Events in Sports History in December 1978

Rodney Hogg

Dec 1 Australian cricket fast bowler Rodney Hogg debuts in 1st Test v England in Brisbane; after Australia all out 116, Hogg makes instant impact by dismissing both high profile England openers Graham Gooch (2) and Geoff Boycott (13)

Dec 2 43rd Iron Bowl: Alabama beats Auburn 34-16 in Birmingham, Alabama

Gavaskar's Double Century

Dec 2 Sunil Gavaskar scores his second double century (205) in Test cricket (as well as 73 on the final day) to guide India to a draw against the West Indies in the 1st Test in Bombay

Dec 2 The Sporting News announces Baltimore Orioles shortstop Mark Belanger winner of his 8th (and final) MLB Gold Glove Award

Rose Highest Paid Player

Dec 5 Free agent Pete Rose signs 4-year, $32 million contract with Phillies becoming highest paid baseball player

Dec 5 Islanders took 28 shots in 1 period vs Penguins, Penguins' Ross Lonsberry failed on 7th penalty shot against Islanders
Dec 8 Commencement of the 1st day/night World Series Cricket supertest at VFL Park, Melbourne
Dec 9 1st game of Women's Pro Basketball League (WBL), Chicago Hustle vs Milwaukee Does
Dec 10 67th Davis Cup: USA beats Great Britain in Rancho Mirage (4-1)
Dec 10 Islanders ends 15 game undefeated streak (12-0-3) to Canadians
Dec 15 Test Cricket debut of Malcolm Marshall, v India at Bangalore

Trootier Sets Scoring Record

Dec 23 NY Islanders center Bryan Trottier sets NHL record scoring 6 points - 4 goals & 2 assists - in 2nd period of 9-4 win over rival NY Rangers; adds goal & assist for game total 8 points; Islanders undefeated home streak stands at 16 games

Dec 25 8th Fiesta Bowl: #8 Arkansas ties #15 UCLA, 10-10
Dec 27 Ballon d'Or: Hamburg's English forward Kevin Keegan wins his 1st of 2 consecutive trophies as best football player in Europe; beats Barcelona striker Hans Krankl and Anderlecht winger Rob Rensenbrink