Monica Seles Stabbed During Citizen Cup Tournament

On April 30, 1993, that tennis great Monica Seles was stabbed in the back by an obsessed fan during her quarterfinal match against Magdalena Maleeva.  The incident occurred in Hamburg, Germany at the Citizen Cup tournament.

Monica Seles (white) after being stabbed during the 1993 Citizen Cup Tournament.

Monica Seles entered the 1993 season as the world’s top ranked female player.  She was the three-time reigning French Open champion, as well as the two-time reigning Australian and U.S. Open champion.  It was an obsessed fan of Steffi Graf’s, Seles’ biggest rival, who carried out the attack in an attempt to help Graf regain her number one status. 

Gunter Parche stormed the court during a break and would stab Monica in the back between the shoulder blades to a depth of one and a half centimeters.

Gunter Parche (center) being detained after stabbing Monica Seles during the 1993 Citizen Cup Tournament.

Although her injury took only a few weeks to heal, Seles would not return to competitive tennis for over two years. Considering the traumatic experience she went through, it was not a surprise to see Monica take a long hiatus from the game she loved to play.

Though she enjoyed some success after rejoining the tour in 1995, including a fourth Australian Open success in 1996, she was unable to consistently reproduce her best form.

She played her last professional match at the 2003 French Open, but did not officially retire until February 2008.

Seles is a former Yugoslav world number one professional tennis player and a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

She was born and raised in Novi Sad, SR Serbia, and SFR Yugoslavia. She became a naturalized United States citizen in 1994 and also received Hungarian citizenship in June 2007. She won nine Grand Slam singles titles, winning eight of them while a citizen of Yugoslavia and one while a citizen of the United States.

In 1990, at the age of 16, Seles became the youngest-ever French Open champion. She went on to win eight Grand Slam singles titles before her twentieth birthday and was the year-end World number one in 1991 and 1992.

Seles career record in singles is 595-122 a winning percentage of 82.98 with 53 career titles. He won 13 Grand Slam Single titles including four Australian Open’s including three straight from 1991-1993, three French Open’s including three consecutive from 1990-1992, two U.S. Open’s in 1991 - 1992 and one Wimbledon title in 1992. As well three Championships from 1990-1992.

She also won a Bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in singles

In double Seles were also good, winning 89 matches and dropping 45, winning six career titles. However, Seles was not quite the doubles player she was in singles, as her highest mark in doubles was sixteenth in the world on April 22, 1991. She never reached further than the semi-finals in doubles, in 1991 and 2001 at the Australian Open.

Until her loss to Martina Hingis at the 1999 Australian Open, Seles had a perfect record at the event (33–0), which is the longest undefeated streak for this tournament (although Margaret Court won 38 consecutive matches there from 1960 to 1968 after losing a match in 1959).

It also marked her first defeat in Australia, having won the Sydney tournament in 1996. Seles was the first female tennis player to win her first six Grand Slam singles finals: 1990 French Open, 1991 Australian Open, 1991 French Open, US Open, 1992 Australian Open, and 1992 French Open.

Seles was also the first female player since Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling in 1937 to win the women's singles title three consecutive years at the French Open. (Chris Evert, however, won the title the four consecutive times she played the tournament: 1974, 1975, 1979, and 1980; in 2007, Justine Henin won her third consecutive French Open singles title.) With eight Grand Slam singles titles before her twentieth birthday,

Seles holds the record for most Grand Slam singles titles won as a teenager.

In June 2011, she was named one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future" by Time Magazine.

Seles was listed as the thirteenth greatest player of all time (men and women) by (U.S.) Tennis magazine and was also one of 15 women named by Australian Tennis magazine as the greatest champions of the last 30 years (players were listed chronologically).

In 2012, Tennis Channel created a list of the "100 Greatest Of All Time" tennis players. Seles was listed at number 19.

Angels' Nolan Ryan Ties MLB Record

On April 30, 1974, then California Angels starting pitcher and current Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan strikes out 19 Red Sox to tie the Major League Baseball record for most strike outs in a single game.

Ryan’s record tying feat of 19 strike outs in a single game, was equal to four others accomplishments including in 1884 when two players did it; Providence Grays Charlie Sweeney and Chicago Browns Hugh Daily. In 1969 St. Louis Cardinals Steve Carlton reached 19 in a single game and in 1970 New York Mets Tom Seaver also reached the record.

