Bobby Thigpen

Bobby Thigpen was the type of closer that made you bite your nails and grind your teeth. The final out never came easy for him. He had that amazing year in 1990 earning a record-breaking 57 saves. That record stayed in the books until last year when it was shattered by the Angels' Francisco Rodriguez with 62 saves.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 30, 1990

I celebrated my 45th birthday experiencing a double-dose of baseball history. I attended the last game played at the first Comiskey Park. The White Sox edged the Seattle Mariners, 2-1, as Bobby Thigpen recorded his 57th save, which at that time, set a new major league record.

Amos Alonzo Stagg

Amos Alonzo Stagg coached the Maroons of the University of Chicago from 1892 to 1932. He doubled up on wins over losses, having led his Maroons to a record of 242-112-27 over his long and distinguished career. Stagg's U of C teams went on to win seven Big Ten championships. Stagg was one of the shapers of modern day football, introducing the huddle, the lateral pass and uniform numbers to the game.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 29, 1903

The University of Chicago Maroon football team annihilates Monmouth College, 108-0, in a game played at Marshall Field (later named Stagg Field).

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 28, 1938

Catcher Gabby Hartnett hits a two-out, ninth-inning homer in the near dark of Wrigley Field to break a 5-5 tie, as the Cubs defeat the Pirates and go on to win the National League pennant.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 27, 1967

The White Sox pennant hopes are dealt a severe blow as they lose a road doubleheader to the Kansas City Athletics, 5-2 and 4-0.

Mills Stadium

Mills Stadium was a sports venue located in an industrial area on Lake Street near Cicero, between the Lawndale and Austin neighborhoods. The stadium was built in 1913 and was used mainly for semi-professional baseball and both amateur and professional boxing, although there were many other uses. The Chicago Bears opened their regular season at Mills in 1930, playing the Brooklyn Football Giants to a 0-0 tie. The Chicago American Giants hosted a Negro League game against the New York Cubans at Mills in 1935.

The Sting

You have to give Lee Stern credit for bringing professional soccer to Chicago. Lee's hope was that a new generation of American soccer players would eventually replace the predominance of foreign players on the American soccer scene, and ultimately put soccer on par with the other major American professional sports. It never happened. The Sting played both outdoor and indoor soccer from 1975 through 1988, and overall attendance averaged in the 6,000-13,000 range per game.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 26, 1981

The Chicago Sting become the North American Soccer League champion as they defeat the New York Cosmos, 6-5, at the Soccer Bowl held in Toronto.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 25, 1926

Chicago is awarded a National Hockey League franchise called the Black Hawks. The new team will play its games at the Coliseum on South Wabash Avenue.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 24, 1919

The White Sox clinch the American League championship, defeating the St. Louis Browns, 6-5, at Comiskey Park. The bookmakers make the Sox 8-5 favorites over the Reds in the World Series.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 23, 1907

The Cubs clinch their second National League pennant, defeating the Phillies, 4-1, in a game that featured a Chicago triple-play.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 22, 1927

Before a throng of 104,943 at Soldier Field, Gene Tunney defeats Jack Dempsey for the heavyweight boxing crown in the famous long count bout.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 21, 1930

The Bears opened the season at home playing the Brooklyn Dodgers to a 0-0 tie. The game was held at Mills Stadium, located at Lake near Cicero, because Wrigley Field was still in use for the baseball season. This was the only professional game ever played at Mills Stadium. This was the first season for the Brooklyn Football Dodgers in the NFL. They went 7-4-1, and only gave up a total of 59 points in 12 games, less than 5 points a game!

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 20, 1953

The future "Mr. Cub", Ernie Banks, slugs his first major league homer off Gerry Staley of the St. Louis Cardinals, but the Cubs lose, 11-6, at Busch Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 19, 1934

More than 35,000 wrestling fans come to Wrigley Field to watch Jim Londos become heavyweight champion of the world. Londos pins Ed (Strangler) Lewis with a hammerlock and then switches to a halfnelson to secure his victory.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 18, 1927

The Yankees sweep a pair from the White Sox, 2-1 and 5-1, at New York. Babe Ruth hits his 54th homer off of Ted Lyons in the fifth inning of the second game.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 17, 1983

The White Sox become the American League Western Division champions. Julio Cruz scores on Harold Baines' sacrifice fly, giving the Sox a 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 16, 1975

Rennie Stennett of the Pittsburgh Pirates becomes the only player in the 20th century to collect seven hits in a nine-inning game, as the visiting Pirates romp over the Cubbies by a score of 22-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 15, 1915

White Sox hurler Red Faber tosses a one-hitter against the Red Sox at Boston. The only BoSox hit is a single by Tris Speaker in the fifth inning. The White Sox win the game, 3-1.

Memories of that Magical Year

Former Bear offensive lineman, Keith Van Horne, came into Max and Benny's today. He was still fuming from that heartbreaking loss last night. You hate to see a big man like that in a bad mood.

