THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 8/31

1881 – The first men’s singles tennis championship in the United States are held in Newport, Rhode Island.

1903 – For the third time in the month, future Hall of Fame pitcher Joe McGinnity wins both games of a double header for the Giants.

1909 – The AJ Reach Company patents the cork-centered baseball.

1915 – White Sox pitcher Jimmy Lavender throws a no-hitter against the Giants.

1924 – Paavo Nurmi runs the 10,000m in world record time, 30:06.2.

1934 – The first College All-Star Football Classic is held, which featured the Chicago Bears taking on a team of college all-stars from the previous season. The game, which was played in front of 79,000 fans, went scoreless.

1947 – The New York Giants set a new record for single season homeruns by a club, with 183. 

1959 – Sandy Koufax sets a National League record by recording 18 strikeouts in a game.

1972 – American swimmer Mark Spitz sets a world record time in the 100m butterfly at the Olympics in Munich.

1987 – In a minor league game, Williamsport Bills catcher Dave Bresnahan attempts to lure a runner off third base using a potato that he carved to look like a baseball. The umpires notice the shenanigans and rule the runner safe. Bresnahan is fined $50 and released from the team.

1990 – Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. become the first father-son combo to play on the same MLB team. They hit back to back singles in the first inning and both come around to score.

1991 – University of Houston QB David Klingler sets an NCAA record by throwing six touchdowns in a single quarter in a 73-3 win over Louisiana Tech.

1997 – The Yankees retired Don Mattingly’s jersey #23.

1997 – The Oilers play in their first game since moving from Houston to Tennesse. Led by Eddie George’s 216 rushing yards, they beat Oakland 24-21.

2019 – The Minnesota Twins hit 6 homeruns, breaking the single season homerun record by a club, hitting their 268th of the year.