At the end of the 1958 season, Sandy Koufax had pitched four seasons in the Major League, and had compiled a 20-21 record. He was known for his blazing speed and his mediocre control. 1959 was a transition year for Koufax. He started to find the strike zone, and still had velocity to spare. Koufax came one shy of tying Dizzy Dean's National League single game strikeout record … [Read more...] about Koufax Strikes out 18 – August 31, 1959
sports history in the 50s
Arnold Palmer Wins The Amateur – August 28, 1954
If you wanted to give it a touch of Hollywood coloration—and to do so proved irresistible to a large number of the spectators gathered for the event at the Country Club of Detroit—the final match of the 54th annual United States Amateur championship was a scenario writer's dream come true: it brought together "a graying millionaire playboy who is a celebrity on two continents" … [Read more...] about Arnold Palmer Wins The Amateur – August 28, 1954
Sports Illustrated First Issue August 16, 1954
The first issue of Sports Illustrated was dated August 16, 1954. However, as is the case with most magazines, the August 16 edition hit the newsstands a few days earlier, on August 12. On August 2, 1954, The Wall Street Journal reported that "More than 300,000 persons to date have subscribed for Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine's new weekly magazine, President Roy E. Larsen … [Read more...] about Sports Illustrated First Issue August 16, 1954
Satchel Paige Age 46? Complete Game Shutout August 6, 1952
There's his line for the game - - 12 innings pitched (When's the last time you saw a pitcher go 12?), no earned runs, 7 hits, 9 strikeouts and only 2 walks. Not a bad outing for any pitcher, but this one, Satchel Paige, was at least 46 years old. The thing is, nobody knew how old Satchel Paige really was. Many people were convinced that Paige himself did not know his actual … [Read more...] about Satchel Paige Age 46? Complete Game Shutout August 6, 1952
Willie McCovey Hits First Home August 2, 1959
Willie McCovey hit his first Major League home run on August 2, 1959. Unlike like his teammate and San Francisco Giants slugging partner, Willie Mays, who was hitless in his first 12 major league at-bats; the other Willie (some other!), Willie McCovey, let the baseball world know from the gitgo that “The New Willie” was anything but, just another Willie. McCovey made his … [Read more...] about Willie McCovey Hits First Home August 2, 1959