How to score 10 runs in the first inning and lose | Dorktown

On June 8th, 1989, the Pittsburgh Pirates produced one of the greatest first innings in baseball history, jumping out to a 10-0 lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. No team had ever before done so and lost. From there … well, come on, you know where this is going. But you might never guess which road we’re taking to get there.
Written and directed by Jon Bois
Written and produced by Alex Rubenstein
Subscribe: goo.gl/Nbabae
Enter the Secret Base: www.sbnation.co...
Follow us on Twitter: / secretbase
Follow us on Twitch: / secretbasesbn
Follow us on Tiktok: / secretbasesbn
Check out our full video catalog: goo.gl/9pMHRV
Visit our playlists: goo.gl/NvpZFF
Explore SB Nation: www.sbnation.com

[@Djiehh]

Imagine you're a kid in the stadium, watching your first baseball game ever. You'd think that baseball is the most thrilling sport ever, that Steve Jeltz is a superstar, that every at-bat of every inning matters. Imagine your confusion the second time you watch a baseball game.

[@northstarjakobs]

I mean I feel like that's the kind of game that should (hopefully) cement you as a fan for life, but i suppose it all depends on the games after that.

[@PlaySA]

@@northstarjakobs The issue is that you think every baseball game would be so thrilling, would produce similar performances from the players, etc. When really it was simply an aberration

[@kelamullah1999]

You joke but I became an American Football fan after watching New England play Philadephia. It really draws you in when you see a larger than life game even if you come from Football like myself.

[@northstarjakobs]

@@35mm21 Just go back to the original super early rules of the game and don't have players wear gloves (this is true and I can't possibly imagine playing baseball without a glove)

[@northstarjakobs]

@@kelamullah1999 Yeah the yearly Twins games I saw at the Metrodome and later Target Field as a child definitely cemented my love for the sport

[@nlands6279]

Jeltz reminds me of a quote from Brian Scalabrine “I’m closer to LeBron James than you are to me”. Steve Jeltz is miles closer to being as good as Barry Bonds than any of us are to being as good as Jeltz.

[@ChrisPierreBacon]

I like the "Scalenge" where random people challenge Scal to one on one and Scal absolutely schools them.

[@ghjong001]

Scalabrine lasted *ten* seasons in the NBA. Most players wash out within three, so that already makes him one of the elite.

[@KjoshWaddellBananasAreGood]

​@ghjong001 same could be said of Jeltz. He lasted 8 years in the majors

[@VinceLyle2161]

When I look at the sports reference websites, I constantly keep this in mind. Kevin Miller caught exactly one pass in his NFL career, a 35 yard touchdown from Fran Tarkenton in a game where the Vikings were destroyed by the Lions. That was it for him. The one catch. But he got one. 99.9% of us don't get that. The rest of his life he gets to say, "I caught a pass in the NFL." Steve Jeltz had every right to be proud, but instead he was grateful. Good on him.

[@KjoshWaddellBananasAreGood]

@@VinceLyle2161 it was miller time, for a short time

[@Snevik]

Bob Walk, combining two of Jon’s favorite areas of study in one perfect name.

[@appointmenteer]

this made me laugh out loud well done

[@lanster77schannel]

lmao very good

[@qfmarsh64]

Pfft, more like Bob Walk.

[@feddyvonwigglestein3481]

Who cares?

[@thosediamonddreams]

@Feddy von Wigglestein 494 to your 1, my darling 😘

[@mwegan]

I was at this game. I was twelve. My stepfather got home late from work that evening, and we finally got to the Vet a half hour late. We found out walking up to the gate that it was already 10-0 Pirates and still just the first inning. My stepfather didn't want to bother going in, but I begged him. In my mind it was still just the first inning. And when you're a kid who grew up poor, every major league game is bigger than life. He relented and we went in. We had seats on the first base side up in the 500 level. When we sat down, I remember the people around us were hardly paying attention to the game. But the next few hours became this absolutely magical communal experience. The upper deck at the Vet had that well-earned reputation for being rough, but by the time Curt Ford got tagged out going for a three-run inside the parker, people from every walk of life were high fiving and hugging each other. I'm 45 now, a lifelong Phillies fan, and I've had some amazing experiences at the Vet and now CBP. I saw Schmidt's 498th home run, and I was there for Mulholland's 10-inning complete game. But that game in 1989, nothing could ever come close to that, a twelve year old witnessing lightning in a bottle. Or rather, a bat. Steve Jeltz's bat. Man, I love baseball. And I love the Fightin' Phils.

[@ListerTunes]

I love this.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

That is a great comment right there. Cheers.

[@camrynrussell6292]

Omg that is amazing

[@jeffersonott4357]

Awesomeness

[@SuPeRnOvAtHeFuNnYmAn]

Hell yeah ! Hope the Phils can finish the job this series now for more memories for ya !

[@mauruhkatigaming4807]

A fun part of this story I'm surprised you didn't mention. Ten days later, the Pirates took another 10-0 lead against the Cardinals. Rooker's boothmate Larry Fratare didn't let that go unremarked upon: "So, what if we lose this game?" Rooker responded: "If we lose this game...our road record will be 11-23."

[@anamoose461]

After that game I wouldn't bet anything either

[@daBEAGLE1017]

that's really funny. you're right, it could have been included in the story.

[@Champs-ek7lh]

Did they win??

[@smoceany9478]

@@Champs-ek7lh yeah

[@pablosonic892]

Ha. Incredible. INCREDIBLE

[@shawnheidingsfelder8179]

Something that Steve Jeltz can hang his hat on with pride: He was the only major leaguer in history to be the primary reason another man had to walk across an entire state to settle a bet. Jeltz did more in his 7 seasons that a ton of major leaguers never do: Hit two home runs in the same game he didn't start (and the game wasn't extra innings), and also did it from both sides of the plate. He also won another game with a walk-off HR. He got to play multiple positions. He survived playing under the scrutiny of Philly fans and media. He's the epitome of the joke "What do you call the guy that graduates last in his class in med school?" "Doctor." He got to the show, it wasn't just for a cup of coffee, and he did some positive things despite his historically bad numbers. Many of the coaches he played against or for never got out of the minors, same with broadcasters. He played longer than the average career, and it seems he still had fun the entire time. He won.

