This Day in Sports History

Nov. 4

1934 — The Detroit Lions rush for an NFL record 426 yards in a 40-7 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The only bright spot for the Pirates is scoring the first touchdown against Detroit this season, ending the Lions’ shutout streak at seven games.

1951 — The United States wins six of eight singles matches and ties another to win the Ryder Cup 9½-2½ over Britain at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. The margin of victory is the second largest since cup play began in 1927.

1960 — Wilt Chamberlain of Philadelphia scores 44 points and sets an NBA record by missing all 10 of his free throws as the Warriors beat the Detroit Pistons 136-121.

1962 — Sonny Randle of the St. Louis Cardinals catches 16 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown in a 31-28 loss to the New York Giants.

1976 — Baseball holds its first free agent draft with 24 players from 13 major league clubs participating. Reggie Jackson eventually signs the most lucrative contract of the group, $2.9 million over five years with the New York Yankees. Others free agents are Joe Rudi, Don Gullett, Gene Tenace, Rollie Fingers, Don Baylor, Bobby Grich and Willie McCovey.

1989 — Sunday Silence holds the late charge by favorite Easy Goer to win the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Classic by a neck at Gulfstream Park. Sunday Silence, ridden by Chris McCarron, pays $6 for $2 to win as the second choice in the Classic betting and runs the mile and a quarter in 2:00 1/5. Sunday Silence had beaten Easy Goer in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness before Easy Goer trounced him in the Belmont Stakes.