This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 26, 1930

Hack Wilson hits three homers in the Cubs 16-2 victory over the Phillies in Philadelphia.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 25, 1959

George Blanda, the Bear quarterback and place-kicker, announces his retirement from the NFL. Blanda retires as the highest scoring player in Chicago Bear history.

July 24, 1973

Former Blackhawk star Pat Stapleton is named player-coach of the WHA Chicago Cougars, replacing Marcel Pronovost.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 23, 1957

Dick Drott strikes out fourteen New York Giants, as he posts a shutout in a 4-0 Cubs win at Wrigley Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 22, 1962

White Sox outfielder Floyd Robinson collects six consecutive singles, as the South Siders topple the Boston Red Sox, 7-3.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 21, 1991

It's a great day for Chicago baseball as both Bill Veeck and Ferguson Jenkins are inducted into the Hall of Fame.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 20, 1938

Cub star catcher Gabby Hartnett assumes managerial duties, as he replaces Charlie Grimm. Hartnett finishes the season with a 44-27 record and the Cubs go on to win the pennant.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 19, 1981

Women tennis stars Tracy Austin, Rosie Casals and Chris Evert Lloyd lead a U.S. romp over Great Britain and capture the Wightman Cup at the International Amphitheater.

This Date in Chicago Sports-----July 18, 1948

"Fat" Pat Seerey belts four homers in an eleven inning battle between the A's and the Sox in Philadelphia. Seerey's fourth blast in the final inning gives Chicago a 12-11 victory.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 17, 1966

Billy Williams hits for the cycle as the Cubs defeat the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-2, at Busch Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 16, 1947

Rocky Graziano wins the middleweight title bout besting Tony Zale before 18,547 boxing fans at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 15, 1945

In the waning days of the second World War, nearly 44,000 Wrigley Field spectators are on hand as the Cubs win a doubleheader from the New York Giants, 5-3 and 7-2.

This Date in Chicago Sports-----July 14, 1950

Betty Bush wins the nineteenth annual Chicago Women's District Golf Association title at the Skycrest Country Club.

This Date in Chicago Sports----July 13, 1964

The White Sox obtain Bill Skowron from the Washington Senators in exchange for fellow first baseman Joe Cunningham.

July 12, 1979

In a day of sports infamy, Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park turns into a fan riot. The White Sox, who lost the first game of the doubleheader to the Tigers, are forced to forfeit the second game.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 11, 1908

Ed Walsh pitches the entire game as the visiting White Sox defeat Philadelphia, 5-4, in sixteen innings.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 10, 1983

The Chicago Blitz is defeated by the Philadelphia Stars, 44-38, in USFL semi-final competition in the City of Brotherly Love.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 9, 1969

Cub rookie center-fielder Jimmy Qualls ruins Tom Seaver's no-hit bid as he singles sharply to left-center with one out in the ninth inning before a crowd of 59,083 at Shea Stadium, as the Mets win, 4-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 8, 1947

Wrigley Field hosts its first All-Star game, as the American League continues to dominate the Summer Classic with a 2-1 win. It is the tenth victory in fourteen outings for the teams from the Junior Circuit.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 7, 1956

The Detroit Tigers rout Sox starter Dick Donovan, and go on to win the game, 12-8, at Comiskey Park.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 6, 1933

The first major league All-Star game is played at Comiskey Park. The American League is victorious, 4-2, as Babe Ruth's two-run homer proves decisive.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 5, 1981

Ed Fiori wins the Western Open at Butler National in Oak Brook. Fiori earns $54,000 in first-prize money, as he scores 277 (11 under par) on the 72 hole competition.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 4, 1983

Mark McCumber earns $72,0000 by winning the Western Open golf tournament held at Butler National in Oak Brook. McCumber edges Tom Watson by one stroke.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 3, 1935

The Cubs give veteran outfielder Kiki Cuyler his unconditional release. Cuyler had a .325 batting average in seven and one-half seasons for Chicago.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 2, 1955

Fleetwood, a C class yawl owned by Chicagoan Nick Geib, wins the thirty-fifth annual Chicago to Saugatuck 90-mile race sponsored by the Jackson Park Yacht Club.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- July 1, 1990

Andy Hawkins of the Yankees hurls the last no-hitter at Comiskey Park, but his teammates errors cost him the game, as the White Sox win 4-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 30, 2002

Matt Clement strikes out twelve Sox batters, as the Cubs defeat their crosstown rivals, 9-2, in a game that featured two home runs by Cub infielder Mark Bellhorn.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 29, 2007

The Cubs rally to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-5, on a two-on, two-out, Aramis Ramirez walk-off homer at Wrigley Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 28, 2008

The Chicago Sky defeat the Detroit Shock, 76-59, in WBNA play at the UIC Pavilion. Candice Dupree leads the scoring with eighteen points for the Sky.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 27, 1922

Future Hall of Famer Ray Schalk becomes the only White Sox catcher to hit the cycle, i.e. a single, double, triple and homer in one game.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 26, 1977

Tom Watson finishes with a five under par score of 69 to capture the Western Open title at the Butler National Course in Oak Brook.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 25, 1966

Buckpasser, rode by jockey Braulia Baeza, wins the $108,000 Arlington Classic, posting a world record mile of 1:32 minutes.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 24, 1977

Ron Moore scores all five Sting goals in a 5-2 win over Vancouver, marking Willy Roy's coaching debut at home.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 23, 1984

In one of the greatest games ever played at Wrigley Field, Ryne Sandberg homers with two out in the bottom of the ninth to tie the St.Louis Cardinals, 9-9. Sandberg completes his heroics by homering in the eleventh inning to give the Cubs a 12-11 victory.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 22, 1937

Joe Louis becomes heavyweight boxing champion of the world. The Brown Bomber knocks out Jimmy Braddock in the eighth round in a bout at Comiskey Park.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 21, 1956

Pitchers Jack Harshman of the White Sox and Connie Johnson of the Orioles both pitch one-hitters during the same game, as the South Siders best the Birds, 1-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 20, 1974

Rick Reuschel tosses a shutout as the Cubs defeat the Pirates, 3-0, despite the Bucs twelve hits, in a game played in the Friendly Confines.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 19, 1964

Rich Sniadanko's winning hit gives Austin a 3-2 victory over Bowen in the Chicago Public League baseball title game at Wrigley Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 18, 1911

Talk about blowing a lead! The White Sox, ahead 13-1 in the fourth inning, allow the Detroit Tigers to rally and overtake them, 16-15.

