Professional Sports 1974

Baseball 1974

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves breaks Babe Ruth's home run record, by hitting his 715th career home run off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Al Downing at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Hall of Fame bio of Henry Aaron

World Series: Oakland Athletics win 4 games to 1 over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even with the players and owner Charlie Finley at odds, players suing management, players having fist fights in the bullpen, Catfish Hunter and Mr. October Reggie Jackson took the A's to its second Series win in a row. World Series Hall of Fame 1974

Ballad of Ten Cent Beer Night

"There was no question that beer played a part in the riot." Commented Rocket Scientist and American League president Lee McPhail.

The Cleveland Indians looking to fill the stands had the idea of a Ten Cent Beer Night in a game against the Texas Rangers at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The Indians ended up losing the game to a forfeit as drunken sports fans spread violence from the beer soaked stands to the field. The players from both teams led by non other than Rangers manager Billy Martin grabbed bats and fought fans wielding boards, rocks and knives. A fun night was had by all. and violence spreads from the stands onto the field. 10 Cent Beer Night at Wiki

Frank Robinson asked to be traded by the California Angles to the Cleveland Indians and becomes the first Black Major League Baseball manager. He manages for 3 years moving on to manage San Francisco Giants (1981–1984), the Baltimore Orioles (1988–1991) and Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals (2002–2006). Frank Robinson at Baseball Library

Football 1974

John Lennon and Howard Cosell

Super Bowl IX
Date Played: January 12, 1975
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Winner: STEELERS
Final Score: 16-6
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Game MVP: Franco Harris
Half Time Show: Tribute to Duke Ellington with Mercer Ellington and the Grambling State University Band.
30 second commercial: $107000.

The top two defenses in the league, the Purple People Eatersversus the Steel Curtain. Super Bowl IX History

Athletes of the Year 1973

ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year: 1974 Muhammad Ali, boxing

Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year: Muhammad Ali, Boxing

Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year: Chris Evert, Tennis

Boxing 1974

Rumble in the Jungle round 8

The Rumble in the Jungle takes place in Kinshasa, Zaire. After being ousted from boxing for 7 years for refusing the draft, Muhammad Ali knocks out George Foreman in the 8th round to once again become the Heavyweight champion of the world. The Rope-a-Dope Wiki


Basketball 1974

NBA Finals: Boston Celtics win 4 games to 3 over the Milwaukee Bucks. It was an exciting series with the match up of the big boys Dave Cowens of Boston versus Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Milwaukee won two overtime victories to make it 3 games each, in the final game Boston triple teamed Abdul-Jabbar giving Cowen space to score 28 points to win the NBA championship. The 74 Season at NBA.COM.

NHL - Hockey 1974

Art Ross Memorial Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer during the regular season: Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins

Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL's Most Valuable Player: Phil Esposito - Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup - Philadelphia Flyers win 4 games to 2 over the Boston Bruins

World Hockey Championship: Men's champion: Soviet Union defeated Czechoslovakia

Golf 1974

Masters Tournament - Gary Player
U.S. Open - Hale Irwin
British Open - Gary Player
PGA Championship - Lee Trevino
PGA Tour money leader - Johnny Miller - $353,022

LPGA Championship - Sandra Haynie
U.S. Women's Open - Sandra Haynie
LPGA Tour money leader - JoAnne Carner - $87,094 

Horse Racing 1974

Kentucky Derby - Cannonade
Preakness Stakes - Little Current
Belmont Stakes - Little Currentt

College Sports 1974

College Football 1974

1974 Heisman: Archie Griffin, Ohio State RB

1974 ROSE BOWL #5 USC Trojans 18 #3 Ohio State Buckeyes 17

1974 SUGAR BOWL #8 Nebraska Cornhuskers 13 #18 Florida Gators 10

1974 COTTON BOWL #7 Penn State Nittany Lions 41 #12 Baylor Bears 20

1974 ORANGE BOWL #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 13 #2 Alabama Crimson Tide 11

Oklahoma Sooners - college football championship.

College Basketball 1974

In college basketball, Notre Dame defeats UCLA 71-70, ending the Bruins' record 88-game winning streak.

NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship: North Carolina State wins 76-64 over Marquette