November is all about the NBA and NHL seasons, the end of college football, the NASCAR Cup Series Championship, the ATP World Tour Finals, UFC Fight Nights, and the start of college basketball. November 18 has seen many memorable sports moments. Here are some highlights:
In 1905, Alabama crushed Auburn 30-0 in the Iron Bowl. Jackie Robinson led the National League in batting and won the MVP award in 1949. In 1964, Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles took home the American League MVP. Sandy Koufax announced his retirement in 1966 due to injury.
In 1970, Joe Frazier knocked out Bob Foster to win heavyweight titles. Johnny Bench also won the National League MVP that year. Calvin Murphy’s NBA free-throw streak ended in 1975 after 58 games. Richard Petty made history in 1979 by winning the NASCAR Series Cup for the seventh time.
George Brett won the American League MVP in 1980, and Mike Schmidt won his second straight MVP in 1981. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers took the CFL Grey Cup in 1984, while the New Jersey Devils shut out the Rangers 6-0.
In 1990, the U.S. team won the first Solheim Cup, and Dale Earnhardt claimed the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Monica Seles won her first WTA Tour Championship title that year.
Fast forward to 2007, Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and Roger Federer secured back-to-back Tennis Masters Cup titles. In 2018, Alexander Zverev won his first ATP World Tour Finals title.
Three standout athletes from November 18 are Richard Petty, Mike Schmidt, and Monica Seles. Petty was known for his No. 43 car and won the Most Popular Driver award nine times. Schmidt earned three MVP awards and ten Gold Gloves. Seles dominated tennis in the early ’90s, becoming the youngest world No. 1 and winning nine Grand Slam titles.
