This Day in Sports History

In 1979, retired Dallas Cowboy Defensive End, Ed 'Too Tall' Jones stepped into the boxing ring for the first time.

In 1962, a meeting between Oakland Raider team officials and a reporter led to what we know today as Fantasy Football.

In 1990, the 16th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets beat #1 Virginia.

In 1990, Houston and TCU engaged in an aerial battle over the state of Texas.

In 2012, the Brooklyn Nets unveiled their new mascot, the Brooklyn Knight. It did not go well.

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In 1935, Notre Dame scored twice in the final two minutes to beat Ohio State 18-13.

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.

In 1990, Golden State and Denver combined to score 320 points. It's the most in an NBA game that ended in regulation.

In 2002, Manchester United's Diego Forlan scored and then ripped his shirt off to celebrate. he had trouble re-dressing and it led to FIFA ruling that shirtless celebrations henceforth would result in a yellow card.

In 1988, a San Francisco radio station reported the boxer Mike Tyson had been killed...

In 2012, former MLB pitcher Pascual Perez was found dead after a home invasion.

In 2005, the New Orleans Hornets opened their season in Oklahoma City. What happened on this day and the next two years led to the move of the Sonics to OKC.

In 2015, Drew Brees threw for an NFL record tying 7 TDs while Eli Manning threw 6 TDs, 0 Ints.

In 1964, George Blanda set an AFL record with 68 pass attempts.

In 1924, the Lafayette Leopards became the first team to ever use a huddle to call plays in a football game.

...

In 1987, the Indianapolis Colts pulled off a 3 team, 10 player trade to land Eric Dickerson.

In 1959, LSU's Billy Cannon returned a punt 89-yards for a touchdown that turned out to be the game winner in a 7-3 win over Ole Miss.

In 1950, Earl ‘Big Cat’ Lloyd became the first black player to play in an NBA game.

In 1993, Greg Norman coughed up a lead on the back nine on Sunday at the PGA Tour Championship to gift Jim Gallagher his third win of the year.

In 1994, Serena Williams made her professional tennis debu...

In or around this day in 1935, Montreal Maroons player Herb Cain was nearly killed during a practice.

In 1897, University of Georgia football player Richard von Gammon died after suffering an injury during a game. It nearly led to college football being outlawed.

In 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought for the Heavyweight title in Kinshasa, Zaire in 'The Rumble in the Jungle.'

In 1954, , the NBA used a 24 second shot clock for the first time and the first game that used it featured the Boston Celtics playing the Rochester Royals.

In 1963...

In 1985, Chicago's Michael Jordan injured his left foot.

In 1999, it was a somber day on the PGA tour. This was the first round after Payne Stewart's plane crash on Monday.

In 2023, Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown for the 17th consecutive game. That tied him with Hall of Famer Lenny Moore.

In 1921, tiny Centre College beat Harvard 6-0 in one of the all-time great college football upsets.

In 1995, Steve Spurrier and his Florida Gators became the first and still only team to score 50 points against Georgia at home.

In 1995, David Justice quieted the boos in Atlanta to lead the Braves to their first World Series title in Atlanta.

In 1981, a questionable mandate by George Steinbrenner wrecked the Yankees chances to beat the Dodgers.

In 1975, Dallas Cowboy QB Roger Staubach suffered his 22nd concussion after a crushing hit by Pittsburgh's LC Greenwood. It would eventually lead Staubach to call it quits.

In 1962, Y.A. Tittle three for 505 yards and 7...

In 1979, freshman Anthony Carter reeled in a John Wangler pass and scampered to the endzone to score the game winner against Indiana.

In 2007, an excessive celebration sent a message from Georgia to Florida.

In 2007, Tennessee beat South Carolina 27-24 to put their season into gear and send the Gamecocks into a tailspin.

In 1991, Minnesota pinch hitter Gene Larkin plated the game winning run in the bottom of the 10th in Game 7 of the World Series.

In 2004, the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals to sweep to the World Series...

In 1996, the New York Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves to win the World Series just 6 years after being the worst in baseball.

In 1985, the Citadel' Marc Buonicotti was paralyzed attempting to make a tackle in a game against East Tennessee State.

In 1970, Muhammad Ali returned to the boxing ring after his 3 1/2 year exile..

In 1984, Michael Jordan made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls.

In 1990, Wayne Gretzky assisted a goal for his 2000th career point. He's the only NHL player to have reached that plateau.

In 2002, the Anaheim Angels...

In 1970, Minnesota's DE Jim Marshall recovered a fumble but returned it the wrong way, scoring a safety rather than a touchdown.

In 1986, the New York Mets rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the 10th that included an unfortunate error by Bill Buckner.

