Today in sports history, September 5

September 5 marks an important day in sports history. In 1906, Bradbury Robinson became the first quarterback to legally throw a forward pass in a game, though his initial attempt was incomplete. The following year, Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run for the Providence Grays and pitched a one-hitter in a victory over Toronto.

Babe Ruth would later become one of the most celebrated baseball players, winning multiple World Series championships and hitting numerous home runs. In 1925, Bobby Jones claimed the U.S. Amateur Championship, building on his already impressive golf career. Nineteen forty-eight saw the U.S. men's tennis team secure its third consecutive Davis Cup title.

Wilma Rudolph made history in 1960 by winning two gold medals in track and field at the Rome Olympics. Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, won the Olympic light-heavyweight boxing gold medal in the same year. A.J. Foyt recorded his first victory in IndyCar racing in 1960, beginning a successful career marked by 67 wins. In 1962, Atlético Madrid secured their first major European trophy by defeating Fiorentina in the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Formula One champion Jochen Rindt tragically died in a crash during practice for the 1970 Italian Grand Prix, but became the first posthumous Formula One world champion. Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard struck out 15 San Francisco Giants during his major league debut in 1971, tying the record for strikeouts by a pitcher in their first game.

In 1972, Palestinian militants took hostages at the Munich Olympics, resulting in the deaths of eleven Israeli athletes and coaches. American sprinter Calvin "Cal" Ripken Jr. set a major league record in 1995 by playing in his 2,130th consecutive game. Mark McGwire hit his 60th home run of the season in 1998, becoming one of only three players to reach the milestone.

The NFL began its season on Thursday night in 2002 with the San Francisco 49ers defeating the New York Giants. Seattle Storm's Lauren Jackson won her second WNBA MVP award in 2007 after leading the league in various categories. Peyton Manning tied an NFL record in 2013 by throwing seven touchdown passes in a season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, setting a new standard for quarterbacks.

Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty scored 40 points in a 94-93 victory over the Dallas Wings in 2021, surpassing Diana Taurasi's WNBA single-season scoring record and becoming the first player in league history with four 40-point games in a single season.