The Dodgers 30 Homer Club

June 15, 2024 in Baseball

Happy Birthday Dusty Baker. In the last game of the 1977 regular season, Dusty hit his 30th Homer of the year off Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard. It marked the first time that 4 teammates (Baker,Cey,Smith & Garvey) all hit 30 or more home runs in a season. It also became such an iconic moment because after he touched home plate, Baker was greeted by teammate Glenn Burke with his arm high in the air. Dusty reached up and slapped it, thus commemorating the 1st High Five in baseball history. Did you know that Glenn was up next and he too hit a home run? Dusty was there to greet him with the 2nd High Five.

Happy Birthday Ronnie Lott !!

May 08, 2024 in Football

Happy Birthday Ronnie Lott!! In his Rookie Season of 1981, Ronnie became just the second rookie to return 3 INT’s for Touchdowns. He had 7 picks that year and was voted 1st Team All-Pro while helping the 49ers win Super Bowl XVI. He placed 2nd in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Lawrence Taylor.

'Middle Infield's' - Trammell & Whitaker

April 17, 2024 in Baseball

Elliott Perry

April 02, 2024 in Basketball

Elliot ‘Socks’ Perry. Another high socks legend of my childhood. Elliot was the 37th pick in the 1991 Draft by the L.A. Clippers. He would only appear in 10 games for the Clippers before he was traded to the Hornets. After spending a couple of years in the CBA, Perry scrapped his way back into the NBA in 1993. With the Phoenix Suns in 1994-95 he was runner up in the voting for the NBA’s Most-Improved Player.

George Bell

March 16, 2024 in Baseball

April 4th 1988 (11) George Bell becomes the first player in MLB History to hit 3 homers on opening day. He walloped all three round trippers off Royals all star Brett Saberhagen.

1st Quadruple Double - Nate 'The Great' Thurmond

February 27, 2024 in Basketball

Nate ‘The Great’ Thurmond has his # 42 retired by two NBA Franchises. His jersey hangs from the rafters of both the Golden State Warriors & Cleveland Cavaliers. Though, it’s in his very first game with another team, the Chicago Bulls, that Nate became the first player in NBA History to record a Quadruple-Double. (Block Shots were not recorded prior to 1973-74 season) Nate’s stat line that October night in 1974 went a little like this : 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocked shots.

Valentine's Day 1990- aka The Game Michael Jordan Wore the Number 12

February 14, 2024 in Basketball

The always superstitious Michael Jordan is forced to wear the number 12 for the Bulls during a road game in Orlando. His customary 23 was stolen from the Chicago locker room before the game. They even searched the crowd for any fan wearing a Jordan jersey that might fit the 6'6" guard. Despite the random no name jersey, MJ still scored a game high 49 points. The expansion Magic would pull off a double digit comeback in the 2nd half forcing OT, where they would eventually prevail 135-129 over the Bulls.
The 23 jersey would be found a few days later stashed up in the ceiling tiles of the visitors locker room.

Randy Moss & His Cat In The Hat Socks

February 13, 2024 in College Football

Who remembers Randy Moss rocking the ‘Cat in the Hat’ Socks back in 1996? That day Randy hauled in 8 passes for 288 yards and 3 touchdowns in a Marshall University 59-14 victory over Delaware in the Division I-AA Playoffs. Happy Birthday Randy!

Blaze Birthday Crew!

February 07, 2024 in College Basketball

In your face this week are # 6 of your favorite early 90’s NCAA Basketball stars with Birthdays in February.

Shawn Respert - February 6th, 1972
Juwan Howard - February 7th, 1973
Steve Nash - February 7th, 1974
John Wallace - February 9th, 1974
Scot Pollard - February 12th, 1975
Tyus Edney - February 14th, 1975

Random Backup Quarterback with Mark Vlasic

February 06, 2024 in Football

In the 1987 NFL Draft, Mark Vlasic was a 4th round selection out of Iowa by the San Diego Chargers, he had 4 career Touchdown passes.

11/20/1988 San Diego Chargers W 38-24 over LA Rams - 4 yd to Quinn Early
9/9/1990 San Diego Chargers L 17-14 vs Dallas Cowboys - 14yd to Craig McEwan
11/17/1991 KC Chiefs L 24-20 vs Denver Broncos - 8 yd to Tim Burnett
12/8/1991 KC Chiefs W 20-17 over San Diego Chargers -16 yd to Harvey Williams

Happy Birthday Hank Aaron

February 05, 2024 in Baseball

Jerry Rice Passing

January 19, 2024 in Football

Jerry Rice was just 3 of 10 passing for his career. He had 1 Touchdown & 1 Interception. Who caught that TD? Who Picked off Jerry? Free Blaze goes to the Football Gumshoe who can tell us both players names. (Hint: Both occurred in games against the same NFC West Foe)

Happy Birthday Ottis Anderson

January 19, 2024 in Football, Hometown Hero

Wishing a Happy Birthday to a Blaze Hometown Hero, Mr. Ottis Anderson. #561 In his very 1st game in the NFL, the rookie Running Back from Miami rushed for 193 yards on 21 carries, including a 76 yard touchdown run. It is the 2nd highest rushing total for a player in their very 1st game. Any guesses on who rushed for 194?

Hint: (It happened in the same year that lightning struck the Clock Tower in Hill Valley, CA. This RB also won Rookie of Year honors, just like Ottis did.

Happy Birthday Champ!

January 16, 2024 in Boxing

The Mad Bomber - Celtic Chris Ford Buries The First Three Pointer in NBA History

January 11, 2024 in Basketball

It was back on October 12th, 1979 that Boston Celtics guard Chris Ford sunk the first official 3-pointer in NBA History. The man they called ‘The Mad Bomber’ finished his playing days in 1982 for the guys in green, but continued as an assistant coach, and eventually became Boston’s head man from 1990-95. The 114-106 Celtics victory over the Houston Rockets that night was also the debut game for a youngster out of Indiana State named Larry.

Bill Cartwright & his Funky Free Throw Style

January 10, 2024 in Basketball

Despite having maybe the funkiest free throw style in NBA history, Bill Cartwright, once went a perfect 19 for 19 from the charity stripe during a 124-110 NY Knicks loss to the Kansas City Kings back in November of 1981. Bill was actually a 77% free throw shooter over his 15 year career.

Adrian Dantley

January 10, 2024 in Basketball

🗓On This Day : January 4th, 1984
Adrian Dantley knocked down 28 of 29 free throw attempts in a Utah Jazz 116-111 victory over the Houston Rockets. The 28 makes tied the record set by Wilt Chamberlin for the most converted freebies in a NBA Game. Dantley finished the game with 46 points. Did you know the contest was one of 11 home games that the Jazz played in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center that season?