[@ZaoJin]

@@SimuLord I see where you're coming from, it's a pretty reasonable stance, but I promise you, no one cares.

[@kvltizt]

@@SimuLord Two Bobs? Dangerous.

[@santumi2298]

I think there's a lot of value in a guy like Jeltz. He's a below-average player at any one position, but if you average his skills at 7 of the 9 positions, he's probably well above average. He's really the perfect utility player. Can walk and bunt from both sides of the plate, can cover anywhere on the field, and is generally just happy to be there.

[@JayTheHelmetGuy]

​@@santumi2298​​yep, there's definitely a reason why he stuck around that long, it doesn't happen by accident no matter how bad the counting stats look

[@HughMungus4655]

this is why i love sports yeah sports are cool to watch and fandom is a fun way to pass the time with your buddies, but at the end of the day almost the entire human experience can be encapsulated in the athletes that play them. things like triumph and failure (both deserved and otherwise) are as integral to the human experience as they are to sports it feels like, even though pro sports are some silly games a bunch of people who are unreasonably good at them play, these games actually matter to us, and help the rest of us contextualize our lives. im a firm believer that a boring human being does not exist, and these childrens games give us a window into those otherwise random "boring" peoples lives. then sometimes, only sometimes, these lives bear stories that we desperately need to hear

[@modulusshift]

“Bob Walk? More like Bob Walk.” This might be the dumbest joke I’ve ever heard Jon make, you get to pull off pretty much one of these in a fairly extended career, and you certainly did, I’m still giggling Also thanks Katie

[@ArizonaMarty]

it waS an abSolute gem 💎

[@fishflake1209]

The Bob Walk joke Jon made in “Card Show” may be even dumber.

[@modulusshift]

@@fishflake1209 I’ve been meaning to go back and finish that series lol

[@raezor82]

“You’ve been at this plant so long, you’re a plant.”

[@hyp3ri6n58]

jon finally bringing his twitter humor to a video

[@Crazy56U]

I honestly love the Rooker plot twist. If you go into the video blind, you are lead to believe that this man’s walk _somehow_ is related to the baseball game, but how is not clear. There is no clear hint as for why this man is being mentioned. _And then the punchline lands._

[@SherlockSage]

Like a Steve Jeltz homer. Beautiful and strange

[@GroundHOG-2010]

I went into it blind and was completely confused until the unvieling of the punchline.

[@serraramayfield9230]

@@GroundHOG-2010 "If we lose this game..." *oh no* "I'll walk back home to Pittsburgh" *dies laughing*

[@simplus1980]

I got to enjoy a half hour set-up, for this reveal. Just beautiful.

[@Crimsin]

Im going to sound like an absolute nerd for this, but this is technically a "cold open" and not a "plot twist" I agree though, when i think of this video, its the first thing i remember

[@elohkayeye6277]

I just wanna say I appreciate that some of the greatest writers I’ve ever heard decided to talk about sports

[@FallingSloths]

@Elohkayeye For real! A minute and a half in and I'm already getting those trademark Secret Base chills!

[@CCDaDon15]

@@OnlyFacts662 Now, what made that necessary to comment?

[@pretzelhunt]

@@OnlyFacts662 what facts?

[@CCDaDon15]

@@OnlyFacts662 what fact? You wrote an opinion and an assumption

[@pretzelhunt]

@@OnlyFacts662 You're the one who brought up being sad, talking about feelings, ya knucklehead.

[@aidanbarrow-somers8202]

Steve Jeltz was my coach for a few years. He really is an amazing guy who knows a lot about baseball

[@samuelschmitt853]

Who did you play for?

[@seank176]

I was coming to the comments to say damn poor Steve getting roasted out of nowhere. Happy to here that. Hope both you and Steve are doing well.

[@neal6473]

@@samuelschmitt853 🤭🤣🤣🤣

[@zsefton]

I'd hope so. He was a bloody major leaguer

[@paysonfox88]

Did he teach you how to switch hit after age 20? That's the most impressive thing I found out about him. To be able to hit at the major league level, hit home runs switch hitting when you hadn't done it before age 26. That's amazing!

[@poho1918]

I can’t express how perfect these videos are when it comes to weaving stories, stats, and sports together. Thank you, we all appreciate the effort and care you put in.

[@stylekiller21]

I second that. Also it's great to show friends sports isn't all barstool dude bro bs.

[@sirtorndr]

Totally agree! The content is great and masterfully delivered. My only complaint is the completely unnecessary cursing that gets sprinkled in to many of these types of videos that I find to be juvenile and which also lowers the overall quality of the presentation. I'd love to show some of these to my kids or even in the classroom at times to my ninth graders, but that won't happen as long as the maturity level remains at the junior high level. I may be the only one who thinks this way, but I think it needs to be said. I'll still go on enjoying these great productions but not as much as I would if I felt that I could in good conscience share them with others.

[@paysonfox88]

Can it be understated how good of a storyteller it takes to make us care about Steve Jeltz?

[@sirtorndr]

@@paysonfox88 So true.

