THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 4/24

1901 – The Chicago White Stockings defeat the Cleveland Blues in the first ever game played in the American League.

1945 – “Happy” Chandler is named the second commissioner in MLB history.

1957 – Cubs pitchers combine to walk an MLB record nine batters in one inning in a game against the Reds.

1963 – The Boston Celtics win their fifth straight NBA title.

1974 – The NFL grants an expansion franchise to the city of Tampa, Florida.

1978 – Nolan Ryan, then with the Angels, strikes out at least 15 hitters in a game for the 20th time in his career.

1981 – Bill Shoemaker wins his 8,000th race as a jockey. That’s 2,000 more than any other jockey in history.

1988 – The Atlanta Falcons select Auburn linebacker Aundray Bruce with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.

1994 – Spurs center David Robinson puts up 71 points in a game against the Clippers -the seventh highest single game total in NBA history at the time.

1994 – Ohio State defensive tackle Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson is drafted by the Bengals with the #1 pick in the NFL Draft.

2004 – Despite refusing to play for the franchise, the San Diego Chargers select Eli Manning with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Later in the evening, they trade him to the New York Giants for #4 overall pick Philip Rivers and other picks.