"That Record Will Never Be Broken!": How Many Unbreakable Records Are There?

Author: Douglas Jordan, Ph.D.

Publication: The Baseball Research Journal

Publication Date: Fall 2015

Abstract:
Baseball aficionados often argue that certain records will never be broken. A classic example is Cal Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive-games-played streak. However, for the most part, the arguments given to support an assertion that a particular record will never be broken are subjective and not analytically rigorous. The primary purpose of this paper is to examine some baseball records closely in order to increase awareness of the greatness of these feats, and to make a less subjective judgment of any claim that a particular record will never be broken. A secondary purpose is to make fans aware that there are probably more than just one or two baseball records that may never be broken.