Friday Flashbacks: Holmes vs. Cooney, Cinderella Man Beats Baer, & Interleague Play Begins

The Larry Holmes versus Gerry Cooney heavyweight fight stands out to me as one of the most hyped fights of my youth (1982) . . . Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez turns herself in after setting fire to Andre Rison’s mansion (1994) . . . Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson found slain–next Friday you’ll probably hear more about this (1994) . . . Muhammad Ali’s slander trial for accusing two promoters of being racist (1980) . . . “Could Big Ben Be Any Dumber?” –regarding the motorcycle crash (2006) . . . Tex Schramm and Lamar Hunt spearhead the pro football merger (1966) . . . May I interest you in a high-heeled Adidas sneaker? (1982) . . . Ben Johnson admits steroid use (1989) . . . Athlete authors upstaged by Linda Lovelace at book signing (1973) . . .

Jim J. Braddock was a big underdog, but beat heavyweight champ Max Baer (1935) . . . Anonymous letters allege Andy Katzenmoyer received special treatment at Ohio State (1999) . . . Cleveland Barons and Minnesota North Stars merge (1978) . . . Avery Brundage is against paying the (Olympic) players (1947) . . . Fred Wilpon fires Steve Phillips (2003) . . . Angels pitcher Ken McBride pitches the team to victory within hours of finding out his brother died (1963) . . . Congress works on a law to prevent sports franchises from relocating (1984) . . . Clete Boyer fined for betting on football games (1971) . . . Astros pitcher Bob Knepper calls NOW “a bunch of blowhards and lesbians” (1988) . . .

Some future blogger on the beginning of Interleague Play (1997) . . . Spectator struck by lightning and killed at U.S. Open at Hazeltine (1991) . . . One of Seattle Slew’s owners almost kept him out of Belmont by violating state law on veterinarian horse ownership (1977) . . . Yankees swagger out of control after 14 game win streak (1953) . . . John Ziegler resigned as NHL President (1992) . . . the Chevrolet Impala Sports Coupe “clings to curves like a cat on a carpet!” (1959) . . . 76% of respondents against college athletes being paid (1985) . . . An interesting article on golf galleries (1941) . . . The NBA meets to decide how many of the six remaining ABA franchises to invite to join (1976) . . . Joe Namath retires after Commissioner Rozelle threatens suspension over ownership of nightclub (1969).

[photo via Getty]