A new summer day means another day in sports history of record breaking achievements and league-changing transactions. On August 23rd just six years ago, the NBA saw one of its star players join LeBron James in Cleveland creating one of the most intimidating lineups in basketball. In addition, MLB fans had the privilege of witnessing Barry Bonds record an accolade nobody else ever has.

Love to Cleveland

YEAR: 2014

SIGNIFICANCE: The Cavs, Timberwolves, and 76ers completed a 3-team trade that sent 3x NBA All-Star Kevin Love to CLE

Teams evidently are always making moves and transactions for the betterment of the franchise. In the NBA, business is done so frequently that changes the dynamic of the NBA as well as the perspective of the fans. Six years ago today on August 23rd, the Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and 76ers officially completed a trade that sent PF Kevin Love to Cleveland and the two most recent #1 picks (SF Andrew Wiggins and PF Anthony Bennett) to Minnesota, among many others. This trade was in agreement for over a month prior to the official completion, but they had to wait for a month after the draft for Wiggins to be trade eligible.

The big man Kevin Love was already a three-time NBA All-Star on top of being the most improved player of 2009 and a perennial All-NBA participant. Love went on to win the NBA Championship in 2016 with Cleveland as he played a crucial role on the final defensive possession for the Cavs that consisted of preventing Steph Curry from draining a game-changing 3PM. Four years later, Kevin Love re-signed with Cleveland in a deal that did not pay off like the first time around.

The 400-400 Club

YEAR: 1998

SIGNIFICANCE: Barry Bonds became the 1st player in history to reach 400 HR and 400 SB

Former Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds is no stranger to breaking records or joining exclusive clubs. 22 years ago, he became the only player in MLB history to hit at least 400 career Home Runs and steal at least 400 career bases. Bonds hit a bomb off Kirt Ojala in the 3rd inning, to become the founder of the exclusive of all exclusive baseball clubs.

Only 57 hitters in the history of baseball have reached the 400-HR mark, while just 75 have accumulated more than 400 stolen bases. Bonds was in a league of his own even before the P.E.D. controversy, and that has never been in doubt. Bonds has two more years left on the Hall of Fame ballot, and it’s still yet to be seen whether or not the all-time HR leader will be immortalized in Cooperstown.

Clemente's 5-Hit Games

#OTD 1970: Roberto Clemente gets 2nd 5-hit game in a row & is 1st in 20th century to have 10 H in 2 straight games pic.twitter.com/zy6b90jiG0
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) August 23, 2016

YEAR: 1970

SIGNIFICANCE: Roberto Clemente became the 1st player ever with consecutive 5-hit games

On this day 50 years ago, Pittsburgh Pirates OF Roberto Clemente had his second five-hit game in a row, making him the only player since the start of the 20th century to compile 10 hits in two consecutive games. Clemente is recognized as one of the greatest Right Fielders of all time thanks to his exceptional offense and his legendary defense. The native of Puerto Rico is one of just four players to receive 10 or more Gold Glove awards and have a career batting average of .317 or higher. Clemente was also the first Latin American player to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Game-Ending Triple Play

YEAR: 2009

SIGNIFICANCE: Eric Bruntlett completed the 2nd game-ending unassisted triple play in MLB history

The triple play is very rare, even more so when it’s unassisted. The unassisted triple play has only happened 15 times in the history of the game, and only twice has it been done as the final play of a game. One of those times was 11 years ago, when with runners on second and first, Philadelphia Phillies 2B Eric Bruntlett caught a line drive struck by New York Mets OF Jeff Francoeur, touched second to get the out, and then tagged the first base runner to complete the unassisted triple play after the Mets tried to double steal. Bruntlett’s extraordinary play is just the second time an unassisted triple play had ended a ballgame since the Detroit Tigers ended a 1-0 game in 1927 against the Cleveland Indians with an unassisted TP by 1B Johnny Neun.

Acuña's 30-30 Season

YEAR: 2019

SIGNIFICANCE: Ronald Acuña Jr. became the 2nd youngest player to ever record a 30 HR/30 SB season

The Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. is one of the finest young stars the game of baseball has seen in recent years. One year ago, the young outfielder became the 61st player ever to become a 30-30 player— 30 HR and 30 SB. He also joined Mike Trout as the only two players under 23 years old to have a 30-30 season in MLB history. Acuña finished the year with 41 Home Runs and 37 SB. Unfortunately for Acuña, he suffered an injury late in the year that forced him out of action with three stolen bases left in order to join the prestigious 40-40 club. Only four players in baseball history have ever recorded 40 bombs and 40 bags in the same season.