April is an exciting month for sports fans, featuring NBA and NHL playoffs, the start of MLB, The Masters, the NCAA Basketball title game, the NFL Draft, and Grand Prix events. April 13 has seen many memorable moments in sports history.
In 1926, Walter Johnson pitched his seventh opening day shutout. The New York Rangers triumphed over the Toronto Maple Leafs 1-0 in overtime in 1933, securing a 3-1 series win and the Stanley Cup. Byron Nelson won the ninth Masters Tournament in 1942 with an 18-hole playoff victory. In 1949, the Minneapolis Lakers defeated the Washington Capitols 77-56 in the Basketball Association of America Finals, winning the series four games to two.
Hank Aaron made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, while Stan Musial set a National League record by scoring his 1,869th run in 1962. Pete Rose recorded his first major league hit, a triple, in 1963. Billy Casper won the 34th Masters Tournament in 1970, and Jack Nicklaus claimed his fifth Masters title in 1975.
In 1984, Pete Rose became the first National Leaguer to reach 4,000 career hits. Katrin Dörre won the first female World Cup marathon in 1985. Jack Nicklaus made history again in 1986 by winning his 18th major at the 50th Masters Tournament.
In 1997, Tiger Woods won his first major title at The Masters, while Mario Lemieux played his last NHL regular-season game. Barry Bonds hit his 661st career home run in 2004, passing Willie Mays.
Three standout athletes from April 13 are Jack Nicklaus, Barry Bonds, and Manny Pacquiao, each leaving a significant mark in their sports.
