On This Day in History
On this day in History-Oct. 5
On this day back in 1921, the World Series was transmitted via the radio for the first time in professional baseball history. The two biggest radio stations that broadcasted the game were WJZ in Newark, NJ and KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pa. and the great Grantland Rice was the broadcaster.
Prior to 1921, baseball fans did not have the luxury to watch World Series games on television or listen to them on the radio. They would either have to buy tickets to attend a game or they would read about it in the newspaper. Some fans even snuck into games or they would find a spot as close as they could to the ballpark and watch the game from the outskirts.
That year, the World Series took place between the New York Giants and the New York Yankees in what many New Yorkers called the first “Subway Series”. Every game of this series took place at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan and on the day of the first broadcast, the Yankees won 3-0. The Yankees won the first two games of the series, but the Giants would come back and win three straight in the end to capture the championship.
Grantland Rice, the 1921 World Series broadcaster
On this day in History-Oct. 6
On this date in 1723, Benjamin Franklin arrived in Philadelphia, Pa. at the age of 17. Prior to his arrival, he was working as an apprentice for his older brother, James in a Boston printing shop, but there was a misunderstanding that unfolded between the two and that was the primary reason that Franklin left Boston for Philadelphia.
Living a new life in a new city, Franklin accomplished many tasks. He became a successful author by publishing books like Poor Richard’s Almanack, the General Magazine, Father Abraham’s Sermon, and the Way to Wealth. Franklin invented scientific objects such the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, and the bifocals. However, Franklin is best remembered for his discovery of electricity, being elected to the Second Continental Congress, and signing the Declaration of Independence.
Franklin died at his Philadelphia home on April 17, 1790 at the age of 84 after battling years of obesity and other health problems. However, nothing could diminish his legacy of inventions to which a great amount of items are still used today. Many towns, counties, schools, and warships were named in honor of him due to the significant contributions that he made to this country.
On this day in History-Oct. 7
On this date in 1916, the Georgia Tech Engineers faced the Cumberland Bulldogs in a football game defeated them by a score of 222-0 in what was the most lopsided game in college football history. The game was held at Grant Field in Atlanta, Ga., a facility that is currently known as Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Before the season started, Cumberland originally dropped their football program; however they were not allowed to cancel their game against Georgia Tech due to NCAA rules. Bulldogs head coach George E. Allen quickly rounded up a squad of 14 players to travel to Atlanta for the game.
Georgia Tech head coach John Heisman implemented a plan to run up the score on the Bulldogs because back then, college teams were ranked based on how many points they scored throughout a season. Heisman also wanted revenge because Cumberland crushed Georgia Tech by a score of 22-0 in a baseball game that was held in the spring. Heisman believed that there was a conspiracy which included the Cumberland team using major league players to gain an easier advantage.
Many records were set by the Engineers during the game as they gained 978 yards rushing while the defense held the Bulldogs to negative 28 yards of total offense. Georgia Tech also scored 32 touchdowns, 13 different players scored and they scored 192 points by halftime. The most impressive statistic was that neither team got a first down because Cumberland couldn’t do anything and Georgia Tech scored every time they had the ball.
In the end, it was safe to say that Heisman got his revenge and it was a dish that was best served cold. The collegiate record for most points scored in a football game didn’t even eclipse half of Georgia Tech’s total. The closest any team got was when Fort Valley State scored 106 points against Knoxville College back in 1969.
On this day in History-Oct. 8
On this date in 1956, Yankees pitcher Don Larsen made MLB history as he took the mound and threw the only perfect game in World Series history. It was one of 21 perfect games ever to be thrown since the league was established in 1869.
Both the Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers entered this game tied at two games even. Brooklyn won the first two games at Ebbets Field while New York captured the last two at Yankee Stadium, so there was a lot at stake for both teams heading into Game five.
Behind centerfielder Mickey Mantle’s home run in the bottom of the fourth and right fielder Hank Bauer’s RBI single which brought in third baseman Andy Carey for another run in the bottom of the sixth, New York built a 2-0 lead and held that advantage all the way into the ninth.
Larsen was outstanding throughout the game, striking out six batters while allowing no hits. However, he still needed three more outs. Dodgers’ right fielder Carl Furillo led off for Brooklyn and he hit a pop fly to right field which was caught by Carey. Next up was all star catcher Roy Campanella and he hit grounder to second baseman Billy Martin, who threw the ball to first baseman Joe Collins for out number two.
The Dodgers were down to their last chance with two outs and Dale Mitchell stepped to the plate to pinch hit for pitcher Sal Maglie. With a count of one ball and two strikes, either Larsen would make history or Mitchell would end his streak. Larsen threw a pitch that got Mitchell looking; umpire Babe Pinelli signaled the pitch as a strike, and the Yankees won the game 2-0. More importantly, Larsen got the perfect game.
New York ended up winning the World Series in seven games to capture their 17th championship and Don Larsen was named the series MVP. Larsen played for the Yankees until 1959 and he retired from baseball in 1967, recording 849 strikeouts during his 14 year major league career.
