What's the Greater Feat?

Bobby Jenks vs. Placido Polanco

Last night, Placido Polanco (who I have previously anointed one of MLB's most underrated players) set a major league record, for second basemen, by playing his 144th straight game without committing a single error.

"I have to really thank the organization for giving me the opportunity to be the second baseman and play every day," said Polanco, whose last error came on July 1, 2006, at Pittsburgh.

And, in his typical witty chain-smoking fashion...Polanco's manager, Jim Leyland, added his two cents on the matter: "He's like an old shoe -- not the prettiest, but real comfortable." Whatever that means??

The Journal Wire reports that Luis Castillo held the previous mark for second basemen with 143 errorless games, while playing for the Minnesota Twins. The major league record for consecutive errorless games for any infielder is 193, set by Steve Garvey.

* Some other random notes about Polanco...

• As of August 1st, Polanco had the lowest strikeout percentage in baseball (4.9%), all while batting .344 on the year (good for third best in the AL, only behind Magglio and Ichiro).
• Albert Pujols is the godfather to Polanco 3-year-old son, Ismael.

Moving right along to Bobby Jenks...

This past Sunday vs. Seattle, Jenks retired his 41st consecutive batter (a span that includes 14 relief appearances, dating back to July 17th), tying the MLB record held by Jim Barr, which was set with the San Francisco Giants over two games during the 1972 season.

During Jenks' remarkable span, he has compiled 8 saves, 1 win, and 11 K's. In a year which hasn't produced many bright spots for the ChiSox (they currently sit 9 games under .500), the flame-thrower has registered 33 saves...to the tune of a 2.92 ERA. Opponents are hitting a paltry .192 vs. Jenks.

As a side note, Jenks is often referred to as "Big Bobby" or "Big Bad Bobby Jenks" due to his 6'3", 275 pound frame (his "listed" weight). In all of baseball, only C.C. Sabathia and Jonathan Broxton are listed at heavier weights.