Jan. 4
First Black Baseball league
In 1920, the first all-Black baseball league in the U.S. was organized. The National Negro Baseball League would provide Black players with a diamond to play on until the game would become desegregated in 1947.
Jan. 5
Don Shula announces his retirement
On a warm Miami afternoon in 1996, legendary Miami Dolphins coach, Don Shula, announced his retirement. Shula led a long and prolific career and was widely considered among the best coaches the Miami Dolphins ever had. Shula appeared six times in a Super Bowl, only winning twice.
Jan. 6
First womens’ six-day bicycle race
Women got their first six-day bicycle race in Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1896, making it one of the longest sporting events that women could partake in at the time. The women’s six-day bicycle race can still be enjoyed today.
Jan. 7
Harlem Globetrotters first game
In 1927, the famous Harlem Globetrotters played their first game. Contrary to what might’ve been expected, the game was not played in Harlem, NY, but rather in Hinckley, IL. The Harlem Globetrotters would go on to influence the decision to desegregate the sport of basketball.
Jan. 8
NCAA announces freshmen can play on teams
In 1972, the NCAA decided that freshmen athletes could play on all college sport teams starting in the fall semester of that year. Prior to this, football was still one of the sports that included a year of ineligibility where freshmen could focus on their grades and adjust to college life. This increased the competition of the NCAA by giving student athletes one year less to prepare for their potential debuts in their fields.
Jan. 9
Wayne Gretzky named best NHL player ever by Hockey News
In a 1998 publication of Hockey News, Wanye Gretzky was named the greatest NHL player ever. Gretzky played for the Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings, St Louis Blues and the New York Rangers. He went on to retirement and was inducted to the NHL Hall of Fame a year later, in 1999.
Jan. 10
No one was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
The 1945 Baseball Hall of Fame election results came as a surprise to many, with the writers who would normally decide candidates and vote electing no one to be inducted. That year, which was when World War II had ended, no induction ceremony was held due to lack of recipients.
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