[This Date in Sports History is a new feature on the blog. If you have a historical sports event that you’d like us to cover, please email us.]

In 1991 – Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls wrap up their first NBA title with a 108-101 victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles at the Great Western Forum. The Bulls won the series 4-1. It was the first of six titles in the 1990s for Jordan, who would also be named MVP of the finals a record six times.
In 1997 – The first interleague game in MLB history took place. Proving that he didn’t quite get it right back then either, acting commissioner Bud Selig pits the San Francisco Giants versus the Texas Rangers, with the Giants winning 4-3. Useless Trivia Alert: The Giants Stan Javier hits the first ever interleague home run off the Rangers Darren Oliver. (baseballalmanac.com)
In 1981 – The third ever MLB Player’s strike begins and lasts for 60 days. The central issue was free-agent compensation. George Brett, showing his compassion for the fans, said “If anyone stays away (after the strike), my response is this – those people had no right to ever come to the park, because they aren’t true baseball fans.” Major League owners decided to split the 1981 season into two halves, with the first-place teams from each half in each division meeting in a best-of-five divisional playoff series. As a result, the Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers were guaranteed playoff spots as first-half division champions. (baseballalmanac.com)