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Most Significant Sports History on August 7th
Learn something new about the history of the game including Barry Bonds taking the HR crown, multiple 3,000 club entries, and more!
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On this day in sports history, baseball legend Barry Bonds engraved his name at the top of the MLB record book. Similarly, the Japanese icon Ichiro Suzuki made his 3000th career hit four years ago, solidifying his status as one of the greatest icons in global sports. While there are still notable events that took place today in other sports, it is particularly a special day in the history of America’s pastime.
YEAR: 2007
SIGNIFICANCE: Barry Bonds hit his 756th home run, the most in MLB history
On this day in 2007, San Francisco Giants and MLB HOF OF Barry Bonds hit his 756th career home run in a loss to the Nationals. This day in history marks the overtaking of Hank Aaron’s all time home run record which was held for over three decades. No current player is even within triple digit home runs. Therefore, Bonds record is sitting very comfortably with no sign of being overtaken for many years. Unfortunately, the unrepeatable things Bonds did on the diamond are widely tarnished by his steroid controversies.
YEAR: 2016
SIGNIFICANCE: Japanese OF Ichiro Suzuki hit a triple for his 3,000th career MLB hit
Just four years ago today, legendary Japanese OF Ichiro Suzuki recorded his 3,000th career hit by hitting a triple in the Marlins’ victory over the Rockies. While many MLB fans believe this is impressive in its own right, it is easy to forget the impact he has had outside of America. In Japan, Suzuki recorded 1,278 career hits which would place him above MLB’s all-time hit leader (Pete Rose – 4,256), considering his full collection of professional hits.
The guaranteed future HOF OF and present global icon left his mark in sports history through all his achievements. In nine seasons in Japan, Ichiro won MVP three times. Suzuki added one MVP during his inaugural MLB season along with 10 All-Star appearances and ten Gold Gloves.
YEAR: 1989
SIGNIFICANCE: The Supersonics acquired a first round pick from Golden St. which would be used on PG Gary Payton
In all sports, especially the NBA, trading draft picks can be a massive gamble. Teams are never sure if they’ll hit the jack pot or an immense bust. However, the Seattle Supersonics took a gamble and traded for Golden State’s first round pick by giving up starting C Alton Lister. Saying that this trade paid off would be an understatement. Ironically, the pick was originally Seattle’s, but traded to the Warriors a month and a half earlier, before returning home to the pacific northwest in this transaction.
The Seattle Supersonics ended up acquiring a future HOF who would play with them for 13 years and lead them to their first Finals appearance in 15 years. Payton is widely considered one of the greatest PG of all-time. To this day, he is the only Point Guard to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Above all, Payton was a 9x All-Star and a 9x All-NBA team member, with a number of accolades to accompany his large legacy that’ll forever be enshrined in Springfield, MA.
YEAR: 2004
SIGNIFICANCE: SP Greg Maddux recorded his 300th win career win
16 years ago today in his second stint with the Chicago Cubs, SP Greg Maddux recorded his 300th MLB win as part of a 8-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants. To put the importance of this event in perspective, only he, Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, and Roger Clemens have accomplished this career success in the last 30 years. Maddux also has a wide variety of other achievements that emphasize the impact he left on MLB. He became the first player to win the Cy Young award for four consecutive seasons and holds the record for most career Gold Gloves (18).
YEAR: 1999
SIGNIFICANCE: Devil Rays 3B Wade Boggs recorded his 3,000th career hit
On this day 21 years ago, MLB legend 3B Wade Boggs recorded his 3,000th career hit with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a 15-10 defeat to the Indians. While his time with Tampa Bay was defined by this moment, Boggs achieved great success with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees years prior. Over the many years of Boggs career, the 3B made 12 consecutive All-Star appearances from 1985-96.
In addition, Boggs would win the World Series with the Yankees in 1996 against the Atlanta Braves. He also added eight Silver Sluggers, two Gold Glove awards, and FIVE batting titles during his 18-year career. In 2005, Boggs was elected into the MLB HOF. Joining the 3,000 club was the icing on the cake to Wade Boggs’ incredible career.
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