Today In History

Polo Grounds I was originally built in 1883 and, after many modifications, was named Polo Grounds IV in 1911. The Giants played there until moving west in 1957. The horseshoe shape had the left and right field walls less than 300 feet and the centerfield wall was almost 500 feet. The bullpens were in fair territory in left and right center. The New York Mets played there in 1962-1963. The phrase "Hot Dog" was coined by NY Journal sports cartoonist Tad Dorgan when he couldn't remember how to spell the word "dachshund" in describing the "red hot dachshund sausages" served at a game here in April 1901. Memorable moments were when Willie Mays made his greatest catch in the 1954 World Series and Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard Round the World" homer occurred here at 4:11 pm on October 3, 1951 against the Dodgers. The capacity was increased often and reached its peak of 55,000 in 1923.

Edwin Moses Edwin Corley Moses will always be remembered for one of the most dominant reigns in sports. For nine years, nine months and nine days, he was invincible in the 400 meters hurdles, winning 122 consecutive races (107 finals). The 400 meter hurdles covers 10 three-foot obstacles, and Edwin took an unprecedented 13 steps in between the hurdles instead of the usual fourteen which every other hurdler takes. His unique style remains the ultimate demonstration of power, speed, and elegance. By the time he retired from the sport in 1989, Moses had won two Olympic gold medals, in Montreal in 1976 and Los Angeles in 1984, and he would certainly have won a third gold, but for the American boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. In 1983 he broke the world record for the fourth time in Koblenz, Germany, with a time of 47.02, a mark which stood for the next nine years. During his career he won three World Cup titles and two World-Championships.