Cardinals rookie Jordan Walker added his name to the MLB history books Wednesday when he recorded a hit in his 12th consecutive game to start the 2023 season.
This is the first time a rookie under 21 years of age has accomplished this feat in over 100 years. The last MLB rookie in that age range to do so was the Philadelphia Athletics’ Eddie Murphy during the 1912 season. At age 20, Walker joined Murphy with the record of 12 consecutive games.
Walker was close to ending his streak, though, on Wednesday when the Cardinals beat the Rockies, 7–4. He didn’t get his hit until the top of the ninth inning at Coors Field in Denver.
If Walker records a hit during Thursday’s game against the Pirates, then he will be entering uncharted territory.
It's been 111 years since a rookie 20 years or younger opened their career with a hit in 12 consecutive games.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 12, 2023
Welcome to the history books, Jordan Walker! pic.twitter.com/wl3xMNJvsM
If the streak continues for Walker, the rookie phenom could have a run at the all-time rookie record, regardless of age, which is 17 games in a row. That record is held by David Dahl (Rockies, 2016) and Chuck Aleno (Reds, 1941).
On top of this, Walker is tied with the Phillies’ Bryson Stott for the longest hitting streak of the season thus far.
Walker currently is batting .319/.360/.489, with 15 hits, four runs and two home runs.
