2002 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2002 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 01 Jan 31st Fiesta Bowl: Oregon Defeats Colorado: In a notable college football matchup, the University of Oregon (#2) decisively defeats the University of Colorado (#3) with a score of 38-16 in the 31st Fiesta Bowl.
- 03 Jan University of Miami Wins College Football National Championship: In a decisive victory at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the University of Miami Hurricanes defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 37-14, claiming the college football national championship for the 2001 season.
- 04 Jan Cardinals Sign Matt Morris: The Saint Louis Cardinals signed pitcher Matt Morris to a three-year, $27 million contract, reinforcing their roster for the upcoming baseball season.
- 08 Jan Ozzie Smith Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame: Ozzie Smith, a legendary baseball player, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding career and contributions to the sport.
- 16 Jan Bobo Olson, Boxer's Passing: Bobo Olson, an American professional boxer known for his achievements in the mid-20th century, died at the age of 74.
- 17 Jan Jermaine Dye signs contract extension: On January 17, 2002, Major League Baseball player Jermaine Dye signed a contract extension with the Kansas City Royals, securing his position with the team for additional years. source: mlb.com
- 18 Jan Scott Rolen signs record contract with Philadelphia Phillies: On January 18, 2002, Scott Rolen signed a record contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, marking a significant moment in Major League Baseball history. The deal was notable for its financial terms and Rolen's impact on the team. source: espn.com
- 19 Jan Michael Jordan returns to Chicago: On January 19, 2002, Michael Jordan made a highly publicized return to the Chicago Bulls, reigniting excitement among fans. This event marked a significant moment in sports history as Jordan had previously retired from professional basketball. source: nba.com
- 27 Jan AFC Championship: Patriots defeat Steelers 24-17: In the AFC Championship game on January 27, 2002, the New England Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-17, securing their spot in Super Bowl XXXVI. source: pro-football-reference.com
- 29 Jan Death of Dick Lane, NFL Legend: Dick 'Night Train' Lane, a pioneering African American professional football player known for his exceptional defensive skills, passed away. Lane was a Hall of Fame cornerback who revolutionized defensive play in the NFL during the 1950s and 1960s.
- 08 Feb 2002 Winter Olympics open in Salt Lake City: The 2002 Winter Olympics commenced on February 8, 2002, in Salt Lake City, Utah, marking the first time the city hosted the Winter Games. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Feb XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City: The XIX Olympic Winter Games continued in Salt Lake City on February 9, 2002, featuring athletes from around the world competing in various winter sports. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 10 Feb 52nd NBA All-Star Game: The 52nd NBA All-Star Game was held on February 10, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, featuring top players from the Eastern and Western Conferences. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 12 Feb MLB Acquires Montreal Expos: Major League Baseball makes a historic move by purchasing the Montreal Expos from owner Jeffrey Loria for $120 million. This acquisition marks the first time in MLB history that the league directly owns a professional baseball team, setting the stage for the eventual relocation and rebranding of the franchise.
- 16 Feb Walter Winterbottom: Pioneering English Football Manager: Walter Winterbottom, a significant figure in English football management who was born in 1913, passed away. He was instrumental in developing football coaching and management techniques in the United Kingdom.
- 17 Feb Ward Burton Wins Daytona 500 for Dodge: On February 17, 2002, NASCAR driver Ward Burton won the Daytona 500, driving a Dodge car. This victory was significant for Dodge, marking their first win in the prestigious race since returning to NASCAR's top series. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 20 Feb Willie Thrower: American Football Player Obituary: Willie Thrower, an American football player born in 1930, passed away or was commemorated on this date.
- 24 Feb 2002 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony in Salt Lake City: The closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics took place in Salt Lake City, marking the end of the Winter Games.
- 10 Mar ACC Men's Basketball Tournament Final: Third-ranked Duke University dominated the 49th Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men's Basketball Tournament by decisively beating NC State with a commanding score of 91-61.
- 17 Mar WrestleMania XVIII Wrestling Event: At WrestleMania XVIII held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Triple H defeated Chris Jericho in front of a massive crowd of 68,237 fans, marking a significant moment in professional wrestling entertainment.
