This Day in Sports History — July 11
1900 — Charlotte Cooper becomes the first individual female Olympic champion.
Britain’s Charlotte Cooper defeated France’s Hélène Prévost in Olympic tennis at the Paris Games.
Fun fact: Cooper was deaf and went on to win five Wimbledon singles championships—an extraordinary career in an era with far fewer opportunities for women in sport.1914 — Babe Ruth makes his MLB debut as a pitcher.
Ruth earned a 4–3 win for the Boston Red Sox over the Cleveland Naps at Fenway Park.
Fun fact: Before becoming baseball’s most famous slugger, Ruth was a standout left-handed pitcher; he posted a 94–46 pitching record with Boston.1930 — Don Bradman begins a historic 334-run Test innings.
At age 21, Australian cricket legend Don Bradman ended the first day of the third Ashes Test against England on 309 not out, ultimately scoring 334.
Fun fact: Bradman’s career Test batting average of 99.94 remains one of sport’s most astonishing statistical records.1950 — The first extra-inning MLB All-Star Game is played.
The National League beat the American League 4–3 in 14 innings at Chicago’s Comiskey Park.
Fun fact: Red Sox star Ted Williams suffered a broken elbow while making a catch during the game, an injury that limited his second half of the season.1981 — Sebastian Coe sets a 1,000-meter world record.
Great Britain’s Sebastian Coe ran 1,000 meters in 2:12.18, setting a world record.
Fun fact: Coe also held world records at 800 meters, 1,500 meters, and the mile—and later became a key figure in bringing the 2012 Olympics to London.1982 — Italy wins the FIFA World Cup.
Italy defeated West Germany 3–1 in Madrid to claim its third men’s World Cup title.
Fun fact: Paolo Rossi scored the opening goal and finished the tournament as its top scorer with six goals, earning the Golden Boot.1985 — Nolan Ryan reaches 4,000 career strikeouts.
Houston Astros ace Nolan Ryan struck out the Mets’ Danny Heep to become the first MLB pitcher to reach 4,000 strikeouts.
Fun fact: Ryan ultimately retired with 5,714 strikeouts, still the all-time MLB record, and threw a record seven no-hitters.1989 — Bo Jackson is named MLB All-Star Game MVP.
Bo Jackson led the American League to a 5–3 win over the National League in Anaheim.
Fun fact: Jackson was an All-Star in both Major League Baseball and the NFL, making him one of the rare true two-sport stars in modern American sports.2010 — Spain wins its first FIFA World Cup.
Andrés Iniesta scored in extra time to give Spain a 1–0 victory over the Netherlands in Johannesburg.
Fun fact: The final produced a then-record 14 yellow cards and one red card, reflecting one of the most physical World Cup finals ever played.2021 — Lionel Messi wins his first major international title with Argentina.
Argentina defeated Brazil 1–0 at the Maracanã to win Copa América, with Ángel Di María scoring the decisive goal.
Fun fact: Messi was named player of the tournament and shared the Golden Boot after recording four goals and five assists.