1931 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1931 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 04 Jan Roger Connor: Baseball Veteran Passes: Roger Connor, a notable American baseball player, died at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy in the early days of professional baseball.
- 08 Jan Philadelphia Quakers set NHL losing streak record: The Philadelphia Quakers, an NHL team during the 1930-31 season, set a record for the longest losing streak in NHL history at that time, losing 15 consecutive games from November 29, 1930, to January 8, 1931. source: espn.com
- 28 Jan Donald Bradman's 220 runs for New South Wales against Victoria: On January 28, 1931, Australian cricketer Donald Bradman scored 220 runs for New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This innings was part of a match that concluded in a draw, with New South Wales scoring 382/4 in their second innings. source: thecricketmonthly.com
- 16 Feb Birth of Gamini Goonesena: Gamini Goonesena, a Sri Lankan cricketer and captain of Cambridge University, was born on February 16, 1931, in Colombo, Ceylon. He was known for his all-rounder skills and leadership in cricket. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Feb Birth of Scottish Football Personality Ally McLeod: Alistair Reid MacLeod, known as Ally McLeod, was born on February 26, 1931, in Glasgow, Scotland. He became a prominent Scottish footballer and manager, notably leading the Scotland national team during the 1978 FIFA World Cup. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 01 Mar World Figure Skating Championships in Berlin: The 1931 World Figure Skating Championships concluded in Berlin, with Karl Schäfer of Austria winning the men's competition for the second consecutive year, and Sonja Henie of Norway securing her fifth straight women's title.
- 19 Mar Bill Hoskyns - Olympic Fencer: Bill Hoskyns, an English Olympic fencer who won a silver medal in the 1964 Olympics, was noted on this date.
- 27 Mar John McGraw Dismisses Night Baseball: Baseball manager John McGraw publicly expressed skepticism about the future of night baseball, believing it would not become a popular format for the sport.
- 31 Mar Tragic plane crash kills Knute Rockne: On March 31, 1931, a plane crash claimed the life of Knute Rockne, a legendary American football coach. His death was a significant loss to the sports community and led to widespread mourning. source: britannica.com
- 02 Apr Jackie Mitchell strikes out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in exhibition game: On April 2, 1931, 17-year-old Jackie Mitchell, a pitcher for the Chattanooga Lookouts, struck out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in succession during an exhibition game against the New York Yankees. This event marked a significant moment in baseball history, highlighting Mitchell's skill and challenging prevailing gender norms in the sport. source: mlb.com
- 07 Apr Seals Stadium opens in San Francisco: Seals Stadium, a minor league baseball stadium in San Francisco, opened on April 7, 1931. It became the home of the San Francisco Seals and later the San Francisco Giants. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 14 Apr Montreal Canadiens Win Stanley Cup: The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Stanley Cup finals, winning the series 3 games to 2. This victory reinforced the Canadiens' status as a dominant hockey franchise.
- 15 Apr Ernie Lombardi's Major League Baseball Debut: Ernie Lombardi made his major league baseball debut with the Brooklyn Robins, impressively going 2-for-2 in his first game, launching what would become a notable baseball career.
