| | | There were none of the traditional salutes for a historic performance. There
were no fireworks. No numbers changing on a warehouse wall. No phone call
from the president. Heck, the Maris family didn't even bother showing up.
|  | | Rickey Henderson walked past the Babe. |
Rickey Henderson walked for the 2,063rd time in his career Wednesday night
to break what should be considered one of baseball's most important records
-- a 66-year-old mark held by Babe Ruth himself -- and the world yawned as
if Yanni had just released another album.
For most fans, the historic moment was just four more pitches out of the
strike zone from closer Jose Mesa. The record walk lacked so much drama
that Rickey didn't know quite how to celebrate, which as all Rickey-philes
know, takes some doing. Rather than yank home plate from the ground while
shouting "I'm the King of the World!", the Humble One merely jogged to
first base, blew kisses to the crowd and was promptly thrown out trying to
steal second base.
Whew. I hope San Diego had the paramedics stationed nearby in case Tony
Gwynn's heart couldn't take the excitement.
The Padres were so unimpressed by the record that they have placed Rickey on
something called "special waivers" (which, I assume, is sort of like being
placed on "double-secret" probation). They could even release him in a
couple of days.
It was all pretty underwhelming. But then, the humble walk never receives
the credit it deserves. Any Little-Leaguer can tell you that a walk is as
good as a hit but too few people really believe that. Certainly not New
York Yankees second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who last walked April 22, 2000,
more than 100 at-bats ago.
The Athletics have brought some long-deserved attention to the walk
recently, focusing their attention not on batting average but on the much
more important on-base percentage. Unfortunately, despite their efforts,
fans will continue to view walks the way they do high school chemistry.
Important, but also painful to sit through.
Still, Rickey's walk record is not the most boring in sports. There are
plenty more dulling records out there just waiting for that special someone
to break them ...
|  | | All in all it's just another brick in Shaquille O'Neal's wall of fame. |
Most free throws missed: Imagine the eardrum-threatening cheers that will
fill the arena when Shaquille O'Neal misses his 5,134th free throw. Wait,
that isn't the fans cheering. It's teammate Kobe Bryant.
Playless streak: Stubbornly maintaining he can still play at the major-league level, 45-year-old Cal Ripken Jr. sets the record for consecutive
games not played when Baltimore manager Mike Hargrove leaves him out of the
lineup for the 429th game in a row. Orioles owner Peter Angelos rewards
Ripken by signing him to a four-year, $50 million contract extension.
Most concussions: Troy Aikman comes out of retirement to shatter this record
when he suffers his 23rd career concussion after being sacked by Ray Lewis.
Before being carried from the field, an emotional Aikman tells fans,
"Consider of luckiest Earth I myself today on man the face."
Most comebacks: Saying this is the last time, he really means it,
49-year-old Michael Jordan returns to the NBA for the sixth time, breaking
the record for career comebacks, previously held by John Travolta.
Most foul balls: Chuck Knoblauch not only breaks Carl Yastrzemski's career
record with his 35,478 foul ball in 2012, he also finally surpasses the number of fans he's hit with thrown balls.
Most punts: Another Cleveland drive stalls in Week 12 of the 2014 season,
bringing Chris Gardocki onto the field for his record-setting punt. No fans
notice, however, because they all are heading to the bathroom.
Most tournaments not won: Anna Kournikova establishes the record for most
tournaments not won (467) when she loses in the quarterfinals of the 2006
French Open. She celebrates by signing another $60 million endorsement deal.
|  | | David Duval could be the best No. 2 since Robert Wagner. |
Most timeouts called: The nation's cuticles are being steadily devoured as
another dramatic NCAA tournament game goes down to the wire in 2007 when
Temple coach John Chaney suddenly calls his 4,678th career timeout to break
Dean Smith's record. Another timeout goes onto his total when officials stop
the game to honor the achievement. Naturally, CBS misses the dramatic
ceremony when it goes to a commercial break.
Most tournament's withdrawn from: Fans respond with a cascade of jeers in
2008 when Serena Williams sets the record by withdrawing from the Volvo
Women's Open, the 57th tournament from which she has withdrawn at the last
minute. She breaks the record previously held by her sister, Venus.
And finally ...
Most losses to Tiger Woods: David Duval brings the gallery at Augusta to its
feet when he finishes second to Tiger for the 58th time. Unfortunately, by
2005, this will actually be the stat by which we judge all other golfers.
Jim Caple is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
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