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Most Significant Sports History on July 25th
The Cubs traded for NYY's RP Aroldis Chapman, the Angels acquired SP Dan Haren from Arizona, and more!
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On this day four years ago, the Chicago Cubs traded for one of the MLB’s best Closers in an attempt to win the franchise’s first World Series since 1908. Two years after that, three NBA teams executed a five-player swap that would send a promising PG to the Oklahoma City Thunder. These memorable moments are just a few of the many significant events that have occurred on July 25th in history that still impact the pro sports world today.
YEAR: 2016
SIGNIFICANCE: The NYY temporarily gave away Aroldis Chapman to the CHC in exchange for a future superstar
Baseball fans understand that Aroldis Chapman has been among the league’s best Closers of the decade. He made his debut with the Reds in 2010, but didn’t truly hit his stride until his third season where he generated 38 saves and a ludicrous 15.3 K/9 over 71.2 innings with a microscopic 1.51 ERA. Following Chapman’s fourth consecutive campaign with 30+ saves, Cincinnati chose to deal their star reliever to the New York Yankees in exchange for four players.
Four years ago today, the Yankees and Cubs executed a mutually beneficial blockbuster trade: a rarely non-contending NYY team netted four players (including 2B Gleyber Torres and RP Adam Warren) while CHC received Chapman as a rental for the upcoming postseason. As a result, the Cubs gained a much-needed lockdown closer to secure their first World Series victory in over a decade and the Yankees attained a potential superstar for the 2020s.
YEAR: 2018
SIGNIFICANCE: The Thunder netted the potential 6th Man of the Year for their rebuilding process
Exactly two years ago, the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Philadelphia 76ers executed a five-player swap. The transaction sent SF Carmelo Anthony, SF Justin Anderson, and OKC’s 2022 first-round pick to the Hawks, with PG Dennis Schroeder and SG Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot heading to the Thunder, and PF Mike Muscala to the 76ers.
While Melo seemed to be the headliner of the deal, he was immediately bought out and released by the Atlanta franchise before eventually signing with the Rockets. The actual main takeaway was that Oklahoma City managed to obtain a promising piece for their rebuild. The Thunder continued that process by sending Paul George to the Clippers in return for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a slew of draft picks. After a promising first season, their fanbase could not be happier.
YEAR: 2010
SIGNIFICANCE: The D-Backs acquired 4 prospects including Patrick Corbin & Tyler Skaggs from the Angels for Dan Haren
The St. Louis Cardinals selected SP Dan Haren in the second round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft. He made his debut the following season, but ultimately struggled to make a name for himself (6-10 and 4.75 ERA over first two seasons). Oakland was Haren’s next destination (proceeded to start 34 games over three straight seasons), after the franchise swapped SP Mark Mulder in exchange for the Pepperdine prospect.
Four years after his tenure with the Athletics, the Angels acquired Dan Haren by offering Joe Saunders, Rafael Rodriguez, and Patrick Corbin (high-tier starter now in Washington). During his three years in Los Angeles, Haren produced adequately, posting a 33-27 record and 409 Ks over 509 IPs. Meanwhile, Corbin has developed into one of the best LHPs in the Senior Circuit and just helped the Nationals win the franchise’s first World Series.
July 25, 1941: @RedSox Lefty Grove pitches a 6-run 12-hit CG at Fenway Park. Luckily, a trio of @Indians pitchers allow 10 runs to give give Lefty his 300th and final career win. https://t.co/O5oJee07Xi @SABRGames @SABRbioproject pic.twitter.com/ORYCmsEvJp
— SPABSKA (@spabska) March 24, 2018
YEAR: 1941
SIGNIFICANCE: Lefty Grove became the 12th pitcher ever to record 300 victories (No. 300 was also the last game of his career)
About two weeks ago, baseball fans acknowledged Cy Young becoming the first Major League pitcher to record his 300th career win. Following in the footsteps of the greatest pitcher in MLB history is longtime SP Lefty Grove.
On this day 79 years ago, Grove toed the rubber for a day game against the Cleveland Indians. It wasn’t the most efficient performance, as he gave up six runs on 12 hits, but the Red Sox starter hurled his way through the nine-inning ballgame to a 10-6 victory. Thanks to Grove’s remarkable record (300-141, .680) and overall incredible career (3.06 ERA over 3,940.2 IPs), he was immediately enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in the class of 1947.
YEAR: 1977
SIGNIFICANCE: Pete Rose became the hits king of switch-hitters en route to his all-time Hits record
Even though he is not recognized as a Hall-of-Famer, Pete Rose will always be remembered as one of the game’s greatest pure hitters. Before becoming the all-time career hits leader (4,256), Rose endured 24 MLB seasons, 19 of which were with the Cincinnati Reds. During his 15th campaign, Charlie Hustle knocked a base hit off Cardinals SP Pete Falcone that further bolstered his already impressive resume. Today marks the anniversary of the 17x All-Star passing Frankie Frisch as the all-time hits leader among switch hitters (2,881).
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