[@tangtaster]

The guys and gals are fantastic writers

[@noahblack914]

13:43 "Bob Walk? More like Bob Walk" takes the prize of dumbest joke I've ever actually laughed out loud at

[@corbing7786]

It's nice to know that there are baseball teams other then the 2022 Angels that are so skilled in blowing games in spectacular fashion

[@pypeapple]

That’s the pirates in every year for ya

[@nicholasbrockie9472]

I went here to comment something about the Angels and I’m just glad somebody else is in as much pain as I’m in. I’m not in a Twilight Zone episode. Thank you

[@therocknrollmillennial535]

@@nicholasbrockie9472 All Angels fans are in pain, brother. In 10 years, no one will believe us when we tell them that the '22 Angels were actually on pace to win the division. At this point, we'd be lucky to finish 10 games out of a wild card spot.

[@hiimemily]

It's the curse of Tungsten Arm.

[@ChasingWonderInTheWorld]

1995 angels also are famous for blowing a historical lead, although it was a lead of games and not runs

[@brickwallblitz]

16:03 “Of all the places one could possibly land on this enormous spectrum it’s this specific tiny one that will land you the most criticism and the greatest disrespect. You’re the least good player on the biggest stage.” That hits deep. We often take for granted how relentless guys in any pro sport worked to even make it there. There’s a cosmic beauty to find in Steve Jeltz being part of a rare group that not only made it into the big leagues, but had his one moment of glory.

[@HughMungus4655]

that last point you made is exactly what makes jon bois such a joy to listen to, he always finds people like this granted these men are all professional sports players and are, essentially, gods to the rest of us at what they do... the top fraction of a percent at their trade. but even the 'pedestrians' among us, in whatever their situation may be, have the unique ability to do something utterly astounding. its rare that i find inspiration like the kind i get from jon bois' stories, hopefully he gets the flowers he deserves because i, personally, legitimately consider him to be one of the better story tellers of our time

[@bmac4]

Its what I say any time people talked trash about John Scott (the famous joke-vote all star) in the NHL. In a league with ~750 players, there will be dudes in that 701-750 range. All of those guys are talented athletes worked their entire lives to carve out careers among the best, somebody's gotta be the worst among the best.

[@DaDitka]

When I read comments like yours, it reminds me of a player named Ron Wright. Look him up someday, but in a nutshell, he had exactly one major league game with Seattle, and he struck out, hit into a triple play, a d grounded into a double play. He never played another game. Some might call him a bum and a loser because he made six outs in a MLB career that lasted one game. But that is one more game, three more at-bats, and six more outs that he did than 99.99999%+ of all of us will ever do. For better or for worse, Ron Wright was a winner. Only the best of the best of the best of the best make it to the big leagues, and he, like Jeltz, made it. True, Jeltz had a better career. But still, Wright made it and for that, I tip my hat to both Jeltz and Wright.

[@CSLucasEpic]

13:10 And one of them was named Bob! That's so great! Also, did you notice how many Bobs were playing in both teams? The field was filled with Bobs that day. That makes the game extra special.

[@sabotower1792]

Makes sense, it was the 80's. The Bob Emergency had not yet fully taken hold

[@therocknrollmillennial535]

If you strung them all together, you'd have Bobbed Wire.

[@ToofKilla]

@@therocknrollmillennial535 🤣🤣🤣

[@northstarjakobs]

@@therocknrollmillennial535 ok that's fantastic here take my nonexistent trophy for best youtube comment I've seen today.

[@texasforever7887]

Absolute Legend right here 👏👏👏🥃 Bravo

[@JG-bp6sn]

Good for Rooker. As a native Pennsylvanian, the DRIVE from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh is excruciating. I can't even fathom walking it.

[@bluefire0807]

that drive is the worst thing ever created

[@matlaw]

As a Philadelphian and new fan of Steve Jeltz, I definitely agree. I’d be astonished for a public persona to back up their words like that now. Good on Rooker.

[@JBroms64]

The fact that he did it on 30 is insane.

[@gwenzhead566]

@@Godbless_theUSA cuz u have to go to Pittsburg:(

[@bradigan]

I am making that drive in a few days. Not sure if the actual drive or the tolls will hurt more.

[@PpP-dr1od]

As a Phillies fan I have actually heard of Jeltz...because and only because in 2017 the Phillies signed a pitcher that never pitched for them named Steve Geltz, and a there was an article that noted 'hey that's funny'. Oh, and thank you Katie!

[@ethanniedorowski116]

Did you happen to know that Katie has big

[@00F]

I really wonder if the people he does videos about actually know he’s made videos about them.

[@ChasingWonderInTheWorld]

Dave Stieb tweeted about the Dave Stieb episodes

[@ethanniedorowski116]

@@ChasingWonderInTheWorld did he really

[@ethanniedorowski116]

@@ChasingWonderInTheWorld hero in 100s of people's hearts south of boarder 2 steib

[@korbyrhodes8349]

I personally love the shot you took at the University of Kansas calling it a “football school”. The Jayhawks are the Steve Jeltz of college football.

[@CyberchaoX]

Actually, he called it "more of a football school", which says something about how bad their baseball team must be. We all know that Kansas is a basketball school.

[@threeminuteshate]

@@CyberchaoX if you or Korby did stand up comedy y’all would each explain every joke after you told it.

[@maxbelshe2900]

Let’s be real… UCF is the Steve Jeltz of college football

[@zsefton]

@@maxbelshe2900 didn't ucf go undefeated a few years ago? I'm glad others caught the football comment!

[@lotrdude13]

As a KU alum and fan, you are absolutely correct

[@MatthewTovar0]

Jeltz. Incredible. I’d rock his jersey. The will to keep fighting when everyone sh*ts on you, that is pure grit and love. Respect.

[@zsefton]

Learning to switch hit is unreal!

[@AndrewJW]

I want a jersey of every jon Bois video star. Koo dae sung, Steve Jeltz, Baron Davis, Rickey Henderson, Steve Bono, Dave Stieb, etc.

