a moment in time
October BY » Mickey Dunaway
I
n 2020-21, The Year of the Pandemic, almost every person was inundated by the changing rules and regulations—many of them constantly changing, it seemed. Very few entertaining pursuits bore the brunt of the number of rules and regulations like sports. In the Year of the Pandemic, they were hardly recognizable as sports at all.
Now that sports have returned with crowds, albeit also with COVID protocols reduced but still present, I thought it might be fun to check out some sporting events to have occurred through the years in October.
October 1, 1903
First Baseball World Series game was played. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Americans 7-3 at Huntington Avenue.
October 1, 1932
Babe Ruth pointed to centerfield then hit the famous homer to that exact spot. Yankees won this game three of the World Series 7-5.
October 1, 1975
Ali defeated Joe Frazier to maintain the Heavy Weight title. Known as “The Thrilla in Manila.”
Welcome back to the art of competition
October 3, 1964
Jerry West retired after 14 seasons playing with the LA Lakers. He scored 25,192 career points and averaged 29.1 points per game in 153 playoff games.
October 4, 1995
OJ Simpson was acquitted of the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” – Attorney Johnny Cochran.
October 6, 1990
October 2, 1964
Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron hit the final home run of his career. Hammerin’ Hank’s 733rd HR.
No. 12 Colorado defeated Missouri 33-31 by scorning on an extra play from scrimmage. The refs gave Colorado a 5th down. Coach McCartney refused to forfeit. UC went on to share a portion of the National Championship!
October 3, 1971
October 6, 2007
Tennis star Billie Jean King became the first female athlete to win $100,000 in prize money in a single year. Wins the $4,000 Virginia Slims Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. 16 LimitlessMagOnline.com | October 2021
Unranked Stanford defeated No. 2 Southern Cal 24-23. Stanford was 41-point underdog.
October 7, 1916
Georgia Tech, coached by legendary John Heisman, defeated Cumberland 222-0. The most lopsided victory in the history of US college football.
October 7, 2012
New Orleans QB Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas’ record for consecutive games with a TD pass. Brees threw TD passes in 48 consecutive games.
October 8, 1953
Birmingham, Alabama, barred Jackie Robinson’s All-Stars Team of black and white players from playing there. Robinson gave in & dropped the white players from his group. I was in the first grade and don’t remember the event, but I am nonetheless ashamed. This is a good reminder that greatness has no place for prejudice and its ugly twin, injustice.
October 9, 1909
Ty Cobb, the Georgia Peach, stole home in a World Series game. Cobb stole home 54 times in his career. Amazing.
