Events in Sports History in July 1931

  • Jul 1 Cleveland Municipal Stadium (MLB: Indians, NFL: Browns, 78,189 capacity) opens; demolished 1996

Boxing Title Fight

Jul 3 German boxer Max Schmeling beats American Young Stribling by TKO in 15 in Cleveland in his first heavyweight title defense; first major fight broadcast live on national radio

  • Jul 3 Wimbledon Women's Tennis: In the first ever all-German final, Cilly Aussem beats Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling 6-2, 7-5
  • Jul 4 Wimbledon Men's Tennis: Sidney Wood Jr beats fellow American Frank Shields in a walkover - ankle injury
  • Jul 6 US Open Golf, Inverness Club, Ohio: Billy Burke wins by 1 stroke from George Von Elm in a second 36-hole playoff; longest playoff in tournament history
  • Jul 11 NY Giants beat Phillies 23-8
  • Jul 12 45,715 fans in 35,000 seat Sportsman Park St Louis, help cause many ground ruled doubles, 11 in 1st game & 21 in 2nd game for 32
  • Jul 23 France announces it can't afford to send a team to 1932 LA Olympics

World Record

Jul 24 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 2 mile (8:59.6)

  • Jul 26 25th Tour de France won by Antonin Magne of France

International Lawn Tennis Challenge

Jul 26 International Lawn Tennis Challenge, Paris, France: Henri Cochet beats Fred Perry 6-4, 1-6, 9-7, 6-3 to give France 3-2 win over Great Britain and 5th straight title

  • Jul 26 LPGA Western Open Women's Golf, Midlothian CC: June Beebe beats Mrs. Melvin Jones, 3 & 2 for golf's only major title
  • Jul 28 White Sox score 11 in 8th to beat Yankees 14-12