1950s Sports

FOOTBALL

NFL Championship:
Los Angeles Rams (24), Cleveland Browns (17)
This was the first nationally televised championship game.
The Baltimore Colts team was disbanded and the franchise given back to the league
it would be reformed in 1953 by a new owner.
the NFL instituted rule changes,
no offensive tackle, guard, or center would be eligible to catch or touch a forward pass.
The NY Yanks team was folded due to pressure from the NFL the franchise was briefly moved to Dallas (1952)
and named the Dallas Texans before being returned to Baltimore (1953) to again become the Colts

BASEBALL

World Series:
New York Yankees (4 games), New York Giants (2 games)
The Giants clinched the division in game three of a three game playoff against the Dodgers
with a 9th inning, 3 run shot by Bobby Thompson.
Willie Mays plays his first major league game for the NY Giants and his first hit is a home run.
Mickey Mantle also plays in his first game for the NY Yankees.
Joe DiMaggio plays the full season then announces his retirement (we will miss the Yankee Clipper)

BASKETBALL

NBA Championship:
(in 7 games) Rochester Royals (4 games), New York Knicks (3 games)
The NBA shrinks the size of the league from 17 teams down to 11
then during the year the Washington Capitals fold leaving only 10 teams.
The first ever All Star Game is played in Boston, the East beat the West (111-94)

Tennis

Wimbledon:
Mens Singles – (in straight sets) Dick Savitt defeated Ken McGregor (6-4, 6-4, 6-4)
Womens Singles – Doris Hart defeated Shirley Fry (6-1, 6-0)
US (Open) National Championship:
Mens Singles – Frank Sedgman defeated Vic Seixas (6-4, 6-1, 6-1)
Womens Singles – Maureen Connolly Brinker defeated Shirley Fry Irvin (6-3, 1-6, 6-4)

GOLF

PGA Championship: Sam Snead, it was played at Oakmont Country Club
Masters Tournament: Ben Hogan, his first Masters victory.
US Open; Ben Hogan, he calls the par 70 course at Oakland Hills Country Club a monster.
U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship: Betsy Rawls.
Byron Nelson who retired from full-time competitive golf in 1946, wins the Bing Crosby Pro-Am.

HOCKEY

Stanley Cup: (in 5 games) Toronto Maple Leafs (4 games) Montreal Canadiens (1 game)
World Ice Hockey Championships: Team Canada – this is their 14th World Championship victory.
Gordie Howe recovers from his season ending concussion in 1950 to earn the trophy for the NHL’s leading scorer.

BOXING

Sugar Ray Robinson lost the World Middleweight belt in a title match
in London to Randy Turpin, the Great Britain champion.
A rematch was fought in New York 3 months later and Sugar Ray successfully
regained the title in a tenth round technical knockout
Ezzard Charles easily defended his World Heavyweight Boxing Title against Joey Maxim

CAR RACING

Indianapolis 500: Lee Wallard, average speed 126.244 mph.
The Nascar circuit included 41 races up from only 19 last year.
Daytona Beach Road Course the first race of the season was won by Marshall Teague.
The Grand National Champion points competition went to Herb Thomas with 7 wins.

HORSE RACING

1950s Sports – 1951