June 17, 1994: The O.J. Chase and So Much More
Celebrity obsessed reality TV was born on a Los Angeles freeway
I recently re-watched the excellent ESPN “30 for 30” documentary titled “June 17, 1994.” It was a prominent day in sports history, because, as the film’s director Brett Morgen explains:
“…just about every emotion that relates to sport took place on that day.”
June 17, 1994 was a Friday, and it’s hard to believe that 30 years have passed. While bittersweet, celebratory, record-breaking and ultimately tragic events were playing out in the sports world, I was sitting at a desk in my entry-level job, pre-internet, pre-smartphone.
The day in sports began at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, where the second round of the U.S. Open Golf Championship was being played, and Arnold Palmer, a name synonymous with the sport, was struggling through his final Open round in his home state.
Perhaps surprisingly, Palmer had only won the U.S. Open once, way back in 1960. Still, tears flowed freely as he marched up the 18th fairway, made one last putt, and ultimately gave a very emotional, post-round interview.
Meanwhile, the city of New York was in absolute euphoria, celebrating their Rangers winning the team’s first hockey Stanley Cup in 54…
