This Day in Sports History: August 31
August is a busy month for sports fans, with baseball games, the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, the start of the Premier League season, WWE events, the NASCAR Cup Series, track…
August is a busy month for sports fans, with baseball games, the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, the start of the Premier League season, WWE events, the NASCAR Cup Series, track and field meets, and the first week of college football. Over the years, Aug. 31 has witnessed many noteworthy sports moments. Here's a closer look at some of these milestones.
Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records
Numerous great sports moments occurred on Aug. 31, including:
- 1881: The first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championship (U.S. Open) began.
- 1891: Oliver Campbell won the U.S. National Championship for tennis, achieving his second of three straight titles.
- 1894: Phillies outfielder Billy Hamilton equaled George Gore's baseball single game stolen bases record with seven steals.
- 1904: Holcombe Ward won the U.S. National Championship. It was his only major singles title.
- 1909: Thure Johansson ran a marathon in 2:40:34.2, setting a world record.
- 1915: Jimmy Lavender pitched a no-hitter against the Giants.
- 1924: Paavo Nurmi set a world record, running the 10,000-meter in 30:06.2.
- 1934: The inaugural College All-Star Game ended in a 0-0 tie against the Bears.
- 1935: Pitcher Vern Kennedy threw a no-hitter against the Indians.
- 1950: Gil Hodges hit four home runs in an MLB game.
- 1959: Sandy Koufax beat Dizzy Dean's National League record by recording 18 strikeouts in an MLB game.
- 1968: Bruce Fleisher won the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship.
- 1968: Pirates relief pitcher Roy Face tied Walter Johnson's record of 802 pitching appearances with one club.
- 1972: The American 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay team swam to a world record of 7:35.78.
- 1972: Olga Korbut received gold medals for the balance beam and floor exercise at the Munich Olympics.
- 1979: In the battle of American teenage tennis prodigies, 16-year-old Tracy Austin defeated 14-year-old Andrea Jaeger 6-2, 6-2 in the second round at the US Open.
- 1980: Hal Sutton won the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship.
- 1984: Pinklon Thomas defeated Tim Witherspoon in 12 rounds, claiming the heavyweight boxing title.
- 1985: Ángel Cordero Jr. became the third jockey to ride horses earning over $100 million.
- 1990: Ken Griffey and Ken Griffey Jr. became the first father and son to play on the same team.
- 1990: Dennis Eckersley got his 40th save of the season.
- 1991: Houston quarterback David Klingler set an NCAA record by throwing six touchdown passes in the second quarter, beating Louisiana Tech 73-3.
- 1994: Thierry Henry made his professional football debut for Monaco.
- 1997: Oilers running back Eddie George rushed for 216 yards on 35 carries and scored a touchdown as Tennessee defeated Oakland 24-21.
- 1999: Dino Ciccarelli announced his retirement from the NHL.
- 2003: Tom Watson won his third of six Champions Tour majors.
- 2018: Aaron Donald signed a record $135M contract extension with the Rams.
- 2019: The Minnesota Twins hit six home runs, but still lost to the Tigers 10-7.
- 2021: Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United for a second stint.
- 2023: Ronald Acuña Jr. created the "30-60" club (30 HR/60 SB).
Among these events from Aug. 31, three athletes stand out: Oliver Campbell, Ken Griffey Jr., and Tom Watson. Campbell was the youngest male player to win the U.S. singles title at the time. Griffey Jr. was a 13-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and seven-time Silver Slugger. His “backward hat” style and athletic ability made him a fan favorite.
Watson won eight major championships, including five Open Championships, two Masters titles, and one U.S. Open title. These legends further prove the significance of Aug. 31 in sports history.
