On This Day in Sports History: June 1st

Michael Jordan and Lou Gehrig are two of the best athletes in the history of their sports. Air Jordan’s NBA Finals buzzer beater and the Iron Horse’s consecutive game streak are among the significant sports events that have occurred on June 1st. The other top moments in sports that took place on this day each represent how incredible individual performances and careers help mold the identity of modern professional sports.

MJ's Buzzer Beater in the Finals

YEAR: 1997 – Game 1 of the NBA Finals

SIGNIFICANCE: The most recent NBA Finals game-winning buzzer beater

Michael Jordan is considered the GOAT for a reason. It was his ability to come through in the clutch time-and-time again that set him apart from his peers. His nine career game-winning buzzer beaters are the most in NBA history and his final one in a Bulls uniform came on the biggest stage.

Utah was playing in their first Finals game in NBA history while MJ’s Bulls had plenty of championship experience. His buzzer beater in Game 1 helped lead the Bulls to a 6-game series victory that crowned the city of Chicago with their fifth championship in the decade. They would go on to win another one in 1998 for a second three-peat over an eight-year period.

Mets Only No-Hitter in History

YEAR: 2012

SIGNIFICANCE: New York Mets only no-hitter in franchise history

Johan Santana was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 2000s decade as a perennial Cy Young candidate with two awards to show for it (and probably should have won three straight). After a successful run in the Twin Cities, Santana cashed out in Free Agency after 2007, joining the Mets on a whopping 6y/$137.5M deal giving NYM the ace they needed.

He dominated right away with a third-place Cy Young finish in his first season and delivered two more highly productive seasons before missing the 2011 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. His 2012 campaign ended up being the final season of Santana’s career and it will forever be remembered for his June 1st outing against the Cardinals where he threw 134 pitches and didn’t allow a single hit in the game, giving the Mets their first (and only) no-hitter in franchise history.

Dirk's Franchise Record 50-Piece

YEAR: 2006 – Western Conference Finals Game 5

SIGNIFICANCE: Dirk Nowitzki scored Mavericks playoff franchise record 50 points

Nobody in the history of the Dallas Mavericks franchise has scored as many points as Dirk Nowitzki has in the Playoffs. In fact, Dirk accounts for the four highest-scoring playoff performances by any Mavs player ever. On this day in 2006 was his greatest performance as he dropped 50 in a crucial Game 5 victory that eventually led to Dallas’ first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. While the Mavs 2-0 series lead in the Finals evaporated at the hands of a historic Dwyane Wade performance, Nowitzki’s Mavs would get revenge on Miami in 2011 in what many consider the greatest Finals victory by an individual player over the last 30 years.

SuperSonics' First NBA Title

YEAR: 1979 – NBA Finals Game 5

SIGNIFICANCE: Sonics bring home Seattle’s first Championship trophy ever

As Seattle’s first major professional sports franchise, the SuperSonics claimed their first NBA Title against the Washington Bullets on June 1st, 1979. Led by Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, and future HOFer Jack Sikma, the Sonics wrapped up the series in Game 5 by securing their fourth consecutive victory. Sikma averaged a double-double (16.2 PPG and 14.8 RPG) over the series, but the ultimate takeaway is that this is the only title in the history of the Sonics. Seattle’s NBA franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 just one year after drafting future HOF Kevin Durant, but the OKC Thunder have yet to capture the Larry O’Brien trophy, making this 1979 victory the only championship in franchise history.

Gehrig Begins Legendary Streak

YEAR: 1925

SIGNIFICANCE: Lou Gehrig begins 2nd longest consecutive games streak in MLB history

Nobody knew the significance of this game when it happened on June 1, 1925 as Lou Gehrig made the only pinch-hit appearance of his 17-year career with the New York Yankees. Yet almost 100 years later, it’s hard not to respect what Gehrig was able to accomplish.

For the next 2,130 straight games, the Iron Horse started every single ballgame until May 5th, 1939, two months before he famously considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. This streak was a Major League record that lasted almost six decades until the 1995 season. Over the course of his career, Gehrig displayed both extreme durability and capability, hitting .340, 493 HRs, and 1,995 RBIs from 1923-1939 that helped the Yankees win six Championships during their first franchise dynasty headlined by “Murder’s row” featuring Babe Ruth and himself.

Cal Ripken, Jr. eventually surpassed Gehrig’s record when he took the field on September 6th, 1995. The Iron Man went on to play 2,632 consecutive games for the Baltimore Orioles, roughly 16 complete seasons. The special Shortstop managed to accumulate 11,551 ABs (fourth most all-time) while putting up strong offensive numbers at the plate (.276 BA, 431 HRs, and 1,695 RBIs), but not nearly as dominant as Gehrig back in his day.