Today in sports history, October 29

October 29 marks significant events in sports history. In 1889, the New York Giants clinched the World Series title by defeating the Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3-2, marking their victory in consecutive postseason championships. The New York Yankees hired Ed Barrow as business manager in 1920, a move that set the stage for one of the most successful dynasties in sports history.

Centre College stunned Harvard in a college football upset, ending the Crimson's 25-game unbeaten streak in 1921. Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia Athletics was named American League MVP in 1931 after a dominant 31-win season. Maurice Richard of the Montreal Canadiens tied the NHL record with his 323rd and 324th career goals in 1952.

Cassius Clay, later Muhammad Ali, made his professional boxing debut in 1960 and won a unanimous decision. Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals set a franchise record with 22 assists in 1961. Tom Seaver of the New York Mets won his first Cy Young Award in 1969. Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings became the first NHL player to reach 1,000 career assists in 1970.

Fred Lynn of the Boston Red Sox was named American League Rookie of the Year in 1975. John Havlicek of the Boston Celtics reached 10,000 career field goals in 1977. Thomas Hearns of boxing captured world titles in four weight divisions in 1977. Thomas Hearns knocked out Juan Roldán to win the vacant WBC middleweight championship in 1987.

Washington State upset No. 1 UCLA 34-30 in 1988, a major victory in school history. The San Francisco 49ers' Jerry Rice surpassed James Lofton for the NFL's all-time receiving yards in 1995. The Philadelphia Phillies won their first championship since 1980 in 2003 after completing the rain-suspended World Series. Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants pitched five scoreless innings in 2014 to win Game 7 of the World Series.

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors made an NBA-record 14 3-pointers and scored 52 points in 2018, setting an NBA record. Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers homered for a sixth consecutive World Series game in 2024, breaking a major league record. Trey Yesavage of the Toronto Blue Jays struck out 12 without issuing a walk in 2025, setting a Series strikeout record for a rookie pitcher.