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Most Significant Sports History on July 6th
The Clippers acquired Kawhi Leonard & Paul George, Steve Carlton became the all-time LHP strikeout king, and more!
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
It was only one year ago that the little brother in Los Angeles landed one of this generation’s best two-way NBA players and a sidekick nearly just as good. About nine decades before that, Major League Baseball hosted the first annual mid-season tradition that celebrates the best players in the game. These long-lasting memories continue to make a major impact on some of the teams and players seen in today’s game.
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: The Clippers traded nearly all of the franchise’s assets for 2 superstars and an immediate NBA title window
This time last year, the basketball community was still in shock by the seismic shift that completely redefined the NBA. Just a single year after the Lake Show secured LeBron James as the centerpiece of the main franchise in Los Angeles, the Clippers countered by officially agreeing to sign the reigning Finals MVP, Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard.
The 3x All-NBA small forward only consented to join the Clippers after they coughed up PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PF Danilo Gallinari, and a boatload of unprotected future first-round picks for 6x All-Star, Paul George. The dynamic duo guided the franchise to a 44-20 record (second in the West), as they will now compete in Orlando for the 2020 NBA Championship.
Today In 1933
Fittingly, Babe Ruth clouts the 1st MLB All-Star Game HR (Comiskey Park, Chicago – July 6, 1933) pic.twitter.com/zNFRSnnHSR
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) July 6, 2015
YEAR: 1933
SIGNIFICANCE: Babe Ruth recorded the 1st All-Star game HR ever
Almost nine decades ago, the MLB hosted the first All-Star Game in MLB’s history at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. The American League squad, which featured Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and many other all-time greats, was headlined by the Sultan of Swat himself, Babe Ruth. As one of the greatest sluggers to ever swing a baseball bat, it was fitting for the Babe to hit the first home run in All-Star Game history. The AL defeated the NL 4-2, thanks to Ruth’s two terrific HRs.
YEAR: 1980
SIGNIFICANCE: Steve Carlton became the all-time MLB leader in career strikeouts by a LHP
Today’s date also reminds baseball fans about the 40th anniversary of Steve Carlton fanning the 2,836th batter of his career. En route to defeating the Cardinals 8-3, Carlton collected seven Ks over eight outstanding innings. To cement the performance in MLB record books, he managed to pass Mickey Lowlich’s career strikeout record for left-handed pitchers.
The longtime Philadelphia Philly pitched in the city of brotherly love for 15 of his 24 big league seasons, racking up 329 wins (11th all-time) and 4,136 Ks (fourth all-time) in 5,217 innings (ninth all-time). Carlton was immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994 during his first year on the ballot.
YEAR: 1983
SIGNIFICANCE: OF Fred Lynn recorded the 1st grand slam in ASG history on its 50th anniversary
Exactly 50 years after Babe Ruth crushed the first HR in the first-ever All-Star Game, one Red Sox outfielder made MLB history. In the bottom of the third inning, CF Fred Lynn swatted the first ASG grand slam off P Atlee Hammaker to give the AL a commanding lead. The blast was also his fourth ASG HR of his career. Lynn and the AL went on to win 13-3, their first ASG victory since 1971. The Red Sox hero continued to rake through the remainder of his career that concluded after the 1990 season, accruing 306 career HRs and 1,111 RBIs over a respectable .283 batting average.
YEAR: 1956
SIGNIFICANCE: The Cy Young Award was officially implemented as the highest honor a MLB pitcher could receive
For any baseball fan looking for a history lesson, Cy Young was the most phenomenal and decorated pitcher in the 20th century. Over 22 spectacular seasons, Young amassed 511 wins over 7,356 innings pitched, which are both all-time records.
64 years ago on July 6th, MLB commissioner Ford Frick announced that the honor bestowed to the most valuable pitcher of the season would be named the Cy Young Award. As baseball fans continue to witness the powerful performances from active baseball greats like Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander, the dominance and wizardry first demonstrated by the one and only Cy Young will be remembered every single season the best pitcher in the game is acknowledged for their own greatness.
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