A day known for some spectacular events and records, October 8th marks the anniversary of the very first, and still the only perfect game in World Series (or MLB postseason) history. Two NFL legends set career passing records on this day as well, 19 years apart from one another. Additionally, the Seattle Mariners punched their first ALCS ticket in franchise history and the first postseason cycle took place in a 16-1 drubbing of the Yankees by the Red Sox just a couple years ago.

Ricky Eisenbart also contributed to this article.

Career Pass Yards Record

YEAR: 2018

SIGNIFICANCE: Drew Brees broke Peyton Manning‘s all-time record of 71,940 career passing yards

Coming into a Monday Night contest with Washington, Drew Brees ranked third on the all-time passing yards list behind Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. Orchestrating two TD drives, he passed the former with a one-yard TD to TE Josh Hill in the second quarter which gave New Orleans a 13-3 lead. Another TD drive later, Brees connected with WR Tre’Quan Smith on a 62-yard catch-and-run with just over two minutes left to officially break Peyton Manning’s record to become the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards.

As the game paused for a moment, Brees took to the sideline to celebrate with teammates and family, embracing his children and telling them “you can accomplish anything in life if you’re willing to work for it”. The record-breaking ball was also immediately brought back to the sideline and given to David Baker, President of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for its obvious historical significance. He would throw another TD that night to Smith, finishing the day with 72,103 career passing yards and 499 career passing TDs, just behind Tom Brady (who reached 500 days before), Favre, and Manning for fourth-place. Brees is currently the all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passing completions.

World Series Perfect Game

YEAR: 1956

SIGNIFICANCE: Don Larsen threw the 1st and only perfect game in MLB World Series history

Don Larsen was a decent Major League starter; 81-91 W-L with a 3.78 ERA in his 14-year career—nothing special. But on this day in 1956, Larsen cemented his name in baseball history forever by throwing the first and only Perfect Game in World Series and postseason history. The Indiana native made his first appearance of the ’56 World Series in Game 2, when the Dodgers managed to get him out of the game after just 1.2 IP.

Three days later, Larsen returned in Game 5 and he was a man on a mission. He led the Yankees to a 2-0 win with his immaculate World Series outing. Larsen struck out seven batters, including Dale Mitchell for the last out of the game. After he got the last batter looking, catcher Yogi Berra, jumped on Larsen and hugged him thus cementing one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. After the Yankees’ 9-0, Game 7 victory, Larsen was named the World Series MVP. Almost exactly 54 years later, Roy Halladay threw the only other postseason no-hitter in history.

"The Double" scores Griffey

YEAR: 1995

SIGNIFICANCE: Edgar Martinez’s 2-run 2B in the bottom of the 11th sent the Mariners to their 1st ALCS in franchise history

A day after hitting a game-winning grand slam, Edgar Martinez once again found himself in a position to win the game, but only this time he could clinch the series. And in vintage Martinez fashion, he delivered with the Mariners down one in the bottom of the 11th inning. The 32-year-old Designated Hitter roped a double down the left field line scoring the runner on third, Joey Cora, and Ken Griffey Jr., who crossed the plate all the way from first base.

This double (which is literally referred to as simply “The Double”) sent the Mariners on their first trip to the ALCS in franchise history and is also credited with saving baseball from leaving the city of Seattle. Martinez, a 2019 Hall of Fame inductee, hit .571/.667/1.667 in the ALDS with 10 RBI, capping off a legendary showing with an iconic ending.

Career Completions Record

YEAR: 1995

SIGNIFICANCE: Dan Marino passed Fran Tarkenton to become the NFL’s career leader in pass completions

In a game where he was outgunned by none other than current Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh, Dan Marino passed Fran Tarkenton’s all-time record of 3,686 career pass completions. Completing 19-of-30 passes for just 194 yards and a TD, Marino was outshined by Harbaugh’s 319-yard, three-TD effort where he completed 25-of-33 attempts and led the Colts to a thrilling 27-24 OT win.

One of Marino’s 40+ records upon retirement, many have been surpassed in the 21 years since Marino left the game in 1999 — including this one, which Brett Favre broke in December of 2006. Drew Brees now owns the record as he closes in on 7,000 career completions, nearly 2x the amount Tarkerton had as the all-time record holder. Yet, Dan Marino’s legacy still lives on as strong as ever despite his failure to bring a Super Bowl to Miami.

1st Postseason Cycle

YEARS: 2018

SIGNIFICANCE: Brock Holt hit for the 1st and only cycle in MLB postseason history

In a 16-1 rout of the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium, Brock Holt added insult to injury when he hit a two-run home run off position player Austin Romine to become the first hitter ever to hit for the cycle in a Major League postseason game. Holt went 4-for-6 with 5 RBI and led the Sox to a 2-1 series lead over the rival Yankees.

That was the only game Holt played in the series, which goes to show how deep the 2018 Red Sox were that a hitter who just hit a cycle got benched the very next game. This was Holt’s second career cycle (first was in June 16, 2015) and was the 324th time in Major League history an individual player hit a single, double, triple, and homer all in the same game. Since Holt’s cycle against New York, there have been six cycles, and all came in 2019 (2020 was the first season since 1983 without a single cycle) but comes with an asterisk due to its 60-game season.