Pitcher Ray Caldwell Was Struck By Lightning During A Game But Won Anyway (Cool Weird Awesome 834)
Today in 1919, one of the strangest moments in the history of baseball: a pitcher won a game in which he was struck by lightning!
The Time Pittsburgh Lost Its H – And Then Got It Back (Cool Weird Awesome 813)
Today in 1911, a big day for the city of Pittsburgh: after an effort that lasted decades, the city won back the H at the end of its name!
New York City Used To Deliver Mail Through Pneumatic Tubes (Cool Weird Awesome 798)
Today in 2006, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens famously told his colleagues that the Internet was not a dumptruck, it was a series of tubes, figuratively speaking. But here’s a story about some literal tubes that New York City once used to deliver mail.
Every Baseball In A Major League Game Gets Covered In This Special Mud (Cool Weird Awesome 754)
Even the freshest baseballs aren't completely fresh. They've been treated with a grip-improving mud that's been provided by one family's company for decades.
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 Point Game Was Truly One Of A Kind (Cool Weird Awesome 723)
Today in 1962 one of the most stunning performances in the history of basketball, or really in all of pro sports: Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game.
The Chicago Cubs Once Had A “College of Coaches” Instead of a Manager (Cool Weird Awesome 693)
Today in 1961, the Chicago Cubs announced they wouldn't hire a manager for the new season, and would instead use a rotating "College" of coaches. You can probably guess how well that worked out.
Massachusetts Is Putting Solar Panels On Highway Sound Barriers (Cool Weird Awesome 656)
There are countless efforts underway to bring more green energy into the world, and some of them are in some unusual places. Like a project in Massachusetts that’s going to try mounting solar panels on those sound-absorbing barriers on the sides of the highway. Plus: today in 1859, New York City is host to what's believed to be the first ever baseball game between two Black teams.
Carlton Fisk’s Home Run Wave Changed TV Sports, But It Almost Didn’t Get Filmed At All (Cool Weird Awesome 639)
Today in 1975, game 6 of the World Series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox. The iconic clip of Carlton Fisk waving his game-winning home run fair was caught by the camera kind of by accident. Plus: a couple in the UK gets a ticket because a traffic camera caught their car driving in the bus-only lane, except that they weren't in the bus-only lane. Or in a car. Or in that city.
Willie Mays Made The Catch, And That Was Only The Start Of His Play (Cool Weird Awesome 623)
Today in 1954, Willie Mays made one of the most amazing plays in baseball history - an over the shoulder catch in deep center field, followed by a throw that kept the opposing baserunners from scoring. And yet, Mays was so great that some researchers say The Catch wasn't even his greatest catch! Plus: for Goose Day, a visit to Belfast to see a statue in honor of Alec the Goose.
Brooklyn Forever
I've always thought my ten year old was wise beyond his years, but even I was surprised this morning.