The Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman broke a new MLB record in a doubleheader game on Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics. Grossman said “it’s pretty cool” but preferred not to talk about it.
The 32-year-old made the most consecutive games in MLB without a single error. He sealed the deal in Game 1 on Tuesday’s doubleheader as Detroit took their first series win over Oakland, defeating them 6-0.
The former Pittsburgh Pirates passed by Rick Markakis’ 400 games streak in 2012-2015 when he played outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles in 2006-2014 and the Atlanta Braves from 2015 to 2020.
Grossman hits all-time MLB record
Both Grossman and the Tigers are not doing great in their game series against the Athletics. Detroit only clinched one series win over the leading Oakland. In their most recent matchup on Wednesday, the Athletics wrapped the game with a whopping 9-0 victory.
Grossman declined to talk much about his milestone while the club was desperate to get another win. Detroit’s two-gap wide defeats in Game 2 and Game 4 are a reflection of the franchise’s crippling offense alongside defense. Their upcoming game is scheduled this week on Thursday.
Grossman has now made his name on the history book of MLB. Hitting 401 consecutive games in his professional career without making any errors. That number is the longest any player in the league has ever done since Markakis’ record of 400 games.
“I know it’s been going on for a pretty good time,” Grossman said. “I just don’t think about. I try not to say anything about it. But I guess it’s pretty cool. I’ll just continue to do what I do and be who I am and see what happens.”
In the first game on Tuesday’s doubleheader, the former Athletics made four at-bats alongside a triple one on hit, walk, and RBI. The win went to his team by 6-0. In the second game that day and the following day, Oakland walked out as the victor.
‘He holds himself to a high bar’ says manager A.J. Hinch
Grossman’s record began on June 13, 2018, when he played for the Minnesota Twins. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch described the left-handed pitcher’s routine, saying “he holds himself to a high bar”.
“He practices. Like, he practices it every day. His routine before the game is rock-solid. He holds himself to a high bar. He’s very prepared. He’s probably the most manic about being in the right position at the right time. He’s just dialed into every detail,” Hinch said.
“Everything matters to Robbie. When you hear that, you’re not surprised because he prepares. I love that about him. I always have. The recognition he’ll get for a streak like that is well deserved.”
For Grossman, the record made him happy, but he decided to not talk much about it. As a player who began his professional career in 2008 Minor with the Pirates, he said he aimed to get better in his games. Detroit signed him relatively new in January 2021 with a two-year-long contract worth $10 million.
“I come to the park every day trying to get a little bit better,” Grossman added. “I stay true to myself. I’m happy about it, but I don’t want to talk about it.”
