Sports Fact of the Day 2/25-2/29/2008

Feb. 25:
2/25/1978:
Led by rookie Swedish goaltender Hardy Astrom, the last-place New York Rangers skate into the hallowed Forum in Montreal and shock the first-overall-in-points Canadiens, 6-3, snapping the Habs' NHL-record 28-game unbeaten streak (23-0-5). It's the first loss for Montreal in over two months. The Rangers play with concerted defensive intensity and brisk checking to protect Astrom, making his NHL debut. When Ron Duguay's goal gives New York a 5-1 lead early in the third period, the demanding local fans actually start booking despite Montreal's unequaled run of excellence since before Christmas.

Birthdays:
Monte Irvin b. 1919
Tony Lema b. 1934
Ron Santo b. 1940
Anders Hedberg b. 1951
Paul O'Neill b. 1963

1964:
The seven-t-one underdog Cassius Clay (who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali) won the world heavyweight boxing championship with a technical knockout over Sonny Liston.

"The boxer confounded and defeated the slugger. Cassius Clay, who for weeks had cried, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," floated and stung-and he whipped Sonny Liston as thoroughly as a man can be whipped." -Tex Maule, March 9, 1964

Packers Fact:
While at Western Michigan in 2005, wide receiver Greg Jennings led the nation by averaging 8.9 catches per game.

Feb. 26:
2/26/1955:
Nashua, Eddie Acaru up, survives a foul claim by the owners of runner-up Saratoga to win the Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah. Nashua's margin is one and a half lengths after some minor bumping between the leaders at the head of the stretch that the stewards deem inconsequential. It's just the start of a legendary year for the highly regarded colt. He'll win 10 of his 12 races, coming in behind Swaps in the Kentucky Derby but finishing first in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Later in the year, he'll beat Swaps in a match race in Chicago. Helped by that nice purse, he'll lead the money-earnings list and be named Horse of the Year.

Birthdays:
Preacher Roe b. 1915
Bobby "Bingo" Smith b. 1946
Rolando Blackman b. 1959
Marshall Faulk b. 1973
Jenny Thompson b. 1973

1995:
The diminutive golfer Corey Pavin joined legends Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer as the only three players ever to win consecutive Los Angeles Opens at Riviera.

"He is one of golf's most imaginative and fearless shot-makers. His ability to play a draw or a fade, a screaming line drive or a marshmallowy high ball, allows him to attack just about any pin from any point on the course. This more than makes up for his short drives." -Alan Shipnuck, January 16, 1995

Feb. 27:
Million Dollar Baby wins four Academy Awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture. The movie about an aging trainer and a woman fighter is based on stories by Jerry Boyd, who drew on his own experiences as a ringside cut man in the tough world of professional boxing. Writing under the pseudonym F.X. Toole, Boyd also left behind an unfinished boxing novel when he died in 2002.

Birthdays:
Raymond Berry b. 1933
John Davidson b. 1953
James Worthy b. 1961
Kent Desormeaux b. 1970
Duce Staley b. 1975

1992:
Teenage golfing sensation Eldrick "Tiger" Woods amazed the Professional Golfers Association when he teed off at the Los Angeles Open.

"At 16 years and two months, he became the youngest golfer ever to play in a PGA Tour event-a man-cub among men in a sport that favors the long-in-the-tooth over the teething." -John Garrity, March 9, 1992

Packers Fact:
While at Iowa, linebacker Abdul Hodge played in each of the Hawkeyes' 50 games during his tenure there. He started each of the last 37.

Feb. 28:
2/28/1949:
For the second time in as many meetings, the Harlem Globetrotters beat the Minneapolis Lakers, 49-45, at Chicago Stadium. Over 20,000 fans pack the Madhouse on Madison for the contrast in styles between the deliberate Lakers and the freewheeling Trotters. Reese Tatum (14 points), Marques Haynes (11) and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton (11) lead a balanced attack for the winners, while George Mikan with 19 points is the only Laker in double figures.

Birthdays:
Frank Malzone b. 1930
Mario Andretti b. 1940
Bubba Smith b. 1945
Ickey Woods b. 1966
Nureddine Morceli b. 1970

1960:
The United States hockey team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, California.

"A solider, a fireman, a couple of carpenters, two insurance peddlers and a television advertising salesman. Unheralded and unsung...these U.S. hockey men drifted into Squaw Valley like wandering minstrels. They left national heroes." -William Leggett, March 7, 1960

Feb. 29:
2/29/1952:
All-American Dick Groat scores 48 points, leading Duke to a 94-64 rout of North Carolina. It's the third time this month that the two-sport star has had 40 points or more in a game (46 against George Washington and 40 against South Carolina). He'll average 26 points and 7.6 assists per game in his senior season, finishing second in the nation in both categories. Turning his attention to baseball after a brief fling in the NBA and a stint in the military, Groat will excel at shortstop for his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates and later the St. Louis Cardinals. He'll hit .325 in 160, win the NL MVP award and lead the Pirates to their first world title in 35 years.

Birthdays:
Pepper Martin b. 1904
Al Rosen b. 1924
Henri Richard b. 1936
Steve Mingori b. 1944
Vonteego Cummings b. 1976

1980:
Hartford's Gordie Howe, 51, became the first player in NHL history to score 800 goals when he scored in the Whalers' 3-0 win over St. Louis.

"As always, his stick stayed high-menacingly high-when the puck was not attached to it. As always, his head never stopped bobbing. And, as always, his eyes, deeply recessed in his scarred face, never stopped blinking. They were working at about one hundred eighty blinks a minute as he skated." -Mark Mulvoy, March 11, 1974

Packers Fact:
Linebacker Abdul Hodge finished his college career at Iowa in 2005 with 453 career tackles. That ranks third in the school's all-time list.