Choo breaks Rangers’ on-base streak
Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers broke the franchise’s on-base record for a single season on Sunday
after extending his streak to 47 games.In his final at-bat in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers, Choo hit
an infield single off reliever Victor Alcantara in the ninth inning in the Rangers’ 3-0 win at Comerica Park in Detroit
to set a franchise record. The last longest streak belonged to Julio Franco, who reached base in 46 consecutive
games in 1993. Choo, the Rangers’ designated hitter, reached the historic mark almost miraculously. He was
0-for-4 leading up to the at-bat, and he came to the plate with two outs in the top of the ninth inning. He earned
his fifth at-bat after Ronald Guzman singled in front of him with one out. After Carlos Tocci struck out, Choo hit a
grounder to Jeimer Candelario, but since the Tigers’ third baseman didn’t attempt a throw, Choo was able to reach
first base. “These kinds of records, it’s a gift,” Choo told MLB.com after the game. “I still believed I would get
another at-bat. I know I made the last out in the seventh inning, but I believe in our lineup, so I thought I had a
good chance to get another at-bat.” Choo has been on base in every game since May 13.
It is the longest active streak in Major League Baseball and also the longest of Choo’s career. During the stretch,
he’s had a batting average of .339 and a .470 on-base percentage. Among active players in the MLB, Joey Votto
of the Cincinnati Reds and Albert Pujols are the current record holders with a 48-game streak. Choo will now
chase their numbers as well as the Rangers’ overall on-base record of 58 games set by Will Clark over the 1995
and 1996 seasons. The all-time MLB record is held by Ted Williams, who reached base in 84 consecutive games
in 1949. In addition to his on-base record, Choo will play in the MLB’s All-Star Game for the first time in his
career, news that he found out on Sunday. The annual competition pits the American League against the National
League, and each team comprises 32 players. “Before the game, [manager] Jeff Banister called a team meeting
and called out my name as an All-Star,” Choo told MLB.com. “I was joking around, I said, ‘I need four days off
before the second half.’ That aside, I got goose bumps. When I came from Korea to play in the big leagues, my
goal was to be one of the best players. This is one of the best days of my life. I am going to enjoy this with my
family.” Choo will be the third Korean player and first Korean hitter to play in the All-Star Game.