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Cuban born long-distance runner Alberto Salazar won the first of his three consecutive New York City marathons in a time of 2 hours 9 minutes 41 seconds.

The Phillies faced Kansas City in the 1980 World Series, Philadelphia was lead by the hitting of Mike Schmidt and Pete Rose to win their first ever MLB world championship.

The Dallas Mavericks opened their first NBA season with a 103-92 victory at home against in state rivals the San Antonio Spurs.

Kevin McHale scored 10 points in his debut for the Boston Celtics against Cleveland, Boston won 130-103.

At Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, in a fight billed as "The Last Hurrah", Holmes dominated Ali and was given every round by all three judges, Angelo Dundee stopped the fight after the tenth round.

Cuban super-heavyweight Teofilo Stevenson is the first fighter to win 3 Olympic gold medals in the same division, with a decision victory over Pyotr Zayev in Moscow.

San Diego quarterback Dan Fouts throws for 303 yards at Oakland, by throwing 300+ yards for the fourth straight game he set an NFL record.

Eighteen year-old Wayne Gretzky scores his first NHL goal in the Edmonton Oilers' 4-4 tie with the Canucks at Northlands Coliseum.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson debuted as a rookie on the Los Angeles Lakers, his opening night game he scored 26 points against the San Diego Clippers.

Boston Celtic Chris Ford scored the first three-point basket in NBA history with 3:48 left in the first quarter of a victory over the Houston Rockets at Boston Garden.