Brandon Belt has taken his place in baseball history just by hanging in there.
The San Francisco Giants first baseman set Major League Baseball’s record for the longest at-bat Sunday during his team’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. Belt and Angels pitcher Jaime Barria endured a 21-pitch sequence, which ended when the batter flew out to right field.
A TWENTY-ONE pitch at-bat between Brandon Belt & Jaime Barria
Foul
Ball
Swinging Strike
Foul
Foul
Ball
Foul
Foul
Ball
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Flyout— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 22, 2018
Barria’s attempts at holding runners close to first base only extended his epic saga with Belt.
And on the 21st pitch of the at-bat, Brandon Belt lines out to right field. That is a major league record.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) April 22, 2018
Former Houston Astros shortstop Ricky Gutierrez previously owned the record for longest MLB at-bat, according to Angels communication manager Matt Birch.
Brandon Belt's at-bat vs. #Angels Jaime Barria went 21 pitches. That is a new Major League record (previous was 20 pitches seen by Houston's Ricky Gutierrez vs. Cleveland youngster Bartolo Colon on June 26, 1998.
— Matt Birch (@MattBirch12) April 22, 2018
As is the case with all good things, records and at-bats also must come to an end at some point.
