There have been some memorable moments in sports to happen on October 20. This was the day that saw the Philadelphia 76ers acquire one of their best players. It was also the day that saw the birth of the famous Fosbury Flop. Here is a look back at some of the most memorable moments in sports to happen on October 20.
1968 – The Fosbury Flop
The 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City were significant for a number of reasons. But one of the most famous reasons took place on this day. High jumper Dick Fosbury set an Olympic record and won a gold medal after his unconventional jumping style dazzled fans. The famous leap saw Fosbury land head first on the mat. The awkward looking move has become a part of Olympic lore in the United States.
1976 – 76ers get Dr. J
On this day in 1976, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Julius Erving from the New York Nets. The ABA franchise sold Dr. J to the 76ers and helped Philadelphia build a successful era. Erving became a fan favorite and key piece of the 1983 championship team for the 76ers.
1992 – First World Series game played outside the United States
On this day in 1992, the World Series went north of the border for the first time. The Toronto Blue Jays hosted the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the 1992 World Series at Toronto’s SkyDome. The Blue Jays won the game 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the ninth. Toronto would go on to win the World Series.
1993 – 29 runs in World Series game
On this day in 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 15-14 in Game 4 of the World Series. It was the highest scoring game in the history of the event. The game was back and forth but the Phillies eventually took a 14-9 lead. But Toronto scored the last six runs of the game in the eighth inning to steal the win. Strangely, Toronto got no home runs in the game while the Phillies got three.
2004 – Red Sox make history
On this day in 2004, the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 10-3 in Game 7 of the ALCS. The win was the fourth straight in the series for Boston. They would become the first baseball team to erase a 3-0 deficit to win a series. Boston would eventually win their first championship since 1918.
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First round: Def. Philadelphia 76ers 4-1: Only a pair of late-game 3-pointers from 76ers guards Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams in Game 4 kept the Heat from their first playoff sweep since taking out the Washington Wizards in the second round in 2005. Dominance at the foul line allowed the Heat to dominate the series despite shooting just .426 from the field over the five games.
Eastern Conference semifinals: Def. Boston Celtics 4-1: Expecting a challenge similar to the first round in 2010, when the Celtics’ veteran experience proved overwhelming in a five-game ouster, the Heat instead find Boston lacking at center and unable to compensate after Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo sustains an elbow injury late in Game 3, Boston’s only victory of the series.
Eastern Conference finals: Def. Chicago Bulls 4-1: Pounded on the boards in a series-opening blowout loss, the Heat eventually get needed bench boosts from Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller and contain Derrick Rose during the latter stages of games, taking control with a Game 3 overtime victory at AmericanAirlines Arena and closing it out with a Game 5 closing rally.
First round: Def. Portland Trail Blazers 4-2: In perhaps their only significant misstep of the postseason, the Mavericks blew a 67-49 lead at the start of the fourth quarter of Game 3, leaving them down series tied 2-2. Dallas then went on to win the final two games convincingly, in a series that many saw the Trail Blazers having a chance to pull off the upset.
Western Conference semifinals: Def. Los Angeles Lakers 4-0: The Mavericks issued a harsh rebuke to the two-time defending champions, with the quickness of backup point guard J.J. Barea too much for the veteran Lakers to contain. It advanced the Mavericks to the conference finals for the first time since they went on to the 2006 NBA Finals against the Heat.
Western Conference finals: Def. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1: The series was defined by the Mavericks’ rally from a 99-84 deficit with a 17-2 closing run in the final 4:49 of regulation in Game 4, eventually winning 112-105 in overtime on the Thunder’s home court. Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki largely proved unstoppable during the series, creating constant foul trouble for the Thunder.
