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Most Significant Sports History on December 13th
Learn about December 13th's most significant sports history including the highest-scoring NBA game ever, Dirk's record season, and more!
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December 13th holds multiple shocking events that will go down as some of the most notable events in sports history. Decades ago, a game in the NBA concluded in overtime with the two teams combining for the highest point tally of all-time. Further, a notorious scandal in the MLB surfaced that altered the league as well as the lives of many professional athletes. It is of certainty that the occurrences in pro sports on 12/13 will be remembered forever.
The highest-scoring game in @NBA was between Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets (Pistons won 186–184 in triple OT) pic.twitter.com/F7QuUbjKfO
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) July 26, 2016
YEAR: 1983
SIGNIFICANCE: The Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in 3OT, the highest-scoring game in history
In 1983, the early makings of the “Bad Boys” Pistons had assembled, but before forging their legacy as a defense-first squad, they went toe-to-toe with the Denver Nuggets in the highest-scoring game ever. On this date in 1983, the offensive face-off for the ages transpired as the Detroit Pistons motored their way to a searingly high-scoring 186-184 3 OT victory. Offense came at a premium as they combined to shoot 56.8% from the field, establishing the record for most field goals made (142) and most combined assists (93).
The eventual 2x NBA champion Isiah Thomas led his troops into battle with 47 points, with John Long and Kelly Tripucka serving as a pair of bright spots, lighting it up with 41 and 35 points, respectively. DEN matched DET’s fiery fury with their own offensive power served on a silver platter by scoring-savants Kiki Vandeweghe (career-high 51 points) and Alex English (season-high 47 points). Even with the duo’s dominant performance, they would lose as their team’s defense gave up the most points ever allowed in a game. Both teams’ records moved to 11-12 following the exhausting offensive marathon, representative of how deadlocked they were in this dynamic duel.
YEAR: 2007
SIGNIFICANCE: Senator George Mitchell’s report accused over 80 current and former MLB players of PED and HGH use
After a 20-month investigation by former US Senator George Mitchell of Maine, over 80 current and former Major League Baseball players were named in the 400-plus page report that looked into the use of human growth hormone (HGH) and anabolic steroids. Mitchell was appointed by Commissioner Bud Selig in 2006 after MLB had come under fire for their lack of action and honesty.
Some of the most notable names mentioned on the report included: Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield, and many other superstars that have yet to be voted into the Hall of Fame despite very worthy candidacies. Mitchell concluded that even though the players were the ones that took the PEDs, the whole baseball community was to blame for allowing it to get out of control. After the Mitchell Report, constant drug testing in baseball and many other sports has become incredibly strict and improved the legitimacy of the game.
On this date in 1998, fans in Baltimore witnessed a bonkers start to the Vikings-Ravens game, as the teams combined to return THREE kickoffs for touchdowns in the 1st quarter. I hope you had the over that day. pic.twitter.com/FwLbT4y9EQ
— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) December 14, 2019
YEAR: 1998
SIGNIFICANCE: The Ravens and Vikings combined for 3 KR TDs AND Gary Anderson converted his 34th consecutive FGA
In 1998, the Vikings became just the third team to ever win 15 regular season games. Led by the highest-scoring offense in NFL history at the time (556 points), the lethal combination of QB Randall Cunningham with HOF WRs Cris Carter and a rookie Randy Moss scored at least 24 points in each game and put up 40+ five times. Moss’ 17 REC TDs set a rookie record while Gary Anderson set numerous ones himself as a kicker. In addition to becoming the very first to convert each PAT and FG attempt in a season, his 34 consecutive FGMs (eventually 35) were also an all-time record, which was set on this date in a road victory over the Ravens.
Despite nailing two PATs and six FGs to account for 20 of Minnesota’s 38 points, the native South African was hardly the only special teams standout that day. After his first FG to take an early 3-0 lead, Ravens DB Corey Harris took the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a TD. Following a Minnesota punt and fumble by RB Priest Holmes, the Ravens held strong to force another FG. The one-point lead lasted all but a few seconds, however, as WR Patrick Johnson returned the kickoff for a 97-yard TD. Immediately afterward, the Vikings’ unit responded with an 88-yd KR-TD of their own (David Palmer), combining to set the record with three in the first half.
OTD in 1996:The @BlueJays signed SP Roger Clemens to a 3-Year/$24.75 Million dollar contract. Clemens then won a Cy Young award in 1997 & 98
— Blue Jays Stats (@BlueJaysStats_) December 13, 2014
YEARS: 1956 & 1996
SIGNIFICANCE: Jackie Robinson was traded to the Giants (he promptly retired) & Roger Clemens signed with TOR over BOS/NYY
On this day in MLB history, a couple of all-time greats left their original clubs. In 1956, Jackie Robinson, the first Black player to play in MLB history, was traded from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the rival New York Giants. Robinson, however, refused to report to the Giants. Therefore, the trade, which saw $30,000 and SP Dick Littlefield going to Brooklyn, was called off. Then the 37-year-old promptly retired from the game of baseball, and he did so as a Dodger.
40 years later, SP Roger Clemens was granted free agency after 13 seasons with the Boston Red Sox. On Dec. 13, 1996 the 3x Cy Young winner and Sox legend signed a 3yr/$24.75M contract with division-rival the Toronto Blue Jays. Clemens signing with Toronto was a surprise to many around the baseball landscape, as he declined offers from big teams like Boston and the New York Yankees, the team he would end up joining after this contract expired in 1999. Clemens was an utter success North of the Border with the mid-30’s ace winning back-to-back Cy Young awards in 1997 and 1998.
🗓 This Day in Stats, 2018: @swish41 makes his debut in his 21st season with the @dallasmavs, breaking Kobe Bryant’s NBA record for most seasons with a single team. pic.twitter.com/xZXFJwJNZF
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 13, 2019
YEAR: 2018
SIGNIFICANCE: Dirk Nowitzki broke Kobe Bryant’s record for most seasons played for one team, debuting in his 21st season
As the prized possession of the Dallas Mavericks franchise for 21 uninterrupted seasons, the German-born Dirk Nowitzki captivated the admiration of NBA fans league-wide. The 7-footer’s charisma and signature one-legged fadeaway jumper endlessly serenaded spectators and out-did opponents. Only two years ago today, the NBA champion and MVP took the floor for his 21st consecutive season with the Mavericks to give him the record for most seasons played with the same franchise. This would hurdle Kobe Bryant’s incredible 20-year tenure mark with the Los Angeles Lakers set just two years prior.
Nowitzki’s delayed start to the season was attributed to recovering from ankle surgery, entering the Mavericks-Suns contest late in the first quarter. Phoenix would top Dallas for the seventh straight time to break the Suns’ ghastly seven-game losing streak. Nevertheless, it was a night to remember for Dirk who averaged 20.7 points and 7.5 boards in his illustrious career. This would also be No. 41’s final year in the league with retirement impending at season’s end.
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