Professional Sports 1951

1951 Baseball

The shot heard round the world

Behind 4 to 1 In the bottom of the 9th in the last playoff game against the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giant Bobby Thompson hit a grand slam home run which became the most famous moment in baseball called The shot Heard Round the world.

World Series – New York Yankees win 4 games to 2 over the New York Giants. Known as the The Season of Change with the introduction of Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle and the last game played by Joe DiMaggio. World Series Almanac 1951

New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio known as The Yankee Clipper announced his retirement in December 1951. He had been awarded the MVP 3 times appeared in 13 All-Star games (in every season he played) and still holds the record for his 56 game hitting streak in 1941. Where did you go Joe DiMaggio

Willie Mays begins his career playing for New York Giants. Though off to a slow start at the beginning of the season, he became rookie of the year and went on to play in the 1951 World Series against the New York Yankees. Willie Mays

Chuck Conners made famous as The Rifleman TV series played 61 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1951. He also played for the NBA Boston Celtics. He was the first player to oppose the major league draft. Chuck Conners baseball player

1951 Football

NFL Championship – Los Angeles Rams won 24–17 over the Cleveland Browns

Los Angeles Rams Norm Van Brocklin sets NFL single game record for most passing yards (554) helping the Los Angeles Rams beat the New York Yanks 48–21. Norm Van Brocklin record still stands.

The NFL Pro Bowl is re instituted after a hiatus from 1942 with the American division beating the Nationals 28-27

New rules for the NFL. Tackles, guards and centers become ineligible for forward passes.

1951 Basketball

Chuck Cooper and Coach Red Auerbach

Chuck Cooper became the first black player to play in an NBA game after he was drafted by the Boston Celtics.; Chuck Cooper.

1st NBA All-Star Game: East beats West 111-94 at Boston

NBA Finals – Rochester Royals won 4 games to 3 over the New York Knicks

Athletes of the Year 1951

Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year: Dick Kazmaier, college football

Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year: Maureen Connolly, tennis

Professional Sports 1951

1951 Hockey

Toronto Maple Leafs player Bill Barilko went missing in a suspected plane crash on a Canadian fishing trip. The wreckage and his body were not found until 11 years later. Bill Barilko.

Art Ross Memorial Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer during the regular season: Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings

Hart Memorial Trophy – for the NHL's Most Valuable Player: Milt Schmidt, Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup – Toronto Maple Leafs win 4 games to 1 over the Montreal Canadiens

World Hockey Championship: Canada's Lethbridge Maple Leafs

1951 Boxing

sugar ray robinson vs randy turpin 1951

Randy Turpin and English Boxer known as the Leamington Larruper beat Sugar Ray Robinson in June 1951 to win the World Middleweight title. He was big news until he lost to Robinson at the New York Polo Grounds in September. Randy Turpin

1951 Golf

Masters Tournament – Ben Hogan
U.S. Open – Ben Hogan
PGA Championship – Sam Snead
British Open – Max Faulkner
PGA Tour money leader – Lloyd Mangrum – $26,089

Women's Western Open – Patty Berg
U.S. Women's Open – Betsy Rawls
Titleholders Championship – Pat O'Sullivan
LPGA Tour money leader – Babe Zaharias – $15,087

1951 Tennis Grand Slam

Australian Open – Dick Savitt
French Open – Jaroslav Drobny
Wimbledon championships – Dick Savitt
US Open – Frank Sedgman

Australian Open – Nancye Wynne Bolton
French Open – Shirley Fry
Wimbledon championships – Doris Hart
US Open – Maureen Connolly

Davis Cup – Australia wins 3–2 over the United States in world tennis.

1950 Horseracing

Kentucky Derby – Count Turf
Preakness Stakes – Bold
Belmont Stakes – Counterpoint

College Sports 1951

Football 1951

1951 Heisman Trophy - Dick Kazmaier, Princeton HB

1951 SUGAR BOWL: #3 Maryland Terrapins 24 over  #1 Tennessee Volunteers 7

1951 COTTON BOWL: #15 Kentucky Wildcats 20 over #11 TCU Horned Frogs 7

1951 ROSE BOWL: #4 Illinois Fighting Illini 40 over #7 Stanford Indians 7

1951 ORANGE BOWL: #5 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 17 over #9 Baylor Bears 14

1951 college football champions -  Maryland Terrapins

Basketball 1951

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship – Kentucky wins 68–58 over Kansas State University.