Sporting events in July include baseball’s All-Star Game, the NBA Summer League, the British Grand Prix, the Tour de France, NASCAR Cup races, golf tournaments, and track and field meets. July 4 has seen many memorable sports moments. Here are highlights.
In 1890, Lena Rice became the first Irish woman to win the Wimbledon singles title. A year later, Wilfred Baddeley began his run of three men’s singles Wimbledon crowns. In 1905, Cy Young and Rube Waddell battled through a 20-inning game. Laurence Doherty claimed his fifth straight Wimbledon singles title in 1906. Tommy Burns scored a first-round KO to defend his heavyweight title in 1907. In 1908, George Wiltse pitched a no-hitter against the Phillies.
Jack Johnson kept his heavyweight crown in the 1910 “Fight of the Century,” stopping James J. Jeffries in the 15th. Ty Cobb’s 40-game hitting streak ended in 1911. Jack Dempsey outpointed Tommy Gibbons over 15 rounds in 1923. In 1925, Herb Pennock beat Lefty Grove 1-0 in 15 innings. Helen Moody won a fourth straight Wimbledon in 1930.
On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig became the first MLB player to have his number retired and gave his famous “luckiest man” speech. That day Jim Tabor hit two grand slams in one game. Fred Daly won the British Open in 1947. West Germany beat Hungary 3-2 to win the 1954 World Cup. Mickey Wright won the LPGA Championship in 1960, and Mickey Mantle hit his 300th home run the same year. Carol Mann won the U.S. Women’s Open in 1965.
Ann Jones beat Billie Jean King for Wimbledon’s women’s title in 1969. Mike Marshall shone in 1974 with dominant relief pitching. Nolan Ryan reached 3,000 strikeouts in 1980. John McEnroe won his first Wimbledon in 1981, defeating Björn Borg. Dave Righetti threw a no-hitter in 1983. In 1984, Richard Petty notched his 200th NASCAR win at Daytona, watched by President Reagan.