This Date in Chicago Sports-----June 17, 1915

Oh what a relief! Cub hurler Zip Zabel enters the game against Brooklyn as a reliefer in the first inning. He continues to pitch through the nineteenth inning, as the Cubs score a run and win the game, 4-3, in that frame. Zabel's lengthy performance remains the longest major league relief appearance to this day.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 16, 1981

The Cubs Board of Directors approves the sale of the team to the Tribune Company for 20.5 million dollars. The sale will end sixty-six years of Wrigley family ownership of the Cubs.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 15, 1964

The Cubs trade outfielder Lou Brock to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Ernie Broglio. Brock is destined for the Hall of Fame. Broglio is destined for obscurity.

This Date in Chicago Sports----June 14, 1949

A nineteen year old Chicago woman shoots and seriously wounds Philadelphia Phillie first baseman, Eddie Waitkus, in her hotel room at the Edgewater Beach Hotel.

This Date in Chicago Sports----June 13, 1937

Billy Herman and Rip Collins each hit safely four times, as the Cubs bombard the Phillies, 16-8, at Philadelphia.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 12, 1991

The Windy City finds itself in the midst of a major celebration, as the Bulls defeat the Lakers to become the NBA champion for the first time in franchise history.

This Date in Chicago Sports----June 11, 1966

Ernie Banks returns to his native state with a bang. "Mr. Cub" slams three triples in the Wrigleys 8-2 victory over the Astros at the Astrodome in Houston.

This Date in Chicago Sports---June 10, 2008

The Chicago Wolves win their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, 5-2, at the Allstate Arena.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 8, 1947

After playing seventeen consecutive scoreless innings, the Washington Senators tally a run in the eighteenth inning, to nip the White Sox, 1-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 7, 1983

Kevin Loughery is named coach of the Chicago Bulls. Loughery comes to the Bulls with a professional coaching record of 387 wins and 423 losses.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 6, 1985

It's D-Day in Chicago, as Leon Durham's double drives in Jody Davis, as the Cubs defeat the Pirates, 3-2, in twelve innings at Wrigley Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports-------June 5, 1978

Larry Costello is named the new Chicago Bull coach, replacing Ed Badger who had accepted the head coaching position at the University of Cincinnati.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 4, 1929

Two Hack Wilson homers pace the Cubs to a 10-9 victory over the New York Giants at Wrigley Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 3, 1971

Kenny Holtzman tosses his second career no-hitter in a Cubs 1-0 victory over the Reds at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- June 2, 1991

In their first NBA Final Championship game, the Bulls lose to the Lakers, 93-91, in Chicago, thereby losing the home court advantage.

White Sox righthander Bill Dietrich tosses a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns, as Chicago wins easily, 8-0, at Comiskey Park.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 31, 1920

Cub hurler Grover Cleveland Alexander wins his eleventh consecutive game, as his tenth inning homer is the margin of victory in a 3-2 decision over the Reds.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 30, 1927

Chicago Cub shortstop Jimmy "Scoops" Cooney makes an unassisted triple play on a Paul Waner line drive. The Cubs win the game, 7-6, ending Pittsburgh's eleven game winning streak.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 29, 1962

Buck O'Neil is signed as a coach by the Cubs, becoming the first African American coach in major league baseball.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 28, 1934

Chicago's own Barney Ross becomes the World Welterweight champion, winning a split decision over Jimmy McLarnin at the Madison Square Garden Bowl in Long Island.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 27, 1968

Seventy-three year old George Halas announces an end to his coaching career. The coaching responsibilities for the Bears will be taken over by Jim Dooley.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 26, 1957

Cub righty Dick Drott establishes a team strikeout record for a nine inning game as he fans seventeen Milwaukee Braves.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 25, 1958

St. Ignatius continues its dynastic rule over the Chicago Catholic League track scene. Ignatius wins its eighteenth consecutive title in events held at Stagg Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 24, 1929

Lyons challenges Tigers! Ted Lyons pitches twenty-one innings against Detroit, but the Sox lose the game, 6-5.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 23, 1954

George Kell trades red socks for white ones. The White Sox receive the Boston third baseman in a trade for infielder Grady Hatton and $100,000.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 22, 1915

Babe Ruth makes his Chicago debut as a pitcher for the Red Sox in a game at Comiskey Park. Ruth is rocked for five runs in less than two innings before he is relieved, as the White Sox rout Boston, 11-3.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 21, 1980

As a baseball strike looms on the horizon, 33,967 fans watch the South Siders lose to the Minnesota Twins, 3-2.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 20, 1975

An announced crowd of 55,555, a Comiskey Park record attendance, shows up for Bat Day, and sees the Sox split a doubleheader with the Twins, winning the opener, 9-3, and losing the nightcap, 3-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 19, 1984

Light-hitting shortstop Larry Bowa collects three hits for the Cubbies in a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros.

This Date in Chicago Sports-----May 18, 1947

Before the largeat single-paid attendance game attendance in the history of Wrigley Field, Jackie Robinson makes his Chicago debut as the Dodgers defeat the Cubs, 4-2.

This Date in Chicago Sports-----May 17, 1993

Michael Jordan's jumper, in the last seconds of Game 4 of the semi-finals, secures a Bulls win over the Cavaliers, 103-101, in a game played at Cleveland.

This Date in Chicago Sports-------May 16, 1982

The New York Cosmos outscore the Sting, 3-1, in a game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 15, 1953

Rocky Marciano defeats Jersey Joe Walcott, by a knockout, at 2:25 of the first round, in a heavyweight championship bout at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 14, 1975

The Golden State Warriors eliminate the Bulls from the NBA Western Conference finals, defeating them, 83-79, at Oakland.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 13, 1982

The White Sox soundly defeat the Milwaukee Brewers, 13-2, in American League action at Comiskey Park.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 12, 1970

Only 5,264 fans see Ernie Banks hit his 500th home run as a Cub. Ernie's blast is hit off Atlanta hurler Pat Jarvis and sails into the Wrigley Field left field bleachers.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 11, 1975

The Bulls make Chicago moms miserable, as they lose, 86-72, on Mother's Day to the Golden State Warriors in the sixth game of the Western Conference finals.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 10, 1968

Blackhawk center Stan Mikita is named MVP for the second consecutive year in the NHL. Mikita scored 40 goals and 47 assists in the 1967-68 season.

