May 06

On May 6, 1915, George 'Babe' Ruth, pitching for the Boston Red Sox, hit his first career home run off Jack Warhop of the New York Yankees. At the time, Ruth was primarily valued for his pitching prowess, but this milestone hinted at his future as a power hitter. He would go on to hit a total of 714 home runs, shattering records and redefining the game. Ruth’s transition from pitcher to outfielder allowed him to focus on hitting, leading to single-season home run records and lasting fame. His charismatic personality and prodigious power helped popularize baseball in the 1920s. Ruth’s first homer marked the beginning of an era in which he became one of the sport’s most iconic figures.

On May 6, 1954, British middle-distance runner Roger Bannister made history at the Iffley Road Track in Oxford by completing the mile in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds. With the help of pacemakers Chris Chataway and Chris Brasher, Bannister overcame physical and mental barriers long thought insurmountable. His achievement captivated the sporting world and disproved the notion that a sub-four-minute mile was impossible. The feat received global media coverage and inspired athletes to push beyond perceived limits. Bannister’s record stood for just 46 days but his legacy endures as a symbol of human endurance and perseverance.

On May 6, 1998, Chicago Cubs rookie Kerry Wood delivered a historic pitching performance at Wrigley Field. He struck out 20 Houston Astros, matching the major league record set by Roger Clemens earlier that season. Wood's gem included a one-hit complete game with no walks, showcasing pinpoint control and devastating velocity. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest pitcher ever to reach 20 strikeouts in a game. The feat remains one of the most dominant outings in baseball history, cementing Wood's place among the sport's greats.