13 years ago today, Barry Bonds tied the all-time home run record in Major League Baseball leaving all fans with the expectation for the record to be broken again soon. On the same exact day, Alex Rodriguez recorded his 500th career home run on his journey towards the same accomplishment. 3 years later, Rodriguez added another impressive milestone to the resume. Additional events and record breakers have solidified August 4th as a near spectacle in the sport of baseball.
YEAR: 2007
SIGNIFICANCE: Barry Bonds hit his 755th career home run to tie Hank Aaron’s all-time record
Before he could take his place as the all-time home run king of the MLB, Bonds had to catch Aaron Hanks who had previously surpassed Babe Ruth’s all-time HR record. 13 years ago today, Barry Bonds hit his 755th career homer during the top of the second inning against the San Diego Padres. As he’d go on to hit seven more homers in his career, no active player in the MLB is within 100 home runs. While many tend to discredit his accomplishments in the MLB due to his steroid use throughout his career, Barry Bonds will forever maintain his spot in the MLB record books.
YEAR: 2007 and 2010
SIGNIFICANCE: Alex Rodriguez became the 7th (and youngest) player to hit 600 career HRs exactly 3 years after hitting his 500th
It is hard to speak about the most decorated MLB athletes of all-time without mentioning the name Alex Rodriguez. On this day 13 years ago, Rodriguez hit his 500th career home run which he would turn into 600 on the same day 3 years later in 2010. In addition to being only the 7th player to ever reach 600 home runs, he was the youngest player to do so only 4 years after he became the youngest player to ever reach 450 career home runs in 2006. After a career of achieving many milestones and winning many awards, Rodriguez concluded his career with 696 home runs, just 18 short of the legendary Babe Ruth.
37 Years Ago Today in Sports History, August 4th 1982.
Joel Youngblood became the first man to record Major League hits for two different teams in two different cities on the same day.#Onthisday #InHistory #PinchHittersOz pic.twitter.com/M49bYrkKTp
— The Pinch Hitters (@PinchHittersOz) August 3, 2019
YEAR: 1982
SIGNIFICANCE: Joel Youngblood became the 1st player in MLB history to record a hit for two teams (the Mets and the Expos) in the same day
38 years ago today, Joel Youngblood became the only player in the history of the MLB to record a hit for two different teams, in two different cities, in one day. Youngblood began the day as a New York Met in Chicago ready to play against the Cubs. He managed to assist two runs with a single before being replaced after the third inning. Following his replacement, Youngblood was told he was being sent to the Montreal Expos who he had to meet in Philadelphia to play the Phillies later that day. Joel Youngblood won his final game as a Met, but lost his first game as an Expo as he’d go on to hold a record that would not be touched for nearly 4 decades and counting.
OTD in 1953, New York @Yankees Pitcher Vic Raschi sets an @MLB record for RBI by a pitcher with
, as the Bombers destroys the Detroit Tigers 15-0.
.
Raschi singles inin the 2nd, doubles home
in the… https://t.co/Erfv5ABQ3a
— YANKEES_COWBOYS (@YANKEES_COWBOYS) August 4, 2019
YEAR: 1953
SIGNIFICANCE: Vic Raschi drove in 7 runs in a victory over the Tigers setting an MLB record for a pitcher
Vic Raschi was one of the New York Yankees top players in the 1940s and 1950s and most underrated figures in the franchise’s large history. Taking part in one of the most dominant baseball teams to every play, Raschi managed 3 straight 20-win seasons from 1949-1951 as New York’s ace, winning six Championships during his time in pinstripes.
Most notably though, on this day in 1953 Raschi became the record holder in the American League for most runs batted in by a pitcher in a game. In a home game against the Detroit Tigers, Raschi recorded 7 RBIs in a single game. To put this statistic in perspective, Raschi ended the game with more RBIs than innings pitched (6) and strikeouts (none) combined, securing one of the most impressive accomplishments for a pitcher stepping up to the plate.
YEAR: 2004
SIGNIFICANCE: The Dallas Mavericks acquired future champion SG Jason Terry from the Atlanta Hawks
On this day 16 years ago, the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks completed a trade that swapped two players from each team and included a protected first round draft pick for the Mavericks. In Atlanta, the Hawks were able to acquire a former All-Star in PF Antoine Walker, along with SG Tony Delk. Most notably though, Dallas gained a great shooter in Jason Terry. At the time, there was speculation that Terry would be a placeholder at the point guard position until the team could bring in PG Jason Kidd. However, Terry proved extremely valuable as he sustained an 8-year career in Dallas, helping bring home an NBA championship in 2011.
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