January is an exciting month for sports fans. The NBA and NHL seasons are in full swing, NFL playoffs heat up, college bowl games wrap up, and college basketball tournaments kick off. Tennis fans look forward to the Australian Open, while UFC Fight Nights, Formula E races, and PGA Tour events keep the action going.
January 18 has seen many memorable moments in sports history. Here are some highlights:
– 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
– 1947: The Detroit Tigers traded Hank Greenberg to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
– 1951: The New York Giants picked Kyle Rote first in the NFL Draft.
– 1955: In the fifth NBA All-Star Game, the East beat the West 100-91, with Bill Sharman named MVP.
– 1963: Al Davis became head coach and general manager of the Oakland Raiders.
– 1967: The Montreal Canadiens won the 20th NHL All-Star Game 3-0, with Henri Richard as MVP.
– 1972: Jerry West hit a game-winning shot and earned MVP at the NBA All-Star Game.
– 1976: The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl X against the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17, with Lynn Swann as MVP.
– 1991: Boris Becker played the longest match in Australian Open history, beating Omar Camporese in over five hours.
– 2022: The Boston Bruins retired Willie O’Ree’s No. 22 jersey, honoring him as the NHL’s first Black player.
Two standout figures from January 18 are Al Davis and Willie O’Ree. Davis was known for his motto, “Just Win, Baby,” and his impact on professional football. O’Ree faced challenges, including partial blindness, but made history in the NHL.
