Curly Lambeau
In 1922: The Green Bay Packers franchise gained admission into the fledgling NFL. The Packers – named for a local packing company – were owned and coached by the legendary Curly Lambeau (not Brett Favre, as he would like you to believe) and finished 4-3-3 in their first NFL season, including a 3-0 loss to the Chicago Bears (who they would play another 169 times through 2005). They have won the most championships in league history with 12. (packers.com)
In 1967: Ken Harrelson became baseball’s first free agent when he was released by the Kansas City Athletics. The “Hawk” was let go by A’s owner Charles O. Finley after he called Finley “a menace to baseball.” The Red Sox won Harrelson’s services for the rest of the season for $73,000, and he helped them win the pennant in 1967. He retired in 1971 to join the pro golf tour and went on to become the most annoying broadcaster in history with the White Sox. (baseball library.com)
