Cleveland Vintage Blog — Sports
The Time Cleveland Indians Outfielder Jimmy Piersall Beat Up a Yankees Fan During a Game
After watching a Cincinnati Reds fan recently rush the field and get in Cleveland left fielder Tyler Freeman's face before ultimately being tased in one of the best sports photos of all time, I'm reminded of the restraint players often show to people interrupting games like that. That being said, that restraint does sometimes go out the window, much like it did for Cleveland outfielder Jimmy Piersall on September 10, 1961 in Yankee Stadium. In the first game of a doubleheader that day, two fans descended from the stands during the seventh inning to attack Piersall. Immediately, Piersall knocked down...
The History of Cleveland's Public Auditorium (and the New Home of the Cleveland Charge)
Cleveland may not be the biggest market media-wise for professional sports, but what we have truly been blessed with over the years is ownership across all the major sports that not only gave us excitement on the field or court, but a commitment to the community as well. Whether it was investments in youth sports leagues, field/facility improvements, or players themselves involved with various charitable endeavors, fans have always felt a deep personal attachment to the teams and the players. It is probably why, despite the fact that athletes come and go more quickly these days in any sport, the...
Did You Know Larry Bird's NBA Career Ended in Cleveland?
Larry Bird dominated the NBA landscape in the 1980s, but his reign came to an end in the early '90s, perhaps a few years earlier than planned due to a bad back (though he was 35 at this point too). But Bird made one last run to the playoffs with the Boston Celtics in the 1991-92 season, meeting up with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. Bird was limited to 45 games that season and had to sit out the Celtics' first-round victory against Indiana, but he was still an All-Star that season, averaging 20.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and...
Here Is What Larry Bird Once Said About Playing at the Richfield Coliseum
"If you were constructing the ideal arena from my experience, I'd say, 'Duplicate the Richfield Coliseum.'" - Larry Bird Larry Bird is one of the best basketball players of all time, essentially dominating the 1980s along with Magic Johnson. But you won't really get too many interesting insights from Bird in his 1989 memoir Drive, co-written with sportswriter Bob Ryan. It's pretty much a book full of hollow athlete speak that glosses over any really juicy details; however, Bird does provide some valuable tidbits at the end of the book with a full section on his opinions of every single NBA...
Listen to Rocco Scotti's Rendition of the National Anthem at the 1981 MLB All-Star Game in Cleveland
Rocco Scotti was a beloved Cleveland baritone/tenor who sang the National Anthem more than anyone else - an estimated 10,000 times by the singer's own estimation. Scotti was the son of Italian immigrants and raised in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood. The popular local talent passed away in 2015 at the age of 95, but was well-known for all the times he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Cleveland Indians games, which dates back to his first time on Opening Day in 1952. Scotti even became good friends with Cleveland great Bob Feller over the years. One of his most famous renditions at Municipal...