March 8: Ali/Frazier Fight

On this date in History .... March 8, 1971:  

Photo courtesy www.abcnews.go.com

Muhammed Ali fought Joe Frazier in what was dubbed “The Fight of the Century”.  Ali lost after 15 rounds, the first loss of his professional boxing career.  A rematch in 1974 was held at Madison Square Garden which Ali won by decision after 12 rounds. 

Later that year, Ali defeated George Forman, reclaiming his heavyweight champion title. 

After losing the title to Leon Spinks in 1975, Ali again took the title back just seven months later. 

When he left the ring for good in 1981 with a 56-5 record, he was the only fighter to take the heavyweight title three times.

May 1: Ricky Henderson

On this date in History ..... 1991:  

Rickey Henderson stole his 939^th base and became sport’s all-time stolen base leader.  

Henderson also

• holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982)  
• is the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times. 
• is the 1^st and only player with 14 seasons of 50+ stolen bases per season and his career avg was 48.4 stolen bases per season.
• holds the major league records for:
• career stolen bases,
•  runs scored,
• unintentional walks and
• leadoff home runs. 

A left handed player, he batted right handed because “"All my friends were right-handed and swung from the right side, so I thought that's the way it was supposed to be done."  

January 15: FDR Makes Plea for Baseball

On this date in History .... 1942:

The day after FDR signs Presidential Proclamation #2537 requiring people from enemy countries to register with the government, he switched his attention to the national pasttime of baseball, and sent his famous “Green Light Letter” to the baseball commissioner, encouraging the continuation of baseball games during WWII.

Roosevelt said his comments were “solely a personal and not an official point of view”.  The letter ensured that the 1942 season would be played as planned, negating rumors of a shutdown.

Despite a loss of many star players to military service, such Joe DiMaggio & Ted Williams, all 16 teams played regular schedules for the duration of WWII.

.