This Day in Sports History

This Day In Sports History is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear . Follow This Day in Sports History on YouTube EPISODE SUMMARY In 1950, Ben Hogan hit a one-iron to the 18th at Merion Golf Club. His shot was captured Life Magazine photographer Hy Peskin and is one of the most iconic sports photographs.  In 1977, Al Geiberger carded the f...

In 1985, the Los Angeles Lakers finally beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals after losing in their previous 9 tries. In 1987, the Lakers did it again with Magic Johnson hitting his famous hook shot.  In 1999, NY Mets manager Bobby Valentine was tossed from a game but came back to the dugout in a disquise.  In 1946, Ted Williams hit the longest homerun in Fenway Park history.  I...

In 1966, the NFL and the AFL announced their merger and established a championship game that became the Super Bowl.  In 1979, Utah got an NBA team.  In 1934, the Cincinnati Reds became the first professional sports team to fly to a game.  In 1968, Don Drysdale broke a 55-year record.  In 1950, the Boston Red Sox scored 29 runs in a game to set a new MLB record that would not be...

In 1995, Kenny Smith hit seven 3 pointers to lead the Rockets to a win in game one of the NBA Finals. But it was four straight misses by Nick Anderson that most people remember.  In 1997, the first IRL Race at Texas Motor Speedway ended in controversy and a fight.  In 1892, Jack Doyle became the first pinch hitter in Major League Baseball History. And in 1986, the Kansas City Royals draf...

In 1984, the LA Lakers were cruising until a Kevin McHale hard foul on Kurt Rambis changed the tone for the game and the series.  In 2001, Allen Iverson was nearly unstoppable until Tyron Lue was inserted. But an Iverson bucket in OT led to an emphatic stepover.  In 1946, the BAA was formed. It would eventually become the NBA in. a few years.  In 1992, World Bowl 2 featured North Am...

In 1977, the Portland Trailblazers won the NBA Championship and become the first team to trail 0-2 in the series and come back to win.  In 1991, it was Michael Jordan’s ‘Spectacular Move’ against the Lakers.  In 1999, a phantom foul on Larry Johnson led to one of the most famous four-point play.  In 1987, it was a dramatic ending to a College World Series elimination game. In 1925,...

In 1976, game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns has been called by many ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played.’ In 1974, the Cleveland Indians hosted ‘Ten Cent Beer Night’ which turned into chaos.  In 2000, the Los Angeles Lakers overcame a huge deficit to beat Portland in game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. In 1987, Robin Ventura’s NCAA record 58-game hitting stre...

In 1992, Michael Jordan hit 6 first half 3-pointers and then shrugged at the NBC broadcast crew.  In 1967, Harmon Killebrew hit a monster shot at Metropolitan Stadium that still is remembered today at the old site of the Met.  In 1975, Pele signed with the New York Cosmos to play in the NASL.  In 2013, Deacon Jones died. He is the man who coined the term ‘Sack’ for tackling the quar...

In 1935, Babe Ruth retired from baseball. In 1941, Lou Gehrig died from the disease that would soon bear his name.  In 1970, Bruce McLaren died in a test run on the Goodwood Motor Circuit in England. In 1993, Charles Smith denied four times at the end of the game against the Chicago Bulls. In 2000, Reggie Miller killed the New York Knicks again.  In 1983, Patty Sheehan shot a 63 and went...

In 1994, Reggie Miller’s ‘Spike Lee Game’ and the birth of Miller as the ‘Knick Killer’ In 2014, Mr. Game Seven Justin Williams scored his 7th game 7 goal.  In 1957, Don Bowden became the first American to run a sub-4 mile.  in 1988, ‘John Madden Football’ was released for the first time.  In 1994, the NFL Sunday Ticket was announced.  In 1925, Lou Gehrig’s streak of 2,130 stra...

In 1999, the San Antonio Spurs’ Sean Elliott hit the game winner against the Portland Trailblazer to win game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. In 1983, the Philadelphia 76ers swept the LA Lakers to win the NBA Championship.  In 1941, Sam Snead won the PGA Championship and then shipped off for active duty in the Navy during WWII. In 1949, Snead won the PGA Championship again.  In 2013,...

In 1973, after several rain delays, the Indianapolis 500 raced on a Wednesday. Tragedy would a driver and a crew member. In 1982, Gordon Johncock won one of the closest Indy 500s in history. In 1976, Janet Guthrie became the first woman to compete in a NASCAR race. Also in 1976, Roger Maltbie beat Hale Irwin in a 4-hole playoff to win the inaugural Memorial.   Mentioned in this episode: Stirl...

In 1997, the Utah Jazz battled back from a 13-point deficit and John Stockton hit the game winning 3 to advance to the NBA Finals In 1995, Rik Smits hit the game winner to beat the Magic after a flurry of 3s seesawed the game back and forth. In 1982, the Minnesota Twins pulled off an unusual triple play against the New York Yankees. In 2015, a par 4 was shortened to a par 3 due to standing water,...

