Extra! Extra! Instead of watching series of delusional #Dimorat experts at stealing valor on a sacred day (9/11) and discussing F-Biden yard signs/football-game chants from those individuals for whom Plagiarist Bidumb has more animosity than Taliban thugs, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Texas college hoopers Len Goldstein (Texas Wesleyan), Dutch Meyer (TCU), Wally Moon (Texas A&M) and Carl Reynolds (Southwestern) made MLB headlines on this date. Ditto ex-NYU hoopers Ralph Branca and Hank Greenberg plus ex-CA community college hoopers Darrell Evans and Bob Oliver. Several former small-college hoopers from Illinois also made MLB news on this date - Geoff Hartlieb (Quincy), Champ Summers (SIUE) and Evar Swanson (Knox). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 11 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 11

• Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) suffered a broken hand, ending his 1954 season.

• St. Louis Browns RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) fired his second five-hit shutout in a 10-day span in 1940.

• Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) banged out four hits for the second time in a seven-game span in 1919.

• Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) went 5-for-5 with four RBI in a 17-2 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936.

• Although only 21 years old, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) notched his 20th victory in 1947.

• Baltimore Orioles rookie OF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) provided four hits for the second time in a five-game span in 1973.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average at least 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) homered twice in a 5-4 triumph against the Boston Red Sox in 1952.

• Cleveland Indians 3B Frank Ellerbe (Wofford hooper after transferring from Sewanee TN) whacked a pinch-hit, grand slam in top of ninth inning of 12-7 win against the St. Louis Browns in opener of 1924 twinbill.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club that won 1967 state community college crown) went 4-for-4 in a 1984 contest against the Baltimore Orioles.

• Boston Braves 1B Kerby Farrell (key hooper for couple of strong Freed-Hardeman TN squads in mid-1930s) supplied four hits against the New York Giants in a 13-inning game in 1943.

• Chicago Cubs LF Jim Gleeson (captain and all-conference honoree graduated in 1933 from Rockhurst MO) stroked three doubles in an 8-5 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the opener of a 1940 doubleheader.

• Cincinnati Reds 1B Lon Goldstein (Texas Wesleyan hoops standout in late 1930s) singled as a pinch-hitter in his first MLB plate appearance in 1943 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was Goldstein's lone MLB safety.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) secured four hits against the Washington Senators in a 1935 outing.

• San Francisco Giants All-Star LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 as a sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith) fanned 14 Houston Astros in a 1983 game.

• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Geoff Hartlieb (averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Quincy IL in 2012-13 before transferring to Lindenwood MO to concentrate on baseball) yielded only two hits during stretch of six straight scoreless relief appearances totaling 7 1/3 innings in 2020.

• Brooklyn Robins CF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1928 twinbill.

• New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) contributed his fifth steal of home during the 1951 campaign.

• Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (played for Binghamton in 1948-49) contributed four hits for the second time in three games in 1955.

• New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed shutouts in 1906 and 1909.

• CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) scampered all the way home from first base after an errant pickoff attempt for the decisive run, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 25-inning, 4-3 win at New York in 1974. The marathon was the longest game to a decision in MLB history, lasting 7 hours 4 minutes.

• Detroit Tigers 2B Dutch Meyer (Texas Christian hoops letterman in 1934-35 and 1935-36) manufactured two doubles among his four hits in a 5-4 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1941.

• Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) delivered two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a 1959 twinbill. Moon also homered in his next three contests.

• Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 and scored four runs against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1932 doubleheader.

• New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) cracked two homers against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1975 outing.

• Utilityman Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) traded by the California Angels to Baltimore Orioles for a player to be designated and cash in 1974.

• Cincinnati Reds 2B Pinky Pittenger (set Toledo's single-game scoring standard with 49 points in 1918-19) went 6-for-8, including his lone MLB homer, and scored five runs against the Boston Braves in a 1927 twinbill.

• Chicago Cubs INF Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) pounded a grand slam in a 7-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971.

• Chicago White Sox rookie RF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in a 1928 game against the Detroit Tigers.

• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) hurled a three-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1959, ending rookie 1B Willie McCovey's 22-game hitting streak.

• A pinch-hit, three-run homer in the 12th inning by OF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) powered the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1976.

• OF Evar Swanson (played all five positions for Knox IL when it was known as Lombard College) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago White Sox for two players to be designated in 1932.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) stroked three doubles against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1920 game. Three years later, Williams homered twice against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1923 contest.

• San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) doubled in his fifth consecutive outing with multiple hits in 2005.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 10 in football at the professional level (especially in 1978):

SEPTEMBER 10

• Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught nine passes for 127 yards in a 14-10 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979 en route to becoming Philly's all-time receiving leader.

• Buffalo Bills LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in a 19-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2006 season opener.

• Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) opened the AAFC game's scoring with a 27-yard touchdown catch in 17-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948.

• Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 35-30 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978.

• Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught six passes for 100 yards in a 21-20 setback against the New York Jets in 1978. Jets SS Shafer Suggs (averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg in three-year career, setting Ball State record with nine consecutive field goals without miss and leading Cardinals in rebounding in 1974-75) returned an interception 32 yards.

• Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 23-10 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006 season opener.

• San Diego Chargers SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) intercepted two passes in a 14-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1995.

• Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned an interception 44 yards in 10-0 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1978.

• San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 13-12 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1990 season opener.

• QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97), the Philadelphia Eagles' all-time passing leader, passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-10 win against the Houston Texans in 2006 season opener.

• Brooklyn Dodgers QB Reino Nori (four-year hoops letterman for Northern Illinois in mid-1930s) threw a decisive 60-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of 13-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1937.

• Buffalo Bills WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Jack Kemp (24 and 27 yards) in a 20-17 win against the New York Jets in 1967 AFL season opener.

• Chicago Cardinals TB Jack Robbins (repeated as All-SWC first-team selection in 1938 for Arkansas) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (46 and 30 yards) in a 21-13 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1939 season opener.

• WR Rod Smith (Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore swingman in 1990-91), the Denver Broncos' all-time receiving leader, caught two touchdown passes from Brian Griese in a 42-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2000.

• Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 win against the New York Giants in 1978.

• In 1961 AFL season opener, Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 132 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 22-10 win against the Buffalo Bills.

• Cincinnati Bengals rookie TE Melvin Tuten (scored seven points in four games for Syracuse in 1994-95 under coach Jim Boeheim) caught a go-ahead touchdown pass in 24-17 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 9 in football at the professional level (especially in 2007):

SEPTEMBER 9

• Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) provided the game's decisive touchdown by returning an interception 32 yards in 25-20 win against the Houston Oilers in 1967 AFL season opener. Oilers rookie CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned a kickoff 43 yards in his pro debut.

• Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 10 passes for 133 yards in a 36-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 2007 season opener.

• San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes for 107 yards in a 14-3 win against the Chicago Bears in 2007 season opener.

• Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (led Heidelberg OH in scoring average as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 55-0 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1961 AFL season opener.

• Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught two touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in a 30-28 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2019 season opener.

• Washington Redskins TE Jimmie Johnson (averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Howard University in 1988-89) caught a touchdown pass from QB Mark Rypien in each of first two games of 1991 season.

• In 1968 AFL season opener, Kansas City Chiefs DT Ernie Ladd (intended on only playing hoops for Grambling before legendary coach Eddie Robinson got him to play football) intercepted a pass in 26-21 win against the Houston Oilers.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 312 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 20-17 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2001 season opener.

• Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo in a 45-35 win against the New York Giants in 2007 season opener.

• New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught five passes for 175 yards - including two touchdowns from Lee Grosscup (80 and 64 yards) - in a 28-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1962 AFL season opener.

• Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had five pass receptions for 162 yards in a 16-13 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2007 season opener.

• Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 27-24 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1979.

• Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-13 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1979.

• Los Angeles Dons rookie E Dick Wilkins (leading scorer for Oregon's all-time winningest team in 1944-45) caught a touchdown pass in each of his first two AAFC games in 1949.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 8 in football at the professional level (especially ex-Florida State hoopers Brad Johnson and Tommy Polley in 2002 season openers):

SEPTEMBER 8

• New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered three sacks in a 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985 season opener.

• Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had nine pass receptions for 108 yards in a 23-10 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2013 season opener.

• Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff George in a 28-27 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997. Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had eight pass receptions for 162 yards.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 154 yards in an 18-17 setback against the New York Jets in 2013 season opener.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 26-20 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2002 season opener. The next year, Johnson threw two second-half TD passes in a season-opening 17-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2002 season opener.

• St. Louis Rams LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had nine solo tackles in a 23-16 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2002 season opener.

• In 1985 season opener, Oakland Raiders LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 61.7% from floor as Michigan State sophomore in 1970-71) had two sacks in a 31-0 win against the New York Jets.

• In pro debut, New England Patriots WR Derwin Williams (New Mexico hooper in 1979-80) had NFL-career highs with five pass receptions and 94 receiving yards in a season-opening 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985.

The Baseball Hall of Fame is hallowed ground. This week marks a delayed induction in quaint Cooperstown, N.Y., after COVID-19 took control of the world. A couple of years ago, inductee Lee Smith was a versatile athlete who went from a major-college basketball court in Louisiana (with Northwestern State) to holding court as one of the one percent of players achieving stardom in baseball's HOF. The following individuals among the more than 300 MLB Hall of Famers were college hoopers:

WALTER ALSTON, Miami (Ohio)
Managed the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 seasons (1954 through 1976), winning seven National League pennants and three World Series. In eight All-Star Game assignments, Alston was the winning manager a record seven times. He struck out in his only major league at-bat with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936. . . . The 6-2, 195-pound Alston, a charter member of his alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame, lettered in basketball in 1932-33, 1933-34 and 1934-35. He scored 10 of Miami's 15 points in a 32-15 defeat against Indiana in his senior season.

LOU BOUDREAU, Illinois
Infielder hit .295 in 15 seasons (1938 through 1952) with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. Managed Indians, Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics and Chicago Cubs, starting his managerial career at the age of 24 in 1942. As player-manager in 1948, the shortstop led Cleveland to the A.L. title and earned MVP honors by hitting .355 with 116 RBI. He hit a modest .273 in the World Series. The seven-time All-Star led the A.L. with 45 doubles on three occasions (1941, 1944 and 1947) and paced the league in batting average in 1944 (.327). . . . Played two varsity basketball seasons for Illinois (1936-37 and 1937-38) under coach Doug Mills. As a sophomore, Boudreau led Illinois in scoring with an 8.7-point average as the team shared the Big Ten Conference title. Compiled an 8.8 average the next year. After helping the Illini upset St. John's in a game at Madison Square Garden, the New York Daily News described him as "positively brilliant" and said he "set up countless plays in breathtaking fashion." Averaged 8.2 ppg for Hammond (Ind.) in the National Basketball League in 1938-39.

