Sports & Leisure History Look Back for Week of August 31, 2026

NEW! Sports & Leisure History Look-Back for the week of August 31, 2026. Topics include:

A. It was an all-Belgium #USOpen on September 6, 2003, when Justine Henin defeated Kim Clijsters in the Finals -- her first US Open win. Clayton and Jeff look-back and this under-the-radar #tennis rivalry.

B. On August 31, 2004, #OmarVizquel of the #ClevelandIndians (now the #Guardians) became the first player ever to get six hits at #YankeeStadium, as #Cleveland routed the #Yankees 22-0. A look at just how good Vizquel was. #GuardsBall #RepBX

C. On September 1, 1964, #MasanoriMurakami became the first #Japanese player to play in #MLB when he was loaded to the #SFGiants by the #NankaiHawks of the #NPB. This exchange would lead to a dispute between the two countries' #baseball leagues, when it would be approximately 30 years because another Japanese player, #HideoNomo of the #Dodgers, would play in the United States.

D. Two different history posts about #MLB rookies who looked destined for stellar careers, but never experienced longevity: On September 3, 1997, the Oakland #Athletics called up #BenGrieve. And, on September 4, 2016, #AndrewBailey got his first save as an #LosAngelesAngels player, but, like Grieve, he made a splash in his 2009 rookie season with the A's.

E. On September 2, 2001, #MichaelSchumacher won the #GrandPrix of Belgium and set a new record with 52 wins. Clayton and Jeff talk about Schumacher's #F1 career and what he means to #Formula1 racing.

F. On September 5, 1949, a monumental day in the #CanadianFootballLeague. The #EdmontonEskimos, now known as the #EdmontonElks, played their first #CFL game (though it was called the Western Interprovincial Football Union). While the sputtered out of the gate, Edmonton has become one of the most storied teams in CFL history.