June is an exciting month for sports fans, featuring the Stanley Cup Finals, NBA Finals, the middle of the MLB season, the NBA Draft, the US Open, Wimbledon, the Belmont Stakes, and various Grand Prix events. Over the years, June 15 has seen many memorable moments in sports history.
In 1887, the New York Giants crushed the Philadelphia Phillies 29-1. A year later, Bertha Townsend triumphed over defending champion Ellen Hansell in the women’s singles final at the U.S. Championships. In 1906, golfer James Braid defended his British Open title.
Ty Cobb made history in 1928 by stealing home for the 54th time. In 1938, Johnny Vander Meer of the Cincinnati Reds threw his second consecutive no-hitter, a record that still stands. Lew Worsham won the U.S. Open in 1947, marking his only major title.
The 1950s brought more excitement, with Joe Louis scoring his last knockout win in 1951 and Johnny Mize hitting his 2,000th career hit in 1953. Bill Shoemaker won the Belmont Stakes in 1957, while Dick Mayer took home the US Open title that same year.
In 1963, Leonard “Buddy” Edelen set a world record in the men’s marathon. The 1970s saw Shirley Englehorn win the LPGA Championship and Chris Evert claim her first major title at the French Open.
Fast forward to 2001, when the Los Angeles Lakers won their second straight NBA championship, with Shaquille O’Neal as Finals MVP. In 2011, the Boston Bruins secured the Stanley Cup, their first in 39 years, by defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-3. June 15 has truly been a day filled with unforgettable sports moments.
