10 Crazy MLB Records You Never Knew About

With numerous no-hitters already occurring in the 2012 season, the feat appears to be more common than in the past, evidenced by the fact that only seven were thrown from 2000 to 2006.

No-hitters aren't the only rarity in baseball, however, as there are many single-game and single-season feats that we just don't see all that often.

From the ability to take pitches, inability to utilize speed or an outstanding debut, records exist in every category imaginable—here are a few that you've probably never heard of.

Stolen-Base Futility

Day in and day out, we see players make every attempt possible to work their way through the basepaths in an effort to make it home.

Players like Mike Trout are showing the best of their abilities as they successfully swipe bags, but not everyone is so lucky.

Robby Thompson of the San Francisco Giants set the mark for individual missteps on the basepaths, getting thrown out four times in one game in 1986.

Stayin' Alive

Any time you can stay alive in an at-bat, you're doing something right, as making a pitcher work harder and harder to put you out can be both frustrating and taxing on his arm at the same time.

Hall of Famer Luke Appling took this to the extreme during a game in 1940 when he managed to foul off 24 pitches during a single at-bat, a plate appearance in which he would eventually draw a walk.

Keep Away from the Shortstop

This has to be one of the more obscure statistics that the record keepers could keep track of, but when you think about how often a ball gets spread around the infield, it really does seem amazing.

In June of 1976, Toby Harrah started at shortstop for the Texas Rangers in both games of a double header and didn't touch the ball once—the only time such an event has ever occurred.

Knowing Your Place

When players find a place where they're comfortable, there's no reason to make a move, which is likely why Luis Aparicio spent all 2,581 games of his major league career playing at shortstop, the most ever at one position by a Hall of Famer. 

The Rally Killer

Cal Ripken Jr. owns one of the most untouchable records in baseball, as he may very well remain baseball's iron man when it comes to consecutive games played.

But Ripken Jr. also owns a less illustrious distinction—having grounded into 350 double plays during his career.

Precision Power

Sluggers like Jim Thome and Adam Dunn are always a threat to go deep when they set food in the batter's box with their massive stature posing an intimidating presence for any opposing pitcher.

With that power, however, often times comes a great deal of misses, as power hitters are also frequently known for their lofty strikeout totals.

The same can't be said for Johnny Mize, who is the only player in league history to manage to knock at least 50 balls out of the park while striking out less than 50 times.

Good, Just Not THAT Good

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jimmy Rollins has accomplished many things throughout his career, with three All-Star appearances and an NL MVP trophy to his name.

He also owns the record for hits in a season (212) while still managing to maintain a batting average below .300, a feat he reached in 2007 when he batted .296.

Efficiency Is Key

With all the talk surrounding Stephen Strasburg's potential shutdown, you have to wonder what pitchers of yesteryear would say about the limits being placed on today's arms.

Boston Braves starting pitcher Red Barrett would probably push for pitchers in today's game to be more efficient, and he'd be the perfect person to do so, as he set a major league record in 1944, pitching a complete-game shutout—and needing only 58 pitches to do so.

Out, Out and Out

Triple plays are one of the more rare feats in baseball, seldomly occurring in today's game.

Even more rare is seeing a triple play executed without a ball ever being hit.

Still, that's exactly what happened to the Seattle Mariners in 2008 when Raul Ibanez was called out on strikes and Adrian Beltre and Jose Lopez were both caught trying to steal bases.

Welcome to the Big Show

Any young player has to feel an immeasurable amount of nerves when they get the call up to the major leagues for the first time.

Some players have to wait days or even weeks before getting their first major league hit, RBI and home run.

Kevin Kouzmanoff took care of everything all in one shot in September of 2006 when he hit a grand slam on the first pitch he ever saw as a major leaguer.