In 2006, Barry Bonds hit home run #715. A lucky fan waiting for a sandwich looked up and caught it.  In 1957, the National League okay'd Brooklyn's and New York's move to the west coast.  In 1956, Dale Long hit a home run in his 8th straight game.    Mentioned in this episode: Stirling Soap ver. 2 - This DiSH - Steve White This episode is brought to by Stirling Soap Company. Fe...

In 1991, the Chicago Bulls put several years of frustration behind them, beating the sulky Detroit Pistons to advance to the NBA Finals.  Also in 1991, a strange end to the Indianapolis 500 with Arie Luyendyk winning. In 1937, Carl Hubbell won his 24th straight Major League baseball game.  In 2012, Zach Johnson nearly coughed up a three shot lead on the final hole of the Colonial due to...

In 1959, Harvey Haddix pitched a perfect game for 12 innings but still lost.  In 1956, three Cincinnati pitchers combined for a no-hitter through 9 2/3 innings but lost.  In 1991, Rick Mears became the third driver in history to win four Indianapolis 500s.  In 2002, Robert 'Big Shot Bob' Horry hit the game winner against the Sacramento Kings. In 1995, Ken Griffey, Jr, made an amazin...

In 1965, Muhammad Ali put Sonny Liston on the mat with his 'Phantom Punch.' In 1993, John Starks posterized Horace Grant and Michael Jordan with a spectacular dunk.  In 2002, the Boston Celtics pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in NBA playoff history.  And in 1935, Babe Ruth hit his final home runs of his career.    Mentioned in this episode: Stirling Soap ver. 2 - This D...

In 1935, it was the first night game in Major League Baseball In 1920, a crackdown on gambling at Wrigley Field was carried out as 47 people were arrested in the bleacher seats.  In 1981, Bobby Unser won the Indianapolis 500.  In 1987, Al Unser, Sr. won his 4th Indy 500. In 1992, Al Unser, Jr won the closest Indy 500 And in 2004, Maurice Clarett lost his case with the NFL. Mentioned in t...

In 1958, Wilt Chamberlain gave up his final year at Kansas to turn pro but he couldn't go to the NBA yet. In 1977, jockey Steve Cauthen was thrown from his horse and injured badly.  Also in 1977, Jack Nicklaus won his own golf tournament.  In 1923 and again on the same day in 1924, Gene Tunney, the boxing Marine fought Harry Greg, the Pittsburgh Wildcat.  In 1941, Joe Louis defended...

In 1988, Dominque Wilkins and Larry Bird went to head-to-head in a classic Game 7.  In 2009, LeBron James hit the game winner in a 96-95 win in the Eastern Conference.  In 1977, Janet Guthrie became the first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. In 2003, Annika Sorenstam played a PGA tour event, becoming the first woman to do so since 1945. In 1963, Mickey Mantle hit a home run tha...

In 1986, Ralph Sampson's flip shot sank the LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. In 1989, it was the 'Tide Slide' that led a to a melee in the pits of The Winston All-Star race. In 1977, Seattle Slew won the second leg of the Triple Crown. And in 1901, FIFA was founded. Mentioned in this episode: Stirling Soap ver. 2 - This DiSH - Steve White This episode is brought to by Stirling Soap Comp...

In 2002, Kobe Bryant woke up at 1 a.m. on this day with stomach issues after ordering hotel room service. He was apparently the only one who got sick at the hotel that night.  In 1972, the Indiana Pacers beat the New York Nets to win the ABA championship for the second time.  In 1979, the Winnipeg Jets beat Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers to win the World Hockey Association's final...

In 1974, the Houston Aeros, featuring Gordie Howe beat the Chicago Cougars to win the 2nd Avco Cup in the World Hockey Association. Also in 1974, the Philadelphia Flyers won their first ever Stanley Cup behind the excellent goaltending of Bernie Parent.  In 1991, Willy T. Ribbs became the first black driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.    Mentioned in this episode: Stirling...

In 1963, running back Ernie Davis died of Leukemia. In 2023, 60 years later, Jim Brown died. In 1912, Allan Travers gave up 26 hits and 24 runs in a game. The reason he had to endure a beat down goes back to what happened 3 day prior.  In 2004, Randy Johnson pitched a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves.  In 1997, Tiger Woods 'C" game was good enough to win his fifth golf tournament...

In 1987, Dale Earnhardt pulled off an incredible maneuver, even though no actual pass took place. In 1975, six men ran a sub four mile in a race as the record was lowered. And in 1979, it was a Major League Slugfest between Philadelphia and Chicago at Wrigley Field.   Mentioned in this episode: Stirling Soap ver. 2 - This DiSH - Steve White This episode is brought to by Stirling Soap Company....