#MJMondays

How many times do I have to tell you?

The first three-peat.

“Durability is part of what makes a great athlete.” – Bill Russell

“The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves.” – Mike Ditka

Feb. 26, 1935 – The New York Yankees released Babe Ruth

Ruth signed with the Boston Braves for $20,000 and a share in the team’s profits.

“The Sultan of Swat” was known for his hitting brilliance as he set career records in his time for home runs (714 since broken), slugging percentage (.690), runs batted in (RBI) (2,213 since broken), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (1.164). Ruth originally entered the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox as a starting pitcher, but after he was sold to the New York Yankees in 1919, he converted to a full-time right fielder. He subsequently became one of the league’s most prolific hitters and with his home run hitting prowess, he helped the Yankees win seven pennants and four World Series titles.

Ruth retired in 1935 after a short stint with the Boston Braves, and the following year, he became one of the first five players to be elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

“If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.” – Mario Andretti

Vintage Sundays.

Pat Riley backs down Phil Jackson during a 1972 game between the Lakers and Knicks. The two would win a combined 16 championships as coaches.

via Sports Illustrated vault

Feb. 5, 1989 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the first player to score 38,000 points

Kareem reached the 38,000-point mark in the final year of his career, as he retired at the conclusion of the 1988-89 NBA season.  The 7’2″ center spent his first six NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, before being sent to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent the final 14 seasons of his career.  During his 20 years in the league, Kareer Abdul-Jabbar accumulated six NBA titles, two Finals MVP awards, six NBA MVP awards, 19 All-Star appearances, two scoring titles, and a record 38,387 career points, which still stands to this day.

Abdul-Jabbar’s retirement marked the end of an era for the NBA. He left the game as the games all-time scorer, which may never be surpassed, with 38,387 points (24.6 ppg), 17,440 rebounds (11.2 rpg), 3,189 blocks, and a .559 field-goal percentage from a career that spanned 20 years and 1,560 games. He scored in double figures in 787 straight games.

Kareem currently sits 1,459 points ahead of Karl Malone  and 6,095 points ahead of Michael Jordan, who are second and third on the NBA’s career scoring list.

Several years after he retired Abdul-Jabbar told the Orange County Register, “The ’80s made up for all the abuse I took during the ’70s. I outlived all my critics. By the time I retired, everybody saw me as a venerable institution. Things do change.”

“Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” – Rudy Tomjanovich

“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.” – Michael Jordan

June 30, 1984 – France won the UEFA European Football Championships. It was the country’s first major international soccer tournament victory.

As the hosts of the tournament, France automatically qualified for the eight-team tournament. They would cruise through the Group Stage of the tournament, beating Denmark 1-0 in their opener, and following that up with a 5-0 victory over Belgium and a 3-2 win over Yugoslavia. That earned them top spot in Group A, setting up a semi-final match-up against Portugal.

With the game tied 1-1 after 90 minutes, extra time was needed, and it turned out to be quite the entertaining 30 minutes, as Portugal’s Rui Jordão opened the scoring in the 98th minute, before France answered with goals from Jean-Francois Domergue and Michel Platini to earn the thrilling 3-2 victory.

France faced Spain in the finals, and they would cruise to the 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Platini and Bruno Bellone. Platini would easily take home top goalscorer honors, as his nine goals in the tournament set a UEFA European Football Championship record, which still stands to this day.

– source