On This Day in Sports History: June 10th

Today in professional sports history marks the anniversary of memorable moments and milestones that occurred on June 9th. Babe Ruth became the all-time HR leader nearly a century ago and held the crown for over 50 seasons. On this date in 1977, the New Orleans Jazz drafted the first woman in NBA history. In addition to these special sports moments are a few other historical events that also affect how modern sports are viewed today.

Babe Becomes All-Time HR Leader

YEAR: 1921

SIGNIFICANCE: Babe Ruth became the all-time HR leader

Babe Ruth was the all-time home run king for 53 years until Hammerin’ Hank snatched the crown, hitting his 715th HR on April 8th of 1974. However, many don’t know who the leader was before Ruth made the rare home run significantly more common in the Big Leagues. The slugger was Roger Connor, who played for 21 years in the 19th century and was enshrined in the MLB Hall of Fame in 1976.

The Great Bambino surpassed Connor in just his fourth seasons off the mound and as a full-time hitter on this date nearly a century ago. It’s important to note that during the Sultan of Swat’s first two “full-time” hitting seasons in 1918-19, he also picked up 22 wins on the mound, pitching 300 innings while owning a 2.55 ERA.

15-year-old Makes MLB Debut

YEAR: 1944

SIGNIFICANCE: The youngest player in MLB history, P Joe Nuxhall makes his debut for the Reds

In modern professional baseball, it seems that the league’s best stars are getting younger and younger. Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna, who are two of the most promising sluggers in today’s game, debuted at shockingly young ages of 19 and 20, respectively. While Joe Nuxhall’s MLB career does not remotely compare to Soto and Acuna’s, the fact that he was able to make his way onto the diamond as a 15-year-old is utterly unbelievable in today’s era.

Nuxhall was given the opportunity to pitch for the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning of an 18-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 10, 1944. Keep in mind too that this game took place during the years of World War II, when it was more common for MLB clubs to use adolescent and older players on their big league rosters. Still, imagine a 15-year old pitching to Stan Musial during the year he led St. Louis to their 2nd World Series Championship in 3 years.

1st Woman Drafted into the NBA

YEAR: 1977

SIGNIFICANCE: C Lusia Harris was the 1st woman drafted into the NBA

Nearly 43 years ago, the New Orleans Jazz made history drafting the first woman into the NBA. Lusia Harris, out of Delta State University in Mississippi, was selected in the seventh round of the ’77 Draft. As one of the bigger influences in the movement for women’s professional sports, Harris was considered a pioneer of women’s basketball. Over her spectacular collegiate career, Lusia was a 3-time (AIAW) national champion, a 3-time AIAW Tournament MVP, and a 3-time All-American from 1975-77. To be remembered as one of greatest centers to ever play women’s basketball, Lusia Harris was placed into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 and it all started with her getting drafted exactly 43 years ago.

Rose Ties NL Hits Record

YEAR: 1981

SIGNIFICANCE: Pete Rose ties Stan Musial for NL hits record

Pete Rose is among the greatest hitters to ever swing a baseball bat. On this date 39 years ago, the Phillies first baseman connected for his 3,630th hit, tying Stan Musial for the NL record. Representing durability and consistency over his 24-year MLB tenure, Rose collected 4,256 base-knocks and 2,165 runs (sixth all-time) with a career .303 BA over 3,562 games.

The long-time Cincinnati Red currently holds the records for most all-time hits and games played in MLB history. As most people know though, Rose is the most accomplished player to not be enshrined into the Hall of Fame without any steroid controversy. Since 1989, Rose has been banned from Cooperstown because he bet on the Reds as the Manager of the team after his playing career

Hank Aaron's 14th Grand Slam

YEAR: 1972

SIGNIFICANCE: Hank Aaron’s record-tying 14th Grand Slam moved him into 2nd on all-time HR list

Almost five decades ago, Hank Aaron smacked his 14th career grand slam, tying Gil Hodges’ NL record. What made the colossal crush so special was that it was his 649th ever, which moved him passed Willie Mays into second place on the all-time home run list. The Braves Outfielder went on to take the HR crown from the Great Bambino himself in 1974, holding it for 33 years until being surpassed by Barry Bonds in the summer of 2007.