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On July 4, 2018, Aaron Nola continued his dominant season by allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out nine as the Phillies defeated the Orioles 4-1.

Through his first 18 starts of the 2018 season, Nola was one of just four pitchers in Phillies history to record at least 11 wins, 115 strikeouts, and an ERA below 2.45.

• Steve Carlton (1980) — 13-1, 141 SO, 1.93 ERA
• Roy Halladay (2011) — 11-3, 131 SO, 2.44 ERA
• Grover Alexander (1915) — 13-3, 118 SO, 1.39 ERA
• Aaron Nola (2018) — 11-2, 116 SO, 2.41 ERA

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

On July 4, 2022, Major League Baseball witnessed something it had never seen in more than a century of history.

The Minnesota Twins turned the first 8-5 triple play in MLB history during their game against the White Sox in Chicago.

The historic play began with center fielder Byron Buxton making the catch before third baseman Gio Urshela tagged one runner out between the bases and then doubled off another by stepping on second base, completing the unprecedented 8-5 triple play.

It remains the only 8-5 triple play in Major League Baseball history

If the Flyers are able to land Leo Carlsson, it would be a franchise-altering move.

Carlsson has already shown in just three NHL seasons that he’s a star center in the making.
Last season, at just 21 years old, he recorded:

• 29 goals
• 38 assists
• 67 points

Since 2000-01, he’s one of only 31 centers to record a 65+ point season at age 21 or younger:

• Sidney Crosby (4 seasons)
• Steven Stamkos (3 seasons)
• Connor Bedard (2 seasons)
• Wyatt Johnston (2 seasons)
• Elias Pettersson (2 seasons)
• Auston Matthews (2 seasons)
• Connor McDavid (2 seasons)
• John Tavares (2 seasons)
• Jonathan Toews (2 seasons)
• Nicklas Bäckström (2 seasons)
• Anže Kopitar (2 seasons)
• Patrice Bergeron (2 seasons)
• Leo Carlsson (1 season)
• Logan Cooley (1 season)
• Seth Jarvis (1 season)
• Dylan Cozens (1 season)
• Jack Hughes (1 season)
• Trevor Zegras (1 season)
• Sebastian Aho (1 season)
• Mathew Barzal (1 season)
• Clayton Keller (1 season)
• Mitch Marner (1 season)
• Brayden Point (1 season)
• Leon Draisaitl (1 season)
• Jordan Eberle (1 season)
• Tyler Seguin (1 season)
• Matt Duchene (1 season)
• Evgeni Malkin (1 season)
• Paul Stastny (1 season)
• Eric Staal (1 season)
• Joe Thornton (1 season)

Data via Hockey Reference / Stathead

On July 3, 2023, Ronald Acuña Jr. recorded his 40th stolen base of the season in Atlanta’s 4-2 win over the Guardians.

Already with 20 home runs and more than 50 RBI on the year, Acuña became the first player in MLB history to reach 20 home runs and 40 stolen bases before the All-Star break.

Only 38 players in MLB history have recorded a full season with at least 20 home runs and 40 stolen bases, making Acuña’s accomplishment before the All-Star break even more remarkable.

Players with multiple 20 HR/40 SB seasons:

1.) Bobby Bonds (7 seasons)
T-2.) Rickey Henderson (4 seasons)
T-2.) Joe Morgan (4 seasons)
T-4.) Barry Bonds (3 seasons)
T-4.) César Cedeño (3 seasons)
T-6.) José Ramírez (2 seasons)
T-6.) Carlos Beltrán (2 seasons)
T-6.) Alfonso Soriano (2 seasons)
T-6.) Craig Biggio (2 seasons)
T-6.) Eric Davis (2 seasons)

Players with one 20 HR/40 SB season:

• Jazz Chisholm Jr.
• Elly De La Cruz
• Shohei Ohtani
• Ronald Acuña Jr.
• Corbin Carroll
• Bobby Witt Jr.
• Jonathan Villar
• Carlos Gómez
• Mike Trout
• Matt Kemp
• Eric Byrnes
• Hanley Ramírez
• Jimmy Rollins
• Bobby Abreu
• Vladimir Guerrero
• Alex Rodríguez
• Brady Anderson
• Ray Lankford
• Howard Johnson
• José Canseco
• Ryne Sandberg
• Davey Lopes
• Mitchell Page
• Bert Campaneris
• Lou Brock
• Tommie Agee
• Jim Wynn
• Willie Mays

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

Mike Gansey continues to reshape the Sixers roster, this time adding Anfernee Simons on a two-year, $12.3 million deal.

