July is packed with sports: baseball, NBA Summer League, the British Grand Prix, the Tour de France, NASCAR, golf tournaments, the MLB All-Star Game, Wimbledon, and track and field. Legends and memorable moments also stand out. Here are notable July 11 highlights through the years:
In 1900, Charlotte Cooper became the first female Olympic tennis champion and the first individual female Olympic champion. In 1914, Babe Ruth made his MLB pitching debut, earning a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Naps. The New York Giants trounced the Phillies 23-8 in 1931, and in 1939 six Yankees started the All-Star Game. The 1950 All-Star Game was the first to go to extra innings, a 4-3 National League win that also saw Ted Williams break his elbow. Bobby Locke won the 1952 British Open, his third in four years. Earl Weaver took over the Orioles in 1968. Deron Johnson hit three homers in a 1971 game. JoAnne Carner won the 1976 U.S. Women’s Open. In 1978, Steve Garvey earned All-Star Game MVP honors.
Sebastian Coe set a 1,000m record in 1981 (2:12.18). Italy beat West Germany 3-1 to win the 1982 World Cup. Miller Barber captured the first of his three Senior Open titles that year. Nolan Ryan reached 4,000 strikeouts in 1985. Ingrid Kristiansen set a 10,000m world record in 1986 (30:13.74). Bo Jackson was 1989 All-Star MVP in a 5-3 AL win. Jack Nicklaus won the 1993 U.S. Senior Open. Sky Beauty clinched the Triple Tiara in 1993. Dave Eichelberger won his lone major, the 1999 U.S. Senior Open. Meg Mallon won the 2004 Canadian Women’s Open; Mark James took the 2004 Senior Players Championship. Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time to win the 2010 World Cup. At the 2012 ESPYs, LeBron James and Brittney Griner were winners. Serena Williams won Wimbledon in 2015 as the oldest champion in the Open Era. In 2021, Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 to win Copa América, giving Lionel Messi his first major international title; Italy beat England on penalties to win the European Championship.
