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On This Day in Sports History: June 21st
Heisman winner Bo Jackson chose the MLB over the NFL, the King clinched his 1st NBA title, and more!
ESPN.com
Already 34 years ago, the first overall pick of the 1986 NFL Draft decided to instead sign with the Kansas City Royals and play Major League Baseball. Just 11 years later, the largest women’s basketball association officially debuted with its first set of regular season games. These amazing occurrences just scratch the surface of the many significant events from June 21st that continue to influence the sports community today.
YEAR: 1986
SIGNIFICANCE: Bo gave up his NFL future to play pro baseball
Two-sport athletes aren’t prevalent in today’s era of professional sports. While Kyler Murray was a top-10 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and first overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, he ultimately chose to play strictly football. However, older sports fans remember the 1985 Heisman Bo Jackson being drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but instead deciding to play professional baseball.
Exactly 34 years ago, Bo Jackson spurned the Bucs and signed with the Kansas City Royals for roughly $600,000. Best known for his blazing speed, Bo enjoyed a solid 8-year MLB career hitting .250 with 141 HRs and 82 thefts in 694 games. He managed to make the 1989 All-Star game where he also was named the game’s MVP. In 1987, Jackson signed with the Oakland Raiders and played with them for the following four years. The 1x Pro Bowler averaged 5.4 YPC on 515 rushes in his 38-game tenure in the NFL. He was the epitome of a multi-sport professional athlete until a disastrous hip injury (the same one Tua recently suffered) shortened his career.
YEAR: 2012 – NBA Finals Game 5
SIGNIFICANCE: LBJ recorded a triple-double to clinch his 1st NBA title and Finals MVP
Eight years ago today, the Big 3-led Miami Heat overpowered the rising stars of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012 Finals. Averaging a combined 65 PPG, 25 RPG, and 13 APG over the five-game series, Miami’s Big 3 secured the franchise’s first Championship. In Game 5, LeBron James clinched the series and the Finals MVP award by recording a triple-double over Kevin Durant and company in the 121-106 victory. The 35-year-old three-ringed King continues to dominate in the Association today (career-high 10.6 APG), hoping to collect his fourth title this postseason in Orlando, Florida.
YEAR: 1939
SIGNIFICANCE: HOF Lou Gehrig retired due to ALS; which is now called Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Yankee legend Lou Gehrig earned the “Iron Horse” title by recording the longest games-played streak in MLB history with 2,130 straight starts. He spent all 17 of his MLB years playing for the New York Yankees and did so proudly, as he currently leads the franchise in all-time triples, RBIs, and XBHs. 81 years ago today, the Yankees announced Gehrig’s retirement due to reports that he has ALS. 13 days later, Lou gave his iconic farewell speech which resonated around the globe. Every year on July 4th, sports fans across the nation honor Lou Gehrig for his dedication to America’s pastime.
YEAR: 1988 – NBA Finals Game 7
SIGNIFICANCE: F James Worthy recorded a triple-double in Game 7 en route to LA’s 2nd straight title
On June 21st 32 years ago, Hall of Famer James Worthy produced the first triple-double of his 12-year NBA tenure when it mattered most. In Game 7 of the 1988 Finals, Worthy posted 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists as the LA Lakers defeated the Bad Boys Pistons 108-105. The Finals MVP assisted Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the Lake Show franchise to become the first NBA team with back-to-back Championships in two decades. Worthy carved a HOF career with the Lakers as a 7x All-Star and 3x NBA Champ.
YEAR: 1997
SIGNIFICANCE: WNBA officially began its 1st regular season
It’s only been 23 years since the WNBA officially debuted with its first set of regular season games: New York Liberty vs. Los Angeles Sparks, Houston Comets vs Cleveland Rockers, and Sacramento Monarchs vs Utah Starz. The league is currently composed of 12 franchises, with five of them acting as direct NBA counterparts since they play in the same arena. Since beginning play in 1997, the WNBA has been the home for the best women’s basketball talent in the world. This past season, the Washington Mystics won their first Championship in franchise history, defeating the Connecticut Sun 3-2 in the 2019 Finals.
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