What was going on in sports world in 1979, when Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers?
What was going on in sports world in 1979, when Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers?
The Los Angeles Lakers proved to a brilliant investment for the Buss family, on and off the court. The Lakers won 11 championships under their ownership. The original sale price in 1979 was $67.5 million. In 2025, the team sold the majority interest to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter for a cool $10 billion. Looking back in sports history, what else was going in sports in 1979?
Twins trade Rod Carew to Angels
On Feb. 3, the Minnesota Twins traded Rod Carew, one of the best hitters in baseball history, to the California Angels for four players.
Magic Johnson leads Michigan State to NCAA title
Foreshadowing a rivalry that would go on for years, on March 26, Magic Johnson scored 24 points as Michigan State defeated Larry Bird and previously undefeated Indiana State for the NCAA championship.
Spectacular Bid wins Kentucky Derby, Preakness
The great 3-year-old Spectacular Bid was on the precipice of Thoroughbred history after winning the Kentucky Derby and Belmont. It was not to be as he was defeated in Belmont by Coastal. Afterward, it was revealed "Bid" had stepped on a safety pin in his stall before the race and injured himself.
Chris Evert 125-match clay win streak snapped
A 125-match win streak on clay that started in 1973 ended when Tracy Austin beat Chris Evert in an Italian Open semifinal.
Phillies 23, Cubs 22
In a May 17 game in Chicago that saw 50 hits, including 11 home runs, the Phillies edged the Cubs. 23-22.
Seattle SuperSonics win NBA championship
The Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Washington Bullets in five games for the NBA championship. In a bit of a sports twist, the team the Supersonics became, the Oklahoma City Thunder is looking to win the 2025 NBA title.
Lakers draft Magic Johnson
The Lakers drafted Magic Johnson with the first pick in the 1979 NBA draft. The Celtics signed Larry Bird, who they had drafted as a junior eligible in 1978, that offseason, too.
Disco Demolition Night
A Chicago White Sox promotion went awry when blowing up disco records led to the team having to forfeit a game to the Detroit Tigers.
Billy Martin manages A's, Yankees
Billy Martin started the 1979 season as manager of the Oakland A's. He was eventually hired by the New York Yankees and then fired in the offseason by George Steinbrenner.
ESPN launches
On Sept. 7, the Entertainment Sports Programming Network, known as ESPN, broadcasts for the first time.
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