Events in Sports History in December 1991

French Victory

Dec 1 Davis Cup Tennis, Lyon: Frenchman Guy Forget upsets Pete Sampras 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to clinch a 3-1 final win over the US

Dan Marino

Dec 1 Miami quarterback Dan Marino sets an NFL record when he reaches 3,000 yards passing for the 8th time in his career during Dolphin's 33-14 win over Tampa Bay at Joe Robbie Stadium

Payne Stewart

Dec 1 Reigning US Open champion Payne Stewart wins only 1 hole, but claims the Skins Game at La Quinta and sets record in the process; 3-foot birdie putt at 14th hole earns 8 skins worth $260,000; record for most money won on 1 hole

Dec 2 Australia routs India by 10 wickets in the 1st cricket Test in Brisbane; first Test to be officiated by a match referee; former England captain MJK Smith does the honours
Dec 2 Former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bobby Bonilla becomes highest paid player in MLB when he agrees to record $29 million-5 year deal with New York Mets

Spira Sentenced

Dec 10 Howard Spira sentenced to 2½ years in prison for trying to extort money from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner

New York Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner

Dec 12 NJ Nets set NBA record of 22 blocks beating Nuggets 121-81
Dec 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneer Dexter Manley retires after failing drug test
Dec 13 Ricky Pierce (Seattle) ends NBA free throw streak of 75 games
Dec 14 57th Heisman Trophy Award: Desmond Howard, Michigan (WR)
Dec 16 MLB expansion club Florida Marlins sign their 1st player, 16-year-old pitcher Clemente Nunez
Dec 17 Cleveland Cavaliers beat Miami Heat 148-80, by record 68 pts
Dec 17 NBA's most lopsided game Cleveland beats Miami 148-80
Dec 17 Pittsburgh Penguins score team record 8 goals in one period in 2nd session of 10-2 win over NHL expansion San Jose Sharks
Dec 19 NY Yankee pitcher Steve Howe arrested for cocaine possession
Dec 20 NHL approves expansion teams Tampa Lightning & Ottawa Senators
Dec 24 Ballon d'Or: Marseille forward Jean-Pierre Papin is named Europe's best football player; first from the French League to win the trophy

Pittsburgh Routs Toronto

Dec 26 Future Hockey Hall of Fame right wing Joe Mullen scores 4 goals for the second straight NHL game as the Pittsburgh Penguins rout Toronto, 12-1; Mario Lemieux adds 2 goals & 5 assists and Kevin Stevens has 2 goals & 4 assists