In 2003, the Florida Marlins beat the New York Yankees to win the World Series, giving manager Jack McKeon a World Series title that had eluded him in his long baseball career.

In 2008, Texas Tech kicker Matt Williams hit 9 PATs in a 63-21 win over #19 Kansas. Five weeks earlier...

In 2015, Georgia Tech blocked a field goal and returned the ball for a game winning score with no time left.

In 1999, Pete Rose made his first appearance on a baseball field in a decade and instead of allowing him to enjoy the moment, NBC's Jim Gray decided to grill him.

In 1971, Detroit Lion Chuck Hughes collapsed during a game and died later that day.

In 1985, the Chicago Bulls traded for George Gervin.

In 1975, Bobby Hull sat out a game in protest.

In 1884, it was the first inter-league championship played...

In 2000, the New York Jets pulled off the improbable 'Monday Night Miracle' win over the Miami Dolphins.

In 1993, Toronto's Joe Carter hit the game winner in game 6 of the World Series to beat the Philadelphia Phillies. It's only the second time the series ended on a walk-off home run.

In 2021, Penn State and Illinois played 9 OTs before a winner could be decided in the longest college football game ever played.

In 1971, the Oklahoma Sooners rolled up a then record 711 yards rushing against Kansas State in route to a 75-28 win.

And...

In 2016, Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield lit up the scoreboard in a 66-59 shootout.

In 2012, UCI stripped the 7 Tours de France titles and banned Lance Armstrong for life.

In 1989, Ayrton Senna's attempted pass of his teammate, Alain Prost ended up with the two wrecking.

In 1993, the movie "Rudy" debuted in theaters.

In 2006, Michigan State erased a 35 point second half deficit and beat Northwestern 41-38 in the greatest comeback in FBS history.

In 1975, Boston's Carlton Fisk waved his game winning home run fair to force a game 7 in the World Series.

In 1976, Cincinnati's Big Red Machine bulldozed the New York Yankees to win consecutive World Series.

In 2007, Tennessee Titan kicker Rob Bironas kicked an NFL record 8 FGs in a game.

In 1976, Julius Erving took his PHD to the NBA, becoming a 76er.

And in 1973, Los Angeles Ram Fred Dryer set an...

In 1968, Dick Fosbury revolutionized high jumping when he introduced his new technique to the world.

In 1992, it was a triple play that wasn't in a World Series game.

In 2002, Jeff Wilkins kicked the last point as a barefoot kicker ... or did he?

In 1935, Alabama's Bear Bryant played against the Tennessee Vols with a broken leg. He caught four passes for 87 yards.

In 1987, George Steinbrenner hired Billy Martin to manage the Yankees for the fifth time.

In 2006, the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets played a memorable NLCS game 7.

In 1981, the LA Dodgers beat the Montreal Expos to advance to the World Series.

In 1972, the first esports tournament was held.

In 1924, Red Grange scored four touchdowns in the first 12 minutes of a game against Michigan. He ended up with 400+ all-purpose yards, 5 TDs himself and he also threw one.

Doug Villhard, the author of 'The Golden Age of Red: A Novel of Red Grange, the Galloping Ghost' joins me for a longer discussion about Red's amazing accomplishments.

In 1974, Nate Thurmond became the first NBA player to record a triple-double.

And in 1977, it was the birth of Mr. October as Reggie Jackson hit three homeruns in the decisive game of the '77 World Series.

In 1987, the Auburn Tigers scored twice in a span of 24 seconds to stun Georgia Tech.

In 2015, Michigan State recovered a muffed punt and ran it in for touchdown to quiet the Big House.

In 1998, the decimated Temple Owls shocked the Virginia Tech Hokies.

In 1989, prior to game three of the World Series between Oakland and San Francisco, the earth shook.

In 1968, Sweden’s Hans Gunnar Liljenwall became the first athlete to ever be disqualified from the Olympics for doping.

Mentioned in this episode:

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In 2006, Chicago mounted a comeback against Arizona despite six turnovers and zero offensive touchdowns.

In 1969, the New York Mets won the World Series.

In 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood atop the medal podium with an iconic show of defiance.

In 1976, Abilene Christian’s Ove Johansson kicked the longest field goal in college football history.

In 1964, the Boston Patriots and the Oakland Raiders played to a 43-43 tie at Fenway Park. That's the highest scoring tie in NFL history.

In 1988, #1 Miami vs. #4 Notre Dame in the 'Catholics vs. Convicts' game.

On that same day, LA's Kirk Gibson hit a pinch hit homer off Dennis Eckersley to win game one of the World Series.

In 1989, LA King Wayne Gretzky scored two and assisted another to pass Gordie Howe as the all-time points scorer in the NHL.

In 1946, St. Louis Cardinal Enos Slaughter's 'Mad Dash' scored the winning run to win the World Series.

