Today in sports, on June 15th, the LA Lakers clinched the NBA Finals victory, concluding their playoff campaign with a remarkable 15-1 record, setting a new benchmark in NBA history.
1901: Willie Anderson narrowly defeats Alex Smith in a playoff to claim the U.S. Open title.
1938: Johnny Vander Meer pitches his second consecutive no-hitter, shutting out the Brooklyn Dodgers 6-0 in the first night game at Ebbets Field.
1947: Lew Worsham wins the U.S. Open, edging out Sam Snead by one stroke in a dramatic final hole playoff.
1951: Joe Louis secures his final knockout victory in professional boxing.
1957: Dick Mayer wins the U.S. Open in a playoff against Cary Middlecoff, finishing seven strokes ahead.
1969: Orville Moody clinches the U.S. Open title with a one-stroke victory over Deane Beman, Al Geiberger, and Bob Rosburg.
1970: Shirley Englehorn triumphs over Kathy Whitworth in a playoff to claim the LPGA championship.
1980: Jack Nicklaus sets a new record for the U.S. Open with a 272 over 72 holes, securing his fourth title.
1984: Thomas Hearns retains his WBC light middleweight title with a second-round knockout of Roberto Durán.
1985: Pinklon Thomas defends his WBC heavyweight title with an eighth-round knockout of Mike Weaver.
1986: Ray Floyd becomes the oldest golfer to win the U.S. Open, finishing two strokes ahead of Chip Beck and Lanny Wadkins.
1987: Michael Spinks defeats Gerry Cooney by TKO in the fifth round, claiming The Ring heavyweight boxing title.
1991: Carl Lewis clinches victory in the long jump at the U.S. Championships with a dramatic final leap of 28 feet, 4¼ inches.
1996: Roy Jones Jr. defends his IBF super middleweight title after playing a professional basketball game earlier in the day.
1997: Ernie Els wins his second U.S. Open, finishing one stroke ahead of Colin Montgomerie with a memorable shot on the 17th hole.
2001: The Los Angeles Lakers complete the best playoff run in NBA history, finishing 15-1 and winning the championship.
2003: Jim Furyk wins his first major championship, tying the lowest 72-hole score in U.S. Open history.
2004: The Detroit Pistons win their first NBA championship in 14 years, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the Finals.
2008: Tiger Woods sinks a crucial birdie putt on the final hole to force an 18-hole playoff at the U.S. Open, eventually winning against Rocco Mediate.
2011: The Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972, defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7.
2014: Martin Kaymer dominates the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, securing victory with an eight-shot margin over Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton.
2014: The San Antonio Spurs win their fifth NBA championship, defeating the Miami Heat in five games.
2015: Duncan Keith leads the Chicago Blackhawks to their third NHL title in six seasons, shutting down the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 in Game 6.
2018: Cristiano Ronaldo scores a hat-trick for Portugal in their 3-3 draw with Spain at the World Cup, setting records in tournament history.
2019: The New Orleans Pelicans trade Anthony Davis to the LA Lakers for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and future draft picks in a blockbuster NBA trade.
