Chance of Catching Rogers Is Long Over and Out

It long has been my belief that the most unassailable individual record in sports is not Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak, but Rogers Hornsby’s .424 batting average, recorded over 70 years ago.

To bolster my argument, look at this season’s focus on Todd Helton and his chase for the magic .400 mark. Anyone would think Ted Williams holds the record, because every time you read about it, the writer points out that Williams was the last to hit over .400. Hornsby’s actual record is never mentioned. I think the reason for that is the tacit understanding that no one will ever hit .425, which would be required to break the “Rajah’s” record. It just isn’t possible.

BOB SCHAUER

Long Beach