In 1912, the Boston Red Sox biggest supporting group, 'The Royal Rooters,' had their usual seats sold before...

In 1976, New York Yankee Chris Chambliss hit a walk-off home run to win the ALCS. He never touched the plate though. The homer still counted.

In 1992, Atlanta Brave Francisco Cabrera lined one into left to score two runs including the less-than-fleet of foot Sid Bream.

In 1985, St. Louis Cardinal Ozzie Smith hit an improbable walk-off homer to beat the LA Dodgers.

In 1964, American Billy Mills became the first American runner to win the 10,000 meter in the Olympics. And he did it in borrowed shoes.

In 2002, San Francisco 49er Terrell Owens caught...

In 1960, Pittsburgh's Bill Mazeroski hit a home run to beat the New York Yankees to end the World Series in game seven.

In 1967, the American Basketball Association debuted.

In 2007, the top-ranked LSU Tigers lost on the road at #17 Kentucky.

In 2001, New York's Derek Jeter cut off a throw and flipped it to catcher Jorge Posada to nab Oakland's Jason Giambi in the ALDS.

In 1929, the Philadelphia Athletics scored 10 runs in the bottom of the 7th in game four of the World Series to erase an 8-run Chicago Cubs lead.

In 1997, Minnesota's Brad Johnson became the first NFL QB to throw a TD pass to himself.

In 1979, Magic Johnson made his NBA debut. Kareem hit the game-winning shot and Magic celebrated like they'd won the title.

In 1979, Boston Celtic Chris Ford hit the first 3-point shot in the NBA.

In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for what turned out to...

In 1972, Pittsburgh's Bob Moose threw a wild pitch and the Cincinnati Reds scored to end the NLCS.

In 1980, controversy in the fourth leads to a wild finish in the tenth in game 4 of the NLCS between Philadelphia and Houston.

In 1992, Atlanta Brave Deion Sanders played in the NLCS, then hopped a flight to Miami to play for the Atlanta Falcons, and then hopped a flight after that game and flew back to play another with the Braves.

In 1991, golfer Chip Beck became the second golfer to shoot a sub-60 round in a PGA...

In 2020, Oklahoma and Texas played 4 overtimes in a wild edition of the Red River Rivalry.

In 1871, Octavius Catto was murdered in Philadelphia.

In 1920 the Cleveland Indians did a couple of things that had never been done before in the World Series.

In 1968, a Curt Flood mistake led to the winning runs scoring.

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In 1983, Richard Petty's STP Pontiac won the race but a post-race inspection uncovered a larger than legal engine.

In 1960, 26-year old New York Titan OL Howard Glenn died after a game in Houston.

In 1999, then Oklahoma assistant coach Mike Leach put into action a plan to get Texas to discover a fake script to gain an advantage against the Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry game.

In 1934, St. Louis Cardinal Ducky Medwick was pelted with produce after sliding hard into Detroit third baseman Marv Owen.

In 1996, 12-year old Jeffrey Maier reached...

In 1956, New York Yankee Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history.

In 1995, Seattle Mariner Edgar Martinez hit the most famous double in Major League Postseason History.

In 2000, Michael Schumacher used savvy pit strategy to win a race and wrap up another F1 Championship.

In 1988, Columbia University snapped their 44-game losing streak against Princeton.

Mentioned in this episode:

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In 1950, twelve players from the Czech National Hockey team were put on trial for espionage and treason and found guilty.

In 1945, the Green Bay Packers scored 41 points in the second quarter to set the NFL record.

In 1916, Georgia Tech rolled up 222 points in a game against Cumberland College.

In 2023, Georgia Tech took advantage of a boneheaded decision by Miami, forcing a fumble to take possession and then scored the game winning touchdown with one second left.

In 2017, Arizona's Khalil and Colorado’s Philip Lindsay dueled it out in Boulder.

In...

In 1990, Colorado got an extra down by mistake and used it to score the game-winning touchdown.

In 2007, the Stanford Cardinal beat the #2 USC Trojans despite being a 41-point underdog.

In 2007, LSU overcame a 10-point deficit to beat Florida.

In 1993, Michael Jordan retired from the NBA for the first time. Was it due to his gambling debts?

In 1845, it was the first time an umpire was used to officiate a baseball game. 

In 1965, Sandy Koufax refused to pitch game one of the World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur.

In 1985, the New York Jets beat Buffalo 14-13 in the 'givin' him the business' game.

In 2001, Barry Bonds hit his 71st home run of the season to become the single season home run King.

In 2003, Dante Hall, a.k.a. the Human Joystick, returned a punt for a touchdown. It was his fourth straight game with a return for a touchdown.

