From 1983 to 2001, 19 straight seasons, Gwynn walked more than he struck out.

But every day was a good one for Ernie Banks. His mother had wanted him to be a minister. His father wanted him to be a baseball player. He became both. The ballpark was his pulpit, the crowds his congregation, the batter’s box his sanctuary.

The first time Aaron hit with his right hand on top of the bat, he homered.

(and still only)

“Do you throw that fast consistently?” the team’s manager asked. “No, sir,” Paige said. “I do it all the time.”

In 1995, when Gwynn led the league with a .368 average, he struck out 15 times all season. The next year, he struck out 17 times. In 1999, he played in 111 games and struck out 14 times. Gwynn struck out three times in a game once. In 1992, he did not strike out in back-to-back games all season.

How many gorgeous sunrises in a row can we appreciate? We get bored, even with greatness.

Tony Gwynn hit a magnificent .338 for his career.

in 1920, a 25-year-old Hornsby—a lifetime .310/.370/.440 hitter to that point—hit .370/.431/.559, leading the league in all three splits, and he also led the league in hits, doubles, RBIs, and total bases. Over the next five seasons combined—this is so ridiculous—Hornsby would hit .402. Nobody, not even Ty Cobb, hit .400 over five full seasons.