This Day in Sports History

In 2016, Kobe Bryant scored 60 in his final game to beat the Utah Jazz.

In 1957, Tommy Heinsohn scored 37 and Bill Russell grabbed 32 rebounds as the Boston Celtics beat the St. Louis Hawks in game 7 of the NBA Finals to win their first title.

In 1984, Pete Rose became only the second major leaguer to reach the 4000 hit plateau in MLB history.

In 2009, former MLB pitcher Mark ‘the Bird’ Fidrych died in a farming accident. He was 54.

In 1987, Augusta's native son Larry Mize sank a miracle birdie chip to beat Greg Norman and win the Masters.

In 1954, Sam Snead beat Ben Hogan in an 18-hole playoff to win his third and final Masters Green Jacket.

In 1980, Ted Stepien bought the Cleveland Cavaliers. It turned into such a disaster that the NBA would institute the Stepien Rule after he sold the team.

In 1877, Harvard's James Tyng became the first catcher to wear a mask.

In 2009, Boston University scored two goals in the final minute of regulation to force overtime and then scored the game winner in OT to win the National Championship.

In 1989, Philadelphia Flyers' goalie Ron Hextall scored an empty net goal, becoming the first goalie to score in a Stanley Cup playoff game.

In 2003, the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's #23.

In 1966, Emmett Ashford became the first black umpire in Major League Baseball.

In 1949, Sam Snead won his first Masters and became the first to receive a green jacket. Past winners were given a green jacket retroactively.

In 1975, Lee Elder became the first black man to play in The Masters.

In 1999, the Chicago Bulls only managed 49 points in a loss to the Miami Heat. It's the lowest point output in an NBA game in the shot clock era.

In 1938, French race car driver René Dreyfus, who was also Jewish, drove to a win in the Pau Gran Prix in his French built Dalahaye race car. Finishing second was a Mercedes Benz driven by famed German drivers Rudolf Caracciola and Hermann Lang.

In 1965, the Houston Astrodome opened for business featuring an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and the Astros.

In 2024, Boston and Milwaukee set an NBA record when the two teams combined for just 2 free throws. Boston became the first and only team (so far) to not attempt a free throw in an NBA game.

In 1989, golfer Scott Hoch missed a 2-foot par putt on the first playoff hole that would have won the Masters. Nick Faldo won on the following playoff hole.

In 1981, LA Dodger rookie Fernando Valenzuela pitched on opening day in place of veteran Jerry Reuss. Fernando Mania soon began.

In 1974, Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run to pass Babe Ruth.

In 1975, Frank Robinson became the first black manager in Major League Baseball.

In 1975, the Boston Celtics ended a dismal season. Head Coach Dave Cowans was fired soon after. Cowans is the last player/coach in the NBA.

In 1935, golfer Gene Sarazen holed out from the fairway on Augusta National's 15th hole for a double eagle 2. He went on to force a playoff and then win in a 36-hole playoff.

In 1963, golfer Jack Nicklaus won the first of his six Masters Green Jackets

In 1985, Herschel Walker scored the on the longest TD run in USFL history while compiling a USFL record 233 rushing yards.

In 1928, New York Rangers Head Coach Lester Patrick inserted himself as the replacement goalie after Lorne Chabot was injured. Patrick is still the oldest to ever play in a Stanley Cup Final.

In 2024, MMA fighter Mason Lewis used an unconventional method of tickling his opponent to escape a hold.

In 1893, boxers Andy Bowen and Jack Burke fought to a draw in New Orleans after 7 hours, 19 minutes.

In 1987, Sugar Ray Leonard won a controversial split decision over reigning middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

In 1896, the modern Olympic games were born in Greece.

In 1993, Michigan's Chris Webber called the infamous timeout his team did not have in the NCAA National Championship game.

In 1976, the NCAA reinstated the slam dunk.

In 1915, boxer Jack Johnson was beaten for the first time since becoming heavyweight champ.

In 1971, Joe Theisman was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the NFL draft. He decided to play for Toronto in the CFL instead.

In 1983, NC State beat Houston in one of the great upsets in NCAA Tournament Championship history.

In 1985, Tulane eliminated its men's basketball program following the discovery of a points shaving scandal.

In 1965, Sam Snead won the GGO for his 82nd and final PGA win. He's the oldest to win a PGA Tour event at 52 years, 10 months and 8 days

In 2016, Villanova's Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer-beating three to beat North Carolina 77-74 and give the Wildcats the National Championship.