ALBERT B. "HAPPY" CHANDLER, Transylvania (Ky.)
Twice governor of Kentucky (1935-39 and 1955-59), U.S. senator (1939-45) and commissioner of baseball (1945-51). He oversaw the initial steps toward integration of the major leagues. Democrat embraced the "Dixiecrats" in the late 1940s. . . . Captain of Transylvania's basketball team as a senior in 1920-21.

GORDON "MICKEY" COCHRANE, Boston University
Hall of Famer hit .320 (highest career mark ever for a catcher) with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers in 13 seasons from 1925 through 1937. Swatted three homers in a single game as a rookie. Lefthanded swinger was A.L. MVP in 1928 and 1934. Led the A.L. in on-base percentage in 1933 (.459) and ranked among the league top nine in batting average five times (1927-30-31-33-35). Participated in five World Series (1929-30-31-34-35). . . . Five-sport athlete with BU, including basketball (class of '24).

EARLE COMBS, Eastern Kentucky
Hall of Fame outfielder hit .325 with the New York Yankees in 12 seasons from 1924 through 1935. Lefthanded swinger led the A.L. in hits with 231 in 1927 when he also paced the the league in singles and triples. Also led the A.L. in triples in 1928 and 1930. Assembled a 29-game hitting streak in 1931. Leadoff hitter and "table-setter" for the Yankees' potent "Murderer's Row" offense ranked among the A.L. top six in runs eight straight years when he became the first player in modern major league history to score at least 100 runs in his first eight full seasons. Posted a .350 batting average in four World Series (1926-27-28-32) before a pair of serious collisons shortened his productive career. Served as coach with the Yankees (1936-44), St. Louis Browns (1947), Boston Red Sox (1948-54) and Philadelphia Phillies (1955). . . . Captain of his alma mater's basketball squad for three years when EKU was known as Eastern State Normal.

LARRY DOBY, Virginia Union
Outfielder hit .283 with 253 home runs and 969 RBI in a 13-year career from 1947 through 1959 with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. The first black player in the American League twice led the A.L. in homers (32 in 1952 and 1954). He was the first African-American to lead a league in homers (1952 and 1954) and the first to participate in the World Series (1948). Hit 20 or more round-trippers eight consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1956 while finishing among the A.L. top nine in slugging percentage each year. The seven-time All-Star drove in 100 or more runs five times, leading the A.L. with 126 in 1954 when the Indians won 111 games before being swept by the New York Giants in the World Series. Appeared in 1948 and 1954 World Series with the Indians, winning Game 4 in '48 with a homer off Braves star Johnny Sain. Doby managed the White Sox for most of 1978 (37-50 record). . . . The 6-1, 180-pounder attended LIU on a basketball scholarship but transferred to Virginia Union prior to the start of the season after Uncle Sam summoned him for World War II service. Doby was told Virginia Union had a ROTC program and he could complete his freshman season before being drafted. He became eligible the second semester of the 1942-43 season and was a reserve guard on a team that won the CIAA title.

RICK FERRELL, Guilford (N.C.)
Catcher hit over .300 five times en route to a .281 career batting average with the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators in 18 years from 1929 through 1947. He set an A.L. record with 1,805 games behind the plate. Traded with his brother (pitcher Wes Ferrell) from Boston to Washington during the 1937 campaign. . . . The 5-10, 160-pounder was a basketball forward before graduating in 1928.

FRANKIE FRISCH, Fordham
Registered a run of 11 consecutive .300 seasons and set fielding records for chances and assists with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1927. As player-manager with the Cards, he instilled the rollicking all-out style of hardnosed play that prompted a team nickname of "The Gashouse Gang." His season strikeout total topped 20 only twice en route to a .316 average in his 19-year career, which also included a stint with the New York Giants. . . . According to his bio in Total Baseball, "The Fordham Flash" captained the Rams' basketball squad. In 1925, Frisch officiated the first-ever game played in the Rose Hill Gym (the oldest NCAA Division I facility in the nation).

BOB GIBSON, Creighton
Compiled a 251-174 pitching record with 3,117 strikeouts and 2.91 ERA in 17 seasons (1959 through 1975) with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1968, he pitched 13 shutouts en route to a 1.12 ERA, the second-lowest since 1893 in 300 innings. Gibson notched a 7-2 mark and 1.89 ERA in nine games in the 1964, 1967 and 1968 World Series (92 strikeouts in 81 innings). He set a World Series record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers on October 2, 1968. . . . First Creighton player to average 20 ppg for his career (20.2). Led the school in scoring in 1955-56 (40th in the country with 22 ppg) and 1956-57 and was second-leading scorer in 1954-55 before playing one season (1957-58) with the Harlem Globetrotters. Sketch from school brochure: "Possesses outstanding jump shot and for height (6-1) is a terrific rebounder."

