Events in Sports History in June 1939

1st Major Fight on Television

Jun 1 First major boxing match on US television is the heavyweight bout from NY's Yankee Stadium between former world champion Max Baer and Lou Nova; Nova wins by TKO in 11th round

Jun 1 First night MLB game takes place at Philadelphia's Shribe Park; Phillies lose 5-2 to Pittsburgh Pirates
Jun 3 71st Belmont: James Stout riding Johnstown wins in 2:29.6
Jun 6 NY Giants beat Reds 17-3, with 5 HRs in 4th inning
Jun 12 Baseball Hall of Fame is dedicated in Cooperstown, New York

43rd US Men's Open

Jun 12 US Open Men's Golf, Philadelphia Cricket Club: Byron Nelson wins by 3 strokes from Craig Wood and 7 ahead of Denny Shute in a 36-hole playoff to claim the second of his 5 major titles

Jun 17 44th Women's French Championships: Simonne Mathieu beats Jadwiga Jedrzejowska (6-3, 8-6)

French Men's Championship

Jun 17 French Championships Men's Tennis: American collegiate champion Don McNeill beats countryman Bobby Riggs 7-5, 6-0, 6-3

Tennis Player and Three-Time Major Champion Bobby Riggs

Lou Gehrig Retires

Jun 21 NY Yankees announce Lou Gehrig's retirement after doctors reveal he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Nagurski vs Thesz

Jun 23 Bronko Nagurski beats Lou Thesz in Houston, to win National Wrestling Association world heavyweight title

Hall of Fame American Football Player Bronko Nagurski

Headley Scores 107

Jun 27 Brilliant West Indies batsman George Headley scores 107 to follow his 106 in the 1st innings in 1st cricket Test v England at Lord's; England still wins by 8 wickets