- 23 Mar University of Minnesota wins NCAA wrestling championship: On March 23, 2002, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's wrestling team won the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, marking their first national title in the sport. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 24 Mar Craig Perks wins PGA Players Championship: On March 24, 2002, New Zealand golfer Craig Perks won the PGA Players Championship, marking his first major victory on the PGA Tour. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 01 Apr Maryland wins NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: The University of Maryland's men's basketball team won the NCAA Championship, securing their first title in the program's history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 16 Apr Franz Krienbühl, Swiss speed skater dies: Franz Krienbühl, a notable Swiss speed skater, passed away on April 16, 2002. He was known for his contributions to the sport and represented Switzerland in various international competitions. source: swissinfo.ch
- 22 Apr Football Matches in European Leagues: Football matches were played across multiple European leagues, including Bundesliga 2 in Germany, Serie B in Italy, and Liga I in Portugal.
- 28 Apr Lou Thesz, legendary professional wrestler, dies at 86: Lou Thesz, a pioneering figure in professional wrestling, died on April 28, 2002, at the age of 86. He passed away in Orlando, Florida, due to complications from triple bypass surgery. Thesz was renowned for his technical wrestling skills and contributions to the sport. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 04 May Arsenal wins FA Cup Final: Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the 2002 FA Cup Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Ray Parlour opened the scoring in the 70th minute, and Freddie Ljungberg secured the victory with a goal in the 80th minute. source: irishtimes.com
- 07 May Seattle Slew: Legendary American Racehorse: Seattle Slew was a famous American Thoroughbred racehorse born in 1974, renowned for his exceptional racing career and significant impact on horse racing history. He was the tenth horse to win the Triple Crown in 1977 and is considered one of the most remarkable racehorses of the 20th century.
- 08 May Feyenoord Rotterdam wins UEFA Cup Final: On May 8, 2002, Feyenoord Rotterdam won the UEFA Cup Final, defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the final match. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 10 May Founding of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling: Jeff Jarrett, with support from his father Jerry Jarrett, founded Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), an American professional wrestling organization that would become a significant alternative to WWE.
- 13 May Death of Valeriy Lobanovskyi: Valeriy Lobanovskyi, a renowned Soviet and Ukrainian football player and manager, passed away on May 13, 2002, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. He was celebrated for his significant contributions to football, including his tenure as the manager of Dynamo Kyiv and the USSR national team. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 May Roy Keane's Controversial World Cup Departure: A significant moment in Irish football history occurred when team captain Roy Keane was sent home from the World Cup training camp in Saipan by manager Mick McCarthy. The incident stemmed from a heated argument about training conditions, which exposed deep tensions within the Irish national team.
- 26 May Death of Mamo Wolde, Ethiopian Olympic Runner: Mamo Wolde, a notable Ethiopian long-distance runner who competed in multiple Olympic Games, passed away. Wolde was a significant figure in Ethiopian athletics during the mid-20th century.
- 28 May NHL Eastern Conference Final: Hurricanes Triumph: On May 28, 2002, the Carolina Hurricanes secured their first-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, clinching the series 4-2. source: hockey-reference.com
- 31 May 2002 FIFA World Cup begins in South Korea and Japan: The 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, commenced on May 31, 2002. This marked the first time the tournament was held in Asia and co-hosted by two nations. The opening ceremony was declared by South Korean President Kim Dae-jung in Seoul. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 01 Jun Lakers defeat Kings in NBA Western Conference Finals: On June 1, 2002, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Western Conference Finals, advancing to the NBA Finals. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Jun Barry Bonds Breaks Home Run Record: Barry Bonds hit his 587th home run, surpassing Frank Robinson and becoming the fourth player on the all-time career home run list, further cementing his status as a baseball legend.
