January, 26, 1989:
Kurt Rambis, nicknamed “Clark Kent” because of his resemblance to the mild-mannered reporter who turns into Superman, scoops up a loose ball and scores at the buzzer to give the Charlotte Hornets an 89-88 win over the Utah Jazz. Despite ardent local support, the first-year franchise will finish 20-62 in its inaugural campaign.
B I R T H D A Y S
Bob Uecker b. 1 935
Jack Youngblood b. 1950
Brian Doyle b. 1955
Wayne Gretzky b. 1961
Vince Carter b. 1977
January 25, 1951:
Longtime antagonists Terrible Ted Lindsay of the Red Wings and Wild Bill Ezinicki of the Bruins renew their hostilities with a four-star imbroglio, enlivening a 3-3 tie at the Olympia in Detroit. The two combatants slug it out in the third period and start up again near the penalty box area after being separated by the linesmen. Each suffers cuts around the eyes, among other abrasions, and each receives a match penalty, a three-game suspension and a $300 fine from the league.
B I R T H D A Y S
Lou Groza b. 1924
Don Mayna rd b. 1937
Steve Prefontaine b. 1951
Mark Duper b. 1959
Chris Chelios b. 1962
January 24, 1988:
UNLV holds Temple scoreless for the last four minutes of the game, wiping out a seven-point deficit, and Anthony Todd hits a short jumper with two seconds left to give the Runnin’ Rebels a 59-58 win over the previously unbeaten Owls at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV (17-1) completes its late surge without leading scorers Jarvis Basnight, who fouls out, and Gerald Paddio, who leaves with an injury. It’s the second time in two seasons that UNLV has beaten Temple on a last-second shot.
B I R T H D A Y S
Giorgio Chinaglia b. 1947
Mary Lou Retton b. 1968
Tshimanga Biakabutuka b. 1974
January 20, 1974:
At age 26, Johnny Miller captures the Tucson Open by three strokes over rookie pro Ben Crenshaw and becomes the first golfer to win the first three events of the year on the PGA Tour. Following his impressive wins at Pebble Beach and Phoenix, Miller is now 37 under par for the year. A 40-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole today clinches the event in what will prove to be his finest season. He’ll lead the PGA earnings list and be named Player of the Year.
B I R T H D A Y S
Carol Heiss b. 1940
John Naber b. 1956
Ozzie Guillen b. 1964
Ron Harper b. 1964
Brian Giles b. 1971
January 19, 1987:
Unassuming role player Louis Orr earns the hero’s laurels for the Knicks on Martin Luther King Day at Madison Square Garden. After the Knicks squander a seven-point lead in the final minute, Orr hits a 22-foot jumper off glass from the head of the circle as time expires to beat Boston, 111-109. It’s a fleeting moment of triumph for a struggling Knicks team against the defending NBA champions, and Orr is quickly engulfed by his joyous teammates after sinking his game-winning buzzer-beater.
B I R T H D A Y S
Bill Mlkvy b. 1931
O.J. Anderson b. 1957
Stefan Edberg b. 1966
Junior Seau b. 1969
Tyrone Wheatley b. 1972