Simons could end up being the best shooter Joel Embiid has ever had coming off the bench in Philadelphia.

Since his breakout season in 2021-22, Simons is one of just four NBA players to total:

• 5,000+ points
• 900+ three-pointers made
• 38.0% or better from three-point range

• Stephen Curry — 8,094 PTS, 1,416 3PM, 40.1 3P%

• CJ McCollum — 6,867 PTS, 994 3PM, 39.2 3P%

• Anfernee Simons — 5,466 PTS, 908 3PM, 38.1 3P%

• Klay Thompson — 5,351 PTS, 1,101 3PM, 39.3 3P%

Data via Basketball Reference / Stathead

On July 2, 2011, Roy Halladay made his highly anticipated return to Toronto for the first time since being traded to the Phillies.

Pitching in front of more than 44,000 fans, Halladay delivered a classic Doc performance, tossing a complete game with eight strikeouts as the Phillies defeated the Blue Jays 5-3.

From 2000-2026, Halladay ranks second in MLB with 21 games of at least 9 innings pitched and 8 or more strikeouts.

1.) Randy Johnson (25 games)
2.) Roy Halladay (21 games)
3.) CC Sabathia (19 games)
4.) Curt Schilling (17 games)
5.) Clayton Kershaw (16 games)
6.) Adam Wainwright (15 games)
T-7.) Javier Vázquez (14 games)
T-7.) Corey Kluber (14 games)
T-9.) Félix Hernández (13 games)
T-9.) Justin Verlander (13 games)

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

On July 2, 2025, Clayton Kershaw became the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts. Entering the game needing just three strikeouts to hit the milestone, Kershaw fanned Vinny Capra for the final out of the sixth inning to cement his place in baseball history.

Of the 20 pitchers to record 3,000 career strikeouts, Kershaw is one of only three to tally every one of those strikeouts with a single franchise.

• Walter Johnson (3,509 K, Washington Senators)
• Bob Gibson (3,117 K, St. Louis Cardinals)
• Clayton Kershaw (3,052 K, Los Angeles Dodgers)

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

Brandon Marsh continues his breakout season, smashing his 15th home run of the year in the Phillies’ 10-6 win over the Pirates.

Through his first 82 games of the 2026 season, Marsh is hitting:

• .319 AVG
• 15 HR
• 46 RBI

Marsh is just the 6th Phillies outfielder in franchise history to record 15+ home runs, 45+ RBI, and a batting average above .315 through his first 82 games of a season.

• Greg Luzinski (.327 BA, 21 HR, 71 RBI through his first 82 games in 1977)

• Wes Covington (.327 BA, 16 HR, 58 RBI through his first 82 games in 1963)

• Chuck Klein (.322 BA, 16 HR, 66 RBI through his first 82 games in 1936)

• Chuck Klein (.364 BA, 17 HR, 75 RBI through his first 82 games in 1933)

• Chuck Klein (.361 BA, 25 HR, 85 RBI through his first 82 games in 1932)

• Chuck Klein (.363 BA, 23 HR, 81 RBI through his first 82 games in 1931)

• Chuck Klein (.403 BA, 27 HR, 104 RBI through his first 82 games in 1930)

• Chuck Klein (.372 BA, 28 HR, 76 RBI through his first 82 games in 1929)

• Lefty O’Doul (.392 BA, 19 HR, 62 RBI through his first 82 games in 1929)

• Cy Williams (.321 BA, 27 HR, 79 RBI through his first 82 games in 1923)

• Brandon Marsh (.319 BA, 15 HR, 46 RBI through his first 82 games in 2026)

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

On July 1, 2013, Andy Pettitte passed Whitey Ford for the most strikeouts in New York Yankees history when he recorded the 1,957th strikeout of his Yankees career in a 10-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Pettitte would go on to finish his Yankees career with 2,020 strikeouts, a franchise record that still stands today.

1.) Andy Pettitte (2,020 K)
2.) Whitey Ford (1,956 K)
3.) Ron Guidry (1,778 K)
4.) CC Sabathia (1,700 K)
5.) Red Ruffing (1,526 K)

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

Sandy Alcantara put together a dominant month of June for the Marlins:

• 6-0
• 32 K
• 3.35 ERA

His 6-0 winning streak from June 1 - June 29, 2026 is tied for the sixth-longest winning streak in franchise history.

