1966 – Sandy Koufax (Los Angeles Dodgers) announced his retirement from major league baseball.

1979 – Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) signed a four-year contract for $4.5 million. At the time, Ryan was the highest paid player in major league baseball.

1984 – Dwight Gooden (New York Mets), at 20 years old, became the youngest major league pitcher to be named Rookie of the Year in the National League.

1996 – Albert Belle signed a 5-year contract with the White Sox for a record $55 million. He was the first player to surpass the $10 million per year mark.

2001 – Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) became the first baseball player to win four Most Valuable Player Awards.

2004 – During a Detroit Pistons and Indian Pacers game a fight broke out involving fans and players. Several players were suspended and all involved were later charged with assault and battery.

Birthdays

1938 – Ted Turner, American broadcasting mogul/owns (Atlanta Braves)/won America’s Cup

1949 – Ahmad Rashad, [Bobby Moore], NFL receiver (Minnesota Vikings)/sportscaster

1958 – Michael Wilbon, sports analyst

1973 – Jamir Miller, NFL outside linebacker (Cardinals, Browns)

1979 – Ryan Howard, American baseball player