Today In Sports History 1/18

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

Baseball

• In 1938 pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

College Basketball

• In 1896 the first college basketball game with 5 players on each side is conducted by the University of Iowa, they invite student athletes from University of Chicago for an experimental game; Chicago beats Iowa 15-12.

Hockey

• In 1967 in the 20th NHL All-Star Game, Montreal Canadiens beat All-Stars, 3-0. The MVP is Henri Richard, Montreal, C.

Miscellaneous

• In 1886 modern field hockey is born with the formation of The Hockey Association in England.

NBA

• In 1955 in the 5th NBA All-Star Game,  East beats West, 100-91. The MVP is Bill Sharman, Boston Celtics, G.

NFL

• In 1951 NFL rules tackles, guards and centers ineligible for forward pass.

Olympics

• In 1983 IOC restores Jim Thorpe’s Olympic medals (Pentathlon & Decathlon victories) 70 years after they were taken from him for being paid $25 in semi-pro baseball.