Golf
1949: Early one hazy Texas morning, Ben Hogan almost died when a Greyhound bus collided with his car.
When it became clear a crash is unavoidable, Hogan heroically threw himself in front of his wife Valerie, who was in the passenger’s seat.
Ironically, the engine was tossed back in the driver’s seat and the steering gear was shoved into the rear seat.
While his wife suffered only minor injuries, Hogan suffered a broken collarbone, a smashed rib, a double fracture of the pelvis and a broken ankle.
Hogan would make a remarkable recovery and 16 months later win the U.S. Open.
Baseball
1936: In the first voting for Baseball’s Hall of Fame, a singles hitter beats out the greatest slugger.
Ty Cobb, who had 4,191 career hits, received 222 of 226 votes from players and writers. Babe Ruth, who bashed 714 home runs and Honus Wagner tied for second in the balloting, with 215 votes each.
Also elected to the Hall in Cooperstown, N.Y., were Christy Mathewson (205) and Walter Johnson (189).
Besides his hits record, Cobb also was No. 1 in games (3,034), at-bats (11,429), runs (2,245), batting championships (12) and most seasons hitting .300 (23).
NHL
1980: With two goals against the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers center Phil Esposito joined Gordie Howe as the only NHL players to score 700 regular-season goals.
Compiled by Travon McCall
Source: ESPN.com