Nolan Ryan in 1974 after he was clocked throwing a 100.4 MPH pitch.

Since Ryan’s record tying performance two other pitchers have pitched 19 strikeout games including Seattle Mariners Randy Johnson twice, both during the 1997 season. The other was David Cone on the New York Mets in 1991.

But the 19 strikeout record that Ryan tied in 1974 would only last as an MLB record until 1986 when Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens would strike out 20 batters in a single game.

Clemens would again strike out 20 batters in a single game in 1996, again for the Red Sox, becoming the only person to strike out 20 batters, and doing it twice.

However, in 1998 Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood tied the record with 20 strikeouts.

Clemens and Woods hold the MLB record of strikeouts in a nine-inning game, but in September of 1962 Washington Senators starter Tom Cheney struck out 21 batters, but the game went 16 innings, in which Cheney took the mound for every one.

With the current set up of starting pitchers only going six or seven innings and having a pitch count limit them further on top of being relieved by pitchers in the bull pen it is hard to imagine a pitcher being able to get 20 strike outs in a game to tie the record.

However, just this past weekend Detroit Tigers Anibal Sanchez pitched eight innings and struck out 17 batters. He was pulled from the game due to a high pitch count of 121.

It would have been interesting to see if Tigers manager Jim Leyland would have let Sanchez go into the ninth inning if he would have been able to tie the record, or get close to it.

Red Sox Ace Roger Clemens Sets MLB Record

On April 29, 1986, that Roger Clemens became the first pitcher in MLB history to strikeout 20 batters in a nine inning major league game.  Clemens accomplished the feat against the Seattle Mariners in a game played at Fenway Park.

Roger Clemens during his 1986 start against the Seattle Mariners where he struck out a Major League record 20 batters.

Clemens would achieve this mark in only his third full season, at the young age of 23.  This was Roger’s breakthrough year as he finished the season with a league leading 24 wins to go along with his American League best 2.48 earned run average.  His spectacular campaign earned him both the American League M.V.P. as well as the Cy Young award.

“Rocket” Roger Clemens would reach the 20 strikeout plateau for the second time more than ten years later during a game against the Detroit Tigers, in what would end up being his third-to-last game as a member of the Boston Red Sox. 

Two men have since matched Clemens’ performance, with Kerry Wood striking out 20 in 1998 against the Houston Astros and Randy Johnson doing the same in 2001 against the Cincinnati Reds.

David Robinson Scores 71; Wins NBA Scoring Title

On April 24, 1993, On the final day of the regular season for the NBA, David Robinson, "The Admiral," of the San Antonio Spurs and Shaquille O'Neal, then on the Orlando Magic, were virtually tied as scoring leaders on the season, as their respected teams ended the year on a Sunday.

With Robinson's Spurs on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers, his game would conclude just as O'Neal's would begin; fearing that O'Neal would simply aim to outscore him, Robinson's teammates did everything they could to get him the ball.



When it was all said done, Robinson scored a remarkable 71 points -- joining Wilt Chamberlain, David Thompson, and Elgin Baylor as the only players to reach the 70s -- as his Spurs won 112-97. Robinson shot 26-41 from the field, made 18-25 free throws, and even knocked down a three-point shot.

His teammates deferred to him on every possession and even fouled down the stretch just to get him more shot attempts. Shaquille O'Neal needed 68 points to win back the scoring title, but he finished with a quiet 32.

In the final total, Robinson finished with 29.8 points per game, while Shaq ended with a 29.3 average.

 Members of the Orlando Magic cried foul, particularly head coach Brian Hill, who called it a "farce that's bad for basketball." "We certainly wanted Shaquille to win the scoring title," Hill said.

"But we didn't make a mockery of the game like they did in Los Angeles -- I hear the Clippers just let David score whenever he wanted ... We played a game tonight -- it wasn't a mockery."



Spurs coach John Lucas defended the point total, as did Robinson himself. "It is a lot of work going after those points," he said. "The Clippers didn't want me to get it. They were bumping and grinding and double-teaming me. That's the hardest I've ever had to work for some points."

Danny Ainge and Wayne Rollins Rumble

On April 24, 1983, a classic NBA altercation takes place.

In a first round meeting between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, Boston sharp-shooter Danny Ainge takes one too many elbows from Hawks center Wayne "Tree" Rollins.

