It Was Babe’s Day, but Gehrig Was Dawning

Here’s a report in the New York Times on July 14, 1934 after Babe Ruth hit his 700th home run, against the Tigers at Detroit:

“Lou Gehrig, playing in his 1,426th consecutive game, was involuntarily withdrawn in the second inning, suffering from an attack of lumbago which may very well bring an end to his unique record. Whether he will play tomorrow was undetermined tonight.”

Gehrig, of course, went on to play in 2,130 consecutive games, a record that was broken when Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 2,131st game Wednesday.

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Trivia time: What do Tom Lasorda and Kansas City quarterback Steve Bono, the former UCLA player, have in common?

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The S.F. Raid-ers: Dave Caldwell of the Philadelphia Inquirer predicts a San Francisco 49er-Miami Dolphin matchup in the Super Bowl:

“The 49ers will squish the Dolphins like 53 little bugs. Steve Young will throw for 1,000 yards by halftime.”

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Old cut-up: Remember Chuck Wepner, the heavyweight known as “the Bayonne Bleeder?” He is considering a comeback at the age of 55.

Of his career, Ed Schuyler Jr. of the Associated Press recalled, “Wepner used to start bleeding during the national anthem.”

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A sleeper? San Jose State, USC’s opponent Saturday at the Coliseum, is regarded as a breather on the Trojans’ schedule.

However, after Stanford beat the Spartans, 47-33, last Saturday, Cardinal running back Anthony Bookman said: “I played against USC and UCLA last year. There were some hits I didn’t see against those big-time teams. I have respect for San Jose State. They’re no slouch.”

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World tour-ist: Golfer Jenny Lidback, who recently won the du Maurier Ltd. Classic, is a walking United Nations, according to Golf World.

She was born in Lima, Peru, to an Italian mother and Swedish father. She has also lived in Brazil, Connecticut, Louisiana and Texas and currently resides in Scottsdale, Ariz. She speaks Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and English.

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Hi, shorty: Jeff Sluman, who at 5 feet 7, is shorter than everybody on the PGA Tour except 5-6 Brian Kaam. Said Sluman: “I eat soup off his head.”

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Scary time: Bryan Cox, Miami Dolphin linebacker: “Sometimes I don’t even know myself. I have a few different personalities. I wouldn’t say I’m schizophrenic, [but] a lot of times, if a guy is getting close, I’ll change my personality just to keep a distance.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1974, Nolan Ryan of the Angels had a pitch officially clocked at 100.8 m.p.h. in a game against the Chicago White Sox to become the first player to break the 100-m.p.h. barrier.

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Trivia answer: Both are from Norristown, Pa.

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Quotebook: Tim McDonald, San Francisco 49er strong safety, on why he does not wear an earring: “My mother said that’s the first step to becoming a woman.”