This Day in Sports History

In 1998, after 19 previous attempts, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. finally won NASCAR's biggest race.

In 2004, his son, Dale, Jr. won his first Daytona 500 in only his fifth try. 

In 1994, down 31 points with 15…

In 1988, Eddie the Eagle became a hero to underdogs everywhere, competing in the Olympics as a ski jumper. 

Also in 1988, Richard Petty survived a horrifying crash at the Daytona 500. 

And in 1990, Mic…

In 1977, Eric Heiden's coming out party at the World All-Around Championships

In 1954, Furman's Frank Selvy scored 100 points in a game. 

In 1990, Larry Bird came up a little short. 

And in 1968, the Ea…

On this day in 1908, a transcontinental car race took the starting gun. 

And in 1909, a marathoner runs the fastest marathon at the time, in wing tips!

'This Day in Sports History' is a one person oper…

In 1990, James "Buster' Douglas beat Mike Tyson, shocking the world.

In 1982, Ozzie Smith finally became a St. Louis Cardinal.

And in 1988, Dave 'Tiger' Williams was released by the Hartford Whalers.

'T…

In 1962, Jim Beatty did something no previous human had ever done inside. 

In 1996, IBM's Deep Blue beat chess champion Gary Kasparov

And in 2012, Jeremy Lin dropped 38 on Kobe and the LA Lakers. 

'This…

In 2006, a sports broadcaster was traded from one network to another for the rights to a long lost cartoon rabbit. 

In 1920, Major League Baseball outlawed the Spit Ball ... kind of ...

And in 2003, Mi…

In 1996, the city of Cleveland reached an agreement with the NFL and Art Modell, keeping the name 'Browns', the team colors and the history of the organization in Cleveland. 

In 1986, Spud Webb defied…

In 1994, Michael Jordan signed with the Chicago White Sox to pursue a dream of playing Major League Baseball.

In 1949, Joe DiMaggio became the first $100,000 ball player. 

In 1976, Toronto's Darryl Sit…

On this day in 1958, a plane carrying 44 people, including the Manchester United Football Club, crashed killing 23. 

'This Day in Sports History' is a one person operation. I research, write, voice, a…

In 2017, it was the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history and of course it involved the New England Patriots. 

In 2009, Tennessee's Pat Summitt became the first Division I basketball coach (men or wo…

In 2012, Jeremy Lin scored 25 points to light the rocket on Linsanity!

In 1987, the Sacramento Kings had the worst first quarter in NBA history. 

And in 2018, Nick Foles did something no one else in Su…

In 1993, Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott was suspended for the season and fined $25,000.

In 1876, Albert Spalding started a sporting good company.

And in 2008, the New York Giants spoiled New Englan…

In 1949, golfer Ben Hogan and his wife Valerie were traveling home for some much needed rest when they collided with a bus. 

In 1954, Bevo Francis scored 113 points in a college basketball game. 

And i…

In 1967, the American Basketball Association was born. 

In 1950, Green Bay Packers legend Curly Lambeau stepped down as coach and GM.

In 1968, Green Bay Packers legend Vince Lombardi stepped down as he…

In 1953, baseball owners took out their frustration with Bill Veeck, eventually forcing him to move the team out of St. Louis.

In 1920, Joe Malone scored 7 goals in a hockey game to set a record that …

In 1996, Magic Johnson returned to the NBA to play for the LA Lakers after his H.I.V. disclosure and retirement four years earlier.

In 2018, James Harden posted a 60 point triple-double, becoming the …

In 1980, the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers played a 4OT marathon. Interestingly, not a single 3-pointer was made.

In 1936, the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame announced its first class…

In 1958, Roy Campanella fell asleep at the wheel of his car and crashed into a tree. He was paralyzed as a result and would never play baseball or walk ever again. 

In 1957, American Shirley Fry beat …

In 1976, during the ABA All-Star game, the dunk contest made its first appearance. It was an instant hit, thanks to Dr. J and David Thompson.

In 1970, Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win the…