Oct. 5 – Barry Bonds breaks McGwire’s HR record
In 2001, Barry Bonds hit his 71 and 72 home runs in the same game, shattering McGwire’s record of 70. McGwire set the record just three years prior, with many thinking that record would never be broken. Bonds ended that season with 73 home runs, a record that still stands today.
Oct. 6 – Michael Jordan announces first retirement
NBA legend Michael Jordan announced his first retirement in 1993. Jordan said his decision was due to his lost desire to play basketball and wanting to spend more time with his family. Jordan’s father had died just three months earlier, and he said that his death shaped the decision. Jordan played baseball for the Chicago White Sox affiliate, Birmingham Barons for 13 months while retired. The NBA legend announced he was coming back to basketball, winning three consecutive championships to end his career with six.
Oct. 7 – Georgia Tech beats Cumberland 222-0
In 1916, Georgia Tech beat Cumberland by the most lopsided score in NCAA history, 222-0. Not only is that the worst loss in history, Georgia Tech still holds the unofficial record for most points scored in a game due to records being kept starting in 1937. The Engineers scored 32 touchdowns and had at least 42 points in every quarter.
Oct. 8 – Drew Brees becomes NFL’s all-time leading passer
New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees broke Peyton Manning’s career passing yards record in 2018. The Saints quarterback threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns in that game, needing just 201 yards to break the record. Brees finished his career with 80,358 passing yards, though Tom Brady is just 769 yards away from tying the record.
Oct. 9 – Gilbert Perreault scores 500 goal
NHL superstar Gilbert Perreault scored his 500 career goal in 1986. The Colorado Sabres’ center was just the twelfth player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal mark. The Canadian finished his career with 512 goals, which puts him at No. 41 in NHL history.
Oct. 10 – Michael Shumacher wins thirteenth race of season
In 2004, German Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher won his thirteenth race of the season in Japan. He had already clinched the Formula One World Drivers Championship before the race had even begun. His 2004 victory was a record seventh championship win, with Lewis Hamilton tying his record in 2020. Hamilton has won six of the last seven World Championships.
Oct. 11 – Deion Sanders plays for Falcons and Braves in same day
NFL legend Deion Sanders played a game for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves on the same day in 1992. Sanders played a game in Miami against the Dolphins and then flew to Pittsburgh to play for the Braves in the NLCS. In his career, Sanders played 641 MLB games and 188 NFL games. He is widely regarded as one of the best dual sport athletes of all time.