This Date in Chicago Sports----May 9, 1978

The Sting and the Cuban national soccer team battle to a 1-1 tie at Soldier Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 8, 1927

A crowd of 52,000 jams Comiskey Park to watch Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and the rest of the New York Yankees clobber the White Sox, 9-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 7, 1962

Ex-White Sox general manager, Frank Lane, is hired as the new general manager of the NBA's new Chicago franchise, the Packers.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 6, 1963

Gary Peters makes his first start for the White Sox. Peters slugs a homer and pitches his team to a 5-1 victory over Kansas City.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 5, 1972

Blackhawk goalies Tony Esposito and Gary Smith are co-awarded the 1971-72 NHL Vezina trophy in allowing the fewest goals to the opposition for the season.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 4, 1960

Lou Boudreau and Charlie Grimm trade places. WGN radio announcer Boudreau, replaces Grimm as the Cub manager, while Charlie takes over Lou's spot in the broadcasting booth.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 3, 1968

The Yankees score three unearned runs in the third inning on Sox first baseman Tommy McCraw's three errors. New York beats Chicago and Joel Horlen, 3-2, at Comiskey Park

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 2, 1917

Hippo Vaughn of the Cubs and Fred Toney of the Cincinnati Reds both pitch scoreless nine-inning no-hitters, but Vaughn gives up two hits and a run in the tenth inning, as Toney pitches a hitless tenth as the Reds win, 1-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- May 1, 1951

Minnie Minoso plays his first game as a member of the White Sox. Minoso hammers a Vic Raschi pitch into the center field bullpen in his first at-bat with the South Siders, but the Sox fall to the Yankees, 8-3.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 30, 1922

White Sox hurler Charlie Robertson pitches a perfect game against the Tigers at Detroit, as Chicago wins the game, 2-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 29, 1987

The "Hawk" is flying high as Andre Dawson hits for the cycle, as the Cubs beat the Giants, 8-4, before 11,120 Wrigley Field fans.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 28, 1972

The Cubs defeat the fabled Big Red Machine, 10-8, at the Friendly Confines, as Cub outfielder Jim Hickman has six RBIs in the game.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 27, 1925

Who's on first? Bud Clancy we presume. But it is hardly necessary as White Sox first baseman Clancy plays the entire nine innings against the St. Louis Browns without a fielding opportunity.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 26, 1905

Cub outfielder Jack McCarthy establishes a major league record by throwing out three baserunners at home plate in one game. The Cubs defeat the Pirates, 2-1, in Pittsburgh.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 25, 1876

The Chicago White Stockings (later the Cubs)make their National League debut. Albert G. Spaulding hits and pitches Chicago to a 4-0 victory over the home Louisville team.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 24, 1901

The first official American League game is played at South Side Park at 39th and Wentworth. The White Stockings of Chicago defeat the Blues of Cleveland by a score of 8-2.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 23, 1914

Weeghman Park (later to be renamed Wrigley Field) opens its gates at Clark and Addison as the home field for the Chicago Whales of the new baseball Federal League. The Whales swallow up the Kansas City Packers, 9-1.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 22, 1950

Cook County Superior Judge John A. Sbarbaro fines the American Bowling Congress $2,500 for its exclusion of non-whites from its bowling leagues and championship tournaments.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 21, 1956

After two are out in the second inning, the Kansas City Athletics bats explode for thirteen runs in the inning, as they defeat the White Sox, 15-1.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 20, 1986

Michael Jordan scores 63 points in a two-overtime playoff game against the Celtics at the Boston Garden. Despite Jordan setting the NBA scoring record, the Bulls lose the game, 135-131.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 19, 1979

The Bulls and Lakers flip a coin for the NBA's number one draft pick. Chicago calls heads, and the coin comes up tails. LA goes on to select Earvin "Magic" Johnson in the June 25th draft.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 18, 1991

The portals are opened for the first game at the new Comiskey Park. However the inhospitable Detroit Tigers maul the Chisox, 16-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 17, 1974

Catcher George Mitterwald, affectionately known as "The Baron", connects for three homers in the Cubs 18-9 shellacking of the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 16, 1961

The Black Hawks win their third and last Stanley Cup, beating the Detroit Red Wings, 5-1, at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 15, 1983

Detroit hurler Milt Wilcox retires 26 consecutive White Sox batters before pinch-hitter Jerry Hairston spoils his perfect game bid with a single to center. The Sox lose the game, 6-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 14, 1981

The largest opening day crowd at Comiskey Park, 51,560, watch the White Sox wallop the Brewers, 9-3. Carlton Fisk's grand slam homer is the key blow for the South Siders.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 13, 1976

A Wrigley Field opening day crowd of 44,818 is on hand to watch the Cubs edge the Mets, 5-4, on a Rick Monday single in the bottom of the ninth inning.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 12, 1938

The Blackhawks win their second Stanley Cup by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-1, before a crowd of 17,205 at the Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 11, 1982

The White Sox open the season in New York and sweep the Yankees in a doubleheader, 7-6 and 2-0. Salome Barojas registers a save in his first major league game and Kevin Hickey records his first career win.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 10, 1934

Chicago receives its first Stanley Cup, as Mush Marsh scores at 10:05 in the second overtime to break a scoreless tie and give the Blackhawks a 1-0 victory over Detroit to capture the NHL championship.

Cubs left-fielder Billy Williams is "double-trouble" for the Phillies, as he belts four consecutive two-baggers, in an 11-3 romp for the Cubs at beautiful Wrigley Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 8, 1947

The Chicago American Gears, the Windy City's National Basketball League franchise, wins the league title by defeating the Rochester Royals, 79-68, in a game played at the International Amphitheater.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 7, 1984

Detroit hurler Jack Morris throws a no-hitter against the White Sox, as the Tigers win, 4-0, in a game played at Comiskey Park.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 6, 1927

Seventeen year-old swimmer, George Kojac, sets a world record in swimming the 150 yard backstroke at the Chicago Athletic Association pool.