TONY GWYNN, San Diego State
Padres outfielder hit .338 in 20 seasons (1982 through 2001), winning eight N.L. batting titles--1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Played in 15th All-Star Game in 1999 before topping the 3,000-hit plateau later in the year. Holds N.L. record for most years leading league in singles (six). Won a Gold Glove five times (1986-87-89-90-91). He hit .368 in the 1984 N.L. Championship Series to help San Diego reach the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Also participated in the 1998 World Series against the New York Yankees. Became baseball coach at his alma mater after retiring from the major leagues. . . . Averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.5 apg in 107 games with the Aztecs in four seasons (1977-78 through 1980-81). The 5-11, 170-pound guard was named second-team All-Western Athletic Conference as both a junior and senior. Led the WAC in assists as both a sophomore and junior and was third as senior. Paced San Diego State in steals each of his last three seasons. Selected in the 10th round of 1981 NBA draft by the San Diego Clippers.

MONTE IRVIN, Lincoln (Pa.)
Outfielder-first baseman hit .293 with 99 home runs and 443 RBI in eight major league years (1949 through 1956) with the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs. Irvin led the N.L. in RBI with 121 in 1951, the same year he led the World Series in hitting (.458 vs. crosstown Yankees) after collecting seven hits in the first two contests of the six-game set. He was a member of the Giants' squad that swept the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series. The 6-1, 195-pounder was one of the first black players signed after baseball's color line was broken in 1947. Among the brightest stars in the Negro Leagues, he registered league highs of .422 in 1940 and .396 in 1941 before spending three years in the Army. . . . His athletic career was nearly prematurely ended when an infection from a scratched hand in a basketball game kept him close to death for seven weeks. Irvin participated in basketball for 1 1/2 years in the late 1930s for Lincoln, an all-black university in Oxford, Pa., before dropping out of school.

SANDY KOUFAX, Cincinnati
Compiled a 165-87 record and 2.76 ERA in 12 seasons as a lefthanded pitcher with the Brooklyn (1955 through 1957) and Los Angeles (1958 through 1966) Dodgers. Led the N.L. in ERA in each of his last five seasons, going 25-5 in 1963 (MVP), 26-8 in 1965 and 27-9 in 1966 (Cy Young Award). Pitched four no-hitters and had 98 games with at least 20 strikeouts. Notched a 4-3 record and 0.95 ERA in eight World Series games in 1959, 1963 (MVP), 1965 (MVP) and 1966. . . . The Brooklyn native attended Cincinnati one year on a combination baseball/basketball scholarship before signing a pro baseball contract for a reported $20,000 bonus. He was the third-leading scorer with a 9.7-point average as a 6-2, 195-pound forward for the Bearcats' 12-2 freshman team in 1953-54. Koufax compiled a 3-1 pitching record in his lone college baseball campaign, averaging 14.3 strikeouts and 8.4 bases on balls per game when his statistics are converted to a nine-inning game ratio. . . . Ed Jucker, coach of Cincinnati's NCAA titlists in 1961 and 1962, directed the Bearcats' baseball squad and freshman basketball team in 1953-54. Jucker said of Koufax's basketball ability: "He could jump extremely well, was a strong kid and a good driver. He would have made a fine varsity player. We certainly could have used him." If viewers pay attention to CBS acknowledging celebrities in the stands during telecasts with crowd shots, they've probably noticed that Koufax regularly attends the Final Four.

TED LYONS, Baylor
Spent his entire 21-year career with the Chicago White Sox (1923 through 1942 and 1946) after never playing in the minors. Managed the White Sox from 1946 through 1948. Three-time 20-game winner compiled a 260-230 record and 3.67 ERA in 594 games. He pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1926. In 1939, Lyons hurled 42 consecutive innings without issuing a walk. . . . Earned four basketball letters at Baylor from 1919-20 through 1922-23. Consensus first-team selection on All-Southwest Conference squad as a sophomore and senior.

CHRISTY MATHEWSON, Bucknell
Often regarded as baseball's greatest pitcher, the righthander compiled a 372-188 record and 2.13 ERA with 79 shutouts for the New York Giants in 17 years from 1900 to 1916 before winning his lone start with Cincinnati in 1916. Led the N.L. in ERA five times (1905-08-09-11-13). Hall of Famer ranked among the N.L. top five in victories 12 years in a row from 1903 through 1914. Paced the N.L. in strikeouts on five occasions in a six-year span from 1903 through 1908. Won 30 games or more in three consecutive seasons, leading the Giants in their 1905 World Series victory over the Philadelphia Athletics by hurling three shutouts in six days. Also appeared in three straight World Series from 1911 through 1913. . . . The 6-2 Mathewson also played football and basketball at the turn of the 20th Century for Bucknell (class of '02).

CUM POSEY, Penn State/Duquesne
Founder and co-owner of the Homestead Greys professional baseball team that won eight consecutive National Negro League titles. . . . Posey was the first African American to complete in intercollegiate athletics for Penn State in 1910-11. He later attended Duquesne. A legend in Pittsburgh sports history was owner/player for the famed Leondi Club, an independent basketball team that was the National Negro Championship team for many years.

EPPA RIXEY JR., Virginia
Compiled a 266-251 record with 3.15 ERA in 21 seasons (1912 through 1917 and 1919 through 1933) with the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. He never played a minor league game and appeared in the 1915 World Series with the Phillies. Missed the 1918 campaign while serving overseas with an Army chemical-warfare division. Rixey won 19 or more games six years, including 1922 when he led the N.L. with 25 victories with the Reds. In his next to last season, he pitched a string of 27 consecutive scoreless innings at age 42. The N.L.'s winningest lefthanded pitcher until Warren Spahn broke his record was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1963. . . . The 6-5, 210-pound Rixey, who also played golf at Virginia, earned basketball letters in 1911-12 and 1913-14.

