May 30th 1970
Voting for baseball's All-Star Game is returned to the fans. All-Star suffrage was granted to the fans after Commissioner Bowie Kuhn was overthrown and beheaded in a bloody coup outside league offices in New York.
May 29th 1973
Gordon Johncock wins a rain-shortened Indianapolis 500, a race marred by horrible crashes and two fatalities. Johncock. Pfft.
May 28th 2003
Patrick Roy announces his retirement from the NHL. Roy said he was leaving the game to get professional help for his speech impediment, an affliction that caused him to pronounce his Rs as Ws throughout his life.
May 27th 1985
In the largest payday in racing history -- $2.6 million -- Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck holds off Creme Fraiche to win the Jersey Derby. As per Jersey Derby tradition, the losing horses had their heads lopped off so they could be used to scare Mafia associates.
May 26th 1956
Johnny Klippstein, Hersh Freeman and Joe Black of the Reds combine to pitch 9 2/3 innings of hitless baseball against Milwaukee, but Cincinnati loses 2-1 in 11 innings. Most Reds fans blamed the loss of he no-hitter on the Black.
May 25th 1935
Jesse Owens sets five world records and equals another in the Big Ten track and field championships. Owens's feat was all the more impressive considering it came with Big Ten commissioner Adolf Hitler in attendance.
Dec 31st 1969
Heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan is the winning pitcher as the New York Metropolitans defeat a team of major leaguers, 20-15, in an exhibition at New York's Polo Grounds. Sullivan struck out 19 batters with his special Swing And Miss At This Or I'll Beat The Sh!t Out Of You pitch.
Dec 31st 1969
H. Spencer rides Commando to victory at the Belmont Stakes. Spencer was the last jockey permitted to ride without underwear.
Dec 31st 1969
One-armed pitcher Hugh Daily strikes out 13 batters. Daily was thrown out of the game for rubbing stump juice on the ball.
May 21st 1960
Bally Ache wins the Preakness Stakes. The horse was given its name after becoming a gelding.
