By Jonah Sharf On August 11, 1984, the late “Sweet Pea” Pernell Whitaker won the lightweight gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics. Whitaker went on to win world championships in four different weight classes in his professional career. From 1993 to 1997, The Ring magazine ranked him as the best active pound for pound…
Today in Sports History: August 10
By Jonah Sharf On August 10, 1981, Pete Rose, then of the Philadelphia Phillies, hit his 3,631st hit of his baseball career, breaking Stan “the Man” Musial’s record for most hits by a National Leaguer. To make it even sweeter, Rose earned the record against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team Musial played his entire…
Today in Sports History: August 9
By Jonah Sharf On August 9, 2002, Barry Bonds reached the 600 home run plateau, less than a year and a half after hitting his 500th. He would hit it against Kip Wells of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team he started his career with. Bonds would bat .370 in 2002 with 46 home runs, along…
Today in Sports History: August 3
By Jonah Sharf On August 3, 1949, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) merged to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). The BAA formed in 1946, nine years after the NBL, to challenge the monopoly that the NBL had created in professional basketball. After three years, the leagues decided…
Today in Sports History: July 31
By Jonah Sharf On July 31, 2007, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, and two first-round draft picks. The deal was the largest NBA trade ever for one player, yet was still considered a win for Boston, giving…
Today in Sports History: July 29
By Jonah Sharf On July 29, 1988, starting pitcher Rick Sutcliffe of the Chicago Cubs completed one of the rarest feats in baseball by stealing home — especially for a pitcher. The Cubs would go on to win the game 8-3, and Sutcliffe would earn the victory.
Today in Sports History: July 17
By Jonah Sharf On July 17, 1990, two-sport legends Bo Jackson’s Kansas City Royals and Deion Sanders’ New York Yankees faced off in what would become known as “The Bo and Prime Time Show.” The game ended with Jackson’s squad winning 10-7, thanks to three home runs and seven RBI from Bo. Not to be…
Today in Sports History: July 16
By Jonah Sharf On July 16, 2008, Brandon Jennings signed a contract with Lottomatica Roma of the Italian Serie A, becoming the first player to play for a European team rather than play for a college basketball team since the NBA’s age restriction rule was put in place. Rather than play in college for a…
Today in Sports History: July 15
By Jonah Sharf On July 15, 2018, Manny Pacquiao stopped WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse in the 7th round for his first knockout in 9 years and 60th career victory. Despite being 40 years of age, Pacquiao is still active as a boxer, and serves as a senator in his home country of the Philippines. …
Today in Sports History: July 14
By Jonah Sharf On July 14, 2004, Shaquille O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom, and a first round pick (which would turn into Jordan Farmar). The trade officially ended the successful but tumultuous Kobe-Shaq era in Los Angeles, which brought the Lakers three championships. The Miami Heat…