- 07 Jun England Defeats Argentina in 2002 FIFA World Cup: On June 7, 2002, England defeated Argentina 1-0 in a group stage match at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. source: fifa.com
- 12 Jun Lakers win third consecutive NBA championship: The Los Angeles Lakers secured their third consecutive NBA championship by defeating the New Jersey Nets in the Finals. This victory solidified their dominance in the early 2000s under coach Phil Jackson. source: nba.com
- 13 Jun Detroit Red Wings win Stanley Cup: The Detroit Red Wings clinched the Stanley Cup by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes, marking their third championship in six years. This victory further established their legacy in NHL history. source: nhl.com
- 17 Jun Death of Willie Davenport, Olympic Athlete: Willie Davenport, an American Olympic hurdler and bobsledder, passed away on June 17, 2002. He was known for his achievements in the 110-meter hurdles and his participation in the Winter Olympics. source: olympic.org
- 29 Jun 2002 FIFA World Cup final tournament opening: The 2002 FIFA World Cup final tournament opened on June 29, 2002, in South Korea and Japan. This was the first World Cup held in Asia and featured 32 teams competing for the prestigious title. source: bbc.com
- 30 Jun Brazil wins 2002 FIFA World Cup: On June 30, 2002, Brazil won the FIFA World Cup, defeating Germany 2-0 in the final match held in Yokohama, Japan. This victory marked Brazil's fifth World Cup title, solidifying its status as a football powerhouse. source: bbc.com
- 05 Jul Ted Williams dies at 83: Baseball legend Ted Williams passed away on July 5, 2002, at the age of 83. He is remembered as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history and a two-time MVP. source: nytimes.com
- 06 Jul Serena Williams wins first Wimbledon singles title: On July 6, 2002, Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus Williams in the Wimbledon women's singles final with a score of 7–6^(7–4), 6–3. This victory marked her first Wimbledon singles title and the third major singles title of her career. source: espn.com
- 07 Jul Lleyton Hewitt wins Wimbledon singles title: On July 7, 2002, Lleyton Hewitt defeated David Nalbandian in the Wimbledon men's singles final, securing his second Grand Slam title and first Wimbledon title. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 Jul Michael Schumacher's 5th F1 Championship: German Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher achieves his 5th Formula One World Drivers Championship by winning the French Grand Prix at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest racing drivers in history.
- 23 Jul Record-Breaking Underwater Dive by Vittorio Innocente: Italian diver Vittorio Innocente achieved a remarkable underwater depth record, descending 52.5 meters on the ocean floor near Genoa, Italy, demonstrating exceptional diving skills and endurance.
- 04 Aug Closing Ceremony of XVII Commonwealth Games: The XVII Commonwealth Games, which began on July 25, concluded with its closing ceremony. This international multi-sport event brought together athletes from various Commonwealth nations in a celebration of sport and unity.
- 05 Aug Death of Darrell Porter, Baseball Player: Darrell Porter, a notable professional baseball player who was born in 1952, passed away on this date. Porter was known for his significant contributions to the sport during his career.
- 06 Aug Rich Beem Wins PGA Championship: American golfer Rich Beem won his first major title at the PGA Championship held at Hazeltine National Golf Club, narrowly defeating Tiger Woods by 1 stroke. Simultaneously, Meg Mallon won the Canadian Open Women's Golf at Summerlea Golf Club.
- 11 Aug Karrie Webb wins British Open Women's Golf Championship: On August 11, 2002, Australian golfer Karrie Webb secured her fourth major championship victory by winning the Women's British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in England. Webb's performance included a final-round 68, clinching a two-stroke victory over runner-up Sophie Gustafson. source: abc.net.au
- 16 Aug Major League Baseball Players' Association sets August 30 strike date: On August 16, 2002, the executive board of the Major League Baseball Players' Association voted unanimously to set August 30 as the strike date, moving the sport closer to its ninth work stoppage since 1972. The decision was made after negotiations with team owners stalled over key economic issues, including revenue sharing and a luxury tax on high-payroll teams. source: espn.com
- 18 Aug Rich Beem wins PGA Championship: On August 18, 2002, Rich Beem clinched the PGA Championship, marking his first major victory in professional golf. source: pga.com
- 19 Aug Martin Strel completes Mississippi River swim: Slovenian swimmer Martin Strel completed a 68-day swim of the Mississippi River, covering 3,885 kilometers. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Aug Death of baseball Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm: On August 23, 2002, Hoyt Wilhelm, a renowned baseball Hall of Famer, passed away. His contributions to the sport and his legacy as a pitcher are remembered by fans and historians alike. source: nytimes.com
- 25 Aug ESPN's SportsCenter Milestone: On August 25, 2002, ESPN celebrated the 25,000th episode of its flagship program, 'SportsCenter.' The milestone was marked with special segments and appearances by notable figures, highlighting the program's significance in sports broadcasting. source: middletownpress.com
- 26 Aug First MLB Video Streaming Event: On August 26, 2002, Major League Baseball (MLB) streamed its first live game online, marking a significant step in the digital broadcasting of sports events. This initiative allowed fans to watch games over the internet, expanding the reach of baseball viewership.
