The New York Mets 2B Davey Lopes stole his way to an MLB record on this day in history. In addition, Barry Bonds continued his stretch of August achievements by joining an exclusive club. August 9th marks a day of significance in the sport of baseball, with multiple records being set.

Consecutive Steals Record

08/09/1975: @Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes steals his 32nd consecutive base in a 2-0 win over the @Mets, breaking the @MLB record set by Max Carey. pic.twitter.com/uY2hF2GHLB
— The Azul (@TrueBlueDoyers) August 9, 2017

YEAR: 1975

SIGNIFICANCE: Davey Lopes recorded his 31st & 32nd consecutive steal to tie and break the MLB record

Baseball is a sport of many statistics which means there are many available records to obtain. 45 years ago today, Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes broke Max Carey’s record of consecutive steals, originally set in 1922. He did so with his 31st and 32nd stolen base in a row without getting caught. Notably, his record-breaking 32nd steal was by taking third base. Lopes would go on to steal six more times before eventually being caught on August 24th, 1975. However, this would mark his 38th consecutive stolen base, setting an MLB record.

Bonds Hits 600

YEAR: 2002

SIGNIFICANCE: Barry Bonds hit his 600th home run to become the quickest player to reach that mark in MLB history

If there was any month Barry Bonds enjoyed the most individual success in, it was August. 18 years ago today, Bonds became just the fourth player in the MLB to hit 600 career HRs, doing so in his 2,395th career game. This would make him the quickest player to ever reach that mark. Bonds eventually became the all-time HR leader in the history of the game. During this time, Bonds was in the midst of winning four straight MVPs, part of his MLB record 7 MVPs throughout his iconic career that still stands to this day.

Williams Ties Ott

YEAR: 1960

SIGNIFICANCE: Ted Williams hit his 511th career home run, tied for the 4th most in MLB history

Over half a century ago, Red Sox OF and US veteran Ted Williams hit his 511th career HR. This marked the moment Williams tied Mel Ott for fourth place on the all-time MLB list. Despite returning from a War seven years prior for the second time, Williams sealed his name in the 500 HR club. Above all else, the Boston OF won many awards throughout his illustrious career and is still widely recognized as one of the greatest hitters in MLB history.

Strasburg Leads Strikeouts

YEAR: 2019

SIGNIFICANCE: Stephen Strasburg became the all-time Washington Nationals/Expos leader in strikeouts

Last season marked a time for celebration for all MLB fans in the nation’s capital. For the first time ever, the Washington Nationals won the MLB World Series, defeating the Houston Astros in Game 7. The centerpiece of the success was none other than the World Series 2019 MVP, Stephen Strasburg. Before becoming the WS MVP and subsequent $245 million dollar man, Strasburg broke a team record and became the all-time Washington Nationals/Expos franchise leader in strikeouts (1,622) exactly a year ago. Holding such a prestigious team record and bringing home a World Series has solidified Strasburg as a Washington Nationals legend forever and well worth the No.1 overall pick back in 2009.

Key Boston Addition

YEAR: 2013

SIGNIFICANCE: The Boston Red Sox signed 3B Rafael Devers as an international free agent

The MLB has never been a stranger to finding talent outside of the United States. For instance, all-time global hits leader Ichiro Suzuki was acquired in the middle of his prime from overseas, while many of the game’s top players sign on to a MLB team when they’re around 16 years old. Seven years ago today, that became the case for Rafael Devers when he signed with the Boston Red Sox for $1.5M as the No.3 ranked international free agent available that summer.

Devers is from the Dominican Republic, but has experienced plenty of success in the United States. One of the best hitters in the MLB today, Devers was on his way to reaching 60 doubles in a season (statistically more rare than 60 HR) last year. However, he barely fell short with 54 recorded doubles. While baseball talent in the US is somewhat of a bottomless pit, it has proven to be beneficial to seek options internationally.