THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 2/1

1913 – Jim Thorpe signs a contract to play baseball with the New York Giants.

1914 – The White Sox and Giants play to a 3-3 tie in 10 innings in an exhibition game played in Cairo, Egypt as part of a 56 game world tour.
1950 – Green Bay Packers founder and coach Curly Lambeau resigns after 31 years with the team. He led the Packers to six titles during his tenure.

1967 – The ten team American basketball Association (ABA) is formed.

1968 – Vince Lombardi steps down as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. He would remain as the team’s General Manager for the 1968 season.

1970 – Goalie Terry Sawchuk, then playing with the New York Rangers, records career victory #447 and career shutout #103, his final achievement for both. Both are an NHL record at the time.

1972 – Walter Patulski from Notre Dame is the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, going to Buffalo.

1992 – Barry Bonds re-signs with the Pittsburgh Pirates for one year at $4.7 million. It is the highest single season contract in MLB history at the time.

1995 – Utah Jazz guard John Stockton passes Magic Johnson’s all-time NBA assist mark with 9,221.

2004 – The New England Patriots defeat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 to win Super Bowl XXXVIII. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is named the game’s MVP.

2008 – The New York Mets sign pitcher Johan Santana to a six year $137.5 million contract. It is a record contract for a pitcher at the time.

2009 – The Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 to win Super Bowl XLIII. Steelers WR Santonio Holmes is named MVP.

2014 – Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning sets an NFL record by winning his fifth MVP award.

2014 – Ray Guy from the Raiders becomes the first player who was strictly a punter to be elected o the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2014 – Adam Silver is named NBA Commissioner. 

2015 – The New England Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX. Tom Brady wins another MVP.