September 23rd is no ordinary day in sports history. The birth of arguably the most successful icon in the history of professional sports emerged as Tom Brady replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe and never looked back. This day also represents when Jose Canseco set a memorable MLB record that only he had ever accomplished at the time. Without the day 9/22, it is unknown whether the course of the NFL and MLB would have been the same.
YEAR: 2001
SIGNIFICANCE: Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe suffered a devastating injury, opening the door for a young Tom Brady
Just six months after signing a then-record 10-year, $103 million extension with the Patriots, QB Drew Bledsoe took a hit from Jets LB Mo Lewis that caused a serious concussion and internal bleeding that nearly killed him. He remained in the game for another series, but the medical staff opted to take him to a hospital, forcing Bill Belichick to insert a sixth-round pick from the previous year: Tom Brady.
Although he finished the game a lackluster 5/10 for 46 yards (and a loss), Brady would start the final 14 games of the season, leading New England to an 11-5 record and the Patriots’ first playoff appearance under Bill Belichick. Brady’s debut season ultimately resulted in their very first Super Bowl in franchise history, effectively launching what became one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. Their careers took dramatically different paths from that point (Bledsoe: 37-36 over 5 years vs. Brady: 6 Super Bowls), but the fans in New England never failed to appreciate the man who led their run to Super Bowl XXXI in his various, unsuccessful returns to Foxborough.
YEAR: 1988
SIGNIFICANCE: Jose Canseco became the 1st player ever to record 40 HR and 40 SB in a single season
32 years ago, Oakland Athletics OF Jose Canseco accomplished a feat that the game of baseball had never seen before. Canseco became the first player in MLB history to record 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season. Canseco finished the 1988 campaign with a Major League-leading 42 HR and 142 RBI, alongside the 40 steals leading him to his first and only MVP award, two years after winning Rookie of the Year honors. Canseco is now one of only four players in MLB history to achieve a 40-40 season, alongside Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), and Alfonso Soriano (2006).
Lou Brock is 1 of 4 players in MLB history with 900 stolen bases. His 938 are the most in NL history and the only player with more all-time is Rickey Henderson (1,406). pic.twitter.com/6D6f7G3OVq
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 6, 2020
YEAR: 1979
SIGNIFICANCE: Lou Brock stole his 938th base to break Billy Hamilton‘s all-time MLB record
Two years after breaking Ty Cobb‘s stolen base record, Lou Brock surpassed Billy Hamilton’s 938 career steals to officially become the all-time stolen base king. Brock was already perceived as the all-time leader in steals, since Hamilton played in an era where stolen bases weren’t even a stat, creating doubt whether his numbers were correct. Brock was 40 years old in 1979, his last season, and still managed to steal 21 bases. His 938th, record-breaking stolen base was the last of his career, and was first on the all-time list until Rickey Henderson conquered the world with his 1,406 career SBs.
YEAR: 1986
SIGNIFICANCE: Jim Deshaies struck out the 1st 8 batters of the game, setting a new MLB record
Houston Astros SP Jim Deshaies took the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers on this day in 1986, and put up one of the greatest starts to a pitching outing ever. Deshaies struck out the first eight Dodgers that stepped up to the plate, setting a new MLB record. The ninth hitter of the Dodger lineup, Larry See, broke the streak by hitting a pop-fly to the second baseman. Deshaies did his greatest impression of a couple of his starting rotation partners that day: Nolan Ryan, the all-time strikeouts leader, and Mike Scott, the 1986 NL Cy Young winner who struck out over 300 batters that year.
YEAR: 1983
SIGNIFICANCE: Steve Carlton earned his 300th career victory
A year after winning the NL Cy Young, Philadelphia Phillies ace Steve Carlton won his 300th career game exatly 34 years ago. Carlton, a 4x Cy Young winner and 10x All-Star, became the 16th pitcher in MLB history to ever reach the 300-win plateau. The 38-year-old threw eight great innings, allowing just two runs, a walk, and striking out 12 in the process of a 6-2 victory over his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Carlton finished the 1983 season with a 3.11 ERA. The legendary lefty finished his illustrious career with a career 3.22 ERA and 329 wins, the 11th most in baseball history.
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