The Courage of Hogan Was on Full Display

The contact sports of boxing and football usually lead the league in tales of courage and determination.

But on this date 49 years ago, golfer Ben Hogan, all 5 feet 9 and 145 pounds of him, put on a display of guts that few athletes have since topped.

On Feb. 2, 1949, Hogan and his wife had just driven through El Paso when they were hit head-on by a bus. Hogan suffered broken ribs, a broken ankle and pelvis. His wife had only a black eye.

At first, it wasn’t known if Hogan would live, then if he would walk again. During recovery, a dangerous blood clot appeared in a leg.

Hogan survived, walked and played golf again.

And in the U.S. Open at Ardmore, Pa., 49 years ago, he fashioned one of golf’s great stories.

During the tournament he often gripped his legs in pain. He was unable to bend over to pick his ball out of the cup, a task assigned to his caddie.

He finished four rounds tied with Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio, surviving a 36-hole final day, at seven-over-par 287.

No one expected Hogan, on trembling legs, to prevail in the 18-hole playoff. But it was Mangrum and Fazio who felt more pain. Hogan, grimacing all the way, shot a one-under 69. Mangrum shot 73, Fazio 75.

Sixteen months after a near-fatal crash, Bantam Ben had come all the way back.

Also on this date: In 1919, at the Belmont Stakes, Sir Barton becomes horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner. With Johnny Loftus up, Sir Barton, against only two other horses, won going away. . . . In 1948, at the U.S. Open golf championship in Los Angeles, Frank Stranahan returned to his Hollywood Plaza hotel room and caught a burglar in the act of stealing his possessions. Stranahan pulled a three-iron from his bag and told the man: “Stand still or I will tee off on you.” With his free hand, he called police, who arrested the man. . . . In 1938, Cincinnati pitcher Johnny Vander Meer pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Braves. . . . In 1977, Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown. . . . In 1966, San Jose State sprinter Tommie Smith ran a world record 20.0 220 at Sacramento. . . . In 1944, jockey Hubert Jones rode eight winners at Caliente, five of which were photo finishes.