Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 3, according to the Tribune’s archives.
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Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
High temperature: 95 degrees (1895)
Low temperature: 37 degrees (1945)
Precipitation: 2.9 inches (1885)
Snowfall: None
Walter Payton, a running back who played with Jackson State University, signs autographs for young fans at a College All Star workout at Dyche Stadium in Evanston on July 17, 1975. The All Stars were preparing for game with the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 1, 1975, in Chicago. Payton had been signed by the Chicago Bears. (AP)
1975: Walter Payton became the then highest-paid rookie in Chicago Bears history, signing a three-year contract that would pay him at least $150,000 a year (roughly $897,000 in today’s dollars). The Bears’ first-round pick decided to sign with the team while fishing on property in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, owned by his attorney, Bud Holmes.
Chita Rivera, left, and Gwen Verdon perform during a rehearsal of the musical production “Chicago” in Philadelphia on May 8, 1975. (AP)
Also in 1975: “Chicago the Musical” debuted on Broadway 50 years ago. It was based on the 1926 play of the same name by former Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Directed by Chicago native Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach, the tale of an unfaithful wife who murders her lover then works the judicial system to secure her freedom was set against the backdrop of Prohibition and the Jazz Age.
Michael Jordan set postseason records with his six three-pointers — for the half and the game — and finished with 39 points and 11 assists in the Chicago Bulls’ 122-89 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 1992. (Chicago Tribune)
1992: Michael Jordan dropped six 3-pointers en route to 35 first-half points during Game 1 of the NBA Finals — known as “The Shrug” game — versus the Portland Trail Blazers and Clyde Drexler, whom some thought should have won the regular-season MVP award that Jordan captured.
Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa was suspended for seven games after using a corked bat in a June 3, 2003, game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Wrigley Field. (Chicago Tribune)
2003: Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa was ejected in the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after his bat shattered on a groundout to second base and pieces of cork were found among the shards. Plate umpire Tim McClelland conferred with his crew, then ejected Sosa for using a corked bat.
Sosa had 505 career home runs at that point, Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan later wrote, and many wondered how many had been hit with an illegal bat. The incident forever stained Sosa’s reputation, though not as much as the belief he used steroids, which effectively has kept him out of the Hall of Fame.
Sosa apologized “from the bottom of my heart” after the game. He acknowledged ownership of the bat, explaining that he occasionally used it for batting practice and for home run exhibitions to entertain his fans. He said it had been inadvertently mixed in with his regular bats.
Sosa was suspended for seven games and was traded after the 2004 season. He remained estranged from the Cubs until December 2024.
James Holzhauer’s brother Ian Holzhauer, left, stepmother Allie Holzhauer, center, and father Juergen Holzhauer watch him compete on “Jeopardy!” during a watch party at Two Brothers Barrel House in Naperville on June 3, 2019. Holzhauer did not surpass Ken Jennings’ record of winning $2.5 million during regular season play. (H. Rick Bamman/for the Naperville Sun)
2019: Naperville native James Holzhauer’s “Jeopardy!” win streak ended after 32 consecutive days with total winnings of $2.46 million. The professional gambler lost to University of Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher.
Holzhauer won the “Jeopardy! Masters” tournament in 2023 for which he took home the Alex Trebek trophy and a $500,000 grand prize.
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