ROBIN ROBERTS, Michigan State
Compiled a 286-245 record in 19 seasons (1948 through 1966) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. He was a twenty-game winner for six consecutive seasons with the Phillies (1950 through 1955), leading the N.L. in victories the last four years in that span. The seven-time All-Star lost his only World Series start in 1950, 2-1, when the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio homered off him in the 10th inning. . . . Roberts played three seasons of basketball with the Spartans (1944-45 through 1946-47). He averaged 10.6 ppg as a freshman (team's third-leading scorer as he was eligible because of WWII), 9.8 as a sophomore (second-leading scorer) and 9.0 as a junior (second-leading scorer). The 6-0, 190-pound forward led the team in field-goal percentage as a junior captain. Sketch from school basketball guide: "Regarded by newsmen as one of the greatest players today in college basketball. A poll by Detroit Free Press named him the 'most valuable' collegiate player in Michigan. He is not especially fast, but he's extremely well-coordinated, passes exceptionally well, and is a beautiful one-hand shot artist."

JACKIE ROBINSON, UCLA
Infielder hit .311 with 137 homers as a regular on six N.L. pennant winners with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 10 seasons (1947 through 1956). After becoming Rookie of the Year in 1947, Robinson was named MVP in 1949 when he led the N.L. with a .342 batting average and 37 stolen bases. The six-time All-Star homered in the 1952 All-Star Game. He had two homers and seven doubles in World Series competition. . . . Football, basketball and track standout at Pasadena City College in 1937-38 and 1938-39. Named to All-Southern California Junior College Conference Western Division all-star basketball team both years, a span in which UCLA was winless in league competition. First athlete in UCLA history to letter in football, basketball, baseball and track. Forward compiled the highest scoring average in the Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA (12.3 points per league game in 1939-40 as an all-league second-team selection and 11.1 in 1940-41). In his last UCLA athletic contest, he accounted for more than half of the Bruins' output with 20 points in a 52-37 loss to Southern California.

LEE SMITH, Northwestern (La.) State
All-time major league career saves leader when he retired, notching 478 in 18 seasons from 1980 through 1997 with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos until Trevor Hoffman broke his mark in 2006. Set a record in 1991 (subsequently broken) for most saves in a season by a N.L. pitcher with 47 for the Cardinals. Righthander led the N.L. in saves three times (1983-91-92) and the A.L. once (1994). Seven-time All-Star selection posted a career 71-92 record and lost league championship series games with the Cubs in 1984 and Red Sox in 1988. . . . The 6-5, 215-pound forward averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with the Demons in his only season of college basketball (1976-77). He scored eight points in a 97-92 loss at Lamar when teammate Billy Reynolds set a school single-game Division I record with 42 points.

JIM THOME, Illinois Central College
Lefthanded batter hit .276 with 612 homers and 1,699 RBI with the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles in 22 years from 1991 through 2012. First-ballot Hall of Famer was five-time All-Star and one of eight players in MLB history with at least 500 homers, .400 on-base percentage and .550 slugging percentage upon retirement. He led the A.L. in bases on balls with the Indians three times (1997, 1999 and 2002) before pacing N.L. in homers with 47 in 2003 for the Phillies. Finished among the top four in A.L. in round-trippers on six occasions. . . . "About a mile from our (Peoria, IL) house was the ghetto," Thome said. "It was where the best basketball games were played. I'd go over there all the time. I usually was the only white kid in the games, and they respected me because I kept coming back." He played hoops for a local junior college in 1988-89. "My father was tough on me, pushing me," Thome said. "I remember when I scored 36 points in a state tournament basketball game. It was one point off a school record. I thought my dad would be happy, but that night he talked about the mistakes I made on defense and in rebounding." According to ICC's athletic department, "People weren't sure which sport, basketball or baseball, was Jim's best." ICC hoops coach Carroll Herman said, "He (Thome) was a plugger, strong on the boards and gave us toughness inside. He could have gone on and played at a four-year school. He was good enough."

DAVE WINFIELD, Minnesota
Outfielder hit .283 with 465 home runs, 1,833 RBI and 3,110 hits in 22 seasons (1973 through 1988 and 1990 through 1995) with the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. Appeared in 12 All-Star Games after never playing in the minors. Participated in the World Series with the Yankees (1981) and Blue Jays (1992). . . . Played two seasons of varsity basketball as a 6-6, 220-pound forward with the Gophers, averaging 6.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg as a junior in 1971-72 and 10.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg as senior in 1972-73. He played the entire game in Minnesota's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972 under coach Bill Musselman. Selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the fifth round of the 1973 NBA draft and the Utah Stars in the sixth round of the 1973 ABA draft. Didn't play college football, but was chosen in the 17th round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Excerpt from school guide: "Recruited out of intramural ranks to lend depth, became a starter and was a giant in the stretch drive. Amazing athlete leaps like a man catapulted. Soft touch from medium range."

Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether first week in January should be remembered politically more for alleged coordinated "Insurrection Day" or unmasking #Demonrats orchestrating Obama Administration meeting in 2017 when indifferent Plagiarist Bidumb was involved with #DirtyRice of Domestic Policy and FBI in weaponizing Logan Act to entrap Gen. Michael Flynn, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Four former Big Ten Conference hoopers - Sammy Esposito (Indiana), Hoot Evers (Illinois), Johnny Gee (Michigan) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota) - made MLB news on this date. Ditto ex-NYU hoopers Hank Greenberg and Eddie Yost with outstanding offensive performances in the American League. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 7 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 7

• Igniting a streak of nine consecutive contests with at least one RBI, LF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after being runner-up in both categories previous season) drove in all of the Minnesota Twins' runs with two homers in a 7-6 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in opener of 1970 doubleheader.

• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ray Benge (multi-year hoops letterman for Sam Houston State first half of 1920s) hurled a complete game without yielding an earned run against the Boston Braves for the second time the first week of month in 1928.

• Seattle Mariners LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) went 4-for-4 in a 5-2 victory against the Kansas City Royals in 1982.

• Baltimore Orioles LF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Cleveland Indians in a 1981 game.

• Detroit Tigers C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) went 6-for-7 and scored five runs in a 1935 doubleheader sweep of his original team (Philadelphia Athletics).

• Ending a personal six-game losing streak, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs in 1960.

• Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) supplied a pair of homers in a 6-0 verdict over the Baltimore Orioles in 1955.

• Boston Red Sox 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 in 1942-43) homered twice in a 10-8 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1950.

• Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg as Indiana hoops starter in 1951-52) started in place of Chicago White Sox 2B Nellie Fox in 1960, ending Fox's consecutive-game streak at 798.

• Detroit Tigers LF Hoot Evers (hoops starter for Illinois in 1939-40) went for the cycle, adding another triple, and amassing six RBI in a 13-13, 10-inning tie with the Cleveland Indians in 1950.

• New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished six hits in a 1921 doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.

• Rookie LHP Johnny Gee (Michigan captain was Big Ten Conference's sixth-leading scorer in 1936-37) didn't allow an earned run in eight innings in his MLB debut but committed one of eight errors by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 7-3 setback against the Philadelphia Phillies in opener of 1939 twinbill.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected three extra-base hits, including two homers, against the Cleveland Indians in a 1939 contest.

• New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) had a 12-game winning streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped in 1953.

• Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1958 outing.

• New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) ripped a 500-foot homer in a 7-3 nod over the Boston Braves in 1951.

• Kansas City Royals RF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) contributed his fourth three-hit game in less than a month in 1984.

• Philadelphia Phillies rookie 2B Moon Mullen (backup guard for Oregon's legendary "Tall Firs" team winning inaugural NCAA tourney in 1939) stroked four singles in a 7-5 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944 game.

• Minnesota Twins rookie RF Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) smacked two homers against the Detroit Tigers in 1968. Six years later as a New York Yankees 3B, Nettles homered in both ends of a 1974 doubleheader against the Tigers. In 1981, whacked two round-trippers for the Yanks in a contest against the Milwaukee Brewers.

• Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 5-for-5 with two homers in a 3-2, 11-inning victory against the Washington Senators in 1971.

• St. Louis Browns RHP Jim Park (hooper for Kentucky in 1911-12 and 1913-14) won his MLB debut in 1915 when he didn't allow an earned run in 11 innings of a 4-1 win against the Cleveland Indians.

• New York Giants rookie RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) hurled his second straight four-hit, complete-game triumph in 1931.

• OF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) was purchased from Minneapolis (American Association) by the Chicago Cubs in 1937.

• Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) walked six Philadelphia Phillies batters but raised his record to 19-2 in 1951 with an 11-6 decision over RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47).

• LHP Garry Roggenburk (led Dayton in scoring all three seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62 and grabbed school-record 32 rebounds in third varsity game en route to pacing Flyers in rebounding first two years) purchased from the Minnesota Twins by the Boston Red Sox in 1966.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) homered in both ends of a 1921 twinbill against the New York Giants.

• New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) got hung up in a rundown between third base and home plate following a pitchout but escaped to score decisive run in 3-2 triumph against the Oakland A's in 1985.

• Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) reached base nine times (five hits and four walks) in a 1953 doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics. Six years later with the Detroit Tigers, Yost homered twice in opener of 1959 twinbill against the Cleveland Indians.

• New York Giants 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) blasted a grand slam in a 4-1 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940.

• San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) retired the first 23 Milwaukee Brewers batters en route to a two-hitter in 2008. It was Young's lone MLB complete game.

Extra! Extra! Instead of triggering storm clouds reminiscent of tornado (word isn't said any longer according to scholarly divider-in-chief Plagiarist Bidumb) debating contrast where #PlannedMurderhood's bloodthirsty my body-my choice abortions (of innocent babies with autonomously beating hearts) differ from vaccinations for our bodies is some buffoonish bureaucrat's choice, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Several former hoopers from North Carolina colleges - Vince Colbert (East Carolina), Dick Groat (Duke) and Don Padgett (Lenoir-Rhyne) - made MLB news on this date. Ex-jucos like Colbert (Eastern Utah) doing likewise included Garth Iorg (College of the Redwoods CA), Ken Retzer (Jefferson City MO), Carl Reynolds (Lon Morris TX) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 6 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 6

• RHP Andy Benes (briefly played basketball for Evansville in 1985-86) defeated his brother, Alan, when the St. Louis Cardinals erupted for 11 third-inning runs in an 11-2 nod over the Chicago Cubs in 2002.

