Rucker basketball tournament (“each one teach one”)
The Rucker basketball tournament in Harlem was conceived in the 1940s and 1950s by Holcombe Rucker, a parks department worker who died of cancer in 1965 at age 38. His motto was "each one…
Rules of Eighth Avenue (boxing at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan)
There have been several "Rules of Eighth Avenue." The third Madison Square Garden was located on Eighth Avenue, between 49th and 50th Street in Manhattan, from 1925 to 1968. It hosted…
Run for the Carnations (Belmont Stakes)
The Belmont Stakes (the third race of horseracing's Triple Crown) has been called the 'Run for the Carnations." The Kentucky Derby (the first race of the Triple Crown) has long been…
Run for the Roses (Kentucky Derby)
The Kentucky Derby has been called the "Run for the Roses," after the red rose that has been the official flower of the Kentucky Derby since 1904. A rose garland (with white and pink…
Ruppert’s Riflemen (New York Yankees nickname)
American brewer, businessman, National Guard colonel and politician Jacob Ruppert Jr. (1867-1939) owned the New York Yankees baseball team from 1915 until his death in 1939. the Yankees were…
Ruppert’s Rifles (New York Yankees nickname)
American brewer, businessman, National Guard colonel and politician Jacob Ruppert Jr. (1867-1939) owned the New York Yankees baseball team from 1915 until his death in 1939. the Yankees were…
Ruthville (Yankee Stadium right field bleachers)
Yankee Stadium (1923-2008) in the Bronx had a short right field porch that made it easy for left-handers to hit home runs. In December 1919, the New York Yankees acquired Babe Ruth (1895-1948), one…
Salugi (or Saloogie)
"Salugi" (or "saluggi" or "saloogie") was a New York children's game of "keep away" that was popular in the 1950s. The origin of the name is unknown.…
Sam, Mike, Will (strongside, middle and weakside linebacker nicknames)
Sam (strongside linebacker), Mike (middle linebacker) and Will (weakside linebacker) are football position nicknames in the 4-3 defense. Tom Landry (1924-2000), the New York Giants defensive…
Santa Claus Curse (New York Mets)
The New York Mets hold an annual Christmas party for New York City schoolchildren. The "Santa Claus curse" holds that the Mets player who dresses up as Santa Claus the following year…
Selection Sunday
"Selection Sunday" is commonly known as the day college basketball teams are selected to participate in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Tournament, but the term…
Seventh-inning stretch (Manhattan College’s claim to origin)
Manhattan College has claimed to have originated baseball's "seventh inning stretch" in 1882. The seventh inning is the time before the end of the game where the spectators stretch…
Shammgod or El Latigo or The Whip (one-handed crossover basketball dribble)
God Shammgod (born Shammgod Wells in New York City in 1976) became a New York City high school basketball legend who played at Providence College. He had a very brief professional basketball career…
ShittyField, in Flushing (Citi Field ballpark, in Flushing, Queens)
Many New Yorkers wanted the new Mets ballpark (the one replacing Shea Stadium) to be named after baseball great Jackie Robinson. Citigroup offered to pay $20 million a year to name the stadium, and…
Skee-Ball
Remember Skee-Ball? From Coney Island, right? Maybe you've played it recently at a street fair? Actually, the game comes from Philadelphia, but that doesn't mean that Coney Island…
Skelly (or skelsy, skellzies, scully, tops, caps)
"Skelly" is an old New York City game. There is a good entry for it in the Dictionary of American Regional English, but there are earlier citations to be found. It is said that the game…
Skyscraper-Harlem Cycling Classic
The Skyscraper-Harlem Cycling Classic takes place in June in Marcus Garvey Park. It started in the 1970s and is billed as "New York City's oldest criterium."…
Slamboni (Zamboni-like machine for U.S. Open tennis)
Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queens, is the site of the tennis U.S. Open. Rain delays hampered the 2003 U.S. Open, so the stadium developed the "Slamboni" machine -- similar…
Snoopy Bowl (Giants vs. Jets at MetLife Stadium)
MetLife acquired the naming rights to the New Meadowlands Stadium -- where the New York Giants and New York Jets play football -- in 2011, renaming it MetLife Stadium. The Giants and Jets play an…
Sons of Anarchy (Jets defensive line nickname)
The New York Jets football team nicknamed their defensive line the New York Sack Exchange in 1981. The 2013 defensive line of Damon Harrison (nose tackle), Sheldon Richardson (defensive end) and…