T-1.) José Fernández (8-0, April 28 - June 5, 2016, 78 K)
T-1.) Chris Hammond (8-0, May 26 - July 2, 1993, 31 K)
T-3.) A.J. Burnett (7-0, July 19 - August 19, 2005, 39 K)
T-3.) Dontrelle Willis (7-0, April 8 - May 11, 2005, 40 K)
T-3.) Dontrelle Willis (7-0, May 25 - June 26, 2003, 45 K)
T-6.) Sandy Alcantara (6-0, June 1 - June 29, 2026, 32 K)
T-6.) Javier Vázquez (6-0, August 30 - September 27, 2011, 42 K)
T-6.) Dontrelle Willis (6-0, August 17 - September 12, 2005, 22 K)
T-6.) Alex Fernandez (6-0, July 23 - August 19, 1997, 43 K)
T-6.) Liván Hernández (6-0, June 28 - August 4, 1997, 30 K)

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

On this day in Philly sports history, June 30, 1992, an independent NHL arbitrator awarded the rights to Eric Lindros to the Philadelphia Flyers, ending one of the most dramatic sagas in league history.

The Nordiques had selected Lindros first overall in the 1991 NHL Draft, but he refused to play for Quebec. After the Nordiques negotiated separate trades with both the Flyers and Rangers, arbitrator Larry Bertuzzi ruled that Philadelphia had reached a binding agreement first.

To land “The Next One,” the Flyers sent Peter Forsberg, Ron Hextall, Mike Ricci, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, first-round picks in 1993 and 1994, and $15 million in cash to Quebec.
Lindros immediately rewarded Philadelphia, scoring 41 goals and recording 75 points as a 19-year-old rookie in 1992-93.

He remains one of just nine players in NHL history to record 40+ goals and 75+ points in a season as a teenager:

• Jimmy Carson (LAK, 1987-88) — 55 G, 107 PTS
• Wayne Gretzky (EDM, 1979-80) — 51 G, 137 PTS
• Steven Stamkos (TBL, 2009-10) — 51 G, 95 PTS
• Macklin Celebrini (SJS, 2025-26) — 45 G, 115 PTS
• Dale Hawerchuk (WIN, 1981-82) — 45 G, 103 PTS
• Mario Lemieux (PIT, 1984-85) — 43 G, 100 PTS
• Brian Bellows (MNS, 1983-84) — 41 G, 83 PTS
• Eric Lindros (PHI, 1992-93) — 41 G, 75 PTS
• Dale Hawerchuk (WIN, 1982-83) — 40 G, 91 PTS

Data via Hockey Reference / Stathead

On this day in sports history, June 30, 1995, Eddie Murray singled off Twins pitcher Mike Trombley for the 3,000th hit of his Hall of Fame career, becoming just the 20th player in MLB history to reach the milestone.

Murray finished his career with 3,255 hits, the third-most ever by a primary first baseman.

1.) Cap Anson (3,435 hits)
2.) Albert Pujols (3,384 hits)
3.) Eddie Murray (3,255 hits)
4.) Rod Carew (3,053 hits)
5.) Rafael Palmeiro (3,020 hits)

Murray is also one of just two switch-hitters in MLB history to record 3,000 or more career hits:
1.) Pete Rose (4,256 hits)
2.) Eddie Murray (3,255 hits)

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

On this day in Philly sports history, June 29, 2013, Chase Utley belted a pair of solo home runs in the Phillies’ 3-2 loss to the Dodgers.

The performance marked the 20th multi-homer game of Utley’s career. He would go on to finish with 23 career multi-homer games, the third-most by a second baseman in MLB history.

T-1.) Ryne Sandberg (24)
T-1.) Robinson Canó (24)
3.) Chase Utley (23)
4.) Joe Gordon (21)
T-5.) Jeff Kent (20)
T-5.) Bret Boone (20)

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

On this day in sports history, June 29, 2004, Randy Johnson joined one of baseball’s most exclusive clubs, becoming just the fourth pitcher in MLB history to reach 4,000 career strikeouts when he struck out Jeff Cirillo of the Padres.

Johnson reached the milestone in just 3,237 1/3 innings, needing significantly fewer innings than Nolan Ryan (3,844 2/3), Roger Clemens (4,151), and Steve Carlton (4,991 1/3) to record strikeout No. 4,000.

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

Jhoan Duran picked up his 21st save of the season in the Phillies’ 5-4 win over the Mets.

Duran is just the 4th relief pitcher in Phillies history to record 20 or more saves through their first 30 appearances of a season.

• Mitch Williams (1993) — 23 SV, 27 SO
• Jhoan Duran (2026) — 21 SV, 44 SO
• Heathcliff Slocumb (1995) — 20 SV, 25 SO
• Steve Bedrosian (1987) — 20 SV, 39 SO

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

Grayson Allen’s tenure in Phoenix may have only lasted three seasons, but he made a lasting impact on the franchise record books.

