THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 6/17

1943 – Red Sox player-manager Joe Cronin hits a pinch hit home run in both games of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia A’s.

1954 – Rocky Marciano defeats Ezzard Charles via unanimous decision to defend his world heavyweight boxing title in a bout at Yankee Stadium.

1960 – Ted Williams hits career home run #500.

1976 – The NBA-ABA merger is announced.

1992 – The Philadelphia 76ers trade Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns.

1994 – Former Bills running back OJ Simpson flees from the police after refusing to turn himself in on murder charges, leading to a nationally televised highway chase.

1997 – The NHL announces that will add four expansion teams. Nashville will join the league in 1998, Atlanta in 1999, and Minneapolis and Columbus in 2000.

2008 – The Boston Celtics beat the Lakers in six games to win the NBA title.

2010 – The Lakers beat the Celtics in game seven to win the NBA championship.