They say we should use this time to learn something new – so we thought we’d offer up a history lesson free of charge!
We’re going to be recapping all the important sporting moments each and every day as we look to fill the void our beloved sports and teams have left behind.
So if it’s basketball, cricket, golf or even wrestling, be sure to return each and every morning as we take a trip back through the history books to relive some of sports‘ greatest moments.
1974 – Hammerin’ Hank Makes History
Less than a week after tying Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs, legendary outfielder Hank Aaron set the new record with his 715th home run on this day in 1974.
Aaron ended the 1973 season one homer shy of Ruth’s record and received an abundance of hate mail from fans during the winter. He quickly got the last laugh though, hitting home run 715 against the Braves in front of 53,775 fans in the fourth inning. The effort from outfielder Bill Buckner is also worth an honourable mention.
Also on this day in baseball:
- 1968: Opening Day is postponed due to the assassination of Martin Luther King
- 1969: Canada hosts its first Major League game between the Expos and Mets
- 1994: Darryl Strawberry checks into rehab
1995 – Burden of Proof
Oliver McCall successfully defended his Heavyweight Championship on this day in 1995 against Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace.
The first lasted 12 rounds but was largely uneventful. McCall controlled the fight for most of the way through as Holmes clamoured for the ropes. McCall landed a vicious left in the ninth round that sent Holmes into the ropes before McCall was awarded the winner on points.
2001 – Tiger x2
Four years after claiming his first green jacket by the largest stroke margin in Masters history, Tiger was again crowned the champion on day four at Augusta finishing -16 under and two strokes ahead of David Duval.
Tiger started his seventh Masters with a bogey on the first hole but quickly rediscovered his form to become the only player to win four consecutive major titles in the same calendar year. No player has managed to achieve the “Tiger Slam” since.
Also on this day in golf:
- 1990: Nick Faldo defeats Raymond Floyd in a sudden-death playoff to win back-to-back titles at Augusta
- 2007: Zach Johnson finishes two strokes ahead of Retief Goosen at the Masters to win his first major title
- 2018: Patrick Reed finishes one stroke ahead of Rickie Fowler at the Masters to win his first major title