THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 8/23

1923 – Paavo Nurmi of Finland sets the 1 mile world record at 4:10.4, it stands for 8 years. 

1933 – Boxing is televised for the first time, as an exhibition bout between Archie Sexton and Laurie Raiteri is aired from the Broadcasting House in London.

1936 – Future Hall of Famer Bob Feller makes his MLB debut for the Cleveland Indians at the age of 17, striking out 15 hitters.

1942 – A pregame attraction involving Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth raises over $80,000 for Army-Navy relief. 

1947 – The first Little League World Series is held in Williamsport, PA. The Maynard Midgets beat the Lock Haven All-Stars 16-7.

1953 – Phil Grate sets the record for the furthest a baseball has been thrown at 443 feet, 3 inches.

1970 – Roberto Clemente gets his second straight 5-hit game.

1980 – The Oakland A’s are sold for $12.7 million.

1982 – Seattle Mariner pitcher Gaylord Perry is ejected for throwing a spitball. 

1992 – Dennis Eckersley becomes the first pitcher in MLB history to record 40 or more saves in four seasons.

1993 – Fred McGriff and David Justice become the sixth teammate combination to homer back to back twice in the same game.

2008 – The US women’s basketball teams takes the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, beating Australia 92-65 in the championship.

2008 – At the Beijing Olympics, Angel Matos of Cuba and his coach are banned for life after Matos kicks a referee in the face, following his loss in the bronze medal judo match due to disqualification.