2019: Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James reached 32,929 career points, passing Michael Jordan for 4th place on the all-time list
2000: Los Angeles Lakers C Shaquille O’Neal put up 61 points and 23 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on his 28th birthday
1987: Former Montreal Expos OF Andre Dawson signed a 1-year deal with the Chicago Cubs for just $650K because he thought the natural grass would help his knees and extend his career; he would earn NL MVP honors with 49 HRs and 137 RBI
1983: United States Football League (USFL), arguably the most successful modern-day challenger to the NFL, officially began play
1982: San Antonio Spurs defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 171-166 in 3OT; the 2nd highest-scoring game in NBA history
1973: During an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins OF Larry Hisle became the very 1st DH in MLB history; he would hit 2 HRs and drove in 7 runs
1923: St. Louis Cardinals announced their players would start wearing numbers on their uniforms corresponding to the batting order