On this day in sports history, the iconic Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves solidified his name in MLB history by hitting two historic home runs. Over a century ago today, one of the largest names in baseball, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young made a legendary debut with the Cleveland Spiders. August 6th has proven to be a day worth looking at, stretching far back in the long history of sports.

Hank Aaron Passes Mays

OTD in 1972 – Hank Aaron hits career HR #660 and #661, breaking #Yankees legend Babe Ruth’s #mlb record for the most home runs hit with 1 team @nlbmprez @teambrwnapparel @Braves pic.twitter.com/DlXvnTBcE5
— OldTimeHardball (@OldTimeHardball) August 6, 2019

YEAR: 1972

SIGNIFICANCE: Hank Aaron hit his 660th and 661st home runs to pass Willie Mays for 2nd most HRs of all-time

48 years years ago today, Atlanta Braves OF Hank Aaron hit two home runs making it his 660th and 661st. Not only did this mark the day he passed Willie Mays for the second most home runs of all time, he broke Babe Ruth’s record for home runs with a single team (since Ruth’s 714 career HRs came with Boston and New York). He would eventually surpass 700 home runs and cement his name next to Babe Ruth as the only two players to do so at the time, before he eventually passed him too. His legacy is sealed in the Hall of Fame, and is special due to the lack of any steroid controversy.

Cy Young Makes Debut

YEAR: 1890

SIGNIFICANCE: HOF SP Cy Young made his MLB debut by allowing only 3 hits

On August 6th in 1890, baseball icon Cy Young made his MLB debut for the Cleveland Spiders. He did so in high fashion, as he allowed just three hits in an 8-1 victory over the Chicago Colts. Cy Young’s career is what every baseball player dreams to accomplish, with 511 wins over 7,356 innings. It isn’t for no reason that the annual award given out to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball is named after Cy Young himself and it all started exactly 130 years ago.

Oldest Player in MLB

YEAR: 1952

SIGNIFICANCE: St. Louis Browns SP Satchel Paige became the oldest player in MLB history to complete a game

68 years ago today, St. Louis Browns SP Satchel Paige became the oldest player to ever complete an MLB game at 47 years old. Not only did he mark his name in the history books by just playing, Paige completed a shutout against the Tigers. Just four years earlier, Satchel Paige made his debut for the Indians in 1948 being the oldest player to ever debut in the big league at 42 years old. Although Paige started his career late and broke records with his age, he left his legacy as one of the greatest players in Negro League history with two MLB All-Star appearances, a few records (like this one), and a premier spot in the MLB Hall of Fame.

Boston LA Swap

YEAR: 2004

SIGNIFICANCE: Boston Celtics acquired 2006 1st Rd draft pick from the LA Lakers which they would use on Rajon Rondo

In the summer of 2004, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers made business during the midst of their longtime NBA rivalry. What they didn’t know at the time is how much one side would benefit from this deal. Los Angeles acquired PG Chucky Atkins, C Chris Mihm, and SF Jumaine Jones, while giving up PG Gary Payton, SF Rick Fox, and a 2006 first round draft pick to Boston. This draft pick would be later used on PG Rajon Rondo.

Rondo went on to have a decorated career in Boston for many years, leading the league in assists for two of them, but there was one year in particular Los Angeles felt the regret of the trade. In 2008, Playoff Rondo was born as he helped orchestrate the Celtics defeat of the Lakers in the NBA finals which lasted to Game 6, where Rondo put up 21 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals in Boston’s big win.

Williams Back From War

YEAR: 1953

SIGNIFICANCE: Ted Williams made his return to the MLB over a year since leaving to serve in the Korean War

Over a year since leaving the game to serve in the Korean War, Boston Red Sox OF Ted Williams made his return to baseball in a loss to the St. Louis Browns. Williams has accomplished just about everything in baseball as he is arguably the greatest hitter in Boston history (ranks 1st in all-time AVG, HRs, BBs, OBP, SLG, and OPS). On an even larger scale, he is the second hitter in the MLB to ever achieve two triple crowns and was inducted into the HOF in 1966.

Williams began his career in 1939, but left the league for three seasons for military service from 1943 to 1945. He then came back to win MVP in 1946 and played until he left for the Korean War in 1952. Williams continued to play professional baseball after he returned on August 6, 1953 until 1960. Ted Williams is widely considered one of the greatest to ever play, with focus on his spectacular hitting ability.