November is a big month for sports, with the NBA and NHL in full swing, college football wrapping up, and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. It’s also the time for the ATP Tour Finals, UFC Fight Nights, and the start of college basketball. November 21 has seen some incredible moments in sports history.
In 1902, the Philadelphia Athletics won the first-ever night football game, beating the Kanaweola Athletic Club 39-0. Three years later, the Australian National Tennis Championships kicked off. In 1925, football star Red Grange played his last game for the University of Illinois before joining the Chicago Bears.
Fast forward to 1934, when the New York Yankees acquired Joe DiMaggio from the San Francisco Seals. In 1947, Bill Longson defeated Lou Thesz to claim the National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight title. Don Newcombe made history in 1956 by winning both the National League MVP and the first-ever Cy Young Award.
The NHL saw a record in 1971 when the New York Rangers scored eight goals in a single period. In 1972, Carlton Fisk and Jon Matlack were named Rookie of the Year in their leagues. Pete Rose took home the National League MVP in 1973.
In NASCAR, Cale Yarborough won the Sprint Cup in 1976, while Eddie Murray and Bob Horner won Rookie of the Year honors in 1977 and 1978, respectively. Fast forward to 2021, when Lewis Hamilton won his first Qatar Grand Prix, and Alexander Zverev claimed his second ATP Finals title.
Three standout athletes from November 21 are Don Newcombe, Michael Stich, and Lewis Hamilton, each leaving a mark in their sports.
