January 1957 in Sports History

Events in Sport

Boxing Title Fight

Jan 2 In the first of 4 meetings between the fighters, Gene Fullmer wins the world middleweight boxing title with a 15-round unanimous decision over Sugar Ray Robinson at New York’s Madison Square Garden

Middle/welterweight championship boxer Sugar Ray Robinson — Middle/welterweight championship boxer
Sugar Ray Robinson

Jan 4 Dodgers buy 44 passenger twin-engine airplane for $775,000

Event of Interest

Jan 5 Dodgers' Jackie Robinson announces his retirement rather than be traded to the NY Giants

Baseball Player Jackie Robinson — Baseball Player
Jackie Robinson

Event of Interest

Jan 10 Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick rules Bing Crosby can keep token stock in Detroit Tigers, even though he owns part of Pittsburgh Pirates

Singer and Actor Bing Crosby — Singer and Actor
Bing Crosby

Jan 13 7th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: Western Conference beats Eastern Conference, 19-10; MVPs: Bert Rechichar, Baltimore Colts, K; Ernie Stautner, Pittsburgh Steelers, DT
Jan 15 Brooklyn Dodgers extend their 5-year lease on Ebbets Field by signing a new 3-year lease with real estate developer Marvin Kratter; club moves to Los Angeles the next year

NBA All-Star Game

Jan 15 7th NBA All-Star Game, Boston Garden: East beats West, 109-97; MVP: Bob Cousy, Boston Celtics, PG

NBA Point Guard Bob Cousy — NBA Point Guard
Bob Cousy

Jan 26 Joseph F Cairnes succeeds Lou Perini as President of Milwaukee Braves

Australian Open Women's Tennis

Jan 28 Australian Championships Women's Tennis: Shirley Fry Irvin wins all-American final; beats Althea Gibson 6-3, 6-4 for her only Australian singles title

Tennis Player Althea Gibson — Tennis Player
Althea Gibson

Australian Men's Tennis Open

Jan 28 Australian Championship Men's Tennis: Ashley Cooper wins 1st of 2 straight Australian titles; beats fellow Australian Neale Fraser 6-3, 9-11, 6-4, 6-2

Tennis Player and Four-Time Major Champion Ashley Cooper — Tennis Player and Four-Time Major Champion
Ashley Cooper

Birthdays in Sport

Jan 1 Vladimir Kiselyov, Russian athlete (Olympic gold, Soviet Union, shot put 1980), born in Myski, Russia (d. 2021)
Jan 2 Lynne Cox, American long-distance open-water swimmer known for easing Cold War tensions by swimming from the US to the Soviet Union in 1987, born in Boston, Massachusetts
Jan 5 Kevin Hastings, Australian rugby league footballer, born in Surry Hills, Australia

Nancy Lopez

Jan 6 Nancy Lopez, American golfer (3 major titles, 48 LPGA Tour wins), born in Torrance, California

Jan 7 Julian Solis, Puerto Rican boxer, born in Rio Pedras, Puerto Rico
Jan 8 Dwight Clark, American NFL wide receiver/executive ("The Catch" 1981 Super Bowl SF 49ers), born in Kingston, North Carolina (d. 2018)
Jan 11 Darryl Dawkins, American basketball center (Philadelphia 76ers, NJ Nets; NBA breaking a backboard rule), born in Orlando, Florida (d. 2015)
Jan 11 Bryan Robson, English soccer midfielder, manager (90 caps; Manchester United, WBA, Middlesborough), born in Chester-le-Street, England
Jan 13 Christina Seufert, Sacraento California, diver (Olympic bronze 1984)
Jan 13 Mark O'Meara, American golfer (US Masters, British Open 1988), born in Goldsboro, North Carolina
Jan 17 Donna Stone, American fencer-epee (Olympics 1996), born in New Jersey
Jan 17 Michel Vaarten, Belgian cyclist, born in Turnhout, Belgium
Jan 19 Ottis Anderson, NFL running back (NY Giants), born in West Palm Beach, Florida
Jan 21 Jacob Green, NFL defensive end (Seattle Seahawk)

Mike Bossy

Jan 22 Mike Bossy, Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame right wing (Stanley Cup 1980-83; Conn Smythe Trophy 1982; 7 x NHL All Star; NY Islanders), born in Montreal, Quebec

Jan 25 Jeff Gossett, American football punter (Oakland Raiders), born in Charleston, Illinois
Jan 26 Ashok Malhotra, Indian cricketer (Indian batsman in 7 Tests 1982-84), born in Amritsar, India
Jan 26 Shivlal Yadav, Indian cricketer (Indian off-spinner 102 Test wickets 1979-87), born in Hyderabad, India