In the thrilling world of Major League Baseball, where every game matters, a unique milestone is within reach for Rafael Devers. As the season winds down, the possibility of Devers playing 163 games looms large, a feat achieved by very few in MLB history. This article dives into Devers’ journey, his current performance, and the historical context of players who have reached this rare mark. We’ll explore his stats, compare him to Giants legends, and consider what this accomplishment would mean for his legacy.
Devers’ potential to play 163 games stems from a mid-season trade, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his season. While some may question his overall value, the numbers and historical parallels provide a compelling narrative. This article will examine Devers’ performance alongside other players who have played every game in a season, including Giants icons Will Clark and Hunter Pence.
Join us as we analyze whether Rafael Devers is on the verge of achieving something truly special and what it means in the grand scheme of baseball history.
Devers on Pace for a Rare Feat
Rafael Devers is on pace to achieve a rare feat in modern baseball: playing more than the standard 162 games in a season. This possibility arises due to his mid-season trade to the Giants. As Justice de los Santos of the San Jose Mercury News highlighted, Devers has been a consistent presence in the lineup, not missing a single game since joining the team. This consistency puts him in a unique position to reach 163 games played.
The last time a player achieved this milestone was in 2008, when Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins played in every game, including a tiebreaker. The rarity of this occurrence makes Devers’ potential achievement all the more noteworthy. This article will explore what it means for Devers and the Giants.
Historical Context: Players Who Played Every Game
Playing every game in a season is an impressive accomplishment. This year, several players are on track to play all 162 games, including Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson, Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber, Elly De La Cruz, and Brett Rooker. In MLB history, this has happened just 248 times since the schedule expanded from 154 games. Dylan Svoboda highlighted this accomplishment for MLB.com, noting that most players who achieve this are premiere talents.
For the Giants, only Will Clark in 1988 and Hunter Pence in 2013 and 2014 have played every game. In 1962, a tiebreaker series with the Dodgers pushed three Giants—José Pagán, Orlando Cepeda, and Willie Mays—to 162 or more games. For the purposes of this article, Devers is competing with Clark and Pence, with the trade caveat in mind.
Devers Compared to Hall of Famers and Giants Legends
Rafael Devers is unlikely to be considered the best player to achieve this feat, especially when compared to Hall of Famers. The list of players who have played every game includes legends like Cal Ripken Jr., Billy Williams, Bill Mazeroski, Ron Santo, and Brooks Robinson. As of this writing, Devers’ Hall of Fame chances are uncertain, especially considering his position change.
Analyzing Devers’ individual season, several players have had better offensive seasons. With six games remaining, Devers is on track for one of the lowest total base amounts on the list. However, to provide a more balanced comparison, let’s look to Giants legends.
Comparing Devers to Giants’ Iron Men
When we compare Devers to the three Giants seasons in which players played every game, he faces stiff competition. Will Clark’s 1988 season stands out:
Will Clark (1988): 688 PA, 29 HR, 109 RBI, 31 2B, 6 3B, .282/.386/.508 (160 OPS+)
Hunter Pence (2013): 687 PA, 27 HR, 99 RBI, 35 2B, 5 3B, .283/.339/.483 (133 OPS+)
Hunter Pence (2014): 708 PA, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 29 2B, 10 3B, .277/.332/.445 (121 OPS+)
Does anyone else remember Hunter Pence hitting ten triples in 2014? I don’t! And I watched every game. On the other hand, it’s not as though Rafael Devers has fluked his way onto a rare list. Maybe I’m the ridiculous one for making this post a comparison with other players who’ve done something that seldom happens, and when it does, those players are usually pretty good. It’d be a nice feather in the cap of a three-time All-Star who has received MVP votes in 5 of 9 seasons and quite the accomplishment in the annals of MLB history.
Devers vs. Morneau: A Statistical Snapshot
Devers’ current season mirrors Justin Morneau’s 2008 season, where Morneau also played every game. Here’s a statistical comparison:
Justin Morneau: 712 PA, 23 HR, 129 RB, 47 2B, 4 3B, .300/.374/.499 (134 OPS+)
Rafael Devers: 702 PA, 32 HR, 105 RBI, 31 2B, 0 3B, .251/.370/.468 (136 OPS+)
Devers has drawn more walks and hit more home runs than Morneau, but doubles and triples count, too. The Three True Outcomes can’t tell the whole story, and when you compare him to the three Giants seasons that saw players play every game, he might not be the best of the bunch there, either.
Conclusion: A Rare Accomplishment Worth Celebrating
Rafael Devers’ pursuit of playing 163 games is more than just a statistical anomaly; it’s a testament to his durability, commitment, and the unique circumstances of a mid-season trade. Whether he is considered the best player to achieve this feat is subjective, but his name will be etched in baseball history alongside other iron men who have taken the field day in and day out.
As Devers continues his career with the Giants, this accomplishment could be a launching pad for future success and solidify his place among the team’s greats. Regardless of individual accolades, Devers’ potential achievement is a reminder of the dedication and perseverance required to excel in baseball.
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