This Day in Sports History

In 1980, Magic Johnson played Center, Forward, and Guard in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.  In 1999, Allan Houston hit the game winner for the New York Knicks toppling the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs...again. In 1976, the Montreal Canadiens won the first of four straight Stanley Cups, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3 to sweep the series. In 1939, it was the first night bas...

In 1981, Cleveland pitcher Len Barker pitched a perfect game against Toronto In 1912, Ty Cobb went into the stands and beat up a heckling fan.  In 1990, the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins played the longest NHL Stanley Cup Finals game.  In 1941, Joe Dimaggio's record 56 game hitting streak got started on this day.  And in 1994, Neal Lancaster won a 6-player sudden death to earn a...

In 1967, Dwight Smith was killed in a car accident in Kentucky just a few weeks after being selected by the LA Lakers in the NBA draft.  In 1992, former NFL star Lyle Alzado died from brain cancer.  In 1970, Harry Sinden left the Boston Bruins just a few days after winning the Stanley Cup. In 1972, Willie Mays made his debut with the New York Mets. In 1967, Mickey Mantle hit his 500th ho...

In 1973, Bobby Riggs beat Margaret Court in straight sets in the first 'Battle of the  Sexes.' In 1962 and again on this day in 1973, golfer Bruce Crampton came to the 18th hole needing only par to win. He made double bogey in '62 and bogey in '73 to lose both times.  In 1978, French golfer Phillipe Porquier made a 20 on a hole to set the mark for highest score ever recorded on a hole at...

In 2000, 19-year old Adam Petty died during a practice session at Loudon.  In 1970, Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, hit career homerun #500. In 1979, Chris Evert lost on clay for the first time in six years.  In 1997, Kobe Bryant shot five airballs in the closing minutes of their playoff loss to the Utah Jazz. And in 2012, Rhein Gibson shot a 55 on a full-length golf course.  Mentioned in thi...

In 1977, Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner stepped in as manager of his own team.  In 1919, an extra innings pitcher's duel featuring Walter Johnson at the Polo Grounds was played.  In 1980, Dr. J made his signature move against the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1982, the USFL announced they would start playing in the spring of '83. And in 1893, Frenchman Henri DesGrange set cycling's original ho...

In 1970, the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, sweeping St. Louis. The series was capped by Bobby Orr's 'Flying Goal.' In 1973, the New York Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA Championship.  In 1974, the New York Nets beat the Utah Stars to win the ABA Championship. In 2015, Rickie Fowler birdied the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass 3 times in 90 minutes to win the Players Championsh...

In 1970, Richard Petty wrecked his racecar at Darlington and nearly died. But it did lead to a significant safety change.  In 1984, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers played a 25 inning marathon.  In 2010, golfer Tim Clarke 'finally' won on the PGA Tour. And in 2002, football coach Dan Devine died at the age of 77. Mentioned in this episode: Stirling Soap ver. 2 - This DiSH - St...

In 1970, Willis Reed made his dramatic entrance prior to Game 7 of the New York Knicks NBA Finals against Los Angeles Lakers. In 1968, Catfish Hunter pitched a perfect game for the Oakland A's against the Minnesota Twins In 2016, Bryce Harper reached base 7 times without an official plate appearance.  In 2001, pitcher Randy Johnson struck out 20 in 9 innings but it's not recognized by Major L...

In 1989, Michael Jordan hit the game winner over Craig Ehlo to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers and advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. In 1995, Jordan had one of his worst moments on the basketball court with two turnovers in the final seconds.  That same night in New York, Indiana's Reggie Miller scored 8 points in the final 18.7 seconds to stun the Knicks in game one.  In 195...

In 1954, Roger Bannister became the first human to run a sub 4-minute mile. In 1925, New York Yankee Everett Scott was benched by Miller Huggins after playing in 1,307 consecutive games. In 1953, Bobo Holloman became the first major league pitcher to pitch a no-hitter in his debut.  And in 1998, 20-year old Kerry Wood struck out 20 to become the second MLB player to do so in a 9-inning game.&...

In 1973, Secretariat broke slow but got going down the backstretch to win the Kentucky Derby in a record time.  In 1969, Boston won their 11th NBA title in 13 years with Bill Russell playing and coaching his final game as a Celtic In 1981, Larry Bird hit one of his most memorable shots as the Celtics beat the Houston Rockets in game 1 of the NBA Finals.  And in 1904, Cy Young pitched the...

In 1968, Dancer's Image won the Kentucky Derby but was relegated to last a few days later.  Also in 1968, the Pittsburgh Pipers won the first ABA Championship. In 1984, Dave Kingman hit a ball into the roof of the Metrodome.  In 1979, Kirk Gibson was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the NFL draft.  And in 2003, David Toms had an quadruple bogey 8 on the final hole of the Wacho...

