November 7th stands aside in the history of sports for rather unique reasons. A truly shocking event in the NBA occurred, when one of the best to ever play the game of basketball abruptly retired due to contracting HIV. On a more positive note, the first-ever black MVP was crowned in the MLB over half a century ago. Events like these represent timelessness, and will forever be talked about among fans of the game.

Jaime Segui also contributed to this article.

Magic's Retirement

https://twitter.com/Bdwal359/status/1325081156858077185

YEAR: 1991

SIGNIFICANCE: Magic Johnson announced his HIV diagnosis and retirement from the NBA

On this date in 1991, the NBA world stood still in the wake of Magic Johnson’s shocking announcement of his HIV-positive diagnosis. The 3x MVP and 12x All-Star was one of the most iconic, recognizable players in the NBA, but then became one of the very first professional athletes to go public with the disease. After being drafted first overall in 1979, Johnson would lead the Lakers to five NBA titles over his 13 seasons, winning Rookie of the Year, three Finals MVPs, and 10 All-NBA First-Team honors.

Magic would never stay too far away from the game, however, as he returned for the 1992 All-Star Game (named MVP) and the 1992 Olympics, where he was a member of the prolific “Dream Team”. In 1996, he managed to return to the Lakers for 32 games nearly five years after his retirement, averaging 14 points, seven assists, and six rebounds while coming off the bench for all but nine games.

1st Black AL MVP

Elston Howard spent 1948 with the famed Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro (American) League. Signed by the #Yankees in 1950 Howard earned (4) World Series titles, (2) Gold Gloves, and the 1963 AL MVP pic.twitter.com/ENPJgBqO99
— OldTimeHardball (@OleTimeHardball) July 25, 2020

YEAR: 1963

SIGNIFICANCE: Elston Howard became the 1st African-American player to win the AL MVP

14 years after Jackie Robinson became the first ever Black MVP in MLB history, doing so in the NL, New York Yankees catcher Elston Howard became the first African American to win the American League’s Most Valuable Player award. Howard, who was 34 years old at the time, hit .282/.342/.869 with 28 HR and 85 RBI. The veteran catcher was one of the leaders alongside Tom Tresh and Whitey Ford that led the 1963 Yankees through a 104-57 season. Howard had already been an instrumental piece of four World Series (1956, 1958, 1961, and 1962) titles prior to winning the AL MVP. The native of St. Louis, MO would finish his career in 1968 as a 12x All-Star, 4x World Champion, 2x Gold Glove winner.

Last Game of 0's

#DidYouKnow: In 1943, the last scoreless game in NFL history ended in a 0-0 tie between the @Lions and @Giants pic.twitter.com/XklS9s3jiv
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) August 10, 2015

YEAR: 1943

SIGNIFICANCE: The Lions and Giants played the very last scoreless tie in NFL history

Over seven and a half decades ago, the Detroit Lions and New York Giants’ offenses stumbled towards the lowest possible score in an NFL game — a 0-0 tie, after overtime expired. A pitiful performance from both sides, the teams accumulated just 214 total yards combined — 31 passing yards, 183 rushing — but surprisingly, only one turnover. In the 100-year history of the NFL, there have been 73 games that ended in a 0-0 tie. Thankfully, however, this game from 1943 holds a place in history as the final scoreless tie in NFL history as the league hasn’t seen one in 77 years.

1st Unanimous NL MVP

YEAR: 1967

SIGNIFICANCE: Orlando Cepeda was the 1st hitter to be named unanimous MVP in NL history

On November 7, 1967, St. Louis Cardinals 1B Orlando Cepeda became the first ever unanimous National League MVP since Carl Hubbell in 1936, but Hubbell was a pitcher when defense dominated the game. Cepeda became the first ever hitter to win the honor unanimously, doing so with a prolific offensive performance. Cepeda hit .325/.399/.923 in what was his 29-year-old season. The Puerto Rico international sensation hit 25 HRs and led the league in RBIs with 111. Cepeda led the ’67 Cardinals’ powerful offense to the World Series, which they won in seven games over the Boston Red Sox. The 1958 NL Rookie of the Year was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans’ Committee in 1999 as an 11x All-Star with over 2,300 hits and 379 HRs in his 17-year career.

1st to 1K Wins

YEAR: 2008

SIGNIFICANCE: Jerry Sloan became the very 1st HC to win 1,000 games with one franchise (Jazz)

Twelve years ago on this date, Jerry Sloan cemented his coaching legacy by securing his 1,000th win as head coach of the Utah Jazz. The very first to reach that feat with a single team, his tenure began 20 years earlier in 1988, when his streak of 16 consecutive winning seasons began with a 40-25 record after taking over for Frank Layden. He would lead the Jazz to their only Finals appearances in franchise history (1997, ’98) while also leading the transition after HOFers John Stockton and Karl Malone.

Sloan would remain in Utah for two more seasons, retiring in 2011 with an overall regular season record of 1221-803 and a 98-104 playoff record. His 1,221 career regular season victories ranked third all-time upon his retirement while 98 playoff victories ranked fifth — until Gregg Popovich passed him in both categories. Sloan is still recognized as one of the greatest coaches of all-time, even though his team was never able to capture a Championship.