Van Horne played thirteen solid years with the Bears. He was a vital part of the Super Bowl winning team. He brought back all sorts of memories of that magical year.

Cousin Lester brought out an old poster of the Bears offensive line where they were all were wearing shades and looking tough. Keith took Lester's Sharpie and autographed the poster. Pretty neat. Now we just have to find one of all the guys doing the Super Bowl Shuffle.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 14, 1936

The White Sox defeat the Washington Senators, 5-4 and 11-3, in a twinbill played at Comiskey Park. Luke Appling collects five hits for the day, raising his league leading batting average to .384.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 13, 1981

The San Francisco 49ers defeat the Bears, 28-17, at Candlestick Park. Walter Payton scores two touchdowns, but also fumbles twice, including once on the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter.

MJ----You Could Have Done Better

I was disappointed with Michael Jordan's acceptance speech at the Basketball Hall of Fame last night. There was a lack of graciousness on MJ's part. I know that we would not have six championship flags draped at the United Center if were not for Michael, but his supporting cast did play a major role in those championship seasons. Michael could also have mentioned the late Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr as friends and part of his Bulls' family during his remarks. Hey MJ, where's your heart? Ego's cool, but so is appreciation and caring.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 12, 1974

The Bears hire former Minnesota executive Jim Finks as general manager, vice-president and chief operating officer. The Bears post a 4-10 record in the first year of the Finks era.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 11, 1951

The Cubs and Braves bang out 33 hits as Chicago defeats Boston, 13-11, before 3,836 fans at Wrigley Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 10, 1967

Joel Horlen hurls a no-hitter at Comiskey Park, as the White Sox beat the Tigers, 6-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 9, 1965

Sandy Koufax pitches a perfect game against the Cubs at Los Angeles, as the Dodgers edge the Cubs, 1-0. Koufax completes the season with a 26-8 record.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 8, 1940

The visiting Chicago Cardinals open the season playing the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 7-7 tie. The opening Cardinal roster has twenty-two rookies, including formerNotre Dame star Mario Tonelli, who leads the offense with forty-three yards of rushing.

White Sox Musings

* Gavin Floyd is going to pitch a no-hitter within the next two years.

* Jermaine Dye looks old.

* Alex Rios looks lost.

* Matt Thornton should be the closer next year.

Reeder Looking at Sports: This Date in Chicago Sports---September 7, 1959

Reeder Looking at Sports: This Date in Chicago Sports---September 7, 1959

Ollie Matson

My favorite football player as a kid was Ollie Matson, who played with the Chicago Cardinals from 1952-58. Ollie was the best running back and kick-off returner on either side of town during those years. The poor, suffering Cardinals unloaded my hero in a trade after the 1958 season to the Los Angeles for nine players. Ollie continued to distinguish himself in the NFL, and eventually was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 7, 1959

Host city Chicago bids "Adios" to the athletes of the Third Pan-American Games. The U.S. garners 121 gold, 72 silver and 52 bronze medals.

Ich Heroics

Congrats to Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners for becoming the second-fastest major league player to reach the 2,000 hit milestone. He did it in his 1,402 game. It took Al Simmons 1,390 games. Suzuki is just five hits away from 200 hits this season, which will be nine consecutive seasons of 200+ hits, which will set the major league record, breaking a tie with Willie"hit them where they ain't" Keeler.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 6, 1905

The White Sox clobber the Tigers, 15-o, as Frank Smith hurls a no-hitter for the visiting Chicagoans.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 5, 1918

The Cubs and Red Sox opened the war-shortened World Series at Comiskey Park, which is used in hope of increasing attendance for the games. In Game 1, Red Sox pitcher Babe Ruth outdueled Cub ace, Hippo Vaughn, in a 1-0 victory for Boston.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 3, 1904

J. D. (Jim) Lightbody, a student at the University of Chicago, wins his third gold medal at the 1904 Olympiad in St. Louis. Lightbody wins the 1,500- meter race to add to his earlier triumphs in the 2,500 meter steeple-chase and the 800-meter race.

Stars in Their Twilight

During the last few years, the White Sox have had the likes of Jim Thome and Ken Griffey Jr., both future Hall of Famers, play for them in the twilight of their careers. I remember, back in the 80s, when Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Steve Carlton spent some twilight time on the South Side. Seaver pitched for the Sox from 1984 to 1986, winning 33 and losing 28, while posting a 3.67 ERA. Carlton also pitched for the Sox in 1986, registering a 4-3 record and an ERA of 3.69.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 2, 1972

Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas hurls a no-hitter against the Padres at Wrigley Field, as Chicago wins, 8-0. Pappas misses a perfect game by one pitch, as Padre Larry Stahl takes a walk with a full-count and two out in the ninth inning.

This Date in Chicago Sports---September 1, 1961

Cuno Barragan, the Cubs' rookie catcher, slugs a home run in his first major league at bat. It is his only career homer.