TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - APRIL 8TH

1912 - Sonja Henie, Oslo Norway, ice skater (Olympic-gold-1928,32,36) is born.

1916 - In Corona, California, racecar driver Bob Burman crashes,

killing three and badly injuring five spectators.

1940 - John Havlicek, Martin's Ferry Ohio, NBA hall-of-famer (Boston Celtics) is born.

1941 - Joe Louis TKOs Tony Musto in 9 for Heavyweight boxing title.

1943 - Richard Sears, 1st to win US amateur national tennis match, dies at 81.

1956 - 20th Golf Masters Championship: Jack Burke Jr wins, shooting a 289.
1963 - Tigers claim young pitcher Denny McLain from the White Sox for $25,000.
1966 - AFL chooses 36 year old Al Davis as commissioner.
1968 - Baseballs Opening Day is postponed due to Martin Luther King's assassination.
1969 - First Baseball game in Canada - Montreal Expos beats NY Mets 10-9.
1969 - Expansion teams Royals, Expos, Padres & Pilots win their 1st games.

1974 - Hammerin' Hank Aaron hits 715th HR, breaking Babe Ruth's record in Atlanta.
1975 - Frank Robinson debuts as 1st black baseball manager (Cleve, beats NY 5-3).

1978 - Ford C Frick, baseball commissioner, dies at 83.

1991 - Jockey, Bill Shoemaker, paralyzed in a car accident.
1991 - Major league umpires & baseball reach a 4-year agreement.
1994 - Atlanta Brave Kent Mercker no-hits Dodgers, 6-0.
1994 - Darryl Strawberry enters Betty Ford clinic.
1995 - Oliver McCall beats Larry Holmes in 12 for Heavyweight boxing title.

2014 - Mike Babcock wins his 414th career game as head coach of the

Detroit Red Wings, becoming the winningest coach in Red Wings history

(passing Jack Adams).