Five years ago today, the Kansas City Royals traded for a SP who would eventually toss the first ever complete game by an AL starter in World Series history. Exactly one decade earlier, a North Side legend became just the 13th pitcher (and 2nd in franchise history) to strike out 3,000 career batters. These long-lasting memories that took place on July 26th continue to make a major impact on some of the teams and players seen in today’s game.
YEAR: 2015
SIGNIFICANCE: The Royals acquired the ace needed for their World Series run
Just 364 days before the Cubs traded for CL Aroldis Chapman, the Royals sent three pitchers to the Reds in exchange for 2014 All-Star SP Johnny Cueto. Following Chicago’s postseason blueprint, the Royals bolstered the roster’s pitching staff in an effort to challenge for the upcoming World Series. After landing in Kansas City, Cueto posted sub-par performances (to his standard), going 4-7 with a lowly 6.2 K/9 ratio over a bloated 4.76 ERA.
Regardless, the Royals cruised into the playoffs as the best team in the American League (95-67). Cueto guided the franchise to one win over the Astros in the ALDS, but struggled mightily against Toronto in the ALCS. However, he justified the midsummer trade on his own terms by throwing the first complete game in WS history as an AL pitcher (Game 2). Kansas City carried the momentum through Game 5 to take the series 4-1 over the Mets, their first WS win in three decades.
YEAR: 2005
SIGNIFICANCE: Greg Maddux became the 13th SP to collect 3,000 career strikeouts
The prodigious pitcher made his MLB debut in Chicago in 1986. It may have been a rocky start for his freshman and sophomore campaigns, but both baseball experts and fans recognized greatness during Greg Maddux’s third professional season (18-8 with 249 IPs). By 1992, he developed into one of the best hurlers in the entire league, proving his worth by winning four consecutive Cy Young awards (1992-95).
After receiving the honor the first time, Maddux decided to take his talents elsewhere, signing with the Atlanta Braves. He ended up staying with the organization until he returned to the Cubs 10 years later. Two years after Maddux came back to Chicago, the future HOF fanned three SFG batters to become just the 13th ballplayer ever to join the 3,000 K club.
BREAKING: @Seahawks agree to terms with LB Bobby Wagner on a three-year, $54 million extension.@Bwagz is now the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/1XUFdDFFvS
— NFL (@NFL) July 27, 2019
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: The Seahawks signed Bobby Wagner to the richest deal among any active LB
Earlier this week, football fans were reminded about Titans S Kevin Byard, who became the highest-paid player at the position in the NFL. Today marks the first anniversary of Seattle making their devastating defender the highest-paid linebacker in the league. Just months after inking the 3y/$54M contract with the Seahawks, Bobby Wagner proved his reliability by becoming the franchise’s all-time leading tackler with No. 985. The 5x All-Pro and 2014 Super Champ is still regarded as the nations’ best LB, when healthy.
YEAR: 1991
SIGNIFICANCE: Expos SP Mark Gardner pitched a no-hitter through 9 innings, but lost both the bid and the game in the 10th
Nearly three decades ago today, one Montreal Expo kept his no-hit bid alive through nine pristine innings of work against the LA Dodgers. SP Mark Gardner was never a flashy flamethrower or a highly effective hurler over his 13-year tenure in the Bigs, but he did stimy the Dodgers to zero runs and zero hits through nine innings on this day in 1991. What made the performance especially disappointing was that his enduring effort was nullified when the Montreal’s RP Jeff Fassero allowed a Darryl Strawberry RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to lose the game.
After 357,000 twitter views & a top spot on the ESPN @SportsCenter Top 10, Stone Garrett’s outstanding catch from July 26 is up for a MiLBY award at @MiLB.com
Vote here until Oct. 31: https://t.co/gBqqXQMg6O pic.twitter.com/I3uGIAJrZP
— Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (@JaxShrimp) October 17, 2019
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: Marlins prospect Stone Garrett fell over the outfield wall after robbing a no-doubter to deep left
The Miami Marlins drafted 18-year-old OF Stone Garrett in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB June MLB Amateur draft. He’s been playing in the minors for six seasons now, but has been unable to consistently produce at the dish (career .239 BA). While Garrett’s offensive skillset has not yet amounted to substantial success, his ability to make incredible circus catches in the outfield makes him a relatively valuable asset to Miami’s organization. Exactly one year ago today, Garrett tumbled over the left-field fence after making one of the greatest defensive plays in MiLB history.
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