Events in Sports History in October 1979

Sports History

Oct 7 Frank Mahovlich formally retires from the NHL after a failed comeback attempt with the Detroit Red Wings

Oct 10 Nordiques' Real Cloutier sets NHL record of a hat trick in 1st game

NBA Record

Oct 12 Boston Celtics guard Chris Ford scores first 3-point basket in NBA history in 1st quarter of 114-106 win v Houston at Boston Garden; game also marks debut of Boston rookie Larry Bird

Sports History

Oct 12 Future Basketball Hall of Fame forward Magic Johnson makes his debut for Los Angeles Lakers at the San Diego Clippers; Lakers win, 103-102

Oct 14 NHL NY Rangers retire Rod Gilbert's uniform number 7, the first number to be retired by the team

Sports History

Oct 14 NHL's greatest scorer Wayne Gretzky scores his 1st NHL goal

Sports History

Oct 15 NY Knicks retire 2nd number, # 10, Walt Frazier

World Series

Oct 17 Baseball World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates beat Baltimore Orioles, 4-1 at Memorial Stadium for 4 games to 3 series win; MVP: Pirates 1B Willie Stargell

Oct 20 American John Tate beats local favourite Gerrie Coetzee by UD in 15 rounds in Pretoria, South Africa for vacant WBA heavyweight boxing title

New York City Marathon

Oct 21 New York City Marathon: Bill Rodgers wins 4th straight men's title in 2:11:42; defending champion Grete Waitz of Norway takes out women's event in 2:27:33

Oct 21 Ozzie Newsome begins NFL streak of 150 consecutive game receptions

Sports History

Oct 24 Billy Martin punches a marshmallow salesman, puts job in jeopardy

Baseball Player and Manager Billy Martin

Oct 27 Islanders score 2 goals within 6 seconds 3 goals within 44 seconds
Oct 28 Dick Howser (best Yank manager win-lost pct .636) returns to New York, replacing Billy Martin
Oct 29 Billy Martin fired as Yankee manager (2nd time)
Oct 31 Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan wins AL Cy Young Award