January 1950 in Sports History

Events in Sport

Sports History

Jan 15 Red Wings' rookie goalie Terry Sawchuk records his first of 115 career NHL shutouts, as Detroit beats the New York Rangers, 1-0 at Madison Square Garden

Sports History

Jan 18 Indians pitcher Bob Feller, after 15-14 season, takes $20,000 salary cut to $45,000, pay cut is Feller's own suggestion

Jan 20 1950 NFL Draft: Leon Hart from University of Notre Dame first pick by Detroit Lions
Jan 23 AP picks "Miracle Braves" of 1914 as greatest sports upset
Jan 23 NFL rule changes open way for 2-platoon system (offense & defense)

Contract of Interest

Jan 24 Jackie Robinson signs highest contract ($35,000) in Dodger history

Jan 30 Australian Championships Men's Tennis: Frank Sedgman retains title; beats fellow Australian Ken McGregor 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
Jan 30 Australian Championships Women's Tennis: In an all-American final Louise Brough beats Doris Hart 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 for her only Australian singles title

Birthdays in Sport

Jan 1 Wayne Bennett, Australian rugby league coach (Australia 1998, 2004-05; England & Great Britain 2019; Brisbane Broncos, St. George, South Sydney), born in Allora, Australia
Jan 3 Rick MacLeish, Canadian ice hockey center (Stanley Cup 1974, 75; Philadelphia Flyers; NHL All Star 1977, 78), born in Lindsay, Ontario (d. 2016)
Jan 7 Ross Grimsley, American baseball player, born in Topeka, Kansas

Bob Forsch

Jan 13 Bob Forsch, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1974-1989 (St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros), born in Sacramento, California (d. 2011)

Jan 15 Marius Trésor, French footballer, born in Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe
Jan 18 Gilles Villeneuve, Canadian auto racer (World F1 runner-up 1979; Ferrari), born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec (d. 1982)
Jan 18 Pat Sullivan, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1971, Auburn University; NFL: Atlanta Falcons) and coach (TUC, Samford), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2019)
Jan 20 Chuck Lefley, Canadian ice hockey player, born in Winnipeg, Canada
Jan 29 Jody Scheckter, South African auto racer (World F1 Champion 1979), born in East London, South Africa
Jan 30 Jack Newton, Australian golfer (British Open runner-up 1975; US Masters runner-up 1980), born in Cessnock, Australia (d. 2022)
Jan 30 Silvia Bertolaccini, Argentine golfer (4-time LPGA Tour titles), born in Rafaela, Argentina

Deaths in Sport

Jan 8 George Rowe, cricketer (15 wckts in 4 Tests for S Af 1895-1902), dies
Jan 18 Horace Rice, Australian tennis player (Australasian C'ship 1907), dies at 77