This week in Greater Albany history.
Born December 28, 1952, in Albany, Georgia. Known for baseball.
Born on December 28, 1952, in Albany, Georgia, Ray Knight is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He grew up in Albany and attended Dougherty High School and Albany Junior College. Knight made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 1974. He replaced Pete Rose at third base for the Reds and earned an All-Star appearance in 1980. Knight is best known for his time with the New York Mets, where he played a key role in their 1986 World Series win. He was named World Series MVP after scoring the winning run in Game 6. Knight also played for the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles. After retiring from playing, he became a broadcaster and briefly managed the Cincinnati Reds. He later returned to Albany, where a street was named in his honor.
Born in Albany, Georgia, on December 29, 1978.
Angelo Taylor was born on December 29, 1978, in Albany, Georgia. He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, winning in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2000 and 2008 Summer Olympics. Taylor also earned a bronze medal in the 400-meter at the 2007 World Championships. He set a personal best of 47.25 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles, ranking among the top performers in history. In addition to his individual success, Taylor was a key member of the U.S. 4×400-meter relay teams, winning gold at the 2008 Olympics and silver at the 2012 London Olympics. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and was an NCAA champion in 1998. Taylor’s father, Angelo Taylor Sr., competed in track and football at Albany State University, further connecting him to the city. Taylor continues to be a prominent figure in American track and field.
