April 1941 in Sports History

Events in Sport

US Masters Golf

Apr 6 8th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Craig Wood wins his first major title, 3 strokes ahead of runner-up Byron Nelson; Masters' first wire-to-wire champion

Boxing Title Fight

Apr 8 In his 4th title defense in 9 weeks Joe Louis beats Tony Musto by TKO in the 9th round at the Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri to retain NYSAC heavyweight boxing crown

Apr 9 LPGA Titleholders Championship Women's Golf, Augusta CC: Dorothy Kirby wins comfortably by 16 strokes ahead of Helen Sigel
Apr 9 PGA establishes Golf Hall of Fame
Apr 12 Stanley Cup Final, Olympia Stadium, Detroit, MI: Boston Bruins defeat Detroit Red Wings, 3-1 for a 4-0 series sweep
Apr 14 45th Boston Marathon won by Leslie Pawson in 2:30:38; his third victory in the event
Apr 20 Dodgers start to wear liners in their caps
Apr 26 A tradition begins, 1st organ at a baseball stadium (Chicago Cubs)

Birthdays in Sport

Apr 1 Ajit Wadekar, Indian cricket batsman and captain (37 Tests; top score 143; Bombay), born in Mumbai, India (d. 2018)
Apr 3 Carl Boenish, American father of BASE jumping, born in New Castle, Pennsylvania (d. 1984)
Apr 5 Viktor Kurentsov, Belarusian weightlifter (Olympic gold middleweight 1968; silver 1964; 5 x World C'ship gold middleweight), born in Tukhinka, Belarus (d. 2021)
Apr 10 Mike Stratton, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1964, 65; AFL All-Star 1963–68; Buffalo Bills; NFL: SD Chargers), born in Vonore, Tennessee (d. 2020)
Apr 12 Bobby Moore, English football defender (108 caps; captain World Cup 1966; West Ham United), born in Barking, Essex (d. 1993)
Apr 14 Bob McCammon, Canadian ice hockey coach (Philadelphia Fllyers 1978-84, Vancouver Canucks 1987-91), born in Kenora, Ontario (d. 2021)

Pete Rose (81 years old)

Apr 14 MLB player and manager (Cincinnati Reds), born in Cincinnati, Ohio

Apr 18 Walt Sweeney, American football offensive lineman (9 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1967, 68; San Diego Chargers), born in Cohasset, Massachusetts (d. 2013)
Apr 27 Lee Roy Jordan, American football player, born in Excel, Alabama
Apr 28 Lucien Aimar, French cyclist (won 53rd Tour de France 1966), born in Hyères, France

Deaths in Sport

Apr 22 (Arthur) "Dooley" Briscoe MC, South African cricket batsman (2 Tests; Transvaal) and soldier (Military Cross, 1941), dies in action in Ethiopia at 30