After winning the Gold in the decathlon for the U.S., at the 1948 London Olympics, Bob Mathias delivered a repeat performance at the Helsinki Games. Although he finished 8th in the 1,500 meters on July 26, 1952; the last of the grueling, 2 day, 10 event competition; Mathias had built enough of a lead in the prior events to to break the world decathlon record along the way to … [Read more...] about Bob Mathias Repeats Gold – July 26, 1952
sports history in the 50s
Red Sox First Black Player July 21,1959
Not until more than 12 years after Jackie Robinson's debut with the Dodgers, did the first black player take the field for the Red Sox. On July 21, 1959 the Red Sox were in Chicago, trailing the White Sox 2-1, going into the 8th inning. Vic Wertz hit a lead off single for Boston. Then Red Sox manager Billy Jurges, very belatedly, made history by pulling Wertz in favor of pinch … [Read more...] about Red Sox First Black Player July 21,1959
Mickey Mantle Plays Shortstop, Yogi Berra at 3B – September 26, 1954
Last game of the 1954 season, Yankees vs. A's. Casey Stengel "experiments." Plays Mickey Mantle at Third Base, Yogi Berra at Shortstop, Moose Skowron at Second. For the Philadelphia Athletics it's the end of a 54-year run. The New York Yankees won five consecutive World Series between 1949 and 1953. Their streak ended in 1954, even though the '54 team posted a better … [Read more...] about Mickey Mantle Plays Shortstop, Yogi Berra at 3B – September 26, 1954
Sugar Ray Regains Title – September 12, 1951
Sugar Ray Robinson wins back the Middleweight Crown He knocks out Randy Turpin in the 10th round, in front of 61,000 at the Polo Grounds in New York. In 1951, Ring Magazine's Nat Fleischer famously described Robinson as "the greatest all-around fighter pound-for-pound in any division." More than 60 years later, many boxing experts today still agree with Fleischer's … [Read more...] about Sugar Ray Regains Title – September 12, 1951
Greatest Game Ever Played Colts vs Giants December 28, 1958
You might like The Ice Bowl better, or maybe you prefer The Epic in Miami, or perhaps your favorite NFL game was The Immaculate Reception. That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion. However, Sports Illustrated, The Football Hall of Fame, NFL Films, ESPN, and Bleacher Report; all agree that the game which has now been branded The Greatest Game Ever Played, was the NFL … [Read more...] about Greatest Game Ever Played Colts vs Giants December 28, 1958