Ainge, who had allegedly called Rollins a "sissy," finally ran up and tackled the 7-footer, causing a bench-clearing brawl to ensue. While Ainge and Rollins were scuffling on the floor, Rollins took a bite at Ainge's middle finger.

"He almost bit my finger off,'' Ainge said in a  Sports Illustrated interview. "He bit it all the way through. I had to get two stitches.''

Ainge was ejected from the game, as was Atlanta guard Mike Glenn. Rollins, however, was not ejected. Boston went on to win the game and sweep the Hawks out of the postseason. Rollins was later given a $5,000 fine and a five-game suspension to be assessed at the beginning of the '83-84 season.

The Boston Herald covered the story with the headline: "Tree Bites Man." In later years, the facts of the incident began to strain, and people began to believe that it was Ainge who had bitten Rollins, and not the other way around. Ainge was able to dispell these rumors, though only after displaying the scar that had been made on his middle finger.

Atlanta Falcons Trade To Get Michael Vick

On April 21, 2001, the first day of the NFL draft was held at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The draft is most remembered for the trade that took place between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers.

Ladainian Tomlinson was selected fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

The Falcons traded their first round pick, fifth overall, along with their third round pick in 2001, a second round pick in 2002 and wide receiver Tim Dwight to the Chargers for the No.1 overall pick.
 
Atlanta used the No.1 pick to draft quarterback Michael Vick out of Virginia Tech, while San Diego took running back Ladainian Tomlinson from Texas Christian University with the fifth selection.


When this trade was first made, it was tough to tell who got the better deal, but after some time it was quite obvious who the winner was.

Michael Vick was selected No. 1 overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

Although Vick had some early success in Atlanta, his off-field problems all but killed his career, until his resurgence a few years ago in Philadelphia.

However, Tomlinson was a premier running back in the NFL for the entire decade with the Chargers and a solid tandem back with the Jets.

Vick is still currently in the NFL, now with the New York Jets, while Tomlinson is happily retired.

Chicago Bulls Win 72 Games

April 21, 1996, the NBA's Chicago Bulls win, a still NBA record, 72 games.

The Bulls are the only team in NBA history to win 70 games or more in a single season.

Dennis Rodman (left) gives Michael Jordan (right) a fist bump in a Bulls game in 1996. Swing man Scotti Pippen (center) prepares to give Jordan a second first bump.

The Bulls also hold many other records including

·  Hold the record for most consecutive home games won (44 from 1994–95 through 1995–96).

·  Hold the record for most consecutive home games won, start of season, 37 in 1995–96.

·  Hold the record for most road games won and best overall road record in standard 41 road games, 33–8 in 1995–96.

·  Hold the record for the fewest points per game in a season after 1954–55 (81.9 in 1998–99).

·  Hold the record for the fewest points in a game after 1954–55 (49, April 10, 1999).

·  Hold the record for largest margin of victory in a NBA Finals game (42; defeated the Utah Jazz 96–54).

·  Hold the record for fewest points allowed in a NBA Finals game (54 against the Utah Jazz).

·  Highest defensive rebound percentage in a playoff game (.952 against the Golden State Warriors on April 30, 1975).

·  Dennis Rodman, most offensive rebounds in a NBA Finals game (11 twice against the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals).

And share several other NBA records including:

·  Share lowest free throw percentage by two teams in one game (.410 with the Los Angeles Lakers, February 7, 1968).

·  Share record for most personal fouls by two teams in one game (87 with the Portland Trail Blazers, March 16, 1984).

·  Share the No. 2 best overall win–loss home record with 39–2 (with the Cleveland Cavaliers), achieved in both 1995–96 and 1996–97.

·  Shared record: Will Perdue for fewest minutes played by a disqualified player in a playoff game (7 against the New York Knicks, May 14, 1992).

·  Shared record: Two teams with the fewest players to score more than ten points in a playoff game (4 with the Miami Heat, May 24, 1997).

·  Shared record: Highest free throw percentage by one team in a playoff game (1.000 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 19, 1992).

The Bulls are also one of the most winningest teams in NBA history earning six NBA Finals Championships, all while Jordan was on the team, for two three-peats from 1991-1993, and 1996-1998.

