San Francisco Giants Star Rafael Devers Makes Bizarre Piece Of History

Think about the sheer grind. Playing 162 games is the benchmark for durability, a testament to a player’s grit. But 163? That’s just showing off. Devers’ journey to this strange milestone is even more impressive considering he wasn’t even 100% healthy when he landed in the Bay Area. He was battling a nagging groin injury that initially relegated him to DH duties. But this is Rafael Devers we’re talking about. The guy who treats at-bats like a personal affront. He not only overcame the injury but also made his first-ever appearance at first base on July 22.

The Giants even tried to give him a day off on August 24. But like a superhero hearing a call for help, Devers emerged from the dugout as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning, keeping his perfect attendance record alive and the 163-game dream in play. He hasn’t missed a start since. It is that kind of relentless drive that makes you wonder if the man is powered by something other than ballpark hot dogs.

Why Devers’ Feat Is a Dying Breed

This little slice of baseball history is becoming rarer than a pitcher who can actually bunt. Back in the day, teams would play a Game 163 tiebreaker to settle division races. That’s how Morneau got his 163rd game. But since 2022, MLB has gotten smart and switched to mathematical tiebreakers, effectively killing the drama of a one-game playoff and, with it, the most common path to 163 games.

Now, the only way to join this exclusive club is through a mid-season trade, a perfect attendance record, and a healthy dose of scheduling luck. It is a trifecta of weirdness that we may not see again for a long, long time. So while the Giants’ season didn’t pan out with a playoff berth, their fans learned one thing for sure: Rafael Devers shows up. Every. Single. Day. In a league full of load management, Devers is a throwback, a guy who just wants to play ball. And for that, you have to tip your cap.