1916 – The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) was formed in New York City.
1934 – The Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup, defeating the Red Wings 1-0 to win the best-of-five series. Blackhawks goalie Charlie Gardiner picks up the shutout in what would be his final NHL game as he dies of a brain hemorrhage two months later.
1953 – The Minneapolis Lakers win their fifth title in six years, beating the Knicks 91-84 to take the best of five series.
1959 – White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox ties an MLB record by picking up five hits on Opening Day as part of a 9-7 Chicago win over Detroit in 14 innings.
1961 – South Africa’s Gary Player becomes the first foreign-born golfer to win the Masters, beating Arnold Palmer and Charley Coe by one stroke.
1961 – The new version of the Washington Senators play in their first MLB game, falling to the White Sox 4-3. In 1971, the Senators moved to Texas and became the Rangers.
1962 – The Houston Colt .45s make their MLB debut, beating the Cubs 11-2. The team changed its name to the Astros in 1964.
1979 – Astros pitcher JR Richard sets an MLB record by throwing six wild pitches in one game.
1990 – For the first time in NHL history, three hat tricks are recorded in one game as Dave Taylor, Tomas Sandstrom, and Tony Granato all net three goals in a 12-4 Kings win over Calgary.
1991 – Wayne Gretzky scores his record 93rd career playoff goal.
2016 – Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane wins the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer. He’s the first American-born player to win the award since it was created in 1948.
