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The 25 Most Unbreakable Records in Sports History
Today is the 50th anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game. There are certain records that have stood the test of time and for good reason. Records like the Big O averaging a triple-double for a season or Richard Petty's 200 wins have yet to be matched let alone challenged. How about Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak or Pistol's 44 ppg at LSU? This list is almost impossible to rank and we're sure you guys will let us know if we missed anything. So, feel free to check out and discuss the 25 Most Unbreakable Records in Sports History.
100-Meter Record (9.58 seconds)
25. 100-Meter Record (9.58 seconds)
Date: 8/16/2009
Set By: Usain Bolt
We include this with the caveat that while it's a record that might be broken, it's also a record that definitely will not be broken by anyone except the current record holder. A year after beating Tyson Gay's world record by a tenth of a second, Usain shattered it. He looks in the mirror and see's his only opponent. The scary part is he's not finished yet. Usain is sure to make some history in this year's summer games.
Most Wins by an NBA Team (72-10)
24. Most Wins by an NBA Team (72-10)
Date: 1995-1996
Set By: Chicago Bulls
The '95-96 Bulls still give opposing teams and fans nightmares. Ron Harper running the point, Jordan and Pippen on the wings, Rodman doing the dirty work, Kukoc off the pine and Phil Jackson running the show? Cats simply did not want it. The amount of professionalism and dedication it takes to only lose 10 games in an 82 game season is astonishing. Night in and night out, the Bulls dominated with suffocating defense and had the G.O.A.T. making sure they never quit. No other team will come close to this record, unless there's some Jordan clone we don't know about.
Most NASCAR Wins (200)
23. Most NASCAR Wins (200)
Date: 7/4/1984
Set By: Richard Petty
The King is far and ahead in this category. The next closest is David Pearson with 105 wins and the next closest active racer is Jeff Gordon with 85. Petty also won seven Daytona 500s, three more than the rest of the field. His career lasted 35 years and he's won in four decades. He also won a record 27 races in 1967 (10 straight at one point). Petty and Dale Sr. are the only two drivers to win 7 NASCAR championships. If you're not first you're last!
Most Points in a Single NHL Season (215)
22. Most Points in a Single NHL Season (215)
Date: 1985-1986
Set By: Wayne Gretzkey
What record doesn't this man have? He and Super Mario hold thirteen spots in the history books for most points in a single season. Along with this record, Gretzky owns the most assists in a single season with 163 and 38 other regular season records. No active player has even come close to breaking this. Matter of fact, most of his records are pretty much untouchable. The Great One stands alone.
Most Hits in MLB History (4,256)
21. Most Hits in MLB History (4,256)
Date: 8/14/1985
Set By: Pete Rose
Charlie Hustle's claim to fame isn't just gambling. He and Ty Cobb are the only two players to be in the 4,000 hit club; the next closet active player is Derek Jeter with 3,088 hits. Playing for 23 years sure helps and he's also the only player to make the All-Star team at five different positions. Pete's a Hall of Famer in our book.
Single-Season HR Record (73)
20. Single-Season HR Record (73)
Date: 10/7/2001
Set By: Barry Bonds
This record will never be touched in our lifetime, or at least until the league allows steroids again. There are probably cats out there that are slipping through the cracks, *coughs Ryan Braun* but it's apparent guys aren't tearing the covers off the ball like they used to. Although, one can argue if this record is even legit. Barry captivated fans in 2001, and those same fans turned on him once rumors of PEDs started to swirl. If Barry, Mark, or Sammy can't get in the Hall neither should any executive, manager or commissioner because they all put their heads in the sand.
NBA Single-Game Scoring Record (100)
19. NBA Single-Game Scoring Record (100)
Date: 3/2/1962
Set By: Wilt Chamberlain
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. Let's put this feat into some kind of perspective: There are only three teams currently averaging 100 points or more per game this season the (Heat, OKC Thunder, and Denver Nuggets). That's right, on this ridiculous night Wilt scored more than 90% of the league is averaging per game right now. As great as this stat is we still have to say 20,000 over a life time >>> 100 on one night. #KING
Most Consecutive Tour de France Wins (7)
18. Most Consecutive Tour de France Wins (7)
Date: 1999-2005
Set By: Lance Armstrong
One of the main reasons why the French hate Americans. After surviving testicular cancer Lance ran off seven straight Tours and made himself into a household name. They've tried to drag his name in the dirt with doping allegations, but there hasn't been any real evidence. The next closest to this record is Miguel Indurain of Spain with 5 in a row (1991-1995).
