Image via Complex Original
A lot changes in a quarter-century. Just ask Roger Clemens. Exactly 25 years ago today, the Rocket made history by striking out a record 20 Seattle Mariners in nine innings. Although his reputation, Hall of Fame status, and other uhh...physical attributes (II) may have changed, the feat still was one of the most dominant performances in sports history. Clemens' athletic display ranks up there with Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game, Mark Messier's 1994 Eastern Conference Finals hat trick, and Adrian Peterson's 297-yard single-game rushing record. So, in honor of the anniversary, from MMA to the NBA, here are the 25 Most Dominating Single-Game Performances in Pro Sports History.
25. DeAngelo Hall Owns Jay Cutler
DATE: 10/24/2010
ATHLETE: DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins
COMPLEX SAYS: Hall tied an NFL record by grabbing four interceptions, one of which he returned for a 92-yard touchdown. With fails on the field and players making asses of themselves off of it (yes you, Fat Albert), we're sure Skins fans were glad Hall gave them a little something to cheer about in 2010.
24. MMA is NOT for Amateurs
DATE: 11/21/1998
ATHLETE: Travis Fulton
COMPLEX SAYS: If you think brutality is a problem in MMA today, just take a look at this classic footage to see how the sport has progressed. Anyone could tell from the pre-fight interviews that this match-up was a bad idea. This old school version of Pros vs. Joes is still hilarious, though. Yup, good enough to be the greatest MMA domination of all time, good enough for a spot on this list.
23. Favre Overcomes Tragedy
DATE: 12/22/2003
ATHLETE: Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
COMPLEX SAYS: Before the annual comeback spectacles or the Jenn Sterger scandal, Favre was one of the most respected quarterbacks in NFL history. No moment was more emotional or defining than his Monday Night Football performance one day after his father's death. Favre put up 399 yards, threw for four touchdowns, and had a QB rating of 154.9 (just 3.4 points shy of perfect) in a 41-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders.
22. Messed Around and Got a Quadruple-Double
DATE: 2/17/1994
ATHLETE: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
COMPLEX SAYS: Only four quadruple-doubles have been recorded in NBA history and this was the most recent. Robinson recorded 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks in the Spurs victory over the Pistons. If that wasn't enough, Dennis Rodman also racked up 18 boards in the same game. Wait, the Spurs actually used to be somewhat entertaining. Not so much anymore.
21. Fastest Hat Trick in NHL History
DATE: 3/23/1952
ATHLETE: Bill Mosienko, Chicago Blackhawks
COMPLEX SAYS: Setting an NHL record that will most likely never be broken, Mosienko scored three goals in 21 seconds against the New York Rangers. Yup, that's Bill Mosienko a.k.a. Mr. 5950 for ya.
20. Don't Pitch to Mark Whiten
DATE: 9/7/1993
ATHLETE: Mark Whiten, St. Louis Cardinals
COMPLEX SAYS: Generally known as a journeyman, Whiten never made an All-Star or World Series team. But this memorable performance earned him a spot in the MLB record books. In five at-bats, Whiten tied the record for most home runs (4) and RBIs (12) in a single game. Thanks to the jackasses over at MLB we can't show you video footage of his historic day. What's that, MLB attendance and general fan interest is down? You don't say!
19. The King Rules Court
DATE: 6/2/2007
ATHLETE: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
COMPLEX SAYS: Way before homie took his talents to South Beach, Bron Bron was putting on a show for his city with performances like this one in the Eastern Conference Finals. King James went off and dropped 48 points (including his team's last 25) in this double-overtime victory over the Pistons. Our advice to Cavs fans: Turn off all NBA coverage and check out our history of the King's best times in Cleveland. It's so hard, to say goodbye...
18. The Great One's Historic Night
DATE: 12/30/1981
ATHLETE: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
COMPLEX SAYS: Everyone expected Gretzky to break the 50 goals in 50 games record set by Maurice "Rocket" Richard in 1945, but few thought he would shatter it in such dominating fashion. Gretzky broke the previous record by scoring five goals against the Philadelphia Flyers. Oh yeah, and dude was only 21, too. SMH, absolutely no respect for his elders.
17. Super Mario Powers Up
DATE: 4/25/1989
ATHLETE: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
COMPLEX SAYS: In a playoff game versus the Philadelphia Flyers, Super Mario went off for eight points, including five goals, tying a playoff record for both. Soundtrack, please!
16. Moon Goes H.A.M.
DATE: 12/16/1990
ATHLETE: Warren Moon, Houston Oilers
COMPLEX SAYS: Veteran quarterback Warren Moon shredded the Kansas City Chiefs defense for 527 passing yards, the second-most for a single game in NFL history. Moon also threw for three touchdowns in the Oilers 27-10 victory, the longest being this 87-yard bomb to Haywood Jeffries. What was that about black quarterbacks only being able to scramble?
15. MJ Stunts on NBA Greats
DATE: 4/20/1986
ATHLETE: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
COMPLEX SAYS: Facing one of the greatest teams in NBA history, MJ accepted the challenge and dropped 63 points on the Celtics in the Garden. Jordan set a single-game playoff scoring record which still stands. And by "one of the greatest teams in NBA history" we mean the Celtics had five future Hall of Famers in the starting line up. Damn. Larry Legend's ankles are still hurting from this game.
14. Sayers Goes For Six
DATE: 12/12/1965
ATHLETE: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears
COMPLEX SAYS: In his rookie season, Sayers made history by recording six touchdowns (four rushing and two receiving) in the Bears 61-20 rout of the 49ers. Slow down son, you killing 'em.
