Top historical sports news stories for July 11

By Brian Miller | Jul 11, 2014

May 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

While the sports nation awaits LeBron James: Another Decision, the rest of the news seems to hinge, for now, on what little might trickle in. Wimbledon is over, the World Cup is wrapping up this weekend, and the NFL is getting ready for training camps to open in a couple of weeks. Sure the NBA has a lot of rumors, but once again, as already mentioned, we await James’ decision and apparently every team is too.

More from LeBron James

It would only be natural for James to make his decision today, July 11. The day is rich in sports history and having “LeBron James Spurns Cleveland…again,” or “LeBron James takes his talents to Lake Erie” would fit nicely around the other top news stories in sports history for this date.

In 1914 Babe Ruth made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. Sure they would trade him later to the New York Yankees and spend the following decades cursed, but it was a monumental event nonetheless. Major League Baseball’s history is shaped by Babe Ruth.

Ruth however wasn’t the only major leaguer making news on this day. In 1985 Nolan ‘the Express” Ryan notched his 4,000th career strikeout. He would finish his career with over 5,700 strikeouts, and of course, seven career no-hitters on his way to a Hall of Fame career.

We can keep with the baseball theme here but with a sadder tone. Yankee great Mickey Mantle made his final public appearance to increase awareness for organ donations. He would die a month later on August 13th.

A perfect segue from the MLB to the NFL is Bo Jackson. Jackson signed his rookie contract in 1987, a five year deal. He would continue to play both baseball and football until a hip injury cut his professional career short.

So while we await the decision of LeBron James, it’s a perfect day to actually, you know, get a decision.