Trading Away the Future

Fifty years ago Bill Veeck thought that the White Sox had to make three keys moves to build on their pennant winning success in 1959. Veeck believed that the Sox were weak in three positions in 1959-----right-field, third-base and first-base. Right-field that year was shared by Jungle Jim Rivera and Jim McAnany who combined for four homers and forty-five RBIs. When a trade opportunity presented itself to reacquire Go Go Sox favorite Minnie Minoso, who was coming off another outstanding season with Cleveland with a .302 average, 21 homers and 92 RBIs, Veeck pulled the trigger on the deal sending great prospects and future stars Norm Cash and John Romano to the Indians.

A strange trio played first-base for the Sox in 1959. There were good field, no hit Earl Torgeson, catcher Sherman Lollar and late season acquisition Ted Kluszewski. Veeck learned that All-Star power-hitting first-baseman Roy Sievers was available from the Senators, so he traded catcher Earl Battey, first-baseman Don Mincher and cash to obtain Sievers.

Third-base in 1959 for the Sox was handled by Bubba Phillips and Sammy Esposito, who produced a combined six homers and forty-five homers. Gene Freese who hit twenty-three homers and drove in seventy RBIs for the Phillies that year was viewed as a definite upgrade, and the Sox traded rookie outfielder Johnny Callison to get him.

The Sox could not repeat their pennant-winning year in 1960 with the addition of Minoso, Sievers and Freese. The young players traded away---- Cash, Callison, Battey, Romano and Mincher all had outstanding careers. One can only speculate how good the White Sox would have been in the 60s' if they kept that young talent. Thus Bill Veeck had a two-fold legacy in Sox history----winning the pennant in 1959 and trading away the future the next year.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 5, 1960

The White Sox trade catcher Earl Battey, first-baseman Don Mincher and pay $150,000 to the Washington Senators for slugging first-baseman Roy Sievers.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 4, 1964

Crane Tech defeats Loyola Academy, 73-65, in the annual All-Chicago championship high- school game at the Stadium, marking the seventh consecutive winning of the title by the Public League.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 3, 1988

The Blackhawks lose to New Jersey, 4-3, in overtime, allowing the Devils to make the playoffs for the first time in their history.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 2, 1960

Wilt Chamberlain and the Harlem Globetrotters defeat a team of College All-Stars, 88-82, before 20,613 fans at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- April 1, 1984

Glenbrook North wins the Illinois high school hockey championship, defeating St. Rita, 7-4, in a match played at the Franklin Park Ice Arena.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 31, 1979

Niles West High School, located in Skokie, wins the Illinois Girls' Class AA basketball championship, defeating East St. Louis, 63-47, at the Assembly Hall in Champaign.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 30, 1947

The Chicago Stags win the Basketball Association of America's Western Division Championship, as they defeat the St.Louis Bombers, 73-66, in overtime at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 29, 1971

The Bulls select forward Kennedy McIntosh from Eastern Michigan University as their first pick in the NBA draft.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 28, 1995

Returning to Madison Square Garden for the first time since his retirement, Michael Jordan scores 55 points for the Bulls in a victory over the Knicks.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 27, 1983

Nearly 18,000 fans watch the Blackhawks defeat Detroit, 6-0, at the Chicago Stadium, as Tony Esposito records his seventy-fifth NHL shut-out.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 26, 1945

Led by 6'10" center George Mikan, DePaul wins the NIT basketball tournament, defeating Bowling Green of Ohio, 71-54, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 25, 1972

Bobby Hull collects his 600th career goal, driving the puck by Boston goaltender Gerry Cheevers. The Golden Jet will notch four more goals for Chicago before he jumps to the upstart World Hockey Association.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 24, 1979

DePaul loses to the Indiana State, 76-74, in the NCAA semi-final game at Salt Lake City. Larry Bird shoots sixteen for nineteen from the field and gathers in sixteen rebounds in a phenomenal performance for the Sycamores.

Going Crazy in Rogers Park

I was a senior at Mather High School the night that Loyola University became college basketball's national champs. As a Jewish kid living in West Rogers Park, I became one of the greatest fans of the Loyola Ramblers, a team representing a Jesuit School located by the el tracks at Loyola and Sheridan in Rogers Park.

I must have attended at least ten Rambler games that year in their old-fashioned, tiny field house. I loved the chemistry of the team led by the smooth forward Jerry Harkness and feisty guard Johnny Egan. In the age of the civil rights struggle, it was a predominantly Black starting line-up. I identified with this team as the underdogs, going against the Goliaths of college basketball.

So the night when Loyola edged the powerful Cincinnati Bearcats to win it all, I hopped on the Lunt bus with my friend Howie Katz, and headed east to the el at the Morse station. Then we took the train south one stop and joined the celebration along Sheridan Road. We were too young to buy booze, but not too young to scream and shout about how our team came through for us. Two Jewish boys going crazy in Rogers Park over the success of our neighborhood Jesuit School. As Harry Golden would say "only in America."

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 23, 1963

Loyola University defeats the University of Cincinnati, 60-58, winning the NCAA basketball championship at Freedom Hall in Louisville.

The Great Marshall High School Junior Teams

I was speaking with my uncle Jerry Schlan tonight about the glory days of the Marshall High School Junior basketball teams,coached by the great Lou Weintraub, who dominated their Chicago Public League competition from 1939 through 1944. Uncle Jerry, who is now 87 and lives in South Florida, was a member of the 1939-40 team along with West Side basketball legends Whitey Siegel,Izzey Acker and Alex Eisenstein.

During that era, the Chicago Public League had two Leagues, a Junior League for boys who were 5'8" or under, and a Senior League for the bigger boys. The Marshall Juniors put together a string of ninty-eight consecutive wins from 1939-1944, capturing four city championships along the way. This winning streak remains a national record, and the Marshall teams from those four seasons are now enshrined in the Chicago Public Schools, Illinois Basketball Coaches and National Basketball Halls of Fame.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 22, 1958

The Marshall Commandos become the Chicago Public League's first State basketball champions. The West Siders defeat Rock Falls, 70-64, at Huff Gymnasium in Champaign.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 21, 1980

The Bulls-Denver game at the Stadium goes into three overtimes, but the Nuggets win, 134-128.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 20, 1967

The Catholic high school champ, DePaul Academy, defeats its public school counterpart, Harlan, in the City title game at the International Amphitheater. Joey Meyer leads the DePaul scoring with thirteen points.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 19, 1949

Loyola University loses the NIT title game, as the Ramblers fall to the Dons of the University of San Francisco, 48-47.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 18, 1978

The North Park College Vikings defeat Widener Colege, 69-57, to become the NCAA Division 3 basketball champions.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 17, 1965

Amos Alonzo Stagg dies at the age of 102. Stagg coached at the University of Chicago from 1892-1933, and his football teams won 268 games, while losing 141.

