THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 12/9

1913 – John K Tener becomes president of baseball’s National League.

1926 – USGA legalizes steel shaft golf clubs.

1931 – Baseball cuts squad from 25 to 23 players & NL continues to prohibit uniform numbers.

1934 – National Football League Championship, Polo Grounds, NYC: New York Giants defeat Chicago Bears, 30-13.

1935 – 1st Heisman Trophy Award: Jay Berwanger, University of Chicago (HB).

1949 – NFL merges Cleveland Browns, SF ’49ers & Baltimore Colts from AAFC.

1965 – Frank Robinson is traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Baltimore Orioles.

1973 – St Louis Cardinal Jim Bakken kicks 6 field goals vs Atlanta Falcons.

1978 – 1st game of Women’s Pro Basketball League (WBL), Chicago Hustle vs Milwaukee Does.

1982 – World Boxing Council first to reduce the length of championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds, and allows referees to order standing 8-count for fighters in trouble.

1985 – SF 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice begins NFL streak of 100+ consecutive games with a reception in a 27-20 defeat to LA Rams at Candlestick Park.

1987 – Larry Bird ends streak of 59 consecutive free throws.

1988 – NY Yankees sign 12-year television contract with MSG for $500M.

2012 – Juan Manuel Márquez knocks out Manny Pacquiao in round six for the WBO light welterweight title.

2013 – Mike Ditka’s #89 jersey is retired by the Chicago Bears.

2018 – New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady breaks Peyton Manning’s record for most touchdown passes in NFL history; moves to 582 with 3 TD passes during 34-33 defeat by Miami Dolphins; record includes TDs thrown in regular season & post-season.