Bobby's World

It takes a special occasion for me to write something today, as this is one of my favorite days of the year: the day Madden comes out. I got it at midnight, and let me tell you, don't listen to the critics, this game is awesome. Hester is damn near unstoppable and Tommie Harris rips through d-lines like no man's business. But I put down my 360 controller to bring you some breaking news: Jay Mariotti actually wrote something positive about the White Sox! Trust me, I can't believe it either.

Honestly, I can't remember the last time Jay wrote something good about my favorite baseball team. He hates the Sox more then Greg Couch hates Kirk Hinrich (whatever, that guy is a major clown, I hate him more then Jay), but Mariotti came through today with a great column about Sox closer Bobby Jenks, who has tied the major league record for consecutive outs. If Jenks gets out the next batter he faces, he'll set a new major league record of 42 straight outs. He has already tied the Giants' Jim Baar, who set the record in 1972. As Jay points out, this is a pretty big deal.

When 41 batters come to bat, 41 different things might happen. The game is freaky and unpredictable that way.

Which makes it all the more unfathomable that Bobby Jenks, closer of the White Sox, has retired the last 41 batters he has faced and will establish a major-league record if he retires his next batter as soon as tonight in Oakland. That's the equivalent of one perfect game and more than half of another, a preposterous streak that should be attracting much more national attention than it is. Sure, he can go home after each single-inning stint and refuel his arm, unlike Mark Buehrle, whose April no-hitter was a nine-inning gut test of perseverance and endurance. But it's still incredible to think Jenks has pitched 13 consecutive 1-2-3 innings amid a multitude of situations and opponents -- including postseason contenders Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Seattle and the Yankees -- since last allowing a baserunner almost a month ago on July 17.

...And unlike a certain record established last week in San Francisco, this one is proud. If Jenks is a large man, still listed by the Sox at 6-3 and 275 pounds, his bulk issues strictly are related to his ongoing battle with the bulge.

Good for Jenks, who has been the Sox best player all year long. Hopefully he can set the record tonight, and keep it going as long as possible. See, this is one of the great things about baseball. Sure, the team is just plain bad, but everyone can forget about that for a second when an individual does something extraordinary. It's something that really doesn't happen in any other sport. Keep it going Bobby, and roll that dominance over into next season, when it actually might mean a little more.