Back in Time: May 22

SI Staff | May 22, 2009

Back in Time: May 22

Janet Guthrie

AP

Janet Guthrie sets the fastest time of the second weekend of qualifying, becoming the first woman to earn a starting spot in the Indianapolis 500 since its inception in 1911.

Mario Mendoza

Victor Baldizon/SI

In his last major league at bat, Mario Mendoza (pictured here in 2007) reaches first on a fielder's choice, ending his nine-year career with a .215 batting average. The Ranger infielder's name will become infamous as players struggling at the plate will be described as performing below the `Mendoza Line'.

Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird

Manny Millan/SI

Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird exchange baskets in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals until Boston escaped with a 118-116 victory. Wilkins finished with 47 points and Bird had 34 -- with 20 of his points tallied in the fourth quarter.

Mike Piazza

David Bergman/SI

The Mets trade Preston Wilson, Geoff Goetz and Ed Yarnell to the Marlins for Mike Piazza. Florida had acquired the all-star catcher a week before from the Dodgers along with Todd Zeille in exchange for Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson, Jim Eisenreich, and Manuel Barrios.

Annika Sorenstam

AP

At the Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas, Annika Sorenstam becomes the first woman to play on the PGA tour in 58 years. She ended the day at 1-over par.

Born on this Day

Tony Triolo/SI

Tommy John (1943, pictured) <br>George Best (1946)<br>Graham Harrell (1985) <br>Jose Mesa (1966) <br>Randy Brown (1968) <br>Vaughn Eshelman (1969) <br>Mike Hollis (1972) <br>Julian Tavarez (1973) <br>Dre Bly (1977) <br>Graham Harrell (1985) <br>Chad Tracy (1980)