November 12, 1970: One of the NBA’s three newest team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, won their first game of the season, and first game ever, on November 12, 1970. The W was a 105-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, another of the three expansion teams. It was the Cavs 11th game of the season, and they didn’t win again until December 6th, at which point they had a 2-27 record. They finished their inaugural season with a 15-67 record.
November 12, 1986: On November 12, 1986 Roger Clemens, then of the Boston Red Sox, became only the third American League pitcher to unanimously win the Cy Young award since writers began giving the award in 1967. That year Clemens won 24 games in only his third season in the league, and he would go on to win seven Cy Young awards throughout his career.
November 14, 1993: On November 14, 1993, a Miami Dolphins win against the Philadelphia Eagles made head coach Don Shula the winningest coach in NFL history, passing George Halas. It was the 325th win of his career. Shula still holds that title with 347 career wins (including postseason wins).
November 15, 1960: Los Angeles forward Elgin Baylor scored 71 points against the New York Knicks on November 15, 1960. Baylor played 45 minutes, made 28 of 48 field goals, and added 15 of 19 from the line. Baylor recorded another 25 rebounds, leading the Lakers in both points and rebounds. It was the highest scoring game of his career, and the Lakers beat the Knicks 123-108.
November 15, 1964: On November 15, 1964, soccer star Johan Cruyff was introduced to the world in his Ajax debut. The then-17-year-old scored Ajax’s only goal in a 3-1 defeat by GVAV.
November 16, 1957: Celtics legend Bill Russell set a new NBA record for most rebounds in a game when he recorded 49 rebounds in a 111-89 win over Philadelphia on November 16, 1957. Russell added 28 points, leading all players. The record lasted only three years, when Wilt Chamberlain tallied 55 rebounds.
November 16, 1962: Wilt Chamberlain has put on so many memorable performances that we may even let some slip. On November 16, 1962, Chamberlain scored 73 points against the New York Knicks, going 29 of 43, adding only 14 rebounds. His 73 point performance against the Knicks came less than a year after he scored 100 points against New York in his greatest game ever.
November 16, 2003: Many consider October 16, 2004 as Leo Messi’s debut with Barcelona. But one of the greatest football players of all time played for Barca once before that game against Espanyol. Messi came in as a substitute for Barcelona during a friendly game against Porto on November 16, 2003.
November 17, 1956: If you walk into Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome, you’ll notice a huge banner reading “Greatest Player Ever” in tribute to fullback Jim Brown. And who can blame the university? On November 17, 1956 the multisport athlete scored 43 points in the regular-season finale against Colgate, setting an NCAA single-game record.
November 17, 2013: On November 17, 2013 Sebastian Vettel set a new record for consecutive Formula One races with his eighth victory in a row at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
November 18, 1949: On November 18, 1949, Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson made history, becoming the first African American baseball player to win the MVP award. It was the legend’s third season in the league, during which he hit a league-high .342, led the majors with 37 stolen bases and tallied 124 RBI.
November 18, 1987: Andre Dawson became the first player from a last-place team to win the MVP award on November 18, 1987. The Cubs finished the 1987 season with 76-85 record, the worst in the East Division. But Dawson himself led the league with 137 RBI and hit 49 home runs.
Notable Birthdays
November 12, 1961 Olympic Gold medalist Nadia Comaneci was born in Onesti, Romania
November 12, 1967 Former professional boxer Michael Moorer was born in Brooklyn, NY
November 12, 1968 Former MLB star Sammy Sosa was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
November 12, 1987 Professional golfer and former world No. 1 Jason Day was born in Beaudesert, Australia
November 12, 1988 NBA star and reigning regular season MVP Russell Westbrook was born in Long Beach, CA
November 13, 1911 Former baseball player and first African American to coach in Major League Baseball, Buck O’Neil, was born in Carrabelle, FL
November 13, 1963 Former NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde was born in Brooklyn, NY
November 13, 1979 Former NBA star Metta World Peace, formerly Ron Artest, was born in Queens, NY
November 14, 1966 Former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling was born in Anchorage, AK
November 16, 1981 Former NFL defensive end Osi Umenyiora was born in London, England
November 16, 1982 Former NBA player Amare Stoudemire was born in Lake Wales, FL
November 17, 1983 Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was born in Los Angeles, CA
November 18, 1962 Former MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer was born Sellersville, PA
