Most Significant Sports History on July 21st

July 21st in pro sports history reminds fans of the many amazing accomplishments that took place on this date, such as Hank Aaron joining Babe Ruth in an exclusive HR club and one polarizing player who became the youngest hitter ever to collect 450 career HRs. These memorable moments are just a few of the many significant events that have occurred on this day in history that still impact the sports community today.

Hank Aaron's 700th HR

YEAR: 1973

SIGNIFICANCE: Hank Aaron joined the Babe as the only 2 sluggers with at least 700 HRs

Before he could pass Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record and cement himself at the top (755), Hank Aaron first had to reach the exclusive 700 HR club. 47 years ago today, Hammerin’ Hank clubbed a 2-run shot off Phillies P Kent Brett to become just the second ballplayer ever to break through the 700 career HR threshold. While his eventual successor Barry Bonds had the everlasting power to surpass the Babe and himself on the all-time ranks, Hank Aaron came out on top by being represented in baseball’s Hall of Fame and his legacy isn’t attached to any steroid controversy.

A-Rod's 2000th Hit

YEAR: 2006

SIGNIFICANCE: Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player ever to collect 450 HRs while simulatenously collecting hit #2000

Speaking of legendary sluggers (during the steroid era), one of the most accomplished 3Bs in MLB history reached an incredible career milestone aginst the Toronto Blue Jays 14 years ago today. In the top of the third, Alex Rodriguez went deep to left-center off future teammate A.J. Burnett for his 2,000th hit, entering a select group of elite hitters. What made the fantastic feat ever more magical was that the blast was also the 450th HR of his career, passing Ken Griffey Jr. as the youngest player ever to reach the mark (30 years, 358 days old). Rodriguez concluded his award-filled career by falling just 18 homers short of Babe Ruth’s 714 for fourth place all-time.

Lin's 1st NBA Contract

YEAR: 2010

SIGNIFICANCE: Jeremy Lin signed his 1st NBA contract with the Golden State Warriors

Basketball fans will never forget “Linsanity,” one sensational stretch of Jeremy Lin’s NBA career. The New York Knicks struggled out of the Eastern Conference gate, but this PG orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, guiding the franchise to its first winning record (42-40) in nearly a decade (48-34, 2001-02). However, if it wasn’t for the Golden State Warriors signing the Harvard product on this day a decade ago, the Knicks’ 2010-11 may have never occurred.

AL Doubles Record

On July 21, 1921, Joe Sewell of the Indians hit three doubles at League Park in a 17-8 win over the Yankees. The teams combined for an American League record 16 two-baggers, 9 by Cleveland and 7 by New York. Just some more of that League Park magic. pic.twitter.com/2Jlqte3XIR
— League Park (@LeagueParkCle) July 22, 2019

YEAR: 1921

SIGNIFICANCE: Indians and Yankees combined for an AL-record of 16 doubles (still stands today)

During a day game at Dunn Field in Cleveland, two AL ballclub combined for 25 total runs. What was even more impressive is that Indians-Yankees matchup set the new single-game doubles record (16), which has lasted 99 years later to this day. 13 batters took part in the outlandish feat, but it was the Indians who sealed the game (17-8) with nine different players scoring at least one run on the afternoon. The 1931 St. Louis Cardinals almost broke the record on their own, tallying 13 doubles as a team in the second game of a double-header with their division rivals, Chicago Cubs.

Les Mueller's 19.2 IPs

YEAR: 1945

SIGNIFICANCE: Les Mueller pitched 19.2 innings en route to 1 of the longest games in MLB history

Last Thursday, baseball fans were reminded of one pitcher’s spectacular performance that didn’t result in a victory. 36 years later, the same club witnessed another extra-inning game where both teams exited the field with disappointment. Detroit Tigers SP Les Mueller threw 19.2 stellar innings without allowing a single earned-run, however, the game continued for four additional innings before being called a tie at 1-1. The Tigers and Athletics played for nearly five hours straight, which is still recognized as one of the longest big league games in baseball history.