March 15
1869 — The Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first pro baseball team, is organized by George Ellard and Harry Wright.
1940 — Colorado, led by Bob Doll's 15 points, beats Duquesne 51-40 for the NIT championship.
1985 — Larry Holmes scores a 10th-round knockout of David Bey in Las Vegas to retain the world heavyweight title.
1987 — Don Pooley aces the 192-yard 17th hole at the Bay Hill Classic in Orlando and wins $1 million. Pooley receives half and the other half is donated to the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital.
1997 — North Carolina's Dean Smith becomes the career victory leader when the Tar Heels beat Colorado 73-56. Smith, with 877 victories, passes Kentucky coaching legend Adolph Rupp.
2001 — The NCAA men's basketball tournament opens with a series of close calls and upsets, with 15th-seeded Hampton beating second-seeded Iowa State 58-57 in the biggest surprise of the day.