Obscure sports trivia

Ah, yes, in San Diego. I was working for the Union-Tribune that night, and I went over to the stadium for a "film run" that we part-timers would do in the ancient times before digital cameras. I usually stayed about 10 minutes or so and took back what the photog had, but at this night, it was the eighth inning, and I contacted them on the photog's brick phone and they told me to stick around in case the Expos got a run for him and he was able to finish it off. No runs scored, Pedro went through 9, and then the office called back saying I needed to return. Of course, Expos got a run in the 10th, and then just as I was exiting the gate, I heard the radio broadcast over the loudspeakers announcing a double by the Padres' Bip Roberts, I believe it was.

 

Fred Toney and Hippo Vaughn were the deadball double-no hit guys. Vaughn gave up a hit to Larry Kopf and then Jim Thorpe drove him in with a second hit and Vaughn lost the game. Toney kept his no-hitter.

Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs Box Score: May 2, 1917 | Baseball-Reference.com

 

Very strong football presence for the Reds -- two Pro Football Hall of Famers. Jim Thorpe, of course, batting fifth and playing right field, and centerfielder Earle "Greasy" Neale batting third. Neale won back-to-back NFL championships as coach of the Eagles in 1948 and '49. The Eagles shut out their opponents in both title games.

 

Also, it looks like the fall following the 1917 baseball season, Neale and Thorpe played together with the pre-NFL Canton Bulldogs.

 

It’s always interesting how many baseball players also played football and vice versa back then.

George Halas briefly was an outfielder for the Yankees in 1919 before getting hurt and starting the Decatur Staleys. The legend is that he was replaced in RF by Babe Ruth, but it wasn’t until next season.

Future Dodgers manager Charlie Dressen was on that Staleys team.

Paddy Driscoll had a cup of coffee with the Cubs around that time before beginning his football HOF career.

 

Probably didn't help Halas that he went 2-for-22 in 12 games.

 

Name the three Hall of Famers that Babe Ruth hit home runs off of in 1927?

 

Was Walter Johnson one?

 

No Johnson.

 

Lefty Grove, Red Ruffing and Ted Lyons.

 

Grove and Lyons are two.

third is a bit of trick question since he is not in a hall of fame as a pitcher…or as a baseball player.

 

Gotta be Ernie Nevers, right?