HOT
Most Significant Sports History on August 17th
Learn something new about August 17th's most significant sports history including a consecutive game record, an iconic final HR, and more!
LA Times/Reuters
This day in sports history represents another day of broken records in Major League Baseball. A little under a century ago, a Yankees legend broke the record for the most consecutive games played at the time. In addition, another New York legend in the MLB hit his 660th and final career HR exactly 50 years later.
Today in 1933, Lou Gehrig played set the record for consecutive games played at 1308. Does anyone know how many he ended with? pic.twitter.com/12n30GjgLP
— O C Welch Ford (@OC_WelchFord) August 17, 2017
YEAR: 1933
SIGNIFICANCE: Lou Gehrig played in his 1,308th consecutive game, setting the new MLB record that lasted over half a century
On August 17, 1933, Yankees’ legend Lou Gehrig played in his 1,308th consecutive game, breaking a Major League record at the time. That record was actually held by Everett Scott, Gehrig’s former teammate. Gehrig was a 22-year-old youngster in 1925 when he started over Wally Pipp in a game against the Washington Senators. For the next 15 years, his name would be in the starting lineup every single game. Gehrig’s consecutive game record would end up reaching 2,130 games (June 1, 1925 to April 30, 1939) which stood for 56 years and thus earning him the “Iron Horse” nickname. The “Iron Man” SS Cal Ripken Jr. surpassed Gehrig for No. 1 on the list on September 6, 1995.
August 17, 1973, Willie Mays hit home run number 660, the last of his major league career, off Don Gullett in a New York Mets' 2-1 loss to Cincinnati's National League Reds at Shea Stadium. pic.twitter.com/5qPsjw6kmw
— Phil S. Dixon (@NegroLeagueMan) August 18, 2018
YEAR: 1973
SIGNIFICANCE: Willie Mays (42) hit his 660th and final career HR for 3rd most ever at the time
As a member of the New York Mets, Willie Mays hit his 660th, and final career Home Run against the Cincinnati Reds in front of 37,000 fans at Shea Stadium. At the time, the “Say Hey Kid” became just the third player in baseball history to hit 660 career long balls, and currently stands fifth in the career Home Run leaderboard. Mays is also tied for third with Frank Robinson for the most 20-HR seasons with 17. Only Hank Aaron (20) and Barry Bonds (19) have more.
YEAR: 1990
SIGNIFICANCE: Carlton Fisk became the all-time HR leader for catchers (328) and in White Sox history (187)
Thirty years ago, White Sox’ Catcher, Carlton Fisk, hit his 13th HR of the season in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. That Home Run was Fisk’s 328th of his career, which made him the all-time Major League leader in Home Runs by a catcher, surpassing Johnny Bench. It also put him No.1 on the White Sox career Home Run list with 187 HR. Fisk, considered as one of the greatest catchers of all time, was the 1972 AL Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove winner, an 11x All-Star, and a 3x Silver Slugger recipient. Fisk still holds the AL Home Run record for catchers with 351. Mike Piazza surpassed him for the Major League lead among backstops with 396 HR.
2Day, 1894 Louisville Colonels Jack Wadsworth sets a NL record giving up 28 singles in 1 game in 29-4 loss vs. Philadelphia Philles. #mlb
— Robert Metcalfe III (@RM3_SpOrts) August 17, 2010
YEAR: 1894
SIGNIFICANCE: Jack Wadsworth of the Louisville Colonels allowed 28 singles in one game
126 years ago, Jack Wadsworth, a starting pitcher for the Louisville Colonels, was kept in the game for way too long against the Phillies. Wadsworth allowed a record-setting 28 singles in his outing. The Phillies absolutely murdered everything Wadsworth threw, breaking records for hits, runs, and total bases in a single game. This game also featured Hall of Famer Sam Thompson, who hit for the cycle and went 6-for-7 in the 29-4 demolishing of the Louisville Colonels.
After the game, it was reported that Wadsworth’s arm hung limp as people wondered why the manager left him in for so long. Wadsworth’s 1894 is one of the worst seasons for a pitcher of all time, pitching 173 IP and allowing 261 hits and 146 runs. His 7.60 ERA in 1984 is tied for the second highest single-season ERA ever for a starter with at least 150 IP.
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: S Derwin James suffered a foot stress fracture causing him to miss 11 games as a NFL sophomore
It’s extremely exciting for fans of any team when a young player shows special talent. In the 2018 NFL season, the Chargers fans were treated to just that as Derwin James became the third player in NFL history to play all 16 games and make the All-Pro 1st Team as a rookie. In addition, the young star split snaps in multiple positions around the Los Angeles secondary, displaying his versatility.
Unfortunately for him and Los Angeles, his momentum took a massive blow exactly one year ago today. James endured a foot stress fracture which sidelined him for 11 games. It can be unpredictable whether or not a player can recover from a major injury so early in his career. However, with a string of dominant performances upon his return, James has left fans of Los Angeles more optimistic than ever as the main piece to one of the NFL’s most talented secondaries.
Learn something new about sports history on August 17th? Share with friends!
