THE DAYS THAT WERE : 15 YEARS AGO, VAN NUYS GOT ITSELF A TRUE OLYMPIC HERO.Byline: Tom Hoffarth As the year 2000 approaches, here's a look at some of the interesting anniversaries in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. sports history this week: Feb. 15, 1989: Orel Hershiser Feb. 16, 1972: Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain (August 21, 1936–October 12, 1999), nicknamed Wilt the Stilt and The Big Dipper, was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player for the Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors, the tops 30,000 career regular-season points in a game against Phoenix. Feb. 16, 1984: Van Nuys' Bill Johnson becomes the first - and thus far, the only - American to win an Olympic downhill ski race when he takes the gold medal in Sarajevo. Feb. 16, 1992: The Lakers retire Magic Johnson's No. 32. But guess what - he'll tear it off the Forum wall and wear it again. Feb. 17, 1985: At Santa Anita, Laffit Pincay Jr. rides his 6,000th career winner. Feb. 19, 1983: Fernando Valenzuela becomes not only the highest-paid Dodgers player, but baseball's highest-paid third-year player and first to be awarded $1 million in arbitration. Feb. 19, 1984: Pedro Guerrero wears the crown of highest-paid Dodgers player, signing a five-year, $7-million deal. Feb. 19, 1997: UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX volleyball coach Al Scates records an unprecedented 900th career win as the Bruins defeat USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. . Birthdays: Today: Former Dodgers third baseman Ron Cey (51) and former Los Angeles Rams quarterback and the USFL's Los Angeles Express The Los Angeles Express was a team in the United States Football League based in Los Angeles, California. Playing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Express competed in all three of the USFL seasons played, 1983-1985. coach John Hadl (59); Wednesday: Kings star Luc Robitaille (33), former Dodgers pitcher Burt Hooton (49). Saturday: Former Angels pitcher Clyde Wright (56). CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Van Nuys' own Bill Johnson brought home America's only Olympic gold medal in the downhill on February 16, 1984. Daily News File Photo |
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