- 25 Apr A.J.Y. Hopkins, Australian cricket player, dies: A.J.Y. Hopkins, a notable Australian cricketer, passed away on April 25, 1931. He was known for his contributions to the sport during the early 20th century. source: britannica.com
- 26 Apr Lou Gehrig's controversial home run incident: On April 26, 1931, Lou Gehrig hit a controversial home run during a game, which sparked debate over whether it should have counted. This incident is part of his storied baseball career. source: britannica.com
- 29 Apr Cleveland Indians No-Hitter: On April 29, 1931, Wes Ferrell of the Cleveland Indians pitched a 9-0 no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns, striking out eight and contributing offensively with a home run and a double, driving in four runs. source: mlb.com
- 09 May 57th Preakness Stakes: On May 9, 1931, the thoroughbred racehorse Mate won the 57th Preakness Stakes. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 30 May William 'Red' Hill's third Niagara Falls barrel stunt: On May 30, 1931, Canadian daredevil William 'Red' Hill Sr. successfully navigated the Niagara River's Whirlpool Rapids in a steel barrel, marking his third such feat. The journey began at the Maid of the Mist landing and concluded at Queenston, Ontario, with Hill emerging with only minor cuts and bruises. source: tourniagara.com
- 13 Jun 9th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race: The 9th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe on June 13 and 14, 1931. The race was won by Lord Howe and Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin driving an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 LM, covering a distance of 3,017.654 km at an average speed of 125.735 km/h. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Jun 3rd Ryder Cup Golf Tournament: The 3rd Ryder Cup Matches were held on June 26–27, 1931, at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio. The United States team, captained by Walter Hagen, defeated Great Britain 9–3. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 01 Jul Cleveland Municipal Stadium Completed: Cleveland Municipal Stadium is completed, a significant sports and civic infrastructure project that would become an iconic venue for baseball and football.
- 03 Jul Max Schmeling wins heavyweight boxing title: On July 3, 1931, German boxer Max Schmeling won the World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Jack Sharkey in a bout held in New York City. Schmeling's victory was significant, as he became the first German to hold the heavyweight title, marking a milestone in boxing history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Jul Kaye Don sets water speed record on Lake Garda: On July 9, 1931, British speedboat driver Kaye Don achieved a new water speed record of 110.223 mph (177.387 km/h) on Lake Garda, Italy, piloting the 'Miss England II'. source: motorsportmagazine.com
- 11 Jul Ernst-Happel-Stadion opens in Vienna: The Ernst-Happel-Stadion, originally known as Praterstadion, was inaugurated in Vienna, Austria, on July 11, 1931. Designed by architect Otto Ernst Schweizer, the stadium was constructed between 1929 and 1931 to host the second Workers' Olympiad. It initially had a capacity of approximately 60,000 spectators. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 Jul Gene Fullmer: Middleweight boxing champion: Gene Fullmer, an American professional boxer, became the world middleweight champion on July 21, 1931. Known for his aggressive style and resilience, Fullmer's victory marked a significant achievement in his boxing career. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 25 Jul Paavo Nurmi sets world record: On July 25, 1931, Finnish long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi set a new world record in the 10,000 meters event. This achievement added to his legacy as one of the greatest distance runners in history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Aug Spakenburg Soccer Team established: On August 15, 1931, the Dutch football club Sportvereniging Spakenburg was founded in Bunschoten-Spakenburg, Netherlands. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 20 Aug Helen Moody wins 45th US Women's Tennis Championship: Helen Moody, an American tennis player, won the 45th US Women's Tennis Championship on August 20, 1931. This victory marked a significant achievement in her career, solidifying her status as one of the top players of her time. source: tennis.com
- 21 Aug Babe Ruth reaches 600 home run milestone: On August 21, 1931, Babe Ruth hit his 600th career home run, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to reach this milestone. This achievement further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. source: nytimes.com
- 23 Aug Lefty Grove's losing streak ends: On August 23, 1931, baseball pitcher Lefty Grove ended his losing streak, marking a significant moment in his career. Grove was known for his exceptional skills on the mound, and this turnaround was celebrated by fans. source: baseball-reference.com
- 01 Sep Lou Gehrig hits third grand slam in four days: On September 1, 1931, Lou Gehrig hit his third grand slam in four days, leading the New York Yankees to a 5-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. This home run, his 40th of the season, came in the third inning off pitcher Ed Morris. source: thisdayinbaseball.com
- 15 Sep Philadelphia Athletics clinch American League pennant: On September 15, 1931, the Philadelphia Athletics secured the American League pennant by defeating the Cleveland Indians 14-3 at home. Every starter contributed with at least one hit and one RBI. Veteran pitcher Eddie Rommel earned the win, marking manager Connie Mack's third consecutive and ninth overall American League championship. source: thisdayinbaseball.com
- 16 Sep St. Louis Cardinals Win National League Championship: The St. Louis Cardinals secured their National League championship with a 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, continuing their successful baseball season.