This Date in Chicago Sports---March 16, 1984

Ennis Whatley's three-point play, in the final seconds of the fourth overtime, gives the Bulls a 156-155 victory over the Trail Blazers in Portland.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 15, 1966

Abe Saperstein, the founder, owner and guiding light of the Chicago-based Harlem Globetrotters, dies in his beloved hometown.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 14, 1958

Ireland's Jim Delany celebrates St. Patrick's Day a few days early, as he runs a record indoor mile at 4:03.4 in the Chicago relays held at the International Amphitheater.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 13, 1960

Bye, Bye, Birdies! The National Football League approves the transfer of the Chicago Cardinals to St. Louis.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 12, 1966

Bobby Hull scores his fifty-first goal, a National Hockey League record for regular season play, as he slaps a shot past New York Ranger goalie Cesare Maniago at the Chicago Stadium. The Hawks go on to win the game, 4-2.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 11, 1954

Chicago Mayor Kennelly, Illinois Governor Stratton and 19,486 other fans attend the championship matches of the twenty-seventh annual Golden Gloves Tournament at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 10, 1984

Ray Meyer coaches his last regular season basketball game at DePaul. The Blue Demons soundly defeat Marquette, 64-49, before a crowd of 17,559 at the Rosemont Horizon.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 9, 1981

The White Sox announce that free-agent catcher Carlton Fisk will sign a multi-year contract with the team. Fisk will wear uniform number 72, a reversal of his Red Sox number.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 8, 1946

DePaul defeats visiting Beloit College, 65-40. George Mikan plays in his last game as a Blue Demon, scoring 13 points to up his career total to 1,870.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 7, 1976

The Bulls topple the Lakers, 91-88, in a game played at the Los Angeles Forum. Guards Norm Van Lier and Jack Marin lead the Chicago scoring with fourteen points each.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 6, 1983

The Blitz, Chicago's entry in the new United States Football League, wins its opening game, defeating the Washington Federals, 28-7, at RFK Stadium in DC.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 5, 1984

The University of Illinois at Chicago wins its twelfth consecutive basketball game, defeating Western Illinois, 72-67. UIC clinches first place in the new Association of Mid-Continent Universities Conference.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 4, 1973

Arthur Ashe wins the second annual Kemper International Tennis Tournament, defeating Roger Taylor of the United Kingdom, before 4,056 tennis enthusiasts at matches held at suburban Lyons Township High School.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 3, 1941

Joe Stamf of the University of Chicago tallies 12 points in a game against Indiana, to win the Big Ten scoring crown for the year. However the Maroons lose the game, 49-33, and finish 0-12 for the year in the Big Ten Conference.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- March 2, 1931

The Northwestern Wildcats receive the Allerton Trophy for winning their first Big Ten basketball title in twenty-five years.

March 1, 1972

Jim Pappin's three goals lead the visiting Black Hawks to a 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. It is Pappin's fourth career hat trick.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 28, 1959

Guard Paul Sheedy, playing in his last collegiate basketball game, sets the Loyola University scoring record by netting 46 points in a game. The Ramblers also set their all-team game scoring record by routing John Carroll, 127-89, at the Loyola gymnasium.

February 27, 1980

Notre Dame ends DePaul's twenty-five game basketball winning streak, as the Irish defeat the Blue Demons, 76-74, in double overtime at South Bend.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 26, 1987

Air Jordan is traveling at mach speed scoring 58 points, as the Bulls defeat the New Jersey Nets, 128-113. Jordan's performance breaks Chet Walker's single game high of 56 for a regular season game.

The Blue Demon Blues

All of us DePaul basketball fans were hoping that the 1983-84 season would be a memorable one. It was Coach Ray Meyer's last year at the helm before turning things over to son Joey. The Blue Demons had two outstanding players that year, Dallas Comegys and Tyrone Corbin, both of whom were headed for the NBA.

But once again DePaul fell short of its championship goal, being eliminated this time in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Coach Ray's last seven teams, won 180 games, while losing just 30. They advanced twice to the Elite 8 and once to the Final 4, but the coveted NCAA Championship eluded them.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 25, 1984

DePaul rallies in the second half to overtake the Louisville Cardinals, 73-63, in college basketball action at the Rosemont Horizon. Dallas Comegys and Tyrone Corbin each score 19 points for the Blue Demons.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 24, 1948

The White Sox trade left-handed pitcher Eddie Lopat to the Yankees, in exchange for pitchers Fred Bradley and Bill Wight. Lopat becomes a fixture in the Yankees starting rotation, while hurling in five World Series. Fred Bradley only pitched nine games in the Majors, all with the Sox. Wight lost 20 games in his first season in Chicago, but did manage a record of 15-13, with an outstanding 3.31 ERA in 1949.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 23, 1957

Eddie Litzenberger of the Black Hawks slaps the puck past Red Wings goalie, Glen Hall, at 19:11 in the 3rd period to give Chicago a 4-3 home ice victory.

Max Zaslofsky and the Chicago Stags

Max Zaslofsky was the best Jewish professional basketball player in Chicago. He played for the Stags from 1946-1950. During the first three years of his career, the Stags played in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), a rival league founded to compete with the already established National Basketball League in 1946. The two leagues merged at the end of the 1948-49, and became the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Chicago Stags played one year as an NBA team, folding the franchise after the 1949-50 season, and letting its players be picked up in a dispersal draft.

A guard, Zaslofsky had a great two-handed set shot. He played one collegiate year at St. John's in his hometown of New York, and then signed on with the new Stag franchise, who had Arthur Wirtz in its ownership group. The team played at Wirtz's Chicago Stadium.

Zaslofsky had four outstanding seasons with he Stags. He led them in the BAA Finals in his rookie year, but the team lost the title to the Philadelphia Warriors. Zaslofsky's 877 points that year was the fourth highest total in the League. One of his fellow backcourt players for the Stags was another Jewish player, Chicago's Mickey Rottner, who played played high school hoops at Tuley and collegiate basketball at Loyola.

Zaslofsky was a prolific scorer, by the professional standards of the time, scoring over 1,000 points per season for the Stags for the next three years. He was picked up by the New York Knicks in the dispersal draft, and he had three productive years for the Knicks. He played for three other teams in the NBA before ending his career in 1956.

