Alan Greenwood

Breaking a major story brings with it a big-league rush of adrenaline.

Finding out that big story was dead wrong leads the misguided scribe to the nearest bar stool.

SEPT. 10, 1952: “The Concord Monitor reported today that it had learned from a reliable source that Birdie Tebbetts, the Cleveland Indians’ peppery shortstop, will replace Charlie Grimm as manager of the Boston Braves next year.

“Sports editor Ruel Colby called his source ‘unimpeachable’ but said anonymity was demanded.

“Colby wrote that Birdie, a native of Nashua, was in line for the managerial post now held by the ex-Chicago Cubs first sacker and manager. Tebbetts, 38, is a veteran major league catcher.”

Beyond the false premise of the scoop, it should be noted that the word “shortstop” was used when “backstop” was called for. Back in the day, backstop was commonly used in place of catcher. These days, not so much.

We’ll blame a baseball illiterate news editor for that gaffe.

SEPT. 11, 1972 – “Detroit Lions quarterback Greg Landry of Nashua treated a couple thousand home state fans to a shining first-half offensive exhibition during last night’s New Hampshire Night Lions-New England preseason football game.

“The Schaefer Stadium event drew more than 47,000 fans who braved Foxboro traffic jams and chilly temperatures to see the up-to-now lackluster Pats overthrow a strong Lions team, 34-30. … The Landry show included a pair of touchdown passes and a methodical run-pass march which, if not for a dropped end-zone stroke would have given Detroit a a third first-half TD.”

SEPT. 12, 1977 – “While many Bishop Guertin football fans are assuming BG head coach Dick Piwowarski and the Cardinals will try to forget their opening game performance last Saturday, Piwowarski and his troops will probable do just the opposite – keep the game on file as an example of what not to do the rest of the season.

“The Milford Spartans, defending Division II champions, hit, crunched and hustled their way to a 12-0 victory over the Cardinals in the season opener for both teams.

“… Sam Depoy scored on three straight carries in a first-and-goal situation from the BG 7 with about 3:30 left in the half. (Milford had no scoreboard clock). … After a fumble recovery at the Guertin 17, runs by Randy Arends and depoy got the ball to the BG 5, with Depoy’s three straight carries produced the Spartans’ second TD.”

SEPT. 13, 1982 – “Merrimack High School hasn’t won a soccer game against Alvirne High School since 1976, but the Tomahawks had no reason to hang their heads after a 2-0 loss to the Broncos on Saturday.

“The game was played on even terms for most of the morning. … Jeff Blackwell scored the game-winner, his fourth goal of the season, with 9:13 left in the first period off a John Lee assist. Henry Rae go the insurance goal with 4:12 remaining in the third quarter on a play set up by John McGaffigen.”

SEPT. 14, 1992 – “Punctuated by a masterful bunker shot, Nashua’s Phil Pleat survived a late rush by the course designer to win the John B. Wollen Memorial Greater Nashua City Golf Tournament on Sunday at the Overlook Country Club.

“Pleat’s third city title in six years was challenged on the final three holes by David Frield, whose spirited late charge prevented a runaway.”

SEPT. 15, 1987 – “There’s some good news out of the Mount St. Mary soccer team for a change. First, four injured starters are back: Joanna Pinelle, Audrey Ricard, Colleen McManus and Chris Votava.

Second, despite being outscored 21-0 in two games, the Catamounts still have their spirit, as evidenced by Monday’s 2-2 tie with ConVal of Peterborough.

“… The Cats scored on a picture-perfect goal by Stephanie Cadwell 6:09 into the game off feeds from Heather Koch amd Jen Sirois. Three minutes later the Mount made it 2-0 on a goal by Tara Nutile, assisted by Carissa Gagne.”

SEPT. 16, 2017 – “The Campbell High School girls soccer team (5-0-1) continued its dominance, taking down Fall Mountain on Friday afternoon, 2-1. Campbell has only allowed two goals through six games.

“Sara Keane scored the first goal of the game on a cross assisted by Caitlyn Ross, and Karleigh Schultz scored what would be the game-winning goal later on. Alicia Noury had eight saves in the game, sealing the deal for the Cougars.”

Contact Alan Greenwood at 594-1245 or agreenwood@nashuatelegraph.com.