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. Over the years, April 26 has seen many memorable moments in sports history.
In 1900, the American League kicked off in Cleveland with 6,500 fans in attendance. Five years later, Cubs player Jack McCarthy made history by throwing out three runners at home plate in a single game, all part of a double play. In 1912, Hugh Bradley hit the first home run at Fenway Park for the Red Sox. The 1920 Olympics marked the debut of ice hockey, with Frank Fredrickson scoring seven goals in Canada’s 12-1 win over Sweden.
In 1935, Frank Boucher earned the NHL’s Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship, winning it seven times in 11 years. Patty Berg made waves in 1952 with a remarkable 64, the best round of golf by a woman at the time. Roger Maris hit his first of 61 home runs in 1961, while the Boston Celtics claimed the NBA Championship in 1964.
Fast forward to 1983, when the Baltimore Colts selected quarterback John Elway first in the NFL Draft. Ozzie Smith stole his 500th base in 1992, and in 2012, the Indianapolis Colts picked Andrew Luck first overall.
Three standout athletes from April 26 are Patty Berg, Ozzie Smith, and Andrew Luck. Berg is a golf legend with 15 major wins, Smith transformed fielding for the Cardinals, and Luck is known for his approachable style. April 26 is a day filled with sports history and unforgettable achievements.