The Chicago Bulls are the third NBA franchise in Chicago, after the Packers–Zephyrs (now the Washington Wizards) and the Stags (1946–50). The Bulls' founder, Dick Klein, was the only owner to ever play professional basketball (for the Chicago Gears). He served as the Bulls' president and general manager in their first years.

The team started in the 1966–67 NBA season, and posted the best record by an expansion team in NBA history. Coached by Chicagoan and former NBA star Johnny "Red" Kerr, and led by former NBA assist leader Guy Rodgers and forward Bob Boozer, the Bulls qualified for the playoffs.

Air Jordan and Derrick Rose have both won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award while playing for the Bulls, for a total of 6 MVP awards. Jordan has earned five, while Rose, one.

But the awards for Bulls’ players don’t end their, the Bulls have had three Rookies of the Year awarded, including Jordan, Rose and Elton Brand in 2000.

They have had the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1995 with Tony Kukoc and 2005 with Ben Gordon as well as the NBA Coach of the Year in 1967, Johnny “Red” Kerr, 1871, Dick Motta, 1996 Phil Jackson and 2011 Tom Thibodeau.

The main rivalries for the Chicago Bulls are the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers and the Utah Jazz. All of whom became bigger rivalries during Jordan’s era with the Bulls.

The Bulls have retired four jersey’s in franchise history including guard Jerry Sloan’s number 4 jersey. Forward Bob Love’s number 10 jersey. Jordan’s iconic number 23 jersey as well teammates Pippen’s number 33 jersey.

As well jerseys have been retired for head coach Phil Jackson, who led the Bulls to all six Finals Championships, and franchise employees Johnny Kerr and Jerry Krause, the later the NBA Executive of the Year in 1988 and 1996.

As of 2012, the Bulls were estimated to be the third most valuable NBA franchise according to Forbes, with an estimated value of $800 million, earning an estimated $34.2 million in operating income in 2012.

Ubaldo Jimenez Throws First No-Hitter In Colorado Rockies History

On April 17, 2010, Colorado Rockies' right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez pitches the first no-hitter in the 18-year history of the Colorado franchise.

Former Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez, still the only Rockies pitcher to throw a no-hitter.

The 4-0 historic victory over Atlanta at Turner Field was saved in the seventh inning with a spectacular catch by center fielder Dexter Fowler.

Jimenez would walk six batters in the game but also strike out seven, throwing a career-high 128 pitches, 72 for strikes.

Jimenez would go on to win the National League Pitcher of the Month for April, becoming the second pitcher in Rockies history to win a Pitcher of the Month award.

Jimenez became only the second pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-hitter and notch five wins in the month of April.

Barry Bonds Hits 500th Home Run

On April 17, 2001, in the eighth inning of a game in San Francisco, Giants outfielder Barry Bonds sends a pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers releiver Terry Adams over the right field wall into McCovey Cove.

 Barry Bonds hitting his 500th home run off of Terry Adams.

The home run was a milestone, it was Bonds' 500th home run of his career. It was also the sixth he had hit since the start of the season, which would go on to be another mark in another milestone.

Bonds would hit another 67 homers that year, finishing with a Major League record of 73, ultimately winning him the National League MVP award.

Bonds eventually became the Major League Home Run King

Bonds would finish his career as the All-Time home run leader with 762 home runs which still stands today.

Barry Bonds (left) with Alex Rodriguez (right) in 2007 at the MLB All-Star Game in San Francisco.

However, there has been speculation that New York Yankee’s slugger Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez would break Bonds’ record, but with the steroid allegations and a season long suspension this year and his declining power numbers over the past few years, the All-Time home run record might be over his head.

Currently Rodriguez has 654 home runs, just under 120 short of breaking the record. In the past four years Rodriguez has failed to hit more than 30 home runs in a single season, and two years ago in an injury plagued season, in which he only played 99 games, he only hit 16 home runs. If Rodriguez were going to break the record he would have to play for at least five more years, or until he is 42 years old. Which would actually make him the youngest player to record over 750 home runs.

Magic Johnson Breaks NBA Record

On April 15, 1991, Los Angeles Lakers guard, Magic Johnson broke the record for all-time assists in a career.

Johnson earned his 9,888th career assist, breaking the record which was previously held by Oscar Robertson.

Johnson would end his career with 10,141 assists, but his record would not last long. 
Less than four years later, John Stockton of the Utah Jazz passed Johnson and went on to add over 5,000 more assists to his record.  Stockton finished his career with an astounding 15,806 career assists.

