THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 12/30

1907 – Abraham Mills’ commission declares Abner Doubleday invented baseball.

1926 – Chicago Tribune reports the Tigers threw a 4-game series to the White Sox in 1917 to help Chicago win the pennant (never substantiated).

1934 – New York Rangers and Boston Bruins battle out a 0-0 tie; first of a 37-game overtime undefeated streak for the Bruins, the longest in NHL history; streak spans over 4 years and includes 27 ties.

1956 – National Football League Championship, Yankee Stadium, NYC: New York Giants beat Chicago Bears, 47-7; Giants’ 4th NFL title.

1971 – Long Island NHL franchise purchased (NY Islanders).

1973 – AFC Championship, Miami Orange Bowl: Miami Dolphins beat Oakland Raiders, 27-10.

1981 – Wayne Gretzky scores 5 goals and an assist in Edmonton’s 7-5 win over Philadelphia; gives Gretzky 50 goals in 39 games, the fastest 50 in NHL history; also sets NHL record with 15-game assist streak.

1992 – Washington defenseman Al Iafrate becomes first player in NHL history to have his shot officially break 100 miles per hour; records 101.4 mph during the Capitals Superskills competition.

2008 – NFL head coach Mike Shanahan is fired by the Denver Broncos.

2018 – Patrick Mahomes becomes only the 2nd quarterback in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns during KC Chiefs’ 35-3 win over Oakland Raiders; achieves both marks with 3rd quarter 89-yard TD pass to Demarcus Robinson.