January 12 – Former
Pirates slugger
Willie Stargell is the only player elected to the
Baseball Hall of Fame. Stargell, leader of two world champions in Pittsburgh and NL co-MVP in 1979 at age 39, becomes the 17th player to be elected in his first year of eligibility.
Jim Bunning falls four votes shy of the 321 needed for election in his 13th year on the ballot.
August 8 – The first night game ever at
Wrigley Field is played. After an attempt the previous night was rained out, the Cubs defeat the New York Mets 6–4.
December 31 – in a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and
New Jersey Devils, Mario Lemieux scores five goals and becomes the only player in NHL history to score a goal in all five possible game situations in the same game: even-strength,
power play,
shorthanded,
penalty shot, and empty net.
USSR wins the most medals (132) and the most gold medals (55).
September 24 – Canada's
Ben Johnson wins Olympic gold in
100 metres. Two days later, he is stripped of the medal after testing positive for a banned substance.
March 25 – USA's
Tom Jager betters his own world record (22.32) in the 50m freestyle (long course) at a swimming meet in
Orlando, Florida, clocking 22.23.
January 12 – Former
Pirates slugger
Willie Stargell is the only player elected to the
Baseball Hall of Fame. Stargell, leader of two world champions in Pittsburgh and NL co-MVP in 1979 at age 39, becomes the 17th player to be elected in his first year of eligibility.
Jim Bunning falls four votes shy of the 321 needed for election in his 13th year on the ballot.
August 8 – The first night game ever at
Wrigley Field is played. After an attempt the previous night was rained out, the Cubs defeat the New York Mets 6–4.
December 31 – in a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and
New Jersey Devils, Mario Lemieux scores five goals and becomes the only player in NHL history to score a goal in all five possible game situations in the same game: even-strength,
power play,
shorthanded,
penalty shot, and empty net.
USSR wins the most medals (132) and the most gold medals (55).
September 24 – Canada's
Ben Johnson wins Olympic gold in
100 metres. Two days later, he is stripped of the medal after testing positive for a banned substance.
March 25 – USA's
Tom Jager betters his own world record (22.32) in the 50m freestyle (long course) at a swimming meet in
Orlando, Florida, clocking 22.23.