January 2nd in New York City History
Joe Namath Joined the Jets;
Isaac Asimov born;
Bobby Fischer wins at 16
Posted: Jan 2, 2013 | 4:38 PM
by Jared Goldstein
1871: George Lewis (Tex) Rickard, the president of Madison Square Garden, born. He was the one who demolished the Stanford White designed MSG2 in 1925, after around 20 years, moved MSG3 to 49th St and 8th Ave, where it remained until around 1963. As far as I can tell, the place had terrible sight lines and acoustics.
1900: Automobile bus service begins in NYC. The route goes from Washington Square Park to the uptown barn where the horses from the era ending the day before lived. 12 passengers ride for a nickel each.
1920: Prolific writer, most known for his science fiction, Isaac Asimov born in Russia. As a New Yorker, he will write nearly 500 books!
1944: Boston trounces the NY Rangers 13-3, their worst home ice loss.
1960: Bobby Fischer wins the US Chess Championship at 16.
1962: The Weavers, a folk rock bastion, were banned from Jack Parr's NBC show after they refused to sign a loyalty oath.
1965: Joe Namath joins the Jets for a record $427,000. He was drafted from the University of Alabama. He was the Quarterback to lead the Jets to its only Superbowl glory.
1968: Cuba Gooding Jr born in the Bronx.