During the NBA's Silver Anniversary in 1971, Max Zaslofsky was chosen as one of the League's top twenty-five players in its first twenty-five years (the other Jewish player being Dolph Schayes). After all, his 7900 points scored was the third highest scored in the history of the League when he retired in 1956.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 22, 1948

The Chicago Stags rout the Boston Celtics, 97-77, before 3,980 fans at the Boston Arena in Basketball Association of America competition. Max Zaslofsky leads the Stags in scoring with 21 points.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 21, 1970

Bobby Hull scores his 500th career goal, as the Black Hawks defeat the New York Rangers, 4-2.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 20, 1944

In a defensive masterpiece on Chicago Stadium ice, the Black Hawks and Toronto Maple Leafs play to a penalty-free, 0-0 tie.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 19, 1938

The University of Chicago defeats the Iowa Hawkeyes, 38-35, in basketball action at Iowa City. The win marks the Maroons first Big Ten win since 1935, snapping a conference losing streak of 34 consecutive games.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 18, 1991

Air Jordan is on cruise control, as Michael Jordan's 32 points pace the Bulls to a 110-95 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 17, 1959

A consortium of stockholders, headed by Bill Veeck, assume control over the White Sox, thus formally ending Comiskey family ownership of the team.

February 16, 1983

The Bulls, behind Reggie Theus' 35 points, defeat the Indiana Pacers, 117-113, in front of a sparse turnout of 2,745 fans in Indianapolis.

Tragedy strikes the Chicago Cubs! Twenty-two year old Ken Hubbs, the Cubs' regular second baseman for the last two seasons, dies in a Utah plane crash.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 14, 1951

Sugar Ray Robinson isn't exactly Jake Lamotta's Valentine as he knocks out the Raging Bull in the thirteenth round, and becomes middleweight champion in a title bout at the Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 13, 1977

Chris Evert defeats three-time Wimbledon tennis champ, Margaret Court, 6-1 and 6-3, in the finals of the Virginia Slims tournament held at the Amphitheater.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 12, 1970

The Bulls "shock" the visiting Baltimore Bullets edging them by a score of 122-121, as Chicago guard, Shaler Halimon, known to fans as "Mr. Electricity", scores 27 points.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 11, 1977

The Cubs trade two-time batting champion, Bill Madlock, to the San Francisco Giants, for outfielder Bobby Murcer and two other players.

Dan Davis

After graduating high school at Crane Tech, Dan Davis played at Northwestern, where he was an excellent athlete as well as student. He achieved Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1968. Davis returned to Crane as basketball coach and led his team to the 1972 state finals. Later he coached at Malcolm X College. His son, Aaron Spears,was an outstanding collegiate basketball player at St. John's.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 10, 1965

Crane Tech crushes Wells, 83-67, for its eighteenth consecutive win in Chicago high school basketball competition, as Dan Davis scores 41 points for Crane.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 9, 1924

Sybil Bauer, representing the Chicago Athletic Club, sets two world records for women swimmers in Miami Beach, as she breaks her previous world marks in the 200 meters and 300 yards back stroke.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 8, 1976

The Bulls quiet a Super Dome crowd of 24,382 as they defeat the New Orleans Jazz by a score of 96-92.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 7, 1986

The Chicago Sting overcome a 5-0 Los Angeles Lazers lead by scoring five goals in the fourth quarter and the winning goal in the first 16 seconds of overtime, to achieve a 6-5 victory in indoor soccer competition at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 6, 1972

Chet "The Jet" Walker sets the Bulls individual game scoring record, as he nets 52 points in a 119-94 victory over the Cincinnati Royals.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 5, 1967

The Golden State Warriors edge the Bulls, 142-141, in an exciting overtime game played at the Chicago Amphitheater.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 4, 1950

DePaul loses to the University of San Francisco, 53-51, and Northwestern falls to Indiana, 64-59, in a Chicago Stadium collegiate basketball doubleheader.

This Date in Chicago Sports-----February 3, 1949

The Chicago Cardinals decide that two heads are better than one. The South Side NFL team appoints Phil Handler and Ray Parker as co-coaches.

This Date in Chicago Sports-----February 2, 1895

George Halas is born in Chicago. He grows up to become the legendary "Papa Bear", founder and owner of the Chicago Bears, as well as one of the co-founders of the National Football League.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- February 1, 1950

Earl "Curly" Lambeau signs a two-year contract to coach the Chicago Cardinals. Lambeau, who had been the Green Bay Packers coach for thirty-one seasons, will be paid $30,000 per year as the Cardinal coach.

This Date in Chicago Sports------January 31, 1979

Center John Battle of Chicago's Cathedral High School scores 91 points in a lopsided 135-28 win over Roycemore Academy. Battle's 91 points in a game sets a new Illinois high school basketball scoring record.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 30, 1969

The Blackhawks slap a dozen pucks into the net at the Philadelphia Forum, as they trounce the Flyers, 12-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 29, 1981

The second Veeck era ends in Chicago, as the new White Sox ownership is established, headed by Board Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and President Eddie Einhorn.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 28, 1943

Center Max Bentley of the Blackhawks scores four goals and one assist in the third period, as Chicago crushes the New York Rangers, 10-1, at the Stadium.

"Tony O"

Tony Esposito was the dominant goalie in the National Hockey League from the 1969-70 through 1973-74 seasons. In those four seasons, "Tony O" recorded 44 shutouts for the Blackhawks, while winning 3 Vezina Trophys. Those of us watching "Tony O" at the old Chicago Stadium, marveled at his "butterfly" goaltender stance and his right-handed knocking down and catching of pucks.

This Date in Chicago Sports---January 27, 1972

The Blackhawks defeat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-0, as goalie Tony Esposito records his third consecutive shutout.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 26, 1986

Pop the champagne(or maybe we should say beer)in Grabowski City! The Bears soundly defeat the New England Patriots, 46-10, to capture the Super Bowl XX trophy, winning the coveted prize for the first time.

Blackhawk Name and Logo

I've always thought that the Chief Blackhawk logo was pretty neat. However in this day of political correctness, I'm surprised that a warrior chief with warpaint is still hanging in there. In these enlightened times, there are no more Marquette Warriors and Chief Illiniwek had been declared to be a "hostile and abusive" mascot and image by the NCAA. Let us remember that the former Fort Deaborn Massacre is now the Battle of Fort Dearborn by the wisdom of the Chicago City Council. I suppose you have to sugarcoat history at times.

