It Was A Very Good Year

Since the beginning of the New Year some three short weeks ago, I have encountered on several occasions the same four numbers in the following sequence: 1-9-5-8. The numerical quartet were spotted on a license plate of a passing vehicle, written as an address atop a package I sent, total of a recent bill, last four digits of a phone number called and let me add this for good measure: Although boxed, the numbers made up the winning superfecta in a race at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this month. The latter really stung, because as a horseplayer I didn't back the winning combo. Horse players may deem the $66.90 payout miniscule for a superfecta hit, but I look at it as money I didn't win.

Given the repeated appearance of these same numbers in such a short amount of time, I'm very tempted to visit my nearest lottery agent and give the four numbers a whirl. As we say in New York regarding our lottery, "Hey, you never know". What's all the fuss about 1958? Is there any significance for me regarding the four units. Yes there is. It's the year I was born, so you must understand that yours truly beams proudly whenever I see those particular numbers make an appearance.

Allow me to recall some facts from the sports world of that wonderful year. The four major sports awards were won by the Montreal Canadiens (NHL), New York Yankees (MLB), St Louis Hawks (NBA), New York Giants (NFL). The Giants defeated the Baltimore Colts 23-17 in overtime. The game is later called the "Greatest Game Ever Played". Also, the CFL is officially established in its present form and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win 35-28 over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Of course I certainly would never leave out horseracing from my birth year. In the United States, Tim-Tam was draped in the garland of roses after winning the Kentucky Derby, while North of the border, Caledon Beau was victorious in the Queens Plate. Across the Atlantic, Ballymoss won France's glamorous, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and was voted the European Horse of the Year. However, prior to that illustrious coronation, he was brought stateside to contest the Washington D.C. International. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the race, a little history lesson is warranted. The Washington D.C. International was a Grade 1 invitational horse race inaugurated in 1952, it was raced on turf in Laurel, Maryland and attracted the best horses in North America and Europe. The race was contested at 1 1/2 miles from its inception until 1985. It was scaled back to 1 1/4 miles in 1986 and was raced at the shorter distance (with the exception of 1993 when the race was run at one-mile) until 1994 before being replaced by the Breeders' Cup Turf. The 1958 event attracted 40,276, at that time the largest crowd ever to see a race in Maryland. Strictly as an athletic contest, the 1958 Washington D.C. International would hardly qualify as a great moment. To many people, the wrong horse won---twice. An English horse named Tudor Era led from the start, while Australia's Sailor's Guide raced along in second. Nearing the run into the stretch, Tudor Era cut off Sailor's Guide and then widened his lead to hit the wire 3 1/2 lengths in front. Ballymoss closed well enough to be third, only a head behind Sailor's Guide. The champion of Europe had been defeated. As it turned out, that defeat was a narrow one, for the jockey aboard Sailor's Guide claimed foul against the rider on Tudor Era. After more than twenty minutes, the stewards finally took down the apparent winner. Sailor's Guide was moved up to first, so that Ballymoss officially was second and had come within a head of winning.

The year also saw 3 of the best jockeys the sport has ever produced, inducted in to the Racing Hall Of Fame: Eddie Arcaro, Bill Shoemaker and Johnny Longden. The trio of riders have collectively won the Kentucky Derby 11 times, with Arcaro's 5 wins the most by any jockey. Maybe Shoemaker, who has 4 Derby victories, would be tied for the top spot had he not misjudged the finish line aboard Gallant Man one year earlier. In addition, two equines, the legendary Seabiscuit, who won back to back (1937-38) awards for Older Male, as well as Horse Of The Year (1938) and 1937 Triple Crown Champion, War Admiral, were also rightfully enshrined. In their famous match race in 1938 at Pimlico, the former beat the latter by 4 lengths.

Ironically, trainer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, who Seabiscuit started his career under before being shipped out, was another inductee of the Hall Of Fame in 1958. Among his 2,275 wins, Fitzsimmons claimed 13 Triple Crown races. Two more notable names that figured prominently and at times dominantly in the thoroughbred world, Ben Jones and Hirsch Jacobs, were given their due in Saratoga in 1958.  Mr. Jones is the only trainer to have won the Kentucky Derby six times, including victories by two Triple Crown Champions, Whirlaway and Citation. During a span of 12 years, (1933 through 1944 inclusive), Jacobs led the country in victories by a thoroughbred trainer 11 times, including seven consecutive years.

I leave you with one more fact from 1958, and this one does not involve horseracing. Matter of fact, it's non-sports related.

One of the top songs from that year happened to occupy the number 1 spot on the Billboard music chart on the day I was born. It was the Everly Brothers, "ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM". How fitting, because I dream indeed about hitting 1-9-5-8 on a lottery ticket, or even a superfecta ticket, but if my attempts continue to falter, 1-9-5-8 will never leave me. That's because a birth certificate coupled with a bit of sports research constantly reminds me that it was a very good year.