Milestones vs Moments

Records and milestones have been a big part of baseball over the years, whether it’s a pitcher winning his 300^th game or a hitter collecting his 3000^th hit it’s always fun to watch your favorite stars as they get closer to their goal. My only problem is that people confuse milestones with great moments. A no hitter is a great moment, an unassisted triple play, a walk off home run, something that exists only in that time frame. A milestone or a record breaking achievement is based on the entire career of the player. Does anyone even know if the Braves won the game that Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record or if the Orioles won when Cal Ripken surpassed Gehrig?

Don’t get me wrong, I like following players as they reach career or single season milestones. Derek Jeter for example will get his 3000^th hit this year. It will be fun to watch him achieve it, but isn’t it a lot more exciting when a pitcher takes a no hitter into the 9^th, knowing that one little dribbler can end it in an instant?

In my next posting I will be examining one of the more dubious records out there. Strikeouts, Striking out that is. My aim is not to mock but just to have a little fun. I’m sure you will enjoy it.