It’s the greatest sports day of the year.
Today is the greatest sports day of the year.
That might seem like a hyperbolic statement, as there’s nothing that exciting on tonight’s slate outside of a Game 5 between the Cubs and the Dodgers.
But consider this: the MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL will all be in action tonight.
How many times has that happened previously?
Just 17, including tonight.
It’s only happened seven times this century.
Here’s a graphic, from ESPN’s FiveThirtyEight:
| DATE | DAY | MLB | NFL | NBA | NHL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 17, 1971 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 7) | 12 | 3 | 6 |
| Oct. 15, 1972 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 2) | 12 | 3 | 6 |
| Oct. 22, 1972 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 7) | 12 | 3 | 5 |
| Oct. 14, 1973 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 2) | 12 | 3 | 5 |
| Oct. 21, 1973 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 7) | 12 | 3 | 5 |
| Oct. 15, 1978 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 5) | 13 | 5 | 5 |
| Oct. 14, 1979 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 5) | 13 | 3 | 7 |
| Oct. 12, 1980 | Sun | 1 (NLCS Game 5) | 13 | 4 | 8 |
| Oct. 19, 1980 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 5) | 13 | 3 | 6 |
| Oct. 27, 1985 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 7) | 13 | 1 | 5 |
| Nov. 4, 2001 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 7) | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| Nov. 1, 2009 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 4) | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| Nov. 2, 2009 | Mon | 1 (WS Game 5) | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Nov. 1, 2010 | Mon | 1 (WS Game 5) | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Nov. 1, 2015 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 5) | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| Oct. 30, 2016 | Sun | 1 (WS Game 5) | 11 | 7 | 8 |
| Oct. 19, 2017 | Thu | 1 (NLCS Game 5) | 1 | 3 | 9 |
Here’s what’s happening tonight:
MLB
NLCS Game 5, Dodgers at Cubs, 8 p.m. E.T. on TBS
NBA
Raptors vs. Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Thunder vs. Knicks, 8 p.m. E.T. on TNT
Lakers vs. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. E.T. on TNT
NHL
Rangers vs. Islanders, 7 p.m. E.T.
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets, 7 p.m E.T.
Bruins vs. Canucks, 7 p.m. E.T.
Flyers vs. Predators, 7 p.m. E.T.
Senators vs. Devils, 7:30 p.m. E.T.
Blackhawks vs. Oilers, 8:30 p.m. E.T.
Avalanche vs. Blues, 9 p.m. E.T.
Flames vs. Hurricanes, 9 p.m. E.T.
Coyotes vs. Stars, 9 p.m. E.T.
NFL
Raiders vs. Chiefs, 8:25 p.m. E.T. on NFL Network
***
What are you looking forward to watching?