- 17 Sep MLB Doubles Record Set by Earl Webb: On September 17, 1931, Earl Webb of the Boston Red Sox set a Major League Baseball record by hitting 67 doubles in a single season, a mark that still stands today. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Sep Lefty Grove's 30th win: On September 19, 1931, Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia Athletics achieved his 30th win of the season by defeating the Chicago White Sox 3-1. This victory marked the first 30-win season in Major League Baseball since 1920. source: baseballhall.org
- 27 Sep Lou Gehrig's consecutive game streak continues: On September 27, 1931, baseball player Lou Gehrig continued his record-setting consecutive game streak, which would eventually reach 2,130 games. His remarkable achievement is celebrated as one of the greatest in sports history. source: britannica.com
- 07 Oct Cotton Fitzsimmons Birth: Cotton Fitzsimmons, an American basketball coach who would have a significant impact on professional basketball, was born. He would go on to have a notable career in coaching until his death in 2004.
- 10 Oct St. Louis Cardinals win 28th World Series: On October 10, 1931, the St. Louis Cardinals clinched their 28th World Series title, defeating the Philadelphia Athletics. This victory further solidified the Cardinals' reputation as one of baseball's most successful franchises. source: britannica.com
- 25 Oct Jimmy McIlroy: Northern Irish football legend: Jimmy McIlroy, a prominent Northern Irish footballer, was born on October 25, 1931. He is remembered for his significant contributions to the sport, particularly during his time with Burnley and the Northern Ireland national team. source: britannica.com
- 26 Oct Birth of baseball owner Charles Comiskey: Charles Comiskey, the influential owner of the Chicago White Sox, was born on October 26, 1931. He played a crucial role in the development of Major League Baseball and is remembered for his contributions to the sport. source: britannica.com
- 12 Nov Maple Leaf Gardens opens in Toronto: Maple Leaf Gardens, a historic arena in Toronto, opened on November 12, 1931, with the Toronto Maple Leafs losing 2–1 to the Chicago Black Hawks. The opening night attracted over 13,000 spectators, marking a significant milestone in Canadian sports history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Dec Montreal AAA wins Grey Cup: On December 5, 1931, the Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers defeated the Regina Roughriders 22–0 to win the 19th Grey Cup, marking the first time a team from outside Ontario claimed the championship. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Dec Major League Baseball Squad Size Reduction: Major League Baseball implements a significant roster management change by reducing team squad sizes from 25 to 23 players. Simultaneously, the National League maintains its policy of prohibiting uniform numbers.
- 11 Dec Cubs Trade Hack Wilson: The Chicago Cubs trade players Hack Wilson and Bud Teachout to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Burleigh Grimes, a notable player transaction in Major League Baseball.
- 12 Dec Army defeats Navy in annual football game: On December 12, 1931, the United States Military Academy's football team defeated the United States Naval Academy's team 17–7 in the annual Army-Navy Game held at Yankee Stadium. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 18 Dec Birth of New Zealand cricketer Noel McGregor: Spencer Noel McGregor, a future Test cricketer for New Zealand, was born in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. He would go on to play 25 Test matches between 1955 and 1965. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Dec Donald Bradman scores 100 in Sydney Test match: Australian cricketer Donald Bradman achieved a century in the Test match against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 20 Dec Formation of Kragujevac Football Subassociation: The Kragujevac Football Subassociation was established in Kragujevac, Serbia, to oversee and promote football activities in the region. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 25 Dec Cricket Batting Achievement: Albert Lonergan scores an impressive 137 runs in a match between South Africa and Queensland in Adelaide, playing in front of 5,697 spectators.
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