May is an exciting month for sports fans. The NBA and NHL playoffs are in full swing, MLB is heating up, and major events like the Preakness Stakes, PGA Championship, FA Cup Final, and French Open are on the calendar. Over the years, May 2 has seen many memorable moments in sports history.
In 1876, Ross Barnes of the Chicago White Stockings hit the first home run in National League history. Fast forward to 1909, when Honus Wagner of the Pittsburgh Pirates stole every base in the first inning of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs. The first game of the Negro Baseball League took place in 1920, and in 1923, Walter Johnson pitched his 100th career shutout.
May 2 has also marked significant milestones. In 1939, Lou Gehrig ended his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played. In 1953, long shot Dark Star won the Kentucky Derby, beating favorite Native Dancer. Stan Musial hit five home runs in a doubleheader in 1954, while Bill Shoemaker won the Derby in 1959.
The 1960s brought more excitement, with Eusébio leading Benfica to victory in the 1962 European Cup Final and Northern Dancer setting a record in the 1964 Kentucky Derby. In 1967, the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched the Stanley Cup, and the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship in 1968.
More recent highlights include Mike Cameron hitting four home runs in a game in 2002, Calvin Borel winning the Derby in 2009, and LeBron James being named NBA MVP in 2010. In 2016, Leicester City shocked the world by winning the Premier League. Most recently, in 2023, Joel Embiid took home the NBA MVP award. May 2 continues to be a day filled with unforgettable sports moments.
