MLB Records Which Won’t Ever Be Broken

As equipment improves and more is known about nutrition and training, it's inevitable that older sporting records get broken. We’re used to seeing modern sports stars throw further, run faster and jump higher.

But not all records will be easily broken; some changes to the sport mean that old records are likely to stand unchallenged. Here’s a look at some of the MLB records which are expected to stand the test of time.

Hitting the baseball is much harder than the pro players make it look, and consecutive hits take considerable talent. While there are still plenty of hits around today, the changes in the game mean there are fewer than in the past.

The record for consecutive hits is held by Jo DiMaggio and was recorded in 1941. He notched up no fewer than 56 straight hits in a record that's been standing for more than 80 years.

To date, no one has ever managed to get close. The nearest recent tally was Jimmy Rollins, with 38 consecutive hits in 2005/2006.

There hasn't been a baseball player that's managed to reach 200 RBI in a single season, but Hack Wilson got within touching distance.

In 1930, Wilson recorded 191 RBIs in a season, seeing him notch up a batting average of .356, including 56 homers.

Lou Gehrig is in second place, registering 185 RBIs the following year in 1931.

Since then, no one has been close to either of the baseball legends, with A-Rod performing the best with 156 in 2007. But Alex Rodriguez apart, there aren't any players from the MLB in the 20th century that are ranked in the top 40. With fewer players just trying to record a hit and aiming more for the long game, this is one record that isn't likely to come tumbling down any time soon.

Turning up for every game and being picked is some achievement, especially considering the injuries that pro baseball players can be prone to. However, there’s one player that seemed almost invincible, playing game after game without a break.

Cal Ripken Jr was an Orioles player, and from the age of 21 to his late 30s, he was picked for every game. With a total consecutive run of 2632 games, it's a phenomenal achievement that is virtually superhuman.

Unsurprisingly, no one else has managed to match this accomplishment - or even come close. The nearest is Miguel Tejada, who managed 1152 games - very impressive but still a very long way short of Ripken.

Baseball players just want to be out on the field, but the rigours of the game take their toll. Pitchers, in particular, are prone to getting tired and injured because of the physical effort that pitching takes.

For this reason, teams typically opt to send in a closer rather than leaving the pitcher on the mound for the whole nine innings. But it wasn't always this way; it was common for one pitcher to stay for the whole match in the past.

Cy Young currently holds the record for the most complete games pitched, with 749 the all-time record. Although it would technically be possible for players to eventually surpass this number, it’s exceedingly unlikely due to modern team tactics.