October 22
First baseball union formed
On Oct. 22, 1885, John Ward, best known for being the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the University of Tennessee, and several teammates secretly formed the Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players, the first baseball union in history.
October 23
Jackie Robinson signs Montreal Royal contract
Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the MLB, signed a contract with the Montreal Royals on Oct. 23, 1945. However, it was not until April 18, 1946 that Robinson debuted with the Montreal Royals as second baseman.
October 24
World’s first soccer club founded
In Yorkshire, England on Oct. 24, 1857, the world’s first ever soccer club, Sheffield Football Club, also known as Sheffield FC, was founded. Although the club was from Yorkshire, they are currently based in Dronfield, Derbyshire.
October 25
Colony of American Plymouth disallows sport on Christmas Day
On Oct. 25, 1621, Governor William Bradford, head of the colony of American Plymouth, disallowed sports to be played on Christmas Day, claiming Christmas Day should be celebrated in private and not out in public. Bradford went on to confiscate toys as well, proving to be a “real-life Grinch.”
October 26
Football Association forms
Soccer was standardized on Oct. 26, 1863 when the first ever Football Association formed in England. The sport was then called “organized football,” which later would just become “football,” eventually leading to the term “soccer.”
October 27
Serena Williams wins fourth season ending tennis title
In the 2013 WTA Championship final in Istanbul, Turkey, American tennis player, Serena Williams, won her fourth season ending tennis title, beating Li Na of China, who is now retired, with a score of 2–6, 6–3, 6–0.
October 28
Bobby Orr scores his last NHL career goal
Canadian Ice Hockey legend, Bobby Orr, scored his last NHL career goal on Oct. 28, 1978. Orr played for the Boston Bruins for 10 seasons, and played his last game against the Detroit Red Wings.
October 29
Muhammad Ali’s first professional fight
1960 marked the year that Cassius Clay Jr., who would later be better known as Muhammad Ali, fought his first professional fight against Tunney Hunsaker in Louisville, KY. Ali would win the fight on points in six rounds.