In 1985, Grambling Head Football Coach Eddie Robinson became the all-time winningest football coach in NCAA history, passing Bear Bryant.

In 1941, the Brooklyn Dodgers found a unique way to lose a...

In 1995, the New York Yankees won a post-season thriller in the 15th inning.

In 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers won the decisive game 7 of the World Series against the New York Yankees.

In 1997, the Kentucky Wildcats beat the Alabama Crimson Tide for the first time since 1922.

In 1992, a hilarious prank was pulled off during a mid-game giveaway against Toronto's Derek Bell.

In 2003, the Indianapolis Colts scored 21 points in the final five minutes to force overtime against Tampa Bay and then they won it in OT 38-35.

In 1920, the first NFL game was played between the Columbus Panhandles and the Dayton Triangles.

In 1989, the Oakland Raiders hired Art Shell as their head coach. Shell was the first black coach in the MODERN NFL.

In 1951, New York Giant Bobby Thomson blasted the 'Shot Heard 'round the World' to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers to win the NL Pennant.

In 2013, Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar celebrated...

In 1988, Roy Jones, Jr was robbed of a Gold Medal in the Olympic middleweight title fight.

In 1978, New York Yankee Bucky Dent hit a dramatic three-run home run against the Boston Red Sox in a one-game playoff.

In 1968, St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Bob Gibson set a World Series record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers.

In 1995, the Chicago Bulls, needing rebounding help, added Dennis Rodman to the roster.

In 1932, Babe Ruth appeared to call his shot in Game 3 of the World Series.

In 1961, New York Yankee Roger Maris hit home run #61.

In 1962, the San Francisco Giants grounds crew took some artistic license with the dirt around first base to slow down the speedy Maury Wills.

In 1975, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier faced each other in the Philippines in the 'Thrilla in Manilla.'

Mentioned in this episode:

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In 2007, the Detroit Lions scored 31 in the fourth quarter to beat Chicago.

In 2012, the European side erased a four point deficit on the final day to win the Ryder Cup.

In 1990, NASCAR rookie Rob Moroso was killed in a crash on his way home after a race in Wilkesboro, NC.

In 1916, the New York Giants won their 26th straight MLB game and then had it ended in game two of a doubleheader.

In 1945, Detroit's Hank Greenberg hit a grand slam home run to put the Tigers into the World Series.

In 1954, New York Giants centerfielder Willie Mays made the catch to save a couple of runs from scoring in game 1 of the Cleveland Indians.

In 1989, boxer Tony Wilson got a little help from his mom.

In 1985, Washington QB Joe Theismann punted for the first and only time. His career punt average was 1.0 yard.

In 1923, Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen played what many consider to be the greatest match play battle in golf history.

In 2007, golfer Woody Austin fell backward into a pond after attempting a shot during the President's Cup.

In 1951, Roger Maris scored 5 TDs (four of which were returns for TDs, 2 KO, 1 Punt, 1 Int) in a high school football game.

In 1951, LA Rams QB Norm Van Brocklin threw for an NFL record 554 yards and five TDs.

In 1951, New York Yankees pitcher Allie Reynolds pitched his second no-hitter of the season, becoming the first American Leaguer to do it.

In 1941, Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams went 6-8 on the final day of the regular season to boost his average to .406.

In 1960, Williams closed out his MLB career with a home...

In 1991, the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers played the first outdoor game and it took place in Las Vegas with game time temps around 90.

In 1998, Prairie View's football broke their 80-game losing streak.

In 2000, US Greco-Roman wrestler Rulon Gardner beat Russian Alexander Karelin to win Gold in the Olympics .

In 1968, St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Bob Gibson closed out the regular season with a 1.12 ERA. His performance was so dominant that major league baseball lowered the mound the following season.

In 1930, Bobby Jones won the US Amateur to win golf's...

In 1999, Justin Leonard sank a 45-foot birdie on 17 to grab a crucial 1/2 point and complete an incredible comeback to win the Ryder Cup back from the Europeans.

In 2021, Justin Tucker hit the longest FG in NFL history to beat the Detroit Lions. But the kick should have been longer.

In 1981, top-ranked Southern Cal scored the game winning TD with :02 left to beat #2 Oklahoma in a thriller.

In 2010, Jim Furyk used a $39 bargain bin putter to win $11 million in the FedEx Championship.

In 1971, Marshall won its first game after a plane crash 10 months earlier killed 75 people, including most of the team, coaching staff, administrators, and several fans.

In 1982, Northwestern broke their 34-game losing streak.

In 2000, Vince Carter, aka Air Canada, dunked over France's Fredrick Weis in an Olympic prelim game. Some have called it the greatest in game dunk in basketball history.

In 1962, Sonny Liston finally got his shot at the heavyweight title and made quick work of Floyd Patterson.