Everything Everywhere Daily: Episode Summary
Title: Triple Crowns and Grand Slams
Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Introduction to Triple Crowns and Grand Slams
In this engaging episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, host Gary Arndt delves into the fascinating concepts of Triple Crowns and Grand Slams across various sports. He explores how these prestigious achievements define the pinnacle of excellence within their respective fields, highlighting their historical significance and the remarkable athletes who have attained them.
Gary Arndt [05:30]: "Achieving a Triple Crown or Grand Slam is considered the pinnacle of the game, symbolizing the utmost excellence in sports."
Triple Crowns in Horse Racing
Gary begins by tracing the origins of the Triple Crown in horse racing, dating back to the 19th century in British horse racing. He explains that the British Triple Crown consists of the 2000 Guinea Stakes, the Epsom Derby, and the Saint Leger Stakes, first achieved by Western Australia in 1853.
In the United States, the Triple Crown comprises the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Notably, Sir Barton is recognized as the first U.S. Triple Crown winner in 1919, with Justify being the most recent in 2018. The rarity of this achievement is emphasized, with only 15 British and 13 American Triple Crown winners since their inception.
Gary Arndt [12:45]: "Winning the Triple Crown in horse racing is exceedingly rare, with the last British Triple Crown achieved by Nijinsky in 1970 and Justify in the U.S. in 2018."
Triple Crowns in Baseball
Transitioning to baseball, Gary explains that the Triple Crown for batters involves leading the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in (RBIs) within a single season. This concept emerged organically in the early 20th century and has been achieved only 17 times in the modern era, with Miguel Cabrera's 2012 performance being the latest.
He also discusses the pitching Triple Crown, which requires leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average (ERA). Notable pitchers like Sandy Koufax and Walter Johnson have secured this honor multiple times, underscoring its difficulty.
Gary Arndt [22:10]: "The pitching Triple Crown has seen more achievers than the batting version, but combining wins, strikeouts, and ERA in one season remains a monumental task."
Triple Crowns in Cycling
Gary then explores the Triple Crown in road cycling, which includes winning the UCI Road World Championship, the Tour de France, and the Giro d'Italia in a single year. This feat demands versatility and endurance, as it combines one-day and multi-week races.
Only three cyclists—Eddie Merckx (1974), Steven Roesch (1987), and Tadeh Pogachar (2024)—have accomplished this extraordinary Triple Crown, highlighting its exceptional challenge.
Gary Arndt [32:05]: "Winning the Triple Crown in cycling requires dominance across different race formats, a testament to a cyclist's all-around prowess."
Triple Crowns in Motorsports
In motorsports, the Triple Crown entails winning the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500. Graham Hill stands alone as the sole achiever of this illustrious Triple Crown, securing victories in each of these esteemed races during the 1960s and 1970s.
Gary Arndt [38:50]: "Graham Hill's achievement in motorsports is unparalleled, making him a legendary figure in the racing world."
Grand Slams in Various Sports
Baseball Grand Slams
Gary differentiates the Triple Crown from the Grand Slam in baseball, where a Grand Slam is a home run with the bases loaded, scoring four runs. While more common than Triple Crowns, Grand Slams remain significant, with Alex Rodriguez holding the career record of 25 Grand Slams.
He highlights remarkable instances, such as Fernando Tatis hitting two Grand Slams in a single inning on April 23, 1999—the only such occurrence in MLB history.
Gary Arndt [45:15]: "Fernando Tatis' back-to-back Grand Slams in one inning exemplify the sheer unpredictability and excitement baseball can offer."
Tennis Grand Slams
The term "Grand Slam" in tennis originated in 1933, coined by John Kieran to describe the achievement of winning all four major tournaments—Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open—in a single calendar year. Don Budge was the first to accomplish this in 1938.
Gary notes that while the pristine calendar Grand Slam is rare, the career Grand Slam—winning each of the four majors at least once—has been achieved by eight men and ten women, including legends like Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic.
Gary Arndt [52:40]: "Achieving a Grand Slam in tennis is not just about winning four titles; it's about maintaining excellence across different surfaces and conditions."
Golf Grand Slams
In golf, the Grand Slam refers to winning four major championships. Initially applied to Bobby Jones in 1930, the term has evolved with the professional era, now consisting of the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and British Open for men, and expanding to five majors for women.
No golfer has won all four majors in a single year since the professional Grand Slam began, with Tiger Woods as the closest, winning consecutive majors across two years in 2001.
Gary Arndt [60:25]: "Tiger Woods' near-Grand Slam run in 2001 showcases his dominance and the immense pressure of sustaining peak performance."
Other Sports
Gary briefly touches upon Grand Slams in other sports such as curling, equestrian, show jumping, darts, and professional wrestling, each with its unique set of prestigious titles. He whimsically mentions the "Completionist Club" members as inheriting an Everything Everywhere Daily Grand Slam.
Notable Achievements and Records
Throughout the episode, Gary highlights several historic achievements:
- Cycling: Only three cyclists have won the Triple Crown in a single season.
- Motorsports: Graham Hill remains the sole Triple Crown winner.
- Baseball: Miguel Cabrera's 2012 Triple Crown and Fernando Tatis' double Grand Slams stand out.
- Tennis: Rod Laver's dual calendar Grand Slams and Steffi Graf's Golden Slam exemplify extraordinary excellence.
- Golf: Bernhard Langer's five senior Grand Slams marks a unique accomplishment.
Gary Arndt [68:50]: "Each Grand Slam and Triple Crown tells a story of unparalleled dedication, versatility, and the relentless pursuit of greatness."
Conclusion
Gary wraps up the episode by reflecting on the allure of following athletes striving for these monumental achievements. He expresses personal passion for witnessing historic moments unfold, such as Tiger Woods' golf triumphs and Serena Williams' tennis dominance.
Gary Arndt [75:00]: "Watching athletes chase and sometimes achieve their Triple Crowns or Grand Slams offers a front-row seat to some of the most inspiring moments in sports history."
Acknowledgments
Gary extends gratitude to the show's executive and associate producers, as well as the supportive Patreon community and active members on the Facebook group and Discord server. He encourages listeners to engage, leave reviews, and support the podcast through Boostograms.
This comprehensive exploration of Triple Crowns and Grand Slams across multiple sports underscores the universal quest for excellence and the extraordinary feats that define athletic greatness.