Some of the occurrences on October 7th in sports history remain extremely relevant in conversations today. Pushing 40 years ago, Walter Payton achieved a milestone that solidified him as one of the greatest NFL rushers of all time. In addition, the Senators’ World Series run was concluded in dramatic fashion, not returning to the competition for nearly a century. Events as such demonstrate the lengthy significance professional sports affairs can hold.

Ricky Eisenbart also contributed to this article.

New Rushing King

YEAR: 1984

SIGNIFICANCE: Walter Payton broke Jim Brown‘s all-time record of 12,312 career rushing yards

Entering a Week 6 contest with the New Orleans Saints just 67 yards shy of Jim Brown’s career rushing record, it became immediately apparent that the Chicago Bears were determined to get Walter Payton the record right then and there. Yet, “Sweetness” did not want to force the issue and risk interrupting his team’s momentum — he wanted to win more than anything and did not like making a big deal out of himself. Future HOF HC Mike Ditka, however, fed his generational superstar all day long.

Carrying the ball 32 times for 154 yards that day, Payton set the record on his second carry of the second half, a toss to the left for a five-yard gain. As word of the broken record was joyously proclaimed over the PA system, Soldier Field erupted into a standing ovation as fans, referees, players, and coaches alike paused to celebrate a monumental achievement for a truly special person. Along with the yardage record, Payton would also go on to break Brown’s TD record just before retiring in 1987 and both would remain in his name until the great Emmitt Smith came along.

Go-Ahead World Series HR

The last #WorldSeries game to be held in Washington DC was Game 5 of the 1933 Series at Griffith Stadium

Mel Ott and the New York Giants beat the Washington Senators 4-3 to win the title. Here was Washington's lineup pic.twitter.com/rrUTuShGyH
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) October 25, 2019

YEAR: 1933

SIGNIFICANCE: Mel Ott hit a go-ahead HR in extra innings of the World Series to defeat the Senators

In Game 5 of the 1933 World Series, the Washington Senators and New York Giants were tied at three heading into extra innings. Senators pitcher Jack Russell looked in control as he had thrown four innings of shutout baseball in relief of General Crowder. But with two outs in the top of the 10th, Hall of Famer Mel Ott hit a go-ahead, solo home run to give the Giants a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom half, the Senators managed to get runners on first and second with two outs, but to no avail as Joe Kuhel struck out, leaving them stranded with the season on the line. The Giants won their sixth title in franchise history, their first since 1922. For Washington D.C., 1933 would mark the last time a nation’s capital baseball team would reach the Fall Classic until 2019, when the Nationals won the World Series in seven games over the Houston Astros. The Senators franchise moved to Minnesota in 1961 and would go on to win the World Series in ‘87, their first since ’24.

Edgar's Slam, 7-RBI Game

YEAR: 1995

SIGNIFICANCE: Edgar Martinez hit a go-ahead 8th-inning grand slam and drove in a playoff record 7 runs in ALDS Game 4

On this day in 1995, Seattle Mariners DH Edgar Martinez hit perhaps the most iconic home run in franchise history when he hit a grand slam off John Wetteland in the eighth inning to give the Mariners a 10-6 lead over the New York Yankees. That home run sent the M’s to a Game 5, a feat that seemed improbable, if not impossible, given the miserable history of the Mariners franchise. In Game 4, Martinez proved to be one of the best hitters of the game, going 3-for-4 with a postseason-record seven RBIs.

Martinez hit two bombs that game, a three-run homer in the third inning off Scott Kamieniecki, and the historic slam in the late innings that made Seattle’s radio announcer, Dave Niehaus, go absolutely wild. Martinez became the first hitter to drive in seven runs in a playoff game, and since then only four other players have matched the all-time postseason record; Mo Vaughn (‘98), John Valentin (‘99), Troy O’Leary (‘99), and Kike Hernandez (2017). Martinez’ heroics forced a winner-take-all Game 5 where Ken Griffey Jr. scored an iconic run known as “The Double.”

Rickey's 3,000th Hit

YEARS: 2001

SIGNIFICANCE: Rickey Henderson became the 25th player ever to collect the 3,000 career hits milestones

Hall of Fame OF Rickey Henderson made history on this day in 2001 when he hit his 3,000th career base hit. Henderson led off for the Padres against the Colorado Rockies and he delivered. The Man of Steal had a leadoff double to the opposite field to become the 25th member of the 3,000-hit club. Henderson had a historic week as a couple of days prior he had surpassed Ty Cobb for the all-time lead in runs scored. The greatest base stealer and run scorer ever finished his career with 3,055 hits after 25 seasons as one of the best players of all-time.

Bonds Sets Record at 73

YEAR: 2001

SIGNIFICANCE: Barry Bonds hit his 73rd HR of the season, extending his single-season record

Two days after breaking Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record, San Francisco Giants OF Barry Bonds extended that record with his 73rd dinger of the year. In his first at-bat of the game, Bonds took Dennis Springer to deep right field for what would be the final HR of his historic season. Bonds went 2-for-4 in the last game of the 2001 season and finally concluded one of the best offensive seasons a hitter has ever had. His 259 OPS+ ranks as the third highest single-season mark of all-time behind only himself in 2004 and 2002. The 2001 season also saw Bonds win his first MVP of a dominant four-year stretch where he won four consecutive MVP awards.