Awesome American Sports
A Celebration of the Awesome people, events and stories of sports in the United States from the Past to the Present
Welcome to the 3rd edition of this biweekly newsletter, written by me, Corye Perez Beene, Ph.D. I am a United States History Professor with a focus on sports history. I find the sports stories from the past to the present that celebrate the Awesomeness of American Sports.
Gold Medal
I tell young people - including my granddaughter - there is no shortcut in life. You have to take it one step at a time and work hard. And you have to give back. Hank Aaron
Baseball has lost a legend: Hank Aaron. His Major League Baseball records are amazing:
2nd in most home runs: 755
Most RBI’s: 2,297
Most Extra base hits: 1,477
Most Total bases: 6,856
.305 career batting average
2nd in most at-bats: 12,364
3rd in most games played: 3,298
Aaron got his start in 1952, playing for the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro Leagues. It was the only year he played in that League. He led the Negro American League with an unbelievable .467 batting average. He helped the Clowns win the Negro League World Series.
The Braves picked him up and sent him to play for their minor league team. In 1954, he joined the Milwaukee Braves playing outfield. In his 21 seasons there, he had Three Gold Glove Awards (1958-1960), 24 All-Star Game appearances and a World Series title in 1957. I love this quote from former pitcher Curt Simmons:
"Trying to throw a fastball by Henry Aaron is like trying to sneak a sunrise past a rooster."
Silver Medal
More History to Report
NFL
Jennifer King has been promoted to Offensive Assistant for the Washington Football Team, making her the first Black female assistant in the NFL. She had been an intern and if you read the first edition of this newsletter, made history in Week 3: the first regular season game to have a female official (Sarah Thomas) AND female coaches (Browns’ Callie Brownson).
History was made Wild Card weekend when opposing teams had female coaches on the sidelines: King for WFT; Lori Locust, assistant defensive line coach & assistant strength and conditioning coach Maral Javadifar for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The other female coaches who worked that weekend were:
Callie Brownson, Cleveland Browns’ chief of staff; Chelsea Romero, the LA Rams strength and conditioning coach; Cristi Bartlett, seasonal assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Tennessee Titans; Megan McLaughlin director of football operations for the Baltimore Ravens; Robyn Wilkey executive assistant to Head Coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears
The New York Jets hired Robert Saleh to be their new Head Coach. He will be the first Muslim Head Coach in the league’s history.
While it was a rough year for fans of the NFL because of COVID restrictions, the Showtime Cam was a fun bright spot. Its that giant camera in the end zone. Here are some of the best dances and team celebrations from Wild Card weekend:
Let’s hope they bring the Showtime Cam back next season!
The GOAT Tom Brady will become only the second QB in NFL history to start in a Conference Championship game in 3 different decades. Who was the other? Johnny Unitas (1950’s - 1970’s)
Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Professional soccer continues to grow in popularity in the USA. While it still pales in comparison to other nations, the sport is getting more attention. Soccer has seen an increase in its youth participation the last couple of years. In 2019, there were 4.5 million children between the ages of 6-12 who played outdoor soccer - an increase of close to 5% in one year.
Women’s professional soccer has been more popular because of the tremendous success Team USA has had on the world stage. Since 1991 (the first year of the Women’s World Cup), they have won 4 World Cup titles, 4 Olympic gold medals, and 8 CONCACAF Gold Cups. Professional sports are driven by stars. Team USA has had past stars like Brandi Chastain, Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, and Mia Hamm. Today, Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan are well-known faces.
Trinity Rodman is an up-and-comer to watch. Her famous Dad is former NBA rebounding star Dennis Rodman. She was selected as the second pick in the National Women’s Soccer League draft last week, and is the youngest player ever to be drafted (18 years old). Playing for the Southern California Blues, her list of accomplishments is amazing:
4 National Championships
2 Regional Crowns
2 State titles
5 Elite Club National League conference championships
4 Surf Cup titles
Men’s soccer
Men’s professional soccer in the USA has seen its own surge. Major League Soccer (MLS) now has 27 teams. There are more opportunities for Americans to go see a game, or watch it on television. But as mentioned earlier, stars drive the interest. This story on Christian Pulisic in GQ magazine shows his star power. He joined Team USA at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player to serve as Captain. He plays for Chelsea’s team in England under a contract that is worth $73 million! He has won 2 US Soccer Male Athlete of the Year awards.
Another player to keep your eye on is Matthew Hoppe, the 19 year old who plays for Schalke 04. He scored a hat trick to help his team end their streak of 30 losses. He became the first American to score a hat trick in the Bundesliga (Germany’s pro soccer league). He is also the youngest American to perform that feat.
Danita Johnson is the new President of Business Operations for D.C. United. She will be the first Black President of an MLS team.
Other soccer news
Americans marvel at the longevity Tom Brady (43), Drew Brees (41),and Matt Schaub (39) have in the NFL. But they dont have anything on 53 year old Japanese soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura. Yes, I typed that correctly!
53 years old!!!!!!!
In 2017, he became the oldest player (50 years & 14 days old) to score in the Japanese league (J-league). His contract has been extended for the upcoming season. He turns 54 next month! If you are wondering if he is the oldest player ever to play professional soccer, you would be wrong. The Guinness World Record for that title is held by Israeli Isaak Hayik, who played in goal last April for Israel's Ironi Or Yehuda, at age 73!
Check out this video of young boys doing headers: WOW!
Bronze Medal
Around the sports world
In the first edition of this newsletter, I wrote about an increase in popularity for sports card collecting and trading. Earlier this month, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card sold for $5.2 million! The man who bought it, actor & entrepreneur Rob Gough, calls it “the Mona Lisa of sports cards.”
At New Jersey City University, the state’s first female collegiate wrestling team will begin competing this year. Best of luck to them that they can a complete season this year, in the middle of COVID.
We recently celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In my mind, he IS the greatest American. Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, shared this sweet picture of him playing baseball with his daughter Yolanda.
BASEBALL & CIVIL RIGHTS: Dr. King & daughter, Yolanda, in the yard playing ball! @MLB @AAGPBL @womenbaseball1 @MLBNetwork @MLB @Royals @espnOne of the reasons I love sports so much is that it brings people together, despite race, class and politics. This story in Dallas brought a smile to my face. 74 year old Frank Miller was just looking for someone to play a game of catch with him. His wife used the NextDoor app to ask if anyone wanted to play with Frank. Check out what happened next!
I love synchronized sports, but this one is new for me: synchronized walking in groups! It is done in Japan and its called “shuudan koudou.” It translates as “collective action” or “group movement.” You have to watch this video! Make sure you watch it until it gets crazy at 1 minute 45 seconds!
Olympic History 101
As we prepare to cheer on our Team USA athletes this summer, I will provide some Olympic History in each newsletter that will get us more excited for the Games:
Olympic athletes were all male. Women were not allowed to compete, but they did get their own games, the Herian games, dedicated to Hera, Queen of the gods. Men competed naked because the Greeks admired the human body.
Only one winner was given an award: a wreath of wild olive leaves. They also had their names recorded as Olympic winners, probably the most significant prize to the athletes.
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Thank you for reading! Are you looking for a speaker for your next event or conference? Email me at historybeene@gmail.com for more information!