[@sbeni2]

Rooker actually addressed what he said again later in the game (yep, I still remember listening to this on the radio as a teenager). When the Phillies got really close, he nervously and disgustingly blurted out something like "obviously I won't actually walk back to Pittsburgh if we lose." It was a textbook example of someone's worst fear of eating their words.

[@旭球]

Thanks for the anecdote!

[@margibso]

Be proud of being in the 2nd percentile John! I rode the bench on a small town HS baseball team with 10 players on the roster.

[@HunkDrangus]

@@SimuLord I hear you. Knees for me. Football practice injury, first practice of summer, first time I signed up for sports. Also, the last time I signed up for sports.

[@PFBM86]

At least you didn't ride the bench for a team with 9 players on the roster!

[@danr154]

lol yea i played varsity for 3 years only cause our school could only field about 12 dudes who could kinda play and keep their grades up enough to be allowed to play. I was actually good my junior year and partially tore my rotator cuff just messing around during the summer that was the end of that

[@bc5208]

Way to move on from your tough past

[@ZGryphon]

This is the thing I've always appreciated most about baseball: the fact that they play so much of it, and have for so long, that the wildly improbable becomes... almost inevitable.

[@thomasblanchard6778]

"In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!" Vin Scully, Hall Of Fame Dodgers game announcer, as the Dodgers won the World Series in 1988, a 25 year drought.

[@dfp_01]

When the 2011 Cardinals won the World Series, it was as much of a shock as anything I have ever experienced, even though I was too young to fully comprehend it then. They'd been completely down for the count in August before roaring back into the fray in September, squeaking out series victories over the National League's two best teams, and going down to their last strike twice in Game 6 against the Rangers. Once they did win that game in extra innings, the outcome of Game 7 felt like a foregone conclusion even though they never should have been there in the first place. There, the impossible became improbable, and then inevitable. I'll never forget it.

[@NotSomeJustinWithoutAMoustache]

Probabilities and the law of big numbers as Vsauce called it. Really tickles the pattern seeking monke brain.

[@Kstang09]

This is peak sports storytelling. The topics, arrangement, editing, producing... Amazing work as always, folks.

[@0Clewi0]

Amazing how the assertions graf was updating mid video.

[@calvin7978]

Jon Bois deserves an award man.

[@ScottieMacF]

I give Rooker a lot of credit. He could have laughed the statement off, but instead turned it into a charity event and followed through. Good for him.

[@samsignorelli]

Wonder how much he raised and for what charity.

[@bockmaker]

@@samsignorelli On October 17, Rooker and Dozzi returned to a crowd of waiting fans at Three Rivers Stadium. Through the walk, they were able to raise money for two charities: Bob Prince Charities and Children’s Hospitals. This was the primary reason that Rooker decided to follow through on his comment. Dozzi said that they raised around $100,000, including $10,000 for a a handicap accessible van for Rooker’s former minor league teammate who was battling multiple sclerosis

[@renerpho]

@@samsignorelli Roughly $100,000 (or $250,000 accounting for inflation), for the Children's Hospital and a couple charities set up by Bob Prince.

[@samsignorelli]

@@renerpho Well done, then.

[@noinfo1018]

@renerpho ANOTHER BOB?!?!

[@12packersfan]

Wow it’s a pretty crazy coincidence Jon said the exact same thing as Barry Bonds word for word

[@denistuohy2535]

Yeah could we get a chart on the odds of that happening

[@ryanhamstra49]

The ability of these two to tell a story I’ve never heard with people I’ve never heard of about a team I don’t care about in a sport I don’t care about and to keep my focus the entire time is incredible.

[@BigBrezzy]

15:49 "I'm closer to LeBron than you are to me." - Brian Scalabrine

[@oMaJoJ]

I wonder if he's still doing his challenge.

[@lollipop5331]

I like to think Steve Jeltz is watching this video and smiling because someone is finally recognizing his MLB accomplishment

[@TheJayofthejungle]

I actually remember watching this game as an 8 year old at my grandparents. It was pretty exciting as a young fan bonding with my Pop Pop who was a huge Phillies fan. Unfortunately he was gone by the time the Phillies won in 2008, but I thought of this game and cried like a baby after Brad Lidge sealed it. I know you were smiling up there Pop Pop. Thanks for bringing me back Secret Base.

[@good_beans]

The mere fact that you're calling it that tells me you're not ready

[@vjm212]

I'm from Pittsburgh. That game is one of my sharpest childhood memories, even though we mostly listened to it on radio while we were out on a trip to an ice cream shop. I made a rough attempt to calculate the odds right after Rooker tempted fate. I never settled on an exact number, but I was giddy at how high the odds must be. I was & am a Pirates fan, but that night I chose chaos.

[@terencehill2320]

I was there that night on my 7th Birthday for Steve F. Jeltz's crushageddon. That cat couldnt hit a ball out of a paper bag but those 2 straight homers from both sides of the plate shows how wild the Phillies were in their history, 10,000 losses plus, just 2 championships, once before I was born and the last in a game where it wasnt even played in the correct city due to a ridiculous number of rain delays and rain outs just like in '86. My God, Steve Freakin Jeltz!!

[@OtesOtesOtes]

Nice my birthday is June 8th as well...although I wasn't born yet & I don't think my parents knew each other in '89...maybe they did though. Must've been awesome to witness such a turnaround!

[@terencehill2320]

@@OtesOtesOtes watching this squad go from the top to stumbling mightily and then to see it again three other times is something I love. I hope Jeltz shows up to one of the world series games this year

[@minecraftmovieman1]

This is like a greek myth its morally complete, mystically improbable and punishes a mortal human for his words.

[@rohinm.]

the way these videos immortalizes people like bob sura and steve jeltz into sports history never ceases to amaze me. the storytelling, production, and effort in these videos is unparalleled and the world is a better place for them. also thanks katie!

