Simply smashing

March 29, 2007

After Michael Phelps' record-breaking work in Melbourne, Australia - improving his world standard in the 200-meter butterfly by 1.62 seconds - here's a look at some other precedent-smashing performances.

Pro football

Record // Norm Van Brocklin's 554-yard passing day in 1951.

Previous record // 468 yards, Johnny Lujack, 1949.

Sustainability // Fair. Has lasted 55 seasons, but there have been challenges along the way.

Pro basketball

Record // 100-point game by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

Previous record // 78, Chamberlain, 1961.

Sustainability // High. Despite Kobe Bryant's recent assaults.

Horse racing

Record // Secretariat's 31-length Belmont Stakes win in 1973.

Previous record // 25 lengths, Count Fleet, 1943.

Sustainability // High. Let's get a Triple Crown winner first.

Track and field

Record // Bob Beamon's 1968 long jump of 29 feet, 2 1/2 inches.

Previous record // 27 feet, 4 3/4 inches, Ralph Boston, 1965.

Sustainability // Lasted 23 years before Mike Powell surpassed it in 1991 with a leap of 29 feet, 4 1/2 inches.

Pro hockey

Record // Darryl Sittler's 10-point NHL game, 1976.

Previous record // Eight points, Maurice Richard, 1955.

Sustainability // High. Neither Wayne Gretzky nor Mario Lemieux challenged it.

[CHRISTIAN EWELL]

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