• Chicago White Sox CF Ken Berry (freshman hooper for Wichita in 1959-60) went 3-for-3 (including double and homer) before scoring his third run, the game-winning tally off a wild pitch in bottom of ninth inning of 4-3 nod over the California Angels in nightcap of 1965 doubleheader.

• Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) collected four hits and four runs against the Chicago Cubs in a 1919 game.

• Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) clobbered a two-run homer in the 10th inning in 3-1 verdict over the Boston Red Sox, giving Lefty Grove his 25th triumph in 1930.

• RHP Vince Colbert (averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg for East Carolina in 1966-67 and 1967-68) didn't allow a run in eight innings of a 1-0 triumph against the Baltimore Orioles in nightcap of doubleheader. Colbert supplied two complete-game victories the remainder of month to finish as the Cleveland Indians' only winning hurler (7-6) with 10 or more starts in 1971.

• Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) provided three extra-base hits and four RBI against the San Francisco Giants in a 1978 contest.

• Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) suffered a broken wrist in 1960.

• Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) whacked two homers against the Chicago White Sox in a 1983 game.

• St. Louis Cardinals 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) supplied four hits in a 1986 game against the Houston Astros.

• Washington Senators 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered two homers among his five hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1970 contest.

• Toronto Blue Jays 3B Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) smacked a three-run double in the top of ninth inning in a 4-0 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1986.

• New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) knocked in five runs against the Detroit Tigers in opener of a 1945 twinbill.

• Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) knocked in the decisive run with a triple as he reached the 20-win plateau in 1930 with 2-1 decision over the Cleveland Indians, snapping Wes Ferrell's 13-game winning streak.

• New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) fanned 14 Brooklyn batters in a 6-2 triumph in 1906.

• Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) fired as New York Yankees manager in 1981 despite winning the first-half pennant.

• New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, two doubles and two RBI in a 1910 outing against the Boston Doves.

• Minnesota Twins 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) whacked his first MLB homer in 1968. The round-tripper came off 31-game winner Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers.

• Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) belted two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1947 game.

• St. Louis Cardinals rookie RF Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 with Lenoir-Rhyne NC excelled in multiple sports) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1937 twinbill to trigger 12-game hitting streak.

• C Ken Retzer (fourth-leading juco scorer with 184 points for Jefferson City MO in 1953-54) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Washington Senators in 1961.

• Chicago White Sox LF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) went 4-for-4 in the opener of a 1930 doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.

• In the midst of closing out the 1952 campaign with eight consecutive complete-game wins, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) went the distance in a 17-inning, 7-6 victory against the Boston Braves in 1952.

• In 1948, Boston Braves Hall of Fame LHP Warren Spahn twice picked off Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41).

• Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) won his 10th straight decision in 1953.

• Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in 2006 game against the Boston Red Sox.

• Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) fired as Pittsburgh Pirates manager in 1973. Virdon is replaced by Danny Murtaugh, who assumed control of the club for fourth and final time.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 5-for-5 and scored four runs against the New York Giants in nightcap of a 1924 twinbill.

Extra! Extra! Instead of debating theorem that if you go Bernie climate-change woke you're gonna get burned completely broke, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former NYU hoopers Ralph Branca, Hank Greenberg and John Simmons supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto fellow ex-Big Apple hooper Babe Young (Fordham). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 5 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 5

• RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading basketball scorer for NYU in 1943-44) earned the victory as Brooklyn Dodgers teammate Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hammered a grand slam in 5-2 verdict over the Philadelphia Phillies in 1951.

• Minnesota Twins rookie 3B John Castino (medical redshirt for Rollins FL in 1973-74 under coach Ed Jucker) went 4-for-4 in an 8-3 win against the Kansas City Royals in 1979.

• Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) won his sixth straight decision in 1960.

• New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana in mid-1940s) provided three extra-base hits in a 1953 game against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

• Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) homered in both ends of a 1955 twinbill split against the Kansas City Athletics.

• Philadelphia Athletics RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1922) tossed a one-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1931.

• Pittsburgh Pirates rookie 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) homered twice against the New York Giants in opener of a 1955 doubleheader.

• Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) collected four hits and three runs against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1958 game.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) launched a homer for the third consecutive contest in 1939.

• Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg for Texas A&M in 1961-62) knocked in five runs in an 8-4 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1969.

• Chicago White Sox rookie RF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) went 6-for-7 with three doubles in first two contests of a four-game series against the Texas Rangers in 1995.

• Boston Red Sox 3B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) doubled before scoring the winning run in the 18th inning of a 12-11 decision over the New York Yankees in the opener of 1927 doubleheader.

• Washington Senators OF John Simmons (starting guard averaged 8.7 ppg for NYU's NCAA Tournament team in 1943) secured a pinch-hit single in both ends of 1949 twinbill against the Boston Red Sox.

• Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) notched four saves and a victory in five-game span of relief appearances in the midst of holding opponents scoreless in last 13 outings of 1972 campaign.

• Pittsburgh Pirates CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) accounted for the game's only run when he blasted a 10th-inning homer against the Milwaukee Braves in 1958.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) collected two homers and five RBI against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the opener of a 1922 doubleheader.