Back in 1937, then Blackhawk owner, Major Frederick McLaughlin, wanted to change the team's name to the Yankees. And why not? A Yankee is synonymous with an American. And wasn't Chief Blackhawk once the enemy of our greatest President, Abraham Lincoln, during that eponymous war in the early days of Illinois history?

Yet today, Chief Blackhawk's visage, warpaint and all, remains the logo of our beloved Chicago National Hockey League team. This current image of the terrible Chief, poised for war, is undoubtedly frightening all those young kids who are now flocking to the United Center with their folks to watch the team play.

This is why I would like to suggest a new name to the great marketing genius, John McDonough, the boss of the current Blackhawks. My suggestion is to call the team "The Chicago Shots." Hockey is a game of "slapshots" and "shots on goal" after all. Plus the owners of the team, the Wirtz family, has a major liquor distributorship, so "shot" reinforces the idea of the family business as well. John, I think we have a winner!

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 25, 1937

Imagine the Chicago Yankees! In a decision that thankfully never came to fruition, Blackhawk owner, Major Frederick McLaughlin, announces his plan to change the name of his hockey team to the Yankees for the 1937-38 season.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 24, 1981

Sting forward Ingo Peters scores five goals, as visiting Chicago romps to a 15-3 victory over the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, in North American Soccer League indoor competition.

Sammy Esposito

Sammy Esposito was your classic good-field, no-hit baseball utility infielder. I always thought it was nice to have a Chicago neighborhood guy on the team. Esposito had a ten-year Major League career, despite a lifetime batting average of .207. He played all but 25 of his 560 games with the White Sox. Two-thirds of his games were played at third base, since future Hall of Famers, Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox had so little bench time playing short and second.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 23, 1950

Future White Sox infielder, Sammy Esposito, establishes a Chicago Public School basketball scoring record, as he tallies 81 points in Fenger's 107-32 rout of Carver.

Dye and Jones

My son Mike suggested that the White Sox recent acquisition of Andruw Jones might want to be compared to the signing of Jermaine Dye six years ago. Mike pointed out that it was generally viewed that Dye was on the downside of his career when he was picked-up by the Sox in December of 2004. Dye's 2003 season was plagued with two stints on the DL, as he hit a horrible .172 for Oakland with 4 four homers and 20 RBIs in 65 games. However he did improve his numbers considerably the next year, batting .265 while hitting 23 homers and driving in 80 RBIs.

The Jones downside has been going on for three consecutive years. In 2007, his last year with the Braves,Jones batting average dipped to .222, a 40 point drop from the year before, although his power numbers of 26 homers and 94 RBIs were good. After signing with the Dodgers in December of 2004, there were high expectations in LA of the former Brave star. Yet Jones was on the DL three times in 2008 and hit a paltry .158 in 75 games, while hitting only 3 homers and driving in just 14 runs. Last year with Texas, Jones again had injury issues as he hit .214 for the year with 17 homers and 45 RBIs.

When Dye was signed by the Sox at age 31, the expectation was that he was going to be the everyday right-fielder. Jones, who will be 33 in April, will not be part of the regular White Sox outfield, that is set with Juan Pierre, Alex Rios and Carlos Quentin. The only place that he can fit is DH, a role that he will likely share with Mark Kotsay. If Jones can have a sensational Spring Training and overcome his career slide, then he might indeed be the everyday DH, with Kotsay playing a back-up role for Paul Konerko at first base. But what are the odds that Jones can comeback to his old form?

It is of interest that Jones and Dye were both rookie outfielders on the 1996 Atlanta Braves National League Championship team. Now the ex-teammates are both struggling to remain in the Big Leagues, Dye still yet not signed for 2010, while Jones must prove that he still has value to stay on the White Sox roster.

This Date in Chicago Sports------January 22, 1933

Blackhawk defenseman Art Coulter scores at 19:35 of the third period, to give Chicago a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, before a rowdy Stadium crowd of 8,100.

Mike Caruso

Yesterday, at a luncheon at the Mid-America Club, I met a nice young man, a Financial Services Professional, by the name of Mike Caruso. He happened to be a White Sox fan. I began to recall his namesake, who played two full seasons on the South Side, and who started his career with such great promise.

The White Sox obtained Mike Caruso, the shortstop, from the San Francisco Giants in the White Flag trade of July, 1997. Caruso was 20 years old at the time, a great prospect, and the hype, at the time, was that he was going to replace Ozzie Guillen as the Sox regular shortstop in 1998.

The rookie did indeed assume that role. His hitting was fine, a .306 average, but he only had 14 bases on balls in over 500 plate appearances, for an awful .331 OBP for a lead-off hitter. He had good speed on the bases, stealing 22 bases in 26 attempts.
His fielding was atrocious. He committed 35 errors in 1998, a .944 Fielding Percentage.

Caruso's downside became apparent the next year. In 529 at bats, he only collected 17 extra base hits. He drove in just 35 runs, and walked only 20 times. His steals went down to 12, and he was caught stealing 14 times. He continued to make more errors than most major league shortstops.

After the 1999 season, the Sox released the 22 year-old Caruso. He tried a comeback with Kansas City in 2002, but after 12 games with the Royals he was cut from the team. He never played in the Bigs again.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 21, 1950

DePaul and Loyola both lose in a Chicago Stadium basketball double-header. The Blue Demons fall to Kentucky, 86-53, and the Ramblers are defeated,50-42, by Toledo.

This Date in Chicago Sports-----January 20, 1984

The Mets fail to protect Tom Seaver in the free agent compensation pool. The White Sox select the three-time Cy Young Award winner as their compensation choice for Dennis Lamp.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 19, 1983

The Penguin comes to Chicago! The Cubs acquire third baseman Ron Cey in a trade with the Dodgers, in exchange for infielder Dan Cataline and pitcher Vance Lovelace.

This Date in Chicago Sports-------January 18, 1977

The Blackhawks and the Colorado Rockies battle to a 7-7 tie in a hockey game played in Denver.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 17, 1950

DePaul defeats second-ranked St.John's,74-68,before more than 18,000 collegiate basketball fans at Madison Square Garden, Bato Govedarica leads the Blue Demons with 20 points.