13. Young Tiger on the Prowl
DATE: 4/13/1997
ATHLETE: Tiger Woods
COMPLEX SAYS: At the age of 21, Tiger Woods became the youngest and first African-American player to win the Masters. Woods shot a record 18 under par to win by 12 strokes. Balls, strokes, deep drives...yeah, insert your Tiger Woods sex scandal joke here.
12. All Day Long
DATE: 11/4/2007
ATHLETE: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
COMPLEX SAYS: As a rookie, Peterson broke the single-game rushing record as he ran for 297 yards on 30 carries while scoring three touchdowns. The Vikings beat the San Diego Chargers 35-17. Did we mention that the Raiders could have picked Peterson No.1 overall in the 2007 Draft but opted for JaMarcus Russell instead? Yup, that's a fail.
11. Sittler's Beastly Performance
DATE: 2/7/1976
ATHLETE: Darryl Sittler, Toronto Maple Leafs
COMPLEX SAYS: Sittler scored six goals and had four assists, for a record setting 10 points in the Leafs 11-4 victory over the Boston Bruins. The record still stands today. 11 to 4? Dude really could have let up after the first few goals. #coldasice
10. The Rocket Fans 20
DATE: 4/29/1986
ATHLETE: Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox
COMPLEX SAYS: A quarter-century ago today, Clemens became the first pitcher to post 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. Clemens only gave up three hits and one run in the victory over the Seattle Mariners. One decade later he would accomplish the feat once more. Pretty dope. Worth the small balls, though? Also, once again, fuck Bud Selig and his copyright goons.
9. Kobe Drops 81
DATE: 1/22/2006
ATHLETE: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
COMPLEX SAYS: Bryant became the second highest single-game scorer in NBA history with 81 points in the Lakers' 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors. For the haters that want to say Kobe probably scored on less than half his attempts, dude actually was efficient shooting 60 percent from the field. The Black Mamba >>> your favorite player's D. Pause.
8. Hat Trick at the World Cup Final
DATE: 7/30/1966
ATHLETE: Geoff Hurst, England
COMPLEX SAYS: It's the only hat trick in a World Cup Final. Hurst sealed England's victory over Germany in extra time and his status in the process. After his retirement, Hurst was later knighted by the Queen and given his pick of the hottest women from England. OK, the last part isn't completely true but we're sure being a knight has similar perks.
7. Mr. October's Three Home Runs
DATE: 10/18/1977
ATHLETE: Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees
COMPLEX SAYS: In Game 6, Mr. October solidified his legendary status with three home runs on three consecutive pitches in the 1977 World Series. The last of which was a 475-foot drive. Jackson finished the game with five RBIs and was named the series MVP. Sidebar: Actual video of the home runs would be a lot more dope than a photo montage, right? All thanks go to MLB... again.
6. The World Meets Pele
DATE: 6/29/1958
ATHLETE: Pelé, Brazil
COMPLEX SAYS: At 17, Pelé scored two goals in Brazil's first World Cup Finale victory over Sweden. He also became the youngest player to play, score and win in a World Cup Final. Unlike some legends who relied on "The Hand of God" (and some yayo), Pelé's goals were au naturel.
5. The Young'n Has Heat
DATE: 5/6/1998
ATHLETE: Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs
COMPLEX SAYS: In only his fifth start in the major leagues, 21-year-old Kerry Wood threw a one-hitter with no walks and 20 strikeouts in front of the Wrigley Field faithful. The Cubs rookie became the only other pitcher besides Roger Clemens to record 20 Ks in a nine-inning game. Sidebar: For the last time, Selig & Co., having a stranglehold on copyrighted video of your sport's most historic moments is NOT a good look. #you'relosing
4. The Flu Game
DATE: 6/11/1997
ATHLETE: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
COMPLEX SAYS: A flu is all the rest of us need to call out sick, but not MJ. Then again, we don't have six rings and our daily 9-to-5 isn't the NBA finals. Prior to Game 6 against the Utah Jazz, Jordan was diagnosed with a stomach virus, but that didn't stop him from dropping 38 points, including a clutch three-pointer to seal a 90-88 victory. To this day we hear rocking J's or any Jordan apparel goes against BYU's honor code.
3. Messier's Guarantee
DATE: 5/25/1994
ATHLETE: Mark Messier, New York Rangers
COMPLEX SAYS: Prior to Game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Messier guaranteed the New York Rangers would overcome their 3-2 series deficit. Homie came through on his promise with a hat trick in the Rangers 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Talk is cheap, but like Jim Jones, Messier talks tough and does tough things. Capo status!
2. Wilt's 100-Point Game
DATE: 3/2/1962
ATHLETE: Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors
COMPLEX SAYS: During a season in which Chamberlain averaged 50 points and 25 rebounds, no games were bigger than his epic beat down of the New York Knicks. Chamberlain scored 100 points and took down 25 boards in Philadelphia's 169-147 victory. No word on how many broads he took down that day, but if he averaged 20K over a lifetime...we'll let you do the math.
1. Perfect Payback
DATE: 10/8/1956
ATHLETE: Don Larsen, New York Yankees
COMPLEX SAYS: In Game 5 Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history. Larsen and catcher Yogi Berra worked magic by fanning seven Brooklyn Dodgers in the process. The Yankees went on to win the series and the victory served as payback toward their rivals who had beaten the Yanks in the World Series the year before. Pac said it best: Revenge is like the sweetest joy, next to getting...
