TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY MARCH 31

1998  Tampa Bay Devil Rays play their first game ever – lose to Detroit 11-6

1998  Arizona Diamondbacks play their first game ever – lose to Colorado 9-2

1998  Craig Biggio hits into a double play on Opening Day – did not hit into one all of last year

1996  San Antonio Spurs end the month 16-0

1992  Cotton Fitzsimmons of Phoenix wins his 800^th coaching game in the NBA

1975  UCLA wins NCAA tournament beating Kentucky 92-85 – last coaching game for John Wooden (664-162 record) – UCLA’s 10^th title in last 12 years

1973  Ken Norton beats Muhammad Ali in 12 rounds

1931  Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne dies in an airplane crash

1928  Gordie Howe born – played 26 years in professional hockey – 6 time NHL MVP

1878  Jack Johnson born – 1^st black heavyweight champion (1908 to 1915)