Today In Sports History 4/25

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

Baseball

• 1876 – Chicago Cubs play their first National League game, beating Louisville Grays 4-0 (first National League shutout).
• 1901 – Erve Beck hits the first home run in the American League.
• 1901 – In last of 9th inning, Detroit Tigers, trailing by 13-4, score ten runs to win one of the greatest comebacks in baseball (first game in Detroit).
• 1933 – New York Yankees’ player Russ Van Atta shuts out Washington Senators 16-0.
• 1962 – Cleveland Indians send Harry Chiti to New York Mets for a player to be named later, on June 15 the Mets send Chiti back to Cleveland.
• 1976 – Chicago Cubs’ center fielder Rick Monday rescues US flag from two fans trying to set it on fire.
• 1977 – Cincinnati Reds tie record of 12 runs in 5th inning beating Atlanta Braves 23-9.
• 1980 – Oakland Athletics’ manager Billy Martin restrained by umpires from attacking a fan.
• 1981 – Seattle Mariners’ manager Maury Wills is suspended for two games after ordering Seattle’s grounds crew to enlarge batter’s boxes by one foot.
• 1982 – New York Yankees fire manager Bob Lemon.
• 1995 – The 257-day Major League Baseball strike ends.
• 1997 – Seattle Mariners’ player Ken Griffey Junior hits his 250th homerun.
• 2001 – San Diego Padres’ outfielder Rickey Henderson breaks the career walks record established by Babe Ruth when he receives his 2,063rd base on balls.

Basketball

• 1952 – 6th NBA Championship: Minneapolis Lakers beat New York Knicks, 4 games to 3.
• 1965 – 19th NBA Championship: Boston Celtics beat Los Angeles Lakers, 4 games to 1.

Football

• 1974 – NFL moves the goal posts and adopts sudden-death playoff.
• 2009 – Matthew Stafford signs a contract with NFL’s Detroit Lions for a six-year worth $41.7-78 million.

Golf

• 1965 – Betsy Rawls wins LPGA Pensacola Golf Invitational.
• 1971 – Sandra Haynie wins LPGA Burdine’s Golf Invitational.
• 1976 – Jan Stephenson wins LPGA Birmingham Golf Classic.
• 1982 – Patty Sheehan wins LPGA Orlando Lady Golf Classic.

Hockey 

• 1964 – Stanley Cup: Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 3.
• 1985 – For second time, Wayne Gretzky scores 7 goals in a Stanley Cup game.
• 1989 – Pittsburgh Penguins’ player Mario Lemieux ties NHL playoff record of four goals in first period.