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On This Day in Sports History: June 30th
The Nets sparked one of the craziest Free Agency periods of all-time, Eddie Murray joined the 3,000 Hits Club, and more!
ESPN
Just last year, the Brooklyn Nets kicked off the 2019 NBA Free Agency by signing two of the best players on the planet. Precisely five decades earlier, one of the greatest Centers in NBA history officially retired with Championships galore. These two significant events are just a preview into some of the many memorable moments to transpire on this day in pro sports history.
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: The Nets signed the best 2 players on the market (Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving)
On this day last year, the Brooklyn Nets made league-altering power moves on the first day of NBA Free Agency. With PG D’Angelo Russell a restricted Free Agent, the Nets signed SF Kevin Durant to a 4y/$164M contract (and late signed-and-traded them). Adding a player of KD’s caliber would’ve been enough to be declared winners of the offseason, but they also added PG Kyrie Irving to replace DLo on a 4y/$142M deal.
Brooklyn has yet to have their new and improved dynamic duo on the court simultaneously considering KD’s 2019 NBA Finals Achilles injury, but will have the ability to fight for the top spot in the East when they return next year. Beyond Brooklyn, many teams made big changes on Day 1 of the 2019 free agency period. Among the notable acquisitions were the Celtics trading for PG Kemba Walker, the Heat landing SG Jimmy Butler, and the 76ers obtaining C Al Horford. Check out some transaction reactions of 2019’s biggest moves here.
YEAR: 1969
SIGNIFICANCE: Bill Russell retired as one of the most accomplished basketball players in NBA history
Another amazing accomplishment that took place on this day in pro sports history was C Bill Russell finishing his final chapter as a NBA legend. Just over five decades ago, Russ retired as one of the most decorated athletes of all-time. He participated in 12 All-Star games, won 11 championships, and was a 4x Rebounds leader. The 5x NBA MVP was enshrined in Springfield during his first year of eligibility in 1975.
YEAR: 1978
SIGNIFICANCE: Willie McCovey became the 12th member of the exclusive 500-HR Club
Last week, baseball fans were reminded about Willie McCovey’s two-HR inning against the Cincinnati Reds in 1977. Exactly a year later, the future Hall-of-Famer launched one blast against the Atlanta Braves to become just the 12th ballplayer ever to reach the 500 career HR milestone. McCovey retired after the 1980 season and currently sits 20th on the all-time HR list, tied with baseball icons Frank Thomas and Ted Williams with 521 career bombs.
YEAR: 1995
SIGNIFICANCE: Murray became the 20th player and the 2nd switch-hitter to join the 3,000 Hits Club
25 years ago today, Indians 1B Eddie Murray became just the 20th player in MLB history to achieve an astounding all-time feat. Murray knocked his 3,000th base hit in a 4-1 victory against the Minnesota Twins. He followed in the footsteps of two other incredible Cleveland ballplayers named Nap Lajoie and Tris Speaker. Pete Rose (MLB’s all-time Hits leader) is the only other member in the 3,000-hit club to hit from both the left and right side of the plate. Before reaching the HOF in 2003, Murray remarkably collected 3,255 hits (13th all-time) and 504 HRs (27th all-time) in 3,026 games played (sixth all-time).
YEAR: 1999
SIGNIFICANCE: The Spurs landed a future 4x Champ with the No. 57 pick
Today’s date marks the 21-year anniversary of the 1999 NBA Draft. Basketball fans watched many future stars enter the Association on this night in Washington D.C., but the one true takeaway is remembering the San Antonio Spurs snag SG Manu Ginobili out of Argentina at 57th overall (fourth to last) in the deeply talented draft.
Among the greatest sixth-man award winners in NBA history, Manu became a 2x All-Star and 4x NBA Champ after being named Rookie of the Year in 2002-03. The best players taken in the 1999 draft also include PF Elton Brand (first overall), PG Steve Francis (second), PG Baron Davis (third), PF Lamar Odom (fourth), PG Andre Miller (eighth), SF Shawn Marion, SG Jason Terry (10th), and more.
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