Today in sports history, August 15

August 15 marked significant milestones in sports history across multiple disciplines. On this date in 1916, Babe Ruth outpitched Walter Johnson to secure a 1-0 victory for the Boston Red Sox. In 1936, the United States dominated the Olympic diving events, securing all four gold medals in Berlin. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League saw its first no-hit, no-run game in 1943, pitched by Olive Little.

Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler sold World Series radio rights to Gillette for $150,000 in 1945, a pivotal business deal. Babe Didrikson Zaharias claimed her first U.S. Women’s Open title in 1948, leading by eight strokes. The NFL champion Detroit Lions were upset by the College All-Stars in 1958, drawing 70,000 spectators.

Patricia Palinkas broke the gender barrier in 1970, becoming the first woman to play professional football. Jackie Stewart secured his second Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1971, and Jo Siffert achieved a Grand Slam in the Austrian Grand Prix that same year. Vida Blue's stellar 22-4 season in 1971 culminated in AL Cy Young and MVP honors.

Britain's Sebastian Coe broke the 1,500 meters world record in 1979, while Mark McGwire hit a walk-off grand slam in 1990, becoming the first player to achieve 30 home runs in each of his first four full seasons. Tiger Woods clinched his first PGA Championship in 1999, and Phil Mickelson won his inaugural PGA title in 2005. The San Francisco Giants signed a record-breaking $6.2 million draft contract for Buster Posey in 2008.

Jim Thome hit his 599th and 600th career home runs in 2011, becoming the eighth player to reach that milestone. Félix Hernández delivered a perfect game for the Seattle Mariners in 2012, and Philadelphia Phillies rookie Weston Wilson hit for the cycle in 2024, marking a historic achievement for the team.