President William Taft Throws Out First Pitch

On April 14, 1910, William Howard Taft, the 27th United States president, throws the "first ball" to Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson. Traditionally, the commissioner of the District of Columbia would throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Senators' first game of the season.

But with Taft in the audience, the ball was handed to him instead. Taft was unaware that would be throwing the pitch, as he had been sitting in the stands. Rather than throwing it to the catcher, as norm, Taft threw the ball in to Johnson -- reasoning that he would need the ball anyway.

And just that like, a Major League Baseball tradition was born.

From 1910 to 1972, every acting president threw out the first pitch of the year at least once at the Senators' home stadium.

There were a few instances, including four straight years during World War II, when national issues prevented the president from attending. In 1912 for instance, Vice President James Sherman attended in place of Taft, who was the mourning the loss of Archibald Butt, who died on the Titanic.



In 1973, the Senators moved out west and became the Texas Rangers. Washington eventually regained a baseball team at around the turn of the century, but the tradition of presidential opening day pitches persisted nonetheless.

In 1973, Richard Nixon threw out the first pitch at Anaheim Stadium. A year later, Gerald Ford threw out the first pitch in Texas.

The presidential streak came to an end with Jimmy Carter, who threw out the first ball prior to Game 7 of the 1979 World Series, but never to begin the season.

Ronald Reagen started a new streak by throwing out the first pitch in 1984.

President Barrack Obama has held up the streak started by Reagan by throwing at the first pitch at both Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals' games.

Tiger Woods Wins The Masters

On April 13, 1997, golfer Tiger Woods won his first Masters tournament, which was the first major championship of his career.  Woods became the youngest golfer and first African-American to win this prestigious event.

Tiger Woods after clinching victory at The Master in 1997.

Tiger finished Day One in fourth place, three shots behind leader John Huston, but he would take the lead on day two and never looked back.  He dominated the rest of the weekend and would go on to break the four-day tournament record, shooting 18 under par (270).  His 12-stroke win over second place finisher Tom Kite was also a Masters record, as well as a major championship record.

Woods would earn $486,000 for his victory in 1997.

On April 17, 2002 Tiger Woods becomes the third golfer to win The Masters in two consecutive years, earning his third Masters victory.

Woods would go on to a win record fourth Masters in 2005.

Woods turned professional in 1996, and by April 1997 he had already won his first major, the 1997 Masters in a record-breaking performance.

He first reached the number one position in the world rankings in June 1997. Through the 2000s, Woods was the dominant force in golf, spending 264 weeks from August 1999 to September 2004 and 281 weeks from June 2005 to October 2010 as world number one. From December 2009 to early April 2010, Woods took leave from professional golf to focus on his marriage after he admitted infidelity.

Several different women, through many worldwide media sources, revealed his multiple infidelities. This was followed by a loss of form, and his ranking gradually fell to a low of No. 58 in November 2011.

He snapped a career-long winless streak of 107 weeks when he captured the Chevron World Challenge in December 2011. Currently Tiger is ranked

Woods has broken numerous golf records. He has been world number one for the most consecutive weeks and for the greatest total number of weeks of any other golfer. He has been awarded PGA Player of the Year a record ten times, the Byron Nelson Award for lowest adjusted scoring average a record eight times, and has the record of leading the money list in nine different seasons.

He has won 14 professional major golf championships, the second highest of any player (Jack Nicklaus leads with 18), and 79 PGA Tour events, second all time behind Sam Snead.

He has more career major wins and career PGA Tour wins than any other active golfer. He is the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam, and the youngest and fastest to win 50 tournaments on tour.

Additionally, Woods is only the second golfer, after Jack Nicklaus, to have achieved a career Grand Slam three times. Woods has won 18 World Golf Championships, and won at least one of those events in each of the first 11 years after they began in 1999.

With Woods not playing in The Masters this weekend he missed out on a chance to add on to his five Masters title, which would have given him a chance at tying Jack Nicklaus for most victories all time at The Masters.

Since The Masters began back in 1934, it has been the first of the four major championships in golf each year.

Since 1949 the winner of The Masters has won a green jacket, however, the victor must return it to the clubhouse one year after the time of that player's victory. In most instances, a first-time champion only removes the green jacket from the club’s grounds. A golfer who wins the event multiple times uses the same green jacket awarded upon his initial win (unless he needs to be re-fitted with a new green jacket).

