Today In Sports History 6/17

Our past has shaped the present by many things in history including sports, here is how sports marked our history today.

Baseball

• In 1930 Chuck Klein sets Phillies hitting streak at 26 straight games

Boxing

• In 1954 Rocky Marciano beats Ezzard Charles by unanimous points decision in his 3rd world heavyweight boxing title defense

Golf

• In 1901 at the US Open, Willie Anderson of Scotland wins first of his 4 Open titles by 1 stroke in an 18-hole playoff with Alex Smith

Miscellaneous

• In 2003 Moneyball, a book about the 2003 Oakland Athletics baseball team and GM Billy Beane’s saber metric approach, inspired by Bill James, is published

NBA

• In 1976 the ABA Nets, Pacers, Nuggets & Spurs merges into NBA

NHL

• In 1997 the NHL announces it will add Nashville in 1998, Atlanta in 1999, Minneapolis-St Paul and Columbus, Ohio in 2000

Soccer

• In 1989 the US beats Guatemala 2-1 in the 3rd round of 1990 world soccer cup

Tennis

• In 1939 at the Men’s French Championships, American collegiate champion Don McNeill beats countryman Bobby Riggs 7-5, 6-0, 6-3