wasn't just about cycling dominance; it was a tale of resilience and comeback. After being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996, which then spread to his... Continue Reading →
Stanislaw Ketchel, better known in boxing circles as “Stanley Ketchel,” remains one of the most captivating figures in the annals of pugilism. Born on September 14, 1886, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Polish immigrants, Ketchel's journey from his humble beginnings to the pantheon of boxing greats is a tale steeped in both inspiration and tragedy.... Continue Reading →
Baseball, America's favorite pastime, has recently been marred by one of the most nefarious scandals in the sport's history. The 1919 World Series, contested between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds, has come under a microscope of suspicion and evidence points toward a shocking revelation - members of the White Sox may have... Continue Reading →
Here's my problem with the "Steroid Era" in baseball: I had a conversation one day with a well known former Oakland A's player who I will not name, but he wrote a book about the use of steroids in baseball and he wasn't Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa or Barry Bonds. Nor did he ever testify... Continue Reading →
It's not a hidden thing, I am a diehard Dodgers fan, and the peak of my fandom was in the 1980s. The '81 season was... well... it was Fernandotastic. But this particular day? Not so much. In retrospect, of course, it was a great moment for baseball... In a dazzling display of pitching prowess, the... Continue Reading →
September 20, 1982 was both a great day for me personally, and a disappointing day. I graduated from SWSE "A" School and was promoted to FTB3. A few hours later, the NFL went on strike. After missing most of the 1981 season in Basic Training, I had been looking forward to the 82 Season. Alas...... Continue Reading →
It was one of the most exciting games that I ever remember watching. First, it featured my beloved Denver Broncos, in the first game in their new stadium, INVESCO Field at Mile High. My Dad and I had toured it earlier that summer, and there was a lot of anticipation for the new season and... Continue Reading →
September 5, 1972, remains one of the darkest days in Olympic history. The Munich Olympics, designed to present a new face of a modern, post-war Germany ("The Happy Games"), became marred by an act of terrorism that would forever change the nature of international sporting events. In the early hours of September 5, eight members... Continue Reading →
August 26, 1972 The Munich Olympic Stadium, an architectural marvel with its sweeping and transparent canopies, was filled to the brim with eager spectators from all around the world. The atmosphere was palpable with excitement and anticipation for the opening ceremonies of the XXth Olympiad. As is tradition, the ceremonies began with a parade of nations.... Continue Reading →
August 22, 1989. The Oakland A's faced off against the Texas Rangers, but this game was more than just a regular baseball match; it was a date with destiny for Nolan Ryan. On this day, amidst the hum of anticipation from both teams' fans, Ryan reached a milestone few could even dream of: his 5000th... Continue Reading →
On August 16, 1920, the Cleveland Indians were playing against the New York Yankees at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Ray Chapman, the star shortstop for the Indians, stepped to the plate in the top of the fifth inning. On the mound for the Yankees was submariner Carl Mays. During this era, pitchers... Continue Reading →
The 1936 Olympic 100m dash, won by American athlete Jesse Owens, remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of the Olympic Games and a significant milestone in the fight against racism and discrimination. The event took place in Berlin, Germany, on August 3, 1936, during the politically charged atmosphere of the 1936... Continue Reading →
Dave Does History 