1978 in sports (original) (raw)

Baseball

World Series: New York Yankees win 4 games to 2 over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Series MVP is Bucky Dent, New York

February 15: Leon Spinks defeats Muhammad Ali by decision in 15 rounds to win the world's Heavyweight title.
September 15: Muhammad Ali recovers the world's Heavyweight title, beating Leon Spinks by decision in their rematch. It is the first time a boxer wins the world Heavyweight title for a third time.

World Figure Skating Championships:
- Men's champion: Charles Tickner, United States
- Women's champion: Anett P�tzsch, Germany
- Pairs champions: Irina Rodnina & Alexander Saizew, Soviet Union

Grand Slam of golf results:
1. May - The Masters - Gary Player
2. June - US Open - Andy North
3. July - British Open - Jack Nicklaus
4. August - PGA Championship - John Mahaffey
PGA tour's leading money winner for the year: Tom Watson - $362,429

Australia - Melbourne Cup - Arwon
Canada - Queen's Plate - Regal Embrace
France - Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - Alleged
Ireland - Irish Derby Stakes - Shirley Heights
English Triple Crown Races:
1. Two Thousand Guineas Stakes - Roland Gardens
2. Epsom Derby - Shirley Heights
3. St. Leger Stakes - Julio Mariner
July 13: At Belmont Park, Elmont, New York, star jockey, Ron Turcotte is injured in a racing accident ending his career, leaving him a paraplegic.
Affirmed, ridden by jockey Steve Cauthen, wins the United States Triple Crown Races:
1. Kentucky Derby - Affirmed
2. Preakness Stakes - Affirmed
3. Belmont Stakes - Affirmed

Art Ross Memorial Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer during the regular season: Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens
Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL's Most Valuable Player: Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens
Stanley Cup: Montreal Canadiens win 4 games to 2 over the Boston Bruins
World Hockey Championship
- Men's champion: Soviet Union defeated Czechoslovakia
- Junior Men's champion: Soviet Union defeated Sweden
- Note: In the early years of the Junior tournament, Canada did not send a true National Junior team to the event. Instead, the Memorial Cup champions usually went to represent Canada. The exception was 1978 in Montreal, when an "all-star" team was put together.

Alpine Skiing
- The men's overall season champion: Ingemar Stenmark, Sweden
- The women's overall season champion: Hanni Wenzel, Liechtenstein