- 30 Aug MLB labor agreement prevents strike: On August 30, 2002, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association reached a new labor agreement, averting a potential strike. The agreement addressed issues such as revenue sharing and the competitive balance tax. source: nytimes.com
- 02 Sep WWE introduces World Heavyweight Championship: On September 2, 2002, WWE Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff introduced the World Heavyweight Championship, awarding it to Triple H. This move was made after WWE Undisputed Champion Brock Lesnar declared he would only compete on SmackDown, leaving Raw without a world title. The new championship was directly descended from the former WCW World Championship, which had been acquired by WWE in 2001. source: wwe.com
- 04 Sep Oakland Athletics win 20 consecutive games: The Oakland Athletics set a new American League record by winning 20 consecutive games. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Sep Serena Williams defeats Venus Williams in US Open final: On September 7, 2002, Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus Williams in the US Open final, securing her first Grand Slam singles title. source: tennis.com
- 08 Sep Pete Sampras wins final Grand Slam title at US Open: On September 8, 2002, Pete Sampras won his 14th Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Andre Agassi in the final. source: tennis.com
- 14 Sep Tim Montgomery sets new 100-meter world record in Paris: American sprinter Tim Montgomery set a new world record in the 100 meters, clocking 9.78 seconds at the IAAF Grand Prix final in Paris. This performance surpassed the previous record of 9.79 seconds held by Maurice Greene. source: dawn.com
- 18 Sep Bob Hayes: Olympic Athlete: Bob Hayes, an exceptional American athlete known for his remarkable speed and Olympic achievements, passed away at the age of 60. Hayes was renowned for his sprinting prowess and contributions to track and field sports.
- 22 Sep Death of Mike Webster, NFL Player: Mike Webster, a former NFL player known for his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, passed away on September 22, 2002. He was posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head injuries in football players. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 01 Oct Wang Zhizhi Joins NBA's Los Angeles Clippers: On October 1, 2002, Chinese basketball player Wang Zhizhi signed with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, becoming the first Chinese player to play in the NBA. source: nytimes.com
- 13 Oct Michael Schumacher wins F1 World Championship: On October 13, 2002, German racing driver Michael Schumacher secured his fifth Formula One World Championship title, driving for Ferrari. He clinched the championship at the Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the first driver to win five titles. source: bbc.com
- 14 Oct Los Angeles Angels Win American League Championship: The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim defeated the Minnesota Twins in a decisive five-game series to win the 2002 American League Championship Series, advancing to the World Series.
- 26 Oct Anaheim Angels Win 2002 World Series: On October 26, 2002, the Anaheim Angels secured their first World Series championship by defeating the San Francisco Giants. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Oct Emmitt Smith Breaks NFL Rushing Record: On October 27, 2002, Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys surpassed Walter Payton's NFL rushing record, becoming the league's all-time leading rusher. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Nov 67th Iron Bowl: Auburn Defeats Alabama: In the 67th Iron Bowl college football rivalry game, Auburn University defeated the University of Alabama with a score of 17-7 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
- 24 Nov Montreal Alouettes win Grey Cup: On November 24, 2002, the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Edmonton Eskimos 25-16 in the 90th Grey Cup, held at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. This victory marked the Alouettes' first Grey Cup win since 1977. source: geocities.ws
- 28 Nov Birth of Norm McDonald, Australian Rules Football Player: Norm McDonald was born in 1925, becoming a notable Australian rules football player during his lifetime.
- 09 Dec Lance Armstrong Named Sportsman of the Year: Lance Armstrong, the renowned cyclist who would later be stripped of his Tour de France titles due to doping, was honored by Sports Illustrated as Sportsman of the Year, highlighting his significant athletic achievements at the time.
- 11 Dec Joe Sakic Scores 500th Career Goal: Hockey legend Joe Sakic achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 500th career goal during a game in Vancouver, cementing his status as one of the sport's elite players.
- 18 Dec Jeff Kent Signs Contract with Houston Astros: Professional baseball player Jeff Kent signed a lucrative two-year contract with the Houston Astros, valued at $18.2 million, solidifying his position in Major League Baseball.
- 20 Dec NBA Game Ends in Fan-Player Brawl: A basketball game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors escalated into a significant confrontation, with players and fans engaging in a violent brawl after the game in Oakland, potentially marking a rare instance of visiting team fans attacking their own team.
- 29 Dec Cinergy Field Stadium Demolition in Cincinnati: The historic Cinergy Field stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio was demolished, marking the end of an era for the city's sports infrastructure.
- 30 Dec Roger Clemens Signs with Yankees: Legendary baseball pitcher Roger Clemens agreed to a lucrative one-year contract with the New York Yankees, worth $10.1 million, further solidifying his status as one of the game's top athletes.
What happened in 2002?
Discover what the world looked like in 2002: