This is unparalleled stuff folks. Never before has a pitcher been able to record such a beautiful streak. Never before, has someone been this perfect. Not even the Cincinnati Reds' beloved Johnny Vander Meer who pitched two consecutive no-hitters in back-to-back starts on June 11 and June 15, 1938.As incredible as this feat is though, I would be willing to wager that years from now, people will fail to see the big picture — they often do. As time rolls by, the numbers start to lose their meaning, and they become just that... numbers. But this is an incredible achievement — this ranks right up there with Joltin' Joe's 56 game hitting streak. And would you believe it? Dimaggio ripped right into another 17 game hit streak the day after the Cleveland Indians held him to a hitless game on July 17, 1941 — hitting on all but one day of a 74 game span! Unfortunately though, years from now, people will be just as oblivious to Buehrle's start tonight as they are to the Yankee Clipper's extraordinary exploits after his record setting 56 game hitting streak came to an end in the summer of '41. And it's really a shame. Because we may never see something this amazing again...
Someone will probably break this record at some point. As difficult as it is to pull off, someone will throw another perfect game and stay in the groove like Mark Buehrle. Of course it's easier said than done. However, let's not forget that the previous record of 41 was tied by Bobby Jenks, one of Buehrle's teammates, just a few years ago. By the way, Tillman, Matusz, and Arrieta are all going to break Buehrle's record.
ReplyDeleteThat might be, but Bobby Jenks certainly doesn't have a perfect game to his name. As of now, Buehrle is the most perfect pitcher in major league history (within the given context of course)... Buehrle's mark of 45 consecutive batters isn't impressive simply because of the number 45, but it's impressive because within those 45 at bats, he pitched a perfect game.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree this record is breakable — it's just that for starters, you need a perfect game on your resume! That's why I liken his 5⅔ perfect innings to Joe Dimaggio's 17 game hitting streak. The number 17 isn't important — it's the fact that he followed up on his record shattering performance with another substantial streak with its own merit.
Regarding Buehrle’s performance — staying perfect for 27 consecutive at-bats is hard enough, let alone in one game. But to continue to exude perfection throughout the first 5⅔ innings of the next game *after* throwing a perfect game? I would say the likelihood of accomplishing that was dubious at best…
I'm not doubting how impressive Buehrle's streak was but it will be broken. A starting pitcher does not need to throw a perfect game to retire 45 batters in a row. What's more likely to happen is that a pitcher will retire the final 25 batters in one game and then retire the first 20 of the next game.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes Buehrle's record especially impressive is the fact that he is not a pitcher who relies on precision to get everyone out. He is a very fast working pitcher who tries to give his team a chance to win. By no means is he a strikeout pitcher. He relies on his defense to make the plays and get the outs. This streak is just as much of a defensive record as a pitching record.
Haha... BK I think you're completely missing my point. I have no doubt that his streak of 45-up, 45-down will be broken one day. However, I really think the likelihood of someone breaking that streak while simultaneously throwing a perfect game is slim to say the least.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right. Somebody is going retire the final 25, and then the next 20 during his ensuing start. BUT, Mark Buehrle's record includes a perfect game. A PERFECT GAME.
In essence, it should be viewed as another record in and of itself. Buehrle's streak should be viewed as being a perfect game, with 5⅔ perfect innings after it. It shouldn't be viewed as just 45 consecutive batters.
I suppose, that in that regard... I should change the title of this entry to begin with. I'll have to come up with something more appropriate than "45 Straight!"