The Champions Dinner, inaugurated by Ben Hogan in 1952, is held on the Tuesday before each tournament, and is open only to past champions and certain board members of the Augusta National Golf Club.

Beginning in 1963, legendary golfers, usually past champions, have hit an honorary tee shot on the morning of the first round. Such golfers have included Fred McLeod, Jock Hutchinson, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Since 1960, a semi-social par 3 contest, on a par-3 course on Augusta National's grounds, has been played on the day before the first round of each Masters Tournament.

Nicklaus has won more Masters Tournaments than any other golfer, winning six times between 1963 and 1986. Other multiple winners include Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods, with four each; and Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson, with three each. Player, from South Africa, was the first non-American player to win the tournament in 1961.

Since the Augusta National course first opened in 1933, it has been modified many times by different architects. Among the changes: greens have been reshaped and, on occasion, entirely re-designed, bunkers have been added, water hazards have been extended, new tee boxes have been built, hundreds of trees have been planted, and several mounds have been installed.

This year Bubba Watson won the Masters at Augusta out pacing a 20-year old Jordan Spieth. The victory was Watson’s second at The Masters  in six attempts, and second in the last three years. His first victory at Augusta came in 2012.

Bubba Watson after clinching victory at The Masters today.

Watson becomes the 17^th golfer to win two masters, and also becomes only the third golfer to complete the feat in their first six attempts at August.

Catchers Mask Debuts In Professional Baseball

On April 12, 1877, James Tyng became the first man to wear a catcher’s mask in a professional game.

Fred Thayer had been brewing an idea for a while, ever since some dugout chats he had once held with former catcher Howard Thatcher. Back in 1875, after Thatcher had taken a few too many foul tips to the noggin, the two men had discussed how to better protect a catcher without impeding his visibility.

One of the first catchers mask's ever invented by Fred Thayer.

Realizing he could no longer sit on the idea, Thayer decided a fencing mask provided the closest blueprint to what they needed. In the winter of 1876 he hired a local tinsmith to construct a "bird cage" mask with padding in the chin and forehead area. During practices Tyng and Thayer experimented and revised the mask several times until they got it just right for Tyng’s face.

Thayer received a patent for the mask in 1878. Later in the year, A.G Spalding and Brothers Company, the leading sporting goods dealer in the country, began selling the Thayer Catcher’s Mask for $3.00 in their catalogue. Slowly, catcher’s  started to use it, but it wasn’t until 1879 that sales took off because of a rule change that did away with the one bounce rule. It was now necessary for a catcher to catch a two-strike foul tip in the air in order to record an out.

With catchers moving closer to the batter in order to take advantage of this new ordinance, the catcher’s mask became indispensible. Although Fred Thayer received the patent, it should be noted that both Howard Thatcher and James Tyng also layed partial claims to the invention of the first catcher’s mask.

Detroit Red Wings Win 60 Games

On April 11, 1996, the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings become second NHL team to win 60 games in a season.

The Red Wings are members of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL), and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks.

They play home games in the 20,066 capacity Joe Louis Arena after having spent over 40 years playing in Olympia Stadium. The Red Wings are one of the most popular franchises in the NHL, and fans and commentators refer to Detroit and its surrounding areas as "Hockeytown".

Between the 1933–34 and 1965–66 seasons, the Red Wings missed the playoffs only four times. More recently, the Red Wings have made the playoffs in 27 of the last 29 seasons, including the last 22 in a row (1991–2013). This is the longest current streak of post-season appearances in all of North American professional sports.

The Red Wings have won the most Stanley Cup championships (11) of any NHL franchise based in the United States, and are third overall in total NHL championships, behind the Montreal Canadiens (24) and Toronto Maple Leafs (13). 

The 2007-2008 Detroit Red Wings squad, the last of which won the Lord Stanley Cup.

The Red Wings have won six Conference Championships including back-to-back in 2007-2008, 2008-2009. They have won six Presidents Trophies and 19 Division Championships including three consecutive from 1993-1994 to 1995-1996. They have won six Clarence S. Campbell Bowls, 11 Prince of Wales Trophies, and five O’Brien Trophies.

