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Most Significant Sports History on July 5th
Lou Gehrig's record-breaking grand slam, Lary Doby's ground-breaking debut, and more!
USA TODAY Sports
Exactly 86 years ago on July 5th, Lou Gehrig surpassed Babe Ruth for one of the all-time MLB records. Just over six decades later, one AL franchise routed the Los Angeles Angels for the best first-inning rally of all-time. These memorable moments are just a few of the many significant events that have occurred on this day in history that still impact the game today.
Baseball All Star Game 1934 https://t.co/3Lo5DUjcHm via @YouTube – DID YOU KNOW? ON THIS DATE – July 5, 1934 Lou Gehrig hits record 17th career grand slam in Yankees 8-3 win v Washington, passes Babe Ruth’s total
— @sailorsam56 (@Sailorsam56) July 5, 2019
YEAR: 1934
SIGNIFICANCE: Lou Gehrig took the lead over Babe Ruth for the most career grand slams in MLB history (17)
Lou Gehrig was a man of many accomplishments and accolades. On top of sustaining one of the greatest and lasting streaks of the 20th century, Gehrig added 23 career grand slams (second-most ever) to his incomparable resume. In the third inning of the day game between the New York Yankees and the Washington Senators, Gehrig belted a blast off P Lefty Stewart with the bases loaded to catapult himself ahead of Babe Ruth’s all-time grand-slam record (17). The Bronx Bombers went on to win 8-3 with a little help from SP Johny Broaca, who pitched a phenomenal complete-game.
July 5, 1996 Oakland A’s set team record with 13 runs in 1 inning against Angels in the 1st inning! @chrisolds2009 pic.twitter.com/uezwyDdJKD
— Baseball Photos (@Baseball_Photos) January 23, 2014
YEAR: 1996
SIGNIFICANCE: The Oakland A’s recorded the best 1st-inning performance of all-time
Today marks the 24th anniversary of the Oakland Athletics’ remarkable first-inning rally against the Los Angeles Angeles. The Halos got off to a strong start in the top of the first, lighting up A’s SP John Wasdin for three runs. Just minutes later, the A’s unloaded for a record-breaking 13 runs in the bottom of the inning, the highest-scoring first-inning effort in big league history. Oakland fans left the stadium on cloud nine after the A’s topped the Angels 16-8.
YEAR: 1998
SIGNIFICANCE: Roger Clemens became the 11th pitcher ever to reach the 3,000 K milestone
Just two years after the A’s outstanding first-inning over the Halos, one Blue Jays SP became the 11th ballplayer to strike-out 3,000 batters. Roger Clemens was always a polarizing figure in the pro sports community, but his dominance on the mound was never debated over. Defeating the Rays 2-1, Clemens fanned seven hitters in seven innings of work. While this was just one small victory over his 24-year career, Clemens went on to collect 354 total wins (ninth most all-time). While his resume is as good as any pitcher in baseball with seven career Cy Young Awards (most ever), he’s yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame due to PED allegations.
YEAR: 1998
SIGNIFICANCE: The Yankees tied 2 other teams with the best 81-game start ever to an MLB season
On the same day that Roger Clemens joined the 3,000 strikeout club, the New York Yankees secured their 61st win of the season, improving their record to 61-20. While it was just a single victory over the Orioles, it concluded one of the best first half starts in MLB history, tying the terrific 81-game starts from the 1902 Pirates and 1907 Cubs. The Yankees continued their historic streak by flying straight to the World Series, where they terrorized the Padres in a 4-0 sweep and cemented themselves as one of the best teams of all-time.
YEAR: 1947
SIGNIFICANCE: Lary Doby became the 1st African American to debut in the American League
Over seven decades ago, the first African American ballplayer debuted in the American League. Cleveland Indians 1B Lary Doby played 13 seasons of big-league ball, mustering a career .283 BA with 253 HRs and 970 RBIs. The 7x All-Star followed in the footsteps of Jackie Robinson, further paving the way for racial inclusion in the MLB. After becoming just the second African American MLB manager (after Frank Robinson), Doby was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in the class of 1998 where his legacy will live on forever.
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