In 1980, Genuine Risk became the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby since 1915.  In 1986, Bill Shoemaker rode a 17-1 longshot named Ferdinand to the win at the Derby. In 1964, Pete Brown became the first black golfer to ever win a PGA Tour Event. In 1970, Jack Nicklaus beat Arnold Palmer in a one-hole playoff to win the Byron Nelson Classic. In 1936, Joe DiMaggio made his major league debu...

In 1939, Lou Gehrig removed himself from the lineup, ending his streak of consecutive games at 2,130. In 1954, St. Louis' Stan Musial hit five home runs in a single day.  In 1964, Bill Hartack rode Northern Dancer to the then fastest Kentucky Derby win.  In 1970, Diane Crump became the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby.  And in 1984, the Dallas Cowboys used a 12-roun...

In 1994, 3-time Formula One Champion Ayrton Senna crashed in the Tamburello turn at Imola. He was pronounced dead at the hospital hours later. He was 34.  In 1920, the longest major league baseball game by innings was played.  In 1991, Nolan Ryan threw his 7th career no-hitter and Ricky Henderson became the all-time leading base stealer.  'This Day in Sports History' is a one PERSON...

In 1993, Monica Seles was attacked by a knife-wielding assailant during a tennis match in Germany.  In 1971, the Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA title.  In 1988, a fight between NY Knicks' Larry Johnson and Miami's Alonzo Mourning led to a hilarious moment when Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy clung to Mourning's leg to keep the two apart.  In 1922, Chicago White Sox rookie pitcher C...

In 1986, Roger Clemens struck out 20, becoming the first player to do it.  In 1970, Jerry West sank a dramatic 3/4 court shot to send the NBA finals game into OT.  And in 1981, the New Orleans Saints selected RB George Rogers with the first pick of the NFL draft. Second pick that year was LB Lawrence Taylor.  'This Day in Sports History' is a one PERSON operation. I research, write,...

In 1993, Washington's Dale Hunter delivered a cheap shot on New York Islander Pierre Turgeon after he intercepted Hunter's pass and scored to make it 5-1. In 1965, Lyndsey Nelson broadcast a baseball game from an unusual spot.  In 1988, the Baltimore Orioles lost their 21st straight game to open the season.  In 1987, the NBA announced it was expanding into Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, and...

In 1947, it was 'Babe Ruth Day' at all major league ballparks. He addressed the crowd at Yankee Stadium.  In 1956, Rocky Marciano retired from boxing and did so as the only undefeated heavyweight champion.  In 2009, the Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Hornets by 56 in a playoff game to set the record for largest margin of victory in the NBA postseason.  And in 1983, Nolan Ryan p...

In 2003, pitcher Nigel Thatch was traded to the Fullerton Flyers for 60 cases of Budweiser. Thatch was and still is an actor who wanted to play baseball. He acted in a series of Budweiser commercials in the early 2000s.  In 1983, the Baltimore Colts drafted John Elway with the first overall pick. In 1931, Lou Gehrig hit a home run that didn't count. He ended up in a tie with Babe Ruth at the...

In 1978, the Phillie Phanatic made his debut.  In 1962, Harry Chiti became the first baseball player to be traded for himself.  In 2003, Mo Cheeks made the best assist of his career when he helped out the 13-year old National Anthem Singer In 2016, Tom Brady's 4-game suspension for 'DeflateGate' was upheld.  And in 1950, Chuck Cooper became the first black player selected in the NBA...

In 1963. Bob Cousy played his last game as a Boston Celtic but the fact that he was a Celtic to begin with is an interesting story.  In 1945, Happy Chandler was named as Major League Baseball's Commissioner. In 1901, it was the first ever American League game.  In 1994, David Robinson scored 71 to win the NBA scoring title over Shaquille O'Neal.  And in 2004, Eli Manning was drafted...

In 1999, - Fernando Tatis, Sr hit a pair of grand slam homers off LA's Chan Ho Park in the third inning to become the first and still only player to do that.  In 1955, the Chicago White Sox scored 29 runs in a game, tying a record at the time.  In 1950, the Minneapolis Lakers won the first NBA Championship.  In 2019, Southhampton's Shane Long scored the fastest goal in an English Pr...

In 1876, it was the first major league baseball game between the Boston Red Caps and the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1947, the Philadelphia Warriors beat the Chicago Stags to win the BBA Championship.  In 1988, women were finally allowed to race in the 'Little 500.' In 1982, the Atlanta Braves lost to Cincinnati to end their consecutive win streak to start the season at 13.  In 2003, NHL...