[@overdahedge2014]

hey your profile pic looks familiar

[@joshuapatrick682]

Hey man Bobby Sura is a fucking legend! So what if he was average at best. Still made 45 million playing the game.

[@dwaynehoward240]

I watched Bob sura as a Cleveland cavaliers fan..

[@theecharmingbilly]

I loved watching Bobby Sura ball at Florida State. (I will always choose college basketball over the NBA,).

[@TKCEDM]

And Bob Cyclone

[@brianlara6451]

People who preserve baseball stats are real life heroes. Thank you Katie

[@tkk.24]

I don’t understand how you guys can make me care about a person I never even heard of, but Steve Jeltz is gonna be stuck in my brain for a week now. Thanks guys

[@NerdTheBox]

tetris person poggies

[@geofox6430]

Along with Dave Stieb don't forget

[@BurtonHohman]

It almost makes me want to get a Jeltz jersey

[@vicious_rhubarb2247]

@@NerdTheBox hi nerd and timmykim lmaooooooo

[@foiledthrice]

hi valor best friend valor

[@johnchedsey1306]

An all time great underdog story! For one night, Jeltz got to live a childhood dream of being the most badass player in the game. Also happy that SB points out that despite his numbers, he's still better at baseball than almost all of us.

[@imightbebiased9311]

I'm pretty sure what SB was trying to point out with this story was that, on any given day, any one of us could have our very own Steve Jeltz moment.

[@kvltizt]

Prime Steve Jeltz (lol) would destroy any rec league and look like Hank Aaron at the plate. It’s like that time a retired Brian Scalabrine clowned on active D1 college basketball players with relative ease despite being thought of as a scrub.

[@JonPITBZN]

I wouldn't characterize Jeltz's switch-hitting as bad, without a qualifier. Yeah it was bad, but it was much better than before! Before switch-hitting, his career on-base average was solidly under .300, and his on-base against RHP was also consistently under .300 After making the change to switch-hitting, his on-base against righties improved a lot, becoming his single biggest asset and only consistent positive contribution at the plate. The change worked.

[@6thwilbury2331]

I love that chart at the 14:30 mark showing the full spectrum of baseball players, and where Steve Jeltz lands on it. For example, we know that about nine percent of all high school players will play at some collegiate level, and about two percent will play at a D-I program. (Jon's back-of-the-napkin estimate for "average college players" is five percent, so he has the right idea.) This is a concept I raise whenever I hear someone talk about how Michael Jordan was "bad at baseball." Compared to a MLBer? Literally not in the same league. Compared even to his own Birmingham Barons teammates? Sure, less than great. However, when placed among a continuum of all people who ever played the game at the high school level or better, MJ was probably in the top 1% despite not having picked up a bat since high school. I don't think non-baseball people truly appreciate how good even Double-A baseball is. What Jordan did would be like Mike Trout quitting baseball right now (oddly, also at the age of 31), attemping to play basketball, instead "only" making a G League roster, then having people refer to him as a "bad basketball player."

[@abelq8008]

That's a very good point. His only fault was not being an all time legend in two sports.

[@SGBassplayer]

There was a brief aside in Jim Bouton’s “Ball Four” that dealt with this same idea after he was sent down to AAA Vancouver. Basically he said that even as a AAA ballplayer he was rated as being in the top (I don’t remember the percentage he used…probably lower than 99.8 since there were fewer MLB teams at that time), and that a professional such as a doctor or lawyer who was equally rated among his or her own peers commanded a significantly greater level of respect (and compensation) considering their respective fields. Anyway, his point was that even if you never make it to MLB, getting as far as AAA is still a helluvan accomplishment and certainly nothing to feel disappointed about. And he came up with that in 1969.

[@KjoshWaddellBananasAreGood]

It's why someone like Bo Jackson is so fascinating. Not only was he top .01% in football, but also baseball. I think Jim Thorpe would've still made ot to multiple leagues today. He would've had the same training and diet advantages of modern people. Genetic changes take longer than 100 years. I really hope someone does 3 major sports some time like Jim Thorpe

[@qfmarsh64]

How's Shohei Ohtani's jump shot?

[@Aro2001]

And the crazy part is that there was a manager who said that with enough at bats, Michael Jordan probably would've found his way into the Major Leagues.

[@blandphilosophy]

Got an audible "oh my god" from me comparing his HR% to the average pitcher. Great video.

[@odysseuslost]

I was at the game when Jeltz hit his 2nd career home run after a long drought after his first. My recollection is that the homer helped win the game and I and the other fans went nuts. He was a below replacement player on a bad Phillies team. But he does have a special place in the heart of this long time Phillies fan

[@that_chem_guy]

This channel is literally the only reason I still know anything about sports

[@8stormy5]

99.99% of us ballplayers were just like Steve Jeltz at some point in our lives at the level of the game where we got filtered out, where if only a single person were to be cut, it'd be us. It's rare to ever find such solidarity in a pro athlete. Though his numbers may not be impressive, his dedication and effort is what makes this sport great. Steve Jeltz, we see you!

[@paysonfox88]

The absolute wildest inning in the history of baseball was in June of 2004. Texas rangers versus Detroit tigers in the fifth inning. I believe that is the game where the Detroit tigers scored nine runs in the top of the fifth inning, then the Texas rangers responded with 10 runs and the bottom of the fifth inning to tie it up. Both teams battered around twice in the inning, and it took over an hour to play it. The game went to extra innings and Texas won with a score of something like 16-15.

