This Day in Sports History

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 JacketsIn 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.

In 1985, 8 seed Villanova beat Georgetown to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. As an 8 seed are still the lowest seed to win it all. In 1978, New York Islander's rookie Mike Bossy scored his 50th goal of the season, becoming the first rookie to reach that plateau. In 2007, Morgan Pressel won the LPGA's Kraft Nabisco Championship at the age of 18 years, 313 days, becoming the youngest woman to win an LPGA event and the youngest (men or women) to win a Major Golf Tournament. In 1996, MLB umpire John McSherry died after collapsing on the field. In 1993, NASCAR driver Alan Kulwicki died in a private plane crash on his way to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 500.

In 1931, Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne was killed in a plane crash in Kansas. The crash led to reforms in airplane design and construction.In 2001, Duke rallied from a 22-point deficit to beat Maryland to advance to the NCAA Championship game.In 1985, golfer Calvin Peete won the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass for his first PGA Tour win.In 1974, the Toronto Northmen of the new World League of American football signed three Miami Dolphins to play for the team. Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, and Paul Warfield. They never played there though. The team was forced to relocate to Memphis.

In 1919, the Spanish Flu wreaked havoc during the Stanley Cup finals and caused it to finish in a draw between Montreal and Seattle.In 1987, Indiana beat Syracuse to win the National ChampionshipIn 1981, Indiana beat North Carolina to win the National ChampionshipIn 1940, Indiana beat Kansas to win the National ChampionshipIn 1991, Duke ended UNLV's bid to go undefeated, beating the Runnin' Rebels in the National Semifinals.In 2001, Michael Phelps set his first world record in the 200 meter butterfly

In 1982, the North Carolina Tar Heels beat the Georgetown Hoyas 63-62.In 1976, the Indiana Hoosiers beat the Michigan Wolverines to win the the National Championship and finish the year a perfect 32-0. The Hoosiers are the last team to go through the season and win the title undefeated. Also Bobby Knight became the first to win a championship as a player and head coach.In 1981, it was the beginning of the end for the AIAW Championship. Louisiana Tech beat Tennessee 79-59.In 1987, Jeff Sluman and Sandy Lyle were locked in a sudden death playoff at the Players Championship. Sluman was lining up a potential tournament winning putt when a guy jumped into the water surrounding the 17th green. Sluman missed the putt and Lyle won on the next hole.In 2014, Laura Diaz had her second ace in two days at the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California. It was just the second time in LPGA history that a golfer had aced two holes during the same tournament.In 1981, American Dick Beardsley and Norwegian Inge Simonson crossed the finish line at the inaugural London Marathon to win as a pair in 2 hours 11 minutes and 48 seconds.

In 1950, Detroit Red Wing Gordie Howe crashed head first into the boards and nearly died. In 1950, CCNY became the first and forever only team to win both the NIT and the NCAA Tournament in the same season. In 1990, Michael Jordan had his best night as a pro and it is statistically the greatest game by any NBA player. In 1992, Duke's Christian Laettner was a perfect 10 for 10 from the field and 10 for 10 from the free throw line and hit the game winning shot to beat Kentucky to advance to the Final Four. In 1984, the Colts moved out of Baltimore under cover of darkness.

In 1990, Pascual Perez showed up 8 days late for training camp for the New York Yankees. He was rushed out to the mound for a photo op workout. That workout would lead to problems a month later. In 1939, Oregon beat Ohio State to win the first NCAA Tournament.In 1978, Jack 'Goose' Givens scored 41 exploiting a soft Duke 2-3 zone as Kentucky beat the Blue Devils to win the NCAA Championship.In 2023, Iowa's Caitlin Clark put together the only 40 point triple double in the NCAA Women's Tournament. She finished with 41 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds as Iowa advanced to the Final Four for the first time in 30 years.In 2000, in the year of the Tiger, Hal Sutton knocked him off at the Players Championship. His phrase, 'be the right club today' became iconic and is a good mantra for all of us.In 2006, the NFL owners voted unanimously to brand the official Wilson football used in games, ‘The Duke’ after former New York Giants owner Wellington Mara.Mentioned in this episode:Stirling Soap - Shave Soaps - This DiSH TestimonialThis episode is brought to you by the Stirling Soap Company. I’m a big fan of shave soap. I’ve been using different brands for years. I recently gave Stirling’s shave soaps a try and I’ve been very happy with the results. Stirling’s shave soaps give you a great lather and a frictionless feel that allows the razor to glide over the skin for a super close shave. No skin irritation and a clean, refreshing feel with no soapy residue after. I can tell you without a doubt, it’s simply the best shave I’ve ever had. My wife has noticed too. And here’s the thing, with the ability to purchase one ounce sample pucks, you can try out different scents to find the right one for you. Give Stirling Soap a try today. Visit Stirling Soap dot com. That’s S-T-I-R-L-I-N-G SOAP dot COM.

In 1977, Marquette's Jerome Whitehead scored the game winner in the National Semifinal game to beat Cornbread Maxwell and the UNC Charlotte 49ers.In 2005, Illinois erased a 15 point second deficit to beat Arizona.In 2009, Villanova's Scottie Reynolds dribbled length of the court to hit the game winner.In 1983, NC State beat Virginia for the second time in 2 weeks to advance to the Final Four.In 1973, UCLA's Bill Walton scored an NCAA Finals record with 44 points against Memphis.In 1979, Indiana State's Larry Bird went head to head with Michigan State's Magic Johnson in the highest rated college basketball game of all-time.In 1945, Depaul with George Mikan beat Bowling Green to win the NIT.

In 1967, Evel Knievel made his debut on Wide World of Sports, nine months before his attempt over the Caesar's Palace Fountains. In 1961, the Cincinnati Bearcats beat Ohio State to win the NCAA title.In 1961, in the third place game, St. Joe's beat Utah but that win was later vacated due the 1961 point shaving scandal. In 1979, the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets replayed the final 17 minutes of a game that started in November 1978. A few of the players had been traded since the first game and Eric Money became the first NBA player to score for both teams. In 1990, golfer Robert Gamez holed out from the 18th fairway for Eagle to beat Greg Norman by a stroke at the Bay Hill Invitational.

In 2001, Arizona Diamondback Randy Johnson obliterated a bird on a pitch to the plate in a spring training game. In 2001, Tiger Woods hit a slippery 60-foot triple breaker putt to make birdie at the 17th island green of TPC Sawgrass. CBS announcer Gary Koch called it 'Better than Most.'In 2007, Anthony Atkinson scored 10 points in the final 45 seconds to lift Barton from certain defeat to a D-2 National Championship. In 1990, Duke's Christian Laettner hit the game winner in an Elite Eight game against UConn. In 1962, St. John's Head Coach Joe Lapchick's 'Lucky Shirt' ran out of luck on this day in the NIT Final. In 1975, Muhammad Ali beat Chuck Wepner in the 15th round. Wepner became an inspiration for Sylvester Stallone. He wrote the screenplay for 'Rocky' after watching the fight. In 1957, future mystery writer Dick Francis looked to be the sure winner in the Grand National Steeplechase race but an unexplainable belly flop after clearing the final jump in the lead left him watching the leaders stream past.

In 1957, the North Carolina Tar Heels finished a perfect 32-0 after beating Kansas to win the National Title. In 1962, a shocking exposé by The Saturday Evening Post was released with accusations leveled against Alabama Head Football Coach Bear Bryant and Georgia's Athletics Director Wally Butts colluding to fix a game. In 1994, Los Angeles King Wayne Gretzky scored career goal 802, passing his childhood idol Gordie Howe and becoming the all-time leading scorer in the NHL at that point.