Average a Triple-Double for a Season
17. Average a Triple-Double for a Season
Date: 1961-1962
Set By: Oscar Robertson
The "Big O" averaged 30.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg and 11.4 apg during the 1962 season making him the only player in NBA history to do so. He flirted with the same feat four other times (1961, 1963, 1964, 1965). He was a big PG for his day standing at 6'5" and was the blueprint for guys like MJ and Kobe. LeBron is the only player that can possibly do it, but that's still a stretch. Oscar retired with 181 triple-doubles; Magic and Kidd are the only two players to have 100 or more.
Most NCAA Titles in a Row (7)
16. Most NCAA Titles in a Row (7)
Date: 1967-1973
Set By: John Wooden
This is one of those records that will always stand because the times have changed. Players aren't looking forward to staying all four years. They're more interested in cashing in and we really can't blame them. Wooden was the coach's coach. From the Pyramid of Success to his famous quotes, Coach Wooden is second to none. He won seven straight titles with the help of a kid from New York named Lew Alcindor and a redhead, Dead-head named Bill Walton. UCLA won ten championships in twelve years with Wooden at the helm.
NBA Championships Held by One Player (11)
15. NBA Championships Held by One Player (11)
Date: 5/5/1969
Set By: Bill Russell
Bill has five MVPs to go along with his 11 rings and was the key ingredient in the early Celtics dynasties. His career blocks would've made this list, but they didn't keep track of them in his day. The way Bill blocked shots is a lost art form in today's game of flash and bravado. Dwight and them prefer to throw shit into the second row instead of creating a fast break opportunity like Russell did. The game was a lot simpler then. No Youtube or 24-hour sports channels. Winning was all that mattered.
Most No-Hitters (7)
14. Most No-Hitters (7)
Date: 5/1/1991
Set By: Nolan Ryan
There are two reasons no one will ever break Nolan Ryan's record of seven career no-hitters: 1. Very few pitchers have a style as well suited to blanking batters as Ryan (in addition to his no-hitters, he had 24 no-nos broken up in the 7th inning or later), and 2. There are even fewer pitchers with Ryan's longevity (and practically none with Ryan's combination of heat and endurance). Ryan pitched his first no-hitter on May 15, 1973, when he was 26. He pitched his last on May 1, 1991, when he was 44. The contemporary pitcher with the best chance of approaching Ryan's record is reigning AL Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander, who's just turned 29 and has two no-hitters to his credit. Of course when Ryan turned 29, he'd already pitched four no-nos.
Most Career Stolen Bases (1,406)
13. Most Career Stolen Bases (1,406)
Date: 8/23/2003
Set By: Rickey Henderson
With a career spanning four decades, Rickey Henderson is far and beyond the major league leader in stolen bases. He's 468 bases ahead of the competition (Lou Brock) and 852 ahead of the next active player (Juan Pierre). Rickey stole his last base at 44 putting some of us young cats to shame. No one has matched his speed and wisdom on the base paths and probably never will. He's the Mike Jordan of base stealers.
NCAA Scoring Record (44.2 PPG; 3,667 points)
12. NCAA Scoring Record (44.2 PPG; 3,667 points)
Date: 1967-1970
Set By: Pete Maravich
No one put on a show quite like the Pistol. Under his father at LSU, Maravich wrecked havoc on the basketball court. Averaging 44 points for his career along with bringing flash and style to the game only seen on the streets of NYC at the time. Pete did this in an era with no three-point line and his freshman year didn't count towards his official average. Former LSU coach Dale Brown (who discovered Shaq) charted every Pistol LSU game and said if the three-pointers were counted, Maravich would have averaged a cartoony 57 ppg. His silhouette of floppy hair and floppy socks should be the NCAA logo.
56-Game Hitting Streak
11. 56-Game Hitting Streak
Date: 7/16/1941
Set By: Joe DiMaggio
Talk about unbreakable. Joe D's record has stood for 70 years and counting. Pete Rose came close with a 44-game streak in 1978 (tied for second with Wee Willie Keeler) and Jimmy Rollins comes in third with a 38-game streak between '05 and '06. With technology and the media the way it is today, it's hard to see this record being challenged. As soon as someone gets to 30 games all hell breaks loose.
Longest Tennis Match (11 hours and 5 minutes)
10. Longest Tennis Match (11 hours and 5 minutes)
Date: 6/24/2010
Set By: John Isner (USA) and Nicolas Mahut (France)
The match was spread across three days. Isner and Mahut went at it endlessly and more than likely ruined Isner's chances of winning in the next round due to all the energy expended for just this one match. Both were relatively unknown before this milestone and still are relatively unknown.
