Dodgers infielder Eugenio Velez finished the year 0-for-37. 37 at-bats. 0 hits. That, my friends is a record. Velez eclipse the late, great Hal Finney, who had held the mark for the 75 years since he failed in all 35 of his AB's for the 1935 Pirates. Not only does Eugenio take home that record, but, as a lovely parting gift, he also set a new mark for futility over multiple seasons. Velez is hitless over his past 46 trips to plate. Another record, this one is still live. Should an organization give him a shot in seasons to come, Eugenio has the rare opportunity to further perfect imperfection. SB Nation's Grant Bisbee had this to say on Velez --
If you're not Giants or Dodgers fan, you might not have heard of him until just now, but he's amazing. He's fast, but he can't run the bases. He certainly can't bunt. You might think Steve Carlton holds the all-time record for pickoffs with 144. You'd be wrong. Velez has about 167 (rough estimate). He can't play second base or the outfield, which makes him like a Jack Cust but one who is routinely stuck at second base, or in the outfield. When Velez plays baseball, Hunter Pence stops to say, "My word, that Velez fellow is gangly and awkward."
Thought you had heard everything about the Red Sox perdition and the Rays glory? How's about this one:
The odds that Rays would erase their September deficit, then overcome the Yankees 7 run 8th inning lead and that the Sox would blow their game against Baltimore? 1-in-278,000,000. That is 1 in 278 million. A little context: According to the bookofodds.com, any of the members were more likely to get struck by lightning (1 in 835,000), win a Powerball drawing (1 in 195,000,000) or die in a shark attack (1 in 250,800,000).
All of that still does not excuse this gaff by Boston Globe beat writer Dan Shaunessy --
Those self same Rays sent top pitching prospect Matt Moore (nice guy, nice outing) to the mound to start game 1 of their ALDS against Texas. Moore had made 1 MLB start and would not have even been eligible for the post-season roster had Jeff Niemann not suffered an injury. Both the single start and his 9.1 career innings pitched coming in are the lowest ever for a Game 1 SP. 7 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K. Not too shabby.
As always, more to come.
Cheers.
P.s. Oops again Boston. Good times never seemed so good. So good.
