HOT
Most Significant Sports History on October 11th
Learn about October 11th's most significant sports history including several World Series records, Deion's double-dip, 2 franchise debuts, and more!
Focus on Sport / Getty Images
The middle of October holds an abundance of significant sports history events that particularly appeared in World Series’ throughout the past. To begin, the Boston Red Sox set a World Series record with a plethora of consecutive HRs. Further, another unique WS record was set by a Hall of Fame player for the Baltimore Orioles. While every respective day holds its significance, there is little more exciting than memories of the most important games in professional sports history.
YEARS: 1967
SIGNIFICANCE: Carl Yastrzemski, Reggie Smith, and Rico Petrocelli hit 3 HR in 4th inning, setting a World Series record
Down 3-2 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1967 World Series, the Boston Red Sox looked to fend off elimination against Rookie of the Year runner-up Dick Hughes. Entering the fourth inning, the Sox were down 2-1 when Carl Yastrzemski took Hughes deep to left-center field for his series-leading third home run of the series. Two batters later, Reggie Smith cleared the low fence in right field, giving the Sox their second lead of the day.
The very next batter, left-handed Rico Petrocelli, went the other way and hit the ball over the Green Monster for his second solo shot of the game. The three-home run barrage in the fourth inning set a new World Series record for the most home runs in a single inning. The Sox went on to score four more runs in the seventh inning, forcing a decisive seventh game that featured a pitching matchup of aces: Bob Gibson vs Jim Lonborg.
OTD in 1971 - @Orioles Brooks Robinson went 3-3 w 3 RBI, 2 walks against the @Pirates , setting WS record by reaching base 5 straight times in Baltimore's Gm2 11-3 win.
— 1970s Baseball (@70sBaseball) October 12, 2018
Orioles eventually lost to Pittsburgh in 7 games, but Brooks hit .318 after batting .429 in 1970 Fall Classic pic.twitter.com/GYhhTSWk8E
YEARS: 1971
SIGNIFICANCE: Brooks Robinson tied a World Series record by reaching base in 5 consecutive PA’s (3 H, 2 BB)
Iconic Baltimore Orioles 3B Brooks Robinson was mainly known for his defense; hence the amazing nickname “The Human Vacuum Cleaner”. The 16x Gold Glove winner entered Game 2 of the 1971 World Series by hitting .333 with a home run and three RBI in four postseason games. Robinson had no intentions of slowing down, as he tied a World Series record by reaching base safely in five consecutive plate appearances. In the second game of what became a seven-game thriller against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Hall of Fame third baseman went 3-for-3 with two walks, including three runs driven in, leading the O’s to a lopsided 11-3 victory. This performance comes almost year after Robinson won the 1970 World Series MVP and broke the total base record (17) in a single World Series.
YEARS: 1992
SIGNIFICANCE: Dennis Eckersley (51 SV) blows save after Roberto Alomar‘s 2-run HR; Jays take 3-1 CS lead in extras
For the fifth year in a row, the ALCS featured one of the Oakland Athletics or the Toronto Blue Jays; with this being a rematch of the 1989 ALCS (which the A’s won 4-1). On this day in 1992, the Athletics looked to close out Game 4’s 6-2 lead in the 8th inning with Dennis Eckersley on the mound, that year’s AL Cy Young and MVP (the third closer ever to win MVP) who led the league with 51 SV and a 1.91 ERA. Eckersley allowed two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning after entering the game with runners on first and second. But even with a 6-4 lead at that point, manager Tony La Russa had no reasons to worry about having one of the best closers of all-time on the mound.
All of that didn’t matter to 2B Roberto Alomar, who hit a laser that cleared the right field wall of the Oakland Coliseum. The game was suddenly tied and the A’s stared at a potential 3-1 series deficit. In the 11th inning, Jays catcher Pat Borders hit a sacrifice fly scoring RF Derek Bell. Toronto won the game in unbelievable fashion, giving the Blue Jays a commanding 3-1 series lead. After an A’s win in Game 5, Toronto beat up Oakland 9-2 in Game 6. Alomar was awarded the ALCS MVP after hitting .423/.464/1.157 with five stolen bases.
On this date in 1992, Deion Sanders:
Played in an NFL game
Flew from Miami to Pittsburgh immediately after the game
Suited up for the Braves in Game 5 of the NLCS that same night pic.twitter.com/w0Eo6rLKoH
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) October 11, 2019
YEAR: 1992
SIGNIFICANCE: CB/OF Deion Sanders played in Miami for the Atlanta Falcons then made it to Pittsburgh for the NLCS
On this day in 1992, with Game 5 of the NLCS scheduled for the evening of a full NFL Sunday slate, Deion proved his dedication to both the Falcons and Braves. Though he was set up to avoid such a situation, with both teams headquartered in Atlanta, scheduling conflicts arise however they please.
After playing all over the field (CB, KR/PR, WR) for the Falcons in a loss to the Dolphins in Miami (luckily a 1:00 start), “Primetime” immediately hopped on a plane and flew to Pittsburgh for the Braves NLCS playoff game. Despite making it in time to suit up, he was left out of MGR Bobby Cox’s lineup and was not used as a substitute in a 7-1 rout, missing a chance to make history. Regardless, his insistence on making it to Pittsburgh in time to at least suit up with the rest of his team was an encouraging sign for his simultaneous careers.
YEAR: 1925 & 1980
SIGNIFICANCE: New York Giants lost their NFL debut AND the Dallas Mavericks won their NBA debut
95 years ago on this day, the New York Football Giants made their highly-anticipated debut against the Providence Steam Roller. Led by former college stars like the aging Jim Thorpe, whose Giants career ended after one game due to injury, the team struggled financially like many new NFL teams. Though they finished with a solid 8-4 record in their inaugural season, Providence “rolled” (pun intended) the Giants in their debut with a 14-0 shutout victory.
Additionally, the Dallas Mavericks also debuted on this day in 1980 against their interstate rival, the San Antonio Spurs. Breaking in the brand-new Reunion Arena, the team delivered a double-digit victory despite a 33-point outing from HOF SF George Gervin. They would finish an abysmal 15-67 record with no player averaging over 16 PPG, but the team would quickly turn into a respectable franchise, earning their first winning record in the 1983-84 season and being crowned champions for the first time in 2011 by a Dirk Nowitzki-led team that completed one of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history over the “Big 3” Miami Heat that won the next two championships.
Learn something interesting about sports history on October 11th? Share with friends!