Most Consecutive Games Started in the NHL (502)
9. Most Consecutive Games Started in the NHL (502)
Date: 11/7/1962
Set By: Glenn Hall
Hall did this without a mask, folks. "Mr. Goalie" won the Venzina three times and was credited with first using the butterfly technique we see goaltenders use today. Glenn was the losing goaltender in Bobby Orr's famous picture of one of the greatest goals ever made. With that being said, Glenn Hall is the Godfather of net-minders.
Most Consecutive Games Played in MLB History (2,632)
8. Most Consecutive Games Played in MLB History (2,632)
Date: 9/20/1998
Set By: Cal Ripken Jr.
Cal began his streak of consecutive games played on May 30, 1982 and it lasted 16 years. He's 500 ahead of Gehrig and no other active player has more than 300. Accomplishing this is just as mental as it is physical. He got up and went to work everyday whether he was sick or injured. Cal also switched positions during the streak, moving from shortstop to third base. #ironman
Most Consecutive Games Played in NFL (297)
7. Most Consecutive Games Played in NFL (297)
Date: 12/13/2010
Set By: Brett Favre
Say what you want about Brett Favre, but that man is one tough S.O.B. The ol' gunslinger went to work every Sunday for nearly 19 years. These young punks can't even dream about doing some shit like that; too soft. He demolished the old record for starting QBs which was 117 and he's 27 starts ahead of Jim Marshal for most consecutive starts for any position. Now he stands alone because his only comp was Peyton Manning (208); Ronde Barber is the active leader with 199.
Most Red Cards in a Soccer Match (36)
6. Most Red Cards in a Soccer Match (36)
Date: 2/22/2011
Set By: Damian Rubino, Referee
Damian Rubino did his best Billy Crystal in Forget Paris impression when he carded 36 players on and off the field. And rightfully so, the game was constantly interrupted with scuffles and bickering with a bench clearing brawl as the grand finale. You gotta love second-rate pro leagues.
Most Career Wins in MLB History (511)
5. Most Career Wins in MLB History (511)
Date: 9/22/1911
Set By: Cy Young
Casual baseball fans like to point to Joe Dimaggio's 56-game hitting streak as the most unbreakable record in the sport, but any seamhead with half a brain knows that Cy Young's win total will never be matched. Young racked up all of his wins in the dead ball era. So it's easy to say that this record will never be broken. Pitchers pitch in fewer games and innings in the modern era. Back in those days, pitchers played damn near every game and finished them; none of this bullpen crap we see today. The crown (and trophy) will be forever his.
Fastest Hat-Trick in NHL History (21 seconds)
4. Fastest Hat-Trick in NHL History (21 seconds)
Date: 3/23/1952
Set By: Bill Mosienko
Bill Monsienko a.k.a Mr. 5950, recorded the fastest hat trick in NHL history by scoring three goals in 21 seconds on Rangers goalie Lorne Anderson. Oh yeah, he did all this in front of faithful Rangers fans at Madison Square Garden. #skatingonem #hihaters
Fastest MMA Knockout of All-Time (Two seconds)
3. Fastest MMA Knockout of All Time (Two seconds)
Date: 7/19/2008
Set By: Ryohei Masuda
This is the fastest pro knockout to ever be recorded, folks. Takahiro Kuroishi looked ready for action staring into the crowd and then jumping around getting loose. He mistook Masuda's poise for fear and got laid out faster than he lunged at him. Night, night.
Longest Play in NFL History (109 Yards)
2. Longest Play in NFL History (109 Yards)
Date: 11/4/2007
Set By: Antonio Cromartie
This record can never be broken, only tied. Vikings K Ryan Longwell came up short on a 58-yard FG before the half and Cromartie made a heads up play. He took it 109-yards to the house, untouched (not officially a kick return).
The Most Lopsided Victory in College Football History (222-0)
1. The Most Lopsided Victory in College Football History (222-0)
Date: 10/7/1916
Set By: Georgia Tech Football
In 1916, Georgia Tech beat tiny Cumberland University 222-0, a margin of victory that won't be equaled in any sport. But that's not the only unbreakable record from this bit of organized emasculation disguised as a football game. Tech racked up 1,620 yards rushing for the game and scored 32 touchdowns. For reference, Wisconsin's Montee Ball scored 33 touchdowns on 1923 yards rushing this past season—in 14 games.