Posted: 02/07/07

The week in sports history...

David Walsh | contributing columnist
dwalsh2@smcvt.edu

Throughout history, sports have been a significant component to the lives of people around the world. They have contributed to many aspects of society, helping to build character, encourage the pursuit of dreams, and of course, entertain the masses. Athletic competition, both professional and amateur, has given us moments in history that made us cheer, cry and stare in disbelief. The week of Jan. 30 to Feb. 4 has been a testament to this, as we witnessed historic firsts, triumphant returns and unparalleled feats.

Jan. 30, 1996 - After initially retiring in 1991 from the National Basketball Association due to contracting HIV, Earvin "Magic" Johnson returned to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup. Unfortunately, he would retire for good at the conclusion of the season.

Feb. 1, 2004 - The New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 32-29 on a game-winning Adam Vinatieri field goal. It was the Patriots' second of three Super Bowl victories in a four year span.

Feb. 1, 1984 - The NBA inducted a new commissioner, David Stern. Stern would go on to be responsible for multiple league programs such as NBA International, which encourages global participation in basketball. Under Stern's administration, the largest number of international players would be drafted into the NBA. Stern would also serve as one of the main negotiators during the 1998 player lockout.

Feb. 1, 1995 - John Stockton, the point guard of the Utah Jazz recorded 16 assists in a sold-out game against the Denver Nuggets, breaking the NBA all-time assists record previously held by Magic Johnson.

Feb. 2, 1936 - One of baseball’s all-time greatest hitters, Ty Cobb was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, beating out fellow baseball legends Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner by receiving 222 of 226 votes.

Feb. 2, 1949 - Legendary golfer Ben Hogan was struck by a bus while driving his car near El Paso, Texas. Hogan and his wife were both injured in the crash, but survived. Hogan suffered a series of broken bones, but recovered in time to play in the U.S. Open, a major Professional Golf Association (PGA) event. Despite the horrific accident and the injuries he suffered, Hogan won the tournament a mere 16 months after the crash.

Feb. 2, 1980 - New York Ranger’s center Phil Esposito scored two goals, giving him a total of 700 career regular season goals. This milestone put Esposito in select company, as it was a feat only previously accomplished by hockey legend Gordie Howe.

Feb. 3, 1993 - Marge Schott, the owner of Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds, was banned from baseball for a year and fined $25,000 for the use of ethnic and racial slurs. Through a compromise, however, she was able to diminish her sentence. This did not sit well with career home run champ Hank Aaron, who commented, “ I know Marge is laughing all the way to wherever it is she is going. She won this one. I’m very disappointed.”

Feb. 4, 1924 - The first Winter Olympics closed in France. Eight years later, the U.S. opened its first Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

Feb. 4, 1993 - The Boston Celtics said good-bye to number 33, as they raised former Celtic Larry Bird’s jersey to the rafters of the Boston Garden. Bird was one of the greatest basketball players to ever grace the Garden parque, leading the Celtics to three NBA Championships and bringing the franchise's total to 18.