A Black Eye for Miguel Tejada's Streak

This could almost be a moot point based on the medical reports out of Baltimore, but it's still worth noting what happened on Thursday. Miguel Tejada has played in 1,152 consecutive games which according to baseball-almanac.com, places him fifth on the all-time list. Tejada's streak was in jeopardy after he was hit by a pitch on the wrist during Wednesday's game. Tejada received X-rays that turned up negative, and decided to play in Thursday's game despite the injury -- sort of.

Batting second with the Orioles as the visiting team in San Diego, Tejada laid down a bunt, reaching on a fielder's choice in his lone at-bat. He was subsequently pulled for a pinch-runner, departing the game in the top of the first. The O's won 6-3, and Miggy's consecutive games streak was kept intact.

I think it's admirable what Tejada has done -- shown up for work for and performed at a high level for six and a half seasons. I wish more players had his attitude and determination. But one thing that needs to be pointed out is how he cheapened the streak with that move on Thursday. When you're only taking one at-bat -- laying down a bunt at that -- and then being removed from a game, then you're only in the lineup for one reason -- yourself, not your team. I think that was a selfish move that serves as a black eye for Tejada's streak.

This might not even matter after tonight's game if Tejada can't play, or if he's eventually placed on the disabled list. But it still matters for the integrity of consecutive games streaks. I don't ever remember Cal Ripken Jr. getting placed in the lineup to bunt in one at-bat, not take the field, and leave in the top of the first. That's just bush league where I come from.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

6-22-2007 @ 9:38AM

Ura Redneck said...

This is a thinly-veiled racist blog entry. Lou Gehrig pulled the same "stunt" *twice* during his streak.

6-22-2007 @ 12:49PM

Lou Gehrig did the same thing *twice* during his streak. But Gehrig was white, so you don't bother to mention this. You're an insipid twerp, Larry.

Seems like a racist blog entry here, since Lou Gehrig did the same thing *twice* and this insipid twerp doesn't bother to mention that.

6-22-2007 @ 10:30AM

Matt W. said...

"Seems like a racist blog entry here, since Lou Gehrig did the same thing *twice* and this insipid twerp doesn't bother to mention that."

Is that racist? Or just limiting the discussion to events in the last 15 years instead of the last 75?

6-22-2007 @ 11:08AM

Adam said...

Ura Redneck's comments demonstrate the type of intolerance that leads to stagnacy in racial relations. Calling this article "racist" is a misguided and factually suspect. If Ura Redneck truly stands by his comments, why does he hide behind a racist psuedonym?

6-22-2007 @ 10:58AM

Chris said...

Steve Garvey also made token appearances to keep his streak alive during his last days in LA.

6-22-2007 @ 11:29AM

myra said...

I am glad the racism of the comments by the media about Tejada have been recognized by others. the white media should be ashamed. If it had been a white player who "showed up" like a former Oriole and stayed in the game and went zero for four that would have been ok. white media, get a grip!

6-22-2007 @ 11:46AM

Tim said...

Could everyone please stop playing the race card everytime any minority runs a red light? Race didn't come close to crossing my mind until the comment by "Ur a Redneck. I bet you didn't see these comments coming, huh Larry?

6-22-2007 @ 11:40AM

Seriously, anyone that thinks this article is racist is a moron. It doesn't deal with race, it deals with a streak, and how that streak got kept alive. Why are you ASSUMING that if it was a white player, all the white media would think it was great?

6-22-2007 @ 12:51PM

Apologies for the multiple posts guys.

6-22-2007 @ 1:45PM

JMills said...

Ripken did the same thing as well during his streak did he not?

6-22-2007 @ 2:24PM

JTG said...

Ripken certainly did not do this during his streak. The only time he was ever pulled this early was for arguing balls & strikes.

What bothers me about the Tejada (and Gehrig) stunts, was that they are pre-meditated moves designed only to serve selfish motives.

6-22-2007 @ 2:28PM

Ripken most certainly DID NOT do this during his streak. He was only ever pulled that early in a game when he was ejected for arguing with the umpire. But even then, he had played in the field for some of those instances.

The thing that bothers me with Tejada (and Gehrig), was that they did pre-meditated things designed only to serve their selfish motives. It doesn't matter that Tejada is latino, this move was pure bush league.

6-22-2007 @ 2:31PM

storm lewis said...

I don't see that race is an issue here........Whatever it takes to keep the streak alive should be well intended........ He has a long way to go to reach Lou Gehrig and even longer to reach Cal............ All it takes is someone to hurt him seriously and all for what.........There is going to be a lot of ******next to a lot of players and most I truly like, but steroids is cheating....
Do you think Mac is going to get in the Hall anytime soon, well think again...... As for Tejada he has already made his mark of excellence even if he doesn't play another game....... the O's bent over backwards for Cal so why not Miguel..... A good man desevres a break.............

6-22-2007 @ 3:10PM

ol red said...

Hey maybe you all should stop b n racist towards us good country people its funny that the people crying about racism are there selves always trying to find a group to pik on guess the rednecks dont have the political backing the gays or other racis have to cry for them everytime things dont go there way ! If basball wasnt scared they would go after bonds record I wonder why they dont ?!!

6-22-2007 @ 3:09PM

6-22-2007 @ 3:15PM

Oh yea forgot the man went to work hurt did what he could do that day for his team . Thats what u complain about ? Crazy ...

6-22-2007 @ 3:46PM

Sports Fan said...

Well, Well, Well....as for the motivation of the commentary ?????? Who will ever really know. But I will say this I'm so tired of sports writers feathering their nest on the backs of athletes, you know if the can't write about sports and I mean true sports!, then they shouldn't be allowed in print, on the radio or the boob tube! I mean really people what is it about when you are spying on an athlete just to get a story and then putting thier personal affairs all over the papers or other media portal. And why is it so important for some congressman or senator to be investigating baseball or sports. What? dont they have their table full enough? Or is this just good press for them, oh yeah they really care about us. I must have forgotten. Oh wait didn't most of them vote YES TO IRAQ! Tajada keep doing a great job and play ball!!! To ad another comment, I think the boo's that Barry Bonds recieves are a Stink Spot on Baseball and sport in general, he never said he took steriods nor has he failed a test, EVER!!! One of the greatest sports records in our time is being Stink Spotted!! How about we do this ...why dont we put a Stink spot on George Herman Ruths record for being the womanizing drunken wh*** chaser that he was! Would that make you's feel better? Or Maybe we can do this? Dig his body up and test his body to see if he tryed to use any suppliments to recover from terrible habits. Todays athletes travel more and a just put thru more than any time in sports history, I honestly believe in most cases they need supplimentation, vitamins etc just to make it through to the end of a season if you dont think so...just go to any college locker room and talk to a trainer. Better yet, talk to an honest professional sports train, pick any professional franchise. See what you can find out. Finally, I heard a rumor that Hank Aaron dosen't plan on being in attendence on the day Barry Bonds breaks the home run record. Talk about someone who has truly forgotten where he has come from!!! If this is true, shame on Hank Aaron and baseball for letting this happen...I can only hope that Aaron reads this and pull his head out of his rectum.