Events in Sports History in December 1968

Dec 3 MLB Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed to increase amount of offensive run production; decreases strike zone size and lowers height of pitcher's mound from 15" to 10"; changes are successful

Esposito Scores on Brother's Debut

Dec 5 Future Hockey Hall of Fame center Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins scores 2 goals in his goaltender brother Tony's (also HOF) NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens; 2-2 tie

Dec 6 Major League Baseball dismisses Commissioner William Eckert after 3 years

Frazier vs. Bonavena

Dec 10 Joe Frazier beats Oscar Bonavena in 15 for heavyweight boxing title

Ashe 1st Black No. 1

Dec 12 Arthur Ashe becomes 1st black person be ranked #1 in tennis

Orr's 1st Hat Trick

Dec 14 Bobby Orr scores first career hat trick (vs Chicago Blackhawks)

Dec 24 Ballon d'Or: Manchester United's winger George Best wins award for best European football player ahead of teammate Bobby Charlton and Red Star Belgrade winger Dragan Džajić; first Northern Irish national to win the award
Dec 26 Bruin Ted Green sets NHL penalty record of 3 minors, 2 majors & 2 game misconducts in a game against NY Rangers in NY's Madison Square Garden
Dec 28 57th Davis Cup: USA beats Australia in Adelaide (4-1)