There was some interesting information in the San Francisco Chronicle this morning about Jenks' streak of 41 consecutively retired batters. He is now tied with Jim Barr.
Barr was a pitcher for the Giants in the '70s and early 80s. By most accounts he was pretty average, though he had some very good seasons...1972 being one of them. He finished in the top 10 in ERA three times during his career.
Barr is actually rooting for Jenks. Barr is a coach at Sacramento State, and says the attention from the streak can be used as a teaching tool. Barr says "I've always thought walks were just....they're uncalled for. I turn to my pitchers and go 'See you can do it. You don't have to walk anybody.'"
Barr achieved the streak as a starter. He said when it happened, he didn't even know it was a record. He just knew he had pitched two really good games in a row...both complete game shutouts. In the first he had to contend with the likes of Stargell, Clemente and Hebner. Stargell had an early hit off of him just before the streak started. In the second game he had to deal with Torre, Simmons and Brock.
Without the media coverage to jump on every statistical record imaginable, there was no hype. Cardinals' broadcaster Jack Buck is the one that told him it was a record in a post-game interview.
The Chronicle asked if Barr thought it was easier for a reliever to get the streak than a starter. Barr was generous. He said he thought starters had an advantage because they can get into a rhythm. Also, he said Jenks is used in more high pressure situations, making it tougher for him. That's nice, because he could have said "Hell yeah it's easier to get three guys out at a time over a couple of weeks. They never see your stuff twice. You never get tired."
But he didn't say that. Gracious.