The Red Wings have retired several numbers including Hall of Famers Terry Sawchuk and his no.1 jersey. Ted Lindsay and his no. 7 jersey. Gordie Howe and his no. 9 jersey. Alex Delvecchio and his no. 10 jersey. Sid Abel and his no. 12 jersey. Steve Yzerman and his no. 19 jersey. Finally Wayne Gretzky’s no. 99 jersey as it has been retired league wide in the NHL as of 2000.

The no. 6 jersey formerly worn by Larry Aurie a right wing from 1927-1939, has not been officially retired but has not been issued since 1939. From 1975-2000 it was listed as retired, but has been changed back to being unofficially retired.

The no. 16 jersey of Vladimir Konstantinov, a defender on the Red Wings teams from 1991-1997 had his jersey retired in 1997 followed a career-ending car accident.

Jackie Robinson Makes Debut

On April 11, 1947, Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American to play in modern major-league baseball when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Robinson, as the first black man to play in the major leagues since the 1880s, was instrumental in bringing an end to racial segregation in professional baseball, which had relegated black players to the Negro leagues for six decades.

Jackie Robinson in 1950 as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The example of his character and unquestionable talent challenged the traditional basis of segregation, which then marked many other aspects of American life, and contributed, significantly to the Civil Rights Movement.

Robinson’s career featured playing time in over ten seasons. He played in six World Series and contributed to the Dodgers' 1955 World Championship.

He was selected for six consecutive All-Star Games from 1949 to 1954, was the recipient of the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949—the first black player so honored.

His career saw him put up great numbers hitting .311 batting average, 1,518 hits, 137 home runs, 734 RBIs and 197 stolen bases.

Robinson was one of only two players during the span of 1947–56 to accumulate at least 125 steals while registering a slugging percentage over .425 (Minnie Miñoso was the other).

Defensively, Robinson was an outstanding fielder throughout his ten years in the major leagues and at virtually every position he played.

After playing his rookie season at first base, Robinson spent most of his career as a second baseman.

He led the league in fielding among second basemen in 1950 and 1951.

Toward the end of his career, he played about 2,000 innings at third base and about 1,175 innings in the outfield, excelling at both.

Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

In 1997, Major League Baseball "universally" retired his uniform number, 42, across all major league teams; he was the first pro athlete in any sport to be so honored. Since that time, Major League Baseball has adopted a new annual tradition, "Jackie Robinson Day," in which all players on all teams wear no. 42.

The movie poster for "42."

Robinson was also known for his pursuits outside the baseball diamond. He was the first black television analyst in Major League Baseball, and the first black vice-president of a major American corporation. In the 1960s, he helped establish the Freedom National Bank, an African-American-owned financial institution based in Harlem, New York. In recognition of his achievements on and off the field, Robinson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Last year the movie “42” based on Robinson’s life and baseball career debuted.

Tiger Woods Wins At August; 2005 Masters

 On April 10, 2005, Tiger Woods, with three holes left in the Masters and a one-shot lead over Chris DiMarco, makes history.

On hole 16, a par-three, DiMarco was looking at a solid chance for a birdie, while Woods had an impossible 30-foot putt on the fringe of the green. With Woods going first. DiMarco had a phenomenal shot at coming away with a share of the lead.

Tiger Woods after sinking what is considered his best putt on the 16th hole at Augusta in the 2005 Masters.

But in one of the vintage putts of his career, Woods' slow-rolling chip slowly curved its way near the hole, stopping on a dime an inch from the cup before dropping in, and the crowd on hand went absolutely bezerk. "Under the circumstances, it's one of the best shots I've ever hit, because it's the turning point," Woods said. "If Chris makes the putt, I make bogey, all of a sudden it's a different ballgame. ... It looked pretty good, then really good, then how could it not go in, then it went in," said Woods in a press conference after the Masters.

After Woods' make, DiMarco missed his birdie opportunity, leaving Woods with a two-stroke lead with two holes to go.

Tiger Woods with his 2005 Masters Trophy from August National.

But Tiger bogeyed on 17 and 18, leaving the door open for DiMarco, who paned holes to force a playoff.

In the sudden-death playoff, Woods' sunk a 15-foot birdie attempt on the first hole, ending the tournament in dramatic fashion and giving Woods' his first major since 2002. Afterward, Woods was given the coveted green jacket by Phil Mickelson, his rival, who had won the tournament the year before.

