Today In Revisionist Sports History

Mar 18th 1995 Michael Jordan announces he is ending his 17-month retirement from the NBA. The decision left the Birmingham Barons without a fifth outfielder just weeks before the start of the season.

Mar 17th 1989 Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser signs a baseball record three-year, $7.9 million contract. It remains the most money anyone has ever paid for Orel.

Mar 16th 1876 Nelly Saunders and Rose Harland participate in the first organized boxing match between women at Hill’s Theater in New York. Promoters sold out the event by yelling “Catfight! Catfight!” outside the venue.

Mar 15th 1869 The first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, play their first game. It was the first of many intrasquad games until a second professional team was founded.

Mar 14th 1967 Michigan State defensive end Bubba Smith is selected by the Baltimore Colts as the No. 1 overall pick the first combined NFL-AFL draft. Baltimore picks in later rounds included Steve Guttenberg, Janet Jones and that black guy who does the sound effects.

Mar 13th 1960 The Chicago White Sox unveil new road uniforms with players' names above the number. The decision caused backup catcher John Taintlick to ask for a trade.

Mar 12th 1990 The Los Angeles Raiders announce they are moving to Oakland. Al Davis left Hollywood because he had failed to win the part of the Crypt Keeper on HBO's "Tales from the Crypt".

Mar 11th 1892 The first organized women's basketball game is played at Smith College between faculty and students. The game was sloppy due to the girls' repeatedly losing the handle on the ball when trying to do crossover dribbles through their petticoats.

Mar 10th 1963 Pete Rose makes his professional debut as a late-inning replacement in a spring training game. Rose went 1-for-2, correctly picking the over on the total runs scored, but missing on the winning team.

Mar 9th 1979 MLB commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders baseball teams to give equal access to female reporters in locker rooms. Kuhn also said female reporters would have full access to his pants.