May 25, 2018, five years ago today: Former Boise Hawk Gleyber Torres becomes the youngest player in American League history to hit home runs in four consecutive games. The 21-year-old Yankees shortstop hit a go-ahead blast in the seventh inning to beat the L.A. Angels 2-1.
Scott Slant Wednesday Weekly: The rapid rise of Sting Ray Robb
Well, it has been quite the ascension to the national spotlight. Sting Ray Robb, born in Boise and calling Payette home, will be in the field for this Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.
This Day In Sports: Where have all the perfect games gone?
May 23, 1998, 25 years ago today: Having just pitched a perfect game May 17 against Minnesota—that coming after retiring the final 10 batters in his previous start against Kansas City—the New York Yankees’ David Wells extends his American League-record string of consecutive outs to 38 when Red Sox leadoff hitter Darren Lewis grounds out […]
This Day In Sports: His left arm borrowed from his right arm
May 22, 1943: The birthday of a major league pitcher who’d become better known for a medical procedure than his solid performances on the mound. Tommy John played for six teams over 26 seasons and won 288 games, the sixth-most among left-handers in big league history.
This Day In Sports: The end of Phase I of Broncos-Vandals
May 18, 1996: The University of Idaho wins the Big Sky Men’s Track and Field championship over Boise State, nosing out the Broncos in the final event—the 4×400 meter relay. Each team was led by a legend.
Scott Slant Wednesday Weekly: Bair bears down on the state record book
The place to be Friday and Saturday is Mountain View High School. That’s where the Idaho 5A and 4A Track & Field Championships will be held. So that’s where Burley High’s Gatlin Bair, the highest-rated football recruit in state history, will try to continue his assault on the record book.
This Day In Sports: Boisterous Billy comes into the world
May 16, 1928: The day Billy Martin is born. The hot-headed but talented Martin managed the New York Yankees five different times between 1975 and 1988, an era peppered by fights with opposing players, his own players, and a marshmallow salesman.
This Day In Sports: Wie to make waves at the Boise Open
May 15, 2003, 20 years ago today: In the midst of a national hubbub over Annika Sorenstam’s upcoming appearance in a PGA Tour event (the Colonial) the following week, the Albertson’s Boise Open announces a sponsor’s exemption for 13-year-old Hawaiian phenom Michelle Wie.
This Day In Sports: Career milestone for a beloved Cubbie
May 12, 1970: Ernie Banks, “Mr. Cub”, thrills the Wrigley Field crowd with his 500th career home run in a game against the Atlanta Braves. Banks slugged 512 homers all told—he led the National League in dingers twice: in 1958 and 1960.
This Day In Sports: Taking the air out of Brady’s balloon
May 11, 2015: After an investigation found that New England quarterback Tom Brady probably knew about the Patriots’ intentional under-inflation of footballs in their 45-7 victory over Indianapolis in the AFC Championship Game in January, the NFL suspends Brady for the first four games of the 2015 season.