[@JWex-jy7sk]

Yep! Right here. I was a fan of those Buck Showalter Rangers teams with Teixeira, Young, Soriano, Blalock, Matthews Jr, Dellucci. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/raHMlpSHj9eEl7M

[@overthetoppranks]

Go Rangers🔥🔥

[@paysonfox88]

@@JWex-jy7sk the only reason I remember that one, is that I heard it live on the radio as I was doing my homework in high school. The game took so long to play, they started at 7:00, and I think it took him till nearly midnight to finish... If you want to look up the box score for that game I would be very interested to see it. The other thing I seem to remember from that game is that Alfonso soriano was on the rangers that year, and in that game he had six hits. I believe it's the only time a batter went 6-6 this century

[@notsauer]

May 8th. Heading into the 5th inning, the Tigers led the Rangers 6-4. After the 5th inning, it was tied at 14

[@reedermh]

Detroit had 8 in the top, Texas had 10 in the bottom.

[@graf]

As a European I barely understand baseball, but this was such a pleasurable watch - the context for things was laid out perfectly.

[@UnderwaterAlexJones]

"Kansas is more of a Football school." - Jon Bois I think this is his greatest quote yet.

[@paysonfox88]

I always thought that Kansas was more of a music school... " Carry on My wayward son!" "Lay your weary head to rest, don't you cry no more!"

[@teen_laqueefa]

Dustin Dewinn went there

[@morry32]

I'd loved it, I'd love more of it

[@theecharmingbilly]

Gayle Sayers the Kansas Comet!

[@D4ddi0]

They did beat Texas in Austin in OT

[@jeanpoincelet]

Dorktown videos are simply amazing full stop - but these videos must be without a doubt the best free content on the internet. Every episode contains a staggering amount of deeply-researched information and fluent storytelling. Just wow. Thank you

[@alaeriia01]

Between Dorktown, Well There's Your Problem, and that one guy who does basically this but with stories in the world of science, you're spoiled for choice.

[@waltermiller8676]

Mark Grant made a similar bet last year when the Padres went down 8-0 last year with Max Scherzer on the bump. He said he would walk to petco from the far out suburb he lives in 30 miles away. Daniel Camarena, a relief pitcher hit a grand slam and the rest is history.

[@jakestanley52]

As soon as they mentioned the games where teams lost, that's exactly what I thought of.

[@SerenityNow9015]

“CAMARENA, PLAYS IN SLAM DIEGO!”

[@jefferyalberter9922]

It was billed as "Jim Rooker's Unintentional Walk". We old school Bucco fans remember it well.

[@thepassingstatic6268]

That is a great name right there

[@qfmarsh64]

"Jim Rooker's Unintentional Walk"? More like "Jim Rooker's Unintentional Walk."

[@MomTires]

28:50 This bit had me on the floor, it looked like Jeltz stole Barry’s talent for just this game

[@rockofshame]

Holy shit me too, I’m losing my mind. Two fuckin home runs by fuckin Steve Jeltz. I’ve never seen anything like it.

[@givant]

It was fucking beautiful.. caught me by surprise. Much like fucking steve jeltz’ two fucking home runs caught the pirates by surprise.

[@SebastianTheGreat]

I saw the title and the Phillies in the thumbnail and immediately knew which story this was going to be, as a Phillies fan since the mid 2000s. Yet the Jon Bois and Alex somehow dug up a treasure trove of knowledge (as always) that I had never heard of before. As the greatest baseball player of our time once said, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” Amazing work guys!

[@12packersfan]

“That homer which can only be described as one of the most stunning ever” Bartolo Colon- *I took that personally*

[@andyatherton8583]

legend has it the big boy is still rounding those bases

[@cybertronguy98]

i mean, Griffey Sr and Jr having back to back home runs was pretty nice. Harper's walk off grand slam against the Cubs too.

[@TalonTheRetroGamer]

I already miss pitchers batting

[@smoceany9478]

one of, ranked 2 and 3

[@calenono1512]

Never fails to make me tear up. I go back to this video when I’m feeling down, sometimes you just have to keep working and amazing things can happen

[@elikernaghan6511]

Jon Bois and Alex Rubenstein are my heroes. I can never repay them for their work and what it means to me.

[@Jdog7117]

Thanks!

[@davidgreen3423]

Hearing Jon’s intros always drags me in and makes you know you’re about to watch something great. We need more Pretty Good!

[@Bruce_M00SE]

I had completely forgotten how the video began on a man walking from Philly to pittsburgh until the final minutes. Amazing story telling thank you.

[@KysonChannell]

"Kansas is more of a football school" BRUH 🤣🤣🤣

[@JWex-jy7sk]

Those are words I haven’t heard put together in a sentence since like 2007 🤣

[@kvltizt]

That’s how nonexistent their baseball is. lmao rude as fuck

[@MarloSoBalJr]

@@JWex-jy7sk TBH, isn't that the only time for both Kansas & Kansas State?

[@deanbryant9679]

As a Mizzou grad, I literally laughed out loud!

[@pbagosy]

There needs to be some sort of prestigious award for storytelling like this. Like something to add to the EGOT. Some award that says "you took a story about a baseball game that didn't matter in any realistic way, and you presented it in a way that was more thrilling and suspenseful and engrossing than the Best Picture winner of the year, EVEN TO PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS." This is rare talent. I fully believe you could point to any random professional sports game, in any sport, and Jon and Alex could craft a 30-minute video that leaves you on the edge of your seat, shaking your head, ready to cry or scream or cheer, even if you had been to the game and it was so unmemorable that you don't even remember until a third of the way through that you were actually there.

[@smoothALOE]

I love the story about Steve Jeltz. The perspective about his hitting at the highest level versus the very lowest is wonderful.

[@dfp_01]

Jon's sarcastic "I sure hope nothing weird happens" at 5:12 got me giggling cause he lives and breathes sports weirdness

[@godbobo9162]

I love how across the collective of ideas, stories, and people that make up dorktown, all shown across a map of them all smushed together, Steve Jeltz gets to be on the same scale has some of the best to ever do it. Bleeping awesome.

[@Flickawho]

I wish y’all could see my wife’s face when I try to explain how much I love these videos. As someone with ADHD, videos involving so many charts and stats would be an immediate “no”. The way you present everything and find these topics astounds me.

