Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Orel Hershiser has held MLB’s longest scoreless innings streak of 59 innings since 1988.
This year, Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies came within striking distance but saw his scoreless innings streak snapped at 50.2 innings. He did manage to set a new record for left-handed pitchers in the process, surpassing Carl Hubbell’s 45.1 inning record from 1933.
Although it is the opposite of what some might expect, the Dodgers legend was rooting for Sanchez to break the record.
Even though it did not come to fruition, Hershiser expects that his record will one day be broken, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
“It’s a great accomplishment, it really is,’’ Hershiser told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s tremendous. I really believe you’re going to see more streaks this year. You’ve got guys like Shohei (Ohtani of the Dodgers). Miz (Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers). I think with the way hitting is now, you’re going to see more of these streaks. Someone will break the record.”
While Hershiser took ownership of the scoreless innings record in 1988, it has actually remained with the same organization since 1968. Dodgers Hall of Famer Don Drysdale previously held the title for more than 20 years.
Before Sánchez, Zack Greinke was the closest any pitcher had come to breaking Hershiser’s record since 1988. Greinke’s streak ended at 45.2 innings during the 2015 season with the Dodgers.
Zac Gallen and Clayton Kershaw are two other more recent examples of pitchers who reached at least 40 consecutive scoreless innings. Kershaw completed 41 scoreless innings in 2014, and Gallen reached 44.1 in 2022.
Only five pitchers in MLB history have completed at least 50 innings without allowing a run. This includes Hershiser, Drysdale, Walter Johnson, Jack Coombs and Sánchez.
Since 1900, only 11 pitchers have posted a scoreless inning streak of 45 innings or more.
Orel Hershiser opens Chevrolet dealership
Hershiser recently celebrated the grand opening of his new Chevrolet dealership in Chino, with local politicians and former Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Mickey Hatcher and Mike Scioscia among those in attendance.
Other notable attendees included Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis and host John Hartung, former Los Angeles Lakers champion Robert Horry, Miguel Rojas and Jaime Jarrín.
Hershiser and his business partner, Eddie Allizadeh, were celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the dealership, followed by a parade to Chino City Hall.
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