Known as the day that the sports world came to a halt in 1993 with Michael Jordan’s news, the 6th of October consists of some truly remarkable moments in sports history. Not only did “Doc” Halladay etch his name into the record books in his first career playoff game, but the Seattle Mariners also tied a seemingly-unbreakable 97-year-old record. Additionally, Jim Palmer set a pitching record for his young age and Phil Niekro set one for his much advanced age as part of the list of records broken on 10/6.

Ricky Eisenbart also contributed to this article.

2nd Ever Playoff No-No

YEAR: 2010

SIGNIFICANCE: Roy Halladay pitched the 2nd no-hitter in postseason history in his 1st career playoff game

In Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS between the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies, SP Roy Halladay pitched the second no-hitter in postseason history during his playoffs debut. Even though the BBWAA voted prior to the playoffs, that night made no doubt to fans and the writers that Halladay was the best pitcher of the ’10 season. Earlier that year, Halladay threw the 20th perfect game in MLB history against the Florida Marlins.

In his playoff no-no, Halladay struck out eight Reds and walked just one batter. He needed only 104 pitches to dominate a very talented lineup led by MVP Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, and Brandon Phillips. In the regular season, Doc went 21-10 accompanied by a 2.44 ERA in 250.1 IP, leading him to his second career Cy Young award. Halladay’s postseason no-hitter was the first since Don Larsen threw his World Series perfect game in 1956.

MJ's 1st Retirement

YEAR: 1993

SIGNIFICANCE: Michael Jordan decided to retire from basketball after 3 consecutive NBA Championships

Devastated by the loss of his father a few months earlier, Michael Jordan announced his retirement on this day despite an ongoing three-year Championship streak with the Chicago Bulls. Mentally and emotionally drained, he felt his NBA career had reached its pinnacle and cited a lack of motivation, explaining “I’ve always stressed… that when I lose the sense of motivation and the sense to prove something… it’s time for me to move away from the game of basketball”. After three MVPs, seven All-NBA selections, six All-Defensive selections, the 1988 Defensive Player of the Year Award, and countless other awards, he had a point.

Striving for a new challenge, Jordan tried his hand at baseball and worked his way into a minor-league deal with the Chicago White Sox. Playing in 127 games with their Double-A Birmingham club, he hit a below-average .202/.289/.266 yet drove in 51 runs and stole 30 bases. Not only was his foray into baseball ridiculed by many, but his father’s death and retirement were both met with heavy speculation and controversy, which fundamentally changed his relationship with the media. However, most believe his baseball stint served as a mental refresher, and the break from basketball was what made the Bulls’ second three-peat and “The Last Dance” possible.

Mariners Tie MLB Record

YEAR: 2001

SIGNIFICANCE: The Mariners won their 116th game of the season, tying the all-time record

The day after setting the all-time AL regular season wins record with their 115th victory of the 2001 season, the Mariners further extended that record by beating the Texas Rangers 1-0. The 116 wins tied the 1906 Cubs record of 116 victories, but the Mariners record is considered as the best due to it being in the live-ball era (1920’s-present).

The Mariners record hasn’t been threatened since, but the 2018 Red Sox are the closest team with 108 regular season wins. After their 116-win season, the Mariners had back-to-back 93-win seasons and then collapsed. Since 2003, the Mariners’ have maxed out at 89 wins (2018) and currently own the longest active postseason drought in the MLB (19 years) by twice as many years as any other franchise.

Ruth's 3-HR World Series

Babe Ruth crossing the plate after hit three home runs in the fourth game of the World Series (1926) pic.twitter.com/Ih09O8W8Gi
— Baseball Nostalgist (@bballnostalgist) November 10, 2014

YEAR: 1926

SIGNIFICANCE: Babe Ruth became the 1st player in MLB history to hit 3 HRs in a World Series game

On this day in 1926, New York Yankees OF became the first hitter ever to connect for three home runs in a World Series game. The Yankees defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 10-5 in Game 4 of a best-of-seven games. Ruth went 3-for-3 with two walks and driving in four of the 10 Yankee runs. In that series, Ruth hit .300/.548/1.448 with four bombs and the Cardinals still came out on top, beating the Yanks in seven games. Ruth is one of only four other players who’ve hit three dingers in a World Series game: Reggie Jackson (1977), Albert Pujols (2011), and Pablo Sandoval (2012). Ruth, however, is the only one to do it twice; two years later he did it to the Cardinals again in Game 4, leading the Yankees to a series sweep.

Two Historic Shutouts

Jim Palmer shuts out the Dodgers, Game 3 1966 World Series pic.twitter.com/HQTIauDoaX
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) March 30, 2020

YEARS: 1966 & 1985

SIGNIFICANCE: Jim Palmer became the youngest to pitch a shutout in WS history AND Phil Niekro became the oldest to ever pitch a shutout for his 300th career W

This day in history holds two historic and somewhat polar opposite shutout records. On October 6, 1966, Baltimore Orioles SP Jim Palmer became the youngest pitcher ever to pitch a shutout in MLB World Series history. Palmer led the Orioles to a 6-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2, giving Sandy Koufax a loss. Palmer allowed just four hits and three walks, alongside six strikeouts. The Orioles went on to sweep L.A. in four games.

19 years later, New York Yankees SP Phil Niekro became the oldest pitcher to ever throw a complete game shutout in baseball history, breaking Satchel Paige’s record from 1948. Niekro shutout the Toronto Blue Jays, striking out five and allowing just four hits and three walks. Niekro also picked up his 300th career victory after this dominant performance, becoming the 18th member of the 300-win club. The Hall of Fame knuckleballer pitched for 24 seasons and until he was 48-years-old, 11 years younger than the oldest player to ever appear on a baseball game, Satchel Paige.