SANDY KOUFAX PITCHES 1ST NO HITTER
Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck out 13 hitters today on his way to the 1st no-hitter of his career.
The Dodgers blanked the New York Mets 5-0.
Pitching from 1955 through 1961, Koufax showed signs of greatness but was very inconsistent. His record through that period was 36 wins & 51 losses.
This year, however, taking a veteran catcher's advice to "take the grunt out of the fastball", Koufax has turned things around.*
*Koufax would win 3 Cy Young Awards & be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
It seems Koufax delivery had its flaws because opposing hitters knew what he was going to throw.
Giants star Willie Mays said: "I knew every pitch he was going to throw & still couldn't hit him."
Sandy Koufax*
*On the night he was killed, RFK paid tribute to Sandy Koufax in his speech after his victory in the California Primary.
June 30, 1962
JFK SPEAKS AT INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT IN MEXICO CITY
President John F. Kennedy took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Independence Monument in Mexico City today.
JFK told the audience that it is appropriate to celebrate the 4th of July in Mexico because...
"the people who wrote the Declaration of Independence....recognized...they were not merely advancing a theory of government for the people of the United States, but for the people around the world."
Independence Monument
Mexico City
Photo by Sarumo74
June 30, 1961
JFK SIGNS HOUSING ACT
President John F. Kennedy signed into law today the Housing Act of 1961.
JFK said that this bill....
"provides an opportunity for a giant step toward better cities & improved housing. (It) offers the opportunity & the challenge to build the cities of tomorrow where families can live in dignity."
The act provides for a 35 low-interest mortgage loan program for moderate income American families.
June 30, 1953
1ST CORVETTE ROLLS OFF ASSEMBLY LINE
The 1st Corvette rolled off General Motor's assembly line in Flint, Michigan today.
The 'Vette is produced with the 1st all fiberglass body in an American sports car.
All the Corvettes made in 1953 are to be white convertibles with red interiors & black tops.*
*By 1961, the Corvette is America's favorite sports car.
1954 Chevy Corvette
June 30, 1950
TRUMAN ORDERS US FORCES TO KOREA
President Harry S. Truman ordered American forces to Korea today.
The order comes just 3 days after the United Nations Security Council voted to support South Korea after the invasion by the North Korean Army on June 25.*
*Over the next 3 years, the US will provide half the UN ground forces in Korea as well as a majority of the air & naval power.
Korean War Monument
Nashville, Tennessee
Photo by John White (2011)
June 30, 1934
FDR APPOINTS JOE KENNEDY, SR. TO SEC
President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. to serve on the newly created Securities & Exchange Commission today.
The SEC is to be a bi-partisan agency designed to protect the public from investing in unsafe securities & to regulate the stock market.
Mr. Kennedy is to serve a 5 year term.*
*On July 2, 1934, Joe Kennedy is elected 1st chairman of the SEC.