[@Edgemaster72]

Love the perspective of a guy like Jeltz still being in the 99.1 percentile or w/e it was of people playing high school ball and beyond

[@bmac4]

What's nuts to me is that Jeltz had an OPS+ of 101 in 1989. This game was an outsize portion of why for one year in his career he was actually a tick above average.

[@dfp_01]

It makes his career OPS+ of 61 even bleaker by comparison, because it means that except for this span in the middle of 1989, he was barely hitting half as well as the average player.

[@Pwop_]

Realizing at some point through the pandemic I’ve worked through almost the whole library of Rewinder, Dorktown etc, I know get so excited for new documentaries off this channel. Thanks for making these, personally I love them and I know reading these comments they are beloved by sports fans

[@Pwop_]

Ha, now Im rewatching this one too and was going to comment again but saw I did 8 months ago. Its funny when you rewatch these and notice little things, like many jokes about the university of Kansas, or the layers of irony into the correction at 12:09 The graphic being inherently misleading because of the bar graph, while titling it about “statistical assertions that were factually inaccurate”. I just love it.

[@MickeyKraut419]

I love how you guys go on these deep dives on odd and obscure occurrences in sports. I was a few months shy of 8 years old at the time, but I do have vague memories of them talking about Jeltz's unlikely 2 HR game on Sportscenter the following morning. But I had forgotten the part about Jim Rooker's bet to walk back to Pittsburgh. Kudos to him for honoring his word and making it meaningful by raising funds for charity while doing it.

[@yhg7ygo7g7igoi]

The way he said “ I sure hope nothing weird happens” is how I live my life.

[@xiaoxiaostickguy]

That spiel about how Jeltz made it is why I appreciate depth players so much and do find any stories I do come across fascinating. It really is hard to forget that even the worst players in these major sports are elite among elites compared to the everyday man. One sportscaster I sometimes listen to talked about how some flag football enthusiasts played against some a former backup quarterback and that he absolutely crushed them despite being out of the game for so long. They only really look bad against other elites among elites. Two specific players that come to mind are Trevor Plouffe, a former MLB player, and Lil' Jordan Humphries, a current NFL player. I listen to Talking Baseball on occasion and got curious about what Trevor's accomplishments were as a former big leaguer, and he was an average player for a while. When he talks on that podcast, it feels like he has a ton of knowledge and insight, and it made me appreciate more just how good you have to be at a game to be even an average player. In the case of Lil' Jordan Humphries, I don't know much about his backstory, simply that my friends often joke that he is "The best 5th string WR in the league". It's very obvious he's not a good player, but he's also not so bad that he shouldn't be on a team, and in a way it's impressive for someone to fit such a mold so well. A clear depth guy that you hope not to ever need to play but good to have on your team. Especially because he's been in that role for a handful of years whereas a lot of bottom-of-the-depth-chart guys simply flame out after a few years.

[@jasoncurtisr]

“Bob Walk? More like Bob Walk” sent me

[@colinmoon9315]

Came here to comment this lol

[@bryant475]

Wow, what an incredible and rare game! I just checked Jeltz's game log for that year, and right after that game, he was hitting .260 with a .438 SLG. By June 30th, he was at .297 and .424 SLG, which were leaps and bounds above his career averages. June 1989 was likely the best month of his career! Overall, 1989 was also his best year, finishing .243 and .338 SLG, not too bad. He also had a .356 OBP that year. Considering his career averages of .210 BA, .268 SLG, a .308 OBP was pretty surprising. He def had an above average ability to walk!

[@moocowthepersom]

he had a 101 ops+ that year! he was, albeit by the slimmest of margins, an above average hitter by exactly 1%, which is pretty damn impressive no matter how insignificant it seems. there’s definitely things was better at as a player than some of my current favorite players haha

[@brandongnuschke6054]

Pittsburgh Pirates: Ten runs in the first inning!? There’s no way we can lose! Atlanta Falcons: We’ve got some bad news…

[@Idran]

the atlanta falcons shouldn't talk; they're so awful, they've never had a single run in any baseball game in history

[@jdotoz]

​@@IdranThey aren't even in the same league as the Pirates.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Excellent storytelling. I'd also like to point out that the Detroit Tigers had 2 of those utility infielders that didn't do too much very well, between 1973-1985. Tom Veryzer preceded Alan Trammell at short and Doug Flynn was a back-up in 1985.

[@chasestankievech]

Sports have been my rock, and this series with Jon and Alex has always brought a smile. You guys were a main reason why I subbed to SB nation years ago..When in doubt, I turn to Dorktown to make me feel better.. and that’s something I’ve needed lately. Thank you for your hard work in these projects!

[@shaunhurst2595]

Dorktown is the only stats driven channel that can leave you with legitimate tears in your eyes. That's what great sports writing does.

[@morganspriggs4426]

These videos are immaculate. Thank you Secret Base for your elite contribution to sports media!!

[@danilthorstensson8902]

And thanks Katie!

[@ShovelChef]

By itself, your Steve Jeltz section is worth the price of admission. I was transported and inspired. I knew nothing about this guy before today, and "Jeltz" is now in my dictionary. Anyone would love to be "The Michael Jordan" of anything. But now, having started a semi-ambidextrous cooking career in my 30's, I wouldn't mind even being "The Steve Jeltz of Fine Dining" before I die. 😌👍 And that 4th inning homer was everything. Wait… He's not done? 😐 WTF 😲 I'm from Brooklyn. 3rd gen New Yorker. And I want a Jeltz Jersey for Christmas.

[@shotgunshelz7987]

Dorktown is some of the best content on the platform period. It’s an amazing blend of sports, storytelling, history, math oddly enough, but it works so so so well. Thank you for your work Jon and crew.

