Back in Time: April 1

SI Staff | Apr 1, 2010

Back in Time: April 1

Mike Bossy

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Mike Bossy (New York Islanders) becomes the first NHL rookie to score 50 goals in a season. Also on this day in 1983, Bossy becomes the first NHL player to score 60 goals in three consecutive seasons.

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky breaks Bobby Orr's record with his 103rd assist of the season.

Dwight Gooden

John Iacono/SI

Mets phenom pitcher Doc Gooden avoids suspension for substance abuse by agreeing to enter a drug rehab facility. Also on this day in 1991, Gooden signs a $5.15 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets.

Bart Giamatti

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Former Yale University and National League president Bart Giamatti becomes seventh commissioner of major league baseball. Baseball's new leader, a lifelong Red Sox fan, is the author of "The Green Fields of the Mind", an essay that laments the end of a season in Boston.

Bill Clinton

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

U.S. President Bill Clinton throws out the first ball preceding a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles.

Anthony Epps, Antoine Walker and Ron Mercer

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

At the 58th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, Kentucky -- led by Antoine Walker (middle) -- defeats Syracuse 76-67 to capture the national title.

Born on this Day

AP

Phil Niekro (1939)<br>Kevin Duckworth (1964)<br>Scott Stevens (1964) <br>John ''Jumbo'' Elliot (1965) <br>Mark Jackson (1965) <br>Kevin Dean (1969)<br>Frank Castillo (1969) <br>Ernest Jones (1971) <br>Magdalena Maleeva (1975) <br>Sean Taylor (1983) <br>Brook Lopez (1988) <br>Robin Lopez (1988)