MLB
Most Significant Sports History on August 28th
Learn about August 28th's most significant sports history including an MLB milestone for consecutive games, Max Scherzer's excellence, and more!
Baseball Hall of Fame
August 28th in sports history is heavily composed of milestones and accolades achieved on the baseball field. An MLB record was set by a decorated 2B for the most consecutive games without a strikeout. In addition, a pitcher recorded his 300th strikeout of the season, extending his milestone of doing it to five seasons straight. The events that occurred today in sports history continue to hold influence over the games being played today.
Max Scherzer recorded his 8th straight season with 200 strikeouts, breaking a tie with Chris Sale, Roger Clemens, and Walter Johnson for the 2nd-longest streak in MLB history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 29, 2019
Only Tom Seaver, who had 9 straight 200-K seasons from 1968 to 1976, has a longer streak. pic.twitter.com/vcRQnIVmRx
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: Max Scherzer became the 2nd pitcher ever with 8 straight 200+ K seasons
On this day one year ago, Washington Nationals SP Max Scherzer recorded his 200th strikeout of the season. With that strikeout, he became just the second pitcher ever to notch eight consecutive seasons with at least 200 strikeouts (since 2012). It’s Scherzer and Tom Seaver who stand alone as the only ones to ever accomplish this incredible feat. Scherzer is on his way to Cooperstown, as he has already won three Cy Young awards, seven All-Star selections, and was a large part of the Nationals winning their first World Championship in franchise history. During this time frame since 2012, Scherzer has amassed 2,138 strikeouts, an 11.29 K/9, and a 49.3 fWAR—all major league best.
Today in 1977, Nolan Ryan reaches 300 strikeouts for the season, the fifth time he has achieved this remarkable feat. He'll do it once more.
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) August 29, 2019
Twelve years later. pic.twitter.com/byDpa6BDzW
YEAR: 1977
SIGNIFICANCE: SP Nolan Ryan got his 5th 300+ K season in 6 years, extending his MLB record
Perhaps the most fierce pitcher of all-time, Nolan Ryan pitched his fifth 300+ strikeout season in a span of six years on this day in 1977. Ryan, the all-time strikeouts leader, finished the 1977 season with 341 Ks, the third-highest amount of his iconic career. Five of his six 300 K seasons came while wearing the California Angels jersey. During his time in California, he pitched to a 3.07 ERA, struck out 2,416 batters in 2,181.1 IP, and had an even 10 strikeouts per 9 IP.
Mets History: Reigning Cy Young winners Frank Viola, Orel Hershiser clash #NYM https://t.co/c9Iq4Hf0PS pic.twitter.com/jwTqnjfgdM
— Mets Report (@mets_fanly) August 28, 2019
YEAR: 1989
SIGNIFICANCE: Mets beat the Dodgers 1-0 in the 1st regular season bout of reigning Cy Young winners
For the first time in the MLB regular season, the reining Cy Young winners would face off exactly 31 years ago. New York Mets SP Frank Viola and Los Angeles Dodgers SP Orel Hershiser would put up an instant classic less than a year after winning the most prestigious award a pitcher can win. Each of them would last at least eight innings, but only one emerged victorious.
Viola pitched a CG shutout in a 1-0 win over the Dodgers, while allowing just three hits, no walks, and striking out five. Hershiser threw 8 innings, allowed eight hits, walked one, and allowed one run. That run came off a Howard Johnson 2-out RBI single. Since then, a matchup between defending Cy Young winners have only occurred twice. In 1999, Tom Glavine and Roger Clemens faced off at Yankee Stadium. And more recently in 2013, David Price faced RA Dickey in a matchup between the Blue Jays and Rays after Dickey was traded just months after receiving the Cy Young honor.
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: OF Aristides Aquino hit the most HR (13) in a player’s 1st 100 MLB plate appearances
Cincinnati Reds OF Aristides Aquino had one of the wildest, most memorable introductions in baseball history. It was the most impressive power display by a newcomer in the history of the game. Aquino became the first ever slugger to crush 13 HRs through his first 100 career PA. It’s also the most Home Runs in a player’s first 27 games. “The Punisher” was called up on August 1st and went on to win the Player of the Month award for the Senior Circuit. Aquino hit 14 HR and drove in 33 runs during his introduction month, owning a massive stat line of .320/.391/.1.158.
#OTD in 1987, the @Phillies Mike Schmidt hits his 522nd home run to pass Willie McCovey and Ted Williams on the all-time list. Schmidt ranks No. 9 all-time in homers after the blast, and his 483 home runs as a third baseman are the most ever. https://t.co/YuANRpTyiX pic.twitter.com/VNVKD4o7y6
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) August 28, 2018
YEAR: 1987
SIGNIFICANCE: 3B Mike Schmidt hit his 522nd career HR, passing both Ted Williams & Willie McCovey for the 9th most ever
Philadelphia Phillies 3B Mike Schmidt hit his 522nd career long ball on this day in 1987. With this Home Run, Schmidt passed both Ted Williams and Willie McCovey to enter the top-10 on the all-time HR list. Schmidt went 3-for-4 in this game and hit his milestone HR in the 5th inning off San Diego Padres SP Ed Whitson. “Schmitty” is a 3x MVP winner, 6x Silver Slugger, 10x Gold Glover, a 12x All-Star, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in the 1995 class. Schmidt ranks third among qualified 3B with 548 career HR, behind only Alex Rodriguez and Harmon Killebrew.
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