Besides the putt on 16 which is considered Woods' best putt, winning the Masters was notable for Woods, as he has ended his highly-publicized slump. One in which Woods had gone 10 straight majors without a win.

Ottawa Senators Snap 38-Game Losing Streak

On April 10, 1993, the NHL's expansion team the Ottawa Senators snap a 38-game road losing streak. The 38-game losing streak was the longest of all-time in the NHL, last from October 10, 1992, to April 3, 1993.

The Ottawa Senators on Opening Night in 1992.

The Senators set three records including the longest losing streak on the road, fewest road wins in a season, with just one. As well the Senators has the longest home streak of eleven.

The Senators would only go on to win nine games in the 1992-1993 season despite winning the first game of the year.

On top of all that the expansion Senators had flopped in the draft earlier that year too. Making three draft picks that were all inelligible to play, and to top it off, first round pick Alexei Yashin, chosen second overall by the Senators opted to play in Moscow versus in the NHL.

That 1992-1993 Senators teams put up the worst record of all-time in the NHL.

Despite that the Senators sold out every game that year and finished with a season attendance of 429,645 in 41 games at home. An average attendance of 10,479 a game.

Colorado Rockies Play First Home Game

On April 9, 1993, the Colorado Rockies play their first home game in franchise history and record their first victory in franchise history, in an 11-4 win over the Montreal Expos.

Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado was the home for the Rockies in their first two-seasons in the MLB.

Denver had long been a hotbed of minor league baseball and many in the area desired a major league team. Following the Pittsburgh drug trials, an unsuccessful attempt was made to purchase the Pittsburgh Pirates and relocate them.

However, in 1991, as part of Major League Baseball's two-team expansion (they also added the Florida (now Miami) Marlins), an ownership group representing Denver led by John Antonucci and Michael I. Monus were granted a franchise; they took the name "Rockies" due to Denver's proximity to the Rocky Mountains, which is reflected in their logo.

They began play in 1993, sharing Mile High Stadium with the National Football League's Denver Broncos their first two seasons while Coors Field was constructed. It was completed for the 1995 Major League Baseball season.

Outside of Coors Field in Denver, Colorado where the Rockies have called home since 1995.

In 1993 they started play in the western division of the National League. Since that date, the Rockies have reached the MLB postseason three times, each time as the National League wild card team. Twice (1995 and 2009) they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. In 2007 the Rockies advanced all the way to the World Series, only to be swept by the Boston Red Sox.

Matt Holliday won the 2007 NLCS MVP award en route to the Rockies first World Series appearance.

In 2007 the Rockies won the Warren Giles Trophy for the National League champions and the Baseball America Organization of the Year award.

The Rockies play their home games at Coors Field. Their newest Spring Training home, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, opened in March 2011 and is shared with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Inside of Coors Field, the home of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado.

The Rockies have only retired one number in franchise history, and that is no. 42, which was worn by Jackie Robinson. His number has been retired league wide in honoring the first African-American baseball player to make it to the Major Leagues.

Though not retired, Larry Walker's number 33 has not been issued since he was traded during the 2004 season after 10 years with the Rockies.

The Rockies have had one MVP, Larry Walker in 1997, when he hit .366 with 49 home runs, 130 RBI, 33 stolen bases, and 409 total bases, en route to becoming the first Canadian player to win the MVP Award. He became and remains the only player to have at least 25 stolen bases and a slugging percentage of more than .700 in a season.

Walker's 409 total bases in 1997 were the most in an NL season since Stan Musial's 1948 season, although the mark was bettered by Barry Bonds in 2001 (411).

Combined with 12 outfield assists, the season remains one of the finest all-around performances in recent baseball history. Even more impressively, Walker's breakout season came just one year after various injuries limited him to 83 games and 272 at-bats, although the NL Comeback Player of the Year award went to Darren Daulton.

The Rockies have also had one Rookie of the Year winner, Jason Jennings in 2002.

The Rockies have boasted 11 different Silver Sluggers including Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga, Eric Young, Ellis Burks, Mike Hampton, Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Walker.

The Rockies have had one Hank Aaron Award winner in Helton, and five Gold Glove winners including Neifi Perez, Helton, Gonzalez, Tulowitzki and Walker.

The Rockies have had the Manager of the Year Award given to their skippers twice in 1995 to Don Baylor and 2009 to Jam Tracy.