This Date in Chicago Sports----January 16, 1932

The Northwestern Wildcats maintain the Big Ten Basketball conference lead by edging the Michigan Wolverines, 21-20, before a capacity crowd in Evanston's Patten Gymnasium.

This Date in Chicago Sports---- January 15, 1944

The Valparaiso Crusaders upset coach Ray Meyer's DePaul Blue Demons, 65-57. Future pro Bob Dille plays for Valpo and scores 28 points.

Hoyt Wilhelm

Hoyt Wilhelm, the Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher, was simply spectacular in his six-year stint with the White Sox. Arriving on the South Side in 1963, at age 40, as part of the Aparicio trade with Baltimore, Wilhelm was pretty much used exclusively in relief in the 361 games that he pitched for the Sox (he started just three games, all in 1963). He recorded 98 saves, gave up just 2.2 walks per 9 innings, and posted a remarkable 1.92 ERA.

This Date in Chicago Sports----January 14, 1963

The White Sox swap Luis Aparicio and Al Smith to the Baltimore Orioles for Hoyt Wilhelm, Ron Hansen, Dave Nicholson and Pete Ward.

Good, Good Leroy Brown

Jim Croce sang about bad, bad Leroy Brown, the baddest man on a certain side of town in Chicago. Well that Leroy Brown was a creative figment of the imagination of that songwriter. The Leroy Brown whose obituary I read today, and of whom I had a passing acquaintance, was very real, and from what I observed personally and heard from others, was a very good man indeed.

I met Leroy Brown at several social and political functions about thirty years ago. His brother, Dr. Reginald Brown, was my boss at the Mayor's Office of Employment and Training. I recall having several conversations with Leroy Brown about DuSable High School basketball, remembering the great 1953-54 team that finished in second-place in the Illinois State Tournament, a team in which another brother, "Sweet" Charlie Brown starred on.

The Leroy Brown that I casually chatted with three decades ago was soft-spoken and gracious. He was very open and kind in listening to and responding to my inquiries about that great DuSable team that almost won State.

The obituary stated that Leroy Brown was an excellent athlete himself, receiving a swimming scholarship to Tennessee State. He was an accomplished bowler as well, and last week at age 74, he finished a game of bowling with five consecutive strikes. After that game, he collapsed at the bowling alley and died. Five consecutive strikes! What a way to go!

Johnny Lattner

Chicago native, Johnny Lattner, who is now 87 years old, went on to have a distinguished collegiate career at Notre Dame from 1951-53. During his three years with the Irish, Lattner was a two-way player, a running back and a defensive back. The legendary journalist Jimmy Breslin said that Lattner in 1952 "was the best two-way player in the business."

In 1953, Lattner had a great year generating 1279 yards of total offense. As a T-formation halfback, he rushed for 651 yards and caught 204 yards worth of passes. He ran eight kickoff returns for 321 yards, returning two for touchdowns. He also returned ten punt returns for 103 yards. Lattner also intercepted four passes on defense. Lattner won the Heisman Trophy that year and was elected to the College Hall of Fame in 1979.

Lattner was the Steelers first-round draft pick in 1954. He had a decent rookie year, rushing for 237 yards, with 305 yards of pass receptions. He returned kickoffs and punts, and gained 413 and 73 yards respectively. He scored seven touchdowns.

He served in the Air Force for two years after his rookie year, and he severely hurt his knee in a service game. This injury prevented him from ever playing in another NFL game.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 13, 1950

Defending Catholic League basketball champion, Fenwick, defeats Mt. Carmel, 53-43, as Johnny Lattner scores 23 points for the victors.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 12, 1935

Lynn Waldorf replaces Dick Hanley as head football coach at Northwestern. Waldorf had coached Kansas State to a 7-2-1 record during the 1934 season.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 11, 1977

The Cubs obtain Bill Buckner and Ivan DeJesus in a trade from the Dodgers in exchange for Rick Monday and Mike Garman.

This Date in Chicago Sports----January 10, 1966

Bears defensive coach, George Allen, is hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, despite having two years remaining on his three-year contract with the Bears. Owner-coach George Halas denounces the Rams for "pirating" Allen.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 9, 1970

The Bears, with a record of 1-13 during the 1969 season, lose the coin toss for the first draft pick to the Steelers. Pittsburgh selects quarterback Terry Bradshaw in the January 27th draft.

This Date in Chicago Sports----January 8, 1970

The Bulls trounce the Phoenix Suns, 152-123, in NBA action at the Chicago Stadium. Center Tom Boerwinkle establishes a team record with 37 rebounds in the game.

This Date in Chicago Sports----January 7, 1981

Mark Aguirre scores 47 points, sinking 19 of 26 field goal attempts, as visiting DePaul defeats the University of Maine, 85-77.

This Date in Chicago Sports---January 6, 1935

Hungarian table tennis stars, Viktor Barna and Sandor Glancz, defeat a team of the best American players in that sport, sweeping all seven matches held at the Stevens Hotel.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 5, 1933

A crowd of 9,200 hockey fans watch the Boston Bruins and the Blackhawks battle to a scoreless tie on Stadium ice. Goaltender Charles Gardiner records the shutout for the Hawks.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 4, 1983

The Bulls and Pistons set a Stadium scoring record, tallying 285 points, as Chicago defeats Detroit 147-138, in double-overtime.

This Date in Chicago Sports---January 3, 1967

Visiting Loyola routs the Minnesota Gophers, 87-63, in collegiate basketball action. Jim Tillman leads the Ramblers with 26 points.

Abe Saperstein

Abe Saperstein began his basketball coaching career working for the Chicago Park District at Welles Park in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. He also started coaching young African-American basketball players at a Jewish youth center in the Maxwell Street area. He put together a semi-professional team in 1927 called the Savoy Five since they played their games at the Savoy Ballroom on the South Side.

Saperstein renamed the team the Harlem Globetrooters to suggest a traveling team with roots outside of the Midwest. Their style of play was razzle dazzle and comedic, and over the years the Trotters brought entertaining and spectacular basketball to millions of people throughout the world.

This Date in Chicago Sports---January 2, 1952

The Minnesota Lakers of the NBA defeat Abe Saperstein's Harlem Globetrotters, 84-60, before an overflow crowd of 20,864, at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports--- January 1, 1949

The Northwestern Wildcats start the year off right, as they defeat the University of California, 20-14, in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena.