Category Archives: Sports

Magic Johnson Puts Lakers Over the Top

Posted on March 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 6, 1980: Magic Johnson has one of his best rookie nights. “It was the most entertaining garbage-time basketball since Hot Rod Hundley wore a Laker uniform,” Scott Ostler says of the Lakers’ victory over Kansas City, 117-101.  On the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lakers, Sports | Comments Off on Magic Johnson Puts Lakers Over the Top

You’re the Umpire!

Posted on March 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 6, 1960 Last season, before the Dodgers' first in Los Angeles, The Times ran a series called "Meet the Dodgers" telling readers about the ballplayers moving to their town. Now that the Dodgers were a known quantity, it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | 1 Comment

Noise Replaces Facts in Politics

Posted on March 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 6, 1960: The Times publishes James Reston’s views on politics after adding the New York Times News Service. Reston calls Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) a tough political operator and describes Vice President Richard Nixon as “nearer to a … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Dodgers, JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Noise Replaces Facts in Politics

Chargers Pick Coliseum Over Rose Bowl

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 4, 1960: The Los Angeles Chargers picked the Coliseum for their home over the Rose Bowl as plans for the American Football League's first season started to come together. Former Rams Coach Sid Gillman would bring his offensive … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Chargers Pick Coliseum Over Rose Bowl

Kennedy Pulls Even With Nixon in Poll

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 4, 1960: Nancy Sinatra greets Elvis! March 4, 1960: Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) pulls even with Vice President Richard Nixon – even though Kennedy is Catholic! (More on the jump). 

Posted in #courts, Dodgers, Front Pages, health, JFK, Music, Politics, Religion, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | 1 Comment

He Might Have Been the Next O.J. Simpson

Posted on March 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 3, 1970: Coverage of the Dodgers' 1970 spring training included several stories about the organization's young talent, but 19-year-old prospect Bobby Valentine, who chose the Dodgers and baseball over USC and football, received a higher level of praise.

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | Comments Off on He Might Have Been the Next O.J. Simpson

Fiery Train Wreck Kills 17

Posted on March 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

The San Francisco Santa Fe Chief smashes into an oil tank truck and trailer 12 miles west of Bakersfield. March 2, 1960: Gov. Pat Brown gives up hope that the California Legislature will abolish the death penalty …  and Elvis … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Fiery Train Wreck Kills 17

Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel Shut Out Disco at Grammys

Posted on February 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 28, 1980: The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" wins the Grammy for best single while Billy Joel's "52nd Street" wins for best album. Bonus appearance: Bob Dylan! … and Jim Murray writes about Spectacular Bid.

Posted in Columnists, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | Comments Off on Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel Shut Out Disco at Grammys

Jim Murray – Making of a Man

Posted on February 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Feb. 24, 1980: Jim Murray profiles golfer Tom Watson.

Posted in #Jim Murray, Columnists, Sports | Comments Off on Jim Murray – Making of a Man

Angels Want Torborg

Posted on February 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 24, 1970 The fan, identified as the president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the Angels fan club in Blythe, got in the middle of an interview between a Times reporter and general manager Dick Walsh. The subject was trade … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Angels Want Torborg

Jarvis Urges Recall of Gov. Brown

Posted on February 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Vice President Richard Nixon greets admirers in South Bend, Ind., while visiting Notre Dame to receive its Patriotism Award. Caryl Chessman and the Finch trial. A good day for news. And the historic Southern Pacific depot on Alameda burns … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, Caryl Chessman, Dodgers, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | 1 Comment

Dodgers Begin Spring Training

Posted on February 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 23, 1960: The champions of the baseball world, the Los Angeles Dodgers, opened spring training and Times sportswriter Frank Finch apparently viewed it as a heavy assignment. Finch spent a lot of space discussing the pounds carried … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers Begin Spring Training

Does L.A. Want the Lakers?

Posted on February 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Feb. 23, 1960: Minneapolis Lakers owner Bob Short was ahead of his time. Reading comments made by Short to a group of basketball writers, one could assume he owned a team in 2010 rather than 1960. After all, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Lakers, Sports | 2 Comments

Angels Borrow a Page From the Dodgers

Posted on February 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 22, 1970 : The Angels were starting their first full season under the control of several ex-Dodgers and unlike what Mike Scioscia and his former Dodger teammates have done for the franchise, the first try at borrowing from … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | 2 Comments

14 Illegal Immigrants Seized in Railway Car

Posted on February 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Feb. 22, 1910: Thomas A. Montez is accused of helping smuggle 14 Chinese men who were found in a boxcar loaded with staves. The cost of being smuggled into the U.S. is about $250 [$5,707.53 USD 2008] each, The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Sports | Comments Off on 14 Illegal Immigrants Seized in Railway Car

Jim Murray, The Marrying Kind

Posted on February 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

       Feb. 21, 1980: Pro golfers really, really love their old clubs! Ask Lou Graham.

Posted in #Jim Murray, Columnists, Sports | Comments Off on Jim Murray, The Marrying Kind

1910 Auto Show

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 20, 1910: The Auto Show at Fiesta Park featured nearly 200 cars. An enormous tent was built at the park and redwood limbs were used to disguise the uprights so that the entire show resembled a forest. There are … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on 1910 Auto Show

Governor Halts Chessman Execution

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Caryl Chessman is prepared for the gas chamber, but gets a last-minute reprieve – for now.  Vice President Richard Nixon visits the winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. An experiment in composting, “one of the disposal systems of the future.” … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Environment, Front Pages, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Governor Halts Chessman Execution

NBA Courting Los Angeles

Posted on February 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 18, 1960 Los Angeles was being courted. "We don't regard the games as test contests—Los Angeles fans already have shown they appreciate big league sports," Marty Blake told The Times leading up to the Lakers' games at the Sports … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Lakers, Sports | 1 Comment

Jim Murray – The Brat No More

Posted on February 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Feb. 17, 1980: Jim Murray [Update: interviews] on Jimmy Connors, “Tennis is a grueling game. It's one on one. It's not a team game. You can't just say, 'Well, shoot, they called that one on the team.' … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Sports | Comments Off on Jim Murray – The Brat No More