• New York Yankees LF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) delivered two homers and double in a 1982 contest against the Kansas City Royals.

• New York Giants CF Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) knocked in five runs in a 1942 outing against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 4 in football at the professional level (especially in 1994):

SEPTEMBER 4

• Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 12 tackles in a 16-7 setback against the New York Giants in 2008 season opener.

• Minnesota Vikings DE James Harris (Temple hooper in 1988-89 under coach John Chaney) scored a touchdown on 17-yard fumble recovery return in 16-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1994 season opener.

• Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88 under coach Jud Heathcote) had 14 pass receptions for 193 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Jeff George (one for 69 yards) - in a 31-28 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1994 season opener.

• Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw four touchdown passes - including 91-yarder to Tony Dorsett - in a 38-0 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1978 season opener.

• New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in a 23-3 season-opening win against the Buffalo Bills in 1994.

America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys, warrants recognition as the last NFL franchise to give versatile college basketball All-Americans (Utah State's Cornell Green and Tennessee's Ron Widby in mid-1970s) an opportunity to labor as authentic NFL players.

Versatile athletes are becoming an endangered species although Rico Gathers, Baylor's all-time leading rebounder (fourth in nation as junior in 2014-15), was retained by the Cowboys as fourth tight end several years ago to avoid losing him to waivers. Promptly after Labor Day is when majority of college basketball annuals hit the newsstands about same time NFL regular season kicks off into high gear. In an era of specialization, the odds are staggering against any of the projected college hoop All-Americans in the magazines enjoying a genuine NFL career such as the following alphabetical list of seven well-rounded athletes including two from Utah State:

NOTE: Hoops All-American Glen Max Morris (Northwestern) was selected as a B by the Chicago Bears in 26th round of 1947 NFL draft. . . . All-American Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones (Kentucky) was selected as an E by the Bears in 7th round of 1949 NFL draft. . . . All-American K.C. Jones (San Francisco) was selected as an E by the Los Angeles Rams in 30th round of 1955 NFL draft. . . . All-American John Havlicek (Ohio State) was selected as a WR by the Cleveland Browns in 7th round of 1962 NFL draft. . . . All-American Jimmy Walker (Providence) was selected as a WR by the New Orleans Saints as final pick of the 17th and final round of 1967 NFL draft. . . . All-American Ron "Fritz" Williams (West Virginia) was selected as a DB by the Cowboys in 18th round of 1968 NFL draft. . . . All-American Quinn Buckner (Indiana) was selected as a DB by the Washington Redskins in 14th round of 1976 NFL draft. . . . All-American Al Green (Louisiana State) was selected as a DB by the San Diego Chargers in 10th round of 1979 NFL draft.

Extra! Extra! Instead of discussing kinder-and-gentler Taliban militants (according to "most distrusted name in news" CNN) chanting "Death to America!" when religious scholars aren't Pope-like tackling tenets of climate change with as much arranged-marriage vigor as fear-mongering Lurch Kerry, Odd Squad rooftop-dancing bartender AOC and Fake Squaw #Liesalot Warren, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Tony Clark and Kenny Lofton, a pair of former hoopers who played at Arizona under Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, supplied significant performances with American League teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 3

• Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC basketball games in 1991-92 after transferring from Arizona) contributed five RBI against the Atlanta Braves in a 1997 game.

• In the midst of hitting safely in all 13 games he played this month, Philadelphia Phillies 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) delivered four safeties in the nightcap of a 1973 twinbill against the New York Mets.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average at least 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 ppg in 1942-43) homered twice in an 11-8 triumph against the Cleveland Indians in 1952.

• Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) became MLB's first 20-game winner in the 1979 season.

• In his final MLB appearance in 1975, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) allowed a pinch-hit grand slam to the Chicago Cubs' Pete LaCock before retiring SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year).

• New York Mets 1B-LF Jim Hickman (freshman hooper for Ole Miss in 1955-56) hammered three homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1965 game.

• Philadelphia Phillies LHP Lefty Hoerst (four-year hoops letterman for La Salle in late 1930s) hurled his first complete game (4-1 win against Brooklyn Dodgers in nightcap of 1941 doubleheader).

• New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) lashed three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in nightcap of a 1945 twinbill.

• Brooklyn Dodgers rookie LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled his second straight shutout in 1955 (4-0 against Pittsburgh Pirates).

• Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) tied a MLB record by scoring in his 18th straight game, stole five bases and supplied five hits, including a walk-off homer in the 13th inning, in a 12-11 victory against the Baltimore Orioles in 2000. Teammate Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) contributed five RBI as DH.

• Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke hoops letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) hurled a no-hitter against Washington in 1947.

• LF Jimmy Moore (Union TN hoops standout in late 1920s), making his Philadelphia Athletics debut in 1930, collected a double, homer and four RBI in 11-4 win against the Boston Red Sox.

• Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) fanned 11 St. Louis Cardinals batters en route to an N.L.-leading 148 whiffs in 1945.

• Pittsburgh Pirates OF Ted Savage (Lincoln MO scoring average leader in 1955-56) stroked a pinch-hit, three-run homer against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1963 contest.

• Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1933 outing.

• Only MLB decision for Philadelphia Phillies LHP Lefty Taber (hooper from class of '25 for Dubuque IA) came in his lone start, a 12-2 setback against the Boston Braves in 1927.

• San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) whacked two homers against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 2005 game.