I Must Break You

Everyone loves to say that records are made to be broken. So when someone like Cal Ripken comes along and breaks what is believed to be an absolutley, positively, your-so-dumb-if-you-think-anyone-will-ever-touch-it unbreakable record, it should be celebrated and appreciated forever. Or at least until someone breaks that record.

So, without sounding like a broken one, let’s talk records.Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is a mere 20 games from breaking what many consider the holy grail of sports records: Joe Dimaggio’s 56 game hitting streak. He’s got 36 in the bank right now, and the attention could be immense come the last week of April.

If this story continues to develop, there will be hundreds of discussions/top ten lists of the so-called “unbreakable” records. So, being ahead of the curve for once in my life, I’ll throw the first one out there. These are what I believe are the most impressive, most ridiclously unbreakable records in sport. These records (as will be my continuing policy as long as I’m writing here) will be in no particular order. It’s too difficult to argue that one is better than the other.

1. Joe Dimaggio’s 56 game hitting streak in 1941

Ever play competitive baseball, or even beer league softball? If you did, you know it’s not always easy to hit safely. Joltin’ Joe did it at least once a game from May 15th all the way until July 17th. That’s 56 games in a row. That’s not the most impressive part, though. Few people know that the very next day, Dimaggio started a more modest 17 game streak. That’s a hit in 73 out of 74 games!  Pete Rose got up to 44 games (the NL record) in 1978. Nobody else ever got out of the 30s.  There’s just so much intense media scrutiny these days, it would be almost impossible to be able to simply focus on getting a hit. Sorry Jimmy, but if Rose cracked, you will too. He was the greatest hitter of all time. You’re , uh, Jimmy Rollins.

(A side note: Even if Rollins gets to 57 games, Dimaggio will still be recognized as having the single season record, since he did it within the same year.)

2. Cy Young’s 511 career pitching wins

This one will never be touched because they just don’t make ’em like the used to. No other pitcher is barely within 100 wins of Young. In this age of specialization, starting pitchers pitch every 5th day and start looking to the dugout as soon as they start getting tired in the 6th inning. Young pitched every other day, and completed 749 games. Hell, today’s pitchers (Clemens and Maddux not withstanding) won’t even win as many as Young LOST (316).

3. Glenn Hall’s 502 consecutive starts in goal (hockey)

Not much else to say about this one except that the Blackhawk netminder played every minute without wearing a mask. Once again, specialization today will never let this one be challenged.

4. Hack Wilson’s 190 RBI in 1930

The Chicago Cub center fielder’s record is actually 191 now due to a recent finding. This might be the most breakable on the list. A good record, however, stands the test of time, and I’m a little surprised that this one wasn’t broken during the now fading Chicks Dig the Long Ball Era of the 1990’s.  Too late now.

5. Jerry Rice’s 197 career touchdown receptions.

This one will stand the test of time. For a long time. Marvin Harrison of the Colts is the only active player who even appears on the list with an impressive 110, and he’s not exactly early in his career anymore. Once again specialization ruins it for us (commentators drool when QB’s complete passes to 7 different recievers).

6. Ben Roethlisberger’s 15 consecutive wins as starting QB to begin a career (2004-2005)

This is a record almost as much of bizarre circumstance than pure accomplishment (not to take anything away from Big Ben, of course). The previous record was only six (Mike Kruczek in 1976). Why? Many reasons. First, quarterback is the hardest position in sports. Second, rookie quarterbacks rarely play, let alone start every game. If they do start, it’s usually on a horrible team. Roethlisberger had an unusal situation with the Steelers. But the record is his, at least for as long as he is alive.

This is what I hope to be the beginning of a long discussion of an endlessly debatable topic. I hope you can add some of your own or discuss these/shout me out of the room in the comment section, forum, or e-mail me ([email protected]). I’m sure I left a lot of stuff out (didn’t even touch basketball, college sports, etc.) so jump in!