44 years ago today, the world of sports witnessed Steve Carlton become only the second player to record 4,000 career strike outs (after Nolan Ryan). Exactly one year ago, the prestigious NBA’s All-Decade Team for the 2010’s were awarded to five players who have defined the sport of basketball for the last 10 years. The events that took place on this day will forever be remembered for the benchmarks it has provided for sports today.

Carlton Strikes Out 4000

YEAR: 1986

SIGNIFICANCE: SP Steve Carlton became just the 2nd player in MLB history to record 4,000 career SOs

MLB Hall of Fame SP Steve Carlton is decorated for many accolades in baseball such as fanning the 2,836th batter of his career in 1980 to become the all-time lefty SO king. On this day though, he is remembered for becoming the second player to ever record 4,000 career strike outs. Unfortunately, the night did not continue up-hill after matching Nolan Ryan’s record. Carlton would go on to give up seven runs in 3 1/3 innings leading to his release by the SF Giants. In 1994, Steven Carlton was immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame during his first year on the ballot.

NBA All-Decade Team

YEAR: 2019

SIGNIFICANCE: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard named NBA’s team of 2010s

Exactly one year ago today, the NBA defined its most recent era by formulating three teams of the 2010’s (1st, 2nd, & 3rd). Most notably, its first team included five sports icons in LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard. Between the five, four are in the top five point scorers of the entire decade (LJ 19,550, KD 19,445, JH 18,627, and SC 16,315). Kawhi Leonard is nowhere on the top 5, however his influence is undisputed with his two rings (2014 and 2019) on top of the two DPOY awards he took home during his first decade in the league.

No player can be compared to LeBron James over the last decade as he is the top scorer as well as holding a place in the top-10 for most total steals, assists, and rebounds. While the 2010’s were home to a plethora of special talent, these five players showed the most consistency at the highest level.

Big Mac Reaches 500 HRs

YEAR: 1999

SIGNIFICANCE: Cardinals 1B Mark McGwire hit his 500th career HR, finishing the season with 65

On this day in 1999, Big Mac Mark McGwire made MLB history by hitting his 500th career home run. Alongside of this massive achievement, McGwire would finish the season with an impressive tally of 65 home runs. However, this did not match his single-season record of 70 total home runs from the legendary season prior. While McGwire owns many memorable HR milestones, his name has still not been inducted into the Hall of Fame due to the steroid controversies surrounding his legacy.

Jazz Miss Out

August 5th, 1976: Conpensation for signing Gail Goodrich
Lakers receive: 1977 1st Round, 1978 1st Round, 1979 1st Round, 1980 2nd Round.
Jazz receive: 1977 2nd Round, 1978 1st Round.
That 1979 1st Rounder ended up becoming Magic Johnson
— McCade Pearson (@McCadeP8) January 23, 2018

YEAR: 1976

SIGNIFICANCE: Jazz traded their next 3 1st round picks to the LA Lakers, who would draft Magic Johnson in 1979

As compensation for signing SG Gail Goodrich, the New Orleans Jazz traded their next three years’ first round picks to the Los Angeles Lakers. In exchange, the Jazz also received a future first and second round pick. To become one of the biggest steals in NBA history, the first rounder from New Orleans in 1979 would be a first overall pick used on NBA Hall of Famer and 3x MVP PG Magic Johnson. It is now impossible to think of a world which Magic Johnson would have not played for the Lakers as he played all 12 seasons in Los Angeles and became a household name in Staples Center.

Cleveland Comes Back

YEAR: 2001

SIGNIFICANCE: The Cleveland Indians erased a 12-run lead to defeat the Mariners 15-14, tying an MLB comeback record

Exactly 19 years ago today, the Cleveland Indians came back from a 12-run deficit to beat the Mariners 15-14. This would tie the MLB record for the largest comeback in MLB history, only seen before in 1911 and 1925. While achieving their own milestone, this game also directly played a hand in Seattle coming up one game shy of securing the most wins in a single season in MLB history. In one night, Cleveland managed to only one beat the best team in the league, but did so in historic fashion that still deserves respect to this day.