This Day in Sports History: June 2
Major sporting events in June include MLB, the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Final, Wimbledon, the U.S. Open Golf, and the Canadian Grand Prix. June 2 has witnessed several notable…
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – JUNE 02: First place winner Simone Biles celebrates on the podium for the uneven bars during the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena on June 02, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Major sporting events in June include MLB, the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Final, Wimbledon, the U.S. Open Golf, and the Canadian Grand Prix. June 2 has witnessed several notable sports moments and legendary performances. Here's a closer look at some of them.
Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records
Great moments in sport that occurred on June 2 include:
- 1869: The Cleveland Forest Citys played the first professional baseball game in Cleveland, losing to the Cincinnati Red Stockings.
- 1896: Henry Griffin won the Belmont Stakes aboard Hastings in 2:24:5.
- 1908: Royal Tourist, ridden by Eddie Dugan, won the Preakness Stakes, posting a four-length victory over Live Wire.
- 1922: MLB first baseman Stuffy McInnis' errorless streak ended after he recorded 1,700 chances.
- 1934: Margaret Scriven defeated Helen Jacobs 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 to become the French Open women's singles tennis champion.
- 1935: Fred Perry beat Gottfried von Cramm in the French Open, becoming the first man to win all four Grand Slam singles titles.
- 1935: Babe Ruth announced his retirement from baseball at the age of 40.
- 1950: St. Louis pitcher Harry Dorish stole home in the fifth inning of a game against the Washington Senators.
- 1958: Brooks Robinson hit into the first of his record four triple plays.
- 1958: Whitey Ford struck out six consecutive batters, tying an American League record.
- 1962: Rod Laver beat Roy Emerson in an all-Australian final to win the French Open men's singles title.
- 1971: Ajax defeated Panathinaikos 2-0 to secure victory in the European Cup.
- 1985: Nancy Lopez won the LPGA Championship by eight strokes.
- 1987: With the first pick in the 1987 MLB Draft, the Seattle Mariners selected Ken Griffey Jr.
- 1989: Eric Davis hit for the cycle.
- 1996: In golf, Annika Sörenstam won back-to-back U.S. Women's Open titles.
- 1997: Albert Belle's 27-game hitting streak with the Chicago White Sox ended, tying a franchise record.
- 2017: Alex Puccio climbed Dead Meadow.
- 2019: South Korean golfer Jeongeun Lee6 won the U.S. Women's Open, securing her first major title.
- 2024: Simone Biles won her ninth U.S. Gymnastics Championship.
- 2024: Japanese golfer Yuka Saso became the U.S. Women's Open champion, winning her second major title.
Looking back on these June 2 events, the ones that stand out are Griffey Jr.'s selection and Biles' gymnastics record.
Griffey Jr. is a National Baseball Hall of Famer known for his exceptional talent, captivating style, and impact on the game. Biles is widely considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She also inspires young people to pursue their dreams.
