1913 – Jim Thorpe relinquishes his Olympic gold medals won in 1912 after it is discovered he played professional baseball. 1951 – Mel Ott and Jimmie Foxx are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1960 – The Oakland Raiders join the AFL. 1960 – Pete Rozelle is elected...

1924 – The first Winter Olympic Games open in Chamonix, France. 1960 – Wilt Chamberlain sets an NBA rookie record by scoring 58 points in a win over the Pistons. 1974 – McDonald’s CEO Ray Kroc buys the San Diego Padres for $12 million. 1980 – The Dutch government...

1939 – Eddie Collins, Willie Keeler, and George Sisler are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1947 – The NFL adds a fifth on the field official and allows sudden death overtime for the playoffs. 1950 – Jackie Robinson signs the highest (at the time) contract in...

1879 – The US National Archery Association is formed in Crawfordsville, Indiana. 1953 – The assets of the former Dallas Texans NFL franchise, including the players, are awarded to a new franchise which would be named the Baltimore Colts. 1967 – Stan Musial is named...

1967 – Bears running back Gale Sayers wins Pro Bowl MVP. 1968 – The NBA announces expansion franchises in Milwaukee and Phoenix. 1969 – Roy Campanella and Stan Musial are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1984 – The Raiders beat Washington 38-9 to win Super Bowl...

1930 – The Boston Bruins become the first team in NHL history to score 100 goals in a season. 1954 – The NBA All-Star Game goes to overtime for the first time in history, with the East beating the West 98-93. 1958 – St. Louis Hawks forward Bob Pettit becomes the first...