[@TheLazybum30]

This us why I love this channel. This huge story is from a regular season game in the middle of season. I have never heard of this game until today.

[@dantheman5745]

I remember this game and the unfortunate proclamation by Rooker. Fantastic video. I loved how you put Jeltz' career into perspective. I played CF for 20 years, but had 8 fewer Big League seasons than he did. He was a success. Gotta point this one out, though...at 27:01, Bonds didn't dive. If he dove, he could've caught that ball. He misjudged it and fell as he belatedly leaned for the ball. Coming in on a sinking liner, you have to be decisive, not tentative. Bonds was the latter. He fell, he didn't dive.

[@charliemas1]

Watching ballgames with my kids, sometimes they would ask me "Is that guy a good player?" "Are you kidding?!? He's a major leaguer. He has skills and talents that you and I can hardly imagine. Do you have any idea what it's like just to stand in the batter's box and face a major league slider? Let alone try to hit one? Let alone actually hitting it?!?" "Yeah, okay" my child would answer, "But for a major leaguer, is that guy any good?" "Oh hell no. He's only with the big team because someone's hurt."

[@ChasingWonderInTheWorld]

Steve Jeltz is the most inspirational person I’ve ever heard of in baseball

[@malign3158]

“Bob Walk? Heh. More like Bob Walk” made me cackle, it’s so stupid😂

[@alexgrissom3513]

Hey Jon I just want to say thank you for throwing in that segment about Jeltz among the percentiles chart. We don’t talk about the fact that these are all elite athletes enough. A bad pro athlete is still an elite athlete

[@tbow13gbr22]

As much as I love the long form, documentary style dorktowns (which is a lot), there is something really special about these one off stories. Sort of just reminds me of the original Pretty Good and Chart Party videos where it’s just like “here’s a mildly interesting story that had almost no impact on the rest of the sport and that you’ll probably never need to know again. Have fun!”

[@ChasingWonderInTheWorld]

The fact that the pitcher was named Bob Walk is the most hilarious thing I’ve seen all month

[@sabotower1792]

"Bob Walk? More like Bob Walk"

[@buckyswider1]

He started and won game one of the 1980 World Series for the Phillies. A series that the Phillies won!

[@ChasingWonderInTheWorld]

@@buckyswider1 I know all about that series because I know a lot of royals fans who lived during that time and still are bitter at the Phillies for that. I'm a royals fan too but I am too young to remember that series

[@TerryMahoney]

I have never watched one of your videos without having an emotional reaction. Steve Jeltz’s story brought me such joy. thanks

[@Donald38]

28:49 that was a really good setup for the Bonds punchline

[@christophermanning6146]

Jon Bois everyone. I wait all year just to get an opportunity to watch an incredible video like this and I'm 10 seconds into it. It's guaranteed to be good. What a legend.

[@zircconium]

this is as weird as a couple days ago when the angels homered 7 times and still lost

[@JWex-jy7sk]

That’s not weird, that’s just a typical Angels thing to do.

[@zircconium]

@@JWex-jy7sk they’re so good but so bad at the same time. just going in on getting homers but can’t get base hits. you’d think that with the team they have they’d have a much better record but they do this every year it seems

[@SouthMingo]

All solo home runs as well.

[@GolfBaller]

@Fries It ties the MLB record for ones in a game but they are the first team in MLB history to score seven solo home runs and nothing else.

[@metrodonkey8093]

i have a feeling secret base is already compiling an eventual angels episode

[@_iridium8464]

Kept putting off watching this video for other content for some reason but now after watching it it’s definitely one of my favorite from the channel

[@luv2sail66]

Thanks for another interesting presentation. I thought it was nice that you pointed out that the worst players in MLB are still better at baseball than the vast majority of people who played the game at the HS level or higher. One of my favorite things about baseball is when a “scrub” player has the game of their life and makes a difference in a game. Makes me think of Bernie Carbo’s home run in the 1975 World Series.

[@ryanchase9332]

To quote The Great White Hope Brian Scalabrine when talking to a pro-am basketball player "Skill wise, I'm closer to Michael Jordan than you are to me."

[@tomaspabon2484]

This was an excellent narrative experience. I got so goddamn invested in Jeltz, i completely forgot about the original topic. I hadn't even HEARD of the guy before and still i cheered when he hit that first homer

[@BattlePants321]

Love it when Card Show characters make an appearance. Bob Walk is a Card Show legend

[@UsrnamePending]

Steve Jeltz made an appearance today at Citizens Bank Park for the 20th anniversary of the field, thank you for telling his exceedingly unique story

[@thenumberquelve158]

Man.... The way you mix and match emotions is incredible. At first I was just giggling at the fact there was an actual MLB pitcher named Bob Walk, and guffawing at the silly joke you made about it. And then your incredible perspective (specifically the line about how "this guy" [Jon Bois] is somehow allowed to criticize "this guy" [Steve Jeltz] ) just had me awed. These videos are insanely sobering and enlightening in that regard, and the presentation and music always helps out.

[@lylemcdonaldisright]

I find baseball (and honestly most sports) utterly boring. This is one of the best videos I have EVER watched. Compelling and hilarious from start to finish like the rest of your channel. Love it.

[@bassguitarbill]

The whole 99.9th percentile segment had me rolling, I haven't laughed that hard in a while, I love this series

[@1981bevo]

this is the best documentary i've ever seen about a mid-season game between the bottom two divisional teams over 30 years ago driven by one of the worst players of all time that no one has heard of since.

[@83jbbentley]

The music is always exceptional in these vids! Bob Walk? The pitcher is named Walk..? That’s like an ice cream worker being named “Cone.”

[@BlueJaybeard]

"If you have wagered a walk so long that the totality of its route cannot be observed in full without also observing the curvature of the earth, you have stepped in it." Why baseball is awesome. :)