This Day In Sports History

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Today, May 2nd, is an amazing day in sports history, since a ton of cool stuff happened today!

In 1920, the first Negro National League game was played in Indianapolis.

In 1923, Walter Johnson pitched his 100th shutout against the Yankees. Yes, you read that right. 100th shutout!!

In 1939, Lou Gehrig ended his Iron Man streak with 2,130 consecutive games played, as the Yankees beat the Tigers 22-2!


In 1954, Stan Musial hit 5 home runs in a doubleheader against the New York Giants at Busch Stadium!

 

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One day late but still a cool story.... when Michael Jordan returned to the NBA on March 19th 1995, he wore his baseball number (which was also his brother's basketball jersey number) of 45.

MJ wore 45 for the last time on May 4th, 1995.



And also, slightly less remembered, on 2.14.1990, someone stole Jordan's number 23 jersey out of the Orlando Magic's locker room! There was no replacement jersey, and team officials were even searching the crowd to see if there was a number 23 jersey they could borrow off of a fan to fit Michael!

MJ ended up settling on wearing a spare traveling jersey with the number 12. He scored 49 points that night, so I'd say a good game regardless of the different jersey number!

 

[kclj520]

Two cool baseball moments today:

In 1956, Carl Erskine of the Brooklyn Dodgers pitched his second no-hitter, beating the rival Giants 3-0!


In 1966, Busch Memorial Stadium opened in STL, replacing Sportsman's Park, the Cardinals' home for decades. The Cards beat the Braves 4-3 in 12 innings!

 

[kclj520]

Another cool story I just saw today! 1957 Bill Russell Celtics card sells for a record $660,000 at auction!!

Bill Russell Celtics rookie card sells for record-setting $660,000 at auction

It's now the most expensive Russell trading card and the third-most expensive pre-1980s basketball card of all time

www.cbssports.com

 

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Doc Gooden threw a no hitter today in 1996, and Mr. October passed The Mick today in 1986!

 

[kclj520]

A great piece of baseball trivia: today, in 1876, the first baseball enclosure opened in Brooklyn. The game was known as Base Ball in those days, and was played by a significantly different set of rules than our beloved modern day game was!

Two great moments in sports history today, May 15th:

In 1938, Hall of Famer Buck O'Neil made his debut for the Kansas City Monarchs, the team with which he would become synonymous!



Another Hall of Famer, Joe DiMaggio, had his first hit in his historic 56 game hitting streak, beginning today in 1941!

 

[kclj520]

Today in 1980, the Lakers beat the Sixers in the NBA Finals 4 games to 2. The Lakers may have won the Championship, but Dr. J won the respect, with this baseline scoop layup that could be the most amazing thing ever to have happened!

Here's a fun video with Magic and Michael Cooper and a few other greats who played in that game, talking about J's incredible move that day!

 

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Today in 1915, the Chicago Cubs' reliever George "Zip" Zabel relieves with 2 outs in 1st & winds up with 4-3 19-inning win over Brooklyn in what still stands as MLB's longest relief job ever!



Also today in 1970, the great Hank Aaron collected his 3,000th career hit!

 

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In 1956, Mickey Mantle hit home runs from both sides of the plate in a MLB record 3rd game! No one hit quite like The Mick!


And in 1990, the great Ryne Sandberg ended his 2nd baseman record 123 errorless game streak.

 

[kclj520]

Today in 1973 Secretariat won the Preakness in 1:54, recognized as the fastest Preakness race ever! Ronnie Turcotte, his jockey who rode him to the Triple Crown that year, said he was the best horse he had ever ridden, and in my opinion, the best of all time!

 

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It was reported in my news feed today that Aaron Rodgers signed a four year $200 million contract, making him the highest paid player in NFL history. Wow.

 

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Today marks the debut for Brooklyn Dodgers great Don Newcombe. He shook off the first game jitters and shut out Cincinnati on 5 hits to win 3-0!

Few people remember that Don started in the Negro Leagues, playing for the Newark Eagles in 1944 and 1945!

 

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Today in 1948, Joe DiMaggio hits 3 consecutive HRs as the New York Yankees edge the Indians, 6-5 at Cleveland Stadium. Decent series of at bats, wouldnt you say??

 

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I was exactly 2 months old when this event took place in 1981, during the Indianapolis 500 Bobby Unser crossed the finish line ahead of Mario Andretti, though Unser was disqualified for a pit lane infraction, though he was later reinstated as the winner. Bobby (right) won and lost the race in the same day, whereas Mario (left) came in 2nd and 1st the same day!!

 

[kclj520]

Two cool pieces of trivia for today!

In 1883, the first night baseball game under the lights was played in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In 1935, Babe Ruth announced his retirement from professional baseball at age 40.