1892 – The rules of basketball are first published in “Triangle Magazine,” which was written by James Naismith.
1934 – New York Yankee slugger Babe Ruth, nearing the end of his career signs a one year contract for $35,000. Which turned out to be a pay cut of $17,000.
1939 – The first NFL All-star Game (now known as the Pro Bowl), was held at Wrigley Field.
1942 – The Chicago Cubs drop plans to install lights at Wrigley Field because the of the military’s need for materials. It would take another 35 years before lights are installed.
1964 – The San Francisco Giants make Willie Mays the highest paid player in baseball signing him to a new $105,000 per year contract.
1965 – One of the biggest trades in NBA history. The San Francisco Warriors send Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers for Connie Dierking, Lee Schaffer, Paul Neumann and cash.
1967 – Super Bowl I, takes place at the LA Coliseum in Los Angeles California. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. Bart Star named Super Bowl MVP.
1968 – Minnesota North Stars forward Bill Masterton dies two days after suffering a head injury in a game against the Oakland Seals. The only death as a result of a game injury in NHL history.
1981 – Pitcher Bob Gibson is elected into baseball’s Hall of Fame. Gibson played 17 seasons all with the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his career with 3,117 strikeouts with a lifetime ERA of 2.91, nine All Star appearances, two time world series champion, a two time Cy Young Award winner and a 1968 NL MVP.
1987 – Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird is named “Man of the Year” by the Sporting News and “Athlete of the Year” by the Associated Press. First time one athlete gains both distinctions.
1988 – NFL analyst Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder makes several questionable remarks about African American athletes during a lunchtime interview on CBS’ NFL Today, he is fired the next day.
1990 – Playing his previous season in Japan, The Detroit Tigers sign 1st baseman Cecil Fielder, he hits 51 homeruns in his first season and becomes a premier power hitter for most of the 90’s.
1990 – Golden State Warrior coach Don Nelson becomes just the second man in NBA history to appear in 1000 games both a player and coach, joining Lenny Wilkens
1994 – New York Giant star linebacker Lawrence Taylor announces his retirement from football.
1997 – Chicago Bull’s forward Dennis Rodman kicks cameraman Eugene Amos in the groin during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pays Amos $200,000 in a settlement and is suspended by the league for 11 games.
1997 – San Francisco head coach George Seifert announces his resignation after eight successful NFL seasons with the 49ers, leaves as the winningest coach in team history 108-35, and two Super Bowls.
2014 – The LA Dodgers sign Clayton Kershaw to the biggest deal in baseball, a seven year $215 million package averaging $30.7 million per season.
2018 – US Olympic gold metal winner, Simone Biles says she is one of 130 women sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar.