In just three seasons with the Suns, Allen finished with the 10th-most 3PM in franchise history:

1.) Devin Booker (1,546 3PM)
2.) Steve Nash (1,051 3PM)
3.) Dan Majerle (800 3PM)
4.) Leandro Barbosa (751 3PM)
5.) Shawn Marion (652 3PM)
6.) Raja Bell (622 3PM)
7.) Channing Frye (594 3PM)
8.) Jared Dudley (543 3PM)
9.) Mikal Bridges (525 3PM)
10.) Grayson Allen (513 3PM)

Allen also leaves Phoenix ranked 6th in franchise history in 3P%:

1.) Steve Nash (.435 3P%)
2.) Kevin Durant (.427 3P%)
3.) Raja Bell (.422 3P%)
4.) Damion Lee (.419 3P%)
5.) Tyus Jones (.414 3P%)
6.) Grayson Allen (.410 3P%)

Allen also holds the Suns franchise record for most 3PM in a game:

1.) Grayson Allen (10 3PM, Nov. 10, 2025 vs. NOP)
T-2.) Grayson Allen (9 3PM, Mar. 20, 2024 vs. PHI)
T-2.) Grayson Allen (9 3PM, Jan. 16, 2024 vs. SAC)
T-2.) Grayson Allen (9 3PM, Jan. 5, 2024 vs. MIA)
T-2.) Aron Baynes (9 3PM, Mar. 6, 2020 vs. POR)
T-2.) Channing Frye (9 3PM, Apr. 11, 2011 vs. MIN)
T-2.) Cameron Johnson (9 3PM, Mar. 4, 2022 vs. NYK)
T-2.) Quentin Richardson (9 3PM, Dec. 29, 2004 at NOH)
T-2.) Landry Shamet (9 3PM, Dec. 20, 2022 vs. WAS)

Data via Basketball Reference / Stathead

On this day in sports history, June 28, 2007, Craig Biggio recorded the 3,000th hit of his Hall of Fame career during the Astros’ 8-5 win over the Rockies in 11 innings.

Biggio finished the game 5-for-6, becoming the first player in MLB history to reach the 3,000-hit milestone in a five-hit game. He became just the 27th player in major league history to join the exclusive club.

Data via Baseball Reference

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is just the 12th Dodgers pitcher to record at least 8 wins, 90 strikeouts, and a sub-2.75 ERA through his first 15 starts of a season.

• Dazzy Vance (1924) — 12 W, 105 K, 2.13 ERA
• Don Drysdale (1964) — 8 W, 90 K, 1.92 ERA
• Sandy Koufax (1963) — 10 W, 111 K, 1.63 ERA
• Sandy Koufax (1965) — 10 W, 135 K, 2.04 ERA
• Sandy Koufax (1966) — 11 W, 117 K, 1.53 ERA
• Don Sutton (1973) — 8 W, 90 K, 2.44 ERA
• Don Sutton (1975) — 10 W, 99 K, 1.97 ERA
• Fernando Valenzuela (1981) — 9 W, 106 K, 2.60 ERA
• Ramón Martínez (1990) — 9 W, 121 K, 2.62 ERA
• Chan Ho Park (2001) — 8 W, 105 K, 2.73 ERA
• Zack Greinke (2014) — 9 W, 97 K, 2.57 ERA
• Clayton Kershaw (2014) — 11 W, 134 K, 1.92 ERA
• Clayton Kershaw (2016) — 11 W, 141 K, 1.57 ERA
• Clayton Kershaw (2017) — 10 W, 115 K, 2.61 ERA
• Hyun Jin Ryu (2019) — 9 W, 90 K, 1.27 ERA
• Alex Wood (2017) — 10 W, 97 K, 1.67 ERA
• Clayton Kershaw (2023) — 9 W, 103 K, 2.72 ERA

Data via Baseball Reference / Stathead

On this day in sports history, June 27, 1999, the Seattle Mariners played the final game in Kingdome history, defeating the Rangers 5-2 in front of 56,530 fans.

In fitting fashion, Ken Griffey Jr. provided the Kingdome with a proper sendoff, belting the final home run in the stadium’s history. Griffey hit 198 of his 377 career Mariners home runs at the Kingdome.

Data via Baseball Reference

On this day in Philly sports history, June 27, 2007, Ryan Howard hit the 100th home run of his career.

The blast off Aaron Harang made Howard the fastest player in MLB history to reach 100 career home runs, accomplishing the feat in just his 325th career game.

Howard’s mammoth shot also remains the longest home run in Citizens Bank Park history, traveling an estimated 505 feet.

Data via Baseball Reference