May is an exciting month for sports fans, featuring NBA and NHL playoffs, MLB games in full swing, the Preakness Stakes, the PGA Championship, the FA Cup Final, the French Open in tennis, and various Grand Prix events. Over the years, May 5 has seen many memorable moments in sports history.
In 1863, Irish boxer Joe Coburn knocked out American Mike McCoole in the 67th round, defending the Heavyweight Championship of America. Fast forward to 1904, Cy Young pitched the first perfect game in MLB history, leading the Boston Americans to a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1908, Arthur Pickens rode the 66-1 long shot Stone Street to win the Kentucky Derby, finishing in 2:15.20, the slowest time recorded at that point.
Other highlights include Ernie Koob’s no-hitter for the St. Louis Browns in 1917, Ty Cobb’s six-for-six performance in 1925, and the 1966 Stanley Cup win by the Montreal Canadiens. The Boston Celtics clinched the NBA Championship in 1969, while the Milwaukee Bucks signed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar that same year.
In 1973, Ron Turcotte rode Secretariat to a record-breaking Kentucky Derby win. Pete Rose reached 3,000 hits in 1978, and in 1981, Larry Bird made a legendary playoff shot. The Kentucky Derby continued to shine with Calvin Borel’s win in 2007 and Mike Smith’s victory in 2018.
May 5 has been a day filled with unforgettable sports achievements, showcasing legends like Cy Young and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
