Placido Polanco is "Like an Old Shoe"

Maybe Barry Bonds' record has overshadowed it. Maybe A-Rod hitting 500 homeruns or Sosa's 600 is more important.

I think we're all aware of Brandon Webb and his 42 straight scoreless innings, but did you know that an American League second baseman just broke the Major League record for most consecutive errorless games at his position?

You do now. My boy Placido Polanco is now the Major League record holder for most errorless games from the 4 position.

For those that read my blog regularly, you know that I have always been a Placido Polanco supporter. I praised him here, here, here and here. He is up there amongst the list of my all-time favorite Phillies with Schmidt, Dykstra, Rolen, Schilling and Utley. Guys that play the game the way it should be played.

I'm singing his praise once again... not only is the reigning ALCS MVP hitting .344 (3rd in the Majors) but he's yet to commit an error this year. He's gone errorless in 150 straight games. You can't ask for much more from your 2nd baseman, unless your 2nd baseman is Chase Utley.

I think Jim Leyland describes Polanco best... "He's like an old shoe — not the prettiest, but real comfortable." Now that's a quote.

Luis Castillo held the previous mark for second basemen with 143 errorless games from May 30, 2006, to June 5, 2007, while playing for the Minnesota Twins. (remember when Castillo and Juan Pierre were the 1, 2 punch for the Marlins?? That's good baseball.)

The major league record for consecutive errorless games by any infielder is 193, set by Steve Garvey... Garvey's giant Popeye like forearms and abnormally large game-show host head still haunt me to this day.

Thanks to my dad for bringing this to my attention, where he too knows where he could be playing... (see email text below)

Hi Kev;

Thought this might interest you -In this weeks Sports Illustrated in the
"Go Figure" Column"144 Consecutive errorless games at 2nd base by the Tiger's
Placido Polanco breaking the major league record set by the Twins' Luis Castillo
last year."

He could play 3rd just as well.

Love Dad

You're definitely on to something Dad... he sure could. He even played some outfield for us. Might a Gold Glove be in his future? Maybe he's not flashy enough... we all know the Gold Glove has nothing to do with percentages...it's all a popularity contest... just ask Ozzie Smith.