THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 12/5

1914 – CFL Grey Cup, Varsity Stadium, Toronto: Toronto Argonauts win first Championship; beat U of Toronto Blues, 14-2.

1943 – NFL: Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers merger dissolves.

1947 – Joe Louis beats Jersey Joe Walcott in 15 for heavyweight boxing title.

1948 – NY Giant Charley Conerly sets NFL record of 36 pass completions.

1949 – Ezzard Charles defeats Jersey Joe Walcott for heavyweight boxing title.

1958 – Phils drop plans for NY sportscast as Yanks threat to do same in Philadelphia.

1968 – Future Hockey Hall of Fame center Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins scores 2 goals in his goaltender brother Tony’s (also HOF) NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens; 2-2 tie.

1970 – LA Rams Willie Ellison sets NFL record of 247 yards rushing.

1970 – Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe Trophy & Bill Masterson Trophy stolen from Hockey Hall of Fame.

1973 – Chicago Cubs Ron Santo becomes 1st baseball player to invoke 10-5 rule and veto his trade (with the California Angels).

1974 – NFL’s Seattle Seahawks forms.

1978 – Free agent Pete Rose signs 4-year, $32 million contract with Phillies becoming highest paid baseball player.

1982 – Cleveland Browns’ Brian Sipe sets club record with 33 pass completions.

1982 – Mel Gray ends NFL streak of 121 consecutive game receptions.

1996 – Portland’s Jermaine O’Neal at 18 becomes the youngest NBA player.

2006 – Greg Maddux signs a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres worth $10 million.