Sports Then and Now

There are quite a few exciting young players in Major League Baseball, but while most of them fit the traditional model of players in baseball history, in my opinion one stands out as part of a very elite lineage of special athletes in baseball.

Whether he is throwing a 100 MPH fastball, launching a tape measure home run or gliding around the bases like an Olympic sprinter, Shohei Ohtani is clearly a unique athlete within the current game of baseball.

In my opinion, Ohtani is the fourth player over the last 100 years who stood out from the crowd, not just in relation to their baseball production, but more specifically in how their unique level of freak athleticism allowed them to do things never seen before.

The first of these four was Babe Ruth. Though most common images of him are from later in his career when he was slightly overweight, the reality is that the young Babe Ruth was a transcendent athlete who forever changed the game of baseball.

Ruth first burst on the scene in 1914 as a 19-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He posted an 18-8 record with 2.44 ERA as a 20-year-old in 1915 and then won 23 and 24 games respectively over the next two seasons. He also led the American league with a 1.75 ERA in 1916.

Part of three World Series Championship teams in four seasons with the Red Sox between 1915 and 1918, Ruth set a World Series record by pitching 29.2 consecutive scoreless innings (it stood until 1961).

Fifty years before Ashleigh Barty claimed her first Wimbledon Championship, another Australian woman claimed the Wimbledon Women’s Singles title on her way to a Hall of Fame career.

The path to tennis greatness was a unique one for Evonne Goolagong Cawley. The daughter of an itinerant sheep shearer, Goolagong Cawley was the third of eight children in an Australian Aboriginal family. Though Aboriginal people faced significant discrimination during that era, Goolagong Cawley was able to play tennis from a young age due to the generosity and support of numerous people within Australia.

She emerged on the international tennis stage as a 19-year-old in 1971 as she reached the finals of the Australian Open and then won the French Open and Wimbledon titles. She remains the only person to win the French Open women’s title in her first time playing in the tournament.

In 1972, she reached the finals of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, but did not claim any of the titles. She also played the U.S. Open for the first time in 1972 and reached the third round.

It probably comes as no surprise that the 4^th of July has seen a few more “special” sports moments than most other days on the calendar. As a national holiday occurring during the height of the season for baseball, there have been a significant number of special baseball moments on this date.

Even though July 4^th is a day that our friends in England are maybe not as enthusiastic in celebrating, July 4^th does have quite a history in that country as many Wimbledon titles have been claimed on that special date.

Over the years the date has also seen special moments in boxing history and women’s golf.

Below is a chronological look at a few of those special July 4^th sports moments:

1910 – In what was dubbed the “Fight of the Century”, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Johnson retains his title with a 15^th round TKO against James J. Jeffries.

1911 – Ty Cobb’s pursuit of Willie Keeler’s record hitting streak of 45 consecutive games ends at 40 games when Cobb is held hitless in four attempts by Ed Walsh of the Chicago White Sox. Cobb’s streak remains the sixth longest streak in MLB history.

1914 – Dorothea Chambers claims her seventh, and final, Wimbledon Women’s Singles title, beating Ethel Larcombe 7-5, 6-4.

One of the most popular pastimes is cockfighting, also known as “sabong.” This kind of “entertainment” is banned in many countries, but in the Philippines, this activity is perfectly legal. The country hosts international competitions and games called “Sabong Nation,” which attracts breeders, fans, and bettors worldwide.

In the Philippines, there is a long culture of betting on various events and games. One example is sabong or cockfighting. Of course, ardent animal rights activists may say that it is inhumane to make birds with metal spurs fight to the death. But the fact remains that sabong has been a part of Filipino culture for centuries. Sabong is a perfectly legal pastime that takes place on Sundays in sanctioned arenas. Matches can also be held during holidays and various other solemn occasions. While spectators bet on the outcome of these brutal matches, they also bet on the fascinating ones.

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The automotive industry is constantly looking to improve the driving experience. Racing is where these innovations are born — experimenting with new technologies is expected in the racing industry. 

Drivers want to reach faster speeds and cut down on resistance to win. So whether it’s NASCAR or Formula 1, racing has always been at the forefront of developing and implementing advanced tech into their cars.

NASCAR focuses its efforts on entertaining its loyal fans, while F1 is the leader in revolutionizing the racing industry. There’s a perceived rivalry between the two, but both organizations work to elevate their technology to improve overall racing performance.

Whether you’re a racing fan or not, it’s interesting to learn more about racecar tech. Some of the advancements are incorporated into the standard vehicles we use on the road every day. 

Let’s dive into some of the recent advancements in racing technology.

1. Carbon Fiber

What makes carbon fiber attractive in automotive racing is its strength and durability. Compared to other materials used for cars, carbon fiber can withstand high-energy forces during a high-speed race. 

How a vehicle performs can mean the difference between a winning and a losing race. In addition, carbon fiber allows cars to go the extra mile. Parts that are made from carbon fiber tend to last longer, which is an attractive feature for racers.