MLB's Strangest Records

[edtiques]

Oddities on the Diamond: MLB's Strangest Records! 🤯⚾🤪
Baseball is a sport steeped in statistics, but sometimes, the numbers tell a story that's far from ordinary. Beyond home run kings and strikeout artists, the game's long history includes some truly "strangest MLB records" – bizarre, unique, or downright baffling achievements that stand alone in the record books.
Here are MLB's strangest records:
Albert Pujols (Most Times Grounding Into DP): The Hall of Fame slugger has the unfortunate distinction of holding the record for the most times grounding into a double play (DP) in MLB history. A testament to his longevity, but also a strange record for a dominant hitter.
Tony Cloninger (Only Pitcher w/ 2 Grand Slams): In a truly bizarre and unique feat, pitcher Tony Cloninger holds the record as the only pitcher in MLB history to hit two grand slams in one game (July 3, 1966). An offensive outburst unheard of for a pitcher.
Nolan Ryan (Most No-Hitters): "The Ryan Express" holds a record that seems unbreakable: he pitched 7 no-hitters in his career, more than any other pitcher in MLB history. His dominance defies belief.
Gino Cimoli (Most Passes By Catcher): The detail "Most Passes By Catcher" for Gino Cimoli is unusual. This would refer to a specific, perhaps statistical quirk, where a player (likely a baserunner) was involved in the most passed balls by a catcher in a particular context, highlighting a strange statistical niche. (Needs more specific context to be less ambiguous).
Longest Game (Innings) (26 - PAWSOX): The longest professional baseball game by innings was a minor league game in 1981 between the Pawtucket Red Sox (PawSox) and the Rochester Red Wings, lasting 26 innings. A marathon that set an enduring record.
Hughie Jennings (Most HBP in a Career): Hughie Jennings, a Hall of Famer from the early 20th century, holds the incredibly painful record for the most times hit by a pitch (HBP) in a career, a testament to his willingness to stand close to the plate.
Eric Gagne (HBP w/ Bases Loaded to End WS): In a truly bizarre and devastating moment, Eric Gagne (pitching for the Texas Rangers against the San Francisco Giants) recorded the only HBP with bases loaded to end a World Series in 2002. A walk-off hit-by-pitch is a uniquely painful way to lose.
Larry Walker (Most Trips to First Without Hit - 10): The Hall of Famer Larry Walker holds the unique record for making the most trips to first base without recording a hit in a single game (10 times via walks/hit by pitch) – a testament to his incredible plate discipline.
Anthony Young (Most Consecutive Losses - 27): Pitcher Anthony Young holds the infamous record for the most consecutive losses by a pitcher with 27 from 1992-1993, a heartbreaking streak of bad luck and poor performance.
Sammy Sosa (Most K's in a Game (Hitter) - 5, 3x): While a prolific home run hitter, Sammy Sosa also holds the record for most strikeouts in a game (5) multiple times (3x), highlighting a strange dichotomy in his hitting profile.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Most wild pitches in a season: 83 (Mark Baldwin, Columbus)

That's one I don't think will ever be broken!

[cgjackson222]

Interesting list. Poor Hughie Jennings, getting beaned so much.

I think a bunch of players have struck out 6x in a game though:
https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/mos...tter-in-a-game

[Beercan collector]

I’m confused about the Nolan Ryan and Larry Walker records,
Nolan Ryan has 12 complete game one hitters and he’s takien five games into the ninth-inning before giving up a hit And the record for getting on base in a single game is nine.
My poorly wired brain probably processing wrong,
If Someone can explain those two - Thank you

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Beercan collector

I’m confused about the Nolan Ryan and Larry Walker records,
Nolan Ryan has 12 complete game one hitters and he’s takien five games into the ninth-inning before giving up a hit And the record for getting on base in a single game is nine.
My poorly wired brain probably processing wrong,
If Someone can explain those two - Thank you

I think the Nolan Ryan record is just what you said. It's 12 complete game 1 hitters. The way they worded it is just strange.

I don't understand the Walker record either.

[John1941]

I think the Walker record is most times getting on base by a walk or HBP without a hit.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by edtiques

Oddities on the Diamond: MLB's Strangest Records!

Eric Gagne (HBP w/ Bases Loaded to End WS): In a truly bizarre and devastating moment, Eric Gagne (pitching for the Texas Rangers against the San Francisco Giants) recorded the only HBP with bases loaded to end a World Series in 2002. A walk-off hit-by-pitch is a uniquely painful way to lose.

Except that the Anaheim Angels and not the Texas Rangers were the 2002 World Series opponents of the San Francisco Giants.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Except that the Anaheim Angels and not the Texas Rangers were the 2002 World Series opponents of the San Francisco Giants.

Yup...and the Giants didn't win the 2002 Series, either.

Trusting AI for baseball-specific info is like:

Sending your vintage cards to a company and having someone (who has been collecting for three years and only knows modern shiny crap) grade it.